2004 Lexus GX470 suspension

For detailed information, refer to the description given in each Section.
PICTORIAL INDEX
x
Page
1Driving position memory switches 200. . . . . . . . . . .
2Power window switches 43. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3Power door lock switch 22. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4Window lock switch 44. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5Power rear view mirror control switches 205. . . . . .
6Side vents 228. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7Headlight, turn signal and
fog light switches 29, 31, 32. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8Wiper and washer switch 32. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9Center vents 228. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10Emergency flasher switch 46. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11Car audio 235. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12Multi-information display 67. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13Automatic air conditioning controls 215. . . . . . . . . .
14Rear window defogger switch 40. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15Front passenger's seat belt reminder light 58. . . . . .
16Glove box 84. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
17Ashtray 79. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18Cigarette lighter 79. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
19Seat heater switches 47. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page
20Four-wheel drive control lever 373. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
21Automatic transmission selector lever 365. . . . . . . .
22Parking brake lever 363. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
23Center differential lock switch 373. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24Power outlet (12 VDC) 81. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
25Downhill assist control switch 393. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
26Electronic modulated suspension
control switch 387. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
27Rear height control air suspension
switches 380. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
28Ignition switch 361. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
292nd STRTº switch 373. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
30Cruise control switch 377. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
31Steering pad switches 256. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
32Hood lock release lever 99. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
33Fuel filler door opener 100. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
34Instrument panel light control dial 73. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
35Outside rear view mirror defogger switch 42. . . . . . .
36Power outlet (115 VAC) main switch 81. . . . . . . . . . . .

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
147
NOTICE
Do not perform any of the following changes without
consulting your Lexus dealer. Such changes can
interfere with proper operation of the front seat belt
pretensioners in some cases.
Installation of electronic devices such as a mobile
two-way radio, cassette tape player or compact disc
player.
Repairs on or near the front seat belt retractor
assemblies.
Modification of the suspension system.
Modification of the front end structure.
Attachment of a grille guard (bull bar, kangaroo bar,
etc.), snowplow, winches or any other equipment to
the front end.
Repairs made on or near the front fenders, the front
end structure and console.

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
158
Do not modify or remove any wiring. Do not modify,
remove, strike or open any components, such as the
steering wheel pad, steering wheel, column cover,
front passenger airbag cover, front passenger airbag
or airbag sensor assembly. Doing so may prevent the
front airbag system from activating correctly, cause
sudden activation of the system or disable the
system, which could result in death or serious injury.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in death
or serious injury. Consult your Lexus dealer about any
repair and modification.
NOTICE
Do not perform any of the following changes without
consulting your Lexus dealer. Such changes can
interfere with proper operation of the SRS front airbag
system in some cases.
Installation of electronic devices such as a mobile
two-way radio, cassette tape player or compact disc
player
Modification of the suspension system
Modification of the front end structure
Attachment of a grille guard (bull bar, kangaroo bar,
etc.), snowplow, winches or any other equipment to
the front end
Repairs made on or near the front fenders, front end
structure, console, steering column, steering wheel
or dashboard near the front passenger airbag

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
172
Do not perform any of the following changes without
consulting your Lexus dealer. Such changes can
interfere with proper operation of the SRS side airbag
and curtain shield airbag system in some cases.
Installation of electronic devices such as a mobile
two-way radio, cassette tape player or compact disc
player
Modification of the suspension system
Modification of the structure of the passenger
compartment
Repairs made on or near the console or front seat

SECTION 3 ± 1
355
STARTING AND DRIVING
Starting and driving
Three-way catalytic converters356 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine exhaust caution359 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Before starting the engine361 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ignition switch with steering lock361 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking brake363 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How to start the engine363 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic transmission365 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Four-wheel drive system373 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cruise control377 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear height control air suspension380 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electronic modulated suspension387 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Active traction control system388 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle stability control system390 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Downhill assist control system393 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hill-start assist control system396 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake system398 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake pad wear limit indicators402 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Limited-slip differential403 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

STARTING AND DRIVING
380
REAR HEIGHT CONTROL AIR
SUSPENSION
This rear height control air suspension controls the
vehicle height depending on the vehicle driving condition.
Select your desired height among the HIº (high), Nº
(normal) and LOº (low) modes with the height select
switch.
(a) Vehicle height modes
Nº (normal) mode: The vehicle height in this mode is
standard. Regardless of the number of occupants or the
luggage loading condition, the vehicle height is always
automatically adjusted to a fixed height in any mode while the
engine is running.
This mode is suitable for ordinary driving.HIº (high) mode: The vehicle height is about 40 mm (1.6 in.)
higher at the rear than the Nº mode height.
This mode is suitable when driving on the bumpy roads and
through water.
However, when the vehicle speed exceeds about 30 km/h (19
mph) or over in the HIº mode, the Nº mode is automatically
selected.
CAUTION
The HIº mode should be used for severe off-road
driving condition only. As the vehicle's center of gravity
is higher in this setting, the vehicle may become
unstable when turning abruptly resulting in accident.
LOº (low) mode: The vehicle height is about 20 mm (0.8 in.)
lower at the rear than the Nº mode height.
This mode allows you easy access to the vehicle (getting in and
out) and easy loading and unloading operation.
This mode is available when the vehicle speed is under about
12 km/h (7 mph).

STARTING AND DRIVING
382In the following cases, the rear height control suspension
will not operate.
The underbody of the vehicle has touched the surface on
bumpy roads.
The area around the rear suspension is coated with ice.
If the vehicle is moved to its usual location or the ice is removed
and the height select switch is pressed, the vehicle height
control cannot be operated. In this case, turn off and restart the
engine, then push the control switches.
(c) Vehicle height adjustment

1Higher2Lower
To change the mode, push the height select switch on
either side of º (higher) or º (lower).The height control indicator light indicates which mode is
selected. (See (e) Height control indicator lightº described
below.)
Selecting the HIº mode
Push the height select switch on the º side when the vehicle
speed is under about 30 km/h (19 mph).
To change the Nº mode to HIº: Push the switch once.
To change the LOº mode to HIº: Push the switch twice. It
takes about 30 seconds until the LOº mode changes to the HIº
mode.
Selecting the Nº mode
To change the HIº mode to Nº: Push the height select
switch on the º side once.
To change the LOº mode to Nº: Push the height select
switch on the º side once.
Selecting the LOº mode
Push the height select switch on the º side while the vehicle
is stopped.
To change the Nº mode to LOº: Push the switch once.
To change the HIº mode to LOº: Push the switch twice.
Even if the engine is stopped while the vehicle height is being
lowered, the operation continues for up to 25 seconds. If within
this 25 seconds, any of the side doors or the back door is
opened, operation will continue for a further 15 seconds.

STARTING AND DRIVING
383
NOTICE
If the vehicle height is changed frequently when the
vehicle is heavily loaded, the compressor may
overheat causing the vehicle height adjustment
operation to stop.
Before you lower the vehicle height with the height
select switch, check under the vehicle to make sure
nothing to damage the vehicle or no one to be injured
is there and that the underbody of the vehicle does
not touch the ground.
After unloading, the height of a vehicle equipped with
the rear height control air suspension becomes
slightly higher than the normal vehicle height. Take
sufficient care where the overhead height is
restricted.
Do not select the LOº mode in the bumpy roads. If
the underbody of the vehicle touches the rugged
road surface, the vehicle may be damaged.