2008 TOYOTA 4RUNNER Owners Manual

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)

166
4.7 L V8 (2UZ−FE) engineFour−wheel drive control switch
knob at H4" 40km/h(25mph)
Four−wheel drive control switch
knob at L4" 15km/h(9mph)
When the cruise control is being used,
even if you downshift from D" to 4",
engine braking will not be enabled be-
cause the cruise control is not cancelled.
For ways to decrease the vehicle speed,
see Cruise control" on page 203 in this
Section.
CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a
slippery surface. Abrupt shifting
could cause the vehicle to skid or
spin.
(d) Using 3", 2" and L" positions
The 3", 2" and L" positions are used for
strong engine braking as described pre-
viously.
With the selector lever in 3", 2" or L",
you can start the vehicle in motion as
with the lever in D".
With the selector lever in 3" or 2", the
vehicle will start in first gear and automat-
ically shift to third gear or second gear.
With the selector lever in L", the trans-
mission is engaged in first gear.NOTICE
 Be careful not to over−rev the en-
gine. Watch the tachometer to keep
engine rpm from going into the red
zone. The approximate maximum al-
lowable speed for each position is
given below for your reference:
Two−wheel drive models
4.0 L V6 (1GR−FE) engine3" 146km/h(90mph) . . . . . . .
2" 100km/h(62mph) . . . . . . .
L" 58km/h(36mph) . . . . . . . .
4.7 L V8 (2UZ−FE) engine 3" 146km/h(90mph) . . . . . . .
2" 100km/h(62mph) . . . . . . .
L" 58km/h(36mph) . . . . . . . .

167
Four−wheel drive models4.0 L V6 (1GR−FE) engineMulti−mode drive control
switch knob at H2" or H4"3" 146km/h(90mph) . . . . .
2" 100km/h(62mph) . . . . .
L" 58km/h(36mph) . . . . . .
Multi−mode drive control
switch knob at L4" 3" 57km/h(35mph) . . . . . .
2" 39km/h(24mph) . . . . . .
L" 22km/h(14mph) . . . . . .
4.7 L V8 (2UZ−FE) engine Four−wheel drive control
switch knob at H4"3" 146km/h(90mph) . . . . .
2" 100km/h(62mph) . . . . .
L" 58km/h(36mph) . . . . . .
Four−wheel drive control
switch knob at L4" 3" 57km/h(35mph) . . . . . .
2" 39km/h(24mph) . . . . . .
L" 26km/h(16mph) . . . . . . Do not continue hill climbing or
hard towing for a long time in the
3", 2" or L" position. This may
cause severe automatic transmis-
sion damage from overheating. To
prevent such damage, 4" position
should be used in hill climbing or
hard towing.
(e) Backing up
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. With the brake pedal held down with your foot, shift the selector lever to the
R" position.
NOTICE
Never shift into reverse while the ve-
hicle is moving.
Vehicles with rear view monitor system
When the selector lever is shifted into R"
position with the engine switch in the
ON" position, rear view monitor system
will activate. For instructions, see Rear
view monitor system" on page 312 in Sec-
tion 1−10. (f) Parking
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. With the brake pedal pressed down, fully depress the parking brake pedal
to apply the parking brake securely.
3. With the brake pedal pressed down, shift the selector lever to the P" posi-
tion.
CAUTION
Never attempt to move the selector
lever into P" position under any cir-
cumstances while the vehicle is mov-
ing. Serious mechanical damage and
loss of vehicle control may result.
If the automatic unlocking operation linked
with the shift position is set, all the side
doors and back door are automatically un-
locked when the selector lever is moved
to the P" position with the engine switch
is in the ON" position. For details, see
Automatic door locking and unlocking
functions" on page 25 in Section 1−2.

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

169
Use the four−wheel drive control switch
knob and center differential lock switch
to select the transfer and center differ-
ential modes.
The H4" and L4" positions of the four−
wheel drive control switch knob provide
either lock or unlock mode of the center
differential. The center differential can be
locked or unlocked by pushing the center
differential lock switch.
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 and VSC OFF" indica-
tor lights turn off.
H4" (high speed position) and center
differential unlocked: Four−wheel drive
control switch knob at H4", center differ-
ential unlocked
Use this for normal driving on all types of
roads, from dry hard−surfaced roads to
wet, icy or snow−covered roads. This
position gives greater economy, quietest
ride, least wear and better vehicle control.
H4" (high speed position) and center
differential locked: Four−wheel drive con-
trol switch knob at H4", center differential
locked
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) and center
differential unlocked:
Four−wheel drive
control switch knob at L4", center differ-
ential unlocked
The 4LO" (low speed four−wheel drive)
indicator light comes 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) and center differ-
ential locked mode.
L4" (low speed position) and center
differential locked: Four−wheel drive con-
trol switch knob at L4", center differential
locked
The 4LO" (low speed four−wheel drive)
indicator light comes on when the L4"
mode is selected.

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

172
The center differential can be locked or
unlocked by pushing the center differential
lock switch.
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 VSC OFF"
indicator light turn off.
H2" (high speed position, two−wheel
drive): Multi−mode control switch knob at
H2"
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, four−wheel
drive) and center differential unlocked:
Multi−mode control switch knob at H4",
center differential unlocked
The four−wheel drive indicator light comes
on when the H4" mode is selected.
Use this for greater traction than two−
wheel drive. (When you experience a loss
of power, such as wheel slipping.) This
position provides greater traction than
two−wheel drive.
H4" (high speed position, four−wheel
drive) and center differential locked:
Multi−mode control switch knob at H4",
center differential locked
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, four−wheel
drive) and center differential unlocked:
Multi−mode control switch knob at L4",
center differential unlocked
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)
and center differential locked mode.
L4" (low speed position, four−wheel
drive) and center differential locked:
Multi−mode control switch knob at L4",
center differential locked
The four−wheel drive and 4LO" (low
speed four−wheel drive) indicator lights
come on when the L4" mode is selected.