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(c) Overdrive switch
You can select either fourth gear (with
overdrive off) or fifth gear (with overdrive
on) by pushing this switch.
To turn the overdrive off, push the switch.
The ªO/D OFFº indicator light should come
on. To turn the overdrive on again, push
the switch again. The ªO/D OFFº 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.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 can-
celled.
For ways to decrease the vehicle speed,
see ªCruise controlº on page 205 in this
Section.
(d) Normal driving
1. Start the engine as instructed in ªHow
to start the engineº on page 362 in
Section 3. The transmission must be in
ªPº or ªNº.
When the front drive control is in ª4LOº
mode (low speed, four±wheel drive), the
driving pattern selector setting has no ef-
fect on gear shift timing. (See ªFour±wheel
drive systemº on page 177 in this Section
for information on the front drive control.)
2. With your foot holding down the brake
pedal, shift the selector lever to ªDº.
When the lever is in the ªDº 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.If the engine coolant temperature is low
or when the front drive control is in ª4LOº
mode (low speed, four±wheel drive), the
transmission will not shift into the over-
drive gear even with the overdrive on.
(See ªFour±wheel drive systemº on page
177 in this Section for information of the
front drive control.)
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.
If the automatic locking operation linked to
shift lever position is set, all doors are
automatically locked when the shift lever
is moved out of ªPº position after the
ignition switch is turned to the ªONº posi-
tion and all the doors are closed. For
details, see ªÐAutomatic door locking and
unlocking functionsº on page 27 in Section
1±2.
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(e) Using engine braking
To use engine braking, you can downshift
the transmission as follows:
Push the overdrive switch. The ªO/D
OFFº indicator light will come on and
the transmission will downshift to fourth
gear.
Shift into the ª3º position. The trans-
mission will downshift to third gear
when the vehicle speed drops down to
or lower than the following speed, and
stronger engine braking will be en-
abled.
Two±wheel drive models
121 km/h (75 mph)
Four±wheel drive models
ª2WDº or ª4HIº mode
121 km/h (75 mph)
ª4LOº mode 47 km/h (29 mph)
Shift into the ª2º position. The trans-
mission will downshift to second gear
when the vehicle speed drops down to
or lower than the following speed, and
stronger engine braking will be en-
abled.
Two±wheel drive models
80 km/h (49 mph)
Four±wheel drive models
ª2WDº or ª4HIº mode
80 km/h (49 mph)
ª4LOº mode 31 km/h (19 mph)
Push the ªSHIFT Lº switch. The trans-
mission will downshift to first gear
when the vehicle speed drops down to
or lower than the following speed, and
maximum engine braking will be en-
abled.
Two±wheel drive models
35 km/h (21 mph)
Four±wheel drive models
ª2WDº or ª4HIº mode
35 km/h (21 mph)
ª4LOº mode 13 km/h (8 mph)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 can-
celled.
For ways to decrease the vehicle speed,
see ªCruise controlº on page 205 in this
Section.
CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a
slippery surface. Abrupt shifting
could cause the vehicle to skid or
spin.
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(f) Using the ª3º, ª2º and ªLº, posi-
tions
The ª3º, ª2º and ªLº positions are used for
strong engine braking as described pre-
viously.
With the selector lever in ª3º, ª2º or
ªSHIFT Lº switch depressed, the vehicle
can start just as if the lever was in ªDº.
With the selector lever in ª3º or ª2º, the
vehicle will start in first gear and automat-
ically shift to second gear.
With the ªSHIFT Lº switch depressed, the
transmission is engaged in first gear.NOTICE
Be careful not to over±rev the en-
gine. Watch the tachometer to keep
engine rpm from going into the red
zone. The approximate maximum al-
lowable speed for each position is
given above for your reference:
Two±wheel drive models
ª3º 135 km/h (84 mph). . . . . . .
ª2º 90 km/h (56 mph). . . . . . . .
ªLº 50 km/h (31 mph). . . . . . . .
Four±wheel drive models
ª2WDº or ª4HIº mode
ª3º 135 km/h (84 mph). . . . . . .
ª2º 90 km/h (56 mph). . . . . . . .
ªLº 50 km/h (31 mph). . . . . . . .
ª4LOº mode
ª3º 50 km/h (31 mph). . . . . . . .
ª2º 35 km/h (21 mph). . . . . . . .
ªLº 20 km/h (12 mph). . . . . . . .
Do not continue hill climbing or
hard towing for a long time in the
ª3º, ª2º or ªLº position. This may
cause severe automatic transmis-
sion damage from overheating. To
prevent such damage, ªDº position
should be used in hill climbing or
hard towing.
(g) Backing up
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. With the brake pedal held down with
your foot, shift the selector lever to the
ªRº position.
NOTICE
Never shift into reverse while the ve-
hicle is moving.
(h) Parking
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. With the brake pedal pressed down,
fully depress the parking brake pedal
to apply the parking brake securely.
3. With the brake pedal pressed down,
shift the selector lever to the ªPº posi-
tion.
CAUTION
Never attempt to move the selector
lever into ªPº position under any cir-
cumstances while the vehicle is mov-
ing. Serious mechanical damage and
loss of vehicle control may result.
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If the automatic unlocking operation linked
to shift lever position is set, all doors are
automatically unlocked when the selector
lever is moved to ªPº position after the
ignition switch is turned to ªONº position.
For details, see ªÐAutomatic door locking
and unlocking functionsº on page 27 in
Section 1±2.
(i) Good driving practice
If the transmission repeatedly shifts up
and down between fourth gear and
overdrive when climbing a gentle slope,
the overdrive should be turned off. Be
sure to turn the switch on immediately
afterward.
When towing a trailer, in order to main-
tain engine braking efficiency, do not
use overdrive.
CAUTION
Always keep your foot on the brake
pedal while stopped with the engine
running. This prevents the vehicle
from creeping.
NOTICE
Always use the brake pedal or the
parking brake to hold the vehicle on
an upgrade. Do not attempt to hold
the vehicle using the accelerator ped-
al, as this can cause the transmission
to overheat.
Front drive control switches
Center differential lock switch
Four±wheel drive systemÐ
(a) Front drive control
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Use the front drive control switches
and center differential lock switch to
select the transfer and center differen-
tial modes.
In the ª4HIº and ª4LOº mode, you can
choose to lock or unlock the center differ-
ential.
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 stability control system
is automatically turned off and the center
differential lock and ªVSC OFFº 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 ªVSC OFFº
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 ªVSC OFFº
indicator light turn off.
ª2WDº mode (high speed, two±wheel
drive)
This mode is the normal driving mode. In
this mode, the ª4HIº and ª4LOº indicator
lights are turned off.
Use this for normal driving on dry hard±
surfaced roads. This position gives greater
economy, quietest ride, least wear and
better vehicle control.
ª4HIº mode (high speed, four±wheel
drive, center differential unlocked)
To select this mode, press the ª2WD/4HIº
switch only. The ª4HIº indicator light
comes on.
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.ª4HIº mode (high speed, four±wheel
drive, center differential locked)
To select this mode, press the ª2DW/4HIº
switch, and then the center differential
lock switch. The ª4HIº and the center dif-
ferential lock indicator lights come on.
Use this for greater traction when you
experience a loss of power, such as
wheel slipping, in the center differential
unlock mode.
ª4LOº mode (low speed, four±wheel
drive, center differential unlocked)
To select this mode, press the ª4LOº
switch only. The ª4LOº indicator light
comes on.
Use this for maximum power and traction.
Use this for climbing steep hills, off±road
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
ª4LOº (low speed, four±wheel drive, center
differential locked) mode.
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ª4LOº mode (low speed, four±wheel
drive, center differential locked)
To select this mode, press the ª4LOº
switch, and then press the center differen-
tial lock switch. The ª4LOº and the center
differential lock indicator lights come on.
Use this for maximum power and traction.
Use this for hard pulling in situations the
vehicle cannot negotiate even in ª4LOº
(low speed, four±wheel drive, center differ-
ential unlocked) mode. Also, using this
mode when driving down steep off±road
inclines will help contribute to increased
vehicle stability.
The indicator light tells when the differen-
tial lock is engaged. Note that the differ-
ential is not still locked as long as the
indicator light remains off.
When the operation is not completed, the
indicator blinks. If the indicator light does
not go off when you push out the center
differential lock switch, drive straight
ahead while accelerating or decelerating,
or drive in reverse.
If the center differential lock system op-
eration is not completed within 5 seconds
while the cruise control system is set,
cancel the cruise control system. To can-
cel the cruise control system, see ªCruise
controlº on page 205 in Section 1±7.If the indicator blinks even if doing so,
contact your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible. There may be a trouble in the
center differential lock system.
See ª(c) Shifting procedureº for further in-
structions.
Advice for driving on slippery roads in
ª4LOº (low speed, four±wheel drive)
mode
If you press the ª4LOº switch and shift
the automatic transmission lever to ª2º
when you drive in steep off±road 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 ªLº position of the automatic
transmission for maximum power and trac-
tion when your wheels get stuck or when
you drive down a steep incline. The output
of the brake can be controlled by the
active traction control system if the engine
speed is under 3000 rpm (normally engine
speed is under 3000 rpm when the wheels
get unstuck), in the following cases:
The front drive control in ª4LOº mode
and the automatic transmission in ªLº
or the automatic transmission in ªDº,
ª3º or ª2º with the transmission down-
shifting to the first gear
The front drive control in ª4LOº mode
and the automatic transmission in ªRº
(As for the automatic transmission shift
positions, see ªAutomatic transmissionº on
page 173 in this Section.)
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The traction control system automatical-
ly helps prevent the spinning of rear
wheels when the vehicle is started or
accelerated on slippery road surfaces.
When the ignition key is turned to ªONº,
the system automatically turns on.
CAUTION
Under certain slippery road condi-
tions, full traction of the vehicle and
power against rear wheels cannot be
maintained, even though the traction
control system is in operation. Do not
drive the vehicle under any speed or
maneuvering conditions which may
cause the vehicle to lose traction
control. In situations where the road
surface is covered with ice or snow,
your vehicle should be fitted with
snow tires or tire chains. Always
drive at an appropriate and cautious
speed for the present road condi-
tions.
NORMAL DRIVING MODE
Leave the system on during the ordi-
nary driving so that it can operate
when needed.
You may hear a sound in the engine
compartment for a few seconds when the
engine is started or just after the vehicle
begins to move. This means that the trac-
tion control system is in the self±check
mode, but does not indicate a malfunction.When the traction control system is oper-
ating, the following conditions occur:
The system controls the spinning of the
rear wheels. At this time, the slip indi-
cator light blinks.
You may feel vibration or noise in your
vehicle, caused by operation of the
brakes. This indicates the system is
functioning properly.
The slip indicator light comes on for a few
seconds when the ignition key is turned
to ªONº. If the indicator light does not
come on when the ignition is turned on,
contact your Toyota dealer.
Traction control system
(two±wheel drive models)
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TRACTION CONTROL OFF MODE
If your wheels get stuck in a ditch
when you are driving on a severe off
road and sand, turn off the traction
control system. This system that con-
trols engine performance interferes with
the process of freeing your wheels.
To turn off: Push ªTRAC OFFº switch.
The ªTRAC OFFº indicator light will come
on.
The vehicle stability control system is al-
ways activated, even if the traction control
system is turned off.
To turn on: Push ªTRAC OFFº switch
once again.
The ªTRAC OFFº indicator light will go off.The traction control system will automati-
cally go on, and the ªTRAC OFFº indicator
light will go off when you drive over 30
km/h (19 mph) even if the ªTRAC OFFº
switch is pushed to cancel the traction
control system.
ªTRAC OFFº indicator light comes on for
a few seconds when the ignition key is
turned to ªONº. It will come on again
when you push the ªTRAC OFFº switch to
turn off the system.
In the following cases, contact your Toyota
dealer:The indicator light does not come on
when the ignition key is turned ªONº.
The indicator light remains on after the
ignition is turned on.
The indicator light comes on with the
normal driving mode while driving.
ªVSC TRACº warning light
This light warns that there is a problem
somewhere in the traction control system
or the vehicle stability control system.
The warning light will come on when the
ignition key is turned to ªONº and will go
off after a few seconds.