TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2002 N210 / 4.G Owners Manual

’02 4Runner_U (L/O 0108)
11 52002 MY 4RUNNER_U (OM 35787U)
(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

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11 62002 MY 4RUNNER_U (OM 35787U)
“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” mode (high speed position, four
wheel drive, center differential locked):
Lever at “H”, “4WD” button pushed in cen-
ter 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” mode (low speed position, four
wheel drive, center differential un-
locked): 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.

’02 4Runner_U (L/O 0108)
11 72002 MY 4RUNNER_U (OM 35787U)
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)

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11 82002 MY 4RUNNER_U (OM 35787U)
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.
(c) Shifting procedure

’02 4Runner_U (L/O 0108)
11 92002 MY 4RUNNER_U (OM 35787U)
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 prevent the spinning of rear
wheels when the vehicle is started or
accelerated on slippery road surfaces.
When the ignition key is turned to “ON”,
the system automatically turns on.
CAUTION
Under certain slippery road condi-
tions, full traction of the vehicle and
power to the rear wheels cannot be
maintained, even though the traction
control system is in operation. Do not
drive the vehicle under any speed or
maneuvering conditions which may
cause the vehicle to lose traction
control. In situations where the road
surface is covered with ice or snow,
your vehicle should be fitted with
snow tires or tire chains. Always
drive at an appropriate and cautious
speed for the present road condi-
tions.
Traction control system
(twowheel drive models)

’02 4Runner_U (L/O 0108)
1202002 MY 4RUNNER_U (OM 35787U)
NORMAL DRIVING MODE
Leave the system on during ordinary
driving so that it can operate when
needed.
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 traction
control system is in the selfcheck mode,
but does not indicate a malfunction.
When the traction control system is oper-
ating, the following conditions occur:
The system controls the spinning of the
rear wheels. At this time, the slip indi-
cator light blinks.
You may feel vibration or noise in your
vehicle, caused by operation of the
brakes. This indicates the system is
functioning properly.
The slip indicator light comes on for a few
seconds when the ignition key is turned
to “ON”. If the indicator light does not
come on when the ignition is turned on,
contact your Toyota dealer.
TRACTION CONTROL OFF MODE
If your wheels get stuck in an ditch
when you are driving on a severe off
road and sand, turn off the traction
control system. This system that con-
trols engine performance interferes with
the process of freeing front wheels.
To turn off: Push “TRAC OFF” switch.
The “TRAC OFF” indicator light will come
on.
To turn on: Push “TRAC OFF” switch
once again.
The “TRAC OFF” indicator light will go off.

’02 4Runner_U (L/O 0108)
1212002 MY 4RUNNER_U (OM 35787U)
The traction control system will automati-
cally go on, and the “TRAC OFF” indicator
light will go off when you drive over 30
km/h (19 mph) even if the “TRAC OFF”
switch is pushed to cancel the traction
control system.
“TRAC OFF” indicator light comes on for
a few seconds when the ignition key is
turned to “ON”. It will come on again
when you push the “TRAC OFF” switch to
turn off the system.
The light 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.
Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly
may turn on the “TRAC OFF” indicator
light. It is normal if it goes out after a few
seconds.
In the following cases, contact your Toyota
dealer:
The indicator light does not come on
when the ignition key is turned “ON”.
The indicator light remains on after the
ignition is turned on.
The indicator light comes on with the
normal driving mode while driving.
“VSC TRAC” warning light
This light warns that there is a problem
somewhere in the traction control system
or the vehicle skid control system.
The light will come on when the ignition
key is turned to “ON”, and will go off after
about a few seconds.
The light 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.
Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly
may turn on the light. It is normal if it
goes out after a few seconds. The brake actuator temperature increases
during continuous operation of the traction
control system or vehicle skid control sys-
tem such as on slippery roads. If the
brake actuator temperature becomes too
high while the traction control system or
vehicle skid control system is operating,
a buzzer will start to sound intermittently
to indicate that the traction control system
can no longer operate. In this case, imme-
diately stop your vehicle at a safe place.
If the system continues to operate, the
buzzer sound changes from intermittent to
continuous. (The continuous buzzer
sounds for about 3 seconds.) At the time
the “VSC TRAC” warning light will come
on and the traction control system tempo-
rarily stops operating in order to protect
the brake actuator. (Although the traction
control system does not operate, there is
no problem to continue your driving.) The
system will be automatically restored after
a short time and the “VSC TRAC” warning
light goes out.
If the light comes on while driving, the
system does not work. However, as con-
ventional braking operates when applied,
there is no problem to continue your driv-
ing.

’02 4Runner_U (L/O 0108)
1222002 MY 4RUNNER_U (OM 35787U)
In the following cases, contact your Toyota
dealer:
The warning light does not come on
after the ignition key is turned to “ON”.
The warning light remains on after the
ignition key is turned to “ON”.
The warning light comes on while driv-
ing. The active traction control system auto-
matically helps prevent the spinning of
4 wheels (fourwheel drive mode) or
rear wheels (twowheel drive mode)
when the vehicle is started or acceler-
ated on slippery road surfaces.
When the ignition key is turned to “ON”,
the system automatically turns on.
CAUTION
Under certain slippery road condi-
tions, full traction of the vehicle and
power to the 4 wheels (fourwheel
drive mode) or rear wheels (two
wheel drive mode) cannot be main-
tained, even though the traction con-
trol system is in operation. Do not
drive the vehicle under any speed or
maneuvering conditions which may
cause the vehicle to lose traction
control. In situations where the road
surface is covered with ice or snow,
your vehicle should be fitted with
snow tires or tire chains. Always
drive at an appropriate and cautious
speed for the present road condi-
tions.
Leave the system on during the ordi-
nary driving so that it can operate
when needed.
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 active
traction control system is in the self
check mode, but does not indicate a mal-
function.
When the active traction control system is
operating, the following conditions occur:
The system controls the spinning of the
4 wheels (fourwheel drive mode) or
rear wheels (twowheel drive mode). At
this time, the slip indicator light blinks.
Active traction control system
(fourwheel drive models)

’02 4Runner_U (L/O 0108)
1232002 MY 4RUNNER_U (OM 35787U)
You may feel vibration or noise in your
vehicle, caused by operation of the
brakes. This indicates the system is
functioning properly.
The slip indicator light comes on for a few
seconds when the ignition key is turned
to “ON”. If the indicator light does not
come on when the ignition is turned on,
contact your Toyota dealer.
“VSC TRAC” warning light
This light warns that there is a problem
somewhere in the active traction control
system or the vehicle skid control system.
The light will come on when the ignition
key is turned to “ON”, and will go off after
about a few seconds.
The light 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.
Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly
may turn on the light. It is normal if it
goes out after a few seconds. The brake actuator temperature increases
during continuous operation of the active
traction control system or vehicle skid
control system such as on slippery roads.
If the brake actuator temperature becomes
too high while the active traction control
system or vehicle skid control system is
operating, a buzzer will start to sound
intermittently to indicate that the active
traction control system can no longer op-
erate. In this case, immediately stop your
vehicle at a safe place. If the system
continues to operate, the buzzer sound
changes from intermittent to continuous.
(The continuous buzzer sounds for about
3 seconds.) At the time, the “VSC TRAC”
warning light will come on and the active
traction control system temporarily stops
operating in order to protect the brake
actuator. (Although the active traction con-
trol system does not operate, there is no
problem to continue your driving.) The
system will be automatically restored after
a short time and the “VSC TRAC” warning
light goes out.

’02 4Runner_U (L/O 0108)
1242002 MY 4RUNNER_U (OM 35787U)
If the light comes on while driving, the
system does not work. However, as con-
ventional braking operates when applied,
there is no problem to continue your driv-
ing.
In the following cases, contact your Toyota
dealer:
The warning light does not come on
after the ignition key is turned to “ON”.
The warning light remains on after the
ignition key is turned to “ON”.
The warning light comes on while driv-
ing. The vehicle skid control system helps
provide integrated control of the sys-
tems such as antilock brakes, traction
control, engine control, etc. This sys-
tem automatically controls the output of
the brakes or engine to help prevent
the vehicle from skidding when corner-
ing on a slippery road surface or oper-
ating steering wheel abruptly.
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 system is
in the selfcheck mode but does not indi-
cate a malfunction.
CAUTION
Do not rely excessively on the ve-
hicle skid control system. Even if
the vehicle skid control system is
operating, you must always drive
carefully and attentively to avoid
serious injury. Reckless driving will
result in an unexpected accident. If
the slip indicator light flashes,
sounding an alarm sounds, 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.)
Vehicle skid control system