2009 TOYOTA 4RUNNER Owners Manual

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.

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.

190 2-4. Using other driving systems
To disable TRAC, AUTO LSD and/or VSC (2WD models and H2
mode on Multi-mode 4WD models)
If the vehicle gets stuck in fresh snow or mud, TRAC or VSC 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 will 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.

191
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
■VSC OFF mode
Stop the vehicle completely, and
press the VSC OFF switch for
more than 3 seconds.
The slip and VSC OFF indicators
will come on.
The system is in TRAC off, AUTO
LSD off and VSC off mode.

192 2-4. Using other driving systems
To disable TRAC and/or VSC (H4 mode on 4WD models)If the vehicle gets stuck in fresh snow or mud, TRAC or VSC 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 will come on.
The system is in TRAC off and
VSC on mode.
Push the switch again to turn the
system back on.