TOYOTA SEQUOIA 2009 2.G Owners Manual

211
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
CAUTION
■The electronically modulated air susp ension must be turned off in the
following circumstances:
Otherwise, the automatic leveling function may cause the vehicle’s height to
change, resulting in an unexpected accident.
● When driving through water such as shallow streams (Put the vehicle
height in HI mode and turn off the electronically modulated air suspension.
Drive at 18 mph [30 km/h] or slower.)
● When jacking up the vehicle, installing tire chains or tying the vehicle with
chains/wires for transportation via flat bed truck (Turn the system to the
manual mode and stop the engine.)
● When the vehicle must be towed (Put the vehicle height in N mode and
turn the system to the manual mode.)
● When the vehicle gets stuck (Turn the system to the manual mode.)
● When disconnecting a trailer (Put the vehicle height in LO mode and turn
the system to the manual mode.)
■ Selecting the correct height mode
Observe the following precautions to prevent accidents.
Failure to do so may cause damage to parts of the vehicle, as well as dan-
gerous handling characteristics, which may lead to fatal or injury accidents.
●Before you lower the vehicle’s height, check under the vehicle to make
sure that no one is there.
● The HI mode should be used for off-road driving conditions.
As the vehicle’s center of gravity is higher in this setting, the vehicle may
become unstable when turning abruptly.
● Do not select HI mode when you load cargo on the roof luggage carrier.
This may result in a loss of control or vehicle rollover.

212 2-4. Using other driving systems
NOTICE
■Be careful in any place where overhead space is limited.
When changing to a higher mode or after unloading, the vehicle height will
rise. This may cause damage to the vehicle.
■ Do not select LO mode when driving on bumpy roads.
If the underbody of the vehicle touches a rugged road surface, the vehicle
may be damaged.
■ Do not change the vehicle height frequently.
The compressor might overheat and cause the operation to stop.
■ When on the extremely uneven roads with rocks
Sometimes the vehicle height is not adjusted because it is judged as uneven
road driving.

213
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
AVS (Adaptive Variable Suspension System) (if equipped)
■Driving mode
●Sport mode is suitable for winding mountain road driving, high speed
driving or towing a trailer.
● Normal mode is suitable for ordinary driving.
Adaptive variable suspension system controls the suspension
according to the road and driving conditions. Selecting an optimum
driving mode allows good vehicle posture and steering wheel opera-
tion.
Sport mode
For winding mountain road
driving or high speed driving.
Normal mode
For ordinary driving.
Comfort mode
For driving on a bumpy road.

214
2-4. Using other driving systems
Four-wheel drive system (if equipped)
Use the front wheel drive control switch to select the following trans-
fer modes.
*1: Vehicles with multi-information display
*2: Vehicles without multi-information display
2WD (high speed position, two-wheel drive)
Normal driving.
4H (high speed position, four-wheel drive)
Greater traction than two wheel drive.
When you experience a loss of power, such as wheel slipping.
The 4HI indicator comes on.
4L (low speed position, four-wheel drive)
Driving requiring maximum power and traction such as climbing or
descending steep hills, off-road driving and hard pulling in sand or mud,
etc.
The 4LO indicator comes on.
*2*1

215
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
Shifting between 4H and 4L
■ Shifting from 4H to 4L
Stop the vehicle completely.
Shift the shift lever to N.
Push and turn the front wheel dr ive control switch fully clock-
wise.
Maintain this condition until the 4LO indicator turns on.
■ Shifting from 4L to 4H
Stop the vehicle completely.
Shift the shift lever to N.
Turn the front wheel drive cont rol switch fully counterclock-
wise.
Maintain this condition until the 4LO indicator turns off.
Center differential lock switch
Use the center differential lock
system if your wheels get stuck
in a ditch, or when you are driv-
ing on a slippery or bumpy sur-
face.
Unlock the center differential after
the wheels have been freed, or
after moving to a flat, non-slippery
surface.

216 2-4. Using other driving systems
■Shifting between 2WD and 4H
●Reduce your speed to less than 62 mph (100 km/h) and set the front
wheel drive control switch between 2WD and 4H.
When the ambient temperature is 5.0° F (-15°C) or lower, shifting from
2WD to 4H can be performed with the vehicle speed below 43 mph (70
km/h).
● If the 4HI indicator does not go off when you shift from 4H to 2WD, drive
straight ahead while accelerating or decelerating, or drive in reverse.
■ Four-wheel drive usage frequency
You should drive in four-wheel drive for at least 10 miles (16 km) each
month.
This will assure that the front drive components are lubricated.
■ The center differential lock switch can be operated when
●The front wheel drive control switch is in the 4H or 4L position.
● The vehicle speed is less than 62 mph (100 km/h)
■ Center differential lock system
●When the front wheel drive control switch is in the 4L position and the
center differential is locked, the VSC is automatically turned off.
● When the front wheel drive control switch is turned to the 2WD position,
the center differential is automatically unlocked.
● If the operation is not completed, the center differential lock indicator
blinks. If the indicator does not go off when unlocking the center differen-
tial, drive straight ahead while accelerating or decelerating, or drive \
in
reverse.
■ If the 4LO indicator, 4HI indicator or the center differential lock indica-
tor blinks
● If the 4LO indicator continues to blink when shifting between 4H and 4L,
stop the vehicle completely, move the shift lever to N and operate the
switch again.
● If the shift lever is moved before the 4LO indicator turns on/off, the trans-
fer mode may not be shifted completely. The transfer mode disengages
both the front and rear driveshafts from the powertrain and allows the
vehicle to move regardless of the shift position. (At this time, the indicator
blinks and the buzzer sounds.)

217
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
Therefore, the vehicle is free to roll even if the automatic transmission is in
P. You or someone else could be seriously injured. You must complete the
shifting of the transfer mode.
To complete the shifting, stop the vehicle completely, return the shift lever
to N, and confirm that the shift was completed (The indicator turns on/off).
● If the engine coolant temperature is too low, transfer mode may not be
able to shift. When the engine is warmer, turn the switch again.
If the 4LO indicator, 4HI indicator or the center differential lock indicator con-
tinues to blink even after attempting the above, there may be a malfunction
in the engine, the brake system or the four-wheel drive system. In this case,
you may not be able to shift between 2WD and 4H, 4H and 4L, and the cen-
ter differential lock may not be operable. Have the vehicle inspected by your
Toyota dealer immediately.
■ Shifting to 4L
The VSC OFF indicator will come on.
However, the VSC remains activated.
CAUTION
■Shifting from 2WD to 4H while driving
Never operate the front wheel drive cont rol switch if the wheels are slipping.
Stop the slipping or spinning before shifting.
■ When the vehicle is parked
●If the shift lever is moved before the 4LO indicator turns on/off, the transfer
mode may not be shifted completely. The transfer mode disengages both
the front and rear driveshafts from the powertrain and allows the vehicle to
move regardless of the shift position. (At this time, the indicator blinks and
the buzzer sounds.)
Therefore, the vehicle is free to roll even if the automatic transmission is in
P. You or someone else could be seriously injured. You must complete the
shifting of the transfer mode. ( P. 214)

218 2-4. Using other driving systems
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
loose or bumpy surface.
● Do not push the center differential lock switch when the vehicle is corner-
ing or when its wheels are spinning freely off the ground.

219
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
AUTO LSD system
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 can be used on 2WD models and in 2WD mode on 4WD
models.
The system should be used only wh en one of the rear wheels spin-
ning occurs in a ditch or rough surface.
The system is activated when driving at a speed under 62 mph (100
km/h).
The AUTO LSD system will be
activated with the following
two procedures.
● Press the VSC OFF switch
briefly.
At this time, the slip and AUTO
LSD indicators will come on.
●Stop the vehicle com-
pletely, and press the VSC
OFF switch for more than 3
seconds.
At this time, the slip, VSC OFF
and AUTO LSD indicators will
come on simultaneously.
To turn off the system, push
the switch again.

220 2-4. Using other driving systems
When the AUTO LSD system is operatingIf 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.
Stop the vehicle in a safe place. (There is no problem with continuing normal
driving.)
The system will be automatically restored after a short time.
CAUTION
■To avoid an accident
●Do not use the AUTO LSD system in conditions other than the above.
A much greater steering effort and more careful cornering control will be
required.
● Do not drive with the AUTO LSD system continuously turned on.