TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2014 N280 / 5.G Owners Manual

2394-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)_(OM35A83U)■
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 indi cator 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.

2404-5. Using the driving support systems
4RUNNER (U)_(OM35A83U)■
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.
Active traction control system
: If equipped
The active traction control system automatically helps prevent
the spinning of 4 wheels when the vehicle is started or acceler-
ated on slippery road surfaces.
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2

2414-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)_(OM35A83U)
If all wheels spin, the slip indicator
flashes to indicate that the active
traction control system has been
engaged.
■ 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 indicate
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 continu-
ing normal driving.)
The system will be automatically restored after a short time.
When the active traction control system is operating
CAUTION
■The active traction control system may 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 operat\
ing.
Do not drive the vehicle in conditions where stability and power may be lost.

2424-5. Using the driving support systems
4RUNNER (U)_(OM35A83U)■
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.
AUTO LSD system
(2WD models)
The AUTO LSD system aids tract ion by using the traction con-
trol system to control engine performance and braking when
one of the rear wheels begins to spin.
The system should be used only when wheel spinning occurs in
a ditch or rough surface.

2434-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)_(OM35A83U)
If the rear wheels spin, the slip
indicator flashes to indicate that
the AUTO LSD system has con-
trolled the spinning of the rear
wheels.
■If the engine is turned off and restarted
The AUTO LSD system and the indicators are automatically turned off.
■ If the brake system overheats
The system will cease operation and a buzzer will sound to alert the driver. At
this time, the “AUTO LSD” indicator will flash 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.
When the AUTO LSD system is operating
CAUTION
■To avoid an accident
● Do not use the AUTO LSD system in conditions other when wheel spin-
ning occurs in a ditch or rough surfaces.
A much greater steering effort and more careful cornering control will be
required.
● Do not drive with the AUTO LSD system continuously turned on.
NOTICE
■Activating while driving
Never activate the AUTO LSD system if the wheel is slipping.
Stop the slipping or spinning before activating.

2444-5. Using the driving support systems
4RUNNER (U)_(OM35A83U)
The rear differential lock system is effective in case one of the rear
wheels is spinning.
Press the switch to lock the rear
differential.
At this time, the rear differential
lock indicator will flash. Wait a few
seconds for the system to com-
plete operation. After the rear dif-
ferential is locked, the indicator will
stop flashing and remain on.
To unlock the rear differential,
press the switch again.
Rear differential lock system
: If equipped
The rear differential lock system is provided for use only when
wheel spinning occurs in a ditch or on a slippery or rugged sur-
face.

2454-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)_(OM35A83U)
Before using the rear differential lock system:
Stop the vehicle, shift the shift lever to N and shift the front-wheel
drive control lever into L4 to see if this is sufficient. If this has no
effect, additionally use the rear differential lock system.
Be sure the wheels have stopped spinning.
Press the rear differential lock switch.
Gently depress the accelerator pedal.
After the rear differential is locked, the indicator will come on.
Unlock the rear differential as soon as the vehicle moves.
To unlock the rear differential, press the switch again.
■ Locking the rear differential
The following systems do not operate when the rear differential is locked. It is
normal operation for the ABS warning light and VSC OFF indicator to be on at
this time.
•ABS
• Multi Terrain ABS
• Brake assist system
•VSC
• Hill-start assist control
■ The rear differential lock is disengaged when
The front-wheel drive control lever or switch is shifted to H2 or H4.
Never forget to turn off the switch after using this feature.
■ After unlocking the rear differential
Check that the indicator goes off.
■ If the rear differential lock indicator flashes rapidly
There may be a malfunction in the rear differential lock system. Have the
vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.
Using the rear differential lock system
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2464-5. Using the driving support systems
4RUNNER (U)_(OM35A83U)
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 rugged 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 rear differential lock switch on.

2474-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)_(OM35A83U)■
Activating the system
The system will activate when
●
The vehicle is traveling under 15 mph (25 km/h) with the acceler-
ator and brake pedals released.
● Part-time 4WD models: The front-wheel drive control lever or
switch is in L4.
Full-time 4WD models: The four-wheel drive control switch is in
L4L.
● The rear differential is unlocked (if equipped).
Press the “DAC” switch.
The downhill assist control sys-
tem indicator will come on to
indicate that the downhill assist
control system is activated.
Pressing the switch again turns
the system off.
Downhill assist control system
: If equipped
With the downhill assist control system, the vehicle is able to
descend a steep hill while maintaining a constant low speed of
about 3 mph (5 km/h) without brake pedal operation.

2484-5. Using the driving support systems
4RUNNER (U)_(OM35A83U)
The slip indicator will flash to indi-
cate that the downhill assist con-
trol system is operating, and the
stop lights and high mounted
stoplight will turn on.
■Operating tips
The system will operate when the shift lever is in any position other than P.
However, to make effective use of the system it is recommended that the shift
lever be shifted to the “2” or “1” range of S.
■ If the downhill assist control system indicator flashes
●In the following situations, the indicator flashes and the system will not oper-
ate:
• The transfer mode is not in L4 (part-time 4WD models) or L4L (full-time
4WD models).
• The rear differential is locked.
• The brake system overheats. The system will cease operation and a buzzer will sound to alert the
driver. At this time, the “TRAC OFF” indicator will come on. Stop the vehi-
cle in a safe place. Refrain from using the system until the indicator stops
flashing and stays on. (There is no problem with continuing normal driv-
ing.)
● In the following situations, the indicator flashes to alert the driver, but the
system will still operate:
• The shift lever is in N. (Engine braking will not occur.)
• The “DAC” switch is turned off while the system is operating.
The system will gradually ceases operation. The indicator will flash during
operation, and then go off when the system is fully off.
While the downhill assist control system is operating