traction control TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2012 N280 / 5.G Owners Manual

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2-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Headlight switch .................. 203
Fog light switch ................... 209
Windshield wipers and washer .............................. 211
Rear window wiper and washer .............................. 214
2-4. Using other driving systems
Cruise control ...................... 217
Intuitive parking assist......... 221
Rear view monitor system .............................. 226
Four-wheel drive system (part-time 4WD models).... 236
Four-wheel drive system (full-time 4WD models) ..... 239
Active traction control system .............................. 243
AUTO LSD system.............. 245
Rear differential lock system .............................. 248
Downhill assist control system .............................. 251
Crawl Control ...................... 254
Multi-terrain Select .............. 258
Driving assist systems ........ 266 2-5. Driving information
Off-road precautions........... 275
Cargo and luggage ............. 280
Vehicle load limits............... 286
Winter driving tips ............... 288
Trailer towing ...................... 293
Dinghy towing ..................... 311
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
Manual air conditioning system.......... 314
Automatic air conditioning system.......... 320
Rear window and outside rear view mirror
defoggers ......................... 328
Windshield wiper de-icer .... 330
3-2. Using the audio system Audio system types ............ 331
Using the radio ................... 338
Using the CD player ........... 345
Playing MP3 and WMA discs ................................. 354
Operating an iPod .............. 362
Operating a USB memory ............................ 369
Optimal use of the audio system .............................. 376
Using the AUX port............. 381
Using the steering wheel audio switches.................. 382
Detachable pole antenna ... 385
3Interior features

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CTHPIAS006
Inside rear view mirror P. 94
SRS curtain shield airbags P. 121
Interior light P. 439
A
Personal lights Interior light P. 439
P. 439
Sun visors
P. 453
Garage door opener switches
“SOS” button

Moon roof switches
Active traction control switch

VSC off switch
Rear differential lock switch

“DAC” switch

P. 486
P. 493
P. 105
P. 243
P. 245
P. 248
P. 251
Auxiliary box
Crawl Control switch

Multi-terrain Select switch

P. 447
P. 254
P. 258
Vanity mirrors P. 454
Rear view monitor system P. 226
: If equipped
*1: For vehicles with a navigation system, refer to the “Navigation System Owner’s Manual”.
*2: For vehicles with a Display Audio system, re fer to “Display Audio System Owner’s Manual”.
Microphone ,*1,*2

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●Safety Connect
If your Toyota has Safety Connect and if you have subscribed to those ser-
vices, please refer to the Safety Connect Telematics Subscription Service
Agreement for information on data collected and its usage.
CAUTION
■ General precautions while driving
Driving under the influence: Never drive your vehicle when under the influ-
ence of alcohol or drugs that have impaired your ability to operate your vehi-
cle. Alcohol and certain drugs delay reaction time, impair judgment and
reduce coordination, which could lead to an accident that could result in
death or serious injury.
Defensive driving: Always drive defensively. Anticipate mistakes that other
drivers or pedestrians might make and be ready to avoid accidents.
Driver distraction: Always give your full attention to driving. Anything that dis-
tracts the driver, such as adjusting controls, talking on a cellular phone or
reading can result in a collision with resulting death or serious injury to you,
your occupants or others.
■ General precaution regarding children’s safety
Never leave children unattended in the vehicle, and never allow children to
have or use the key.
Children may be able to start the vehicle or shift the vehicle into neutral.
There is also a danger that children may injure themselves by playing with
the windows, the moon roof, or other features of the vehicle. In addition, heat
build-up or extremely cold temperatures inside the vehicle can be fatal to
children.

When driving2
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2-1. Driving proceduresDriving the vehicle............ 160
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles without a
smart key system).......... 170
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles with a
smart key system).......... 173
Automatic transmission .... 179
Turn signal lever .............. 183
Parking brake ................... 184
Horn ................................. 185
2-2. Instrument cluster Gauges and meters ......... 186
Indicators and warning lights .............................. 193
Accessory meter .............. 199
2-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Headlight switch ............... 203
Fog light switch ................ 209
Windshield wipers and washer ........................... 211
Rear window wiper and washer ........................... 214 2-4. Using other driving
systems
Cruise control ................... 217
Intuitive parking assist...... 221
Rear view monitor system ........................... 226
Four-wheel drive system (part-time 4WD
models) .......................... 236
Four-wheel drive system (full-time 4WD
models) .......................... 239
Active traction control system ........................... 243
AUTO LSD system........... 245
Rear differential lock system ........................... 248
Downhill assist control system ........................... 251
Crawl Control ................... 254
Multi-terrain Select ........... 258
Driving assist systems ..... 266
2-5. Driving information Off-road precautions ........ 275
Cargo and luggage .......... 280
Vehicle load limits ............ 286
Winter driving tips ............ 288
Trailer towing ................... 293
Dinghy towing .................. 311

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2-4. Using other driving systems
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Four-wheel drive system (par t-time 4WD models)
Use the front-wheel drive control lever to select the following trans-
fer modes:
The four-wheel drive indicator comes on when H4, N or L4 mode is
selected.
H2 (high speed position, two-wheel drive)
Use this for normal driving on dry hard-surfaced roads. This position
gives greater economy, quietest ride and least wear.
H4 (high speed position, four-wheel drive)
Use this for driving only on tracks that permit the tires slide, like off-
road, icy or snow-covered roads. This position provides greater traction
than two-wheel drive.
N (neutral position)
No power is delivered to the wheels. The vehicle must be stopped.
L4 (low speed position, four-wheel drive)
Use this for maximum power and traction. Use “L4” for climbing or
descending steep hills, off-road driving, and hard pulling in sand, mud
or deep snow.
Four-wheel drive indicator
Low speed four-wheel drive indicator
CTH24AS015

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2-4. Using other driving systems
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When driving
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Four-wheel drive system (full-time 4WD models)
Use the four-wheel drive control switch to select the following trans-
fer modes:
H4F (high speed position)
Use this for normal driving on dry hard-surfaced roads. This position
gives greater economy, quietest ride and least wear.
H4L (high speed position, c enter differential locked)
Use this for driving only on tracks that permit the tires slide, like off-
road, icy or snow-covered roads.
L4L (low speed position, center differential locked)
Use this for maximum power and traction. Use “L4L” for climbing or
descending steep hills, off-road driving, and hard pulling in sand, mud
or deep snow.
Center differential lock indicator
Low speed four-wheel drive indicator
CTH24AS016

242 2-4. Using other driving systems
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■If the low speed four-wheel drive indicator continues to flash and a
buzzer sounds
The shift lever is not in N and/or the vehicle is moving. Stop the vehicle com-
pletely, shift the shift lever to N and make sure that the indicator stops flash-
ing.
■ If the low speed four-wheel drive indicator or the center differential
lock indicator flashes rapidly
There may be a malfunction in the four-wheel drive system. Have the vehicle
inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.
CAUTION
■ Operating the four-wheel drive control switch
Never operate the four-wheel drive control switch if the wheels have lost
traction. Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
Stop the wheels from slipping or spinning before operating the switch.
NOTICE
■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
slippery or bumpy surface.
● Do not lock or unlock the center differential when the vehicle is turning or
when its wheels are spinning freely off the ground.

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2-4. Using other driving systems
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When driving
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Active traction control system
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
Part-time 4WD models:
Stop the vehicle, shift the shift lever to N and shift the front-
wheel drive control lever into L4.
Full-time 4WD models:
Stop the vehicle, shift the shift lever to N and then push and
turn the four-wheel drive control switch to L4L.
Press the “A-TRAC” switch to
activate the system.
At this time, the “A-TRAC” indi-
cator will come on.
To cancel the system, push the
switch again.
STEP 1
STEP 2

: If equipped

244 2-4. Using other driving systems
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When the active traction control system is operatingIf all wheels spin, the slip indica-
tor flashes to indicate that the
active traction control system
has been engaged.
CTH24AS047
■When the rear differential is locked (vehicles with a rear differential
lock system)
The active traction control system is activated only when 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. This 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.
At this time, the “A-TRAC” indicator will go off and the “TRAC OFF” indicator
will come on. Stop the vehicle in a safe place. (There is no problem with con-
tinuing normal driving.)
The system will be automatically restored after a short time.
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.

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2-4. Using other driving systems
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When driving
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AUTO LSD system (2WD models)
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.
The system should be used only wh en wheel spinning occurs in a
ditch or rough surface.
■ System operation
Press the VSC off switch to
turn on the system.
At this time, the “AUTO LSD”
and VSC off indicators will
come on.
To turn off the system, press
the switch again.