2009 TOYOTA 4RUNNER four wheel drive

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.

184
2-4. Using other driving systems
Rear differential lock system (if equipped)
Using the rear differential lock systemBefore using the rear differential lock system.
Stop the vehicle, shift the shift lever to N and turn the four-
wheel drive control switch to the L4 position 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 rear differential lock indicator
will come on.
The rear differential lock system is provided for use only when wheel
spinning occurs in a ditch or on a slippery or rugged 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 rear differential
lock indicator will blink. Wait a
few seconds for the system to
complete operation. After the
rear differential is locked, the
indicator will stop blinking and
remain on.
To unlock the rear differential,
push the switch again.

185
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
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.
■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
●Turn the four-wheel drive control switch to the H2 or H4 position.
Never forget to turn off the switch after using this feature.
■ After unlocking the rear differential
Check that the indicator goes off.
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 rear differential lock component parts.
● Do not drive over 5 mph (8 km/h) when the rear differential is locked.
● Do not keep driving with the RR DIFF LOCK switch on.

186
2-4. Using other driving systems
Downhill Assist Control (if equipped)
The downhill assist control system helps to prevent excessive speed
on steep downhill descents.
■System operation
The system will operate when the vehicle is traveling under 15
mph (25 km/h) and the four-wheel drive control switch is in the
L4 position.
Press the DAC switch. The
downhill assist control indica-
tor will come on, and the sys-
tem will operate.
With the vehicle traveling at a
speed of 15 mph (25 km/h) or
less, release your foot from
the accelerator or brake pedal
to activate the system.
When the system is in opera-
tion, the slip indicator will flash,
and the stop lights/high
mounted stop light will come
on. A sound may also occur
during the operation. This does
not indicate a malfunction.
■Turning off the system
Press the DAC switch while the system is in operation. The
downhill assist control indicator will flash as the system gradu-
ally ceases operation, and will tu rn off when the system is fully
off.
Pressing the DAC switch while t he downhill assist control indica-
tor is flashing will st art the system again.

187
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
■Operating tips
The system will operate when the shift lever is in a position other than P.
However, to make effective use of the system it is recommended that the
shift lever be shifted to 2 or L.
■ The system will not operate when
The four-wheel drive control switch is in the H2 or H4 position.
■ The downhill assist control indicator flashes when
●The shift lever is in N.
● The four-wheel drive control switch is in the H2 or H4 position.
■ 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.)
■ System malfunction
●The downhill assist control indicator does not come on when the engine
switch is turned to the ON position.
● The downhill assist control indicator does not come on when the DAC
switch is pressed.
In the above cases have your vehicle checked by your Toyota dealer.
CAUTION
■Do not rely excessively on the downhill assist control system
It may not be able to maintain a low speed over road surfaces on which slid-
ing can easily occur, such as extremely steep slopes or icy or muddy roads.

194 2-4. Using other driving systems
To disable TRAC (four-wheel drive control switch is in H4 mode
and center differential lock is locked on 4WD models)
If the vehicle gets stuck in fresh snow or mud, TRAC may reduce
power from the engine to the wheels. You may need to turn the sys-
tem off to enable you to rock the vehicle in order to free it.
■ VSC OFF mode
Stop the vehicle completely, and
press the VSC OFF switch for
more than 3 seconds.
The slip indicator will come on.
The system is in TRAC off mode.

213
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before driving
the vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a manner appropri-
ate to the prevailing weather conditions.
■ Pre-winter preparations
●Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside tem-
peratures.
• Engine oil
• Engine coolant
• Washer fluid
● Have a service technician inspect the level and specific grav-
ity of battery electrolyte.
● Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set
of tire chains for the rear tires.
Ensure that all tires are the same size and brand, and that chains
match the size of the tires.
■Before driving the vehicle
Perform the following according to the driving conditions.
●Do not try to forcibly open a window, scrape an outside rear
view mirror surface or move a wiper or outside rear view mir-
ror that is frozen. Pour warm water over the frozen area to
melt the ice. Wipe away the water immediately to prevent it
from freezing.
● To ensure proper operation of th e climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents
in front of the windshield.
● Remove any ice that has accumu lated on the vehicle chassis.
● Periodically check for and remove any excess ice or snow
that may have accumulated in the wheel well or on the
brakes.

428 5-1. Essential information
■Emergency towin g procedure
The engine switch must be in the ACC (engine off) or the ON
(engine running) position.
4WD models:
On multi-mode 4WD models, put the four-wheel drive control switch
in H2.
On full-time 4WD models, unlock the center differential.
Put the shift lever in N.
Release the parking brake.
CAUTION
■ Caution while towing
●Use extreme caution when towing the vehicle.
Avoid sudden starts or erratic driving maneuvers which place excessive
stress on the emergency towing eyelet and the cables or chains.
● If the engine is not running, the power assist for the brakes and steering
will not function, making steering and braking more difficult.
NOTICE
■To prevent causing serious damage to the transmission
Never tow this vehicle from the rear with the four wheels on the ground.
This may cause serious damage to the transmission.
■ Emergency towing eyelet precautions
● Before emergency towing, check that the eyelet is not broken or damaged.
● Fasten the towing cable or chain securely to the eyelet.
● Do not jerk the eyelet. Apply steady and even force.
● To avoid damaging the eyelet, do not pull from the side or at a vertical
angle. Always pull straight ahead.