2008 Lexus GX470 overheating

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2-1. Driving procedures
CAUTION
■When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the engine off.
Otherwise, you may accidentally move the shift lever or depress the accelerator
pedal, which could cause an accident or fire due to engine overheating. Addition-
ally, if the vehicle is parked in a poorly ventilated area, exhaust gases may collect
and enter the vehicle, leading to death or a serious health hazard.
■When braking the vehicle
●When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously.
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and may cause one side of
the vehicle to brake differently than the other side. Also the parking brake may
not securely hold the vehicle.
●If the power brake assist function does not operate, do not follow other vehicles
closely and avoid downhill or sharp turns that require braking.
In this case, braking is still possible, but it will require more force on the pedal than
usual. Braking distance may also increase.
●Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls.
Each push on the pedal uses up the reserve for the power-assisted brakes.
●The brake system consists of 2 individual hydraulic systems: if one of the systems
fails, the other will still operate. In this case, the brake pedal should be depressed
more firmly than usual and braking distance becomes longer.
Do not drive your vehicle with only a single brake system. Have your brakes fixed
immediately.
NOTICE
■While driving the vehicle
Do not use the accelerator pedal or depress accelerator and brake pedals together
to hold the vehicle on a hill.
■When parking the vehicle
Always put the shift lever in “P”. Failure to do so may cause the vehicle to move or
the vehicle may accelerate suddenly if the accelerator pedal is accidentally
depressed.

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2-2. Instrument cluster
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the engine and its components
●Do not let the indicator needle of the tachometer enter the red zone, which indi-
cates the maximum engine speed.
●The engine may be overheating if the engine coolant temperature gauge is in the
red zone (“H”). In this case, immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place, and
check the engine after it has cooled completely. ( →P. 4 0 8 )

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2-5. Driving information
●Note that when making a turn, the trailer wheels will be closer than the
vehicle wheels to the inside of the turn. Compensate by making a
larger than normal turning radius.
● Crosswinds and rough roads will adversely affect handling of your
vehicle and trailer, causing sway. Periodically check the rear to prepare
for being passed by large trucks or buses, which may cause your vehi-
cle and trailer to sway. If swaying occurs, firmly grip the steering wheel,
reduce speed immediately but gradually, and steer straight ahead.
Never increase speed. If you make no extreme correction with the
steering or brakes, your vehicle and trailer will stabilize.
● Take care when passing other vehicles. Passing requires considerable
distance. After passing a vehicle, do not forget the length of your
trailer, and be sure you have plenty of room before changing lanes.
● In order to maintain efficient engine braking and electrical charging
performance, do not use overdrive. Transmission shift range position
must be in “4”.
● Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle’s engine may overheat
on hot days (at temperatures over 85°F [30°C] when driving up a
long or steep grade. If the engine coolant temperature gauge indicates
overheating, immediately turn off the air conditioning (if in use), pull
your vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot. (
→P. 4 0 8 )

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3-6. Other interior features
3
Interior features
CAUTION
■Burns
●Use caution when seating the following persons in a seat with the seat heater on
to avoid the possibility of burns:
• Babies, small children, the elderly, the sick and the disabled
• Persons with sensitive skin
• Persons who are fatigued
• Persons who have taken alcohol or drugs that induce sleep (sleeping drugs,cold remedies, etc.)
●Do not cover the seat with anything when using the seat heater.
Using the seat heater with a blanket or cushion increases the temperature of the
seat and may lead to overheating.
NOTICE
■To prevent seat heater damage
Do not put unevenly weighted objects on the seat and do not stick sharp objects
(needles, nails, etc.) into the seat.
■To prevent battery discharge
Turn the dials off when the engine is not running.

5
When trouble arises
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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
■Overheating
In the following situations, your vehicle may be overheating.
●The engine coolant temperature gauge enters the red zone or a loss of power is
experienced.
●Steam is coming from under the hood.
CAUTION
■To prevent an accident or injury when inspecting under the hood of your vehicle
●Keep hands and clothing away from the fan and engine drive belt while the
engine is running.
●Do not loosen the radiator cap while the engine and radiator are hot.
Serious injury, such as burns, may result from hot coolant and steam released
under pressure.
NOTICE
■When adding coolant
Wait until the engine has cooled down before adding coolant.
When adding coolant, do so slowly. Adding cold coolant to a hot engine too quickly
can cause damage to the engine.
Add coolant if required.
Water can be used as an emer-
gency measure if coolant is
unavailable. (→P. 4 1 6 )
Have the vehicle checked at your nearest Lexus dealer as soon as pos-
sible.
STEP5

447
Alphabetical index
Installing CRS with top straps .......104
Child safety
Airbag precautions ............................. 85
Child restraint system ........................ 95
Child-protectors................................... 28
How your child should wear the seatbelt ........................................... 53
Installing child restraints .................... 98
Moon roof.................................................64
Power window lock switch ............... 61
Power window precautions............ 63
Removed battery
precautions ....................................... 352
Seat belt precautions.......................... 54
Seat heater precautions ..................274
Cigarette lighter ..................................... 271
Cleaning Exterior ...................................................306
Interior.....................................................308
Seat belts ...............................................309
Clock..........................................................266
Compass ................................................. 286
Condenser.............................................. 329
Cooling system Engine overheating ..........................408
Cruise control ......................................... 142
Cup holders.............................................262
Curtain shield airbags ............................ 77
Customizable features ...................... 436 Daytime running light system ........... 136
Defogger
Rear window ......................................... 199
Side mirror.............................................. 199
Dimension................................................. 412
Dinghy towing ......................................... 190
Display Trip information ....................................132
Do-it-yourself maintenance ...............317
Door courtesy lights ............................ 256
Door pocket............................................ 263
Doors Door lock ......................................... 24, 26
Rear door chil d protector ................ 28
Downhill assist control system ......... 157
Driver’s seat belt reminder light .... 385
Driving Correct posture..................................... 75
Procedures .............................................. 118
DVD player .............................................. 231
Electronic modulated
suspension ............................................. 156
Emergency, in case of
If a warning light turns on................ 381
If the engine will not start ........................................................402
If the shift lever cannot be
shifted from P .................................. 403D
E

448
Alphabetical index
If the vehicle battery is discharged .......................................405
If you have a flat tire ...........................391
If you lose your keys......................... 404
If you think something is wrong ....................................................377
If your vehicle becomes stuck...... 410
If your vehicle needs to be towed ................................................... 372
If your vehicle overheats ............... 408
Engine Compartment ....................................... 321
Engine switch.......................................... 118
Hood........................................................ 320
How to start the engine..................... 118
If the engine will not
start ........................................................ 402
Overheating........................................ 408
Engine compartment cover ............. 322
Engine coolant temperature gauge....................................................... 126
Engine coolant
Capacity...................................................416
Checking ............................................... 328
Preparing and checking before winter ...................................... 176
Engine immobilizer system.................. 70
Engine oil Capacity...................................................415
Checking ............................................... 323
Preparing and checking before winter ...................................... 176
Engine oil maintenance data............ 326
Event data recorder ............................ 379 First-aid kit storage belt ..................... 279
Flat key ......................................................... 22
Floor mats .................................................277
Fluid
Brake ....................................................... 330
Power steering ..................................... 331
Washer................................................... 335
Fog lights
Switch ........................................................ 137
Wattage ................................................. 420
Foot light .................................................. 256
Front passenger’s seat belt reminder light .....................................385
Front passenger occupant
classification system............................ 90
Front seats
Adjustment ............................................... 34
Driving position memory ..................45
Front turn signal lights Wattage ................................................. 420
Fuel Capacity .................................................. 414
Fuel gauge .............................................. 126
Gas station information ................. 456
Information ............................................. 421
Refueling .................................................... 67
Fuel door ......................................................67
Fuel filler door ............................................67
Fuses .......................................................... 355F

450
Alphabetical index
MaintenanceDo-it-yourself ma intenance ........... 317
General maintenance .......................313
Maintenance data................................ 412
Maintenance requirements ..............311
Meter
Instrument panel light control ....... 127
Meters ....................................................... 126
Mirrors Inside rear view mirror.......................58
Side mirror heater ...............................199
Side mirrors ............................................. 59
Vanity mirrors...................................... 265
Moon roof ................................................... 64
MP3 disc ................................................... 218
Odometer................................................. 126
Off-road precautions
Driving...................................................... 165
Vehicle ......................................................163
Oil Engine oil ............................................... 323
Outside rear view mirrors Adjusting and folding ......................... 59
Defogger switch...................................199
Driving position memory.................. 45
Outside temperature display...........268
Overhead console ................................ 261
Overheating, Engine.......................... 408 Parking brake...........................................125
Parking lights
Replacing light bulbs ....................... 365
Switch ........................................................ 135
Wattage ................................................. 420
Personal lights........................................ 256
Power outlet ............................................272
Power windows .......................................... 61
Quarter window ................................... 278
Radiator .................................................... 329
Radio.......................................................... 203
RDS (Radio Date System) ................ 205
Rear console box.................................. 260
Rear height control
air suspension .......................................149
Rear sear entertainment system
A/V input adapter ............................ 248
Headphone jacks...............................233
Remote control ...................................236
Rear seat
Folding up the third seat ....................39
Removing the third seat ..................... 42
Tumbling the second seat ................ 37
Rear step bumper .....................................31
Rear turn signal lights Replacing light bulbs ....................... 365
Wattage ................................................. 420M
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