2009 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER Owners Manual

169
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
To disable TRAC and/or VSC (2WD models)
If the vehicle gets stuck in fresh snow or mud, TRAC and 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.
■ Turning off TRAC
Press the VSC OFF switch to
turn off TRAC.
The AUTO LSD indicator will
come on.
Push the button again to turn the
system back on.
■Turning off TRAC and VSC
Press the switch for more than 3
seconds while the vehicle is
stopped to turn off both TRAC
and VSC.
The VSC OFF and TRAC OFF
indicators will come on.
Push the button again to turn both
systems back on.

170 2-4. Using other driving systems
To disable TRAC and/or VSC (H2 and H4 mode [automatic transmission]
or H and HL mode [manual tr ansmission] on 4WD models)
If the vehicle gets stuck in fres h snow or mud, TRAC and 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.
■ Turning off TRAC
Press the VSC OFF switch to
turn off TRAC.
The TRAC OFF indicator will
come on.
Push the button again to turn the
system back on.
■Turning off TRAC and VSC
Push and hold the button for
more than 3 seconds while the
vehicle is stopped to turn off both
TRAC and VSC.
The VSC OFF and TRAC OFF
indicators will come on.
Push the button again to turn both
systems back on.
■Automatic reactivation of TRAC and VSC
Turning the engine switch off after turning off the TRAC and VSC systems
will automatically re-enable them.
■ Automatic VSC reactivation (2WD models)
If only the TRAC system is turned off, VSC OFF and AUTO LSD indicators
turn on. The VSC system will turn on when the vehicle speed increases.

171
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
■Automatic TRAC and VSC reactivation
If the TRAC and VSC systems are turned off, the systems will not turn on,
even when vehicle speed increases.
■ Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, 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.)
CAUTION
■ The ABS does not opera te effectively when
● The limits of the gripping performance have been exceeded.
● The vehicle hydroplanes while driving at high speed on the wet or slick
road.
■ Stopping distance when the ABS is operating will exceed that of nor-
mal conditions
The ABS is not designed to shorten the vehicle's stopping distance. Always
maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you in the following situ-
ations.
● When driving on dirt, gravel or snow-covered roads
● When driving with tire chains
● When driving over bumps in the road
● When driving over roads with pothol es or roads with uneven roads

172 2-4. Using other driving systems
CAUTION
■When VSC is activated
The slip indicator flashes and a warning buzzer sounds. Always drive care-
fully. Reckless driving may cause an accident. Exercise particular care when
the indicator flashes and a buzzer sounds.
■ TRAC may not operate effectively when
Directional control and power may not be achievable while driving on slip-
pery road surfaces, even if TRAC is operating.
Do not drive the vehicle in conditions where stability and power may be lost.
■ Replacing tires
Make sure that all tires are of the same size, brand, tread pattern and total
load capacity. In addition, make sure that the tires are inflated to the appro-
priate tire pressure level.
The ABS and VSC will not function correctly if different tires are fitted on the
vehicle.
Contact your Toyota dealer for further information when replacing tires or
wheels.
■ Handling of tires and suspension
Using tires with any kind of problem or modifying the suspension will affect
the driving assist systems, and may cause the system to malfunction.

173
2
When driving
2-5. Driving information
Off-road precautions
Off-road vehicle feature● Specific design characteristics give it a higher center of gravity
than ordinary passenger cars. This vehicle design feature causes
this type of vehicle to be more likel y to rollover. And, utility vehicles
have a significantly higher rollover rate than other types of vehi-
cles.
● An advantage of the higher ground clearance is a better view of the
road allowing you to anticipate problems.
● It is not designed for cornering at the same speeds as ordinary
passenger cars any more than lo w-slung sports cars designed to
perform satisfactorily under off-r oad conditions. Therefore, sharp
turns at excessive speeds may cause rollover.
This vehicle belongs to the utility vehicle class, which has higher
ground clearance and narrower tread in relation to the height of its
center of gravity to make it capable of performing in a wide variety of
off-road applications.

174 2-5. Driving information
CAUTION
■Off-road vehicle precautions
Always observe the following precautions to minimize the risk of serious per-
sonal injury or damage to your vehicle:
●In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more likely to die
than a person wearing a seat belt. Therefore, the driver and all passengers
should fasten their seat belts whenever the vehicle is moving.
● Avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers, if at all possible.
Failure to operate this vehicle correctly may result in loss of control or
vehicle rollover causing death or serious injury.
● Loading cargo on the roof luggage carrier will make the center of the vehi-
cle gravity higher. Avoid high speeds, sudden starts, sharp turns, sudden
braking or abrupt maneuvers, otherwise it may result in loss of control or
vehicle rollover due to failure to operate this vehicle correctly.
● Always slow down in gusty crosswinds. Because of its profile and higher
center of gravity, your vehicle is more sensitive to side winds than an ordi-
nary passenger car. Slowing down will allow you to have better control.
● When driving off-road or in rugged terrain, do not drive at excessive
speeds, jump, make sharp turns, strike objects, etc. This may cause loss
of control or vehicle rollover causing death or serious injury. You are also
risking expensive damage to your vehicle’s suspension and chassis.
● Do not drive horizontally across steep slopes. Driving straight up or
straight down is preferred. Your vehicle (or any similar off-road vehicle)
can tip over sideways much more easily than forward or backward.

175
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Off-road driving
When driving your vehicle off-road, please observe the following pre-
cautions to ensure your driving enjoyment and to help prevent the
closure of areas to off-road vehicles.
● Drive your vehicle only in areas wh ere off-road vehicles are permit-
ted to travel.
● Respect private property. Get owner’s permission before entering
private property.
● Do not enter areas that are closed. Honor gates, barriers and signs
that restrict travel.
● Stay on established roads. When conditions are wet, driving tech-
niques should be changed or trav el delayed to prevent damage to
roads.
■ Additional information for off-road driving
For owners in U.S. mainland, Hawaii and Puerto Rico:
To obtain additional information pertaining to driving your vehicle off-road,
consult the following organizations.
● State and Local Parks and Recreation Departments
● State Motor Vehicle Bureau
● Recreational Vehicle Clubs
● U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management

176 2-5. Driving information
CAUTION
■Off-road driving precautions
Always observe the following precautions to minimize the risk of serious per-
sonal injury or damage to your vehicle:
●Drive carefully when off the road. Do not take unnecessary risks by driving
in dangerous places.
● Do not grip the steering wheel spokes when driving off-road. A bad bump
could jerk the wheel and injure your hands. Keep both hands and espe-
cially your thumbs on the outside of the rim.
● Always check your brakes for effectiveness immediately after driving in
sand, mud, water or snow.
● After driving through tall grass, mud, rock, sand, rivers, etc., check that
there is no grass, bush, paper, rags, stone, sand, etc. adhering or trapped
on the underbody. Clear off any such matter from the underbody. If the
vehicle is used with these materials trapped or adhering to the underbody,
a breakdown or fire could occur.
● In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more likely to die
than a person wearing a seat belt. Therefore, the driver and all passengers
should fasten their seat belts whenever the vehicle is moving.
● When driving off-road or in rugged terrain, do not drive at excessive
speeds, jump, make sharp turns, strike objects, etc. This may cause loss
of control or vehicle rollover causing death or serious injury. You are also
risking expensive damage to your vehicle’s suspension and chassis.