Page 169 of 279
952000 4Runner (OM35762U)
OPERATION OF INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLS
Ignition switch, Transmission and Parking brake
Ignition switch with steering lock96 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic transmission97 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Manual transmission107 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Four- wheel drive system109 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear differential look system11 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking brake11 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cruise control11 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Clutch start cancel switch11 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 1- 6
ProCarManuals.com
Page 184 of 279

11 02000 4Runner (OM35762U)
Use the front drive control lever and
4WDº button to select the transfer and
center differential modes.
H2º mode (high speed position, two-
wheel drive): Lever at H2´H4º, 4WDº
button left out
Use this for normal driving on dry hard-
surfaced roads. This position gives greater
economy, quietest ride and least wear and
better vehicle control.
H4º mode (high speed position, four-
wheel drive, center differential un-
locked): Lever at H2´H4º, 4WDº button
pushed in
Use this for normal driving on all types of
roads, from dry hard- surfaced roads to
wet, icy or snow- covered roads. This
position provides greater traction than
two- wheel drive.H4Lº mode (high speed position, four-
wheel drive, center differential locked):
Lever at H4Lº
Use this for greater traction when you
experience a loss of power, such as
wheel slipping, in the H2´H4º (four- wheel
drive) mode.
Nº mode (neutral position): Lever at
Nº
No power is delivered to the wheels. The
vehicle must be stopped.
L4Lº mode (low speed position, four-
wheel drive, center differential locked):
Lever at L4Lº
Use this for maximum power and traction.
Use L4Lº mode for hard pulling in situa-
tions the vehicle cannot negotiate even in
the H4Lº mode.
The indicator shows which transfer and
center differential mode the vehicle is in.
See (c) Shifting procedureº for further in-
structions.
Steel wheels
Aluminum wheels
(b) A.D.D. (automatic
disconnecting differential)
ProCarManuals.com
Page 187 of 279

11 32000 4Runner (OM35762U)
NOTICE
Do not drive on a dry paved surface
in H4Lº mode. This may damage the
locking mechanism and the drive sys-
tem.
To shift from H4Lº to H2´H4º move
the front drive control lever.
This can be done at any vehicle speed.
If the indicator light flashes when you shift
the transfer into H2´H4º, drive straight
ahead while accelerating or decelerating,
or drive in reverse.
SHIFTING BETWEEN H4Lº AND L4Lº
To shift from H4Lº to L4Lº, stop the
vehicle and put the transmission in Nº.
With your foot holding down the brake
pedal, move the front drive control lever.
NOTICE
Do not drive on a dry paved surface
in H4Lº or L4Lº mode. This may
damage the locking mechanism and
the drive system.
To shift from L4Lº to H4Lº, stop the
vehicle and put the transmission in Nº.
With your foot holding down the brake
pedal, move the front drive control lever.
NOTICE
Do not drive on a dry paved surface
in H4Lº or L4Lº mode. This may
damage the locking mechanism and
the drive system.
Rear differential lock system
The rear differential lock system is pro-
vided for use only when wheel spinning
occurs in a ditch or on a slippery or
ragged surface.
This differential lock system is effective in
case one of the rear wheels is spinning.
Before using the rear differential lock sys-
tem, first shift the front drive control into
L4º (lever type) or L4Lº (lever/button
type) to see if it works. If this has no
effect, additionally use the rear differential
lock system.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 188 of 279

11 42000 4Runner (OM35762U)
CAUTION
Do not use the rear differential lock
in the conditions other than above.
Large steering effort and careful cor-
nering control will be required.
To lock the rear differential, push the
switch.
Be sure to stop the wheels before locking
the differential.
Vehicles with manual transmissionÐFor
easy locking, depress the clutch pedal,
push the lock switch and slowly release
the clutch pedal.
The indicator light will blink when the
switch is turned on. Wait a few seconds
for the system to complete operation. Af-
ter the differential is locked, the light will
stop blinking and remain on.The anti- lock brake system does not oper-
ate when the rear differential is locked. It
is normal operation for the ABSº warning
light to be on at this time.
CAUTION
Do not lock the differential until the
wheels have stopped spinning.
Otherwise, the vehicle may move in
an unexpected direction when the
differential lock is engaged, result-
ing in an accident. This may also
lead to possible damage to differen-
tial lock component parts.
Do not drive over 8 km/h (5 mph)
when the differential is locked.
To unlock the differential, push the
switch once again.
Unlock the differential as soon as the ve-
hicle moves out.
For easy unlocking, slightly turn the steer-
ing wheel in either direction while the ve-
hicle is in motion.
When the differential lock is disengaged,
the indicator light will go out.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 189 of 279
11 52000 4Runner (OM35762U)
The differential will also unlock if you shift
the front drive control lever out of L4º
(lever type) or L4Lº (lever/button type).
Never forget to turn off the switch after
using this feature.
To check the indicator bulb, turn the igni-
tion key to the ONº position, but do not
start the engine.
CAUTION
Do not keep driving with the differen-
tial lock switch on.
Parking brake
When parking, firmly apply the parking
brake to avoid inadvertent creeping.
To set: Pull up the lever. For better hold-
ing power, first depress the brake pedal
and hold it while setting the parking
brake.
To release: Pull up the lever slightly,
press the thumb button, and lower.
To remind you that the parking brake is
set, the parking brake reminder light in
the instrument panel remains on until you
release the parking brake.
CAUTION
Before driving, be sure the parking
brake is fully released and the park-
ing brake reminder light is off.
ProCarManuals.com