2008 TOYOTA 4RUNNER differential

173
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) and
center 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 the center
differential lock switch to unlock the cen-
ter differential, drive straight ahead while
accelerating or decelerating, or 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 203 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.
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)

174
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 and the
center differential lock indicator lights con-
tinue 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 vehicle speed is
above 100 km/h (62 mph). 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 multi−mode 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

184
CY16061
Four−wheel 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 engine switch
is turned to ON". It will come on again
when you push the center differential lock
switch to turn on the system.In the following cases, contact your Toyota
dealer:
The indicator light does not come on
when the engine switch is turned to
ON".
The indicator light remains on after the
engine switch 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.
CY16075
When getting the vehicle out of mud or
newly fallen snow, etc., turn off the
vehicle stability control system. This
system that controls engine perfor-
mance interferes with the process of
freeing rear wheels (two−wheel drive
models) or 4 wheels (four−wheel drive
models).
To turn off: First, push the VSC OFF"
switch to turn off the traction control
system and check that the AUTO LSD"
and slip indicator lights come on. Then,
push and hold the VSC OFF" switch
for 3 seconds or more with the vehicle
stopped.
The VSC OFF" and slip indicator lights
will come on.

337
INFORMATION BEFORE DRIVING YOUR
TOYOTA
Off−road vehicle precautions338
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Break−in period 339
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . .
Fuel 339
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel pump shut off system 341
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operation in foreign countries 341
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Three−way catalytic converters 342
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine exhaust cautions 343
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
Facts about engine oil consumption 344
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Iridium−tipped spark plugs 345
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake system 345
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . .
Brake pad wear limit indicators 349
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Limited−slip differential 349
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. .
Your Toyota’s identification 349
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Theft prevention labels 351
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. .
Suspension and chassis 351
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
Tire information 352
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. . . . . . . . .
Vehicle load limits 364
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . .
Cargo and luggage 365
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . .
Types of tires 368
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. . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 2

349
CY20004
The brake pad wear limit indicators on
your disc brakes give a warning noise
when the brake pads are worn to where
replacement is required.
If you hear a squealing or scraping noise
while driving, have the brake pads
checked and replaced by your Toyota
dealer as soon as possible. Expensive ro-
tor damage can result if the pads are not
replaced when necessary.Your Toyota is equipped with a limited−slip
center differential (transfer). If one wheel
begins to spin, the limited−slip center dif-
ferential (transfer) is designed to aid trac-
tion by automatically transmitting driving
force to the wheels on the other drive
axle. It transmits driving force to the front
wheels if a rear wheel spins, and to the
rear wheels if a front wheel spins.
CAUTION
Do not start or run the engine while
your vehicle is supported by a jack.
The vehicle could be driven off the
jack and could pose a danger or re-
sult in serious injury.
NOTICE
Use only a spare tire of the same
brand, size, construction and load ca-
pacity as the original tires on your
Toyota because damage to the limit-
ed−slip differential could possibly oc-
cur with another tire type.
CY20013
The vehicle identification number (VIN)
is the legal identifier for your vehicle.
This number is on the left top of the
instrument panel, and can be seen
through the windshield from outside.
This is the primary identification number
for your Toyota. It is used in registering
the ownership of your vehicle.
Brake pad wear limit
indicators
Limited−slip differential
(four−wheel drive models)Your Toyota’s identification
Vehicle identification number

373
Driving in the rain
Driving on a slippery road surface
Drive carefully when it is raining, because
visibility will be reduced, the windows may
become fogged−up, and the road will be
slippery.
Drive carefully when it starts to rain,
because the road surface will be espe-
cially slippery.
Refrain from high speeds when driving
on an expressway in the rain, because
there may be a layer of water between
the tires and the road surface, prevent-
ing the steering and brakes from oper-
ating properly.
CAUTION
Sudden braking, acceleration and
steering when driving on a slippery
road surface may cause tire slip-
page and reduce your ability to
control the vehicle, resulting in an
accident.
Sudden changes in engine speed,
such as sudden engine braking,
may cause the vehicle to skid, re-
sulting in an accident.
After driving through a puddle,
lightly depress the brake pedal to
make sure that the brakes are func-
tioning properly. Wet brake pads
may prevent the brakes from func-
tioning properly. If the brakes on
only one side are wet and not func-
tioning properly, steering control
may be affected, resulting in an ac-
cident.
When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded
after heavy rain etc. Doing so may cause
serious damage to the vehicle.
NOTICE
Driving on a flooded road may cause
the engine to stall as well as cause
serious vehicle malfunctions such as
shorts in electrical components and
engine damage from water immersion.
In the event that you drive on a
flooded road and the vehicle is
flooded, be sure to have your Toyota
dealer check brake function, changes
in quantity and quality of oil and fluid
used for the engine, transmission,
transfer (4WD vehicles), differentials,
etc. and lubricant condition for the
propeller shaft, bearings and suspen-
sion joints (where possible) and the
function of all joints and bearings.

375
NOTICE
If driving through water, such as
when crossing shallow streams,
first check the depth of the water
and the bottom of the river bed for
firmness. Drive slowly and avoid
deep water.
 Take all necessary safety measures
to ensure that water damage to the
engine or other components does
not occur.
 Water entering the engine air intake
will cause severe engine damage.
 Water entering the automatic trans-
mission will cause deterioration in
shift quality, locking up of your
transmission accompanied by vibra-
tion, and ultimately damage.
 Water can wash the grease from
wheel bearings, causing rusting and
premature failure, and may also en-
ter the differentials, transmission
and transfer case, reducing the gear
oil’s lubricating qualities.
Sand and mud that has accumulated
in brake drums and around brake
discs may affect braking efficiency
and may damage brake system com-
ponents.
 Always perform a maintenance
inspection after each day of
off−road driving that has taken you
through rough terrain, sand, mud,
or water. For scheduled
maintenance information, refer to
the Scheduled Maintenance Guide"
or Owner ’s Manual Supplement".Make sure your coolant is properly pro-
tected against freezing.
Only use Toyota Super Long Life Coolant"
or similar high quality ethylene glycol
based non−silicate, non−amine, non−nitrite,
and non−borate coolant with long−life hy-
brid organic acid technology. (Coolant with
long−life hybrid organic acid technology is
a combination of low phosphates and or-
ganic acids.)
See Checking the engine coolant level"
on page 438 in Section 7−2 for details of
coolant type selection.
For the U.S.A.Toyota Super Long Life
Coolant" is a mixture of 50% coolant and
50% deionized water. This coolant pro-
vides protection down to about −35 C
(−31 F).
For the CanadaToyota Super Long Life
Coolant" is a mixture of 55% coolant and
45% deionized water. This coolant pro-
vides protection down to about −42 C
(−44 F).
NOTICE
Do not use plain water alone.
Winter driving tips

409
NOTICE
Use only a cable or chain specifically
intended for use in towing vehicles.
Securely fasten the cable or chain to
the towing eyelet provided.
Before towing, release the parking brake
and put the transmission in N". The en-
gine switch must be in ACC" (engine off)
or ON" (engine running).
Four−wheel drive modelsOn multi−mode
four−wheel drive models, put the multi−
mode control switch knob in H2". On full−
time four−wheel drive models, unlock the
center differential.
CAUTION
If the engine is not running, the pow-
er assist for the brakes and steering
will not work so steering and braking
will be much harder than usual.
Before emergency towing, check that
the eyelet is not broken or damaged
and that the installation bolts are not
loose.
Fasten the towing cable or chain se-
curely to the eyelet.
Do not jerk the eyelet. Apply steady
and even force.
To avoid damaging the eyelet, do not
pull from the side or at a vertical
angle. Always pull straight ahead.
CAUTION
If the emergency towing eyelet is
used to get out when your vehicle
becomes struck in mud, sand or oth-
er condition from which the vehicle
cannot be driven out under its own
power, make sure to observe the pre-
cautions mentioned below. Otherwise,
excessive stress will be put on the
eyelet and the towing cable or chain
may break, causing serious injury or
damage.
If the towing vehicle can hardly
move, do not forcibly continue the
towing. Contact your Toyota dealer
or a commercial tow truck service
for assistance.
Tow the vehicle as straight ahead
as possible.
Keep away from the vehicle during
towing.
Emergency towing eyelet
precautions