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OPERATION OF INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLS
Ignition switch, Transmission and Parking brake
Ignition switch with steering lock 128
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic transmission 129
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
.
Four wheel drive system 138
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
Traction control system 145
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. .
Active traction control system 148
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle stability control system 150
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Downhill assist control system 152
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hill start assist control system 155
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear height control air suspension 158
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking brake 163
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. . . . . . . . . .
Cruise control 164
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. . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 1 6
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“START”—Starter motor on. The key
will return to the “ON” position when
released.
For starting tips, see page 259 in Section
3.
It is not a malfunction even if the needle
of the tachometer, fuel gauge or engine
coolant temperature gauge returns to the
bottom position when the ignition switch is
turned to the “START” position. “ON”—Engine on and all accessories
on.
This is the normal driving position.
It is not a malfunction even if the needle
on the speedometer may move when the
ignition switch is turned to the “ON” posi-
tion.
“ACC”—Accessories such as the radio
operate, but the engine is off.
If you leave the key in the “ACC” or
“LOCK” position and open the driver’s
door, a buzzer will remind you to remove
the key.
“LOCK”—Engine is off and the steering
wheel is locked. The key can be re-
moved only at this position.
You must push in the key to turn it from
“ACC” to the “LOCK” position. The selec-
tor lever must be in the “P” position be-
fore pushing the key.
Once you remove the key, the engine im-
mobiliser system is automatically set. (See
“Engine immobiliser system” on page 12
in Section 1 2.)
When starting the engine, the key may
seem stuck at the “LOCK” position. To
free it, first be sure the key is pushed all
the way in, and then rock the steering
wheel slightly while turning the key gently.
NOTICE
Do not leave the key in the “ON”
position if the engine is not running.
The battery will discharge and the
ignition could be damaged.
Ignition switch with steering
lock
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(b) Normal driving
1. Start the engine as instructed in “How to start the engine” on page 260 in
Section 3. The transmission must be in
“P” or “N”.
When the four wheel drive control switch
knob is in “L4” (low speed position, center
differential locked), the driving pattern se-
lector setting has no effect on gear shift
timing. (See “Four wheel drive system
(full time four wheel drive models)” on
page 138 in this Section for information of
the four wheel drive control.) 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 use the “D” position for better fuel
economy and quieter driving. If the engine
coolant temperature is low or when the
four wheel drive control switch knob is in
“L4” (low speed position, center differential
locked), the transmission will not shift into
the overdrive gear even in the “D” posi-
tion. (See “Four wheel drive system (full
time four wheel drive models)” on page
138 in this Section for information of the
four wheel 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
with the shift position is set, all the side
doors and back door are automatically
locked when the shift lever is moved out
of the “P” position with the engine running
(including ignition switch in the “ON” posi-
tion) and all the side doors and back door
are closed. For details, see “—Automatic
door locking and unlocking functions” on
page 17 in Section 1 2. (c) Using engine braking
To use engine braking, you can downshift
the transmission as follows:
Shift into the “4” position. The trans-
mission will downshift to fourth gear
and engine braking will be enabled.
Shift into the “3” 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 133 km/h (83 mph)
Four wheel drive models
Four wheel drive control switch
knob at “H4” 133 km/h (83 mph)
Four wheel drive control switch
knob at “L4” 52 km/h (32 mph)
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Shift into the “2” 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 90 km/h (56 mph)
Four wheel drive models Four wheel drive control switch
knob at “H4” 90 km/h (56 mph)
Four wheel drive control switch
knob at “L4” 35 km/h (22 mph)Shift into the “L” position. 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 47 km/h (29 mph)
Four wheel drive models Four wheel drive control switch
knob at “H4” 47 km/h (29 mph)
Four wheel drive control switch
knob at “L4” 18 km/h (11 mph)
When the cruise control is being used,
even if you downshift from “D” to “4”,
engine braking will not be enabled be-
cause the cruise control is not cancelled.
For ways to decrease the vehicle speed,
see “Cruise control” on page 164 in this
Section.
CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a
slippery surface. Abrupt shifting
could cause the vehicle to spin or
skid.
(d) Using “3”, “2” and “L” positions
The “3”, “2” and “L” positions are used for
strong engine braking as described pre-
viously.
With the selector lever in ”3”, “2” or “L”,
you can start the vehicle in motion as
with the lever in “D”.
With the selector lever in “3” or “2”, the
vehicle will start in first gear and automat-
ically shift to third gear or second gear.
With the selector lever in “L”, the trans-
mission 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 below for your reference:
Two wheel drive models “3” 136 km/h (84 mph) . . . . . . .
“2” 93 km/h (57 mph) . . . . . . . .
“L” 54 km/h (33 mph) . . . . . . . .