2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER four wheel drive

’01 4Runner_U (L/O 0008)
1092001 4RUNNER (OM35768U)
(b) Overdrive switch
You can select either third gear (with
overdrive off) or fourth gear (with over-
drive on) by pushing this switch.
To turn the overdrive off, push the switch.
The “O/D OFF” indicator light should come
on. To turn the overdrive on again, push
the switch again. The “O/D OFF” indicator
light should go off.
Always drive your vehicle with the over-
drive on for better fuel economy and
quieter driving.
If the engine is turned off when the over-
drive is off and restarted, the overdrive
will be on automatically.Vehicles with cruise control—When the
cruise control is being used, even if you
downshift the transmission by pushing and
releasing the overdrive switch, engine
braking will not be enabled because the
cruise control is not cancelled.
For ways to decrease the vehicle speed,
see “Cruise control” in this section.
(c) Normal driving
1. Start the engine as instructed in “How
to start the engine” in Section 3. The
transmission must be in “P” or “N”.
When the front drive control lever is in
“L4” (lowspeed position, fourwheel
drive), the driving pattern selector setting
has no effect on gear shift timing. (See
“Fourwheel drive system” in this section
for information of the front drive control
lever.)
2. With your foot holding down the brake
pedal, shift the selector lever to “D”.
When the lever is in the “D” position, the
automatic transmission system will select
the most suitable gear for running condi-
tions such as normal cruising, hill climb-
ing, hard towing, etc.Always turn the overdrive on for better
fuel economy and quieter driving. If the
engine coolant temperature is low or when
the front drive control lever is in “L4”
(lowspeed position, fourwheel drive), the
transmission will not shift into the over-
drive gear even with the overdrive on.
(See “Fourwheel drive system” in this
section for information of the front drive
control lever.)
CAUTION
Never put your foot on the accelera-
tor pedal while shifting.
3. Release the parking brake and brake
pedal. Depress the accelerator pedal
slowly for smooth starting.
(d) Using engine braking
To use engine braking, you can downshift
the transmission as follows:
Push the overdrive switch. The “O/D
OFF” indicator light will come on and
the transmission will downshift to third
gear.
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’01 4Runner_U (L/O 0008)
11 32001 4RUNNER (OM35768U)
(k) If you cannot shift the selector le-
ver out of “P” position
If you cannot shift the selector lever from
the “P” position even though the brake
pedal is depressed, use the shift lock
override lever. For instructions, see “If you
cannot shift automatic transmission selec-
tor lever” in Section 4.
“H” (2WD) MODE
“H” (4WD) MODE (center
differential unlock), “L4”
MODE (center differential
unlock) or “N” MODE
“H” (4WD) MODE (center
differential lock), “L4”
MODE (center differential
lock) or “N” MODE
Use the front drive control lever, “4WD”
button and center differential lock
switch to select the transfer and center
differential modes.
The “H” and “L4” position of the front
drive control lever provide either lock or
unlock the mode of the center differential.
Use the center differential lock system if
your wheels get stuck in a ditch, or when
you are driving on a slippery or bumpy
surface. When the center differential is
locked, the vehicle skid control system is
automatically turned off and the center dif-
ferential lock and “VSC OFF” indicator
lights come on because the function that
controls engine performance interferes
with the process of freeing your wheels.
NOTICE
As soon as the center differential lock
switch is turned on, the “VSC OFF”
indicator light comes on. After the
wheels are out of the ditch or off the
slippery or bumpy surface, turn the
center differential lock switch off.
Make sure that the center differential
lock indicator light and “VSC OFF”
indicator light turn off.
Fourwheel drive system—
(a) Front drive control
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’01 4Runner_U (L/O 0008)
11 42001 4RUNNER (OM35768U)
“H” mode (high speed position, two
wheel drive): Front drive control lever at
“H”, “4WD” 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.
“H” mode (high speed position, four
wheel drive, center differential un-
locked): Front drive control lever at “H”,
“4WD” button push in, center differential
lock switch left out
Use this for normal driving on all types of
roads, from dry hardsurfaced roads to
wet, icy or snowcovered roads. This
position provides greater traction than
twowheel drive.
“H” (high speed position, fourwheel
drive, center differential locked): Lever
at “H”, “4WD” button pushed in center
differential lock switch pushed in
Use this for greater traction when you
experience a loss of power, such as
wheel slipping, in the center differential
unlock mode.“N” mode (neutral position): Front drive
control lever at “N”
No power is delivered to the wheels. The
vehicle must be stopped.
“L4” (low speed position, fourwheel
drive, center differential unlocked):
Front drive control lever at “L4”, center
differential lock switch left out
Use this for maximum power and traction.
Use this for climbing steep hills, offroad
driving, and hard pulling in sand or mud.
In this mode, the braking feeling that oc-
curs when the wheels are negotiating a
sharp corner is further reduced than in the
“L4” (low position, fourwheel drive, center
differential locked) mode.
The transmission automatically shifts up
from second gear in this mode. This sys-
tem is effective when starting your vehicle
in sand, mud, ice or snow. (However, the
transmission system may shift up from
first gear when the vehicle starts too
quickly.)“L4” mode (low speed position, four
wheel drive, center differential locked):
Front drive control lever at “L4”, center
differential lock switch push in
Use this for maximum power and traction.
Use this for hard pulling in situations the
vehicle cannot negotiate even in the “L4”
(low speed position, fourwheel drive, cen-
ter differential unlocked) mode. Also, using
this mode when driving down steep off
road inclines will help contribute to in-
creased vehicle stability.
Fourwheel drive and center differential
lock indicator lights show which transfer
and center differential mode the vehicle is
in. Note that the differential is not still
locked as long as the indicator light re-
mains off.
When the shifting has not been completed
within 3 seconds after the shifting opera-
tion, the indicator flashes. If the indicator
light does not go off when you push out
the center differential lock button, drive
straight ahead while accelerating or decel-
erating, or drive in reverse. If the indicator
flashes even if doing so, contact your
Toyota dealer as soon as possible. There
may be a trouble in the center differential
lock system.
See “(c) Shifting procedure” for further in-
structions.
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’01 4Runner_U (L/O 0008)
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Advice for driving on slippery roads in
“L4” (low speed position) mode
If you shift the front drive control lever to
“L4” and the automatic transmission lever
to “2” when you drive in steep offroad
areas, the output of the brake can be
controlled effectively by the active traction
control system, which assists the driver to
control the driving power of 4 wheels.
Use the “L” position of the automatic
transmission lever for maximum power
and traction when your wheels get stuck
or when you drive down a steep incline.
In the following cases, the output of the
brake can be controlled by the active trac-
tion control system if the engine speed is
under 3000 rpm (normally engine speed is
under 3000 rpm when the wheels get un-
stuck).
The front drive control lever in the “L4”
position and the automatic transmission
lever in the “L” position or the automat-
ic transmission lever in the “D” or “2”
with the transmission downshifting to
the first gear
The front drive control lever in the “L4”
position and the automatic transmission
lever in the “R” position(As for the automatic transmission lever
positions, see “Automatic transmission” in
this section.)The A.D.D. can be engaged or disen-
gaged by the shifting operations des-
cribed in “(c) Shifting procedure”.
You should drive in fourwheel drive for
at least 16 km (10 miles) each month.
This will assure that the front drive com-
ponents are lubricated.
(b) A.D.D. (automatic
disconnecting differential)
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’01 4Runner_U (L/O 0008)
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The active traction control system auto-
matically helps control the spinning of
4 wheels (fourwheel drive mode) or
rear wheels (twowheel drive mode)
which may occur when accelerating on
slippery road surfaces, by controlling
the output of the brake and engine.
Thus, the system assists driver to con-
trol the driving power of 4 wheels
(fourwheel drive mode) or rear wheels
(twowheel drive mode).
When you turn the ignition switch on, the
active traction control system always turns
on automatically, and the slip indicator
light will come on. The indicator lights will
go off after about a few seconds.If the slip indicator light is left on after
the ignition is turn on, have your vehicle
checked by your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible.
When the active traction control is ap-
plied, the slip indicator light blinks.
You may hear a sound in the engine
compartment for a few seconds when the
engine is started or just after the vehicle
is started. This means that the active
traction control system is in the self
check mode, and does not indicate mal-
function. When the traction control system
is operating, you may feel vibration or
noise of your vehicle, caused by operation
of the brakes. This indicates the system
is functioning properly.
When getting the vehicle out of mud or
new snow, etc. the active traction control
system will help operate to prevent the
wheels from spinning.Active traction control system failure
warning
These lights warn that when there is a
problem somewhere in the active traction
control system.
If the “VSC OFF” indicator light and “VSC/
TRAC” warning light come on, have your
vehicle checked by Toyota dealer as soon
as possible.
The lights will come on when the ignition
key is turned to “ON”, and will go off after
about a few seconds.
The lights may come on for 60 seconds
after the ignition key is turned to the “ON”
position. It is normal if they go out after
a while.
Active traction control
system
(fourwheel drive models)
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’01 4Runner_U (L/O 0008)
1212001 4RUNNER (OM35768U)
Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly
may turn on the “VSC OFF” indicator light
and “VSC/TRAC” warning light. It is nor-
mal if it goes out after a few seconds.
The brake actuator temperature increases
during continuous operation of the active
traction control system or vehicle skid
control system such as on slippery roads.
If the brake actuator temperature becomes
too high while the active traction control
system or vehicle skid control system is
operating, a buzzer will start to sound
intermittently to indicate that the active
traction control system can no longer op-
erate. In this case, immediately stop your
vehicle at a safe place. If the system
continues to operate, the buzzer sound
changes from intermittent to continuous.
(The continuous buzzer sounds for about
3 seconds.) At the time, the “VSC/TRAC”
warning light will come on and the active
traction control system temporarily stops
operating in order to protect the brake
actuator. (Although the active traction con-
trol system does not operate, there is no
problem to continue your driving.) The
system will be automatically restored after
a short time and the “VSC/TRAC” warning
light goes out.When the “VSC/TRAC” warning light and
“VSC OFF” indicator light come on the
active traction control system does not
operate, but there is no problem to contin-
ue your driving.
In the following cases, contact your Toyota
dealer:
The “VSC/TRAC” warning light and
“VSC OFF” indicator light do not come
on after the ignition is turned to on.
The “VSC/TRAC” warning light and
“VSC OFF” indicator light are left on
after the ignition is turned to on.
CAUTION
Under certain slippery road condi-
tions, full traction of the vehicle and
power to the 4 wheels (fourwheel
drive mode) or rear wheels (two
wheel drive mode) can not be main-
tained, even though the traction con-
trol system is in operation. Do not
drive the vehicle under any speed or
maneuvering conditions which will
cause the vehicle to lose traction. In
situations where the road surface is
covered with ice or snow, your ve-
hicle should be fitted with snow tires
or tire chains. Always drive at ap-
propriate and cautious pace.
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’01 4Runner_U (L/O 0008)
1222001 4RUNNER (OM35768U)
Vehicle skid control system
The vehicle skid control system helps
to provide comprehensive control of the
systems such as antilock brakes, trac-
tion control, engine control, etc. This
system automatically controls the out-
put of the brakes or engine to help
prevent the vehicle from skidding under
adverse condition.
When you turn the ignition switch on, the
slip indicator light will come on. The slip
indicator light will go off after about a few
seconds.
If the slip indicator light is left on after
the ignition is tuned on, have your vehicle
checked by your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible.If the vehicles is going to skid during
driving, the slip indicator light flashes and
an alarm sounds intermittently.
The vehicle skid control activates when
the vehicle speed is more than 15 km/h
(9 mph).
You may hear a sound in the engine
compartment for a few seconds when the
engine is started or just after the vehicle
is started. This means that the vehicle
stability control is in the selfcheck mode
and does not indicate a malfunction.Fourwheel drive models only—
This switch can function only when the
fourwheel drive system is selected.
You can turn off the vehicle skid con-
trol system by pushing the center dif-
ferential lock switch. The “VSC OFF”
and center differential lock indicator
lights will come on. Pushing the center
differential lock switch a second time
turns on the system again. The “VSC
OFF” and center differential lock indica-
tor lights will go off.
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’01 4Runner_U (L/O 0008)
1232001 4RUNNER (OM35768U)
If your wheels get stuck in a ditch or
when you are driving on severe off road
and sand, turn off the vehicle skid control
system because its function that controls
engine performance interferes with the
process of freeing your wheels.
NOTICE
Make sure that the center differential
lock indicator light goes off before
normal driving.
Twowheel drive models
Fourwheel drive models
Vehicle skid control system failure
warning
These lights warn that when there is a
problem somewhere in the vehicle skid
control system, traction control system
(twowheel drive models), active traction
control system (fourwheel drive models).
If the “VSC/TRAC” warning light and
“TRAC OFF” (twowheel drive models) or
“VSC OFF” (fourwheel drive models) indi-
cator light come on, have your vehicle
checked by Toyota dealer as soon as pos-
sible. However, it is no problem that the
“VSC/TRAC” warning light comes on when
the brake actuator temperature becomes
high. (For details, see “Traction control
system” and “Active traction control sys-
tem” in this section.)
The “VSC/TRAC” warning light and “TRAC
OFF” (twowheel drive models) or “VSC
OFF” (fourwheel drive models) indicator
light will come on when the ignition key
is turned to “ON”, and will go off after
about a few seconds.
The lights may come on for 60 seconds
after the ignition key is turned to the “ON”
position. It is normal if they go out after
a while.
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