traction control TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2004 N210 / 4.G Owners Manual

’04 4Runner_U (L/O 0308)
vi
2004 4RUNNER from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM 35811U)
Spark ignition system of your
To y o t a
The spark ignition system in your Toyota meets all require-
ments of the Canadian Interference −Causing Equipment
Standard.
Installation of a mobile twoway radio system
As the installation of a mobile two −way radio system in
your vehicle could affect electronic systems such as fol-
lows, be sure to check with your Toyota dealer for precau-
tionary measures or special instructions regarding installa-
tion.
 Multiport fuel injection system/sequential multiport
fuel injection system
 SRS airbag system
 Seat belt pretensioner system
 Traction control system (two −wheel drive models)
 Active traction control system
(four −wheel drive models)
 Vehicle stability control system
 Downhill assist control system
(four −wheel drive models)
 Hill −start assist control system
 Rear height control air suspension
 Tire pressure warning system

’04 4Runner_U (L/O 0308)
7
2004 4RUNNER from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM35811U)
or
Driver ’s seat belt reminder light∗
1
Low engine oil pressure warning light∗1
Engine oil replacement reminder light∗1
(for vehicles sold in U.S.A.) Brake system warning light
∗ 1
Malfunction indicator lamp∗1
Discharge warning light∗1
Anti −lock brake system warning light∗
1
SRS warning light∗1
Open door warning light∗1
Front passenger ’s seat belt reminder light∗1
Vehicle stability control system warning
light∗1
Traction control system warning light∗1
(two −wheel drive models)
Active traction control system warning light∗
1
(four− wheel drive models)
Downhill assist control system warning
light∗
1 (four −wheel drive models)
Hill −start assist control system warning
light∗ 1
Automatic transmission fluid temperature
warning light∗1
Low windshield washer fluid level warning
light∗1 (for vehicles sold in Canada)
Low tire pressure warning light∗1
Indicator symbols on the instrument panel

’04 4Runner_U (L/O 0308)
8
2004 4RUNNER from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM35811U)
Cruise control indicator light∗
5
Center differential lock indicator light∗3
(four −wheel drive models)
Automatic transmission indicator lights
(5 −speed)
Traction control system off indicator light
(two −wheel drive models)
Vehicle stability control system off indicator light
(four −wheel drive models)
Slip indicator light
Turn signal indicator lights
Low speed four
−wheel drive indicator light∗
3
(four −wheel drive models)
Downhill assist control system indicator light
(four −wheel drive models)
Height control “OFF” indicator light
∗ 4
Height control indicator lights
Headlight high beam indicator light
Automatic transmission indicator lights
(4 −speed)
Four −wheel drive indicator light∗
3
(multi −mode four −wheel drive models)
Engine immobilizer/theft deterrent system
indicator light
Roll sensing of curtain shield airbags off
indicator light∗
2
Headlight low beam indicator light
Tail light indicator light

’04 4Runner_U (L/O 0308)
143
2004 4RUNNER from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM35811U)
(h) Engine Oil Replacement Reminder
Light (for vehicles sold in U.S.A.)
This light reminds you when to replace
the engine oil.
This light will come on when the ignition
key is turned to “ON” and will go off after
about a few seconds.
When you drive for about 8000 km (5000
miles) after the engine oil replacement,
this light illuminates for about 3 seconds
and then flashes for about 12 seconds
with the ignition key turned to “ON” posi-
tion. If you continue driving without the
engine oil replacement, and if the driving
range exceeds 12000 km (7500 miles), the
light will come on after the ignition key is
turned to “ON” position. The light will re-
main on thereafter.
If the light is flashing, we recommend that
you replace the engine oil at an early
opportunity depending on the driving and
road condition. If the light comes on, re-
place it as soon as possible. You need to reset the light after the en-
gine oil replacement. Reset the light by
following the procedure below:
1. Turn the ignition key to the “OFF” posi- tion with the odometer reading shown.
(For details, see “Odometer and two
trip meters” on page 136 in this Sec-
tion.)
2. Turn the ignition key to the “ON” posi- tion while holding down the trip meter
reset button.
Hold down the button until the light goes
off. Before the light goes off, it illuminates
for 3 seconds, flashes for 2 seconds and
illuminates for 1 second.
If the system fails to reset, the light will
remain flashing. (i) “ABS” Warning Light
The light comes on when the ignition key
is turned to the “ON” position. If the anti
−
lock brake system and the brake assist
system work properly, the light turns off
after a few seconds. Thereafter, if either
of the systems malfunctions, the light
comes on again.
When the “ABS” warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
following systems do not operate, but the
brake system still operates conventionally.
Anti −lock brake system
Brake assist system
Traction control system
(two −wheel drive models)
Active traction control system
(four −wheel drive models)
Vehicle stability control system
Downhill assist control system
(four −wheel drive models)
Hill −start assist control system
When the “ABS” warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
anti −lock brake system does not operate,
so that the wheels will lock up during a
sudden braking or braking on slippery
road surfaces.

’04 4Runner_U (L/O 0308)
144
2004 4RUNNER from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM35811U)
If either of the following conditions oc-
curs, this indicates a malfunction some-
where in the components monitored by
the warning light system. Contact your
Toyota dealer as soon as possible to
service the vehicle.
The light does not come on when the
ignition key is turned to the “ON” posi-
tion, or remains on.
The light comes on while you are dri-
ving.
A warning light turning on briefly during
operation does not indicate a problem.
CAUTION
If the “ABS” warning light remains on
together with the brake system warn-
ing light, immediately stop your ve-
hicle at a safe place and contact your
Toyota dealer.
In this case, not only the antilock
brake system will fail but also the
vehicle will become extremely unsta-
ble during braking.
Either of the following conditions may
occur, but do not indicate a malfunc-
tion:
The light may stay on for about 60
seconds after the ignition key is turned
to the “ON” position. It is normal if it
turns off after a while.
Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly
may turn on the light. It is normal if it
turns off after a few seconds.
(j) “VSC TRAC” Warning Light
The light warns that there is a problem
somewhere in the following.
Vehicle stability control system
Traction control system
(two −wheel drive models)
Active traction control system
(four− wheel drive models)
Downhill assist control system
(four−wheel drive models)
Hill−start assist control system
The light will come on when the ignition
key turned to “ON”, and will go off after
a few seconds.
It is not a malfunction that the warning
light may stay on for 60 seconds after the
ignition key is turned to the “ON” position. Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly
may turn on the lights. It is normal if they
go out after a few seconds.
There is no problem when the “VSC
TRAC” warning light comes on when the
brake actuator temperature becomes high.
If the light comes on while driving, the
above mentioned systems do not work.
However, as conventional braking operates
when applied, there is no problem to con-
tinue your driving.
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 “TRAC OFF” indicator light will come
on when the “VSC TRAC” warning light
comes on even if the “TRAC OFF” switch
is not pushed.
(k) Open Door Warning Light
This light remains on until all the side
doors and back door are completely
closed.

’04 4Runner_U (L/O 0308)
147
2004 4RUNNER from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM35811U)
OPERATION OF INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLS
Ignition switch, Transmission and Parking brake
Ignition switch with steering lock 148
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic transmission 149
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
.
Four −wheel drive system 158
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
Traction control system 165
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. .
Active traction control system 168
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle stability control system 170
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Downhill assist control system 172
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hill −start assist control system 175
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear height control air suspension 178
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire pressure warning system 183
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking brake 188
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . .
Cruise control 188
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 1 7

’04 4Runner_U (L/O 0308)
158
2004 4RUNNER from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM35811U)
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): Four−wheel drive control
switch knob at “H4”, center differential
lock switch left out
Use this for normal driving on all types of
roads, from dry hard −surfaced roads to
wet, icy or snow −covered roads. This
position gives greater economy, quietest
ride, least wear and better vehicle control.
“H4” (high speed position, center differ-
ential locked): Four−wheel 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

’04 4Runner_U (L/O 0308)
159
2004 4RUNNER from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM35811U)
“L4” (low speed position, center differ-
ential unlocked): Four−wheel drive control
switch knob at “L4”, center differential lock
switch left out
The “4LO” (low speed four −wheel 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, off −road 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): Four−wheel drive control
switch knob at “L4”, center differential lock
switch pushed in
The “4LO” (low speed four −wheel 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 off
−road 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 188 in Section 1 −7.
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 four
−wheel 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 off −road 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 four −wheel drive control switch
knob in the “L4” position and the auto-
matic transmission selector lever in the
“L” position
The four −wheel 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

’04 4Runner_U (L/O 0308)
162
2004 4RUNNER from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM35811U)
“H2” (high speed position, twowheel
drive, center differential unlocked): Mul-
ti −mode 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-
ti −mode control switch knob at “H4”, cen-
ter differential lock switch left out
The four −wheel drive indicator light comes
on when the “H4” mode is selected.
Use this for normal driving on all types of
roads, from dry hard −surfaced roads to
wet, icy or snow −covered roads. This
position provides greater traction than
two −wheel drive.
“H4” (high speed position, fourwheel
drive, center differential locked): Multi−
mode control switch knob at “H4”, center
differential lock switch pushed in
The four −wheel 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-
ti −mode control switch knob at “L4”, cen-
ter differential lock switch left out
The four −wheel drive and “4LO” (low
speed four −wheel 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, off −road 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, four −wheel 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 four −wheel drive and “4LO” (low
speed four −wheel 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, four
−wheel 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,
o

r 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 188 in Section 1 −7.
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.

’04 4Runner_U (L/O 0308)
163
2004 4RUNNER from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM35811U)
Advice for driving on slippery roads in
“L4” (low speed position) mode
If the multi −mode control switch knob is
in the “L4” and the automatic transmission
selector lever is in the “2” when you drive
in steep off −road 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 multi −mode control switch knob in
the “L4” position and the automatic
transmission selector lever in the “L”
position
The multi −mode 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 multi −mode 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 (4 −speed)” on page 154 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 four
−wheel 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)