New to me GX470 (1 Viewer)

[Mike NXP]

Nav / head unit came out pretty easy. I sent the radio off with the hopes of that fixing the dead audio issue....

I was doing some reading and found it weird that the GX470 ( and tundra?) call for 6.6qts of oil but the 100 series with the same motor calls for 7.2.... Not much of a difference but I wonder whats up with that?

 

[Rednexus]

Mine takes just over 7 Q to reach the full line. It's possible they have a different oil pan due to a totally different front suspension/steering rack design between all 3 of those rigs.

 

[lndshark]

Different oil pan, different placement in the chassis/frame.

 

[Mike NXP]

Audio guy said the head unit / radio was the issue. Fixed and sending it back today, looking forward to testing it out.


For future reference / folks diagnosing this issue, he said a good test is just to go into your audio settings and check to see if fade / balance work. Chances are, if that works then your amp is fine and your head unit is the problem.


Now what? I'm not used to having a vehicle that doesn't really need any maintenance and isn't planning on going remote off-roading.....

• Maybe install a bluetooth receiver so I can play spotify
• Tires before winter. I don't need anything to heavy duty, might go with a set of Nokians
• The brakes feel a bit soft and the fluid is a bit high, maybe try to bleed and service that at some point but not to important right now
• I'm seeing some fluid on the PS tie rod, but I don't really want to deal with that either lol, going to ignore it for a while

Thanks for all the info fellow mudders

 

[Mike NXP]

Does anyone out there have experience with tire chains on the GX470? I know on my 100 series the upper control arms up front are so close to the tire that I can't really fit chains, but the rear tires are OK

Curious if the GX is the same. I'm in the process of debating over tires, whether I need a snow rated tired or if I'll end up just sticking with highway tire for that smooth ride... then I could just throw chains on the rear tires to get up my road if needed ( long dirt road that isn't well maintained ) I'm really starting to think that this rig is rarely going to see true 4x4 roads so I don't need anything too aggressive.

 

[Mike NXP]

Audio is working again, the head unit / radio was the culprit.

Notes for other people dealing with no audio from the ML setups:
- The repair guy says if you can go into your audio settings and adjust the fade / balance that is usually a good sign your amp is working and communicating with the head unit
- He also mentioned the nav beeping has nothing to do with your audio setup and its a separate circuit all together
- This leads to the most likely culprit being the radio. Remove the trim from the center console sides first, then the vents, then you can take out the entire system pretty easily
- Be careful with the Philips head screws that go into the plastic. They are in there pretty good, I used a little 90 degree screwdriver and that did the trick.
- You'll need to remove the metal side pieces to get the radio to slide out

- Oh and if you break a little plastic tab on the side panels like I did, and then your an idiot and use a bunch of crazy glue, remember to not let it drip into the vent area because your vent adjustment will no longer work lol whoops.

 

[Mike NXP]

Got a sorta weird request, does anyone out there know how to get the TPMS light to illuminate on the dashboard ( without taking air out of tires?)

I'm getting new tires soon and I'd like to ditch the sensors. Discount tire said, if the vehicle comes into the shop with a light already on, they can remove the TPMS and install regular valve stems. But if the light comes on after the change over / while calibrating the sensors, they have to sell you new sensors.

I'd like to show up with the light already on so I can request they remove and replace with valve stems. Then I found this thread that shows how to turn the light off on the dash, so now I just need to figure out how to get it to turn on.

- I tried to just unplug the electronic box under the glove box , I assume that would trigger the light, but nothing. Maybe I need to drive a bit and see if the light comes on with the box disconnected.

 

[McDuff123]

Got a sorta weird request, does anyone out there know how to get the TPMS light to illuminate on the dashboard ( without taking air out of tires?)

I'm getting new tires soon and I'd like to ditch the sensors. Discount tire said, if the vehicle comes into the shop with a light already on, they can remove the TPMS and install regular valve stems. But if the light comes on after the change over / while calibrating the sensors, they have to sell you new sensors.

I'd like to show up with the light already on so I can request they remove and replace with valve stems. Then I found this thread that shows how to turn the light off on the dash, so now I just need to figure out how to get it to turn on.

- I tried to just unplug the electronic box under the glove box , I assume that would trigger the light, but nothing. Maybe I need to drive a bit and see if the light comes on with the box disconnected.

Maybe deflate the spare by a significant amount?
I believe it is tied into the overall TPMS system

 

[Mike NXP]

Maybe deflate the spare by a significant amount?
I believe it is tied into the overall TPMS system

I was just thinking that, good idea.

I think it is too but then again I see there is a button under my steering wheel with a TPMS logo that says Main and Second ( I think ) So I'd hate for them to know of that and just push the switch back to main.

I've got to imagine that with the TPMS box under the glovebox disconnected , the dash light has to come on at some point soon, right? Every search result comes back with folks trying to turn the light off, I seem to be the first who wants it to stay on lol

 

[McDuff123]

I was just thinking that, good idea.

I think it is too but then again I see there is a button under my steering wheel with a TPMS logo that says Main and Second ( I think ) So I'd hate for them to know of that and just push the switch back to main.

I've got to imagine that with the TPMS box under the glovebox disconnected , the dash light has to come on at some point soon, right? Every search result comes back with folks trying to turn the light off, I seem to be the first who wants it to stay on lol

I believe the 2nd means 2nd gear start…
For when you’re starting to roll but don’t want too much power (like on ice)…

 

[Stonefoot72]

I believe the 2nd means 2nd gear start…
For when you’re starting to roll but don’t want too much power (like on ice)…

That button is used to assign a second full set of tires (winter/studded for example) so airing down the spare should still work. McDuff is right about the "second start" feature, but I believe you are talking about the small round TPMS button under the steering wheel, correct?

 

[Mike NXP]

I believe the 2nd means 2nd gear start…
For when you’re starting to roll but don’t want too much power (like on ice)…

For sure, this is the 2nd button in the center area though

That button is used to assign a second full set of tires (winter/studded for example) so airing down the spare should still work. McDuff is right about the "second start" feature, but I believe you are talking about the small round TPMS button under the steering wheel, correct?

Ah , yes indeed . That little button under the steering wheel . Thanks for the info . I really don't mind the idea of keeping the sensors but I'd hate for them to fail during changeover and be forced into new sensors....

Currently I have the tpms box under glove box unplugged , thought for sure that would trigger the light but no dice.

Maybe I plug it back in and switch that button to second set and that should do it ....hmmm

Does the tpms light on dashboard illuminate with the key in on position before starting ?

 

[Rednexus]

TPMS light should activate upon startup, just like all the other lights. Perhaps the LED bulb is burned out. GXs are known for burning out some of those bulbs, though usually it's the backlight for the speedometer.

Certainly a strange policy by Discount Tire. Which is why I usually go to my local independent tire shop that has basically the same prices but is way more flexible . Discount recently removed a brad from the sidewall of my wife's Highlander, showed her the brad, and told her they couldn't fix it per their policy (leaving her to.....drive home on a flat? Leave the car there for a few days while the ordered a tire?). After some back and forth they finally agreed to patch it.

 

[Mike NXP]

TPMS light should activate upon startup, just like all the other lights. Perhaps the LED bulb is burned out. GXs are known for burning out some of those bulbs, though usually it's the backlight for the speedometer.

Certainly a strange policy by Discount Tire. Which is why I go to my local independent tire shop that has basically the same prices but is way more flexible .

Yeah it may be burnt out , I don't recall seeing it when I turned the key .. ill check again when I'm in it later today. Thanks for the info .

Yeah totally , In their defense I also used to slave away at a tire shop back east and they had a similar policy..I think Schwab does the same thing.... . Apparently they can't just remove them if they are functioning , I blame the insurance companies lol they do have a huge selection and nice website so that got me

Alright well worst case scenario I can just keep them installed it's not the end of the world.

 

[Rednexus]

Yeah it may be burnt out , I don't recall seeing it when I turned the key .. ill check again when I'm in it later today. Thanks for the info .

Yeah totally , In their defense I also used to slave away at a tire shop back east and they had a similar policy..I think Schwab does the same thing.... . Apparently they can't just remove them if they are functioning , I blame the insurance companies lol they do have a huge selection and nice website so that got me

Alright well worst case scenario I can just keep them installed it's not the end of the world.

My local shop can usually order any tire and have it within 2 days. They were $5/tire cheaper mounted than Discount. Also located outside of the city limits so no sales tax .

 

[Mike NXP]

My local shop can usually order any tire and have it within 2 days. They were $5/tire cheaper mounted than Discount. Also located outside of the city limits so no sales tax .

Always good to have a solid tire shop. I'm in a tax free state which is nice but I seem to have decent luck with discount otherwise.

So it seems like the light on the dash is not illuminating with the key on so I think I'll just check this off the list and move on. I'm going to ask them either way to just remove and replace with normal valve stems but as long as they aren't leaking then life goes on.

 

[drowzyGX]

Confirming that the spare being down a few PSI will trigger the light to come on, and hitting the TPMS swap button won’t make it go away.

 

[Mike NXP]

Confirming that the spare being down a few PSI will trigger the light to come on, and hitting the TPMS swap button won’t make it go away.

Good to know, thanks for the info . It's looking like the dash light is busted since it doesn't illuminate when I turn the key to on. Assuming that makes sense I suppose I'll just have to ask the tire shop nicely to please replace them.

Otherwise ,idk, no big deal.

 

[drowzyGX]

Ah that’s annoying. Wish this gauge didn’t have all the LEDs soldered to the board. My Speedo is quite dark, but I am not about to solder that board

 

[Mike NXP]

Ah that’s annoying. Wish this gauge didn’t have all the LEDs soldered to the board. My Speedo is quite dark, but I am not about to solder that board

Yeah for sure....... Discount Tire said they can scan the vehicle and check the sensors apparently? Fingers crossed that they aren't working and they can just replace them . Such a weird policy