2005 Lexus GX470 lock

STARTING AND DRIVING
401
To set: Pull up the lever. For better holding power, first
depress the brake pedal and hold it while setting the
parking brake.
To release: Pull up the lever slightly (
1), press the lock
release button (2), and lower the lever (3).
Before leaving your vehicle, firmly apply the parking brake. For
better holding power, first depress the brake pedal and hold it
while setting the parking brake.
CAUTION
Before driving, make sure the parking brake is fully
released and that the parking brake reminder light is off.
HOW TO START THE ENGINE
Cranking hold function
Once you turn the ignition key to ªSTARTº position and release
it, the cranking hold function continues to crank the engine in
ªONº position until it starts.
The function stops cranking the engine after about 25 seconds
maximum if the engine has not started yet. When you crank
the engine again, wait a few seconds and restart it.
If you hold the key in ªSTARTº position, the function will keep
cranking for about 30 seconds maximum.
Before cranking
1. Apply the parking brake firmly.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and accessories.
3. Put the selector lever in ªPº. If you need to restart the engine
while the vehicle is moving, put the selector lever in ªNº. A
starter safety device will prevent the starter from operating if
the selector lever is in any drive position.
4. Depress the brake pedal and hold it to the floor until driving
off.

STARTING AND DRIVING
403
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 ªPº position when the
brake pedal is depressed with the ignition switch in ªONº
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 ªDº to ª4º, engine braking will not be
enabled because the cru ise control is not cancelled. For
the operation to decrease the vehicle speed, see page
421.
3, 2: Position for more powerful engine braking
L: Position for maximum engine braking

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.

STARTING AND DRIVING
412
NOTICE
As soon as the center differential lock switch is turnedon, the ªVSC OFFº indicator light comes on. After thewheels are out of the ditch or off the slippery or bumpysurface, turn the center differential lock switch off.Make sure the cen ter differential lock indicator light and
vehicle stability control system off indicator light turn off.
ªHº (high speed position, center differential unlocked):
Lever at ªHº, center differential lock switch left out
Use this for normal driving on all types of roads, from dry
hard±surfaced roads to wet, icy or snow±covered roads. This
position gives greater economy, quietest ride, least wear and
better vehicle control.
ªHº (high speed position, center differential locked): Lever
at ªHº, center differential lock switch pushed in
Use this for greater traction when you experience a loss of
power, such as wheel slipping, in the center differential unlock
mode.
ªNº (neutral position): Lever at ªNº
No power is delivered to the wheels. The vehicle must be
stopped. ªLº (low speed position, center differential unlocked):
Lever at ªLº, center differential lock switch left out
Use this for maximum power and traction. Use this for climbing
or descending steep hills, off±road driving, and hard pulling in
sand or mud.
In this mode, the braking feeling that occurs when the wheels
are negotiating a sharp corner is further reduced than in the ªLº
(low position, center differential locked) mode.
ªLº (low speed position, center differential locked):
Lever
at ªLº, center differential lock switch pushed in
Use this for maximum power and traction. Use this for hard
pulling in sit uations the vehicle cannot negotiate even in the ªLº
(low speed position, center differential unlocked) mode. Also,
using this mode when driving down steep off±road inclines will
help contribute to increased vehicle stability.

STARTING AND DRIVING
413
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 ªCruise controlº on page 419. 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.
See ª(b) Shifting procedureº for further instructions.
(b) Shifting procedure
To shift between unlock and lock modes in ªHº, push the
center differential lock switch.
To shift between unlock and lock modes in ªLº,
push the
center differential lock switch.
To shift between ªHº and ªLº, stop the vehicle, put the
transmission into ªNº 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.

STARTING AND DRIVING
414
NOTICE
For normal driving on dry and hard surface roads,unlock the center differential. To prevent damage to thecenter differential lock system, do not push the centerdifferential lock switch 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.

STARTING AND DRIVING
433
VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROLSYSTEM
The vehicle stability control system helps provide
integrated control of the systems such as anti±lock brake
system, traction control, engine control, etc. This system
automatically controls the output of the brakes or engine
to help prevent the vehicle from skidding when cornering
on a slippery road surface or operating steering wheel
abruptly.
This system activates when the vehicle speed about more than
15 km/h (9mph).
You may hear a sound in the engine compartment for a few
seconds when the engine is started or just after the vehicle
begins to move. This means that the system is in the
self±check mode, but does not indicate a malfunction.
CAUTION
 Do not rely excessively on the vehicle stability
control system. Even if the vehicle stability control
system is operating, you must always drive carefully
and attentively to avoid serious injury. Reckless
driving will result in an unexpected accident. If the
slip indicator light blinks and an alarm sounds,
special care should be taken while driving.
Only use tires of specified size. The size,
manufacturer, brand and tread pattern for all 4 tires
should be the same. If you use the tires other than
specified, or different type or size, the vehicle
stability control system may not function correctly.
When replacing the tires or wheels, contact your
Lexus dealer.
 In situations where the road surface is covered with
ice or snow, your vehicle should be fitted with snow
tires or tire chains.

Slip indicator light
If the vehicle is going to skid during driving, the slip indicator
light blinks and an alarm sounds intermittently. Special care
should be taken while driving.

STARTING AND DRIVING
434If the brake pedal is depressed while the vehicle stability
control system is active, the brake pedal will become hard at
an earlier position than usual. However, the brakes will
respond to the pedal force if depressed further.
The slip indicator light comes on for a few seconds when the
ignition key is turned to ªONº. If the indicator light does not
come on when the ignition is turned on, contact your Lexus
dealer.
Pushing the center differential lock switch automatically
turns
the vehicle stability control system off. At this time,
the ªVSC OFFº indicator comes on with the center
differential lock indicator light.
ªVSC OFFº indicator light comes on for a few seconds when
the ignition key is turned to ªONº. It will come on again when
you push the center differential lock switch to turn off the
system. In the following cases, contact your Lexus dealer:

The indicator light does not come on when the ignition key
is turned ªONº.
 The indicator light remains on after the ignition is turned on.