2004 Lexus GX470 four wheel drive

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. . . . . . . . . . . .

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
56IF THIS INDICATOR OR
BUZZER COMES ON...
DO THIS.
(f)
Take vehicle to Lexus
dealer.
If brake system
warning light is also
on, stop immediately
and contact Lexus
dealer.
(g)Close all side doors
and back door.
(h)Shift four-wheel drive
control out of Nº.
(i)Stop and check.
(j)Take vehicle to Lexus
dealer.
IF THIS INDICATOR OR
BUZZER COMES ON...DO THIS.
(k)Stop and check.
(l)Stop and check.
(m)Replace engine oil.
(n)Fill up tank.
(o)Add washer fluid.
(p)Key reminder buzzerRemove key.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
61 A warning light turning on briefly during operation does not
indicate a problem.
CAUTION
If the ABSº warning light remains on together with the
brake system warning light, immediately stop your
vehicle at a safe place and contact your Lexus dealer.
In this case, not only the anti-lock brake system will fail
but also the vehicle will become extremely unstable
during braking.
Either of the following conditions may occur, but do not
indicate a malfunction:
The light may stay on for about 60 seconds after the ignition
key is turned to the ONº position. It is normal if it turns off
after a while.
Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly may turn on the
light. It is normal if it turns off after a few seconds.
(g) Open Door Warning Light
This light remains on until all the side doors and back door are
completely closed.
(h) Unengaged Parkº Warning Light
This light warns that the transmission Parkº mechanism is not
engaged. If the four-wheel drive control is in the Nº position
while the selector lever is in the Pº position, the transmission
will disengage and the wheels will not lock.
CAUTION
To restore the park function, shift the four-wheel drive
control out of Nº.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
65 You need to reset the light after the engine oil replacement.
Reset the light by following the procedure below:
1. Turn the ignition key to the OFFº position with the odometer
reading shown. (For details, see Odometer and trip meterº on
page 55.)
2. Turn the ignition key to the ONº position while holding down
the trip meter reset knob.
Hold down the knob until the light goes off. Before the light
goes off, it illuminates for 3 seconds, flashes for 2 seconds and
illuminates for 1 second.
If the system fails to reset, the light will remain flashing. In this
case, return to step 1 and try again.
(n) Low Fuel Level Warning Light
This light comes on when the fuel level in the tank becomes
very low. Fill the tank as soon as possible.
On inclines or curves, due to the movement of fuel in the tank,
the low fuel level warning light may come on earlier than usual.
(o) Low Washer Fluid Warning Light
This light comes on when the fluid level in the tank becomes
very low. Fill the tank as soon as possible.
(p) Key Reminder Buzzer
This buzzer reminds you to remove the key when you open the
driver's door with the ignition key in the ACCº or LOCKº
position.
How to check all the service reminder
indicators (except the low fuel level warning
light)
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Open the door.
The following service reminder indicator should come on. It
goes off when you close the door completely.
3. Place the four-wheel drive control lever in Nº position and
the selector lever in Pº position and turn the ignition key to
ACCº.
The following service reminder indicator should come on. It
goes off when you place the four-wheel drive control lever in
Hº or Lº position.

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
373
(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 466.
(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 differential lock and VSC OFFº indicator lights come on
because the function that controls engine performance
interferes with the process of freeing your wheels.

STARTING AND DRIVING
375 The indicator light tells when the differential lock is engaged.
Note that the differential is not still locked as long as the
indicator light remains off.
When the operation is not completed, the indicator blinks. If the
indicator light does not go off when you push out the center
differential lock switch, drive straight ahead while accelerating
or decelerating, or drive in reverse.
The center differential lock system operation is not completed
within 5 seconds while the cruise control system is set, cancel
the cruise control system. To cancel the cruise control system,
see Cruise controlº on page 377.
If the indicator light does not go off when you push out the
center differential lock button, drive straight ahead while
accelerating or decelerating, or drive in reverse.
See (b) Shifting procedureº for further instructions.
Advice for driving on slippery roads in Lº (low speed
position) mode
If you shift the four-wheel drive control lever to Lº, the
automatic transmission lever to 2º when you drive in steep
off-road areas, the output of the brake can be controlled
effectively by the active traction control system, which assists
the driver to control the driving power of 4 wheels.
Use the Lº position of the automatic transmission lever for
maximum power and traction when your wheels get stuck or
when you drive down a steep incline. In the following cases,
the out put of the brake can be controlled by the active traction
control system if the engine speed is under 3,000 rpm
(normally engine speed is under 3,000 rpm when the wheels
get unstuck).The four-wheel drive control lever in the Lº position and the
automatic transmission lever in the Lº position or the
automatic transmission lever in the Dº or 2º with the
transmission downshifting to the first gear.
The four-wheel drive control lever in the Lº position and the
automatic transmission lever in the Rº position
(As for the automatic transmission lever positions, see
Automatic transmissionº on page 365.)

STARTING AND DRIVING
376
(b) Shifting procedure
To shift between unlock and lock modes in Hº, push the
center differential lock button.
To shift between unlock and lock modes in Lº, push the
center differential lock button.
To shift between Hº and Lº, stop the vehicle, put the
transmission into Nº and move the four-wheel drive control
lever.CAUTION
Never move the four-wheel drive control lever if wheels
are slipping. Stop the slipping or spinning before
shifting.
NOTICE
For normal driving on dry and hard surface roads,
unlock the center differential. To prevent damage to the
center differential lock system, do not push the center
differential lock button when the vehicle is cornering or
when its wheels are spinning freely off the ground. If the
indicator light does not go off when unlocking the
center differential, drive straight ahead while
accelerating or decelerating, or drive in reverse.