traction control TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2005 N210 / 4.G User Guide

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“VSC TRAC” warning light
This light warns that there is a problem
somewhere in the following.
Traction control system
“AUTO LSD” system
Vehicle stability control system
Hill−start assist control system
When the system is normal and the igni-
tion key is turned to “ON”, the “VSC
TRAC” warning light will come 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 “ON”. Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly
may turn on the light. It is normal if it
goes out after a few seconds.
If the “VSC TRAC” warning light and slip
indicator light come on while driving, the
traction control system does not work.
However, as normal braking operates
when being applied, there is no problem
to continue 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 active traction control system auto-
matically helps prevent the spinning of
4 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 4 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.
Active traction control system
(fourwheel drive models)

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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
begins to move. This means that the ac-
tive 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. At this time, the slip indica-
tor 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.
The brake actuator temperature increases
during continuous operation of the active
traction control system, the vehicle stabil-
ity control system, the downhill assist con-
trol system and the hill −start assist control
system such as on sli ppery roads. If the
brake actuator temperature becomes too
high while any of the systems is operat-
ing, a buzzer will start to sound intermit-
tently to indicate that the active traction
control system can no longer operate. 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 slip indicator light will
come on and the active traction control
system temporarily stops operating in or-
der to protect the brake actuator. (Al-
though the active 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 slip indicator light goes out.

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“VSC TRAC” warning light
This light warns that there is a problem
somewhere in the following.
Active traction control system
Vehicle stability control system
Downhill assist control system
Hill−start assist control system
When the system is normal and the igni-
tion key is turned to “ON”, the warning
light will come on and will go off after a
few seconds.
It is not a malfunction that the “VSC
TRAC” warning light may stay on for 60
seconds after the ignition key is turned to
“ON”. Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly
may turn on the light. It is normal if it
goes out after a few seconds.
If the “VSC TRAC” warning light and slip
indicator light come on while driving, the
active traction control system does not
work. However, as normal braking oper-
ates when being applied, there is no prob-
lem to continue 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 “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.
This system is used only when wheel
spinning occurs in a ditch or on a
rough surface.
This system is effective in case one of
the rear wheels is spinning.
“AUTO LSD” system
(twowheel drive models)

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The brake actuator temperature increases
during continuous operation of the “AUTO
LSD” system, the traction control system
and the vehicle stability control system
such as on slippery roads. If the brake
actuator temperature becomes too high
while any of the systems is operating, a
buzzer will start to sound intermittently to
indicate that the “AUTO LSD” system can
no longer operate. In this case, immedi-
ately 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 slip indicator light will
come on and the “AUTO LSD” system
temporarily stops operating in order to
protect the brake actuator. (Although the
“AUTO LSD” system does not operate, it
is no problem to continue driving.) The
system will be automatically restored after
a short time and the slip indicator light
goes off.
“VSC TRAC” warning light
This light warns that there is a problem
somewhere in the following.
“AUTO LSD” system
Traction control system
Vehicle stability control system
When the system is normal and the igni-
tion key is turned to “ON”, the light will
come on and will go off after a few sec-
onds.
It is not a malfunction that the warning
light may stay on for 60 seconds after the
ignition key is turned to “ON”. Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly
may turn on the light. It is normal if it
goes out after a few seconds.
If the “VSC TRAC” warning light and slip
indicator light comes on while driving, the
“AUTO LSD” system does not work. How-
ever, as the brakes operate normally when
applied, it is no problem to continue 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.
NOTICE
Do not drive with the “AUTO LSD”
switch continuously turned on.

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The vehicle stability control system
helps provide integrated control of the
systems such as antilock brake sys-
tem, traction control, engine control,
etc. This system automatically controls
the output of the brakes or engine to
help prevent the vehicle from skidding
when cornering on a slippery road sur-
face or operating steering wheel abrupt-
ly.
This vehicle stability 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
begins to move. This means that the sys-
tem is in the self−check mode, but does
not indicate a malfunction.CAUTION
Do not rely excessively on the ve-
hicle stability control system. Even
if the vehicle stability control sys-
tem is operating, you must always
drive carefully and attentively to
avoid serious injury. Reckless driv-
ing will result in an unexpected ac-
cident. If the slip indicator light
blinks and an alarm sounds, special
care should be taken while driving.
Only use tires of specified size. The
size, manufacturer, 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 stability control
system may not function correctly.
When replacing the tires or wheels,
contact your Toyota dealer. (See
“Checking and replacing tires” on
page 384 in Section 72.)
If the vehicle is going to skid during driv-
ing, the slip indicator light blinks and an
alarm sounds intermittently. Special care
should be taken while driving.
If the brake pedal is depressed while the
vehicle stability control system is active,
the brake pedal will become hard at an
earlier position than usual. However, the
brakes will respond to the pedal force if
depressed further.
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.
Vehicle stability control
system

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Fourwheel drive models only—
Pushing the center differential lock
switch automatically turns the vehicle
stability control system off. At this
time, the “VSC OFF” indicator comes
on with the center differential lock indi-
cator light.
The “VSC 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 center differential lock
switch to turn off the system. In the following cases, contact your Toyota
dealer:
The indicator light does not come on
when the ignition key is turned to
“ON”.
The indicator light remains on after the
ignition key is turned to “ON”.
The indicator light comes on when the
system is on while driving.
NOTICE
Make sure that the center differential
lock indicator light goes off before
normal driving.
“VSC TRAC” warning light
This 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)
“AUTO LSD” system
(two −wheel drive models)
Downhill assist control system
(four −wheel drive models)
Hill −start assist control system

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The slip indicator light and downhill assist
control system indicator light come on for
a few seconds when the ignition key is
turned to “ON”. If any of the indicator
lights does not come on when the ignition
is turned on, contact your Toyota dealer.
The brake actuator temperature increases
during continuous operation of the hill −
start assist control system, the active
traction control system and the vehicle
stability control system. If the brake ac-
tuator temperature becomes too high while
any of the systems is operating, a buzzer
will start to sound intermittently to indicate
that the downhill assist control system can
no longer operate. In this case, stop your
vehicle immediately 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 this time, the slip indicator light will
come on, the downhill assist control sys-
tem indicator light flash and the downhill
assist control system stops operating tem-
porarily in order to protect the brake ac-
tuator. (Although the downhill assist con-
trol system does not operate, it is no
problem to continue your driving.) The
system will be automatically restored after
a short time and the slip indicator light
and the downhill assist control system in-
dicator light go out.
If there is any abnormality in the sys-
tem, the “VSC TRAC” warning light will
come on. When the “DAC” switch is
pushed, the downhill assist control sys-
tem indicator light also flash.
If the “VSC TRAC” warning light comes
on, there may be an abnormality in any
of the following systems in addition to the
downhill assist control system.
Hill
−start assist control system
Active traction control system
Vehicle stability control system

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When the hill−start assist control system
is operating, the slip indicator light flashes
and an alarm sounds intermittently. At the
same time, the stop lamps and high
mounted stoplight are lit.
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. Keep in mind the following when driv-
ing.
The hill−
start assist control system op-
erates for 5 seconds maximally. If both
the brake and accelerator pedals re-
main undepressed for longer than 5
seconds, the buzzer will sound at more
frequent intervals and the system will
gradually stop operating.
The hill −start assist control system is
not designed as a function for stopping
the vehicle on a uphill slope. When
stopping the vehicle, be sure to de-
press the brake pedal.
The brake actuator temperature increases
during continuous operation of the downhill
assist control system (four −wheel drive
models), the traction control system (two−
wheel drive models), the active traction
control system (four −wheel drive models),
the vehicle stability control system and
the “AUTO LSD” system (two −wheel drive
models) on such as slippery roads. If the
brake actuator temperature becomes too
high while any of the systems is operat-
ing, a buzzer will start to sound intermit-
tently to indicate that the hill −start assist
control system can no longer operate. In
this case, stop your vehicle immediately 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 this time, the slip indicator light will
come on and the hill
−start assist control
system stops operating temporarily in or-
der to protect the brake actuator. (Al-
though the hill −start assist control system
does not operate, it is no problem to con-
tinue your driving.) The system will be
automatically restored after a short time
and the slip indicator light goes out.

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If there is any abnormality in the sys-
tem, the “VSC TRAC” warning light will
come on.
If the system malfunctions, the “VSC
TRAC” warning light will come on.
If the “VSC TRAC” warning light comes
on, there may be an abnormality in any
of the following systems in addition to the
hill−start assist control system.
Downhill assist control system
(four −wheel drive models)
Traction control system
(two −wheel drive models)
Active traction control system
(four −wheel drive models)
Vehicle stability control system
“AUTO LSD” system
(two −wheel drive models)
“VSC TRAC” warning light
When the system is normal and the igni-
tion key is turned to “ON”, the warning
light will come 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 “ON”.
Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly
may turn on the light. It is normal if it
goes out after a few seconds.
If the warning light comes on while driv-
ing, the system does not work. However,
as normal braking operates when being
applied, it is no problem to continue 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.
This rear height control air suspension
controls the vehicle height depending
on the vehicle driving conditions. Select
your desired height among the “HI”
(high), “N” (normal) and “LO” (low)
modes with the height select switch.
(a) Vehicle height modes
“N” (normal) mode—
The vehicle height in this mode is stan-
dard. Regardless of the number of occu-
pants or the luggage loading condition, the
vehicle height is always automatically ad-
justed to a fixed height in this mode while
the engine is running.
This mode is suitable for ordinary driving.
Rear height control air
suspension

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Ty p e A
Ty p e B
“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)
“AUTO LSD” system
(two−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.
“VSC TRAC” warning light may come on
with the “ABS” warning light (brake assist
system warning light) when there is a mal-
function somewhere in the anti −lock brake
system (brake assist system).
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.