2004 Lexus GX470 automatic transmission

STEERING WHEEL AND MIRRORS
214
CAUTION
Do not adjust the mirror while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so may cause the driver to mishandle the
vehicle and an accident may occur, resulting in death
or serious injuries.
 Since the mirror surfaces can get hot, do not touch
them when the outside rear view mirror defogger
switch is on.
Power rear view mirror control

1Master switch2Control switch
To adjust the power rear view mirror, first place the master
switch at Lº (left) or Rº (right), and push the control
switch on the desired side.
The power rear view mirrors can be adjusted when the key is
in the ACCº or ONº position.
When the automatic transmission selector lever is shifted
into Rº position with the master switch in the Lº or Rº
position, the rear view mirrors automatically down to help
backing up.
The mirrors return to the previous position in the following
operations.
 Shift the transmission lever out of Rº position.
 Place the master switch in the neutral position.

SECTION 3 ± 1
368
STARTING AND DRIVING
Starting and driving
Three-way catalytic converters369
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Engine exhaust caution 372
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Before starting the engine 374
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Ignition switch with steering lock 374
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Parking brake 376
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How to start the engine 377
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Automatic transmission 378
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Four-wheel drive system 386
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Rear view monitor system 390
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Cruise control 394
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Rear height control air suspension 397
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Electronic modulated suspension 404
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Active traction control system 405
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Vehicle stability control system 407
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Downhill assist control system 410
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Hill-start assist control system 413
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Brake system 415
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Tire pressure warning system 419
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Brake pad wear limit indicators 428
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Limited-slip differential 429
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STARTING AND DRIVING
375
NOTICE
Do not leave the key in the ONº position if the engineis not running. The battery will discharge and theelectronic ignition system could be damaged.
ACCº Ð Accessories such as the radio operate, but the
engine is off.
If you leave the key in the ACCº or LOCKº position and open
the driver's door, a buzzer will remind you to remove the key.
LOCKº Ð Engine is off and the steering wheel is locked.
The ignition key can be removed only at this position.
To turn the key from ACCº to the LOCKº position, you must
put the transmission selector lever in the Pº position.
Once you remove the key, the engine immobilizer system is
automatically set. See Engine immobilizer systemº on page
14.
When starting the engine, the key may seem stuck at the
LOCKº position. To free it, first be sure the key is pushed all
the way in, and then rock the steering wheel slightly while
turning the key gently.
If, in an emergency, you must turn the engine off while the
vehicle is moving, turn the key only to ACCº.

STARTING AND DRIVING
378
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Your automatic transmission has a shift lock system to
minimize the possibility of incorrect operation. This
means you can only shift out of Pº position when the
brake pedal is depressed with the ignition switch in ONº
position. ()
31PY039

The shift position is displayed beside the selector lever
and on the instrument cluster.
P: Parking, engine starting and key removal position
R: Reverse position
N: Neutral position
D: Normal driving position (Shifting into overdrive possible)
4: Position for engine braking (Shifting into overdrive not
possible)
When the cruise control is being used, even if you
downshift from Dº to 4º, engine braking will not be
enabled because the cruise control is not cancelled. For
the operation to decrease the vehicle speed, see page
396.
3, 2: Position for more powerful engine braking
L: Position for maximum engine braking

STARTING AND DRIVING
379
Correct use of the automatic transmission is explained in
the following parts.
(a) Normal driving
(b) Using engine braking
(c) Using the 3º, 2º and Lº positions
(d) Backing up
(e) Parking
(f) Good driving practice
(g) If you cannot shift the selector lever
(h) Driving in second start mode
(a) Normal driving

1Pº (Park) position2Nº (Neutral) position
1. Start the engine as instructed in How to start the
engineº on page 377.
The transmission must be in Pº or Nº. The engine will not start
in any drive position even if the ignition key is turned to
STARTº.

STARTING AND DRIVING
380

1Brake pedal2Dº (Drive) position
2. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the
selector lever to Dº.
Always use the Dº position to improve fuel economy and quiet
driving. Only in this position, shifting into the overdrive gear is
possible. However, while the engine coolant temperature is
low, the transmission will not shift into the overdrive gear even
in the Dº position. (See (b) Using engine brakingº and (f)\
Good driving practiceº for exceptions.)
CAUTION
Never put your foot on the accelerator pedal while
shifting.
3. Release the parking brake and brake pedal. Depress
the accelerator pedal slowly for smooth starting.
In normal cruising, the vehicle will start in first gear and
automatically shift up to the most suitable gear. On inclines,
declines or winding roads, etc., the vehicle shifts up and down
automatically according to the running conditions to obtain the
suitable driving power and engine braking.
When the lever is in the 4º position, the automatic
transmission system will select the most suitable gear for the
running conditions such as hill climbing, hard towing, etc.
If you need to accelerate rapidly while driving, depress the
accelerator pedal to the full throttle position. This provides
more acceleration by automatically downshifting the
transmission to the next lower gear or beyond, depending on
the vehicle speed.
If engine braking is needed, such as in descending a long hill,
see (b) Using engine brakingº.

STARTING AND DRIVING
382
(c) Using the 3º, 2º and Lº positions
The 3º, 2º and Lº positions are used for strong engine braking
as described previously.
With the selector lever in 3º, 2º or Lº, you can start the vehicle
in motion as with the lever in Dº.
With the selector lever in 3º or 2º, the vehicle will start in f\
irst
gear and automatically shift to second gear.
With the selector lever in Lº, the transmission is engaged in
first gear.
NOTICE
Be careful not to over-rev the engine. Watch the tachometer to keep engine rpm from going into thered zone. The approximate maximum allowablespeed for each position is given below for yourreference:
Transmission Transfer Lº Hº
3º 53 km/h (33 mph) 136 km/h (85 mph) 2º 36 km/h (22 mph) 93 km/h (58 mph)Lº 21 km/h (13 mph) 54 km/h (33 mph)
Do not continue hill climbing or hard towing for a long time in the 3º, 2º or Lº position. This may causesevere automatic transmission damage from
overheating. To prevent such damage, 4º positionshould be used in hill climbing or hard towing.

STARTING AND DRIVING
386
(g) If you cannot shift the selector lever
If you cannot shift the selector lever even though the brake
pedal is depressed, use the shift lock override button. For
instructions, see If you cannot shift automatic transmission
selector leverº on page 494.
(h) Driving in second start mode
In the second start mode, the transmission system shifts up
from second gear. Use this mode when starting your vehicle
in sand, mud, ice or snow.
To set the second start mode, push the 2nd STRTº switch. In
the second start mode, the 2nd STRTº indicator light comes
on. To cancel the second start mode, push the 2nd STRTº
switch once again.
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM
(a) Four-wheel drive control
Use the four-wheel drive control lever and center
differential lock button to select the following transfer and
center differential modes.
The Hº and Lº position of the four-wheel drive control lever
provides either lock or unlock mode of the center differential
depending on the center differential lock button position.
Use the center differential lock system if your wheels get stuck
in a ditch, or when you are driving on a slippery or bumpy
surface. When the center differential is locked, the vehicle
stability control system is automatically turned off and the
center dif ferential lock and VSC OFFº indicator lights come on
because the function that controls engine performance
interferes with the process of freeing your wheels.