2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER four wheel drive

’04 4Runner_U (L/O 0308)
160
2004 4RUNNER from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM35811U)
The four −wheel drive control switch
knob in the “L4” position and the auto-
matic transmission selector lever in the
“R” position
(As for the automatic transmission selec-
tor lever positions, see “Automatic trans-
mission (5 −speed)” on page 149 in this
Section.) SHIFTING BETWEEN “H4” (UNLOCKED)
AND “H4” (LOCKED)
To shift between unlock and lock
modes in “H4”, push the center differen-
tial lock switch.
SHIFTING BETWEEN “L4” (UNLOCKED)
AND “L4” (LOCKED)
To shift between unlock and lock
modes in “L4”, push the center differen-
tial lock switch.
SHIFTING BETWEEN “H4” AND “L4”
To shift from “H4” to “L4”,
bring the
vehicle to a complete stop with the brake
pedal held down with your foot, shift the
automatic transmission selector lever into
“N” and push and turn the four −wheel
drive control switch knob fully clockwise.
To shift from “L4” to “H4”, bring the
vehicle to a complete stop with the brake
pedal held down with your foot, shift the
automatic transmission selector lever into
“N” and turn the four −wheel drive control
switch knob fully counterclockwise. If the “4LO” (low speed four
−wheel drive)
indicator light continues to blink when you
operate the four −wheel drive control
switch knob to the “H4” or “L4” position,
drive forward or backward in a short dis-
tance, then stop the vehicle completely,
shift the automatic transmission selector
lever securely into “N” and operate the
switch knob again.
If the indicator continues to blink even if
doing so, contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible. There may be a trouble
in the four −wheel drive system.
CAUTION
Never operate the fourwheel drive
control switch knob if the wheels are
slipping. Stop the slipping or spin-
ning before operating.
(b) Shifting procedure

’04 4Runner_U (L/O 0308)
161
2004 4RUNNER from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM35811U)
Multimode control switch knob
Center differential lock switch
Use the multimode control switch
knob and center differential lock switch
to select the transfer and center differ-
ential modes.
The “H4” and “L4” positions of the multi −
mode control switch knob provide either
lock or unlock mode of the center differen-
tial depending on the center differential
lock switch position. 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 “VSC OFF” 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 “VSC OFF”
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 vehicle stabil-
ity control system off indicator light
turn off.
Fourwheel drive system
(multimode fourwheel drive
models)—
(a) Multimode control

’04 4Runner_U (L/O 0308)
162
2004 4RUNNER from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM35811U)
“H2” (high speed position, twowheel
drive, center differential unlocked): Mul-
ti −mode control switch knob at “H2”, cen-
ter differential lock switch left out
Use this for normal driving on dry hard −
surfaced roads. This position gives greater
economy, quietest ride, least wear and
better vehicle control.
“H4” (high speed position, fourwheel
drive, center differential unlocked): Mul-
ti −mode control switch knob at “H4”, cen-
ter differential lock switch left out
The four −wheel drive indicator light comes
on when the “H4” mode is selected.
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.
“H4” (high speed position, fourwheel
drive, center differential locked): Multi−
mode control switch knob at “H4”, center
differential lock switch pushed in
The four −wheel drive indicator light comes
on when the “H4” mode is selected.
Use this for greater traction when you
experience a loss of power, such as
wheel slipping, in the center differential
unlock mode. “L4” (low speed position, fourwheel
drive, center differential unlocked):
Mul-
ti −mode control switch knob at “L4”, cen-
ter differential lock switch left out
The four −wheel drive and “4LO” (low
speed four −wheel drive) indicator lights
come on when the “L4” mode is selected.
Use this for maximum power and traction.
Use this for climbing or descending 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
“L4” (low speed position, four −wheel drive,
center differential locked) mode.
“L4” (low speed position, fourwheel
drive, center differential locked): Multi−
mode control switch knob at “L4”, center
differential lock switch pushed in
The four −wheel drive and “4LO” (low
speed four −wheel drive) indicator lights
come on when the “L4” mode is selected. Use this for maximum power and traction.
Use this for hard pulling in situations the
vehicle cannot negotiate even in the “L4”
(low speed position, four
−wheel drive, cen-
ter differential unlocked) mode. Also, using
this mode when driving down steep off −
road inclines will help contribute to in-
creased 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,
o

r 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 “Cruise
control” on page 188 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 “(c) Shifting procedure” for further in-
structions.

’04 4Runner_U (L/O 0308)
163
2004 4RUNNER from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM35811U)
Advice for driving on slippery roads in
“L4” (low speed position) mode
If the multi −mode control switch knob is
in the “L4” and the automatic transmission
selector lever is in the “2” when you drive
in steep off −road areas, the output of the
brake can be controlled effectively by the
active traction control system, which as-
sists the driver to control the driving pow-
er of 4 wheels.
Use the “L” position of the automatic
transmission selector lever for maximum
power and traction when your wheels get
stuck or when you drive down a steep
incline. In the following cases, 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).
The multi −mode control switch knob in
the “L4” position and the automatic
transmission selector lever in the “L”
position
The multi −mode control switch knob in
the “L4” position and the automatic
transmission selector lever in the “D”,
“3” or “2” with the transmission down-
shifting to first gear
The multi −mode control switch knob in
the “L4” position and the automatic
transmission selector lever in the “R”
position
(As for the automatic transmission selec-
tor lever positions, see “Automatic trans-
mission (4 −speed)” on page 154 in this
Section.) The A.D.D. can be engaged or disen-
gaged by the shifting operations de-
scribed in “(c) Shifting procedure”.
You should drive in four
−wheel drive for
at least 16 km (10 miles) each month.
This will assure that the front drive com-
ponents are lubricated.
(b) A.D.D.
(automatic disconnecting
differential)

’04 4Runner_U (L/O 0308)
164
2004 4RUNNER from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM35811U)
SHIFTING BETWEEN “H2” AND “H4”
(UNLOCKED)
To shift from “H2” to “H4” (unlocked),
reduce the vehicle speed to less than 100
km/h (62 mph) and turn the multi −mode
control switch knob fully clockwise.
If the four −wheel drive indicator light con-
tinues to blink when you operate the mul-
ti −mode control switch knob from the “H2”
to the “H4” position, this reminds you that
the transfer mode is not securely in “H4”
mode. Drive straight ahead while acceler-
ating or decelerating.
If the four −wheel drive indicator light con-
tinues to blink and the buzzer sounds
when you operate the multi −mode control
switch knob from the “H2” to the “H4”
position, this reminds you that the transfer
mode is not in “H4” mode. Stop the ve-
hicle or reduce the vehicle speed to less
than 100 km/h (62 mph). Operate the
switch knob again. To shift from “H4” (unlocked) to “H2”,
turn the multi
−mode control switch knob
fully counterclockwise.
This can be done at any speed.
If the four −wheel drive indicator light con-
tinues to blink when you operate the mul-
ti −mode control switch knob from the “H4”
to the “H2” position, this reminds you that
the transfer mode is not securely in “H2”
mode. Drive straight ahead while acceler-
ating or decelerating, or drive forward or
backward in a short distance.
If the indicator light continues to blink
even if doing so, contact your Toyota
dealer as soon as possible. There may be
a trouble in the four −wheel drive system.
CAUTION
Never operate the multimode control
switch knob if the wheels are slip-
ping. Stop the slipping or spinning
before operating.
SHIFTING BETWEEN “H4” (UNLOCKED)
AND “H4” (LOCKED)
To shift between unlock and lock
modes in “H4”, push the center differen-
tial lock switch.
SHIFTING BETWEEN “L4” (UNLOCKED)
AND “L4” (LOCKED)
To shift between unlock and lock
modes in “L4”, push the center differen-
tial lock switch.
SHIFTING BETWEEN “H4” AND “L4”
To shift from “H4” to “L4”, bring the
vehicle to a complete stop with the brake
pedal held down with your foot, shift the
automatic transmission selector lever into
“N” and push and turn the multi −mode
control switch knob fully clockwise.
To shift from “L4” to “H4”, bring the
vehicle to a complete stop with the brake
pedal held down with your foot, shift the
automatic transmission selector lever into
“N” and turn the multi −mode control switch
knob counterclockwise.
(c) Shifting procedure

’04 4Runner_U (L/O 0308)
165
2004 4RUNNER from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM35811U)
If the “4LO” (low speed four −wheel drive)
indicator light continues to blink when you
operate the multi −mode control switch
knob to the “H4” or “L4” position, drive
forward or backward in a short distance,
then stop the vehicle completely, shift the
automatic transmission selector lever se-
curely into “N” and operate the switch
knob again.
If the indicator continues to blink even if
doing so, contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible. There may be a trouble
in the four −wheel drive system.
CAUTION
Never operate the multimode control
switch knob if the wheels are slip-
ping. Stop the slipping or spinning
before operating.
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 “ON”,
the system automatically turns on.
CAUTION
Under certain slippery road condi-
tions, full traction of the vehicle and
power to the 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 ordinary
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.
Traction control system
(twowheel drive models)

’04 4Runner_U (L/O 0308)
168
2004 4RUNNER from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM35811U)
If the light comes on while driving, the
traction control system does not work.
However, as normal braking operates
when being applied, there 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 “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 active traction control system auto-
matically helps prevent the spinning of
4 wheels when the vehicle is started or
accelerated on slippery road surfaces.
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 to the 4 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.
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.
When the active traction control system is
operating, the following conditions occur:
The system controls the spinning of the
4 wheels. At this time, the slip indica-
tor light blinks.
Active traction control system
(fourwheel drive models)

’04 4Runner_U (L/O 0308)
171
2004 4RUNNER from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM35811U)
If the vehicle is going to skid during driv-
ing, the slip indicator light blinks and an
alarm sounds intermittently. Special care
should be taken while driving.
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.Fourwheel drive models only—
Pushing the center differential lock
switch automatically turns the vehicle
stability control system off. At this
time, the “VSC OFF” indicator comes
on with the center differential lock indi-
cator light.
The “VSC 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 center differential lock
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 to
“ON”.
The indicator light remains on after the
ignition key is turned to “ON”.
The indicator light comes on when the
system is on while driving.
NOTICE
Make sure that the center differential
lock indicator light goes off before
normal driving.