2004 Lexus GX470 transmission

STARTING AND DRIVING
396
4Resetting to a slower speed
Press the control lever downward in the - SETº direction and
hold it. Release the lever when the desired speed is attained.
While the lever is held downward, the vehicle speed will
gradually decrease.
When the difference between the actual vehicle speed and the
set speed is less than 5 km/h (3 mph), the set speed can be
lowered 1.6 km/h (1 mph) each time by pressing the control
lever downward in the - SETº direction quickly within 0.6
seconds.
However, a quicker way to reset is to depress the brake pedal
and then press the control lever downward in the - SETº
direction.
Even if you downshift the transmission from the Dº position to
4º position with the cruise control on, engine braking will not
be applied because the cruise control is not cancelled. To
decrease the vehicle speed, reset to a slower speed with the
cruise control lever or depress the brake pedal. If you use the
brake pedal, cruise control is cancelled.
5Resuming the preset speed
If the preset speed is cancelled by pulling the control lever or
by depressing the brake pedal, pushing the lever up in the +
RESº direction will restore the speed set prior to cancellation.
However, once the vehicle speed falls below about 40 km/h (25
mph), the preset speed will not be resumed.
Cruise control failure warning
If the CRUISEº indicator light in the instrument cluster flashes
when using the cruise control, push the main switch to turn the
system off and then push it again to turn it on.
If any of the following conditions then occurs, there is some
trouble in the cruise control system.
 The indicator light does not come on.
 The indicator light flashes again.
 The indicator light goes out after it comes on.
If this is the case, contact your Lexus dealer and have your
Lexus inspected.

STARTING AND DRIVING
410
DOWNHILL ASSIST CONTROLSYSTEM
The downhill assist control system is a system that
assists the deceleration of the engine brake when you
drive down a steep hill. When you are driving down a hill
with the four-wheel drive control lever in the Lº position,
push the DACº switch to limit the vehicle's acceleration.
If the vehicle is traveling at a speed of 25 km/h (15 mph) or
less, you can descend at a constant speed.
CAUTION
Do not rely excessively on the downhill assist control
system. It may not be able to maintain a low speed over
road surfaces or off-road surfaces on which sliding can
easily occur, such as extremely steep slopes or icy or
muddy roads.
Turning on the system
1. Shift the four-wheel drive control lever to the Lº
position.
The system will not operate if the four-wheel drive control lever
is in the Hº position.
2. In order to make full use of the engine brake, putting the
transmission in Lº or 2º is recommended.
The system will operate even if the transmission selector lever
is in Dº, 4º, 3º or Nº. However, when it is in Lº or 2º the
engine brake can also be utilized enabling the system to
operate more effectively.
3. Push the DACº switch to turn the system on. The
downhill assist control system indicator light on the
instrument panel will come on.

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411
If the downhill assist control system indicator light flashes, the
transmission selector lever may be in Nº or four-wheel drive
control lever may be in the Hº position.
If the indicator light does not come on when the switch is
pushed, contact your Lexus dealer.

Slip indicator light
With the vehicle traveling at a speed of 25 km/h (15 mph) or
less, release your foot from the accelerator or brake pedal to
activate the system. The vehicle will descend the hill at a low
speed. While the system is operating, the slip indicator light on
the instrument panel will flash and the stop lights and high
mounted stoplight will be lit.
If you push the DACº switch to turn the system off while it is
in operation, the system will stop operating gradually. The
downhill assist control system indicator light will flash to alert
the driver. To continue driving at a low speed, push the DACº
switch to turn the system on.
The slip indicator light and downhill assist control system
indicator l
ight come on for a few seconds when the ignition key
is turned to ONº. If any of the indicator lights does not come
on when the ignition is turned on, contact your Lexus dealer.
If the system is used frequently, the brake actuator
temperature may become too high and a buzzer will sound
intermittently.
If this happens, the downhill assist control system indicator
light will flash and a buzzer will sound intermittently. When the
temperature of the brake actuator goes down, the system will
begin to operate again. Until it restarts, the active traction
control system and hill-start assist control system will not
operate; however, the conventional brake can be operated.

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413
HILL-ST ART ASSIST CONTROLSYSTEM
The hill-start assist control system assists you in starting
to move up a steep or slippery hill. When you start to move
up the hill slope, the system helps to prevent the vehicle
from rolling backward in the interval while you move your
foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal.
CAUTION
 Do not rely excessively on the hill-start assist control
system. The vehicle may not be able to start
smoothly on road surfaces or off-road surfaces such
as extremely steep slopes or icy roads, on which
sliding can occur very easily.
 Do not use the hill-start assist control system to stop
the vehicle. This system is not designed as a function
for stopping the vehicle on a uphill slope.
The hill-start assist control system will operate for 5
seconds maximally when all of the following conditions
apply.
When the transmission is in any of positions Dº, 4º,
3º, 2º or Lº
 When the brake pedal is not depressed
The system is designed to operate when the vehicle is starting
on an uphill slope; therefore, if the transmission is in Pº or Nº
it will not operate. It will not operate either if the vehicle starts
to move in reverse on a slope with the transmission in the Rº.

Slip indicator light
When the hill-start assist control system is operating, the slip
indicator light flashes and an alarm sounds intermittently. At
the same time, the stop lamps and high mounted stoplight are
lit.

DRIVING TIPS
433
OPERATION IN FOREIGNCOUNTRIES
If you plan to drive your Lexus in another country...
First, comply with the vehicle registration laws.
Second, confirm the availability of the correct fuel (unleaded
and minimum octane rating).
TIPS FOR DRIVING IN VARIOUS CONDITIONS
Always slow down in gusty crosswinds. This will allow you
much better control.
 Drive slowly onto curbs and, if possible, at a right angle.
Avoid driving onto high, sharp-edged objects and other
road hazards. Failure to do so can lead to severe tire
damage such as a tire burst.
Drive slowly when passing over bumps or travelling on a
bumpy road. Otherwise, the impact could cause severe
damage to the tires and/or wheels.
 When parking on a hill, turn the front wheels until they touch
the curb so that the vehicle will not roll. Apply the parking
brake, and place the transmission in Pº. If necessary, block
the wheels.
 Washing your vehicle or driving through deep water may get
the brakes wet. To see whether they are wet, check that
there is no traffic near you and then press the pedal lightly.
If you do not feel a normal braking force, the brakes are
probably w et. To dry them, drive the vehicle cautiously while
lightly pressing the brake pedal with the parking brake
applied. If they still do not work safely, pull to the side of the
road and call a Lexus dealer for assistance.

DRIVING TIPS
438
NOTICE
If driving through water, such as when crossingshallow streams, first check the depth of the waterand the bottom of the river bed for firmness. Driveslowly and avoid deep water.
Take all necessary safety measures to ensure thatwater damage to the engine or other componentsdoes not occur.
Water entering the engine air intake will cause severe
engine damage.
Water can wash the grease from wheel bearings,causing rusting and premature failure, and may alsoenter the differentials, transmission and transfercase, reducing the gear oil's lubricating qualities.
Sand and mud that has accumulated in brake drumsand around brake discs may affect braking ef ficiency
and may damage brake system components.
Always perform a maintenance inspection after each day of off-road driving that has taken you throughrough terrain, sand, mud, or water. For scheduledmaintenance information, refer to the Owner'sManual Supplement/Scheduled Maintenanceº.

DRIVING TIPS
440Squirt
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.
Do not use your parking brake when there is a possibility
it could freeze.
When parking, put the transmission into Pº and block the front
wheels. Do not use the parking brake, or snow or water
accumulated in and around the parking brake mechanism may
freeze the parking brake, making it hard to release. Keep ice and snow from accumulating under the fenders.
Ice and snow built up under your fenders can make steering
difficult. During bad winter driving, stop and check under the
fenders occasionally.
Depending on where you are driving, we recommend you
carry some emergency equipment.
Some of the thi
ngs you might put in the vehicle are tire chains,
window scraper, bag of sand or salt, flares, small shovel,
jumper cables, etc.

DRIVING TIPS
451
Trailer lights
Your vehicle is equipped with a wire harness stored in the rear
end underbody. Use either of them to connect and operate the
trailer lights. However, the trailer lights must comply with
federal, state/provincial and local regulations. See your local
recreational vehicle dealer or rental agency for the correct type
of wiring and relays for your trailer. Check for correct operation
of the turn signals and stop lights each time you hitch up. Direct
splicing may damage your vehicle's electrical system and
cause a malfunction of your lights.
Break-in schedule
Lexus recommends that you do not tow a trailer with a new
vehicle or a vehicle with any new power train component
(engine, transmission, differential, wheel bearing, etc.) for the
first 800 km (500 miles) of driving.
Maintenance
 If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent
maintenance due to the additional load. For this
information, please refer to the scheduled maintenance
information in the Owner's Manual Supplement/Scheduled
Maintenanceº.
 Retighten all fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after
approximately 1000 km (600 miles) of trailer driving.
Connecting a trailer
Stop your vehicle and a trailer in line and perform the following:
1. Put the rear height control air suspension in the LOº (low)
mode. Turn the ignition switch off or push the HEIGHT
CONTROL OFFº switch to turn off the rear height control air
suspension.
2. Connect a trailer.
3. Turn the ignition switch on or push the HEIGHT CONTROL
OFFº switch to turn on the rear height control air suspension.
Select the Nº (normal) mode with the height select switch.
Disconnecting a trailer
Stop your vehicle and a trailer in line and perform the following:
1. Put the rear height control air suspension in the LOº (low)
mode. (Make sure the vehicle height is in the LOº (low) mode
by pushing the height select switch on the  º side.)
2. Turn the ignition switch off or push the HEIGHT CONTROL
OFFº switch to turn off the rear height control air suspension.
3. Set the supporting leg of a trailer on the ground and raise the
hitch by 100 mm (4 in.).
4. Turn the ignition switch on or push the HEIGHT CONTROL
OFFº switch to turn on the rear height control air suspension.
5. Wait for about 20 seconds until the rear vehicle height is
lowered by the automatic leveling function.