2011 TOYOTA 4RUNNER Owners Manual

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2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
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CAUTION
■Shifting the front-wheel drive control lever from H2 to H4 while driving
Never operate the front-wheel drive control lever if the wheels are slipping.
Stop the slipping or spinning before shifting.

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2-4. Using other driving systems
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Four-wheel drive system (full-time 4WD models)
Use the four-wheel drive control switch to select the following trans-
fer modes:
H4F (high speed position)
Normal driving on all types of roads.
H4L (high speed position, c enter differential locked)
For when your vehicle’s wheel gets stuck in a ditch or when you are
driving on a slippery or bumpy surface.
L4L (low speed position, center differential locked)
For driving requiring maximum power and traction such as climbing or
descending steep hills, off-road driving and hard pulling in sand or mud,
etc.
Center differential lock indicator
Low speed four-wheel drive indicator
CTH24AS016

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2-4. Using other
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When driving
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Shifting between H4F and H4L
Push the “UNLOCK” button and
turn the four-wheel drive control
switch to H4L or H4F.
This can be done at any speed.
The center differential lock indica-
tor will turn on (H4L) or go off
(H4F).
Shifting between H4L and L4L■ Shifting from H4L to L4L
Stop the vehicle completely.
Shift the shift lever to N.
Push the “UNLOCK” button and
then push and turn the four-
wheel drive control switch to
L4L.
Maintain this condition until the
low speed four-wheel drive indi-
cator turns on.
CTH24AS017
STEP 1
STEP 2
CTH24AS062
STEP 3

228 2-4. Using other driving systems
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Shifting from L4L to H4L
Stop the vehicle completely.
Shift the shift lever to N.
Push the “UNLOCK” button and
turn the four-wheel drive control
switch to H4L.
Maintain this condition until the
low speed four-wheel drive indi-
cator goes off.
STEP 1
STEP 2
CTH24AS051
STEP 3
■The four-wheel drive control switch can be operated when
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
■ When the four-wheel drive cont rol switch is turned to L4L
VSC and TRAC (TRC) are automatically turned off.
■ If the center differential lock indicator flashes
Locking or unlocking of the center differential is not complete. Drive straight
ahead while accelerating or decelerating, or drive in reverse.
■ If the center differential lock in dicator flashes and a buzzer sounds
Locking of the center differential is not complete. Stop the wheels from slip-
ping or spinning and, if the indicator still flashes, operate the four-wheel drive
control switch again.
■ If the low speed four-wheel drive indicator continues to flash
The transfer mode may not successfully change. Operate the four-wheel
drive control switch again.

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2-4. Using other
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When driving
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■If the low speed four-wheel drive indicator continues to flash and a
buzzer sounds
The shift lever is not in N and/or the vehicle is moving. Stop the vehicle com-
pletely, shift the shift lever to N and make sure that the indicator stops flash-
ing.
■ If the low speed four-wheel drive indicator or the center differential
lock indicator flashes rapidly
There may be a malfunction in the four-wheel drive system. Have the vehicle
inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.
CAUTION
■ Operating the four-wheel drive control switch
Never operate the four-wheel drive control switch if the wheels have lost
traction. Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
Stop the wheels from slipping or spinning before operating the switch.
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
slippery or bumpy surface.
● Do not lock or unlock the center differential when the vehicle is turning or
when its wheels are spinning freely off the ground.

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2-4. Using other driving systems
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Active traction control system
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
Part-time 4WD models:
Stop the vehicle, shift the shift lever to N and shift the front-
wheel drive control lever into L4.
Full-time 4WD models:
Stop the vehicle, shift the shift lever to N and then push and
turn the four-wheel drive control switch to L4L.
Press the “A-TRAC” switch to
activate the system.
At this time, the “A-TRAC” indi-
cator will come on.
To cancel the system, push the
switch again.
STEP 1
STEP 2

: If equipped

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2-4. Using other
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When driving
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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
has been engaged.
CTH24AS047
■When the rear differential is locked (vehicles with a rear differential
lock system)
The active traction control system is activated only when 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. This 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.
At this time, the “A-TRAC” indicator will go off and the “TRAC OFF (TRC
OFF)” indicator will come on. Stop the vehicle in a safe place. (There is no
problem with continuing normal driving.)
The system will be automatically restored after a short time.
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.

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AUTO LSD system (2WD models)
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 should be used only wh en wheel spinning occurs in a
ditch or rough surface.
■ System operation
Press the VSC off switch to
turn on the system.
At this time, the “AUTO LSD”
and VSC off indicators will
come on.
To turn off the system, press
the switch again.