2007 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER ECO mode

154
The vehicle stability control system
helps provide integrated control of the
systems such as antilock brake, trac-
tion control, engine control, etc. This
system automatically controls the out-
put of the brakes or engine to help
prevent the vehicle from skidding under
adverse conditions.
The vehicle stability control system is acti-
vated when the vehicle speed is about
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 ve-
hicle stability control system is in the
self−check mode and does not indicate a
malfunction.CAUTION
Active traction control system, ve-
hicle stability control system and
antilock brake system are electron-
ic systems designed to help the
driver maintain control under ad-
verse conditions. They are not a
substitute for safe driving practices.
Factors including speed, road con-
ditions and driver steering input
can all affect whether active trac-
tion control system, vehicle stability
control system and antilock brake
system will be effective in prevent-
ing a loss of control. Always keep
safety driving in mind. If the slip
indicator light flashes, sounding an
alarm, 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 333.)
Vehicle stability control
system

167

The indicator light goes out after it
comes on.
If this is the case, contact your Toyota
dealer and have your vehicle inspected.
This active height control suspension
controls the vehicle height depending
on the vehicle driving condition. Select
your desired height among the “HI”
(high), “N” (normal) and “LO” (low)
modes with the height select switch. (a) Vehicle height modes
“HI” (high) mode—
The vehicle height is about 40 mm (1.6
in.) higher at front and about 50 mm
(2.0 in.) higher at rear than the normal
mode height.
This mode is suitable when driving on the
bumpy roads and through water.
This mode is available when the vehicle
speed is under about 30 km/h (19 mph).
CAUTION
The “HI” (high) or “Extra high” 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, re-
sulting in an accident.
When the four
−wheel drive control lever is
put at “L”, this mode may change to the
extra high mode automatically in accor-
dance with the driving condition.
Active height control
suspension (AHC)

168
When the vehicle exceeds the specified
vehicle speed, the vehicle height
changes to the following:
With the fourwheel drive control lever
at “H” and at the vehicle speed of 30
km/h (19 mph) or over, the normal mode
is automatically selected.
With the fourwheel drive control lever
at “L” and at the vehicle speed of 50
km/h (30 mph) or over, the vehicle height
becomes automatically about 25 mm (1.0
in.) higher than the normal mode height.
If the vehicle speed is lowered about 20
km/h (12 mph) or less after that, the high
mode automatically resumes. Extra high mode—
This mode is automatically selected
from the high mode with the fourwheel
drive control lever placed in “L” posi-
tion depending on the vehicle driving
condition.
If the vehicle becomes stuck, the vehicle
height rises automatically to the extra high
mode (slightly higher or at about 70 mm
(2.8 in.) higher than normal mode height).
In the following cases, the extra high
mode changes to the high mode automati-
cally:
When your vehicle is no longer stuck.
When the four
−wheel drive control lever
is put in a position other than “L”.
When you push the height select switch
on the “
” side in the extra high
mode, the normal mode is selected.
Since the extra high mode is automatically
selected, you cannot select this mode on
purpose with the height select switch. “N” (normal) mode—
The vehicle height in this mode is stan-
dard.
This mode is suitable for ordinary driving.
“LO” (low) mode—
The vehicle height is about 50 mm (2.0
in.) lower at front and about 40 mm
(1.6 in.) lower at rear than the normal
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
is stopped. When you start the vehicle,
the normal mode is automatically selected.
NOTICE
The normal mode is automatically se-
lected when the vehicle begins to
move in the low mode. So be careful
when you drive in any place where
the overhead height is limited.

169
(b) Automatic leveling function
Regardless of the number of occupants
or the luggage loading condition, the
vehicle height is always automatically
adjusted to a fixed height in any mode.
However, the vehicle height cannot be
raised if the vehicle load exceeds the lim-
its. (See “(d) Vehicle height adjustment”
described below.)(c) Vehicle height mode changing
condition
To change the vehicle height, it is nec-
essary to meet the following 3 condi-
tions.
The engine should be running.
All the side doors and back door
should be closed.
The height control “OFF” indicator
light should go off.
When selecting a mode with the four −
wheel drive control lever at “H”, there is
a vehicle speed limit. Refer to the follow-
ing table.
Yes = The mode can be selected.
No = The mode cannot be selected.
Low
modeNormal
mode
High
mode
At vehicle
stoppageYe sYe sYe s
Under about 30
km/h (19 mph)NoYe sYe s
About 30 km/h
(19 mph) or overNoYe sNo
In the following cases the active height
control suspension does not operate
even if the above conditions are all
met.
The brake pedal has been depressed
for longer than about 5 seconds with
the vehicle stopped.
The suspension fluid temperature is
lower than –30 C (–22 F). If the en-
gine is warmed up, the suspension
fluid temperature will be raised as the
inside of the engine compartment be-
comes warmer. Then the active height
control system becomes operable.
Driving on the bumpy roads, which
may cause the suspension to fully
elongate.
The steering wheel is operated abruptly
more than 3/4 turns with center differ-
ential lock system activated.

170
(d) Vehicle height adjustment
To change the mode, push the height
select switch on either side of
“
”(higher) and “”(lower).
The height control indicator light indicates
which mode is selected. (See “(f) Height
control indicator lights” described below.)
NOTICE
 If you change the vehicle height fre-
quently, the pump may overheat. To
prevent this, the active height con-
trol suspension should be stopped
temporarily for a minute between
selections. Operate it again.
 Before you lower the vehicle height
with the height select switch, check
under the vehicle to make sure
nothing to damage the vehicle or
no one to be injured is there and
that the underbody of the vehicle
does not touch the ground.
 After unloading, the height of a ve-
hicle equipped with the active
height control suspension becomes
slightly higher than the normal ve-
hicle height. Take sufficient care
where the overhead height is re-
stricted.
The vehicle height cannot be raised if
the vehicle load exceeds the following
limits:
Up to 4 occupants∗ plus about 280 kg
(617 lb.) in the normal mode
Up to 4 occupants∗ plus about 150 kg
(331 lb.) in the high mode
∗: About 75 kg (165 lb.) for a person
If the above load capacity is exceeded,
the desired vehicle height may not be ob-
tained even if the height select switch is
pushed. (If the vehicle height cannot be
raised in the normal mode and the height
control indicator indicates “LO”, this is be-
cause the vehicle is loaded too heavily.
Under these conditions, drive your vehicle
with due care.)
If the vehicle height cannot be raised
even after unloading, push the height se-
lect switch on the “
” side and then on
the “
” side. If this does not work, turn
off the ignition once and then turn on.
Operate the select switch again.
If the vehicle height is adjusted on the
slope, or with the selector lever in a posi-
tion other than “P” or “N” while the vehicle
is stopped, you may hear a sound caused
by the expansion and contraction of the
propeller shaft.

171
Selecting the high mode—
Push the height select switch on the “
”
side when the vehicle speed is under
about 30 km/h (19 mph).
To change the normal mode to high,
push the switch once.
To change the low mode to high, push
the switch twice. It takes about 30 se-
conds until the low mode changes to the
high mode.
Selecting the normal mode—
To change the high mode to normal,
push the height select switch on the “
”
side once.
To change the low mode to normal,
push the height select switch on the “
”
side once.
Selecting the low mode—
Push the height control switch on the
“
” side while the vehicle is stopped.
To change the high mode to low, push
the switch twice.
To change the normal mode to low,
push the switch once.
NOTICE
Do not select the low mode in the
bumpy roads. If the underbody of the
vehicle touches the rugged road sur-
face, the vehicle may be damaged.
Even if the engine is stopped while the
vehicle height is being lowered, the op-
eration continues for up to 12 seconds.
(e) Turning off the active height control suspension
To turn off the active height control
suspension with the vehicle stopped,
push the height control switch. The
height control “OFF” indicator light
comes on and the vehicle height is
fixed in the same mode as the height
control switch is pushed.
This status is memorized in the system
even after the engine is stopped.
If you push the switch again, the height
control “OFF” indicator light goes out and
the active height control suspension is
turned on.

172
CAUTION
If you drive through deep water over
about 500 mm (20 in.) in depth, put
the vehicle height in the HI (High)
mode with the active height select
switch and then turn off the active
height control suspension by pushing
the height control switch. Drive your
vehicle at 30 km/h (19 mph) or lower
speed.
NOTICE
When jacking up or insta lling tire
chains, be sure to turn off the ac-
tive height control suspension and
stop the engine. Otherwise, the ve-
hicle height may change because of
the automatic leveling function, re-
sulting in an accident.
 If your vehicle must be towed, put
the vehicle height in the normal
mode and turn off the active height
control suspension. Otherwise, the
vehicle height may change because
of the automatic leveling function,
resulting in an accident.
If your vehicle gets ditched, turn off
the active height control suspension
with the height control switch.
Otherwise, the vehicle height may
change because of the automatic
leveling function, resulting in an ac-
cident.
Even after the active height control
suspension is turned off with the height
control switch, if the vehicle speed ex-
ceeds 30 km (19 mph), the active height
control automatically selects the normal
mode.
(f) Height control indicator lights
1. Height control indicator lights
2. Height control “OFF” indicator light
When the ignition switch is turned on,
all the indicator lights come on. The
indicator light showing the present
mode only remains on and all other
lights go off after a few seconds. This
means the system operates correctly.

174
Height control “OFF” indicator light:
When the ignition switch is turned on, this
light comes on. If it goes out after a few
seconds, the active height control suspen-
sion operates correctly. If you push the
height control switch, the active height
control is turned off. The height control
“OFF” indicator light comes on.
In the following cases, there is a problem
somewhere in your active height control
suspension. Although there is no problem
to continue normal driving, have the active
height control suspension checked by your
Toyota dealer as soon as possible.
The height control “OFF” indicator light
does not come on when the ignition
switch is turned on.
The height control “OFF” indicator light
blinks.(g) Operation in cold weather
The active height control suspension
does not operate in cold weather when
the suspension fluid temperature drops
below –30
C (–22 F).
In this case, operating the height control
switch does not change the vehicle height.
The vehicle height control enters the
ready mode and the selected height con-
trol indicator light blinks. The active height
control becomes operable if the engine is
warmed up with the suspension fluid tem-
perature being raised within normal operat-
ing limits. The vehicle changes to the se-
lected height when the vehicle height
control is in the ready mode.
When the suspension fluid temperature is
around –30 C (–22 F), the vehicle height
cannot be raised even within the available
load capacity. After warming up the en-
gine, push the control switch on the “
”
side once and then on the “
” side to
select the desired vehicle height.
It takes longer to change the vehicle
height when the suspension fluid tem-
perature drops below –15 C (5 F). (h) Parking and stopping tips
If you immediately stop the engine to park
the vehicle after off
−road driving, the ve-
hicle height is lowered slightly as the ve-
hicle becomes cool. When parking, make
sure there is nothing that will be in con-
tact with the underbody of the vehicle.
When you start the engine, the vehicle
returns to the previous height.
If you park the vehicle for a long time,
the vehicle height may be gradually low-
ered. When parking for a long time, make
sure there is nothing that will be in con-
tact with the underbody of the vehicle.
When you start the engine, the vehicle
returns to the previous height.
If you stop the engine, the vehicle height
may change in accordance with the
change in the temperature. When you
start the engine, the vehicle returns to the
previous height.