2006 LEXUS LX470 brakes

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
54
(a) Brake System Warning Light and Buzzer
This light comes on in the following cases when the ignition key
is in the “ON” position.
 When the parking brake is applied ...
This light comes on for a few seconds when the ignition key is
in the “ON” position even after the parking brake is released.
 When the brake fluid level is low ...
CAUTION
It is dangerous to continue driving normally when the
brake fluid level is low.
When the hydraulic brake booster fails ...
If the hydraulic booster causes a problem resulting in poor
braking performance, the warning light comes on and buzzer
sounds continuously.
Have your vehicle checked at your Lexus dealer in the
following cases:
 The light does not come on even if the parking brake is
applied when the ignition key is in the “ON” position.
 The light does not come on even if the ignition key is turned
on with the parking brake released.
A warning light turning on briefly during operation does not
indicate a problem.
CAUTION
If any of the following conditions occurs, immediately
stop your vehicle at a safe place and contact your Lexus
dealer.
 The light does not turn off even after the parking
brake is released while the engine is running.
 The warning buzzer comes on together with the
warning light.
In either case, this can indicate that the brakes may not
work properly and your stopping distance will become
longer. Depress the brake pedal firmly and bring the
vehicle to an immediate stop.
 The brake system warning light remains on together
with the “ABS” warning light.
In this case, not only the antilock brake system will fail,
but also the vehicle will become extremely unstable
during braking.

STARTING AND DRIVING
289
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 active traction control
system is in the self
−check mode, and does not indicate
malfunction. When the active traction control system is
operating, you may feel vibration or hear noise of your vehicle,
caused by operation of the brakes. This indicates the system
is functioning properly.
When getting the vehicle out of mud or newly fallen snow, etc.,
the active traction control system will help operate to prevent
the wheels from spinning.
31X503
 Active traction control system failure warning
This light warns when there is a problem somewhere in the
active traction control system or vehicle stability control
system.
If the “VSC/TRAC” warning light comes on, have your vehicle
checked by your Lexus dealer as soon as possible. The brake actuator temperature increases during the active
traction control system or vehicle stability control system
operating. If the brake actuator temperature becomes too high
while the active traction cont
rol system or vehicle stability
control system is operating, a buzzer will start to sound
intermittently to indicate that the active traction control system
can no longer operate. In this case, immediately stop your
vehicle at a safe place. If the system continues to operate, the
buzzer sound changes from intermittent to continuous. (The
continuous buzzer sound will stop after about 3 seconds.) At
the time the “VSC/TRAC” warning light will come on and the
active traction control system temporarily stops operating in
order to protect the brake actuator. (Although the active
traction control system does not operate, there is no problem
to continue your driving.) The system will be automatically
restored after a short time and “VSC/TRAC” warning light goes
off if the accelerator pedal is released.
When the “ABS” warning light comes on, the active traction
control system is not operating.
The “VSC/TRAC” warning light will come on when the ignition
key is turned to “ON”, and will go off after a few seconds.
The “VSC/TRAC” warning light may stay on for 60 seconds
after the ignition key is turned to the “ON” position. It is normal
if it goes off after a few seconds.
Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly may turn on the
“VSC/TRAC” warning light. It is normal if it goes off after a few
seconds.
When the “VSC/TRAC” warning light comes on, the active
traction control system is not operating, but there is no problem
if you continue to drive.

STARTING AND DRIVING
290In the following cases, contact your Lexus dealer:

The “VSC/TRAC” warning light does not come on after the
ignition is turned to on.
 The “VSC/TRAC” remains on after the ignition is turned to
on.
CAUTION
Under certain slippery road conditions, full traction of
the vehicles and power to 4 wheels may not be
maintained, even though the active traction control
system is in operation. Do not drive the vehicle under
any speed or maneuvering conditions which will cause
the vehicle to lose traction. In situations where the road
surface is covered with ice or snow, your vehicle should
be fitted with snow tires or tire chains. Always drive at
an appropriate and cautious speed for the road
conditions present.
VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM
31X504
The vehicle stability control system helps provide
integrated control of the systems such as antilock
brakes, traction control, engine control, etc. This system
automatically controls the output of the brakes or engine
to help prevent the vehicle from skidding under adverse
conditions.
When you turn the ignition switch on, the slip indicator light will
come on. The slip indicator light will go off after a few seconds.
If the vehicle is going to skid during driving, the slip indicator
light flashes and an alarm sounds intermittently.

STARTING AND DRIVING
295
BRAKE SYSTEM
This brake system has 2 independent hydraulic circuits. If
either circuit should fail, the other will still work. However, the
pedal will be harder to press, and your stopping distance will
increase. Also, the brake system warning light may come on.
CAUTION
Do not drive your vehicle with only a single brake
system. Have your brakes fixed immediately.
Brake booster
The brake booster uses brake fluid pressurized by the pump
to power−assist the brakes. If the brake booster fails during
driving, the brake system warning light comes on and buzzer
sounds continuously. In this case, the brakes may not work
properly. If they do not work well, depress the brake pedal
firmly. If the brake system warning light comes on, immediately
stop your vehicle and contact your Lexus dealer.
The brake system warning light may stay on for about 60
seconds after the ignition key is turned to the “ON” position.
It is normal if the light turns off after a while.
Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly may turn on the brake
system warning light and buzzer. It is normal if the light goes
out and the buzzer stops sounding after a few seconds. You may hear a small sound in the engine compartment after
the engine is started or the brake pedal is depressed
repeatedly. This is a pump pulsating sound of the brake
system, and it is not a malfunction.
CAUTION

Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls.
Each push on the pedal uses up your brake fluid
pressure reserve.
 Even if the power assist is completely lost, the brakes
will still work. But you will have to push the pedal
hard, much harder than normal. And your braking
distance will increase.
Antilock brake system
The antilock brake system is designed to automatically
help prevent lockup of the wheels during a sudden brake
or braking on slippery roa d surfaces. This assists in
providing directional stability and steering performance
of the vehicle under these circumstances.
Effective way to press the ABS brake pedal: When the
anti−lock brake system function is in action, you may feel the
brake pedal pulsating and hear a noise. In this situation, to
let the anti−lock brake system work for you, just hold the
brake pedal down more firmly. Do not pump the brake in a
panic stop. This will result in reduced braking performance.

STARTING AND DRIVING
298If either of the following conditions occurs, this indicates
a malfunction somewhere in the components monitored
by the warning light system. Contact your Lexus dealer
as soon as possible to service the vehicle.

The light does not come on when the ignition key is turned
to the “ON” position, or remains on.
 The light comes on while you are driving.
A warning light turning on briefly during operation does not
indicate a problem.
CAUTION
If the “ABS” warning light remains on together with the
brake system warning light, immediately stop your
vehicle at a safe place and contact your Lexus dealer.
In this case, not only the antilock brake system will fail
but also the vehicle will become extremely unstable
during braking.
Either of the following conditions may occur, but do not
indicate a malfunction:
 The light may stay on for about 60 seconds after the ignition
key is turned to the “ON” position. It is normal if it turns off
after a while.
 Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly may turn on the
light. It is normal if it turns off after a few seconds.
Drumindisc type parking brake system
Your vehicle has a drum−in−disc type parking brake system.
This type of brake system needs bedding −down of the brake
shoes periodically or whenever the parking brake shoes
and/or drums are replaced.
Have your Lexus dealer perform the bedding −down.
Brake assist system
When you slam the brakes on, the brake assist system
judges as an emergency stop and provides more powerful
braking for a driver who cannot hold down the brake pedal
firmly.
When you slam the brakes on, more powerful braking will be
applied. At this time, you may hear a sound in the engine
compartment and feel the vibrations of the brake pedal. This
does not indicate a malfunction.
The brake assist system becomes operative after the vehicle
has accelerated to a speed in excess of approximately 10 km/h
(6 mph). It stops operating when the vehicle decelerates to a
speed below approximately 5 km/h (3 mph).
The brake assist system may not work for about 60 seconds
after the engine is started.
For an explanation of this system’s warning light, see “ABS
warning light” on page 58 or 297.

STARTING AND DRIVING
299
BRAKE PAD WEAR LIMITINDICATORS
31X020d
The brake pad wear limit indicators on your disc brakes
give a warning noise when the brake pads are worn to the
extent that replacement is required.
If you hear a squealing or scraping noise while driving, have
the brake pads checked and replaced by your Lexus dealer as
soon as possible. Expensive rotor damage can result if the
pads are not replaced when needed.
TIRE PRESSURE WARNING SYSTEM
The tire pressure warning system warns you that the tire
inflation pressure is low.
The tire pressure warning syst em is not a substitute for
checking normal t ire inflation pressure. Check the tire inflation
pressure with a tire pressure gauge regularly.
CAUTION
The warning system may not activate immediately if
bursts or sudden air leakage should occur.

STARTING AND DRIVING
300
31x608
Tire pressure warning light
The tire pressure warning light comes on when the ignition
switch is turned to the “ON” position and goes off after a few
seconds. This means the tire pressure warning light is
operating properly. If the tire inflation pressure becomes low,
the light comes on again. In this case, adjusting the tire
inflation pressure will turn off the light after a few minutes. If the
light blinks, the tire pressure warning system is not working
properly.
Indicator status
MeaningsDo this
ONTire inflation
pressure is lowAdjust the tire
inflation pressure
BlinkingTire pressure
warning system
malfunctionHave the system
checked at your
Lexus dealer
CAUTION
If the tire pressure warning light comes on, be sure to
observe the following precautions. Failure to do so
could cause loss of vehicle control and result in death
or serious injury.
 Stop your vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible.
Adjust the tire inflation pressure immediately.
 If the tire pressure warning light comes on even after
tire inflation pressure adjustment, it is probable that
you have a flat tire. Check the tires. If the tire is flat,
change to the spare tire and have the flat tire repaired
by the nearest Lexus dealer.
 Avoid abrupt maneuvering and braking. If the vehicle
tires deteriorate, you could lose control of the
steering wheel or the brakes.

DRIVING TIPS
312
TIPS FOR DRIVING IN VARIOUSCONDITIONS
Always slow down in gusty crosswinds. This will allow you
much better control.
 Drive slowly onto curbs and, if possible, at a right angle.
Avoid driving onto high, sharp −edged objects and other
road hazards. Failure to do so can lead to severe tire
damage such as a tire burst.
Drive slowly when passing over bumps or travelling on a
bumpy road. Otherwise, the impact could cause severe
damage to the tires and/or wheels.
 When parking on a hill, turn the front wheels until they touch
the curb so that the vehicle will not roll. Apply the parking
brake, and place the transmission in “P”. If necessary, block
the wheels.
 Washing your vehicle or driving through deep water may get
the brakes wet. To see whether they are wet, check that
there is no traffic near you and then press the pedal lightly.
If you do not feel a normal braking force, the brakes are
probably wet. To dry them, drive the vehicle cautiously while
lightly pressing the brake pedal with the parking brake
applied. If they still do not work saf ely, pull to the side of the
road and call a Lexus dealer for assistance.
CAUTION
 Before driving off, make sure the parking brake is
fully released and that the parking brake reminder
light is off.
 Do not leave your vehicle unattended while the
engine is running.
 Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal while driving.
It can cause dangerous overheating, needless wear,
and poor fuel economy.
 To drive down a long or steep hill, reduce your speed
and downshift. Remember, if you ride the brakes
excessively, they may overheat and not work
properly. See page 263.
 Be careful when accelerating, upshifting,
downshifting or braking on a slippery surface. The
abrupt change in engine speed, such as sudden
acceleration or engine braking, could cause the
vehicle to skid or spin.
 Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the
legal speed limit permits it, do not drive over 140 km/h
(85 mph) unless your vehicle has highspeed
capability tires. Driving over 140 km/h (85 mph) may
result in tire failure, loss of control and possible
injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer to determine
whether the tires on your vehicle are highspeed
capability tires or not before driving at such speeds.