2012 Lexus GX460 Owner's Manual

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2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
■Electronic key battery depletion
→P. 4 4
■Conditions affecting operation
→P. 3 9
■Notes for the entry function
→P. 4 1
■If the engine does not start
The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( →P. 115)
■Steering lock
After turning the “ENGINE START STOP” switch off and opening and closing the
doors, the steering wheel will be locked du e to the steering lock function. Operat-
ing the “ENGINE START STOP” switch again automatically cancels the steering
lock.
■When the steering lock cannot be released
The green indicator light on the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch will flash and a mes-
sage will be shown on the multi-information
display. Press the “ENGINE START STOP”
switch again while turning the steering wheel
left and right.

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2-1. Driving procedures
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
■Steering lock motor overheating prevention
To prevent the steering lock motor from overheating, the motor may be suspended
if the engine is turned on and off repeatedly in a short period of time. In this case,
refrain from operating the engine. After about 10 seconds, the steering lock motor
will resume functioning.
■When the “ENGINE START STOP” switch indicator flashes in amber
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus
dealer immediately.
■If the electronic key battery is depleted
→ P. 6 4 4
CAUTION
■When starting the engine
Always start the engine while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the acceler-
ator pedal while starting the engine under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■Caution while driving
If the vehicle begins to slide due to engine failure or other circumstances, do not
lock or open the doors until the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop. Activa-
tion of the steering lock in this circumstance may lead to an accident, resulting in
death or serious injury.
■Stopping the engine in an emergency
If you want to stop the engine in an emergency while driving the vehicle, press and
hold the “ENGINE START STOP” switch for more than 3 seconds. However, do
not touch the “ENGINE START STOP” switch while driving except in an emer-
gency. Turning the engine off while driving will not cause loss of steering or braking
control, but the power assist to these systems will be lost. This will make it more diffi-
cult to steer and brake, so you should pull over and stop the vehicle as soon as it is
safe to do so.

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2-1. Driving procedures
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When driving
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
●Do not leave the “ENGINE START STOP” switch in ACCESSORY or IGNI-
TION ON mode for long periods of time without the engine running.
●If the indicator on the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is illuminated, the
“ENGINE START STOP” switch is not off. When exiting the vehicle, always
check that the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is off.
●Do not stop the engine when the shift lever is in a position other than P. If the
engine is stopped in another shift lever position, the “ENGINE START STOP”
switch will not be turned off but instead be turned to ACCESSORY mode. If the
vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode, battery discharge may occur.
■When starting the engine
●Do not race a cold engine.
●If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have the engine
checked immediately.
■Symptoms indicating a malfunction with the “ENGINE START STOP” switch
If the “ENGINE START STOP” seems to be operating somewhat differently than
usual, such as the switch sticking slightly, there may be a malfunction. Contact your
Lexus dealer immediately.

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2-1. Driving procedures
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
Automatic transmission
Select a shift position appropriate for the driving conditions.
■Shifting the shift lever
While the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in IGNITION
ON mode, move the shift lever with the brake pedal depressed.
When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that
the vehicle is completely stopped.

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2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
■Shift position purpose
*1: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noises, set the shift lever in the D
position for normal driving.
*2: Selecting shift ranges using S mode restricts the upper limit of the possiblegear ranges, controls engine brak ing forces, and prevents unnecessary
upshifting.
Shift positionFunction
PParking the vehicle/starting the engine
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*1
SS mode driving*2 ( → P. 1 8 9 )

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2-1. Driving procedures
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
■Selecting second start mode
Use second start mode for accelerating and driving on slippery
road surfaces such as snow.
Press the menu switch.
The multi-information display
will change modes to electronic
features control mode.
Press the “ENTER” switch
upwards or downwards until
“2ND START” appears.
Press the “ENTER” switch to
change to “ON”.
The “2nd STRT” indicator will be
displayed.
Each pressing of the switch
turns second start mode on and
off.
Press the menu switch to
change to the normal display.
STEP1
STEP2

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2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
Changing shift ranges in S modeWhen the shift lever is in the S position, the shift lever can be operated as
follows: For upshifting
For downshifting
The initial shift range in S mode is set automatically to 5 or 4 according to
vehicle speed. However, the initial shift range may be set to 3 or 2 if AI-
SHIFT has operated while the shift lever was in the D position.
(→ P. 1 9 0 )
■ Shift ranges and their functions
● You can choose from 6 levels of engine braking force.
● A lower shift range will provide greater engine braking force than a
higher shift range, and the engine speed will also increase.

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2-1. Driving procedures
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
■S mode
When the shift range is 5 or lower, holding the shift lever toward “+” sets the shift
range to 6.
■AI-SHIFT
AI-SHIFT automatically selects the optimal gear according to driver performance
and driving conditions.
AI-SHIFT automatically operates when the shift lever is in the D position. (Shifting
the shift lever to the S position cancels the function.)
The engine speed remain high after releasing the accelerator pedal. This does not
indicate a malfunction.
■When driving with the cruise control or dynamic radar cruise control
Engine braking will not occur in S mode, even when downshifting to 5 or 4.
( → P. 246, 250)
■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
→ P. 7 3 7
■If the “S” indicator does not come on even after shifting the shift lever to S
This may indicate a malfunction in the automatic transmission system. Have the
vehicle inspected by Lexus dealer immediately.
(In this situation, the transmission will operate in the same manner as when the shift
lever is in D.)
■Downshift restriction warning buzzer (S mode)
To help ensure safety and driving performance, downshifting operation may some-
times be restricted. In some circumstances, downshifting may not be possible even
when the shift lever is operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.)