2006 LEXUS LX470 suspension

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CAUTION
If you drive through deep water over about 500 mm (20
in.) in depth, put the vehicle height in the “HI” (High)
mode with the height select switch and then turn off the
active height control suspension by pushing the height
control switch. Drive your vehicle at 30 km/h (19 mph)
or lower speed.
NOTICE
 When jacking up or installing tire chains, be sure to
turn off the active height control suspension and
stop the engine. Otherwise, the vehicle height may
change because of the automatic leveling function,
resulting in an accident.
 If your vehicle must be towed, put the vehicle height
in the normal mode and turn off the active height
control suspension. Otherwise, the vehicle height
may change because of the automatic leveling
function, resulting in an accident.
 If your vehicle gets ditched, turn off the active height
control suspension with the height control switch.
Otherwise, the vehicle height may change because of
the automatic leveling function, resulting in an
accident.
Even after the active height control suspension is turned
off with the height control switch, if the vehicle speed
exceeds 30 km (19 mph), the active height control
automatically selects the normal mode.
(f) Height control indicator lights
31X050d
 1 Height control indicator lights
2Height control “OFF” indicator light
When the ignition switch is turned on, all the indicator
lights come on. The indicator light showing the present
mode only remains on and all other lights go off after a few
seconds. This means the system operates correctly.
If you change the vehicle height mode, the indicator lights
change as follows:

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31X052a
: Blinking \f: Illuminating
When changing the vehicle height from the normal mode
to high:
1. The “N” (normal) mode indicator light goes off and the “HI”
(high) mode indicator light blinks.
2. After the vehicle height control reaches the high mode, the
high mode indicator light remains on.
With the active height control suspension turned off, if
you operate the height select switch or the vehicle height
is changing depending on the vehicle speed, the vehicle
height control enters the ready mode. In this case, the
height control indicator lights change as follows:
1. The present mode indicator light comes on and at the same
time the ready mode indicator light blinks.
2. When the active height control suspension is turned on, the
present mode indicator light goes off and the ready mode
indicator light blinks. (The vehicle height changes.) 3. After the vehicle height has changed completely, the
changed mode indicator light stays on.
If the vehicle is loaded heavily, the vehicle height cannot
be raised even if the height select switch is operated. If the
underbody of the vehicle has touched the surface on
bumpy roads, the vehicle height cannot be lowered with
the height select switch. The height control indicator
lights change as follows:
1. The present mode indicator light goes off and the selected
mode indicator light blinks.
2. The selected mode indicator light goes off. (The vehicle
height does not change.) The present mode indicator light
comes on again.
Height control “OFF” indicator light: When the ignition
switch is turned on, this light comes on. If it goes out after a few
seconds, the active height control suspension operates
correctly. If you push the height control switch, the active
height
control is turned off. The height control “OFF” indicator
light comes on.
In the following cases, there is a problem somewhere in your
active height control suspension. Although there is no problem
to continue normal driving, have the active height control
suspension checked by your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible.
 The height control “OFF” indicator light does not come on
when the ignition switch is turned on.
 The height control “OFF” indicator light blinks.

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(g) Operation in cold weather
The active height control suspension does not operate in
cold weather when the suspension fluid temperature
drops below 30C (22F).
In this case, operating the height select switch does not
change the vehicle height. The vehicle height control enters
the ready mode and the selected height control indicator light
blinks. The active height control becomes operable if the
engine is warmed up with the suspension fluid temperature
being raised within normal operating limits. The vehicle
changes to the selected height when the vehicle height control
is in the ready mode.
When the suspension fluid temperature is around −30 C
(−22 F), the vehicle height cannot be raised even within the
available load capacity. After warming up the engine, push the
control switch on the “
” side once and then on the “ ” side
to select the desired vehicle height.
It takes longer to change the vehicle height when the
suspension fluid temperature drops below 15C (5F).
(h) Parking and stopping tips
If you immediately stop the engine to park the vehicle after
off−road driving, the vehicle height is lowered slightly as the
vehicle becomes cool. When parking, make sure there is
nothing that will be in contact with the underbody of the vehicle.
When you start the engine, the vehicle returns to the previous
height.
If you park the vehicle for a long time, the vehicle height may
gradually lower. When parking for a long time, make sure there
is nothing that will come in contact with the underbody of the
vehicle. When you start the engine, the vehicle returns to the
previous height.
If you stop the engine, the vehicle height may change in
accordance with the change in the temperature. When you
start the engine, the vehicle returns to the previous height.
(i) Installing or removing heavy equipment
If you install or remove heavy equipment exceeding 15 kg (33
lb.), the front torsion bar should be adjusted. Consult your
Lexus dealer.

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(j) Active height control failure warning
If there is a problem somewhere in the active height control
suspension, the normal mode is automatically selected. If this
occurs, the height control “OFF” indicator light blinks and the
vehicle height control cannot be activated until the malfunction
is corrected.
Stop the engine and start it again. If the height control “OFF”
indicator light goes out, the active height control suspension
returns to normal. If the height control “OFF” indicator blinks
again, bring your vehicle to your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible and have it checked.
ADAPTIVE VARIABLE SUSPENSION (AVS)
This adaptive variable suspension adjusts the damping
effect on the shock absorbers with the damping mode
select switch. Select one of the 4 modes which is suited
to the driving conditions with the damping mode select
switch to provide good riding comfort and stability.
31X053c
 1For driving on a bumpy road
2For ordinary driving such as in the city traffic
3For moderate high speed driving
4For sporty type driving such as on winding
mountain roads and high speed driving
We recommend you to select the mode
2 for ordinary
driving. The damping effect will be changed automatically to
provide good riding comfort.

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When driving offroad or in rugged terrain, do not
drive at excessive speeds, jump, make sharp turns,
strike objects, etc. This may cause loss of control or
vehicle rollover causing death or serious injury. You
are also risking expensive damage to your vehicle’s
suspension and chassis.
 Do not drive horizontally across steep slopes.
Driving straight up or straight down is preferred.
Your vehicle (or any similar offroad vehicle) can tip
over sideways much more easily than forward or
backward.BREAKIN PERIOD
Drive gently and avoid high speeds.
You need not follow a break −in schedule with your new Lexus.
But following a few simple tips for the first 1600 km (1000 miles)
can add to the future economy and long life of your vehicle:
 Avoid full throttle acceleration when starting and driving.
 Avoid racing the engine.
 Try to avoid hard stops during the first 300 km (200 miles).
 Do not drive for a long time at any single speed, either fast
or slow.
 Do not tow a trailer during the first 800 km (500 miles).
OPERATION IN FOREIGN
COUNTRIES
If you plan to drive your Lexus in another country ...
First, comply with the vehicle registration laws.
Second, confirm the availability of the correct fuel (unleaded
and minimum octane rating).

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Do not continue normal driving when the brakes are
wet. If they are wet, your vehicle will require a longer
stopping distance, and it may pull to one side when
the brakes are applied. Also, the parking brake will
not hold the vehicle securely.
 If you drive through deep water over about 500 mm
(20 in.) in depth, put the vehicle height in the HI (High)
mode with the active height select switch and then
turn off the active height control suspension by
pushing the height control switch. Drive your vehicle
at 30 km/h (19 mph) or lower speed.OFFROAD DRIVING PRECAUTIONS
When driving your vehicle off −road, please observe the
following precautions to ensure your driving enjoyment and to
help prevent the closure of areas to off −road vehicles.
a. Drive your vehicle only in areas where off −road vehicles are
permitted to travel.
b. Respect private property. Get owner’s permission before
entering private property.
c. Do not enter areas that are closed. Honor gates, barriers
and signs that restrict travel.
d. Stay on established roads. When conditions are wet,
driving techniques should be changed or travel delayed to
prevent damage to roads.
For owners in U.S. mainland, Hawaii and Puerto Rico:
To obtain additional information pertaining to driving your
vehicle off −road, consult the following organizations.
 State and Local Parks and Recreation Departments
 State Motor Vehicle Bureau
 Recreational Vehicle Clubs
 U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management

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CAUTION
Always observe the following precautions to help
minimize the risk of serious personal injury or damage
to your vehicle:
Drive carefully when off the road. Do not take
unnecessary risks by driving in dangerous places.
 Do not grip the steering wheel spokes when driving
offroad. A bad bump could jerk the wheel and injure
your hands. Keep both hands and especially your
thumbs on the outside of the rim.
 Always check your brakes for effectiveness
immediately after driving in sand, mud, water or
snow.
 After driving through tall grass, mud, rock, sand,
rivers, etc., check that there is no grass, bush, paper,
rags, stone, sand, etc. adhering or trapped on the
underbody. Clear off any such matter from the
underbody. If the vehicle is used with these materials
trapped or adhering to the underbody, a breakdown
or fire could occur.
 In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is
significantly more likely to die than a person wearing
a seat belt. Therefore, the driver and all passengers
should fasten their seat belts whenever the vehicle is
moving.
 When driving offroad or in rugged terrain, do not
drive at excessive speeds, jump, make sharp turns,
strike objects, etc. This may cause loss of control or
vehicle rollover causing death or serious injury. You
are also risking expensive damage to your vehicle’s
suspension and chassis.
NOTICE
 If driving through water, such as when crossing
shallow streams, first check the depth of the water
and the bottom of the river bed for firmness. Drive
slowly and avoid deep water.
 Take all necessary safety measures to ensure that
water damage to the engine or other components
does not occur.
 Water entering the engine air intake will cause severe
engine damage.
 Water entering the automatic transmission will cause
deterioration in shift quality, locking up of your
transmission accompanied by vibration, and
ultimately damage.
 Water can wash the grease from wheel bearings,
causing rusting and premature failure, and may also
enter the differentials, transmission and transfer
case, reducing the gear oil’s lubricating qualities.
 Sand and mud that has accumulated in brake drums
and around brake discs may affect braking ef ficiency
and may damage brake system components.

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DINGHY TOWING
32x602
Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with four
wheels on the ground) behind a motorhome.
NOTICE
Do not tow your vehicle with four wheels on the ground.
This may cause serious damage to your vehicle.
TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle is designed primarily as a passenger−and−load
carrying vehicle. Towing a trailer will have an adverse effect
on handling, performance, braking, durability and driving
economy (fuel consumption, etc.). Your safety and satisfaction
depend on the proper use of correct equipment and cautious
driving habits. For your safety and the safety of others, you
must not overload your vehicle or trailer. Lexus warranties do
not apply to damage or malfunction caused by towing a trailer
for commercial purposes. Ask your local Lexus dealer for
further details before towing.
CAUTION
When disconnecting a trailer, put the vehicle height in
the “LO” (Low) mode and push the height control
switch to turn off the active height control suspension.
Otherwise, the vehicle height may be changed because
of the automatic leveling function, resulting in an
accident. For details, see “Active height control
suspension (AHC)” on page 279.