2008 Lexus GX470 4 wheel drive

60
1-3. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel, etc.)
■Linked mirror function when reversing
The outside rear view mirrors will automatically angle downwards when the vehicle
is reversing in order to give a better view of the ground. However, this function will
not operate when the mirror select switch is in the neutral position (neither “L” nor
“R” selected).
■One-touch adjustment of the mirror angle
(vehicles with driving position memory)
A desired mirror face angle can be entere d to memory and adjusted with the touch
of a button. ( P. 4 5 )
CAUTION
■Caution while driving
Observe the following precautions.
Failing to do so may result in losing control of the vehicle and cause an accident,
resulting in death or serious injury.
●Do not adjust the mirrors.
●Do not drive with the mirrors folded back.
●Before driving, be sure to extend the mirrors and adjust properly.
■When the mirror heaters are operating
Do not touch the mirror surface as the mirror surface becomes hot.
And do not touch the mirror surface also wh en the wiper switch is on at lower than
77 F (25 C) of the outside temperature.
NOTICE
■If ice should jam the mirror
Do not operate the control or scrape the mirror face. Use a spray de-icer to free the
mirror.

75
1
Before driving
1-7. Safety information
Correct driving posture
Drive with a good posture as follows:
Sit upright and well back in
the seat.
Adjust the position of the seat
forward or backward to
ensure the pedals can be
reached and easily
depressed to the extent
required. (P. 3 4 )
Adjust the seatback so that
the controls are easily opera-
ble.
Adjust the tilt and telescopic
positions of the steering
wheel downward so the air-
bag is facing your chest.
( P. 5 7 )
Lock the head restraint in
place with the center of the
head restraint closest to the
top of your ears. ( P. 4 7 )
Wear the seat belt correctly.
( P. 4 9 )

84
1-7. Safety information
CAUTION
■SRS airbag precautions
Observe the following precautions regarding the airbags. Failure to do so may
cause death or serious injury.
●The driver and all passengers in the vehicle must wear their seat belts properly.
The SRS airbags are supplemental devices to be used with the seat belts.
●The SRS driver airbag deploys with considerable force, and can cause death or
serious injury especially if the driver is very close to the airbag. The National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) advises:
Since the risk zone for driver airbag is th e first 2 - 3 in. (50 - 75 mm) of inflation,
placing yourself 10 in. (250 mm) from your driver airbag provides you with a
clear margin of safety. This distance is measured from the center of the steering
wheel to your breastbone. If you sit less than 10 in. (250 mm) away now, you can
change your driving position in several ways:
• Move your seat to the rear as far as you can while still reaching the pedals
comfortably.
• Slightly recline the back of the seat. Al though vehicle designs vary, many driv-
ers can achieve the 10 in. (250 mm) distance, even with the driver seat all the
way forward, simply by reclining the back of the seat somewhat. If reclining
the back of your seat makes it hard to see the road, raise yourself by using a
firm, non-slippery cushion, or raise the seat if your vehicle has that feature.
• If your steering wheel is adjustable, ti lt it downward. This points the airbag
toward your chest instead of your head and neck.
The seat should be adjusted as recommended by NHTSA above, while still main-
taining control of the foot pedals, steering wheel, and your view of the instrument
panel controls.

87
1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
CAUTION
■SRS airbag precautions
●Do not use seat accessories which cover the parts where the SRS side airbags
inflate as they may interfere with inflation of the airbags.
●Do not strike or apply significant levels of force to the area of the SRS airbag
components shown on P. 78. Doing so can cause the SRS airbags to malfunction.
●Do not touch any of the component parts immediately after the SRS airbags have
deployed (inflated) as they may be hot.
●If breathing becomes difficult after the SRS airbag has deployed, open a door or
window to allow fresh air in, or leave the vehicle if it is safe to do so. Wash off any
residue as soon as possible to prevent skin irritation.
●If the areas where the SRS airbags are stored, such as the steering wheel pad and
front pillar garnish, are damaged or cracked, have them replaced by your Lexus
dealer.
●Do not attach anything to or lean anything
against areas such as the dashboard or
steering wheel pad of the instrument panel.
These items can become projectiles when
the SRS driver and front passenger airbags
deploy.
●Do not attach anything to areas such as the
door, windshield glass, side door glass,
front and rear pillars, roof side rail or assist
grip.
●Do not hang coat hangers or other hard
objects on the coat hooks. All of these
items could become projectiles and seri-
ously injure or kill you, should the SRS cur-
tain shield airbag deploy.

When driving2
109
2-1. Driving procedures ........ 110Driving the vehicle................... 110
Engine (ignition) switch .......... 118
Automatic transmission ......... 121
Turn signal lever ....................... 124
Parking brake ........................... 125
2-2. Instrument cluster .......... 126 Gauges and meters ................ 126
Indicators and warning lights ......................................... 129
Trip information display ......... 132 2-3. Operating the lights and
windshield wipers ........ 135
Headlight switch ..................... 135
Fog light switch ........................ 137
Windshield wipers and washer ..................................... 138
Rear window wiper and washer ...................................... 141
2-4. Using other driving systems .......................... 142
Cruise control.......................... 142
Four-wheel drive system....... 146
Rear height control air suspension.............................. 149
Electronic modulated suspension.............................. 156
DAC (Downhill Assist Control system) ..................... 157
Driving assist systems ............ 159
2-5. Driving information........ 163 Off-road precautions ............ 163
Cargo and luggage ................ 168
Vehicle load limits .................... 174
Winter driving tips ................... 176
Trailer towing ........................... 180
Dinghy towing .......................... 190

113
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
CAUTION
■When driving the vehicle
●Do not shift the shift lever to “N” while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so may cause insufficient engine braking and lead to an accident.
●Do not turn the engine off while driving.
The power steering and brake booster systems will not operate properly if the
engine is off.
●Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving down a
steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose effec-
tiveness. (P. 1 2 3 )
●When stopped on an inclined surface, use the brake pedal and parking brake to
prevent the vehicle from rolling backwa rd or forward and causing an accident.
●Do not adjust the position of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or outside
rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control that can cause accidents that may
result in death or serious injury.
●Always check that all passengers’ arms, heads or other parts of their bodies are
not outside the vehicle, as this may result in death or serious injury.
●Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit permits it, do
not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicle has high-speed capability
tires. Driving over 85 mph (140 km/h) may result in tire failure, loss of control and
death or serious injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer to determine whether the
tires on your vehicle are high-speed capability tires or not before driving at such
speeds.
●If you drive through deep water over about 28 in. (700 mm) in depth, select the
vehicle height in the “HI” (high) mode us ing the active height select switch and
then turn off the active height control su spension by pushing the height control
switch. Drive your vehicle at 19 mph (30 km/h) or slower.

117
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
NOTICE
■Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
●Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for a long
time.
Doing so may damage the power steering pump.
●When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid damag-
ing the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.
■If you hear a squealing or scraping noise (brake pad wear limit indicators)
Have your Lexus dealer check and replac e the brake pads as soon as possible.
The rotor damage can result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
■If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering wheel
firmly and gradually press the brak e pedal to slow down the vehicle.
●It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
●The vehicle will make abnormal sounds.
●The vehicle will behave abnormally.
Replace a flat tire with a new one. ( P. 3 9 1 )
■When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may cause the
following serious damage to the vehicle.
●Engine stalling
●Short in electrical components
●Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be sure to
have your Lexus dealer check the following.
●Brake function
●Changes in quantity and quality of oil an d fluid used for the engine, transmission,
transfer, differentials, etc.
●Lubricant condition for the propeller shaft, bearings and suspension joints (where
possible) and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.

118
2-1. Driving procedures
Engine (ignition) switch
■Turning the key from “ACC” to “LOCK”
■Engine (ignition) switch
“LOCK”:
The steering wheel is locked
and the key can be removed.
“A C C ” :
Some electrical components
such as the audio system can be
used.
“ON”:
All electrical components can
be used.
“START”:
For starting the engine.
■Starting the engine
Check that the parking brake is set.
Turn off unnecessary lights and accessories.
Check that the shift lever is set in “P”.
Sit in the driver’s seat and firmly depress the brake pedal.
Turn the engine switch to the “START” position to start the
engine.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5
Shift the shift lever to “P”.
Push in the key and turn to the
“LOCK” position.STEP1
STEP2