TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2021 Owners Manual (in English)
Manufacturer: TOYOTA, Model Year: 2021, Model line: 4RUNNER, Model: TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2021Pages: 592, PDF Size: 13.3 MB
Page 301 of 592

3014-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)
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 diff erential lock
system)
The  active  traction  control  system  is  activated  only  when  vehic le  speed  is
less than 4 mph (6 km/h).
■ Sounds and vibrations  caused by the active traction control sys tem
● A  sound  may  be  heard  from  the  engine  compartment  when  the  engin e  is
started or just after the vehicle begins to move. This sound do es not indicate
that a malfunction has occurred in the system.
● Vibrations  may  be  felt  through  the  vehicle  body  and  steering.  T his  may
occur when the system is operating.
■ If the brake system overheats
The system will cease operation and a buzzer will sound to aler t 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 co ntrol system is operating
WARNING
■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 operating.
Do not drive the vehicle in conditions where stability and powe r may be lost. 
Page 302 of 592

3024-5. Using the driving support systems
4RUNNER (U)
The system can be used on 2WD models.
Press   to turn on the system.
At  this  time,  the  “AUTO  LSD”  and
VSC OFF indicators will come on.
To turn off the system, press 
again.
AUTO LSD system  (2WD models)
The  AUTO  LSD  system  aids  trac tion  by  using  the  traction  con-
trol  system  to  control  engine  performance  and  braking  when
one of the drive wheels begins to spin.
The  system  should  be  used  only   when  one  of  the  drive  wheels
spinning occurs in a ditch or rough surface.
System operation 
Page 303 of 592

3034-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)
If  the  drive  wheels  spin,  the  slip
indicator  flashes  to  indicate  that
the  AUTO  LSD  system  has  con-
trolled  the  spinning  of  the  drive
wheels.
■If the engine is turned off and restarted
The AUTO LSD system and the indicators are automatically turned off.
■ Reactivation of the VSC syst em linked to vehicle speed
When the AUTO LSD system is turned on, the VSC, TRAC and Traile r Sway
Control systems will turn on automatically if vehicle speed inc rease.
■ If the brake system overheats
The system will cease operation and a buzzer will 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  continuing nor-
mal driving.) The system will be automatically restored after a  short time.
When the AUTO LSD system is operating
WARNING
■To avoid an accident
Failure to do  so, a much greater  steering  effort and  more careful cornering
control will be required.
● Do  not  use  the AUTO  LSD  system  in  conditions  other  than  when  on e  of
the drive wheels spinning occurs in a ditch or rough surface.
● Do not drive with the AUTO LSD system continuously turned on.
NOTICE
■Activating while driving
Do not activate the AUTO LSD system if the wheel is slipping. 
Stop the slipping or spinning before activating. 
Page 304 of 592

3044-5. Using the driving support systems
4RUNNER (U)
The rear differential lock system is effective in case one of t he  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. 
Page 305 of 592

3054-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)
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 re ar 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 different ial, 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 indicato r 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 lo ck 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 diffe rential lock system
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Page 306 of 592

3064-5. Using the driving support systems
4RUNNER (U)
WARNING
■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. 
Page 307 of 592

3074-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)
Press the “DAC” switch.
The downhill assist control system
indicator  will  comes  on  and  the
system  will  operate.  When  the
system  is  in  operation,  the  slip
indicator  will  flash,  and  the  stop
lights/high mounted stop lights will
be  lit.  A  sound  may  also  occur
during  the  operation.  This  does
not indicated a malfunction.
Press the “DAC” switch while the  system is in operation. The downhill
assist  control  system  indicator  will  flash  as  the  system  gradua lly
ceases operation, and will turn  off when the system is  fully of f.  Press
the  “DAC”  switch  while  the  downh ill  assist  control  system  indicator  is
flashing to start t he system again.
Downhill assist control system
: If equipped
The  downhill  assist  control  system  helps  to  prevent  excessive
speed  on  steep  downhill  slopes.  The  system  will  operate  when
the vehicle is traveling under 15 mph (25 km/h) with the accele r-
ator  and  brake  pedals  released  and  the  transfer  mode  is  in  L4
(part-time 4WD models) or L 4L (full-time 4WD models).
System operation
Turning off the system 
Page 308 of 592

3084-5. Using the driving support systems
4RUNNER (U)
■Operating tips
The system will operate when the shift lever is in a position other than P, how-
ever to make effective use of the system it is recommended to select a lower
shift range.
■ The system will not operate when
●Part-time 4WD models: The transfer mode is in H2 or H4.
● Full-time 4WD models: The transfer mode is in H4L or H4F.
■ If the downhill assist control system indicator flashes
●In the following situations, the indicator flashes and the syst em will not oper-
ate:
• The  transfer  mode  is  not  in  L4  (part-time  4WD  models)  or  L4L  ( full-time
4WD models).
• The shift lever is in P.
• The accelerator or brake pedal is depressed.
• The vehicle speed exceeds approximately 15 mph (25 km/h).
• The brake system overheats.
● In  the  following  situations,  the  indicator  flashes  to  alert  the  driver, but the
system will operate:
• The shift lever is in N.
• 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.
■ When the downhill assist contro l system is operated continuously
This  may  cause  the  brake  actuator  to  overheat.  In  this  case,  th e  downhill
assist control system will stop operating, a buzzer will sound and the downhill
assist control system indicator will start flashing, and the “T RAC OFF” indica-
tor  light  will  come  on. Refrain  from using  the  system  until  the   downhill  assist
control  system  indicator  stays  on  and  “TRAC  OFF”  indicator  light  turns  off.
(The vehicle can be driven normally during this time.) 
Page 309 of 592

3094-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)■
Sounds and vibrations caused b y the downhill assist control system
● A  sound  may  be  heard  from  the  engine  compartment  when  the  engin e  is
started or just after the vehicle begins to move. This sound do es not indicate
that a malfunction has occurred in downhill assist control syst em.
● Either of the following conditions may occur when the downhill  assist control
system  is  operating.  None  of  these  are  indicators  that  a  malfun ction  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.
■ System malfunction
In the following cases, have your vehicle checked by your Toyot a dealer.
● The  downhill  assist  control  system  indicator  does  not  come  on  w hen  the
engine  switch  is  turned  to  the  “ON”  position  (vehicles  without  a  smart  key
system) or the engine switch is turned to IGNITION ON mode (veh icles with
a smart key system).
● The  downhill  assist  control  system  indicator  does  not  come  on  w hen  the
“DAC” switch is pressed.
● The slip indicator comes on. 
WARNING
■When using downhill assist control system
Do  not  rely  overmuch  on  the  downhill  assist  control  system.  Thi s  function
does  not  extend  the  vehicle’s  performance  limitations.  Always  t horoughly
check the road conditions, and drive safely.
■ The system may not operate on the following surfaces, which may  lead
to an accident causing death or serious injury
● Slippery surfaces such as wet or muddy roads
● Icy surface
● Unpaved roads 
Page 310 of 592

3104-5. Using the driving support systems
4RUNNER (U)■
Crawl Control switch
“ON/OFF” switch
The  Crawl  Control  indicator  comes  on  and  the  slip  indicator  flashes
when operating.
Speed selector dial
Turn  the  dial  clockwise  to  increase  the  speed  and  counterclockw ise  to
decrease the speed.
Crawl Control indicator
Slip indicator
Multi-information display
The  operating  status  and  speed  select  status  of  the  Crawl  Contr ol  are
shown on the multi-information display.
Crawl Control
: If equipped
Allows travel on extremely rough  off-road surfaces at a fixed low
speed  without  pressing  the  accel erator  or  brake  pedal.  Mini-
mizes  loss  of  traction  or  vehic le  slip  when  driving  on  slippery
road surfaces, allowing for stable driving.
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