2005 Lexus GX470 Pictorial Index / LEXUS 2005 GX470 OWNER'S MANUAL (OM60B11U)

STARTING AND DRIVING
404Correct use of the automatic transmission is explained in
the following parts.
(a) Normal driving
(b) Using engine braking
(c) Using the ª3º, ª2º and ªLº 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

1ªPº (Park) position2ªNº (Neutral) position
1. Start the engine as instructed in ªHow to start the
engineº on page 401.
The transmission must be in ªPº or ªNº. The engine will not st\
art
in any drive position even if the ignition key is turned to
ªSTARTº.

STARTING AND DRIVING
405

1Brake pedal2ªDº (Drive) position
2. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the
selector lever to ªDº.
Always use the ªDº 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 ªDº position. (See ª(b) Using engine brakingº and\
ª(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 ª4º 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 ª(b) Using engine brakingº.

STARTING AND DRIVING
406
(b) Using engine braking
To use the braking power of the engine, downshift the
transmission in the way described below:
1Shift into the ª4º position. The transmission will downshift
to fourth gear and engine braking will be enabled.
When the cruise control is being used, even if you
downshift from ªDº to ª4º, engine braking will not be
enabled because the cruise control is not cancelled. If
you need to decrease the vehicle speed, see page 421.
2Shift into the ª3º position. The transmission will downshift
to third gear when the vehicle speed is or becomes lower
than the speed listed below and stronger engine braking
will be enabled.
Transfer ªHº 135 km/h (84 mph) ªLº 52 km/h (32 mph)
3Shift into the ª2º position. The transmission will downshift
to second gear when the vehicle speed is or becomes
lower than the speed listed below and more powerful
engine braking than that of ª3º position will be enabled.
Transfer ªHº 89 km/h (55 mph) ªLº 34 km/h (21 mph)
4Shift into the ªLº position. The transmission will downshift
to first gear when the vehicle speed is or becomes lower
than the speed listed below and maximum engine braking
will be enabled.
Transfer ªHº 39 km/h (24 mph) ªLº 15 km/h (9 mph)
CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a slippery surface.
The abrupt change in engine speed could cause the
vehicle to skid or spin.

STARTING AND DRIVING
407
(c) Using the ª3º, ª2º and ªLº positions
The ª3º, ª2º and ªLº positions are used for strong engine\
braking
as described previously.
With the selector lever in ª3º, ª2º or ªLº, you can start the vehicle
in motion as with the lever in ªDº.
With the selector lever in ª3º or ª2º, the vehicle will star\
t in first
gear and automatically shift to second gear.
With the selector lever in ªLº, 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 ªLº ªHº
ª3º 60 km/h (37 mph) 154 km/h (96 mph) ª2º 41 km/h (25 mph) 105 km/h (65 mph)ªLº 24 km/h (15 mph) 61 km/h (38 mph)
Do not continue hill climbing or hard towing for a long time in the ª3º, ª2º or ªLº position. This may causesevere automatic transmission damage from
overheating. To prevent such damage, ª4º positionshould be used in hill climbing or hard towing.

STARTING AND DRIVING
408
(d) Backing up

1Brake pedal2ªRº (Reverse) position
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. With the brake pedal held down with your foot, shift the
selector lever to the ªRº position.
NOTICE
Never shift into reverse while the vehicle is moving.
When the shift lever is shifted into ªRº position, the outside rear
view mirrors automatically down to help backing up. For
details, see page 232. Vehicles with rear view monitor system Ð
When the selector lever is shifted into ªRº position with the
ignition switch in the ªONº position, rear view monitor system
will activate. For instructions, see ªRear view monitor systemº
on page 415.

STARTING AND DRIVING
409
(e) Parking

1Brake pedal
2Parking brake lever
3ªPº (Park) position
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Apply the parking brake fully.
3. With the brake pedal held down with your foot, shift the
selector lever to the ªPº position.
CAUTION
While the vehicle is moving, never attempt to move the
selector lever into ªPº under any circumstances.
Serious mechanical damage and loss of vehicle control
may result.
(f) Good driving practice
 If the transmission repeatedly shifts up and down between
the fourth and overdrive gears when climbing a gentle slope,
shift the selector lever to the ª4º position. Be sure to shift the
selector lever to the ªDº position after climbing the slope.

STARTING AND DRIVING
410
When towing a trailer, in order to maintain efficient engine
braking and electrical charging performance, do not use
overdrive.
CAUTION
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped
with the engine running. This prevents the vehicle from
creeping.
NOTICE
Always use the brake pedal or parking brake to hold the
vehicle on an upgrade. Do not attempt to hold the vehicle using the accelerator pedal, as this can causethe transmission to overheat.

STARTING AND DRIVING
411
(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 ªIf you cannot shift automatic transmission
selector leverº on page 524.
(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 ª2nd STRTº switch. In
the second start mode, the ª2nd STRTº indicator light comes
on. To cancel the second start mode, push the ª2nd STRTº
switch once again.
FOUR±WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM
(a) Four±wheel drive control
Use the four±wheel drive control lever and center
differential lock switch to select the following transfer and
center differential modes.
The ªHº and ªLº position of the four±wheel drive control leve\
r
provides either lock or unlock mode of the center differential
depending on the center differential lock switch 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 ªVSC OFFº indicator lights come on
because the function that controls engine performance
interferes with the process of freeing your wheels.