GX460_OM_OM60Q09U_(U)
3434-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
Lock the center differential when your
vehicle’s wheels get stuck in a ditch or
when driving on a slippery or bumpy
surface.
The center differential lock indicator will
come on.
Unlock the center differential after the
wheels have been freed, or after moving
to a flat, non-slippery surface.
To unlock the center differential, push the switch again.
■Shifting from H4 to L4
Stop the vehicle completely with brake pedal held down.
Shift the shift lever to N.
Push and shift the four-wheel drive control switch to L4.
Maintain this condition until the low sp eed four-wheel drive indicator turns on.
■Shifting from L4 to H4
Stop the vehicle completely with brake pedal held down.
Shift the shift lever to N.
Push and shift the four-wheel drive control switch to H4.
Maintain this condition until the low sp eed four-wheel drive indicator turns off.
Center differential lock/unlock switch
Shifting between H4 and L4
1
2
3
1
2
3
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GX460_OM_OM60Q09U_(U)4-5. Using the driving support systems
■When the four-wheel drive control switch can be operated
●The engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
●The shift lever is in the N position.
●The vehicle is stopped completely.
■The low speed four-wheel drive indicator
●The indicator blinks while sw
itching between H4 and L4.
●If the low speed four-wheel drive indicator continues to blink when you operate the
four-wheel drive control switch to the H4 or L4 position, stop the vehicle completely,
shift the shift lever securely into N and then operate the switch again.
●If the shift lever is moved before the low speed four-wheel drive indicator turns on/off,
the transfer mode may not be shifted completely. The transfer mode disengages both
the front and rear drive shafts from the powertrain and allows the vehicle to move
regardless of the shift position. (At this time , the indicator blinks and the buzzer sounds.)
Therefore, the vehicle is free to roll even if the shift lever is in P. You or someone else
could be seriously injured. You must comple te the shifting of the transfer mode and
confirm that the indicator has turned off (H4) or turned on (L4).
●If the engine coolant temperature is too low, the four-wheel drive control system may
not be able to shift. When the engine is warmer operate the switch again.
If the indicator continue to blink even if doing so, have the vehicle inspected by your
Lexus dealer as soon as possible. There may be a trouble in the four-wheel drive system.
■When the transfer mode is switched to L4
Vehicles without Multi-terrain Select:
VSC is automatically turned off. (T he VSC OFF indicator will come on.)
Vehicles with Multi-terrain Select:
VSC and TRAC/Active TRAC are automatically turned off. (The VSC OFF indicator will
come on and the “TRAC OFF” will be sh own on the multi-information display.)
■When the center differential lock/unlock switch can be operated
The engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
■The center differential lock indicator
●The indicator blinks while locking/unlocking the center differential.
●If the center differential lock indicator b links and the buzzer sounds when the center
differential is locked, stop the slipping or spinning and push the switch again.
If the indicator continue to blink even if doing so, have the vehicle inspected by your
Lexus dealer as soon as possible. There may be a trouble in the four-wheel drive system.
GX460_OM_OM60Q09U_(U)
3454-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
■Locking/unlocking the center differential
●If the operation is not completed, the center di fferential lock indicator blinks. If the indi-
cator does not turn off when unlocking the center differential, drive straight ahead
while accelerating or decelera ting, or drive in reverse.
●Avoid turning suddenly while the center differ ential is locked. If you do turn suddenly,
the difference in turning speeds between the front and rear wheels may have a similar
effect to braking, thus making driving difficult.
CAUTION
■While driving
Observe the following precautions. Failure to do so may cause an accident resulting in
death or serious injury.
●Never move the four-wheel drive control sw itch if the wheels have lost traction.
●Do not operate the center differential lock/unlock when the vehicle is turning or
when its wheels are spinning freely off the ground.
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the center differential
●For normal driving on dry and hard surface roads, unlock the center differential.
●Unlock the center differential after the wheels are out of the ditch or off the slippery
or bumpy surface.
351
GX460_OM_OM60Q09U_(U)4-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
Driving assist systems
◆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
◆Multi Terrain ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) (vehicles with a Multi-terrain
Select system)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenly, or if the brakes are
applied while driving on a slippery road su
rface, or in off-road conditions (such as
rough roads, sand and mud)
The Multi Terrain ABS operates in synchr onization with the Multi-terrain Select
◆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
◆TRAC (Traction Control) for H4 position
Helps to maintain drive power and prevent the drive wheels from spinning when start-
ing the vehicle or accelera ting on slippery roads
To help enhance driving safety and perf ormance, the following systems oper-
ate automatically in response to variou s driving situations. Be aware, however,
that these systems are supplementary and should not be relied upon too heav-
ily when operating the vehicle.
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GX460_OM_OM60Q09U_(U)4-5. Using the driving support systems
■Automatic cancelation of pre-collision system
When a malfunction occurs due to sensor contaminations, etc. that results in the sensors
being unable to detect obstac
les, the pre-collision system will be automatically disabled.
In this case, the system will not activate even if there is a collision possibility.
■Obstacles not detected
The system cannot detect plastic obstacles su ch as pylons. There may also be occasions
when the system cannot detect pedestrians, animals, bicycles, motorcycles, trees, or
snowdrifts.
■Conditions that may trigger th e system even if there is no possibility of a collision
In any of the following situations where the frontal area of the radar sensor is interrupted,
the radar sensor may de tect possibility of a frontal collis ion and the system may be acti-
vated.
●When passing by an oncoming vehicle in a curve or a turn to the right or the left
●When rapidly approaching an obstacle ahead (e.g. preceding vehicle, toll gate barrier,
etc.)
●When there is a structural object (billboar d, low ceiling, fluorescent light, etc.) above
the uphill road ahead
●When driving on a narrow road or throug h under a low overhead structure (bridge,
tunnel, fly-under, etc.)
●When driving on an uneven road surface
●When there is a metal object, bump, or protrusion on the road surface
●When vehicle’s front part is raised or lowered depending on loading conditions
●When the direction of radar sensor is misa ligned by strong impact applied on an area
around the radar sensor, etc.
●When there is an obstacle (guard rail, etc.) by the roadside at the entrance to a curve
●When the front of your vehicle is pointing upwards (caused by towing a trailer, during
emergency towing or putting a heavy lo ad in the luggage compartment etc.)
When the system is activated in the situations described above, there is also a possibility
that the seat belts w ill retract quickly and the brakes ma y be applied with a force greater
than normal. When the seat belt is locked in the restricted position, stop the vehicle in a
safe place, release the seat belt and refasten it.
■When there is a malfunction in the system, or if the system is temporarily unusable
Warning lights will turn on or flash, and warning messages will be displayed.
( → P. 521, 532)
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GX460_OM_OM60Q09U_(U)4-5. Using the driving support systems
CAUTION
■Handling the driver monitor sensor (v
ehicles with driver monitor sensor)
Observe the following to ensure the driver monitor sensor can function effectively.
Failure to do so may result in a malfunct ion or may prevent the system from correctly
determining the direction the driver is facing, resulting in an unexpected accident.
●Do not disassemble, damage, lift or pull on the sensor.
●Do not touch the sensor while driving.
●Do not wet or spill water on the sensor.
●Do not drop anything on or allow anything to hit against the sensor. Do not subject the
sensor to an impact.
●Make sure that there are no sc ratches, dirt or stickers on the side of the sensor that
faces the driver.
●Do not place any objects in front of the si de of the sensor that faces the driver or
cover the sensor.
■Determining the direction the driver is faci ng (vehicles with driver monitor sensor)
The direction the driver is facing may not be determined correctly if the following con-
ditions exist:
●There is an object between the driver monitor sensor and the driver’s face, such as
when the sensor is blocked.
●A part of the driver ’s face is covered.
●The sensor or the driver’s face is expo sed to intense light such as sunlight.
●The driving posture is improper.
NOTICE
■Precautions for cleaning the driver monitor sensor (vehicles with driver monitor sen-
sor)
●Gently wipe the sensor with a soft cloth to prevent damage.
●Wipe any excess dirt with a cloth dampened with neutral detergent, all liquids having
been wrung out of the cloth. After that, wipe again with a dry cloth.
●Do not use benzene, thinner, glass cleaners, wax, etc.
378
GX460_OM_OM60Q09U_(U)4-6. Driving tips
Accelerate the vehicle slowly, keep a sa
fe distance between you and the vehicle
ahead, and drive at a reduced spee d suitable to road conditions.
●Park the vehicle and move the shift lever to P without setting the parking
brake. The parking brake may freeze up, preventing it from being released. If
the vehicle is parked without setting the parking brake, make sure to block the
wheels.
Failure to do so may be dangerous because it may cause the vehicle to move
unexpectedly, possibly leading to an accident.
●If the vehicle is parked without setting the parking brake, confirm that the shift
lever cannot be moved out of P
*.
*: The shift lever will be locked if it is attempted to be shifted from P to any other position
without depressing the brake pedal. If the shift lever can be shifted from P, there may
be a problem with the shift lock system. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus
dealer immediately.
Use the correct tire chain size when mounting the snow chains.
Chain size is regulated for each tire size.
Side chain
(0.20 in. [5 mm] in diameter)
Cross chain
(0.25 in. [6.3 mm] in diameter)
Regulations regarding the use of tire chains vary depending on location and type
of road. Always check local regu lations before installing chains.
When driving the vehicle
When parking the vehicle
Selecting tire chains
1
2
Regulations on the use of tire chains
384
GX460_OM_OM60Q09U_(U)4-6. Driving tips
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 damage.
●Water can wash the grease from wheel be arings, causing rusting and premature fail-
ure, and may also enter the differentials, tr ansmission and transfer case, reducing the
gear oil’s lubricating qualities.
■When you drive through water
If driving through water, such as when cro ssing shallow streams, first check the depth of
the water and the bottom of the riverbed for firmness. Drive slowly and avoid deep
water.
■Inspection after off-road driving
●Sand and mud that has accumulated in brake drums and around brake discs may
affect braking efficiency and may damage brake system components.
●Always perform a maintenance inspection afte r each day of off-road driving that has
taken you through rough terrain, sand, mud, or water. For scheduled maintenance
information, refer to the “Warranty and Se rvices Guide”, “Owner’s Manual Supple-
ment” or “Scheduled Maintenance”.