2008 Lexus GX470 4 wheel drive

146
2-4. Using other driving systems
Four-wheel drive system
Use the four-wheel drive control lever and center differential lock button
to select following transfer and center differential modes.
Four-wheel drive control lever
“L” (low speed position)
Driving requiring maximum power and traction such as climbing or
descending steep hills, off-road driving and hard pulling in sand or mud.
“N” (neutral position)
No power is delivered to the wheels.
“H” (high speed position)
Normal driving on all types of roads.

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2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
■The four-wheel drive control lever can be operated when
●The engine switch is in the “ON” position,
●The shift lever is in the “N” position, and
●The vehicle is stopped completely.
Center differential lock/unlock buttonUse this button when your vehi-
cle’s wheel gets stuck in a ditch
or when you are driving on a
loose or bumpy surface.

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2-4. Using other driving systems
■The center differential lock/unlock button can be operated when
●The engine switch is in the “ON” position, and
●The four-wheel drive control lever is in the “H” or “L” position.
■Locking/unlocking the center differential
●When the center differential is locked, VSC is automatically turned off. (The
center differential lock and “VSC OFF” indicator lights come on.)
●If the operation is not completed, the center differential lock indicator blinks. If
the indicator light does not go off when unlocking the center differential, drive
straight ahead while accelerating or decelerating, or drive in reverse.
●If center differential lock system oper ation is not completed within 5 seconds
while the cruise control system is set, cancel the cruise control system.
CAUTION
■While driving
Never move the four-wheel drive control lever if the wheels are slipping. Doing so
may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the center differential
●Unlock the center differential after the wh eels are out of the ditch or off the loose
or bumpy surface.
●Do not push the center differential lock/u nlock button when the vehicle is corner-
ing or when its wheels are spin ning freely off the ground.

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2-4. Using other driving systems
Electronic modulated suspension
■Driving mode
●Mode is suitable for ordinary driving.
●Mode or is suitable for heavy load or driving on a unpaved road.
●With the four-wheel drive control lever at “L”, the damping effect suitable for off-
road driving will be provided.
The electronic modulated suspension controls the suspension according to
the road and driving conditions. Selected driving mode allows for good
riding comfort and stability.
For driving on a bumpy road
For ordinary driving such as
in the city traffic
For moderate high speed
driving
For sporty type driving such
as on winding mountain
roads and high speed driving.
Soft Hard

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2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
DAC (Downhill Assist Control system)
The DAC helps to prevent excessive speed on steep downhill slopes.
The system will operate when the vehicle is traveling under 15 mph
(25 km/h) and the four wheel drive control lever is in the “L” position.
■System operation
Press the “DAC” switch. The
indicator will come on, and the
system will operate.
When the system is in operation,
the slip indicator light will flash,
and the stop lights/high
mounted stop lights will be lit.
■Turning off the system
Press the “DAC” switch while the system is in operation. The indica-
tor will flash as the system gradua lly ceases operation, and will turn
off when the system is fully off.
Press the “DAC” switch while the indicator is flashing to start the
system again.

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2-4. Using other driving systems
■Operating tips
The system will operate when the shift lever is in a position other than “P”, however
to make effective use of the system it is recommended that the shift lever be shifted
to “2” or “L”.
■If the four wheel drive control lever is in “H”
The system will not operate.
■If the brake system overheats
The system will cease operation and a bu zzer will sound to alert the driver.
Stop the vehicle in a safe place. (There is no problem with continuing normal driv-
ing.)
■System malfunction
●The “DAC” indicator does not come on when the engine switch is turned to the
“ON” position.
●The “DAC” indicator does not come on when the “DAC” switch is pressed.
In the above cases have your vehicle checked by your Lexus dealer.
CAUTION
■The system may not operate on the following surfaces, which may lead to an acci-
dent causing death or serious injury.
●Slippery surfaces such as wet or muddy roads
●Icy surfaces
●Unpaved roads

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2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
Driving assist systems
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)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenly, or if
the brakes are applied while driving on a slippery road surface.
■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.
■ Active traction control
Maintains drive power and prevents the 4 wheels from spinning when
starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads.
■Hill-start assist control
Helps prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards when starting on an
incline or slippery slope. It operates for approximately 5 seconds at maxi-
mum.
■ Limited Slip Differential
Transfers drive power to the rear tires when front tires spin, and vice versa,
in order to improve traction.
■Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (if equipped)
Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System helps to significantly enhance han-
dling response by reducing roll stiffn ess of the suspension stabilizer bars
through means of a hydraulic control system.

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2-5. Driving information
CAUTION
■Off-road driving precautions
Always observe the following precautions to 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 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 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 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.