2004 Lexus GX470 service

DRIVING TIPS
453
OFF-ROAD DRIVINGPRECAUTIONS
When driving your vehicle off-road, please observe the
following precautions to ensure your driving enjoyment and to
help prevent the closure of areas to off-road vehicles.
a. Drive your vehicle only in areas where of f-road vehicles are
permitted to travel.
b. Respect private property. Get owner's permission before
entering private property.
c. Do not enter areas that are closed. Honor gates, barriers
and signs that restrict travel.
d. Stay on established roads. When conditions are wet,
driving techniques should be changed or travel delayed to
prevent damage to roads.
For owners in U.S. mainland, Hawaii and Puerto Rico:
To obtain additional information pertaining to driving your
vehicle off-road, consult the following organizations.
 State and Local Parks and Recreation Departments
 State Motor Vehicle Bureau
 Recreational Vehicle Clubs
 U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management
CAUTION
Always observe the following precautions to minimize
the risk of serious personal injury or damage to your
vehicle:
Drive carefully when off the road. Do not take
unnecessary risks by driving in dangerous places.
 Do not grip the steering wheel spokes when driving
off-road. A bad bump could jerk the wheel and injure
your hands. Keep both hands and especially your
thumbs on the outside of the rim.
 Always check your brakes for effectiveness
immediately after driving in sand, mud, water or
snow.
 After driving through tall grass, mud, rock, sand,
rivers, etc., check that there is no grass, bush, paper,
rags, stone, sand, etc. adhering or trapped on the
underbody. Clear off any such matter from the
underbody. If the vehicle is used with these materials
trapped or adhering to the underbody, a breakdown
or fire could occur.
 In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is
significantly more likely to die than a person wearing
a seat belt. Therefore, the driver and all passengers
should fasten their seat belts whenever the vehicle is
moving.

DRIVING TIPS
457
Check the condition of the battery and cables.
Cold temperatures reduce the capacity of any battery, so it
must be in top shape to provide enough power for winter
starting. Page 612
tells you how to visually inspect the battery.
Your Lexus dealer and most service stations will be pleased to
check the battery charge level.
Make sure the engine oil viscosity is suitable for the cold
weather.
See page 566 for recommended viscosity. Leaving a heavy
summer oil in your vehicle during winter months may cause
harder starting. If you are not sure about which oil to use, call
your Lexus dealer Ð they will be pleased to help. Check the electronic ignition system for loose
connections or obvious damage.
Keep the door locks from freezing.
Squirt
lock de-icer or glycerine into the locks to keep them from
freezing.
Use a washer fluid containing an antifreeze solution.
This product is available at your Lexus dealer and most auto
parts stores. Follow the manufacturer's directions for how
much to mix with water.
NOTICE
Do not use engine antifreeze or any other substitute because it may damage your vehicle's paint.

DRIVING TIPS
467
Brakes and safety chains
Lexus recommends trailers with brakes that conform to
any applicable federal and state/provincial regulations.
 A safety chain must always be used between the towing
vehicle and the trailer. Leave sufficient slack in the
chain for turns. The chain should cross under the
trailer tongue to prevent the tongue from dropping to
the ground in case it becomes damaged or separated.
For correct safety chain procedures, consult your
Lexus dealer.
CAUTION
If the total trailer weight exceeds 453 kg (1000 lb.),
trailer brakes are required.
 Never tap into your vehicle's hydraulic system as it
will lower its braking effectiveness.
 Never tow a trailer without using a safety chain
securely attached to both the trailer and the vehicle.
If damage occurs to the coupling unit or hitch ball,
there is possible danger of the trailer wandering over
into another lane.
Service connector for towing brake controller
Your vehicle is equipped with a service connector for the
towing brake controller as shown. Link the connector to the
towing brake controller via the sub wire harness stored in the
glove box. The detailed explanation of the sub wire harness
circuit is packed together with the sub wire harness. Be sure
to position the towing brake controller where it does not prevent
the driver from operating the pedal. Lexus recommends that
the sub wire harness be stored in the glove box when it is not
in use.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
481
IF YOUR ENGINE STALLS WHILEDRIVING
If your engine stalls while driving...
1. Reduce your speed gradually, keeping a straight line. Move
cautiously off the road to a safe place.
2. Turn on your emergency flashers.
3. Turn the ignition key to ACCº or LOCKº, and try starting the
engine again.
If the engine will not start, see If your vehicle will not startº.
CAUTION
If the engine is not running, the power assist for the
brakes and steering will not work, so steering and
braking will be much harder than usual.
IF YOUR VEHICLE WILL NOT START
(a) Simple checks
Before making these checks, make sure you have followed the
correct starting procedure instructions in How to start the
engineº on page 392 and that you have sufficient fuel. Since
your vehicle is equipped with the engine immobilizer system,
also check whether the other keys w ill start the engine. If they
work, your key may be broken. Have the key checked at your
Lexus dealer. If none of your keys work, there may be a
malfunction in the i mmobilizer system. Call your Lexus dealer.
See Keysº on page 8.
If the engine is not turning over or is turning over too
slowly Ð
1. Check that the battery terminals are tight and clean.
2. If the battery terminals are O.K., switch on the interior light.
3. If the light is out, dim or goes out when the starter is cranked,
the battery is discharged. You may try jump starting. See (c)
Jump startingº for further instruction.
If the light is O.K., but the engine still will not start, it needs
adjustment or repair. Call a Lexus dealer, Roadside
Assistance or Customer Service Assistance. (See
Forewordº.)

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
482
NOTICE
Do not pull- or push-start the vehicle. It may damagethe vehicle or cause a collision when the engine starts.Also the three-way catalytic converter may overheatand become a fire hazard.
If the engine turns over at its normal speed but will not
start Ð
1. Turn the ignition key to ACCº or LOCKº and try starting the
engine again.
2. The engine may be flooded because of repeated cranking.
See (b) Starting a flooded engineº for further instructions.
3. If the engine still will not start, it needs adjustment or repair.
Call a Lexus dealer, Roadside Assistance or Customer Service
Assistance. (See Forewordº.)(b) Starting a flooded engine
If the engine will not start, your engine may be flooded
because of repeated cranking.
If this happens, turn the ignition key to STARTº with the
accelerator pedal fully depressed, and hold the key at this
position for about 30 seconds. Then the cranking hold function
stops cranking automatically, and you can try starting the
engine with your foot off the accelerator pedal.
If the engine does not start, wait a few minutes and try again.
If the engine still will not start, it needs adjustment or repair.
Call a Lexus dealer, Roadside Assistance or Customer Service
Assistance. (See Forewordº.)
(c) Jump starting
To avoid serious personal injury and damage to your
vehicle which might result from battery explosion, acid
burns, electrical burns, or damaged electronic
components, these instructions must be followed
precisely.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
483
If you are unsure about how to follow this procedure, we
strongly recommend that you seek help from your Lexus
dealer,
Roadside Assistance or Customer Service Assistance.
(See Forewordº.)
CAUTION
 Batteries contain sulfuric acid which is poisonous
and corrosive. Wear protective safety glasses when
jump starting, and avoid spilling acid on your skin,
clothing, or vehicle.
 If you should accidentally get acid on yourself or in
your eyes, remove any contaminated clothing and
flush the affected area with water immediately. Then
get immediate medical attention. If possible,
continue to apply water with a sponge or cloth while
en route to the medical office.
 The gas normally produced by a battery will explode
if a flame or spark is brought near. Use only
standardized jumper cables and do not smoke or
light a match while jump starting.
NOTICE
The battery used for boosting must be 12 V. Do not jump
start unless you are sure that the booster battery iscorrect.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
504
10. Reinstall the wheel ornament.
Put the wheel ornament into position and then tap it
firmly with the side or heel of your hand to snap it
into place.
CAUTION
Take due care in handling the ornament to avoid
unexpected personal injury.
11. After changing the wheel, check the air
pressure of the replaced tire. Stow all the tools,
jack and flat tire securely.
If the pressure of the replaced tire is low, drive slowly
to the nearest service station and fill to the correct
pressure.Do not forget to reinstall the tire valve cap as dirt and
moisture could get into the valve core and possible
cause air leakage. If the cap is missing, put a new
one on as soon as possible.
This is the same procedure for changing or rotating
your tires.
CAUTION
Before driving, make sure all the tools, jack and
flat tire are securely in place in their storage
location to reduce the possibility of personal
injury during a collision or sudden braking.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
506
IF YOUR VEHICLE NEEDS TO BETOWED
If towing is necessary, we recommend you to have it done
by your Lexus dealer or a commercial tow truck service.
In consultation with them, have your vehicle towed using
either (a) or (b).
(a) Towing with a wheel lift type truck
(b) Using a flat bed truck
(c) Never tow with a sling type truck
Only when you cannot receive a towing service from a
Lexus dealer or commercial tow truck service, tow your
vehicle carefully in accordance with the instructions
given in (d) Emergency towingº on page 511.
Proper equipment will help ensure that your vehicle is not
damaged while being towed. Commercial operators are
generally aware of the state/provincial and local laws
pertaining to towing.
Your vehicle can be damaged if it is towed incorrectly. Although
most operators know the correct procedure, it is possible to
make a mistake. To avoid damage to your vehicle, make sure
the following precautions are observed. If necessary, show
this page to the tow truck driver. TOWING PRECAUTIONS:
Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by the
state/provincial and local laws. The wheels and axle on the
ground must be in good condition. If they are damaged, use
a towing dolly.
CAUTION
When
your vehicle is towed, put the vehicle height in the
Nº (normal) mode and push the HEIGHT CONTROL
OFFº switch to turn off the rear height control air
suspension. Otherwise, the vehicle height may be
changed in the automatic leveling function, resulting in
accident. For details, see Rear height control air
suspensionº on page 412.