2009 TOYOTA 4RUNNER stop start

132
2-1. Driving procedures
Driving the vehicle
Starting on a steep uphillWith the brake pedal depressed, firmly set the parking brake
and shift the shift lever to D.
Gently depress the accelerator pedal.
Release the parking brake.
The following procedures should be observed to ensure safe driv-
ing.
■ Starting the engine ( P. 140)
■ Driving
With the brake pedal depressed, shift the shift lever to D. ( P. 143)
Release the parking brake. ( P. 146)
Gradually release the brake pedal and gently depress the
accelerator pedal to accelerate the vehicle.
■ Stopping
With the shift lever in D, depress the brake pedal.
If necessary, set the parking brake.
When the vehicle is stopped for an extended period of time, shift
the shift lever to P or N. ( 
P. 1 4 3)
■Parking the vehicle
With the shift lever in D, depress the brake pedal.
Set the parking brake. ( P. 146)
Shift the shift lever to P. ( P. 143)
When parking on a hill, if necessary, block the wheels.
Turn the engine switch off to stop the engine.
Lock the door, making sure that you have the key on your
person.

133
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
■
Driving in the rain
●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
especially 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, preventing the steering and brakes from operating properly.
■ Breaking in your new Toyota
To extend the life of the vehicle, the following precautions are recommended
to observe:
●For the first 200 miles (300 km):
Avoid sudden stops.
● For the first 500 miles (800 km):
Do not tow a trailer.
● For the first 1000 miles (1600 km):
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive continuously in the low gears.
• Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods.
■ Drum-in disc type parking brake system
Your vehicle has a drum-in-disc type parking brake system. This type of
brake system needs bedding-down of the brake shoes periodically or when-
ever the parking brake shoes and/or drum are replaced. Have your Toyota
dealer perform the bedding down.
■ Operating your vehicle in a foreign country
Comply with the relevant vehicle registration laws and confirm the availability
of the correct fuel. ( P. 473)
■ Normal characteristics afte r turning off the engine
Approximately five hours after the engine is turned off, you may hear sound
coming from under the vehicle for several minutes. This is the sound of a
fuel evaporation leakage check and, it does not indicate a malfunction.

134 2-1. Driving procedures
CAUTION
■When starting the vehicle
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped with the engine run-
ning. This prevents the vehicle from creeping.
■ When driving the vehicle
●Do not drive if you are unfamiliar with the location of the brake and accel-
erator pedals to avoid depressing the wrong pedal.
• Accidentally depressing the accelerator pedal instead of the brake
pedal will result in sudden acceleration that may lead to an accident
that could result in death or serious injury.
• When backing up, you may twist your body around, leading to a diffi- culty in operating the pedals. Make sure to operate the pedals properly.
• Make sure to keep a correct driving posture even when moving the vehicle only slightly, allowing you to depress the brake and accelerator
pedals properly.
• Depress the brake pedal using your right foot. Depressing the brake pedal using your left foot may delay response in an emergency, result-
ing in an accident.
● Do not drive the vehicle over or st op the vehicle near flammable materials.
The exhaust system and exhaust gases can be extremely hot. This may
cause a fire if there is any flammable material nearby.
● Do not let the vehicle roll backwards while the shift lever is in a driving
position, or roll forward while the shift lever is in R.
Doing so may cause the engine to stall or lead to poor brake and steering
performance, resulting in an accident or damage to the vehicle.
● If the smell of exhaust is noticed inside the vehicle, open the windows and
check that the back door and back window are closed. Large amounts of
exhaust in the vehicle can cause driver drowsiness and an accident,
resulting in death or a serious health hazard. Have the vehicle inspected
by your Toyota dealer immediately.
● Do not under any circumstances shift the shift lever to P, R or N while the
vehicle is moving.
Doing so can cause significant damage to the transmission system and
may result in a loss of vehicle control.

182
2-4. Using other driving systems
Active traction control system (L4 mode on 4WD models)
The active traction control system automatically helps prevent the
spinning of 4 wheels when the vehicle is started or accelerated on
slippery road surfaces.
■ System operation
Vehicles without the A-TRAC switch
Stop the vehicle, shift the shift lever to N and turn the four-wheel
drive control switch to the L4 po sition. Then the system will auto-
matically activate.
Vehicles with the A-TRAC switch
● When activating the system with the center differential lock
unlocked
Stop the vehicle, shift the shift lever to N and turn the four-wheel
drive control switch to the L4 position. Then the system will auto-
matically activate.
● When activating the system with the center differential lock
locked
Stop the vehicle, shift the shift lever to N and turn the four-
wheel drive control switch to the L4 position. Then press
the center differential lock switch.
Press the A-TRAC switch to
activate the system.
At this time, the active traction
control indicator will come on.
To cancel the system, push the
switch again.

183
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
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.
■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. (Ther e is no problem with continuing normal
driving.)
CAUTION
■ The active traction control system m ay 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.

188
2-4. Using other driving systems
Driving assist systems
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)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenly, or if
the brakes are applied while driving on a slippery road surface.
■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)
Maintains drive power and prevents the rear wheels (2WD models and
H2 mode on Multi-mode 4WD models) or all wheels (4WD models
except on L4 mode) from spinning when starting the vehicle or acceler-
ating on slippery roads.
■A-TRAC (Active Traction Contro l) for L4 mode on 4WD mod-
els (vehicles with the A-TRAC switch except when the cen-
ter differential lock is locked)
Maintains drive power and prevents the all wheels from spinning when
starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads.
■ Hill-start assist control (if equipped)
Helps prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards when starting on an
incline or slippery slope. It operates for approximately 5 seconds at
maximum.

189
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
When the VSC/TRAC/A-TRAC/hill-start assist control system are operating
If the vehicle is in danger of slip-
ping, the rear wheels (2WD mod-
els) or four wheels (4WD
models) spin, the vehicle starts
to roll backwards when starting
on an incline, the slip indicator
flashes to indicate that the VSC/
TRAC/A-TRAC/hill-start assist
control have been engaged.
A buzzer (intermittent) sounds to
indicate that VSC/hill-start assist
control is operating.
The stop lights and high mounted
stoplight turn on when the hill-
start assist control system is
operating.

196 2-4. Using other driving systems
■Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, TRAC, A-TRAC, VSC and
brake assist 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 any of these systems.
● Any of the following conditions may occur when the above systems are
operating. None of these indicates that a malfunction has occurred.
• Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
• A motor sound may be heard after the vehicle comes to a stop.
• The brake pedal may pulsate slightly after the ABS is activated.
• The brake pedal may move down slightly after the ABS is activated.
■ If the brake system overheats
TRAC 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 driv-
ing.)