2006 LEXUS LX470 automatic transmission

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
59
(i) Tire Pressure Warning Light
This light comes on when the ignition key is turned to the “ON”
position. If the tire pressure warning system works properly
and tire inflation pressure is appropriate, the light goes off after
a few seconds.
This light comes on or flashes in the following cases when the
ignition key is turned to the “ON” position.
 When the low tire inflation pressure is detected while
driving...
If any tire has low inflation pressure, the light comes on.
The light goes off after the tire inflation pressure is adjusted
to a specified level.
 When initializing the system...
If initialization is completed, the light blinks three times.
 When the system malfunctions...
If the system malfunctions, the light blinks.
Although it is no problem to continue driving, have your
vehicle checked by your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
(j) Unengaged “Park” Warning Light
This light warns that the transmission “Park” mechanism is not
engaged. If the four −wheel drive control is in the “N” position
while the selector lever is in the “P” position, the transmission
will disengage and the wheels will not lock.
CAUTION
To restore the park function, shift the fourwheel drive
control out of “N”.
(k) Automatic Transmission Fluid Temperature Warning Light
This light warns that the automatic transmission fluid
temperature is too high.
If this light comes on while you are driving, slow down and pull
off the road. Stop the vehicle at a safe place and put the
selector lever in “P” and leave the engine idling until the light
goes off. If the light goes off, you can start the vehicle again.
If the light does not go of f, call a Lexus dealer or qualified repair
shop for assistance.
NOTICE
Continued driving with the warning light on may
damage the automatic transmission.

SECTION 3 – 1
253
STARTING AND DRIVING
Starting and driving
Three−way catalytic converters254
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Engine exhaust caution 255
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Before starting the engine 256
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Ignition switch 256
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Parking brake 258
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How to start the engine 258
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Automatic transmission 259
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Four−wheel drive system 266
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Rear view monitor system 269
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Lexus night view system 272
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Cruise control 275
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Active height control suspension (AHC) 279
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Adaptive variable suspension (AVS) 287
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Active traction control system 288
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Vehicle stability control system 290
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Variable gear ratio steering system 293
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Brake system 295
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Brake pad wear limit indicators 299
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Tire pressure warning system 299
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STARTING AND DRIVING
257
If you leave the key in the “ACC” or “LOCK” position and open
the driver’s door, a buzzer will remind you to remove the key.
31X003a
“LOCK” Engine is off and the steering wheel is locked.
The ignition key can be removed only at this position.
To turn the key from “ACC” to the “LOCK” position, you must
put the transmission selector lever in the “P” position.
Once you remove the key, the engine immobilizer system is
automatically set. See “Engine immobilizer system” on page
11 .
When starting the engine, the key may seem stuck at the
“LOCK” 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 “ACC”.
It is not a malfunction if the needles on all meters and gauges
move slightly when the key is turned to the “ACC”, “ON” or
“START” position.
Several hours after the engine is turned off, you may hear a
sound coming from underneath the luggage compartment for
several minutes. This is normal operation and does not
indicate a malfunction. (See page vii.)

STARTING AND DRIVING
259
Starting the engine
Before starting the engine, be sure to follow the instructions in
“Before cranking”.
Normal starting procedure
The multiport fuel injection system/sequential multiport fuel
injection system in your engine automatically controls the
proper air−fuel mixture for starting. You can start a cold or hot
engine as follows:
With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition key to
“START” position, then release it.
Engine should be warmed up by driving, not in idle. For
warming up drive with smoothly turning engine until engine
coolant temperature is within normal range.
If the engine stalls ...
Simply restart it , using the correct procedure given in normal
starting.
If the engine will not start
See “If your vehicle will not start” on page 334.
NOTICE
 Do not race a cold engine.
 If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls
frequently, have the engine checked immediately.
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 “P” position when the
brake pedal is depressed with the ignition switch in “ON”
position ( )
31x542

STARTING AND DRIVING
260
The shift position is displayed 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 “D” to “4”, engine braking will not be
enabled because the cruise control is not cancelled. For
the operation to decrease the vehicle speed, see page
278.
3, 2: Position for more powerful engine braking
L: Position for maximum engine braking Correct use of the automatic transmission is explained in
the following parts.
(a) Normal driving
(b) Using engine braking
(c) Using the “3”, “2” and “L” positions
(d) Backing up
(e) Parking
(f) Good driving practice
(g) Driving in “2nd STRT” (second start) mode
(h) If you cannot shift the selector lever

STARTING AND DRIVING
262
31X008e
 1Brake pedal 2“D” (Drive) position
4. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the
selector lever to “D”.
Always use the “D” 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 “D” position. (See “(b) Using engine braking” and\
“(f)
Good driving practice” for exceptions.)
CAUTION
Never put your foot on the accelerator pedal while
shifting.
5. 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 “4” 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 braking”.

STARTING AND DRIVING
264
(c) Using the “3”, “2” and “L” positions
The “3”, “2” and “L” positions are used for strong engine
braking as described previously.
With the selector lever in “3”, “2” or “L”, you can start the vehicle
in motion as with the lever in “D”.
With the selector lever in “3” or “2”, the vehicle will start in firs\
t
gear and automatically shift to second gear.
With the selector lever in “L”, the transmission is engaged in
first gear.
NOTICE
 Be careful not to overrev the engine. Watch the
tachometer to keep engine rpm from going into the
red zone. The approximate maximum allowable
speed for each position is given below for your
reference:
Transmission Transfer
“L” “H”
“4” 72 km/h (45 mph) 178 km/h (111 mph)
“3” 52 km/h (32 mph) 127 km/h (79 mph)
“2” 36 km/h (22 mph) 87 km/h (54 mph)
“L” 20 km/h (12 mph) 51 km/h (32 mph)
 Do not continue hill climbing or hard towing for a long
time in the “3”, “2” or “L” position. This may cause
severe automatic transmission damage from
overheating. To prevent such damage, “4” position
should be used in hill climbing or hard towing.
(d) Backing up
31X010e
 1
Brake pedal 2“R” (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 “R” position.
NOTICE
Never shift into reverse while the vehicle is moving.
When you are backing up, you can adjust the outside rear view
mirror on the passenger’s side down quickly. For details, see
page 195.

STARTING AND DRIVING
266
(g) Driving in “2nd STRT” (second start)mode
31X012c
In the “2nd STRT” (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 “2nd STRT” mode, push the “2nd” switch. In the “2nd
STRT” mode, the “2nd STRT” indicator light comes on. To
cancel the “2nd STRT” mode, push the “2nd” switch again.
The “PWR” mode is automatically cancelled when you push
the “2nd” switch.
(h) If you cannot shift the selector lever
If you cannot shift the selector lever from “P” position even
though the brake pedal is depressed, use the shift lock
override button. For instruct ions, see “If you cannot shift
automatic transmission selector lever” on page 357.
FOURWHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM
(a) Fourwheel drive control
31X013e
Use the fourwheel drive control lever and center
differential lock button to select the fo llowing transfer and
center differential modes.
The “H” and “L” 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 dif ferential 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 OFF” indicator lights come on
because the function that controls engine performance
interferes with the process of freeing your wheels.