2012 Lexus GX460 overheating

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2-1. Driving procedures
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
CAUTION
■Exhaust gases
Exhaust gases include harmful carbon monoxide (CO), which is colorless and
odorless. Inhaling exhaust gases may lead to death or a serious health hazard.
●If the vehicle is in a poorly ventilated area, stop the engine. In a closed area, such
as a garage, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle. This may lead to
death or a serious health hazard.
●The exhaust system should be checked occasionally. If there is a hole or crack
caused by corrosion, damage to a joint or abnormal exhaust noise, be sure to
have the vehicle inspected and repaired by your Lexus dealer. Failure to do so
may allow exhaust gases to enter the vehicle, resulting in death or a serious health
hazard.
■When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the engine off.
Otherwise, if you accidentally move the shift lever or depress the accelerator pedal,
this could cause an accident or fire due to engine overheating. Additionally, 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.

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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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2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
■The meters and display illuminate when
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
■Instrument cluster brightness adjustment
The instrument cluster brightness levels when the tail lights are on and off can be
adjusted.
■The brightness of the instrument cluster lights
When the tail lights are on, the brightness will change. However, when the sur-
roundings are bright (daytime, etc.) turning on the tail lights will not change the
instrument cluster brightness.
In addition, the brightness of the instrument cluster lights is automatically adjusted
based on the light sensor detecting how bright the surroundings are.
■When disconnecting and reconnecting battery terminals
The trip meter data will be reset.
If the trip meter was displayed last, the ODO screen will be displayed after reset-
ting.
■Customization
Setting of sensitivity of the ambient light sensor used for dimming the meter lights
can be changed. (Customizable features →P. 7 8 2 )
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. 74 4 )

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2-5. Driving information
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)●
Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.
● Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns, and slow down before making a
turn.
● 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
wider than normal turning radius.
● Slow down before making a turn, in crosswinds, on wet or slippery sur-
faces, etc.
Increasing vehicle speed can destabilize the trailer.
● 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.
● To maintain engine braking efficiency and charging system perfor-
mance when using engine braking, do not put the transmission in D.
Transmission shift range position must be in 5 in the S mode.
● Instability happens more frequently when descending steep or long
downhill grades. Before descending, slow down and downshift. Do not
make sudden downshifts while descending steep or long downhill
grades.
● Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or applying the brakes
too frequently. This could cause the brakes to overheat and result in
reduced braking efficiency.
● 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. 744)

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3-7. Other interior features
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
CAUTION
■Using a power outlet
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of injury.
●Use of the power outlet when it is wet with water or snow may result in electrical
shocks and is extremely dangerous. The power outlet must be thoroughly dried
before use.
●Do not allow children to use or play with the power outlet.
●Be careful not to get any part of your body caught in the power outlet lid.
●When using electrical appliances, strictly follow any cautions and notices written
on their labels and in the manufacturers’ instruction manuals.
●Do not modify, disassemble or repair the power outlet or its inverter in any way.
Doing so may result in unexpected malfunctions or accidents, which could cause
serious damage or injuries. Contact your Lexus dealer for any necessary repairs.
■To prevent injuries and accidents, secure all electric appliances before use and
do not use any appliances that may do any of the following:
●Distract the driver while driving, or hamper safe driving.
●Result in a fire or burn injuries due to the appliance rolling, falling or overheating
while driving.
●Emit steam while the windows of the cabin are closed.

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3-7. Other interior features
3
Interior features
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
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 physically challenged
• 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.
●Do not use the seat heater more than necessary. Doing so may cause minor
burns or overheating.
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the seat heaters and ventilators
Do not put heavy objects that have an uneven surface on the seat and do not stick
sharp objects (needles, nails, etc.) into the seat.
■To prevent battery discharge
Turn the seat heaters and ventilators off when the engine is not running.

746
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
■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
●If steam is seen coming from under the hood, do not open the hood until the
steam has subsided. The engine compartment may be very hot, causing serious
injury such as burns.
●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 engine 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.

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Alphabetical index
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
Child-protectors ....................................... 51
CleaningExterior .................................................. 588
Interior .....................................................593
Seat belts................................................594
Clock
*..................................................... 540
Coat hooks ............................................. 555
Coin holder .............................................528
Compass .................................................. 575
Condenser ............................................... 618
Console box ...........................................526
Conversation mirror ............................ 541
Cool box...................................................535
Cooling system Engine overheating .......................... 744
Cornering assist sensors ................... 266
Crawl Control........................................328
Cruise control
Cruise control ..................................... 246
Dynamic radar cruise control .....250
Cup holders ........................................... 530
Curtain shield airbags.......................... 122
Customizable features .......................782
Daytime running light system .......... 224
DAC...........................................................332
Defogger Rear window............................................411
Side mirror ................................................411
Dimension ................................................ 752
Dinghy towing ....................................... 389 Display
Dynamic radar cruise control..... 250
Multi-information display........................................ 204, 212
Trip information........................ 204, 212
Warning message ............................ 700
Do-it-yourself maintenance ............. 603
Door courtesy lights Door courtesy lights .......................... 519
Wattage ..................................................763
Door pocket ........................................... 529
Doors Back door .................................................53
Power windows .....................................101
Door lock .........................................47, 50
Rear door child protector.................. 51
Side doors................................................ 50
Side mirrors.............................................. 97
Downhill assist control system ........ 332
Driver’s seat belt reminder light ..... 692
Driving Correct posture................................... 120
Off-road precautions...................... 353
Procedures............................................. 168
Winter driving tips ............................ 366
Driving position memory...................... 78
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