2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA traction control

03_SEQUOIA_U (L/O 0301)
152
2003 SEQUOIA from Jan. ’03 Prod. (OM34422U)
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 selfcheck
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 “ON”. If the indicator light does not
come on when the ignition is turned on,
contact your Toyota dealer.
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 “TRAC OFF” switch.
The “TRAC OFF” indicator light will come
on.
To turn on: Push “TRAC OFF” switch
once again.
The “TRAC OFF” indicator light will go off.

03_SEQUOIA_U (L/O 0301)
153
2003 SEQUOIA from Jan. ’03 Prod. (OM34422U)
The traction control system will automati-
cally go on, and the “TRAC OFF” indicator
light will go off when you drive over 30
km/h (19 mph) even if the “TRAC OFF”
switch is pushed to cancel the traction
control system.
“TRAC OFF” indicator light comes on for
a few seconds when the ignition key is
turned to “ON”. It will come on again
when you push the “TRAC OFF” 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 “ON”.
The indicator light remains on after the
ignition is turned on.
The indicator light comes on with the
normal driving mode while driving.
“VSC/TRAC” warning light
This light warns that there is a problem
somewhere in the traction control system
or the vehicle skid control system.
The warning light will come on when the
ignition key is turned to “ON” and will go
off after a few seconds.The brake pad or actuator temperature
increases during continuous operation of
the traction control system or vehicle skid
control system such as on slippery roads.
If the brake pad or actuator temperature
becomes too high while the traction con-
trol system or vehicle skid control system
is operating, a buzzer will start to sound
intermittently to indicate that the traction
control system can no longer operate. In
this case, stop your vehicle 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 the time the “VSC/TRAC” warning light
will come on and the traction control sys-
tem temporarily stops operating in order to
protect the brake pad. (Although the trac-
tion control system does not operate,
there is no problem to continue your driv-
ing.) The system will be automatically re-
stored after a short time and the warning
light goes out.
If the light comes on while driving, the
traction control system does not work.
However, as conventional braking operates
when applied, there is no problem to con-
tinue your driving.

03_SEQUOIA_U (L/O 0301)
154
2003 SEQUOIA from Jan. ’03 Prod. (OM34422U)
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 active traction control system auto-
matically helps prevent the spinning of
4 wheels (4WD mode) or rear wheels
(2WD mode) when the vehicle is started
or accelerated on slippery road sur-
faces.
When the ignition key is turned to “ON”,
the system automatically turns on.
CAUTION
Under certain slippery road condi-
tions, full traction of the vehicle and
power against 4 wheels (4WD mode)
or rear wheels (2WD mode) cannot be
maintained, even though the active
traction control system is in opera-
tion. 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.
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 ac-
tive traction control system is in the self
check mode, but does not indicate a mal-
function.
Active traction control system
(fourwheel drive models)

03_SEQUOIA_U (L/O 0301)
155
2003 SEQUOIA from Jan. ’03 Prod. (OM34422U)
When the traction control system is oper-
ating, the following conditions occur:
The system controls the spinning of the
4 wheels (4WD mode) or rear wheels
(2WD mode). 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 “ON”. If the indicator light does not
come on when the ignition is turned on,
contact your Toyota dealer.
“VSC/TRAC” warning light
This light warns that there is a problem
somewhere in the active traction control
system or the vehicle skid control system.
The warning light will come on when the
ignition key is turned to “ON” and will go
off after a few seconds. The brake pad or actuator temperature
increases during continuous operation of
the active traction control system or ve-
hicle skid control system such as on slip-
pery roads. If the brake pad or 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 operate. In this case, stop your
vehicle 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 the time, the “VSC/TRAC” warning light
will come on and the active traction con-
trol system temporarily stops operating in
order to protect the brake pad. (Although
the active traction control system does not
operate, there is no problem to continue
your driving.) The system will be automati-
cally restored after a short time and the
warning light goes out.
If the light comes on while driving, the
active traction control system does not
work. However, as conventional braking
operates when applied, there is no prob-
lem to continue your driving.

03_SEQUOIA_U (L/O 0301)
156
2003 SEQUOIA from Jan. ’03 Prod. (OM34422U)
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 vehicle skid control system helps
provide integrated control of the sys-
tems such as antilock brake system,
traction control, engine control, etc.
This system automatically controls the
brakes and engine to help prevent the
vehicle from skidding when cornering
on a slippery road surface or operating
steering wheel abruptly.
The vehicle skid control activates when
the vehicle speed is more than the follow-
ing speed.
Front drive control lever in “H”
15 km/h (9 mph)
Front drive control lever in “L4” 30 km/h (18 mph)
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 sys-
tem is in the selfcheck mode but does
not indicate a malfunction.
CAUTION
Do not rely excessively on the ve-
hicle skid control system. Even if
the vehicle skid control system is
operating, you must always drive
carefully and attentively to avoid
serious injury. Reckless driving will
result in an unexpected accident. If
the slip indicator light blinks,
sounding an alarm sounds, special
care should be taken while driving.
Only use tires of specified size. The
size, manufacturer, brand and tread
pattern for all 4 tires should be the
same. If you use the tires other
than specified, or different type or
size, the vehicle skid control sys-
tem may not function correctly.
When replacing the tires or wheels,
contact your Toyota dealer. (See
“Checking and replacing tires” on
page 364 in Section 72.)
Vehicle skid control system

03_SEQUOIA_U (L/O 0301)
158
2003 SEQUOIA from Jan. ’03 Prod. (OM34422U)
“VSC/TRAC” warning light
This light warns that there is a problem
somewhere in the vehicle skid control sys-
tem, traction control system (twowheel
drive models) or active traction control
system (fourwheel drive models).
The warning light will come on when the
ignition key is turned to “ON” 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. 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.
When parking, firmly apply the parking
brake to avoid inadvertent creeping.
To set: Fully depress the parking brake
pedal. For better holding power, first de-
press the brake pedal and hold it while
setting the parking brake.
To release: Depress the parking brake
pedal once again.
To remind you that the parking brake is
set, the parking brake reminder light in
the instrument panel remains on until you
release the parking brake.
Parking brake

03_SEQUOIA_U (L/O 0301)
291
2003 SEQUOIA from Jan. ’03 Prod. (OM34422U)
“ABS” warning light
The light comes on when the ignition key
is turned to the “ON” 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 “ABS” warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
antilock brake system, the brake assist
system and the traction control system
and/or the vehicle skid control system do/
does not operate, but the brake system
still operates conventionally.
When the “ABS” warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
antilock 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 parts monitored by
the warning light system. Contact 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 “ON” 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 “ABS” 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 antilock
brake system will fail but also the
vehicle will become extremely unsta-
ble during braking.
DRUMINDISC TYPE PARKING BRAKE
SYSTEM
Your vehicle has a drumindisc type
parking brake system. This type of brake
system n eeds beddingdown of the brake
shoes periodically or whenever the parking
brake shoes and/or drums are replaced.
Have your Toyota dealer perform the bed-
dingdown.
BRAKE ASSIST SYSTEM
When you slam the brakes on, the
brake assist system judges as an emer-
gency stop and provides more powerful
braking for a driver who cannot hold
down the brake pedal firmly.
When you slam the brakes on, more pow-
erful braking will be applied. At this time,
you may hear a sound in the engine
compartment and feel the vibrations of the
brake pedal. This does not indicate a mal-
function.
The brake assist system becomes opera-
tive after the vehicle has accelerated to
a speed in excess of approximately 10
km/h (6 mph). It stops operating when the
vehicle decelerates to a speed below
approximately 5 km/h (3 mph).

03_SEQUOIA_U (L/O 0301)
329
2003 SEQUOIA from Jan. ’03 Prod. (OM34422U)
11. Check the air pressure of the re-placed tire.
Adjust the air pressure to the specification
designated on page 388 in Section 8. If
the pressure is lower, drive slowly to the
nearest service station and fill to the cor-
rect pressure.
Do not forget to reinstall the tire inflation
valve cap as dirt and moisture could get
into the valve core and possibly cause air
leakage. If the cap is missing, have a new
one put on as soon as possible.
12. Restow all the tools, jack and flat tire securely.
With a spare tire of the same wheel type
as the installed tires—
As soon after changing wheels as pos-
sible, tighten the wheel nuts to the torque
specified on page 388 in Section 8 with
a torque wrench. Have a technician repair
the flat tire.
With a spare tire of different wheel type
from the installed tires—
As soon after changing wheels as pos-
sible, tighten the wheel nuts to the torque
specified on page 388 in Section 8 with
a torque wrench. Have a technician repair
the flat tire and replace the spare tire with
it.CAUTION
Before driving, make sure all the
tools, jack and flat tire are securely
in place in their storage location to
reduce the possibility of personal in-
jury during a collision or s udden
braking.
If your vehicle becomes stuck in snow,
mud, sand, etc., then you may attempt
to rock the vehicle free by moving it
forward and backward.
Twowheel drive models—Turn off the
traction control system to become un-
stuck to allow the tires to spin enough
to remove the vehicle from the obstruc-
tion. (For details, see “Traction control
system” on page 151 in Section 16.)
CAUTION
Do not attempt to rock the vehicle
free by moving it forward and back-
ward if people or objects are any-
where near the vehicle. During the
rocking operation the vehicle may
suddenly move forward or backward
as it becomes unstuck, causing injury
or damage to nearby people or ob-
jects.
—After changing wheels If your vehicle becomes stuck