2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER light

’03 4Runner_U (L/O 0305)
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2003 4RUNNER from Apr. ’03 Prod. (OM 35820U)
“VSC TRAC” warning light
This light warns that when there is a
problem somewhere in the following.
Vehicle stability control system
Traction control system
(twowheel drive models)
Active traction control system
(fourwheel drive models)
Downhill assist control system
(fourwheel drive models)
Hillstart assist control system
The light will come on when the ignition
key is turned to “ON”, and will go off after
about a few seconds. The light may come on for 60 seconds
after the ignition key is turned to “ON”. It
is normal if they go out after a while.
Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly
may turn on the light. It is normal if they
go out after a few seconds.
If the light comes on while driving, the
vehicle stability control system does not
work. However, as normal braking oper-
ates when being applied, there is no prob-
lem to continue your driving.
In the following cases, contact your Toyota
dealer:
The warning light does not come on
after the ignition key is turned to “ON”.
The warning light remains on after the
ignition key is turned to “ON”.
The warning light comes on while driv-
ing.
Twowheel drive models only—The “TRAC
OFF” indicator light will come on when the
“VSC TRAC” warning light comes on even
if the “TRAC OFF” switch is not pushed. The downhill assist control system is a
system that assists the deceleration of
the engine brake when you drive down
a steep hill. When you are driving down
a hill with the fourwheel drive control
switch knob (fulltime fourwheel drive
models) or multimode control switch
knob (multimode fourwheel drive
models) in the “L4” position, push the
“DAC” switch to limit the vehicle’s ac-
celeration. If the vehicle is traveling at
a speed of 25 km/h (15 mph) or less,
you can descend at a constant speed.
CAUTION
Do not rely excessively on the down-
hill assist control system. It may not
be able to maintain a low speed over
road surfaces or offroad surfaces on
which sliding can easily occur, such
as extremely steep slopes or icy or
muddy roads.
Downhill assist control system
(fourwheel drive models)

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2003 4RUNNER from Apr. ’03 Prod. (OM 35820U)
TO ACTIVATE THE DOWNHILL ASSIST
CONTROL SYSTEM
1. Fulltime fourwheel drive models— Turn the fourwheel drive control
switch knob to the “L4” position.
The system will not operate if the four
wheel drive control switch knob is in the
“H4” position. Multimode fourwheel drive mod-
els—Turn the multimode control
switch knob to the “L4” position.
The system will not operate if the multi
mode control switch knob is in the “H4”
position. 2. In order to make full use of the en- gine brake, putting the transmission
in “L” or “2” is recommended.
5speed automatic transmission—The sys-
tem will operate even if the transmission
selector lever is in “D”, “4”, “3” or “N”.
However, when it is in “L” or “2” the en-
gine brake can also be utilized enabling
the system to operate more effectively.
4speed automatic transmission—The sys-
tem will operate even if the transmission
selector lever is in “D”, “3” or “N”. Howev-
er, when it is in “L” or “2” the engine
brake can also be utilized enabling the
system to operate more effectively.
3. Push the “DAC” switch to turn the
system on. The downhill assist con-
trol system indicator light on the in-
strument panel will come on.
Fulltime fourwheel drive models—If the
downhill assist control system indicator
light flashes, the selector lever may be in
“N” or the fourwheel drive control switch
knob may be in the “H4” position.
If the indicator light does not come on
when the switch is pushed, contact your
Toyota dealer.
Multimode fourwheel drive models—If
the downhill assist control system indica-
tor light flashes, the selector lever may be
in “N” or the multimode control switch
knob may be in the “H2” or “H4” position. If the indicator light does not come on
when the switch is pushed, contact your
Toyota dealer.

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2003 4RUNNER from Apr. ’03 Prod. (OM 35820U)
With the vehicle traveling at a speed of
25 km/h (15 mph) or less, release your
foot from the accelerator or brake pedal
to activate the system. The vehicle will
descend the hill at a low speed. While the
system is operating, the slip indicator light
on the instrument panel will flash and the
stop lights and high mounted stoplight will
be lit.
If you push the “DAC” switch to turn the
system off while it is in operation, the
system will stop operating gradually. The
downhill assist control system indicator
light will flash to alert the driver. To con-
tinue driving at a low speed, push the
“DAC” switch to turn the system on. The slip indicator light and downhill assist
control system indicator light come on for
a few seconds when the ignition key is
turned to “ON”. If any of the indicator
lights does not come on when the ignition
is turned on, contact your Toyota dealer.
If the system is used frequently, the
brake actuator temperature may become
too high and a buzzer will sound inter-
mittently.
If this happens, the downhill assist control
system indicator light will flash and a
buzzer will sound intermittently. When the
temperature of the brake actuator goes
down, the system will begin to operate
again. Until it restarts, the active traction
control system and hill
start assist control
system will not operate; however, the con-
ventional brake can be operated.If there is any abnormality in the sys-
tem, the “VSC TRAC” warning light will
come on. When the “DAC” switch is
pushed, the downhill assist control sys-
tem indicator light also flash.
If the “VSC TRAC” warning light comes
on, there may be an abnormality in any
of the following systems in addition to the
downhill assist control system.
Hillstart assist control system
Active traction control system
Vehicle stability control system

’03 4Runner_U (L/O 0305)
155
2003 4RUNNER from Apr. ’03 Prod. (OM 35820U)
“VSC TRAC” warning light
When the system is normal and the igni-
tion key is turned to “ON”, the warning
light will come on and will go off after a
few seconds.
It is not a malfunction that the warning
light may stay on for 60 seconds after the
ignition key is turned to the “ON” position.
Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly
may turn on the light. It is normal if it
goes out after a few seconds.
The brake actuator temperature increases
during continuous operation of the above
mentioned system on such as slippery
roads. If the brake actuator temperature
becomes too high while any of the sys-
tems is operating, a buzzer will start to
sound intermittently to indicate that the
downhill assist control system can no lon-
ger operate. In this case, stop your ve-
hicle immediately 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 this time, the “VSC TRAC” warning
light will come on and the downhill assist
control system stops operating temporarily
in order to protect the brake actuator. (Al-
though the downhill assist control system
does not operate, it is no problem to con-
tinue your driving.) The system will be
automatically restored after a short time
and the “VSC TRAC” warning light goes
out.
If the warning light comes on while driv-
ing, the system does not work. However,
as normal braking operates when being
applied, it is no problem to continue your
driving.
In the following cases, contact your Toyota
dealer:
The warning light does not come on
after the ignition key is turned to “ON”.
The warning light remains on after the
ignition key is turned to “ON”.
The warning light comes on while driv-
ing.
The hillstart assist control system as-
sists you in starting to move up a
steep or slippery hill. When you start
to move up the hill slope, the system
helps to prevent the vehicle from roll-
ing backward in the interval while you
move your foot from the brake pedal to
the accelerator pedal.
CAUTION
Do not rely excessively on the h
ill
start assist control system. The ve-
hicle may not be able to start
smoothly on road surfaces or off
road surfaces such as extremely
steep slopes or icy roads, on which
sliding can occur very easily.
Do not use the hillstart assist con-
trol system to stop the vehicle. This
system is not designed as a func-
tion for stopping the vehicle on a
uphill slope.
Hillstart assist control
system

’03 4Runner_U (L/O 0305)
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2003 4RUNNER from Apr. ’03 Prod. (OM 35820U)
The hillstart assist control system will
operate for 5 seconds maximally when
all of the following conditions apply.
5speed automatic transmission—
When the transmission is in any of
positions “D”, “4”, “3”, “2” or “L”
4speed automatic transmission—
When the transmission is in any of
positions “D”, “3”, “2” or “L”
When the brake pedal is not de-
pressed
The system is designed to operate when
the vehicle is starting on an uphill slope;
therefore, if the transmission is in “P” or
“N” it will not operate. It will not operate
either if the vehicle starts to move in
reverse on a slope with the transmission
in the “R”.
When the hillstart assist control system
is operating, the slip indicator light flashes
and an alarm sounds intermittently. At the
same time, the stop lamps and high
mounted stoplight are lit.
The slip indicator light comes on for a few
seconds when the ignition key is turned
to “ON”. If the indicator light does not
come on when the ignition is turned on,
contact your Toyota dealer. Keep in mind the following when driv-
ing.
The hillstart assist
control system op-
erates for 5 seconds maximally. If both
the brake and accelerator pedals re-
main undepressed for longer than 5
seconds, the buzzer will sound at more
frequent intervals and the system will
gradually stop operating.
The hillstart assist control system is
not designed as a function for stopping
the vehicle on a uphill slope. When
stopping the vehicle, be sure to de-
press the brake pedal.
If the system is used frequently, the
brake actuator temperature may become
too high and a buzzer will sound inter-
mittently.
In this case, a buzzer will sound intermit-
tently. When the temperature of the brake
actuator goes down, the system will begin
to operate again. Until it restarts, the trac-
tion control system (twowheel drive mod-
els), active traction control system (four
wheel drive models) and downhill assist
control system will not operate; however,
the conventional brake can be operated.

’03 4Runner_U (L/O 0305)
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2003 4RUNNER from Apr. ’03 Prod. (OM 35820U)
If there is any abnormality in the sys-
tem, the “VSC TRAC” warning light will
come on.
If the system malfunctions, the “VSC
TRAC” warning light will come on.
If the “VSC TRAC” warning light comes
on, there may be an abnormality in any
of the following systems in addition to the
hillstart assist control system.
Downhill assist control system
(fourwheel drive models)
Traction control system
(twowheel drive models)
Active traction control system
(fourwheel drive models)
Vehicle stability control system “VSC TRAC” warning light
When the system is normal and the igni-
tion key is turned to “ON”, the warning
light will come on and will go off after a
few seconds.
It is not a malfunction that the warning
light may stay on for 60 seconds after the
ignition key is turned to “ON”.
Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly
may turn on the light. It is normal if it
goes out after a few seconds.
The brake actuator temperature increases
during continuous operation of the above
mentioned system on such as slippery
roads. If the brake actuator temperature
becomes too high while any of the sys-
tems is operating, a buzzer will start to
sound intermittently to indicate that the
hillstart assist control system can no lon-
ger operate. In this case, stop your ve-
hicle immediately 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 this time, the “VSC TRAC” warning
light will come on and the hillstart assist
control system stops operating temporarily
in order to protect the brake actuator. (Al-
though the h
illstart assist control system
does not operate, it is no problem to con-
tinue your driving.) The system will be
automatically restored after a short time
and the “VSC TRAC” warning light goes
out.
If the warning light comes on while driv-
ing, the system does not work. However,
as normal braking operates when being
applied, it is no problem to continue your
driving.
In the following cases, contact your Toyota
dealer:
The warning light does not come on
after the ignition key is turned to “ON”.
The warning light remains on after the
ignition key is turned to “ON”.
The warning light comes on while driv-
ing.

’03 4Runner_U (L/O 0305)
158
2003 4RUNNER from Apr. ’03 Prod. (OM 35820U)
This rear height control air suspension
controls the vehicle height depending
on the vehicle driving conditions. Select
your desired height among the “HI”
(high), “N” (normal) and “LO” (low)
modes with the height select switch.
(a) Vehicle height modes
“N” (normal) mode—
The vehicle height in this mode is standard.
Regardless of the number of occupants or the
luggage loading condition, the vehicle height
is always automatically adjusted to a fixed
height in this mode while the engine is
running.
This mode is suitable for ordinary driving. “HI” (high) mode—
The vehicle height is about 40 mm (1.6 in.)
higher at rear than the
“N” mode height.
This mode is suitable when driving on the
bumpy roads and through water.
However, when the vehicle speed exceeds
about 30 km/h (19 mph) or over in the
“HI” mode, the “N” mode is automatically
selected.
CAUTION
The “HI” mode should be used for
severe offroad driving condition
only. Because the vehicle’s center of
gravity is higher in this setting, the
vehicle may become unstable when
turning abruptly, resulting in accident.
“LO” (low) mode—
The vehicle height is about 20 mm (0.8 in.)
lower at rear than the “N” mode height.
This mode allows you easy access to the
vehicle (getting in and out) and easy load-
ing and unloading operation.
This mode is available when the vehicle
speed is under about 12 km/h (7 mph).
NOTICE
Use the “LO” mode when the vehicle
is stopped. Otherwise, when the ve-
hicle speed exceeds about 12 km/h (7
mph), “N” mode is selected automati-
cally. So be careful when you drive in
any place where the overhead height
is limited.
(b) Vehicle height mode changing con- dition
To change the vehicle height, it is necessary
to meet the following conditions.
The engine should be running.
The height control “OFF” indicator light
should go off.
Rear height control air
suspension

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2003 4RUNNER from Apr. ’03 Prod. (OM 35820U)
When selecting a mode, there is a ve-
hicle speed limit. Refer to the following
table.
Yes = The mode can be selected.
No = The mode cannot be selected.
“LO”
mode“N”
mode“HI”
mode
Under about
12 km/h
(7 mph)
Ye sYe sYe s
Under about
30 km/h
(19 mph)
NoYe sYe s
About
30 km/h
(19 mph) or
over
NoYe sNo
In the following cases, the rear height
control suspension will not operate.
The underbody of the vehicle has
touched the surface on bumpy roads.
The area around the rear suspension
is coated with ice. If the vehicle is moved to its usual loca-
tion or the ice is removed and the height
select switch is pressed, the vehicle
height control cannot be operated. In this
case, turn off and restart the engine, then
push the control switches.
(c) Vehicle height adjustment
To change the mode, push the height
select switch on either side of “
”
(higher) or “ ” (lower).
The height control indicator light indicates
which mode is selected. (See “(e) Height
control indicator light” described below.)
Selecting the “HI” mode—
Push the height select switch on the “ ”
side when the vehicle speed is under
about 30 km/h (19 mph).
To change the “N” mode to “HI”, push
the switch once.