TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2011 N280 / 5.G Owners Manual

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2-4. Using other
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When driving
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■Multi-terrain Select is temporarily canceled when
The front-wheel drive control lever is shifted to H4 when Multi-terrain Select
is in ROCK, MOGUL or LOOSE ROCK mode. The mode indicator will flash
until the lever is shifted back to L4.
■ If the Multi-terrain Select indicator continues to flash
This may indicate a malfunction in the Multi-terrain Select system.
In this case, Multi-terrain Select is automatically canceled. Have your vehicle
inspected by your Toyota dealer.
■ If the Multi-terrain Select indicator goes off while Multi-terrain Select is
operating
● One of the vehicle systems related to Multi-terrain Select may be mal-
functioning.
Have your vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer.
●
The brake actuator may be at risk of overheating.
A buzzer will sound, the “A-TRAC” indicator will go off and the “TRAC
OFF (TRC OFF)” indicator will come on. Stop the vehicle in a safe place.
Refrain from using Multi-terrain Se lect until the “A-TRAC” indicator
comes back on and the “TRAC OFF (TRC OFF)” indicator goes off. (The
vehicle can still be driven, even if Multi-terrain Select is inoperative.)
In the above cases, Multi-terrain Select is automatically canceled.

252 2-4. Using other driving systems
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CAUTION
■Before driving
To avoid an accident, observe the precautions relating to off-road driving.
(P. 262)
■ When using Multi-terrain Select
● Do not use the Multi-terrain Select system for normal (on-road) driving.
The Multi-terrain Select system is designed for off-road use only.
● Do not overly rely on Multi-terrain Select. This function does not exten\
d
the vehicle’s performance limitations. Always check the terrain thoroughly
and drive safely.
● The recommended modes for the listed terrains ( P. 246) are only a refer-
ence. The selected mode may not be suitable to actual off-road conditions
due to factors such as the type or unevenness of the terrain or the degree
of incline. Check the actual terrain thoroughly and drive safely.
● After selecting a mode, make sure that the Multi-terrain Select indicator
and the selected mode indicator come on. If any related indicator flashes,
the vehicle is not under Multi-terrain Select control.

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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
■Multi Terrain ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) (if equipped)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenly, or if
the brakes are applied while driving on a slippery road surface, or in off-
road conditions (such as rough roads, sand and mud)
The Multi Terrain ABS operates in syn chronization with the Multi-terrain
Select.
■ 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/TRC (Traction Control)
Helps to maintain drive power and prevent the drive wheels from spin-
ning when starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads
■Hill-start assist control (if equipped)
Helps to prevent the vehicle from rolling backward when starting on an
incline or slippery slope
■LSD (Limited Slip Differential) (if equipped)
Transfers drive power to the rear tires when front tires spin, and vice
versa, in order to improve traction

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When the VSC/TRAC systems are operating (2WD models)If the vehicle is in danger of slip-
ping or if any of the drive wheels
spins, the slip indicator flashes to
indicate that the VSC/TRAC sys-
tems are operating.
When the VSC/TRAC (TRC)/hill-start assist control systems are
operating (4WD models)If the vehicle is in danger of slip-
ping or rolling backward when
starting on an incline, or if any of
the drive wheels spins, the slip
indicator flashes to indicate that
the VSC/TRAC (TRC)/hill-start
assist control systems are oper-
ating.
The stop lights and high mounted
stoplight turn on and a buzzer
(intermittent) sounds when the
hill-start assist control system is
operating.
■KDSS (Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System) (if equipped)
Enhances ride comfort and handling response by using a hydraulic
control system to control the suspension stabilizer bars in response to
road surface and driving conditions dur ing cornering or off-road driving
CTH24AS047
CTH24AS047

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When driving
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Disabling the TRAC/VSC systems (2WD models)
If the vehicle gets stuck in fresh snow or mud, the TRAC/VSC sys-
tems 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.
■ Turning off the TRAC
system only (turning on the AUTO LSD
system [ P. 232])
To turn the TRAC system off,
quickly press and release the
button.
The VSC off and “AUTO LSD”
indicators will come on.
Press the button again to turn the
system back on.

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Turning off both TRAC and VSC systems
To turn the TRAC and VSC sys-
tems off, press and hold the but-
ton for more than 3 seconds
while the vehicle is stopped.
The “TRAC OFF” and VSC off
indicators will come on.
Press the button again to turn the
systems back on.

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When driving
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Disabling the TRAC (TRC)/VSC systems (4WD models)
If the vehicle gets stuck in fresh snow or mud, the TRAC (TRC)/VSC
systems 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.
■ Turning off the TRAC (TRC) system only
To turn the TRAC (TRC) system
off, quickly press and release the
button.
The “TRAC OFF (TRC OFF)”
indicator will come on.
Press the button again to turn the
system back on.
U.S.A.Canada

258 2-4. Using other driving systems
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Turning off both TRAC (TRC) and VSC systems
To turn the TRAC (TRC) and
VSC systems off, press and hold
the button for more than 3 sec-
onds while the vehicle is
stopped.
The “TRAC OFF (TRC OFF)” and
VSC off indicators will come on.
Press the button again to turn the
systems back on.
CTH24AS055
U.S.A.Canada

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■Hill-start assist control operation conditions
● The shift lever is in D or S.
● The brake pedal is not depressed.
● The rear differential is unlocked (if equipped).
■ If the brake system overheats
The hill-start assist control will cease operation and a buzzer will sound to
alert the driver. At this time, the “TRAC OFF (TRC OFF)” indicator will come
on. Stop the vehicle in a safe place. (There is no problem with continuing
with normal driving.)
The system will be automatically restored after a short time.
■ Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, Multi Terrain ABS (if
equipped), brake assist, VSC, TRAC (TRC) and hill-start assist control
(if equipped) systems
● 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 any of these systems.
● Any of the following conditions may occur when the above systems are
operating. None of these indicates that a malfunction has occurred.
• Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
• A motor sound may be heard after the vehicle comes to a stop.
• The brake pedal may pulsate slightly after the ABS or Multi Terrain
ABS is activated.
• The brake pedal may move down slightly after the ABS or Multi Terrain ABS is activated.
■ Reactivation of the TRAC (TRC)/VSC systems after turning off the
engine
Turning off the engine after turning off the TRAC (TRC)/VSC systems will
automatically reactivate them.
■ Reactivation of the VSC system linked to vehicle speed (2WD models)
When the TRAC system is turned off and the AUTO LSD system is turned
on, the VSC system will turn on when vehicle speed increases. However,
when the TRAC and VSC systems are turned off, the systems will not turn
on even when vehicle speed increases.

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■Reactivation of the TRAC (TRC)/VSC systems (4WD models)
If the TRAC (TRC)/VSC systems are turned off, the systems will not turn on
even when vehicle speed increases.
CAUTION
■The ABS and Multi Terrain ABS do not operate effectively when
● Tires with inadequate gripping ability are used (such as excessively worn
tires on a snow covered road).
● The vehicle hydroplanes while driving at high speed on wet or slick roads.
■ Stopping distance when the ABS or Multi Terrain ABS is operating will
exceed that of normal conditions
The ABS and Multi Terrain ABS are not designed to shorten the vehicle’s
stopping distance. Always maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front
of you in the following situations:
● When driving on dirt, gravel or snow-covered roads
● When driving with tire chains
● When driving over bumps in the road
● When driving over roads with potholes or roads with uneven surfaces
■ TRAC (TRC) may not op erate effectively when
Directional control and power may not be achievable while driving on slip-
pery road surfaces, even if the TRAC (TRC) system is operating.
Do not drive the vehicle in conditions where stability and power may be lost.
■ Hill-start assist control do es not operate effectively when
Do not overly rely on the hill-start assist control. The hill-start assist control
may not operate effectively on steep inclines and roads covered with ice.