2005 Lexus GX470 automatic transmission

STEERING WHEEL AND MIRRORS
233
When
the automatic transmission selector lever is shifted
into ªRº position with the master switch in the ªLº or ªR\
º
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 ªRº position.
 Place the master switch in the neutral position.
NOTICE
If ice should jam the mirror, do not operate the control
or scrape the mirror face. Use a spray de±icer to free themirror.

SECTION 3 ± 1
392
STARTING AND DRIVING
Starting and driving
Three±way catalytic converters393
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Engine exhaust caution 396
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Before starting the engine 398
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Ignition switch 398
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Parking brake 400
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How to start the engine 401
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Automatic transmission 403
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Four±wheel drive system 411
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Rear view monitor system 415
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Cruise control 419
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Rear height control air suspension 422
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Electronic modulated suspension 429
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Active traction control system 430
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Vehicle stability control system 433
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Downhill assist control system 436
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Hill±start assist control 439
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Brake system 442
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Tire pressure warning system 446
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Brake pad wear limit indicators 456
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Limited±slip differential 457
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STARTING AND DRIVING
399
ªACCº Ð Accessories such as the radio operate, but the
engine is off.
If you leave the key in the ªACCº or ªLOCKº position and open
the driver's door, a buzzer will remind you to remove the key.
ªLOCKº 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 ªACCº to the ªLOCKº position, you must
put the transmission selector lever in the ªPº position.
Once you remove the key, the engine immobilizer system is
automatically set. See ªEngine immobilizer systemº on page
14.
When starting the engine, the key may seem stuck at the
ªLOCKº 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.
Approximately
five hours after the engine is turned off, you may
hear sound coming from underneath the luggage compartment
for several minutes. This is normal operation and does not
indicate a malfunction. (See ªLeak detection pumpº on page
vi.)
If, in an emergency, you must turn the engine off while the
vehicle is moving, turn the key only to ªACCº.

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
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
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
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.