2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER warning

’04 4Runner_U (L/O 0308)
147
2004 4RUNNER from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM35811U)
OPERATION OF INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLS
Ignition switch, Transmission and Parking brake
Ignition switch with steering lock 148
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Automatic transmission 149
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Four −wheel drive system 158
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Traction control system 165
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Active traction control system 168
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Vehicle stability control system 170
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Downhill assist control system 172
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Hill −start assist control system 175
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Rear height control air suspension 178
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Tire pressure warning system 183
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Parking brake 188
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Cruise control 188
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SECTION 1 7

’04 4Runner_U (L/O 0308)
167
2004 4RUNNER from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM35811U)
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 with the
normal driving mode while driving.
“VSC TRAC” warning light
This light warns that there is a problem
somewhere in the following.
Traction control system
Vehicle stability control system
Hill−start assist control system
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 systems such as on 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
traction control system can no longer op-
erate. In this case, immediately stop your
vehicle 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 actuator. (Although the
traction 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 “VSC
TRAC” warning light goes out.

’04 4Runner_U (L/O 0308)
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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)
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2004 4RUNNER from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM35811U)
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 following.
Active traction control system
Vehicle stability control system
Downhill assist control system
Hill− start assist control system
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 systems such as on 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
active traction control system can no lon-
ger operate. In this case, immediately stop
your vehicle 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 actuator. (Al-
though the active traction control system
does not operate, there is no problem to
continue your driving.) The system will be
automatically restored after a short time
and the “VSC TRAC” warning light goes
out.

’04 4Runner_U (L/O 0308)
170
2004 4RUNNER from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM35811U)
If the light comes on while driving, the
active traction 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. The vehicle stability control system
helps provide integrated control of the
systems such as antilock brake sys-
tem, traction control, engine control,
etc. This system automatically controls
the output of the brakes or engine to
help prevent the vehicle from skidding
when cornering on a slippery road sur-
face or operating steering wheel abrupt-
ly.
The vehicle stability control activates
when the vehicle speed is more than 15
km/h (9 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 self
−check mode, but does
not indicate a malfunction.
CAUTION
Do not rely excessively on the ve-
hicle stability control system. Even
if the vehicle stability control sys-
tem is operating, you must always
drive carefully and attentively to
avoid serious injury. Reckless driv-
ing will result in an unexpected ac-
cident. If the slip indicator light
blinks and 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 stability control
system may not function correctly.
When replacing the tires or wheels,
contact your Toyota dealer. (See
“Checking and replacing tires” on
page 370 in Section 72.)
Vehicle stability control
system

’04 4Runner_U (L/O 0308)
172
2004 4RUNNER from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM35811U)
“VSC TRAC” warning light
This light warns that when there is a
problem somewhere in the following.
Vehicle stability control system
Traction control system
(two−wheel drive models)
Active traction control system
(four −wheel drive models)
Downhill assist control system
(four −wheel drive models)
Hill −start 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.
Tw o −wheel 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)

’04 4Runner_U (L/O 0308)
174
2004 4RUNNER from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM35811U)
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 gr adually. 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.
Hill −start assist control system
Active traction control system
Vehicle stability control system

’04 4Runner_U (L/O 0308)
175
2004 4RUNNER from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM35811U)
“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