TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2012 N280 / 5.G Owners Manual

241
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
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Shifting from L4L to H4L
Stop the vehicle completely.
Shift the shift lever to N.
Push the “UNLOCK” button and
turn the four-wheel drive control
switch to H4L.
Maintain this condition until the
low speed four-wheel drive indi-
cator goes off.
STEP 1
STEP 2
CTH24AS051
STEP 3
■The four-wheel drive control switch can be operated when
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
■ When the four-wheel drive cont rol switch is turned to L4L
VSC and TRAC are automatically turned off.
■ If the center differential lock indicator flashes
Locking or unlocking of the center differential is not complete. Drive straight
ahead while accelerating or decelerating, or drive in reverse.
■ If the center differential lock in dicator flashes and a buzzer sounds
Locking of the center differential is not complete. Stop the wheels from slip-
ping or spinning and, if the indicator still flashes, operate the four-wheel drive
control switch again.
■ If the low speed four-wheel drive indicator continues to flash
The transfer mode may not successfully change. Operate the four-wheel
drive control switch again.

242 2-4. Using other driving systems
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■If the low speed four-wheel drive indicator continues to flash and a
buzzer sounds
The shift lever is not in N and/or the vehicle is moving. Stop the vehicle com-
pletely, shift the shift lever to N and make sure that the indicator stops flash-
ing.
■ If the low speed four-wheel drive indicator or the center differential
lock indicator flashes rapidly
There may be a malfunction in the four-wheel drive system. Have the vehicle
inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.
CAUTION
■ Operating the four-wheel drive control switch
Never operate the four-wheel drive control switch if the wheels have lost
traction. Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
Stop the wheels from slipping or spinning before operating the switch.
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the center differential
● For normal driving on dry and hard surface roads, unlock the center differ-
ential.
● Unlock the center differential after the wheels are out of the ditch or off the
slippery or bumpy surface.
● Do not lock or unlock the center differential when the vehicle is turning or
when its wheels are spinning freely off the ground.

243
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
4RUNNER_U
Active traction control system
The active traction control system automatically helps prevent the
spinning of 4 wheels when the vehicle is started or accelerated on
slippery road surfaces.
■ System operation
Part-time 4WD models:
Stop the vehicle, shift the shift lever to N and shift the front-
wheel drive control lever into L4.
Full-time 4WD models:
Stop the vehicle, shift the shift lever to N and then push and
turn the four-wheel drive control switch to L4L.
Press the “A-TRAC” switch to
activate the system.
At this time, the “A-TRAC” indi-
cator will come on.
To cancel the system, push the
switch again.
STEP 1
STEP 2

: If equipped

244 2-4. Using other driving systems
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When the active traction control system is operatingIf all wheels spin, the slip indica-
tor flashes to indicate that the
active traction control system
has been engaged.
CTH24AS047
■When the rear differential is locked (vehicles with a rear differential
lock system)
The active traction control system is activated only when vehicle speed is
less than 4 mph (6 km/h).
■ Sounds and vibrations caused by the active traction control system
● A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the engine is
started or just after the vehicle begins to move. This sound does not indi-
cate that a malfunction has occurred in the system.
● Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering. This may
occur when the system is operating.
■ If the brake system overheats
The system will cease operation and a buzzer will sound to alert the driver.
At this time, the “A-TRAC” indicator will go off and the “TRAC OFF” indicator
will come on. Stop the vehicle in a safe place. (There is no problem with con-
tinuing normal driving.)
The system will be automatically restored after a short time.
CAUTION
■The active traction control system m ay not operate effectively when
Directional control and power may not be achievable while driving on slip-
pery road surfaces, even if the active traction control system is operating.
Do not drive the vehicle in conditions where stability and power may be lost.

245
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
4RUNNER_U
AUTO LSD system (2WD models)
The AUTO LSD system aids traction by using the traction control
system to control engine performance and braking when one of the
rear wheels begins to spin.
The system should be used only wh en wheel spinning occurs in a
ditch or rough surface.
■ System operation
Press the VSC off switch to
turn on the system.
At this time, the “AUTO LSD”
and VSC off indicators will
come on.
To turn off the system, press
the switch again.

246 2-4. Using other driving systems
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When the AUTO LSD system is operatingIf the rear wheels spin, the slip
indicator flashes to indicate that
the AUTO LSD system has con-
trolled the spinning of the rear
wheels.
CTH24AS047
■If the engine is turned off and restarted
The AUTO LSD system and the indicators are automatically turned off.
■ If the brake system overheats
The system will cease operation and a buzzer will sound to alert the driver.
At this time, the “AUTO LSD” indicator will flash and the “TRAC OFF” indica-
tor will come on. Stop the vehicle in a safe place. (There is no problem with
continuing normal driving.)
The system will be automatically restored after a short time.
CAUTION
■ To avoid an accident
● Do not use the AUTO LSD system in conditions other when wheel spin-
ning occurs in a ditch or rough surfaces.
A much greater steering effort and more careful cornering control will be
required.
● Do not drive with the AUTO LSD system continuously turned on.

247
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
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NOTICE
■Activating while driving
Never activate the AUTO LSD system if the wheel is slipping.
Stop the slipping or spinning before activating.

248
2-4. Using other driving systems
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Rear differential lock system
The rear differential lock system is provided for use only when wheel
spinning occurs in a ditch or on a slippery or rugged surface.
The rear differential lock system is effective in case one of the rear
wheels is spinning.
Press the switch to lock the
rear differential.
At this time, the rear differential
lock indicator will flash. Wait a
few seconds for the system to
complete operation. After the
rear differential is locked, the
indicator will stop flashing and
remain on.
To unlock the rear differential,
press the switch again.
CTH24AS056

: If equipped

249
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
4RUNNER_U
Using the rear differential lock system
Before using the rear differential lock system:
Stop the vehicle, shift the shift lever to N and shift the front-
wheel drive control lever into L4 to see if this is sufficient. If
this has no effect, additionally use the rear differential lock
system.
Be sure the wheels have stopped spinning.
Press the rear differential lock switch.
Gently depress the accelerator pedal.
After the rear differential is locked, the indicator will come on.
Unlock the rear differential as soon as the vehicle moves.
To unlock the rear differential, press the switch again.
■ Locking the rear differential
The following systems do not operate when the rear differential is locked. It
is normal operation for the ABS warni ng light and VSC off indicator to be on
at this time.
•ABS
• Multi Terrain ABS
• Brake assist system
•VSC
• Hill-start assist control
■ The rear differential lock is disengaged when
The front-wheel drive control lever is shifted to H2 or H4.
Never forget to turn off the switch after using this feature.
■ After unlocking the rear differential
Check that the indicator goes off.
■ If the rear differential lock indicator flashes rapidly
There may be a malfunction in the rear differential lock system. Have the
vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4

250 2-4. Using other driving systems
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CAUTION
■To avoid an accident
● Do not use the rear differential lock system except when wheel spinning
occurs in a ditch or on a slippery or rugged surface. Large steering effort
and careful cornering control will be required.
● Do not lock the rear differential until the wheels have stopped spinning.
Otherwise, the vehicle may move in an unexpected direction when the dif-
ferential lock is engaged, resulting in an accident. This may also lead to
possible damage to rear differential lock component parts.
● Do not drive over 5 mph (8 km/h) when the rear differential is locked.
● Do not keep driving with the rear differential lock switch on.