TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2003 N210 / 4.G Owners Manual

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(b) Normal driving
1. Start the engine as instructed in “How to start the engine” on page 260 in
Section 3. The transmission must be in
“P” or “N”.
When the multimode control switch knob
is in “L4” (lowspeed position, fourwheel
drive, center differential locked), the driv-
ing pattern selector setting has no effect
on gear shift timing. (See “Fourwheel
drive system (multimode fourwheel drive
models)” on page 141 in this Section for
information of the multimode control.) 2. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the selector lever to “D”.
When the lever is in the “D” position, the
automatic transmission system will select
the most suitable gear for running condi-
tions such as normal cruising, hill climb-
ing, hard towing, etc. Always use the “D” position for better fuel
economy and quieter driving. If the engine
coolant temperature is low or when the
multimode control switch knob is in “L4”
(lowspeed position, fourwheel drive,
center differential locked), the transmission
will not shift into the overdrive gear even
in the “D” position. (See “Fourwheel drive
system (multimode fourw
heel drive mod-
els)” on page 141 in this Section for in-
formation of the multimode control.)
CAUTION
Never put your foot on the accelera-
tor pedal while shifting.
3. Release the parking brake and brake pedal. Depress the accelerator pedal
slowly for smooth starting.
If the automatic locking operation linked
with the shift position is set, all the side
doors and back door are automatically
locked when the shift lever is moved out
of the “P” position with the engine running
(including ignition switch in the “ON” posi-
tion) and all the side doors and back door
are closed. For details, see “—Automatic
door locking and unlocking functions” on
page 17 in Section 12. (c) Using engine braking
To use engine braking, you can downshift
the transmission as follows:
Shift into the “3” position. The trans-
mission will downshift to third gear.
Shift into the “2” position. The trans-
mission will downshift to second gear
when the vehicle speed drops down to
or lower than the following speed, and
stronger engine braking will be en-
abled.
Twowheel drive models 123 km/h (76 mph)
Fourwheel drive models Multimode control switch knob at
“H4” 123 km/h (76 mph)
Multimode control switch knob at
“L4” 41 km/h (25 mph)

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Shift into the “L” position. The trans-
mission will downshift to first gear
when the vehicle speed drops down to
or lower than the following speed, and
maximum engine braking will be en-
abled.
Twowheel drive models 59 km/h (36 mph)
Fourwheel drive models Multimode control switch knob at
“H4” 59 km/h (36 mph)
Multimode control switch knob at
“L4” 11 km/h (6 mph)
When the cruise control is being used,
even if you downshift from “D” to “3”,
engine braking will not be enabled be-
cause the cruise control is not cancelled.
For ways to decrease the vehicle speed,
see “Cruise control” on page 164 in this
Section.
CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a
slippery surface. Abrupt shifting
could cause the vehicle to spin or
skid.
(d) Using “2” and “L” positions
The “2” and “L” positions are used for
strong engine braking as described pre-
viously.
With the selector lever in “2” or “L”, you
can start the vehicle in motion as with the
lever in “D”.
With the selector lever in “2”, the vehicle
will start in first gear and automatically
shift to second gear.
With the selector lever in “L”, the trans-
mission is engaged in first gear.
NOTICE
 Be careful not to overrev the en-
gine. Watch the tachometer to keep
engine rpm from going into the red
zone. The approximate maximum al-
lowable speed for each position is
given below for your reference:
Twowheel drive models “2” 123 km/h (76 mph) . . . . . . .
“L” 67 km/h (41 mph) . . . . . . . .
Fourwheel drive models
Multimode control switch knob
at “H2” or “H4”“2” 123 km/h (76 mph) . . . . . . .
“L” 67 km/h (41 mph) . . . . . . . .
Multimode control switch knob
at “L4” “2” 48 km/h (29 mph) . . . . . . . .
“L” 26 km/h (16 mph) . . . . . . . .
 Do not continue hill climbing or
hard towing for a long time in the
“2” or “L” position. This may cause
severe automatic transmission dam-
age from overheating. To prevent
such damage, “D” or “3” position
should be used in hill climbing or
hard towing.

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(e) Backing up
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. With the brake pedal held down with your foot, shift the selector lever to the
“R” position.
NOTICE
Never shift into reverse while the ve-
hicle is moving.
(f) Parking
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. With the brake pedal pressed down, fully depress the parking brake pedal
to apply the parking brake securely.
3. With the brake pedal pressed down, shift the selector lever to the “P” posi-
tion.
CAUTION
Never attempt to move the selector
lever into “P” position under any cir-
cumstances while the vehicle is mov-
ing. Serious mechanical damage and
loss of vehicle control may result.
If the automatic unlocking operation linked
with the shift position is set, all the side
doors and back door are automatically un-
locked when the selector lever is moved
to the “P” position with the ignition switch
is in the “ON” position. For details, see
“—Automatic door locking and unlocking
functions” on page 17 in Section 12.
(g) Good driving practice
If the transmission repeatedly shifts up
and down between third gear and over-
drive when climbing a gentle slope,
shift the selector lever to the “3” posi-
tion. Be sure to shift the selector lever
to the “D” position immediately after-
ward.
When towing a trailer, in order to main-
tain engine braking efficiency, do not
use “D” position. The selector lever
must be in the “3” position.
CAUTION
Always keep your foot on the brake
pedal while stopped with the engine
running. This prevents the vehicle
from creeping.
NOTICE
Always use the brake pedal or the
parking brake to hold the vehicle on
an upgrade. Do not attempt to hold
the vehicle using the accelerator ped-
al, as this can cause the transmission
to overheat.
(h) If you cannot shift the selector le- ver out of “P” position
If you cannot shift the selector lever from
the “P” position even though the brake
pedal is depressed, use the shift lock
override button. For instructions, see “If
you cannot shift automatic transmission
selector lever” on page 298 in Section 4.

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Fourwheel drive control switch knob
Center differential lock switch
Use the fourwheel drive control switch
knob and center differential lock switch
to select the transfer and center differ-
ential modes.
The “H4” and “L4” positions of the four
wheel drive control switch knob provide
either lock or unlock mode of the center
differential depending on the center differ-
ential lock switch position.
Use the center differential lock system if
your wheels get stuck in a ditch, or when
you are driving on a slippery or bumpy
surface. When the center differential is
locked, the vehicle stability control system
is automatically turned off and the center
differential lock and “VSC OFF” indicator
lights come on because the function that
controls engine performance interferes
with the process of freeing your wheels.NOTICE
As soon as the center differential lock
switch is turned on, the “VSC OFF”
indicator light comes on. After the
wheels are out of the ditch or off the
slippery or bumpy surface, turn the
center differential lock switch off.
Make sure that the center differential
lock indicator light and vehicle stabil-
ity control system off indicator light
turn off.
“H4” (high speed position, center differ-
ential unlocked): Fourwheel drive control
switch knob at “H4”, center differential
lock switch left out
Use this for normal driving on all types of
roads, from dry hardsurfaced roads to
wet, icy or snowcovered roads. This
position gives greater economy, quietest
ride, least wear and better vehicle control.
“H4” (high speed position, center differ-
ential locked): Fourwheel drive control
switch knob at “H4”, center differential
lock switch pushed in
Use this for greater traction when you
experience a loss of power, such as
wheel slipping, in the center differential
unlock mode.
Fourwheel drive system (fulltime
fourwheel drive models)—
(a) Fourwheel drive control

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“L4” (low speed position, center differ-
ential unlocked): Fourwheel drive control
switch knob at “L4”, center differential lock
switch left out
The “4LO” (low speed fourwheel drive)
indicator light comes on when the “L4”
mode is selected.
Use this for maximum power and traction.
Use this for climbing or descending steep
hills, offroad driving, and hard pulling in
sand or mud.
In this mode, the braking feeling that oc-
curs when the wheels are negotiating a
sharp corner is further reduced than in the
“L4” (low position, center differential
locked) mode.
“L4” (low speed position, center differ-
ential locked): Fourwheel drive control
switch knob at “L4”, center differential lock
switch pushed in
The “4LO” (low speed fourwheel drive)
indicator light comes on when the “L4”
mode is selected. Use this for maximum power and traction.
Use this for hard pulling in situations the
vehicle cannot negotiate even in the “L4”
(low speed position, center differential un-
locked) mode. Also, using this mode when
driving down steep offroad inclines will
help contribute to increased vehicle stabil-
ity.
The indicator light tells when the differen-
tial lock is engaged. Note that the differ-
ential is not still locked as long as the
indicator light remains off.
When the operation is not completed, the
indicator blinks. If the indicator light does
not go off when you push out the center
differential lock switch, drive straight
ahead while accelerating or decelerating,
or drive in reverse.
If the center differential lock system op-
eration is not completed within 5 seconds
while the cruise control system is set,
cancel the cruise control system. To can-
cel the cruise control system, see “Cruise
control” on page 164 in Section 16.
If the indicator blinks even if doing so,
contact your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible. There may be a trouble in the
center differential lock system.
See “(b) Shifting procedure” for further in-
structions.Advice for driving on slippery roads in
“L4” (low speed position) mode
If the fourwheel drive control switch knob
is in the “L4” and the automatic transmis-
sion selector lever is in the “2” or “3”
when you drive in steep offroad areas,
the output of the brake can be controlled
effectively by the active traction control
system, which assists the driver to control
the driving power of 4 wheels.
Use the “L” position of the automatic
transmission selector lever for maximum
power and traction when your wheels get
stuck or when you drive down a steep
incline. In the following cases, the output
of the brake can be controlled by the
active traction control system if the engine
speed is under 3000 rpm (normally engine
speed is under 3000 rpm when the wheels
get unstuck).
The fourwheel drive control switch
knob in the “L4” position and the auto-
matic transmission selector lever in the
“L” position
The fourwheel drive control switch
knob in the “L4” position and the auto-
matic transmission selector lever in the
“D”, “4”, “3” or “2” with the transmis-
sion downshifting to first gear

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The fourwheel drive control switch
knob in the “L4” position and the auto-
matic transmission selector lever in the
“R” position
(As for the automatic transmission selec-
tor lever positions, see “Automatic trans-
mission (5speed)” on page 129 in this
Section.) SHIFTING BETWEEN “H4” (UNLOCKED)
AND “H4” (LOCKED)
To shift between unlock and lock
modes in “H4”, push the center differen-
tial lock switch.
SHIFTING BETWEEN “L4” (UNLOCKED)
AND “L4” (LOCKED)
To shift between unlock and lock
modes in “L4”, push the center differen-
tial lock switch.
SHIFTING BETWEEN “H4” AND “L4”
To shift from “H4” to “L4”,
bring the
vehicle to a complete stop with the brake
pedal held down with your foot, shift the
automatic transmission selector lever into
“N” and push and turn the fourwheel
drive control switch knob fully clockwise.
To shift from “L4” to “H4”, bring the
vehicle to a complete stop with the brake
pedal held down with your foot, shift the
automatic transmission selector lever into
“N” and turn the fourwheel drive control
switch knob fully counterclockwise. If the “4LO” (low speed fourwheel drive)
indicator light continues to blink when you
operate the fourwheel drive control
switch knob to the “H4” or “L4” position,
drive forward or backward in a short dis-
tance, then stop the vehicle completely,
shift the automatic transmission selector
lever securely into “N” and operate the
switch knob again.
If the indicator continues to blink even if
doing so, contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible. There may be a trouble
in the fourwheel drive system.
CAUTION
Never operate the fourwheel drive
control switch knob if the wheels are
slipping. Stop the slipping or spin-
ning before operating.
(b) Shifting procedure

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Multimode control switch knob
Center differential lock switch
Use the multimode control switch
knob and center differential lock switch
to select the transfer and center differ-
ential modes.
The “H4” and “L4” positions of the multi
mode control switch knob provide either
lock or unlock mode of the center differen-
tial depending on the center differential
lock switch position. Use the center differential lock system if
your wheels get stuck in a ditch, or when
you are driving on a slippery or bumpy
surface. When the center differential is
locked, the vehicle stability control system
is automatically turned off and the center
differential lock and “VSC OFF” indicator
lights come on because the function that
controls engine performance interferes
with the process of freeing your wheels.
NOTICE
As soon as the center differential lock
switch is turned on, the “VSC OFF”
indicator light comes on. After the
wheels are out of the ditch or off the
slippery or bumpy surface, turn the
center differential lock switch off.
Make sure that the center differential
lock indicator light and vehicle stabil-
ity control system off indicator light
turn off.
Fourwheel drive system
(multimode fourwheel drive
models)—
(a) Multimode control

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“H2” (high speed position, twowheel
drive, center differential unlocked): Mul-
timode control switch knob at “H2”, cen-
ter differential lock switch left out
Use this for normal driving on dry hard
surfaced roads. This position gives greater
economy, quietest ride, least wear and
better vehicle control.
“H4” (high speed position, fourwheel
drive, center differential unlocked): Mul-
timode control switch knob at “H4”, cen-
ter differential lock switch left out
The fourwheel drive indicator light comes
on when the “H4” mode is selected.
Use this for normal driving on all types of
roads, from dry hardsurfaced roads to
wet, icy or snowcovered roads. This
position provides greater traction than
twowheel drive.
“H4” (high speed position, fourwheel
drive, center differential locked): Multi
mode control switch knob at “H4”, center
differential lock switch pushed in
The fourwheel drive indicator light comes
on when the “H4” mode is selected.
Use this for greater traction when you
experience a loss of power, such as
wheel slipping, in the center differential
unlock mode. “L4” (low speed position, fourwheel
drive, center differential unlocked):
Mul-
timode control switch knob at “L4”, cen-
ter differential lock switch left out
The fourwheel drive and “4LO” (low
speed fourwheel drive) indicator lights
come on when the “L4” mode is selected.
Use this for maximum power and traction.
Use this for climbing or descending steep
hills, offroad driving, and hard pulling in
sand or mud.
In this mode, the braking feeling that oc-
curs when the wheels are negotiating a
sharp corner is further reduced than in the
“L4” (low speed position, fourwheel drive,
center differential locked) mode.
“L4” (low speed position, fourwheel
drive, center differential locked): Multi
mode control switch knob at “L4”, center
differential lock switch pushed in
The fourwheel drive and “4LO” (low
speed fourwheel drive) indicator lights
come on when the “L4” mode is selected. Use this for maximum power and traction.
Use this for hard pulling in situations the
vehicle cannot negotiate even in the “L4”
(low speed position, fourwheel drive, cen-
ter differential unlocked) mode. Also, using
this mode when driving down steep off
road inclines will help contribute to in-
creased vehicle stability.
The indicator light tells when the differen-
tial lock is engaged. Note that the differ-
ential is not still locked as long as the
indicator light remains off.
When the operation is not completed, the
indicator blinks. If the indicator light does
not go off when you push out the center
differential lock switch, drive straight
ahead while accelerating or decelerating,
or drive in reverse.
If the center differential lock system op-
eration is not completed within 5 seconds
while the cruise control system is set,
cancel the cruise control system. To can-
cel the cruise control system, see “Cruise
control” on page 164 in Section 16.
If the indicator blinks even if doing so,
contact your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible. There may be a trouble in the
center differential lock system.
See “(c) Shifting procedure” for further in-
structions.

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Advice for driving on slippery roads in
“L4” (low speed position) mode
If the multimode control switch knob is
in the “L4” and the automatic transmission
selector lever is in the “2” when you drive
in steep offroad areas, the output of the
brake can be controlled effectively by the
active traction control system, which as-
sists the driver to control the driving pow-
er of 4 wheels.
Use the “L” position of the automatic
transmission selector lever for maximum
power and traction when your wheels get
stuck or when you drive down a steep
incline. In the following cases, the output
of the brake can be controlled by the
active traction control system if the engine
speed is under 3000 rpm (normally engine
speed is under 3000 rpm when the wheels
get unstuck).
The multimode control switch knob in
the “L4” position and the automatic
transmission selector lever in the “L”
position
The multimode control switch knob in
the “L4” position and the automatic
transmission selector lever in the “D”,
“3” or “2” with the transmission down-
shifting to first gear
The multimode control switch knob in
the “L4” position and the automatic
transmission selector lever in the “R”
position
(As for the automatic transmission selec-
tor lever positions, see “Automatic trans-
mission (4speed)” on page 134 in this
Section.) The A.D.D. can be engaged or disen-
gaged by the shifting operations de-
scribed in “(c) Shifting procedure”.
You should drive in fourwheel drive for
at least 16 km (10 miles) each month.
This will assure that the front drive com-
ponents are lubricated.
(b) A.D.D.
(automatic disconnecting
differential)

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SHIFTING BETWEEN “H2” AND “H4”
(UNLOCKED)
To shift from “H2” to “H4” (unlocked),
reduce the vehicle speed to less than 100
km/h (62 mph) and turn the multimode
control switch knob fully clockwise.
If the fourwheel drive indicator light con-
tinues to blink when you operate the mul-
timode control switch knob from the “H2”
to the “H4” position, this reminds you that
the transfer mode is not securely in “H4”
mode. Drive straight ahead while acceler-
ating or decelerating.
If the fourwheel drive indicator light con-
tinues to blink and the buzzer sounds
when you operate the multimode control
switch knob from the “H2” to the “H4”
position, this reminds you that the transfer
mode is not in “H4” mode. Stop the ve-
hicle or reduce the vehicle speed to less
than 100 km/h (62 mph). Operate the
switch knob again. To shift from “H4” (unlocked) to “H2”,
turn the multimode control switch knob
fully counterclockwise.
This can be done at any speed.
If the fourwheel drive indicator light con-
tinues to blink when you operate the mul-
timode control switch knob from the “H4”
to the “H2” position, this reminds you that
the transfer mode is not securely in “H2”
mode. Drive straight ahead while acceler-
ating or decelerating, or drive forward or
backward in a short distance.
If the indicator light continues to blink
even if doing so, contact your Toyota
dealer as soon as possible. There may be
a trouble in the fourwheel drive system.
CAUTION
Never operate the multimode control
switch knob if the wheels are slip-
ping. Stop the slipping or spinning
before operating.
SHIFTING BETWEEN “H4” (UNLOCKED)
AND “H4” (LOCKED)
To shift between unlock and lock
modes in “H4”, push the center differen-
tial lock switch.
SHIFTING BETWEEN “L4” (UNLOCKED)
AND “L4” (LOCKED)
To shift between unlock and lock
modes in “L4”, push the center differen-
tial lock switch.
SHIFTING BETWEEN “H4” AND “L4”
To shift from “H4” to “L4”,
bring the
vehicle to a complete stop with the brake
pedal held down with your foot, shift the
automatic transmission selector lever into
“N” and push and turn the multimode
control switch knob fully clockwise.
To shift from “L4” to “H4”, bring the
vehicle to a complete stop with the brake
pedal held down with your foot, shift the
automatic transmission selector lever into
“N” and turn the multimode control switch
knob counterclockwise.
(c) Shifting procedure