2008 TOYOTA SEQUOIA Owners Manual

209
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
Shifting between 4H and 4L
■ Shifting from 4H to 4L
Stop the vehicle completely.
Shift the shift lever to N.
Push and turn the front wheel dr ive control switch fully clock-
wise.
Maintain this condition until the 4LO indicator turns on.
■ Shifting from 4L to 4H
Stop the vehicle completely.
Shift the shift lever to N.
Turn the front wheel drive cont rol switch fully counterclock-
wise.
Maintain this condition until the 4LO indicator turns off.
Center differential lock switch
Use the center differential lock
system if your wheels get stuck
in a ditch, or when you are driv-
ing on a slippery or bumpy sur-
face.
Unlock the center differential after
the wheels have been freed, or
after moving to a flat, non-slippery
surface.

210 2-4. Using other driving systems
■Shifting between 2WD and 4H
●Reduce your speed to less than 62 mph (100 km/h) and set the front
drive control switch between 2WD and 4H.
When the ambient temperature is 5.0° F (-15°C) or lower, shifting from
2WD to 4H can be performed with the vehicle speed below 43 mph (70
km/h).
● If the 4HI indicator does not go off when you shift from 4H to 2WD, drive
straight ahead while accelerating or decelerating, or drive in reverse.
■ Four-wheel 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.
■ The center differential lock switch can be operated when
●The front drive control switch is in the 4H or 4L position.
● The vehicle speed is less than 62 mph (100 km/h)
■ Center differential lock system
●When the center differential is locked, the vehicle stability control system
is automatically turned off and the center differential lock and VSC OFF
indicator come on.
● When the front drive control switch is turned to the 2WD position, the
center differential is automatically unlocked.
● If the operation is not completed, the center differential lock indicator
blinks. If the indicator does not go off when unlocking the center differen-
tial, drive straight ahead while accelerating or decelerating, or drive \
in
reverse.
■ If the 4LO indicator, 4HI indicator or the center differential lock indica-
tor blinks
● If the 4LO indicator continues to blink when shifting between 4H and 4L,
stop the vehicle completely, move the shift lever to N and operate the
switch again.
● If the shift lever is moved before the 4LO indicator has turned on/off, a
beep sounds and the transfer position may not successfully change. In
this case, stop the vehicle completely, return the shift lever to N and oper-
ate the switch again.

211
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
●If the engine coolant temperature is too low, transfer mode may not be
able to shift. When the engine is warmer turn the switch again.
If the 4LO indicator, 4HI indicator or the center differential lock indicator con-
tinues to blink even after attempting the above, there may be a malfunction
in the engine, the brake system or the four-wheel drive system. In this case,
you may not be able to shift between 2WD and 4H, 4H and 4L, and the cen-
ter differential lock may not be operable. Have the vehicle inspected by your
Toyota dealer immediately.
CAUTION
■ Shift from 2WD to 4H while driving
Never move the front wheel drive control switch if wheels are slipping.
Stop the slipping or spinning before shifting.
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the center differential
●For normal driving on dry and hard surface roads, unlock the center differ-
ential.
● Unlock the center differential after the wheels are out of the ditch or off the
loose or bumpy surface.
● Do not push the center differential lock switch when the vehicle is corner-
ing or when its wheels are spinning freely off the ground.

212
2-4. Using other driving systems
AUTO LSD system
The AUTO LSD system aids traction by using the traction control
system to control engine performance and braking when one of the
rear wheels begins to spin.
The system can be used on 2WD models and in 2WD mode on 4WD
models.
The system should be used only wh en one of the rear wheels spin-
ning occurs in a ditch or rough surface.
The system is activated when driving at a speed under 62 mph (100
km/h).
The AUTO LSD system will be
activated with the following
two procedures.
● Press the VSC OFF switch
briefly.
At this time, the slip and AUTO
LSD indicators will come on.
●Stop the vehicle com-
pletely, and press the VSC
OFF switch for more than 3
seconds.
At this time, the slip, VSC OFF
and AUTO LSD indicators will
come on simultaneously.
To turn off the system, push
the switch again.

213
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
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.
■If the engine is turned off and restarted
The AUTO LSD system and the indicators are automatically turned off.
■ 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. (Ther e is no problem with continuing normal
driving.)
The system will be automatically restored after a short time.
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 system continuously turned on.

214
2-4. Using other driving systems
Driving assist systems
When VSC/TRAC are operatingIf the vehicle is in danger of slip-
ping, or if the rear wheels (2WD
models) or all wheels (4WD
models) spin, the indicator
flashes to indicate that VSC/
TRAC have been engaged.
A buzzer (intermittent) sounds to
indicate that VSC is operating.
To help enhance driving safety and performance, the following sys-
tems operate automatically in res ponse to various driving situations.
Be aware, however, that these systems are supplementary and
should not be relied upon too h eavily when operating the vehicle.
■ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Restrains the vehicle from slipping when driving on slick road surfaces
or in the event of sudden braking.
■Brake Assist
Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake pedal is
depressed, when the system detects a panic stop situation.
■VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to control skidding when swerving suddenly or turning
on slippery road surfaces.
■TRAC (Traction Control) for 2WD
Maintains drive power and prevents the rear wheels from spinning
when starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads.
■A-TRAC (Active Traction Control) for 4WD
Maintains drive power and prevents the all wheels from spinning when
starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads.

215
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
To disable VSC or TRAC (2WD models and 2WD mode on 4WD models)
If the vehicle gets stuck in fresh snow or mud, VSC or TRAC may
reduce power from the engine to the wheels. You may need to turn
the system off to enable you to rock the vehicle in order to free it.
■ TRAC OFF mode
Press the VSC OFF switch
briefly.
The slip and AUTO LSD indica-
tors should come on.
The system is in TRAC off, AUTO
LSD on and VSC on mode.
Push the switch again to turn the
system back on.
■AUTO LSD mode
Stop the vehicle completely, and
press the VSC OFF switch for
more than 3 seconds, when the
system is in the TRAC OFF
mode.
The slip, VSC OFF and AUTO
LSD indicators should come on.
The system is in TRAC off, AUTO
LSD on and VSC off mode.
■VSC OFF mode
Stop the vehicle completely, and
press the VSC OFF switch for
more than 3 seconds, when the
system is in the AUTO LSD
mode.
The slip and VSC OFF indicators
should come on.
The system is all off mode.

216 2-4. Using other driving systems
To disable VSC or TRAC (4H and 4L mode on 4WD models)If the vehicle gets stuck in fresh snow or mud, VSC or TRAC may
reduce power from the engine to the wheels. You may need to turn
the system off to enable you to rock the vehicle in order to free it.
■ TRAC OFF mode
Press the VSC OFF switch
briefly.
The slip indicator should come
on.
The system is in TRAC of engine
control off and VSC on mode.
This mode can be used when the
transfer mode is 4H mode and
the center differential is unlocked.
Push the switch again to turn the
system back on.
■VSC OFF mode
Stop the vehicle completely, and
press the VSC OFF switch for
more than 3 seconds.
The slip and VSC OFF indicators
should come on.
The system is all off mode.