2006 LEXUS LX470 Owners Manual

STARTING AND DRIVING
267
NOTICE
As soon as the center differential lock switch is turned
on, the “VSC OFF” indicator light comes on. After the
wheels are out of the ditch or off the slippery or bumpy
surface, turn the center differential lock switch off.
Make sure the center differential lock indicator light and
vehicle stability control system off indicator light turn
off.
“H” (high speed position, center differential unlocked):
Lever at “H”, center differential lock button 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.
“H” (high speed position, center differential locked):
Lever at “H”, center differential lock button pushed in
Use this for greater traction when you experience a loss of
power, such as wheel slipping, in the center dif ferential unlock
mode.
“N” (neutral position): Lever at “N”
No power is delivered to the wheels. The vehicle must be
stopped. “L” (low speed position, center differential unlocked):
Lever at “L”, center differential lock button 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 “L”
(low position, center differential locked) mode.
“L” (low speed position, center differential locked): Lever
at “L”, center differential lock button pushed in
Use this for maximum power and traction. Use this for hard
pulling in situations the vehicle cannot negotiate even in the “L”
(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.
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 “Cruise control” on page 275.

STARTING AND DRIVING
268If the indicator light does not go off when you push out the
center differential lock button, drive straight ahead while
accelerating or decelerating, or drive in reverse.
See “(b) Shifting procedure” for further instructions.
Advice for driving on slippery roads in “L” (low speed
position) mode
If you shift the four
−wheel drive control lever to “L”, the
automatic transmission lever to “2” when you drive in steep
off −road areas, the output of the brake can be controlled
effectively by the active traction control system, which assists
the driver to control the driving power of 4 wheels.
Use the “L” position of the automatic transmission lever for
maximum power and traction when your wheels get stuck or
when you drive down a steep incline. In the following cases,
the out put of the brake can be controlled by the active traction
control system if the engine speed is under 3,000 rpm
(normally engine speed is under 3,000 rpm when the wheels
get unstuck).
 The four− wheel drive control lever in the “L” position and the
automatic transmission lever in the “L” position or the
automatic transmission lever in the “D”, “4”, “3” or “2” \
with
the transmission downshifting to the first gear
 The four− wheel drive control lever in the “L” position and the
automatic transmission lever in the “R” position
(As for the automatic transmission lever positions, see
“Automatic transmission” on page 259.)
(b) Shifting procedure
To shift between unlock and lock modes in “H”, push the
center differential lock button.
To shift between unlock and lock modes in “L”, push the
center differential lock button.
To shift between “H” and “L”, stop the vehicle, put the
transmission into “N” and move the four −wheel drive control
lever.
CAUTION
Never move the fourwheel drive control lever if wheels
are slipping. Stop the slipping or spinning before
shifting.
NOTICE
For normal driving on dry and hard surface roads,
unlock the center dif ferential. To prevent damage to the
center differential lock system, do not push the center
differential lock button when the vehicle is cornering or
when its wheels are spinning freely of f 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
269
REAR VIEW MONITOR SYSTEM
The rear view monitor system assists the driver by
displaying an image of the rear of the vehicle while
backing up. The displayed image on the screen is a
horizontally reversed mirror image of the inside rear view
mirror.
To display the rear view image on the screen, place the
selector lever in the “R” position when the ignition switch
is in the “ON” position.
If you move the selector lever out of the “R” position, the screen
returns to the previous screen. Operating another function of
the navigation system will display another screen.
The rear view monitor system is a supplemental device
intended to assist back up. When backing up, be sure to check
behind and all around the vehicle visually.
CAUTION
 Never depend on the rear view monitor system
entirely when backing up. Always make sure your
intended path is clear.
Use caution just as you would when backing up any
vehicle.
Never back up while looking only at the screen. The
image on the screen is different from actual
conditions. Depicted distances between objects and
flat surfaces will differ from actual distances. If you
back up while looking only at the screen, you may hit
a vehicle, a person or an object. When backing up, be
sure to check behind and all around the vehicle
visually and with mirrors before proceeding.
 Do not use the system when the back door is not
completely closed.
 If the back of the vehicle is hit, the position and
mounting angle of the camera may change. Be sure
to have the camera’s position and mounting angle
checked at your Lexus dealer.
 If the temperature changes rapidly , such as when hot
water is poured on the vehicle in cold weather, the
system may not operate normally.
 If the camera lens becomes dirty, it cannot transmit
a clear image. If water droplets, snow, or mud adhere
to the lens, rinse with water and wipe with a soft cloth.
If the lens is extremely dirty, wash it with a mild
cleanser and rinse.
 Use your own eyes to confirm the vehicle’s
surroundings, as the displayed image may become
faint or dark, and mov ing images will be distorted or
not entirely visible when outside temperature is low.
When backing up, be sure to check behind and all
around the vehicle visually and with mirror before
proceeding.

STARTING AND DRIVING
270AREA DISPLAYED ON SCREEN
Image is displayed approximately level on screen.
31x601a
Check surroundings for safety.

Corners of bumper 
The area covered by the camera is limited. Objects
which are close to either corner of the bumper or under
the bumper cannot be seen on the screen.
 The area displayed on the screen may vary according
to vehicle orientation or road conditions.

STARTING AND DRIVING
271
THE REAR VIEW MONITOR SYSTEM CAMERA
31x602b
The rear view monitor system camera is located on the back
door as shown in the illustration. The camera uses a special
lens. The distance of the image that appears on the screen
differs from the actual distance.
In the following cases, it may become difficult to see the images
on the screen, even when the system is functioning.

In the dark (for example, at night)
 When the temperature near the lens is extremely high or low
 When water droplets are adhering to the camera, or when
humidity is high (for example, when it rains)
 When foreign matter (for example, snow or mud) adheres
to the camera lens
 When the sun or the beam of headlights is shining directly
into the camera lens
31x603
Check surroundings for safety.
If a bright light (for example, sunlight reflected off the vehicle
body) is picked up by the camera, the smear effect* peculiar
to the camera may occur.
*: Smear effect — A phenomenon that occurs when a bright
light (for example, sunlight reflected off the vehicle body) is
picked up by the camera; when transmitted by the camera, the
light source appears to have a vertical streak above and below
it.

STARTING AND DRIVING
272
LEXUS NIGHT VIEW SYSTEM
31X521
The Lexus night view system can help you see forward
when driving at night. If pedestrians or objects are
detected within the area reaching the tip of the low beam
to high beam, they are displayed along with the layout of
the road in the windshield as a monochrome image.
CAUTION
 This system should be used as a supplemental aid to
help you see objects. Never depend on this system
only. Be sure to view objects with your own eyes
while driving.
 This system is designed to help you see objects
better when driving in a flat area with few curves in
darkness. Use of this function in an area with many
curves or slopes or in a welllit area could cause an
accident.
Turning on the system
31x522b
The Lexus night view system turns on and the “MAIN”
indicator light comes on when you push the knob with the
ignition switch on:
When the system is turned on in the following conditions, the
head− up display (night view display) shutter opens
automatically and the image sent from the head −up display is
shown on the windshield.
 It is dark outside.
 The headlights are on.
When the vehicle starts moving in this condition, the “BEAM”
indicator light comes on, the near −infrared floodlight (night
view projector) is irradiated, and the image of the road ahead
is shown on the windshield.
You can adjust the brightness by turning the knob.

STARTING AND DRIVING
273
While the
system is on, pushing the knob turns off the “MAIN”
indicator light and the system. If you turn the ignition off with
the system turned on, the system will be turned off
automatically.
CAUTION
If the image in the headup display (night view display)
is too bright, you cannot see the surroundings through
the windshield clearly. To avoid glare, do not make the
display brighter than necessary.
31x533c
 1 Nearinfrared floodlight (Night view projector)
2Nearinfrared camera (Night view camera)
3Headup display (Night view display)
4Automatic light control sensor
The nearinfrared floodlight (night view projector which
irradiates nearinfrared light not seen by people) located
near the fog lights irradiates the area reaching from the tip
of the low beam to high beam. The nearinfrared camera
(night view camera) located on top of the windshield
converts irradiated light into an image. This image is
shown on the headup display (night view display)
located on the bottom of the windshield.
The automatic light control sensor is on top of the passenger
side instrument panel.
Do not place anything on the instrument panel and do not affix
anything on the windshield to block this sensor.

STARTING AND DRIVING
274In the following conditions, the image may not be clear or the
view of the road ahead may not be shown at all.

Driving on hills with many up and down slopes
 Driving on road with curves
 In severe weather conditions such as rain, fog or snow
 Strong near −infrared light emission, such as the light
coming from a vehicle running in the opposite lane, enters
the near− infrared camera (night view camera).
 An object or clothing of a pedestrian is made of a certain kind
of material (ex. leather).
 The windshield or the lens of the near −infrared floodlight
(night view projector) is dirty. (Always keep the windshield
and the lens clean.)
 Double vision of image reduces clarity in some situation.
 The top of the windshield fogs up.
If the top of the windshield fogs up, the glass in front of the lens
of the camera will also fog up, resulting in deterioration of the
system performance. Defog the windshield by pushing the
windshield air flow button on the air conditioning.
If you notice the inner lens of the near −infrared camera (night
view camera) is dirty, have it inspected at your Lexus dealer.
You cannot use this system to read a road sign or signboard.
If the outside temperature is low, the display may darken or it
may take time to display the image with the system on. The near
−infrared floodlight (night view projector) is installed
on the bumper. If the bumper is deformed in a collision, etc.,
the performance of the system will be affected. Have it
repaired or replaced at Lexus dealer.
CAUTION
The nearinfrared floodlight (night view projector)
irradiates strong energy not visible to the eyes. Do not
stare at the floodlight at close range for a long time.
Your eyes could be seriously injured.
NOTICE
 Do not put anything in front of the headup display
(night view display) shutter. It may hinder the
opening or closing of the shutter, resulting in a
malfunction of the system.
 Do not let drinks spill on the headup display. This
may cause a malfunction of the system.
 If an object gets caught in the shutter and it does not
close securely, it may cause a malfunction of the
system. Open the shutter with your hand and remove
the object. The shutter will function properly after
you turn the ignition off and then on.