diff TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2001 User Guide

’01 4Runner_U (L/O 0008)
772001 4RUNNER (OM35768U)
Be sure to close all covers when the an-
chor bracket is not in use.TO USE CENTER ANCHOR BRACKET:
Fix the child restraint system with the
seat belt. Run the top strap through
between both seatbacks.
Latch the hook onto the anchor bracket
and tighten the top strap.
For instructions to install the child re-
straint system, see “Child restraint” in this
section.
CAUTION
When you use the center anchor
bracket, make sure the top strap
runs through between both seat-
backs and tighten it. The top strap
on seatback could cause death or
serious injury due to abnormal
moving of the child restraint system
in case of sudden braking or a col-
lision.
Make sure the top strap is securely
latched, and check that the child
restraint system is secure by push-
ing and pulling it in different direc-
tions. Follow all the installation in-
structions provided by its manufac-
turer.
ProCarManuals.com

’01 4Runner_U (L/O 0008)
932001 4RUNNER (OM35768U)
Idling for a long period with the air
conditioning on in stopandgo traffic.
Towing a trailer.
NOTICE
Do not remove the thermostat in
the engine cooling system as this
may cause the engine to overheat.
The thermostat is designed to con-
trol the flow of coolant to keep the
temperature of the engine within
the specified operating range.
Do not continue driving with an
overheated engine. See “If your ve-
hicle overheats” in Section 4.
Tachometer
The tachometer indicates engine speed
in thousands of rpm (revolutions per
minute). Use it while driving to select
correct shift points and to prevent en-
gine lugging and overrevving.
Driving with the engine running too fast
causes excessive engine wear and poor
fuel economy. Remember, in most cases
the slower the engine speed, the greater
the fuel economy.
NOTICE
Do not let the indicator needle get
into the red zone. This may cause
severe engine damage.
Odometer and two trip meters
This meter displays the odometer and
two trip meters.
1. Odometer—Shows the total distance
the vehicle has been driven.
2. Two trip meters—Show two different
distances independently driven since
the last time each trip meter was set
to zero.
You can use one trip meter to calculate
the fuel economy and the other to
measure the distance on each trip. All
trip meter data is cancelled if the elec-
trical power source is disconnected.
3. Trip meter reset knob—Resets the two
trip meters to zero, and also change
the meter display.
ProCarManuals.com

’01 4Runner_U (L/O 0008)
11 32001 4RUNNER (OM35768U)
(k) 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 lever. For instructions, see “If you
cannot shift automatic transmission selec-
tor lever” in Section 4.
“H” (2WD) MODE
“H” (4WD) MODE (center
differential unlock), “L4”
MODE (center differential
unlock) or “N” MODE
“H” (4WD) MODE (center
differential lock), “L4”
MODE (center differential
lock) or “N” MODE
Use the front drive control lever, “4WD”
button and center differential lock
switch to select the transfer and center
differential modes.
The “H” and “L4” position of the front
drive control lever provide either lock or
unlock the mode of the center differential.
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 skid control system is
automatically turned off and the center dif-
ferential 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 “VSC OFF”
indicator light turn off.
Fourwheel drive system—
(a) Front drive control
ProCarManuals.com

’01 4Runner_U (L/O 0008)
11 42001 4RUNNER (OM35768U)
“H” mode (high speed position, two
wheel drive): Front drive control lever at
“H”, “4WD” button left out
Use this for normal driving on dry hard
surfaced roads. This position gives greater
economy, quietest ride and least wear and
better vehicle control.
“H” mode (high speed position, four
wheel drive, center differential un-
locked): Front drive control lever at “H”,
“4WD” button push in, 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 provides greater traction than
twowheel drive.
“H” (high speed position, fourwheel
drive, center differential locked): Lever
at “H”, “4WD” button pushed in 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.“N” mode (neutral position): Front drive
control lever at “N”
No power is delivered to the wheels. The
vehicle must be stopped.
“L4” (low speed position, fourwheel
drive, center differential unlocked):
Front drive control lever at “L4”, center
differential lock switch left out
Use this for maximum power and traction.
Use this for climbing 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, fourwheel drive, center
differential locked) mode.
The transmission automatically shifts up
from second gear in this mode. This sys-
tem is effective when starting your vehicle
in sand, mud, ice or snow. (However, the
transmission system may shift up from
first gear when the vehicle starts too
quickly.)“L4” mode (low speed position, four
wheel drive, center differential locked):
Front drive control lever at “L4”, center
differential lock switch push in
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.
Fourwheel drive and center differential
lock indicator lights show which transfer
and center differential mode the vehicle is
in. Note that the differential is not still
locked as long as the indicator light re-
mains off.
When the shifting has not been completed
within 3 seconds after the shifting opera-
tion, the indicator flashes. If the indicator
light does not go off when you push out
the center differential lock button, drive
straight ahead while accelerating or decel-
erating, or drive in reverse. If the indicator
flashes 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.
ProCarManuals.com

’01 4Runner_U (L/O 0008)
11 52001 4RUNNER (OM35768U)
Advice for driving on slippery roads in
“L4” (low speed position) mode
If you shift the front drive control lever to
“L4” and the automatic transmission lever
to “2” 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 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 trac-
tion control system if the engine speed is
under 3000 rpm (normally engine speed is
under 3000 rpm when the wheels get un-
stuck).
The front drive control lever in the “L4”
position and the automatic transmission
lever in the “L” position or the automat-
ic transmission lever in the “D” or “2”
with the transmission downshifting to
the first gear
The front drive control lever in the “L4”
position and the automatic transmission
lever in the “R” position(As for the automatic transmission lever
positions, see “Automatic transmission” in
this section.)The A.D.D. can be engaged or disen-
gaged by the shifting operations des-
cribed 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)
ProCarManuals.com

’01 4Runner_U (L/O 0008)
11 62001 4RUNNER (OM35768U)
(c) Shifting procedure
SHIFTING BETWEEN “H” (2WD) MODE
AND “H” (4WD) MODE
To shift from “H” (2WD) mode to “H”
(4WD) mode, reduce your speed to less
than 100 km/h (62 mph) and push in the
“4WD” button.
If the indicator light flashes when you
push in the “4WD” button, drive straight
ahead while accelerating or decelerating.
If the indicator light flashes and the buzz-
er sounds when you push in the “4WD”
button, reduce your speed or stop the
vehicle and reset.
CAUTION
Never push the “4WD” button if
wheels are slipping. Stop the slipping
or spinning before shifting.
To shift from “H” (4WD) mode to “H”
(2WD) mode, push the “4WD” button
again to turn it off.
This can be done at any vehicle speed.
If the indicator light flashes when you
push in the “4WD” button, drive straight
ahead while accelerating or decelerating,
or drive in reverse.SHIFTING BETWEEN “H” (4WD,
UNLOCKED) AND “H” (4WD LOCKED)
To shift from “H” (4WD, UNLOCKED) to
“H” (4WD, LOCKED), push in the center
differential lock switch.
If the indicator light flashes when you
push in the center differential lock switch,
drive straight ahead while accelerating or
decelerating.
If the indicator light flashes and the buzz-
er sounds when you push in the center
differential lock switch, reduce your speed
or stop the vehicle and reset.
CAUTION
Never push the center differential
lock button if wheels are slipping.
Stop the slipping or spinning before
shifting.
NOTICE
Do not drive on a dry paved surface
in “H” (4WD, LOCKED) mode. This
may damage the locking mechanism
and the drive system.
To shift from “H” (4WD LOCKED) to
“H” (4WD UNLOCKED), left out the cen-
ter differential lock switch.
This can be done at any vehicle speed.
If the indicator light flashes when you left
out the center differential lock switch,
drive straight ahead while accelerating or
decelerating, or drive in reverse.
SHIFTING BETWEEN “H” AND “L4”
Stop the vehicle and put the transmission
in “N”. With your foot holding down the
brake pedal, move the front drive control
lever.
If the indicator light flashes when you
move the front drive control lever, drive
straight ahead while accelerating or decel-
erating.
CAUTION
Never move the front drive control
lever if wheels are slipping. Stop the
slipping or spinning before shifting.
ProCarManuals.com

’01 4Runner_U (L/O 0008)
11 72001 4RUNNER (OM35768U)
NOTICE
Do not drive on a dry paved surface
in “L4” (LOCKED) mode. This may
damage the locking mechanism and
the drive system.
SHIFTING BETWEEN “L4” (UNLOCKED)
AND “L4” (LOCKED)
To shift between unlock and lock
modes in “L”, push the center differential
lock switch.
This can be done at any vehicle speed.
If the indicator light flashes when you
push the center differential lock switch,
drive straight ahead while accelerating or
decelerating.
CAUTION
Never push the center differential
lock switch if wheels are slipping.
Stop the slipping or spinning before
shifting.
NOTICE
Do not drive on a dry paved surface
in “L4” (LOCKED) mode. This may
damage the locking mechanism and
the drive system.
The traction control system automatical-
ly helps control the spinning of rear
wheels which may occur when acceler-
ating on slippery road surfaces, by con-
trolling the output of the brake and en-
gine. Thus, the system assists driver to
control the driving power of rear
wheels.
When you turn the ignition switch on, the
traction control system always turns on
automatically, and the slip indicator light
will come on. The indicator lights will go
off after about a few seconds.
If the slip indicator lights is left on after
the ignition is turned on, have your ve-
hicle checked by your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible.
Traction control system
(twowheel drive models)
ProCarManuals.com

’01 4Runner_U (L/O 0008)
1222001 4RUNNER (OM35768U)
Vehicle skid control system
The vehicle skid control system helps
to provide comprehensive control of the
systems such as antilock brakes, trac-
tion control, engine control, etc. This
system automatically controls the out-
put of the brakes or engine to help
prevent the vehicle from skidding under
adverse condition.
When you turn the ignition switch on, the
slip indicator light will come on. The slip
indicator light will go off after about a few
seconds.
If the slip indicator light is left on after
the ignition is tuned on, have your vehicle
checked by your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible.If the vehicles is going to skid during
driving, the slip indicator light flashes and
an alarm sounds intermittently.
The vehicle skid control activates when
the vehicle speed is more than 15 km/h
(9 mph).
You may hear a sound in the engine
compartment for a few seconds when the
engine is started or just after the vehicle
is started. This means that the vehicle
stability control is in the selfcheck mode
and does not indicate a malfunction.Fourwheel drive models only—
This switch can function only when the
fourwheel drive system is selected.
You can turn off the vehicle skid con-
trol system by pushing the center dif-
ferential lock switch. The “VSC OFF”
and center differential lock indicator
lights will come on. Pushing the center
differential lock switch a second time
turns on the system again. The “VSC
OFF” and center differential lock indica-
tor lights will go off.
ProCarManuals.com

’01 4Runner_U (L/O 0008)
1232001 4RUNNER (OM35768U)
If your wheels get stuck in a ditch or
when you are driving on severe off road
and sand, turn off the vehicle skid control
system because its function that controls
engine performance interferes with the
process of freeing your wheels.
NOTICE
Make sure that the center differential
lock indicator light goes off before
normal driving.
Twowheel drive models
Fourwheel drive models
Vehicle skid control system failure
warning
These lights warn that when there is a
problem somewhere in the vehicle skid
control system, traction control system
(twowheel drive models), active traction
control system (fourwheel drive models).
If the “VSC/TRAC” warning light and
“TRAC OFF” (twowheel drive models) or
“VSC OFF” (fourwheel drive models) indi-
cator light come on, have your vehicle
checked by Toyota dealer as soon as pos-
sible. However, it is no problem that the
“VSC/TRAC” warning light comes on when
the brake actuator temperature becomes
high. (For details, see “Traction control
system” and “Active traction control sys-
tem” in this section.)
The “VSC/TRAC” warning light and “TRAC
OFF” (twowheel drive models) or “VSC
OFF” (fourwheel drive models) indicator
light will come on when the ignition key
is turned to “ON”, and will go off after
about a few seconds.
The lights may come on for 60 seconds
after the ignition key is turned to the “ON”
position. It is normal if they go out after
a while.
ProCarManuals.com

’01 4Runner_U (L/O 0008)
1242001 4RUNNER (OM35768U)
Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly
may turn on “VSC/TRAC” warning light
and “TRAC OFF” (twowheel drive mod-
els) or “VSC OFF” (fourwheel drive mod-
els) indicator light. It is normal if they go
out after a few seconds.
When the “VSC/TRAC” warning light and
“TRAC OFF” (twowheel drive models) or
“VSC OFF” (fourwheel drive models) indi-
cator light come on, the vehicle skid con-
trol system does not operate, but there is
no problem to continue your driving.
In the following cases, contact your Toyota
dealer:
The “VSC/TRAC” warning light and
“TRAC OFF” (twowheel drive models)
or “VSC OFF” (fourwheel drive mod-
els) indicator light do not come on af-
ter the ignition is turned to on.
The “VSC/TRAC” warning light and
“TRAC OFF” (twowheel drive models)
or “VSC OFF” (fourwheel drive mod-
els) indicator light are left on after the
ignition is turned to on.
CAUTION
Active traction control system, ve-
hicle skid control system and anti
lock brake system are electronic
systems designed to help the driver
maintain control under adverse con-
ditions. They are not a substitute
for safe driving practices. Factors
including speed, road conditions
and driver steering input can all af-
fect whether active traction control
system, vehicle skid control system
and antilock brake system will be
effective in preventing a loss of
control. Always keep safety driving
in mind. If the slip indicator light
flashes, sounding an alarm, special
care should be taken while driving.
Only use tires of specified size. The
size, manufacture, brand and tread
pattern for all 4 tires should be the
same. If you use the tires other
than specified, or different type or
size, the vehicle skid control sys-
tem may not function correctly.
When replacing the tires or wheels,
contact your Toyota dealer. (See
“Checking and replacing tires” in
Section 72.)
Parking brake
When parking, firmly apply the parking
brake to avoid inadvertent creeping.
To set: Pull up the lever. For better hold-
ing power, first depress the brake pedal
and hold it while setting the parking
brake.
To release: Pull up the lever slightly (1),
press the lock release button (2), and low-
er (3).
To remind you that the parking brake is
set, the parking brake reminder light in
the instrument panel remains on until you
release the parking brake.
ProCarManuals.com