TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2009 N280 / 5.G Owners Manual

181
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
■Limited slip center differential
If one wheel begins to spin, the limited slip center differential (transfer) is
designed to aid traction by automatically transmitting driving force to the
wheels on the other drive axle. It transmits driving force to the front wheels if
a rear wheel spins, and to the rear wheels if a front wheel spins.
■ The center differential lock switch can be operated when
The four-wheel drive control switch is in the H4 or L4 position.
■ Center differential lock system
●When the center differential is locked, the VSC system is automatically
turned off and the center differential lock and VSC OFF indicators come
on.
● When the four-wheel drive control switch is turned to the H2 position, the
center differential is automatically unlocked.
● If the operation is not completed, the center differential lock indicator
blinks. If the indicator does not go off when unlocking the center differen-
tial, drive straight ahead while accelerating or decelerating, or drive \
in
reverse.
NOTICE
■When shifting the four-w heel drive control switch
Never operate the four-wheel drive control switch if the wheels are slipping.
Stop the slipping or spinning before shifting.
■ 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
loose or bumpy surface.
● Do not push the center differential lock switch when the vehicle is corner-
ing or when its wheels are spinning freely off the ground.

182
2-4. Using other driving systems
Active traction control system (L4 mode on 4WD models)
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
Vehicles without the A-TRAC switch
Stop the vehicle, shift the shift lever to N and turn the four-wheel
drive control switch to the L4 po sition. Then the system will auto-
matically activate.
Vehicles with the A-TRAC switch
● When activating the system with the center differential lock
unlocked
Stop the vehicle, shift the shift lever to N and turn the four-wheel
drive control switch to the L4 position. Then the system will auto-
matically activate.
● When activating the system with the center differential lock
locked
Stop the vehicle, shift the shift lever to N and turn the four-
wheel drive control switch to the L4 position. Then press
the center differential lock switch.
Press the A-TRAC switch to
activate the system.
At this time, the active traction
control indicator will come on.
To cancel the system, push the
switch again.

183
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
When the active traction control system is operating
If all wheels spin, the slip indica-
tor flashes to indicate that the
active traction control system
have been engaged.
■When the rear differential is locked (vehicles with the rear differential
lock system)
The active traction control system is activated only when the 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. It 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.
Stop the vehicle in a safe place. (Ther e is no problem with continuing normal
driving.)
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.

184
2-4. Using other driving systems
Rear differential lock system (if equipped)
Using the rear differential lock systemBefore using the rear differential lock system.
Stop the vehicle, shift the shift lever to N and turn the four-
wheel drive control switch to the L4 position to see if this is
sufficient. If this has no effect, additionally use the rear differ-
ential lock system.
Be sure to stop the wheels.
Press the RR DIFF LOCK switch.
After the rear differential is locked, the rear differential lock indicator
will come on.
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 RR DIFF LOCK
switch to lock the rear differen-
tial.
At this time, the rear differential
lock indicator will blink. Wait a
few seconds for the system to
complete operation. After the
rear differential is locked, the
indicator will stop blinking and
remain on.
To unlock the rear differential,
push the switch again.

185
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
Gently depress the accelerator pedal.
Unlock the rear differential as soon as the vehicle moves out.
To unlock the rear differential, push the switch again.
■Locking the rear differential
●When the rear differential is locked, VSC is automatically turned off.
(The rear differential lock and VSC OFF indicators come on.)
● The following systems do not operate when the rear differential is locked.
It is normal operation for the ABS warning light, VSC OFF indicator and
slip indicator to be on at this time.
•ABS
• Brake assist system
•VSC
•TRAC
■ The rear differential lock is disengaged when
●Turn the four-wheel drive control switch to the H2 or H4 position.
Never forget to turn off the switch after using this feature.
■ After unlocking the rear differential
Check that the indicator goes off.
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 ragged 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 RR DIFF LOCK switch on.

186
2-4. Using other driving systems
Downhill Assist Control (if equipped)
The downhill assist control system helps to prevent excessive speed
on steep downhill descents.
■System operation
The system will operate when the vehicle is traveling under 15
mph (25 km/h) and the four-wheel drive control switch is in the
L4 position.
Press the DAC switch. The
downhill assist control indica-
tor will come on, and the sys-
tem will operate.
With the vehicle traveling at a
speed of 15 mph (25 km/h) or
less, release your foot from
the accelerator or brake pedal
to activate the system.
When the system is in opera-
tion, the slip indicator will flash,
and the stop lights/high
mounted stop light will come
on. A sound may also occur
during the operation. This does
not indicate a malfunction.
■Turning off the system
Press the DAC switch while the system is in operation. The
downhill assist control indicator will flash as the system gradu-
ally ceases operation, and will tu rn off when the system is fully
off.
Pressing the DAC switch while t he downhill assist control indica-
tor is flashing will st art the system again.

187
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
■Operating tips
The system will operate when the shift lever is in a position other than P.
However, to make effective use of the system it is recommended that the
shift lever be shifted to 2 or L.
■ The system will not operate when
The four-wheel drive control switch is in the H2 or H4 position.
■ The downhill assist control indicator flashes when
●The shift lever is in N.
● The four-wheel drive control switch is in the H2 or H4 position.
■ If the brake system overheats
The system will cease operation and a buzzer will sound to alert the driver.
Stop the vehicle in a safe place. (Ther e is no problem with continuing normal
driving.)
■ System malfunction
●The downhill assist control indicator does not come on when the engine
switch is turned to the ON position.
● The downhill assist control indicator does not come on when the DAC
switch is pressed.
In the above cases have your vehicle checked by your Toyota dealer.
CAUTION
■Do not rely excessively on the downhill assist control system
It may not be able to maintain a low speed over road surfaces on which slid-
ing can easily occur, such as extremely steep slopes or icy or muddy roads.

188
2-4. Using other driving systems
Driving assist systems
To help enhance driving safety and performance, the following sys-
tems operate automatically in res ponse to various driving situations.
Be aware, however, that these systems are supplementary and
should not be relied upon too h eavily when operating the vehicle.
■ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenly, or if
the brakes are applied while driving on a slippery road surface.
■Brake Assist
Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake pedal is
depressed, when the system detects a panic stop situation.
■VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to control skidding when swerving suddenly or turning
on slippery road surfaces.
■TRAC (Traction Control)
Maintains drive power and prevents the rear wheels (2WD models and
H2 mode on Multi-mode 4WD models) or all wheels (4WD models
except on L4 mode) from spinning when starting the vehicle or acceler-
ating on slippery roads.
■A-TRAC (Active Traction Contro l) for L4 mode on 4WD mod-
els (vehicles with the A-TRAC switch except when the cen-
ter differential lock is locked)
Maintains drive power and prevents the all wheels from spinning when
starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads.
■ Hill-start assist control (if equipped)
Helps prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards when starting on an
incline or slippery slope. It operates for approximately 5 seconds at
maximum.

189
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
When the VSC/TRAC/A-TRAC/hill-start assist control system are operating
If the vehicle is in danger of slip-
ping, the rear wheels (2WD mod-
els) or four wheels (4WD
models) spin, the vehicle starts
to roll backwards when starting
on an incline, the slip indicator
flashes to indicate that the VSC/
TRAC/A-TRAC/hill-start assist
control have been engaged.
A buzzer (intermittent) sounds to
indicate that VSC/hill-start assist
control is operating.
The stop lights and high mounted
stoplight turn on when the hill-
start assist control system is
operating.

190 2-4. Using other driving systems
To disable TRAC, AUTO LSD and/or VSC (2WD models and H2
mode on Multi-mode 4WD models)
If the vehicle gets stuck in fresh snow or mud, TRAC or VSC may
reduce power from the engine to the wheels. You may need to turn
the system off to enable you to rock the vehicle in order to free it.
■ TRAC OFF mode
Press the VSC OFF switch
briefly.
The slip and AUTO LSD indica-
tors will come on.
The system is in TRAC off, AUTO
LSD on and VSC on mode.
Push the switch again to turn the
system back on.