4WD TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2023 User Guide

3194-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)
Depending on switch operation,
one of the following messages
may appear on the multi-informa-
tion display to provide guidance
on transfer mode selection etc:
Messages displayed on the multi-information display
MessageDetailsProcedure
“Select 4WD”
(When selecting MUD
& SAND mode) Indicates that the trans-
fer mode needs to be
changed to H4 or L4.Shift the front-wheel
drive control lever to H4
or L4.
“Select L4”
(When selecting
LOOSE ROCK,
MOGUL or ROCK
mode)
Indicates that the trans-
fer mode needs to be
changed to L4.Shift the front-wheel
drive control lever to
L4.
“Stop the Vehicle. Shift
to N”
(When selecting any
mode)Indicates that the trans-
fer mode cannot be
changed to H4 or L4.Stop the vehicle com-
pletely and/or shift the
shift lever to N.
“Accelerate or Deceler-
ate”
(When shifting the
front-wheel control
lever to H4 or H2)
Indicates that the trans-
fer mode may not suc-
cessfully change.Drive straight ahead
while accelerating or
decelerating, or drive in
reverse.
“Drive the Vehicle a
Short Distance”
(When pressing the
rear differential lock
switch)
Indicates that the rear
differential is not
locked.Drive the vehicle for-
ward or backward a
short distance.

3204-5. Using the driving support systems
4RUNNER (U)
“Operation not avail-
able while multi-terrain
select active”
(When pressing the
VSC off switch or “A-
TRAC” switch)Indicates that VSC and
active traction control
cannot be disabled
while Multi-terrain
Select is operating.
-
“Return the Four-Wheel
Drive Control Switch”
(When shifting the
front-wheel control
lever)
Indicates that the trans-
fer mode cannot be
changed to H4 or L4.Return the front-wheel
control lever to H4 or
L4.
“Cannot be Selected”
(When pressing the
“ON/OFF” switch)
Indicates that Multi-ter-
rain Select cannot be
operated because vehi-
cle speed exceeds
approximately 7 mph
(12 km/h).
Reduce vehicle speed.
“Operation Not Possi-
ble When Crawl Con-
trol Activated”
(When pressing the
“ON/OFF” switch)Indicates that Multi-ter-
rain Select cannot be
operated because
Crawl Control is operat-
ing.
Turn Crawl Control off.
“Multi-terrain select has
been cancelled”
(When pressing the
“ON/OFF” switch)Indicates, along with a
beep, that Multi-terrain
Select has been dis-
abled.
-
“Multi-terrain select not
available”
(When pressing the
“ON/OFF” switch)
Indicates that Multi-ter-
rain Select cannot be
operated because the
VSC and/or 4WD sys-
tem may be malfunc-
tioning.
Contact your Toyota
dealer.
MessageDetailsProcedure

3234-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)
◆Hill-start assist control
Helps to reduce the backward movement of the vehicle when start-
ing on an uphill
◆LSD (Limited Slip Diff erential) (if equipped)
Transfers drive power to the rear tires when front tires spin, and
vice versa, in order to improve traction
◆KDSS (Kinetic Dynamic Susp ension System) (if equipped)
Enhances ride comfort and handli ng response by using a hydraulic
control system to control the su spension stabilizer bars in response
to road surface and driving conditions during cornering or off- road
driving
The slip indicator light will flash
while the TRAC/VSC/Trailer Sway
Control system s are operating.
The slip indicator light will flash
while the TRAC/VSC/Trailer Sway
Control/hill-start assist control
systems are operating.
A buzzer (intermittent) sounds
when the hill-start assist control
system is operating.
When the TRAC/VSC/Trailer Sway Control systems are operating
(2WD models)
When the TRAC/VSC/Trailer Sway C ontrol/hill-start assist control
systems are operating (4WD models)

3254-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)■
Turning off TRAC, VSC and Tr
ailer Sway Control systems
To turn the TRAC, VSC and
Trailer Sway Control systems
off, press and hold for
more than 3 seconds while the
vehicle is stopped.
The “TRAC OFF” indicator light
and the VSC OFF indicator light
will come on.
Press again to turn the
systems back on.
If the vehicle gets stuck in mud, dirt or snow, the TRAC system may
reduce power from the engine to the wheels. Pressing to turn
the system off may make it easier for you to rock the vehicle i n order
to free it.
Disabling the TRAC system (4WD models)

3274-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)
■When the “TRAC OFF” indicator light comes on even if has not
been pressed
TRAC, hill-start assist control, downhill assist control and cr awl control are
temporary deactivated. If the indicator light continues to rema in on, contact
your Toyota dealer.
■ When the VSC or TRAC system is turned off by pressing the VSC o ff
switch
On vehicles with pre-collision system, pre-collision brake assi st and pre-colli-
sion braking will also be disabled. The PCS warning light will come on and
the message will be shown on the multi-information display. ( P. 248)
■ Operating conditions of hill-start assist control
When the following conditions are met, the hill-start assist co ntrol will operate:
2WD models
● The shift lever is in a position other than P or N (when starting off forward/
backward on an upward incline)
● The vehicle is stopped
● The accelerator pedal is not depressed
● The parking brake is not engaged
4WD models
● The system has detected that the vehicle is moving backward
● The shift lever is in a position other than P or N (when starting off forward/
backward on an upward incline)
● The brake pedal is not depressed.
● The rear differential is not locked.(if equipped)
■ Automatic system cancelation of hill-start assist control (2WD models)
The hill-start assist control will turn off in any of the following situations:
● The shift lever is shifted to P or N
● The accelerator pedal is depressed
● The parking brake is engaged
● 2 seconds at maximum elapsed after the brake pedal is released
■ When the brake system o perates continuously
The brake actuator may overheat. In this case, the TRAC and hil l-start assist
control systems will stop operating, a buzzer will sound and th e “TRAC OFF”
indicator will come on. Refrain from using the system until the “TRAC OFF”
indicator turns off. (There is no problem with continuing norma l driving.)

3284-5. Using the driving support systems
4RUNNER (U)■
Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, Multi Terrain ABS (if
equipped), brake assist, VSC, Trailer Sway Control, TRAC and hi ll-start
assist control systems
● A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the brake pedal
is depressed repeatedly, when the engine is started or just aft er the vehicle
begins to move. This sound does not indicate that a malfunction has
occurred in any of these systems.
● Any of the following conditions may occur when the above system s are
operating. None of these indicates that a malfunction has occur red.
• Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
• A motor sound may be heard also after the vehicle comes to a s top.
• The brake pedal may pulsate slightly after the ABS or Multi Te rrain ABS is
activated.
• The brake pedal may move down slightly after the ABS or Multi Te r r a i n
ABS is activated.
■ Automatic reactivation of TRAC, Trailer Sway Control and VSC sy stems
After turning the TRAC, Trailer Sway Control and VSC systems of f, the sys-
tems will be automatically re-enabled in the following situatio ns:
● When the engine switch is turned off
● 2WD models: If the AUTO LSD system is turned on, the VSC, TRAC and
Trailer Sway Control systems will turn on when vehicle speed in creases
● 4WD models: If only the TRAC system is turned off, the TRAC wil l turn on
when vehicle speed increases
If both the TRAC and VSC systems are turned off, automatic re-enabling will
not occur when vehicle speed increases.

3294-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)
WARNING
■The ABS and Multi Terrain ABS do not operate effectively when
● The limits of tire gripping performance have been exceeded (such as
excessively worn tires on a snow covered road).
● The vehicle hydroplanes while driving at high speed on wet or s lick roads.
■ Stopping distance when the ABS o r Multi Terrain ABS is operating may
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, especially 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 uneven surfaces
■ TRAC/VSC may not operate effectively when
Directional control and power may not be achievable while driving on slip-
pery road surfaces, even if the TRAC/VSC system is operating.
Drive the vehicle carefully in conditions where stability and p ower may be
lost.
■ Hill-start assist control does not operate effectively when
2WD models
● Do not overly rely on the hill-start assist control. Hill-start assist control
may not operate effectively on steep inclines and roads covered with ice.
● Unlike the parking brake, hill-start assist control is not inte nded to hold the
vehicle stationary for an extended period of time. Do not attempt to use
hill-start assist control to hold the vehicle on an incline, as doing so may
lead to an accident.
4WD models
Do not overly rely on the hill-start assist control. The hill-s tart assist control
may not operate effectively on a steep uphill and roads covered with ice.

469
7
When trouble arises
4RUNNER (U)
7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle needs to be towed
If towing is necessary, we recommend having your vehicle
towed by your Toyota dealer or commercial towing service,
using a wheel-lift type t ruck or flatbed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by all stat e/
provincial and local laws.
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■ When towing the vehicle
■ While towing
When towing using cables or chains, avoid sudden starts, etc. w hich place
excessive stress on the towing eyelets, cables or chains. The towing eye-
lets, cables or chains may become damaged, broken debris may hit people,
and cause serious damage.
2WD models: Be sure to transport the
vehicle with all four wheels raised off the
ground. If the vehicle is towed with the
tires contacting the ground, the drivetrain
and related parts may be damaged or an
accident may occur due to a change in
direction of the vehicle.
4WD models: Be sure to transport the
vehicle with all four wheels raised off the
ground. If the vehicle is towed with the
tires contacting the ground, the drivetrain
or related parts may be damaged, the
vehicle may fly off the truck.

4707-2. Steps to take in an emergency
4RUNNER (U)
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the vehicle when towing using a wheel-lift type
truck
● Do not tow the vehicle from the rear when the engine switch is off.
● When raising the vehicle, ensure adequate ground clearance for towing at
the opposite end of the raised vehicle. Without adequate clearance, the
vehicle could be damaged while being towed.
■ To prevent damage to the vehicle when towing with a sling-type truck
Do not tow with a sling-type truck, either from the front or re a r.
■ To prevent damage to the vehicle during emergency towing
Do not secure cables or chains to the suspension components.
■ Recreational towing (behind motor home, etc.) (4WD models)
Never dinghy tow your vehicle to prevent
causing serious damage to the transmis-
sion. ( P. 198)

4747-2. Steps to take in an emergency
4RUNNER (U)
Part-time 4WD models:
Ty p e A
Shift the front-wheel drive control lever to H2.
Ty p e B
Push the “UNLOCK” button and turn the front-wheel drive control
switch to H2.
Full-time 4WD models: Push the “UNLOCK” button and turn the
four-wheel drive control switch to H4F. (The center differentia l is
unlocked.)
Shift the shift lever to N and release the parking brake.
When the shift lever cannot be shifted: P. 2 0 8
■While towing
If the engine is not running, the power assist for the brakes a nd steering will
not function, making steering and braking more difficult.
4
5