2008 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER Owners Manual

147
2−4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
 Shifting between H2 and H4
 Reduce your speed to less than 50 mph (80 km/h) and shift the front−
wheel drive control lever from H2 to H4.
If you have trouble shifting in cold weather, reduce your speed or stop the
vehicle.
If the four−wheel drive indicator does not go off when you shift from H4 to
H2, drive straight ahead while accelerating or decelerating, or drive in
reverse.
 Shifting between H4 and L4
Stop the vehicle, shift the shift lever to N and shift the front−wheel drive con−
trol lever.
 Shifting to H4 or L4.
VSC is automatically turned off.
Fourwheel drive usage frequency
You should drive in four−wheel drive for at least 10 miles (16 km) each
month.
This will assure that the front drive components are lubricated.
CAUTION
 Shift from H2 to H4 while driving
Never move the front−wheel drive control lever if wheels are slipping.
Stop the slipping or spinning before shifting.

148
2−4. Using other driving systems
Active traction control system (if equipped)
When the active traction control system is operating
If all wheels spin, the slip indica−
tor flashes to indicate that the
active traction control system
have been engaged.
The active traction control system automatically helps prevent the
spinning of 4 wheels when the veh icle is started or accelerated on
slippery road surfaces.
 System operation
Vehicles with an automatic transmission:
Shift the front−wheel drive control lever into L4.
Vehicles with a manual transmission:
Shift the four−wheel drive control lever into LL.
Press the A−TRAC switch to
activate the system.
At this time, the active traction
control system indicator will
come on.
To cancel the system, push the
switch again.

149
2−4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
 When the rear differential is locked
(vehicles with the rear differential
lock system)
The active traction control system is activated only when the vehicle speed
is less than 4 mph (6 km/h).
Sounds and vibrations caused by the active traction control system
A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the engine is
started or just after the vehicle begins to move. This sound does not indi−
cate that a malfunction has occurred in the system.
 Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering. It may
occur when the system is operating.
If the brake system overheats
The system will cease operation and a buzzer will sound to alert the driver.
Stop the vehicle in a safe place. (There is no problem with continuing normal
driving.)
CAUTION
 The active traction control system may not operate effectively when
Directional control and power may not be achievable while driving on slip−
pery road surfaces, even if the active traction control system is operating.
Do not drive the vehicle in conditions where stability and power may be lost.

150
2−4. Using other driving systems
AUTO LSD system (2WD models)
When the AUTO LSD system is operating
If the rear wheels spin, the slip
indicator flashes to indicate that
the AUTO LSD system have
been controlled the spinning of
the rear wheels.
The AUTO LSD system aids tractio n by using the traction control
system to control engine performance and braking when one of the
rear wheels begins to spin.
The system should be used only wh en wheel spinning occurs in a
ditch or rough surface.
The system is activated when driv ing at a speed under 62 mph (100
km/h).
This system is effective in case one of the rear wheels is spinning.
Press the AUTO LSD switch
to turn on the system.
At this time, the AUTO LSD
indicator will come on.
To turn off the system, push
the switch again.
If the engine is turned off while
the AUTO LSD indicator is on
and then restarted, the indica−
tor will turn off automatically.

151
2−4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
 If the brake system overheats
The system will cease operation and a buzzer will sound to alert the driver.
Stop the vehicle in a safe place. (T
here is no problem with continuing normal
driving.)
CAUTION
 To avoid an accident
 Do not use the AUTO LSD system in conditions other than the above.
A much greater steering effort and more careful cornering control will be
required.
 Do not drive with the AUTO LSD switch continuously turned on.

152
2−4. Using other driving systems
Rear differential lock system (if equipped)
Using the rear differential lock system
Automatic transmission
4WD models: Before using the rear differential lock system.
Shift the front−wheel drive control
lever into L4 to see if this is
sufficient. If this has no effect, additionally use the rear differ−
ential lock system.
Be sure to stop the wheels.
Press the RR DIFF LOCK switch.
After the rear differential is locked, the indicator will come on.
Gently depress the accelerator pedal.
Unlock the rear differential as soon as the vehicle moves out.
To unlock the rear differential, push the switch again. The rear differential lock system is provided for use only when wheel
spinning occurs in a ditch or
on a slippery or ragged surface.
The rear differential lock system is effective in case one of the rear
wheels is spinning.
Press the RR DIFF LOCK
switch to lock the rear differen−
tial.
At this time, the indicator will
blink. Wait a few seconds for
the system to complete opera−
tion. After the rear differential is
locked, the rear differential lock
indicator will stop blinking and
remain on.
To unlock the rear differential,
push the switch again.

153
2−4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
Manual transmission
Before using the rear differential lock system.
Shift the four−wheel drive control lever into LL to see if this is
sufficient. If this has no effect, additionally use the rear differ−
ential lock system.
Be sure to stop the wheels.
Depress the clutch pedal.
Press the RR DIFF LOCK switch.
After the rear differential is locked, the indicator will come on.
Slowly release the clutch pedal.
Unlock the rear differential as soon as the vehicle moves out.
To unlock the rear differential, push the switch again.
 Locking the rear differential
 When the rear differential is locked, VSC is automatically turned off.
(The rear differential lock and VSC OFF indicators come on.)
The following systems do not operate when the rear differential is locked.
It is normal operation for the ABS warning light, VSC OFF indicator and
slip indicator to be on at this time.
ABS
Brake assist system
VSC
TRAC
 The rear differential lock is disengaged when
 Shift the four−wheel drive control lever to H or HL. (4WD models with a
manual transmission)
Shift the front−wheel drive control lever to H2 or H4. (4WD models with
an automatic transmission)
Never forget to turn off the switch after using this feature.
After unlocking the rear differential
Check the indicator go off, turn the engine switch to the ON position, but do
not start the engine.

154 2−4. Using other driving systems
CAUTION
 To avoid an accident
 Do not use the rear differential lock system except when wheel spinning
occurs in a ditch or on a slippery or ragged surface. Large steering effort
and careful cornering control will be required.
 Do not lock the rear differential until the wheels have stopped spinning.
Otherwise, the vehicle may move in an unexpected direction when the dif−
ferential lock is engaged, resulting in an accident. This may also lead to
possible damage to differential lock component parts.
 Do not drive over 5 mph (8 km/h) when the differential is locked.

Do not keep driving with the RR DIFF LOCK switch on.