2007 LEXUS LX470 steering

95
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
Starting the engine
]
■Turning the key from “ACC” to “LOCK”
■Ignition switch
LOCK:
The steering wheel is locked
and the key can be removed.
ACC:
Some electrical components
such as the audio system can be
used.
ON:
All electrical components can
be used.
START
■ Starting the engine
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is set in “P”.
Sit in the driver’s seat and firmly depress the brake pedal.
Turn the ignition key to the “START” position and start the
engine.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
Shift the shift lever to “P”.
Push in the key and turn to the
“LOCK” position.STEP1
STEP2

96
2-1. Driving procedures
T■Steering lock release
■ If the engine does not start
The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. (P. 4 7 )
■Starting the engine using the flat key
Put the key case away when the indicator light goes out. This means the
engine immobilizer system has turned off.
Start the engine within 60 seconds after the indicator light goes off.
When starting the engine, the ignition switch
may seem stuck in the “LOCK” position. To
free it, turn the ignition key while turning the
steering wheel sightly in either direction.
Remove the flat key from its case. Insert the
key into the ignition switch. STEP1
Bring the key case close to the ignition switch
within 10 seconds as indicated by an arrow. STEP2
STEP3
STEP4

134
2-4. Using other driving systems
■If the vehicle height does not change
If the vehicle is loaded too heavily, or the undercarriage has come into contact with
the road surface, the vehicle height cannot be raised/lowered. In this case, the indi-
cator lights will change as follows:
●The current mode indicator light will turn off, and the target mode indicator light
will begin flashing.
●The target mode indicator light will turn off, and the original mode indicator light
will be lit once more. (The vehicle height does not change.)
■In the following cases AHC will not operate
●The brake pedal has been depressed for longer than 5 seconds while the vehi-
cle is stopped.
●The suspension fluid temperature is lower than -22°F (-30°C).
●Driving on bumpy roads which may cause the suspension to fully elongate.
●If the steering wheel is abruptly turned more than 3/4 of a revolution with the
center differential lock system activated.
■Cold weather operation
It may take longer for the vehicle height to change if the suspension fluid tempera-
ture drops below -5°F (-15°C).
AHC does not operate when the suspension fluid temperature drops below -22°F
(-30°C).
●In this case, the selected height mode indicator light will flash when the height
mode select switch is pressed, however the vehicle height will not change.
Once the engine has warmed the suspension fluid to within normal operating
limits, AHC will begin operating and the vehicle height will automatically
change to the selected mode.
●When the suspension fluid is around -22°F (-30°C), the vehicle height may not
be able to be raised, even if AHC is operating. In this case, push “ ▼” then “▲ ”
on the height mode select switch after further warming the engine to select the
desired vehicle height.

142
2-4. Using other driving systems
Driving assist systems
When the VSC system is operatingIf the vehicle is in danger of slip-
ping, the slip indicator light flashes
and buzzer sounds to indicate that
the VSC systems have been
engaged.
To help enhance driving safety and performance, the following systems
operate automatically in response to various driving situations. Be aware,
however, that these systems are supplementary and should not be relied
upon too heavily when operating the vehicle.
■ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Restrains the vehicle from slipping when driving on slick road surfaces or
in the event of sudden braking.
■BA (Brake Assist)
Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake pedal is
depressed, when the system detects a panic stop situation.
■VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to control skidding when swerving suddenly or turning on
slippery road surfaces.
■ TRAC (Active Traction Control)
Maintains drive power and prevents the 4 wheels from spinning when
starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads.
■VGRS (Variable Gear Ratio Steering)
Adjusts the wheel turning angle in accordance with the vehicle speed and
steering wheel movement.

144
2-4. Using other driving systems
■Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, BA, VSC, TRAC and VGRS systems
●A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the engine is
started or just after the vehicle begins to move. This sound does not indicate that
a malfunction has occurred in any of these systems.
●Any of the following conditions may occur when the above systems are operat-
ing. None of these indicates that a malfunction has occurred.
• Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
• A motor sound may be heard after the vehicle comes to a stop.
• The brake pedal may pulsate slightly after the ABS is activated.
• The brake pedal may move down slightly after the ABS is activated.
■VGRS is disabled in the following situations
●During stopping or the steering wheel has been moved for a long time while
driving at lower speeds.
●After the engine is restarted at less than -22°F (-30°C).
●If you disconnect the batter y with the steering wheel turned, the center position
of the steering wheel could be slightly and temporary changed. To initialize the
VGRS, drive for a short while.

149
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
CAUTION
■Off-road driving precautions
Always observe the following precautions to help minimize the risk of serious per-
sonal 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 wh en driving off-road. 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.
●When driving off-road or in rugged te rrain, do not drive at excessive speeds,
jump, make sharp turns, strike objects, etc. This may cause loss of control or vehi-
cle rollover causing death or serious injury. You are also risking expensive dam-
age to your vehicle’s suspension and chassis.
NOTICE
■To prevent the water damage
Take all necessary safety measures to ensure that water dama ge 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 dam-
age.
●Water can wash the grease from wheel bearings, causing rusting and premature
failure, and may also enter the differentials, transmission and transfer case, reduc-
ing the gear oil’s lubricating qualities.

154
2-5. Driving information
CAUTION
■Storage precautions
●Do not stack anything in the luggage compartment higher than the seatbacks.
Such items may be thrown about and possibly injure people in the vehicle during
sudden braking or in an accident.
●Do not drive with objects on top of the instrument panel.
They may interfere with the driver’s field of view or move during sharp accelera-
tion or turning, thus impairing the driver ’s control of the vehicle. In an accident
they may injure the vehicle occupants.
●Secure all items in the occupant compartment, as they may shift and injure some-
one during an accident or sudden braking.
●Never allow anyone to ride in the luggage compartment. It is not designed for
passengers. They should ride in their seat s with their seat belts properly fastened.
Otherwise, they are much more likely to suffer serious injury, in the event of sud-
den braking or a collision.
■Weight of the load
●Do not exceed the maximum axle weight ra ting or the total vehicle weight rating.
●Even if the total load of occupant's weight and the cargo load is less than the total
load capacity, do not apply the load unevenly. Improper loading may cause dete-
rioration of steering or braking control which may cause death or serious injury.

155
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Vehicle load limits
■Total load capacity and seating capacity
These details are also described on the tire and loading information label.
(  P. 3 0 2 )
CAUTION
■Overloading the vehicle
Do not overload the vehicle.
It may not only cause damage to the tire s, but also degrade steering and braking
ability, resulting in an accident.
Vehicle load limits include total lo ad capacity, seating capacity, towing
capacity and cargo capacity.
■ Total load capacity: 1200 lb. (545 kg)
Total load capacity means the comb ined weight of occupants, cargo
and luggage.
■ Seating capacity: 8 occupants (Front 2, Rear 6)
Seating capacity means the maximu m number of occupants whose
estimated average weight is 150 lb. (68 kg) per person.
Even if the number of occupants ar e within the seating capacity, do
not exceed the total load capacity.
■ Towing capacity: 6500 lb. (2948 kg)
Towing capacity means the maximu m gross trailer weight (trailer
weight plus its cargo weight) that you vehicle is able to tow.
■ Cargo capacity
Cargo capacity may inc rease or decrease depending on the weight
and the number of occupants.