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(f) Low Fuel Level Warning Light
This light comes on when the fuel level
in the tank becomes nearly empty. Fill up
the tank as soon as possible.
On inclines or curves, due to the move-
ment of fuel in the tank, the low fuel level
warning light may come on earlier than
usual.
(g) ªABSº Warning Light
The light comes on when the ignition key
is turned to the ªONº position. If the anti±
lock brake system and the brake assist
system work properly, the light turns off
after a few seconds. Thereafter, if either
of the systems malfunctions, the light
comes on again.
When the ªABSº warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
anti±lock brake system, the brake assist
system, the traction control system (two±
wheel drive vehicles), the active traction
control system (four±wheel drive vehicles)
and the vehicle stability control system do
not operate, but the brake system still
operates conventionally.When the ªABSº warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
anti±lock brake system does not operate
so that the wheels could lock up during
a sudden braking or braking on slippery
road surfaces.
If either of the following conditions
occurs, this indicates a malfunction
somewhere in the components moni-
tored by the warning light system. Con-
tact your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible to service the vehicle.
The light does not come on when the
ignition key is turned to the ªONº posi-
tion, or remains on.
The light comes on while you are dri-
ving.
A warning light turning on briefly during
operation does not indicate a problem.
CAUTION
If the ªABSº warning light remains on
together with the brake system warn-
ing light, immediately stop your ve-
hicle at a safe place and contact your
Toyota dealer.
In this case, not only the anti±lock
brake system will fail but also the
vehicle will become extremely unsta-
ble during braking.
(h) ªVSC TRACº Warning Light
This light warns that there is a problem
somewhere in the vehicle stability control
system and traction control system (two±
wheel drive models) or active traction con-
trol system (four±wheel drive models).
The light will come on when the ignition
key is turned to ªONº and will go off after
a few seconds.
If the light comes on while driving, the
system does not work. However, as con-
ventional braking operates when applied,
there is no problem to continue your driv-
ing.
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CHECKING SERVICE REMINDER
INDICATORS (except the low fuel level
warning light and low windshield
washer fluid level warning light)
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Open one of the side doors or back
door.
The open door warning light should
come on.
3. Close the door.
The open door warning light should go
off.
4. Turn the ignition key to ªONº, but do
not start the engine.
All the service reminder indicators ex-
cept the open door warning light should
come on. The ªABSº and ªVSC TRACº
warning lights, low tire pressure warn-
ing light and engine oil replacement
reminder light go off after a few sec-
onds. The SRS warning light goes off
after about 6 seconds. (The ªTRAC
OFFº (two±wheel drive models) or
ªVSC OFFº (four±wheel drive models),
ªRSCA OFFº indicator lights, height
control indicator light, manual control
mode indicator light and slip indicator
light also come on and go off after a
few seconds.)If any service reminder indicator or warn-
ing buzzer does not function as described
above, have it checked by your Toyota
dealer as soon as possible.
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OPERATION OF INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLS
Ignition switch, Transmission and Parking brake
Ignition switch with steering lock172 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic transmission173 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Four±wheel drive system177 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Traction control system182 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Active traction control system184 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle stability control system186 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear height control air suspension189 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire pressure warning system198 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking brake204 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cruise control205 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 1± 7
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Your automatic transmission has a shift
lock system to minimize the possibility of
incorrect operation. This means you can
only shift out of ªPº position when the
brake pedal is depressed (with the ignition
switch in the ªONº or ªACCº position and
the selector lever pulled toward you).
(a) Selector lever
The shift position is displayed on the in-
strument cluster.
P:Parking, engine starting and
key removal
R:Reverse
N:Neutral
D:Normal driving (with overdrive on)
3, 2: Stronger engine braking
(b) Shift position ªLº switch
(ªSHIFT Lº switch)
To downshift to first gear (ªLº position),
push this switch with the shift lever in the
ª2º position. The ª
Lº is displayed on the
instrument cluster and engine braking will
be maximized.
To shift up to the ª2º position, push this
switch again.
To shift up to a position other than ª2º,
move the selector lever to that position.
Automatic transmission
With the brake pedal depressed,
shift while pulling the selector lever
toward you. (The ignition switch
must be in ªONº or ªACCº position.)
Shift while pulling the
selector lever toward you.
Shift normally.Selector leverOverdrive switch
Shift position
ªLº switch
Push the shift position ªLº switch.
To shift from the ªLº position to a
position other than ª2º, move the
selector lever to that position.
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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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(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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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.)