2008 Lexus GX470 engine

136
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
■Daytime running light system
To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers, the headlights turn on automati-
cally (at a reduced intensity) whenever the engine is started and the parking brake
is released. Daytime running lights are not designed for use at night.
■Headlight control sensor
■Automatic light off system
The headlights and tail lights turn off 30 seconds after a door is opened or closed if
the engine switch is turned to the “ACC” or “LOCK” position while the headlights
are turned on. (The lights turn off immediately if the “LOCK” button on the key is
pressed after all doors are locked.)
To turn the lights on again, turn the engine switch to the “ON” position, or turn the
light switch “OFF” once and then back to the or position.
■Customization that can be configured at Lexus dealer
Settings (e.g. light sensor sensitivity) can be changed.
(Customizable features →P. 4 3 6 )
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than necessary when the engine is not running.
The sensor may not function properly if an
object is placed on the sensor, or anything
that blocks the sensor is affixed to the wind-
shield.
Doing so interferes with the sensor detecting
the level of ambient light and may cause the
automatic headlight system to malfunction.

139
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
2
When driving
■The windshield wiper and washer can be operated when
The engine switch is in the “ON” position.
■Dripping prevention wiper sweep
After washing and wiping operation several times, the wipers operate one more
time after a short delay to prevent dripping.
However, the last sweep will not happen if the vehicle is traveling above 106 mph
(170 km/h).
■Effects of vehicle speed on wiper operation
Vehicle speed affects the following even when the wipers are not in “AUTO” mode.
●Intermittent wiper interval (“INT” mode)
●Wiper operation when the washer is being used (delay until drip prevention
wiper sweep occurs)
With “LO” selected, wiper operation will be switched from low speed to intermit-
tent wiper operation only when the vehicle is stationary.
■Rain drop sensor (vehicles equipped with the rain-sensing windshield wipers)
■If no windshield washer fluid sprays
Check that the washer nozzles are not blocked if there is washer fluid in the wind-
shield washer fluid reservoir.
■In extremely hot or cold weather
The system will turn off if the windshield gets extremely hot (more than 194 °F
[90 °C]) or cold (less than 14 °F [-10 °C]).The sensor judges the amount of raindrops.

141
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
2
When driving
Rear window wiper and washer
■The rear window wiper and washer can be operated when
The engine switch must be in the “ON” position.
NOTICE
■When the rear window is dry
Do not use the wipers, as they may damage the rear window.
Intermittent window wiper
operation.
Normal window wiper oper-
ation
Washer operation
Washer/wiper dual operation

147
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.

148
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 operation 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 wheels are out of the ditch or off the loose
or bumpy surface.
●Do not push the center differential lock/unlock button when the vehicle is corner-
ing or when its wheels are spinning freely off the ground.

152
2-4. Using other driving systems
Height control indicator lightsIf you change the vehicle height mode, the indicator lights change as fol-
lows: • The current mode indicator light will turn off, and the selected modeindicator light will begin flashing.
• Once the change in vehicle height is complete, the selected mode indicator light will change from flashing to continuously lit.
■Operating conditions
●The engine must be running.
●Vehicle speed must be within the acceptable range for the selected mode.
■Automatic change in vehicle height
If the vehicle speed exceeds 19 mph (30 km/h) when in the high mode, or 7 mph
(12 km/h) when in the low mode, normal mode is automatically selected.
■Turning off the rear height control air suspension
●The system will remain off until the switch is pushed again, even if the engine
switch is turned off.
●Even if the rear height control air suspension is turned off, the system automati-
cally selects the normal mode if the vehicle’s speed exceeds 19 mph (30 km/h).
■Automatic leveling function
The vehicle is adjusted to a fixed height for each mode, regardless of the number of
occupants and the luggage load.

153
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
■If the vehicle height does not change
If the area around the rear suspension is coated with ice, or the undercarriage has
come into contact with the road surface, the rear height control suspension will not
operate. In this case, the indicator 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.)
If the rear height control air suspension cannot be operated even after removing
the ice or progressing to a smooth driving surface, turn off and restart the engine.
■ Parking and stopping tips
●If you immediately stop the engine after off-road driving, or park the vehicle for
a long time, the vehicle height may gradually lower. When parking, make sure
there is nothing under the vehicle that may come in contact with the underbody.
The vehicle will return to the set height when the engine is started.
●The vehicle height may change as the temperature changes when the engine is
stopped. The vehicle will return to the set height when the engine is started.
■When lowering the vehicle
Even if the engine is stopped while the vehicle height is being lowered, operation
will continue for up to 25 seconds. If any of the side doors or the back door is
opened within this 25 seconds, operation will continue for a further 15 seconds.
■ Rear height control failure warning
●If a malfunction occurs in the rear height control air suspension, normal mode is
automatically selected.
The height control “OFF” indicator will blink, and the vehicle height control can-
not be activated until the malfunction is corrected. Have the vehicle checked at
your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
●If the height control “OFF” indicator lig ht does not come on when the engine
switch is turned to the “ON” position, there is a malfunction in the rear height
control air suspension. You can continue normal driving, however have the vehi-
cle checked by your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.

154
2-4. Using other driving systems
CAUTION
Failure to observe the following precautions may result in an accident.
■ Using the “HI” (high) mode
This mode should only be used for rough off-road conditions. Because the vehicle’s
center of gravity is higher when in the high mode, the vehicle may become unstable
when turning abruptly.
■When loading cargo on the roof luggage carrier
Do not select the “HI” (high) mode. Because the vehicle’s center of gravity is higher
when in the high mode, the vehicle may become unstable when turning abruptly
and unexpected loss of control or vehicle rollover may occur.
■When jacking up the vehicle or installing tire chains
Turn off the rear height control air suspension and stop the engine, otherwise the
vehicle height may change due to the automatic leveling function.
■ When driving through water deeper than 28 in. (700 mm)
Select the “HI” (high) mode, turn off the rear height control air suspension and drive
at 19 mph (30 km/h) or slower. Otherwise, the vehicle height may change due to
the automatic leveling function.
■If your vehicle must be towed
Put the vehicle height in the normal mode and turn off the rear height control air
suspension, otherwise the vehicle height may change due to the automatic leveling
function.
■If your vehicle becomes stuck in a ditch
Turn off the rear height control air suspension, otherwise the vehicle height may
change due to the automatic leveling function.