2008 TOYOTA 4RUNNER transmission

164
(b) Normal driving1. Start the engine as instructed in How to start the engine" on page 370 in
Section 3. The transmission must be in
P" or N".
Vehicles with four−wheel drive control
When the four−wheel drive control and
switch knob is in L4" (low−speed position)
and center differential locked, the driving
pattern selector setting has no effect on
gear shift timing. (See Four−wheel drive
system (full−time four−w heel drive mod-
els)" on page 168 in this Section for in-
formation of the four−wheel drive control.)
Vehicles with multi−mode control
When the multi−mode control switch knob
is in L4" (low−speed position, four−wheel
drive) and center differential locked, the
driving pattern selector setting has no ef-
fect on gear shift timing. (See Four−wheel
drive system (multi−mode four−wheel drive
models)" on page 171 in this Section for
information of the multi−mode control.) 2. With your foot holding down the brake
pedal, shift the selector lever to D".
When the lever is in the D" position, the
automatic transmission system will select
the most suitable gear for running condi-
tions such as normal cruising, hill climb-
ing, hard towing, etc.
Two−wheel drive models
Always use the D" position for better fuel
economy and quieter driving. If the engine
coolant temperature is low, the transmis-
sion will not shift into the overdrive gear
even in the D" position.
Vehicles with four−wheel drive control
Always use the D" position for better fuel
economy and quieter driving. If the engine
coolant temperature is low or when the
four−wheel drive control switch knob is in
L4" (low−speed position) and center dif-
ferential locked, the transmission will not
shift into the overdrive gear even in the
D" position. (See Four−wheel drive sys-
tem (full−time four−wheel drive models)"
on page 168 in this Section for informa-
tion of the four−wheel drive control.) Vehicles with multi−mode control
Always use the D" position for better fuel
economy and quieter driving. If the engine
coolant temperature is low or when the
multi−mode control switch knob is in L4"
(low−speed position, four−wheel drive) and
center differential locked, the transmission
will not shift into the overdrive gear even
in the D" position. (See Four−wheel drive
system (multi−mode four−w
heel drive
models)" on page 171 in this Section for
information of the multi−mode control.)
CAUTION
Never put your foot on the accelera-
tor pedal while shifting.
3. Release the parking brake and brake
pedal. Depress the accelerator pedal
slowly for smooth starting.
If the automatic locking operation linked
with the shift position is set, all the side
doors and back door are automatically
locked when the shift lever is moved out
of the P" position with the engine running
and all the side doors and back door are
closed. For details, see Automatic door
locking and unlocking functions" on page
25 in Section 1−2.

165
(c) Using engine braking
To use engine braking, you can downshift
the transmission as follows:
Shift into the 4" position. The trans-
mission will downshift to fourth gear
and engine braking will be enabled.
Shift into the 3" position. The trans-
mission will downshift to third gear
when the vehicle speed drops down to
or lower than the following speed, and
stronger engine braking will be en-
abled.Two−wheel drive models
4.0 L V6 (1GR−FE) engine 133km/h(83mph)
4.7 L V8 (2UZ−FE) engine 139km/h(86mph)
Four−wheel drive models 4.0 L V6 (1GR−FE) engine
Multi−mode control switch knob
at H2" or H4" 133km/h(83mph)
Multi−mode control switch knob
at L4" 51km/h(31mph) 4.7 L V8 (2UZ−FE) engine
Four−wheel drive control switch
knob at H4" 139km/h(86mph)
Four−wheel drive control switch
knob at L4" 54km/h(34mph)
Shift into the 2" position. The trans-
mission will downshift to second gear
when the vehicle speed drops down to
or lower than the following speed, and
stronger engine braking will be en-
abled.
Two−wheel drive models4.0 L V6 (1GR−FE) engine 88km/h(54mph)
4.7 L V8 (2UZ−FE) engine 94km/h(58mph)
Four−wheel drive models 4.0 L V6 (1GR−FE) engine
Multi−mode control switch knob
at H2" or H4" 88km/h(54mph)
Multi−mode control switch knob
at L4" 34km/h(21mph) 4.7 L V8 (2UZ−FE) engine
Four−wheel drive control switch
knob at H4" 94km/h(58mph)
Four−wheel drive control switch
knob at L4" 36km/h(22mph)Shift into the L" position. The trans-
mission will downshift to first gear
when the vehicle speed drops down to
or lower than the following speed, and
maximum engine braking will be en-
abled.
Two−wheel drive models4.0 L V6 (1GR−FE) engine 42km/h(26mph)
4.7 L V8 (2UZ−FE) engine 40km/h(25mph)
Four−wheel drive models 4.0 L V6 (1GR−FE) engine
Multi−mode control switch knob
at H2" or H4" 42km/h(26mph)
Multi−mode control switch knob
at L4" 16km/h(9mph)

168
(g) Good driving practice
If the transmission repeatedly shifts up
and down between fourth gear and
overdrive when climbing a gentle slope,
shift the selector lever to the 4" posi-
tion. Be sure to shift the selector lever
to the D" position immediately after-
ward.
When towing a trailer, in order to main-
tain engine braking efficiency, do not
use D" position.
CAUTION
Always keep your foot on the brake
pedal while stopped with the engine
running. This prevents the vehicle
from creeping.
NOTICE
Always use the brake pedal or the
parking brake to hold the vehicle on
an upgrade. Do not attempt to hold
the vehicle using the accelerator ped-
al, as this can cause the transmission
to overheat.
(h) If you cannot shift the selector le-ver out of P" position
If you cannot shift the selector lever from
the P" position even though the brake
pedal is depressed, use the shift lock
override button. For instructions, see If
you cannot shift automatic transmission
selector lever" on page 410 in Section 4.
CY16060
Four−wheel drive control switch knob
CY16061
Center differential lock switch
Four−wheel drive system (full−time
four−wheel drive models)
(a) Four−wheel drive control

170
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) and center differential
unlocked mode. Also, using this mode
when driving down steep off−road inclines
will help contribute to increased 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 (b) Shifting procedure" for further in-
structions.
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.
(b) Shifting procedure

171
If the 4LO" (low speed four−wheel drive)
indicator light continues to blink and the
buzzer sounds when you operate the four−
wheel drive 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 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 four−wheel drive
control switch knob if the wheels are
slipping. Stop the slipping or spin-
ning before operating.
CY16062
Multi−mode control switch knob
CY16061
Center differential lock switch
Use the multi−mode 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.
Four−wheel drive system
(multi−mode four−wheel drive
models)
(a) Multi−mode control

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

186
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 four−wheel drive control
switch knob (full−time four−wheel drive
models) or multi−mode control switch
knob (multi−mode four−wheel 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 off−road surfaces on
which sliding can easily occur, such
as extremely steep slopes or icy or
muddy roads.
TO ACTIVATE THE DOWNHILL ASSIST
CONTROL SYSTEM1. Full−time four−wheel drive models Turn the four−wheel drive control
switch knob to the L4" position.
The system will not operate if the four−
wheel drive control switch knob is in the
H4" position. Multi−mode four−wheel drive mod-
elsTurn the multi−mode control
switch knob to the L4" position.
The system will not operate if the multi−
mode control switch knob is in the H4"
position. 2. In order to make full use of the en- gine brake, putting the transmission
in L" or 2" is recommended.
The system will operate even if the trans-
mission selector lever is in D", 4", 3"
or N". However, when it is in L" or 2"
the engine brake can also be utilized en-
abling the system to operate more effec-
tively.
CY16020
3. Push the DAC" switch to turn the system on. The downhill assist con-
trol system indicator light on the in-
strument panel will come on.
Full−time four−wheel drive modelsIf the
downhill assist control system indicator
light flashes, the selector lever may be in
N" or the four−wheel drive control switch
knob may be in the H4" position.
If the indicator light does not come on
when the switch is pushed, contact your
Toyota dealer.
Downhill assist control system
(four−wheel drive models)

189
The hill−start 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 hill−
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 hill−start 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.
The hill−start assist control system will
operate for 5 seconds maximally when
all of the following conditions apply.
When the transmission is in any of
positions D", 4", 3", 2" or L"
When the brake pedal is not de-
pressed
The system is designed to operate when
the vehicle is starting on an uphill slope;
therefore, if the transmission is in P" or
N" it will not operate. It will not operate
either if the vehicle starts to move in
reverse on a slope with the transmission
in the R".CY16073
When the hill−start assist control system
is operating, the slip indicator light flashes
and an alarm sounds intermittently. At the
same time, the stop lights and high
mounted stoplight are lit.
The slip indicator light comes on for a few
seconds when the engine switch is turned
to ON". If the indicator light does not
come on when the engine switch is turned
on, contact your Toyota dealer.
Hill−start assist control
system