2011 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER Owners Manual

161
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
Four-wheel drive system (4WD models with a manual transmission)
Use the four-wheel drive control lever to select the following transfer
modes.
The center differential lock indicator comes on when the LL or HL mode is
selected.
H (high speed position)
Use this for normal driving on dry hard-surfaced roads. This position
gives greater economy, quietest ride and least wear.
HL (high speed position, center differential locked)
Use this for driving only on tracks that permit the tires slide, like off-
road, icy or snow-covered roads.
N (neutral position)
No power is delivered to the wheels. The vehicle must be stopped.
LL (low speed position, ce nter differential locked)
Use this for maximum power and traction. Use “LL” for climbing or
descending steep hills, off-road driving, and hard pulling in sand, mud
or deep snow.

162 2-4. Using other driving systems
■Shifting between H and HL
●You need not to depress the clutch pedal.
● If the center differential lock indicator does not come on when you shift
from H to HL, drive straight ahead while accelerating or decelerating.
● If the center differential lock indicator does not go off when you shift from
HL to H, drive straight ahead while accelerating or decelerating, or drive
in reverse.
■ Shifting from HL to LL
Stop the vehicle or reduce your speed to less than 5 mph (8 km/h).
Depress the clutch pedal and move the four-wheel drive control lever.
■ Shifting from LL to HL
Depress the clutch pedal and move the four-wheel drive control lever.
■ Shifting to LL
VSC is automatically turned off.
CAUTION
■Caution while driving
Avoid turning suddenly while the center differential is locked. If you do turn
suddenly, the difference in turning speeds between the front and rear wheels
may have a similar effect to braking, thus making driving difficult.

163
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the center differential
●For normal driving on dry and hard surface roads, unlock the center differ-
ential.
● Shift to H after the wheels are out of the ditch or off the slippery or bumpy
surface.
● Do not shift to any position when the vehicle is cornering or when its
wheels spinning freely off the ground.
■ Shifting from H to HL while driving
Never operate the four-wheel drive control lever if the wheels are slipping.
Stop the slipping or spinning before shifting.

164
2-4. Using other driving systems
Four-wheel drive system (4WD models with an automatic transmission)
Use the front-wheel drive control lever to select the following trans-
fer modes.
The four-wheel drive indicator comes on when the H4, N or L4 mode is
selected.
H2 (high speed position, two-wheel drive)
Use this for normal driving on dry hard-surfaced roads. This position
gives greater economy, quietest ride and least wear.
H4 (high speed position, four-wheel drive)
Use this for driving only on tracks that permit the tires slide, like off-
road, icy or snow-covered roads. This position provides greater traction
than two-wheel drive.
N (neutral position)
No power is delivered to the wheels. The vehicle must be stopped.
L4 (low speed position, four-wheel drive)
Use this for maximum power and traction. Use “L4” for climbing or
descending steep hills, off-road driving, and hard pulling in sand, mud
or deep snow.

165
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
■Shifting between H2 and H4
●Reduce your speed to less than 50 mph (80 km/h) and shift the front-
wheel drive control lever from H2 to H4.
If you have trouble shifting in cold weather, reduce your speed or stop the
vehicle.
● If the four-wheel drive indicator does not go off when you shift from H4 to
H2, drive straight ahead while accelerating or decelerating, or drive in\
reverse.
■ Shifting between H4 and L4
Stop the vehicle, shift the shift lever to N and shift the front-wheel drive con-
trol lever.
■ Shifting to L4
VSC is automatically turned off.
■ Four-wheel drive usage frequency
You should drive in four-wheel drive for at least 10 miles (16 km) each
month.
This will assure that the front drive components are lubricated.

166 2-4. Using other driving systems
CAUTION
■Caution while driving
●Never shift the front-wheel drive control lever from H2 to H4 if the wheels
are slipping.
Stop the slipping or spinning before shifting.
● For normal driving on dry and hard surface roads, use H2 position. Driving
on dry and hard surface roads in H4 or L4 position may cause drive com-
ponent oil leakage, seizure, or other problems resulting in an accident.
Further, it may cause tire wear and increased fuel consumption.
● Avoid turning suddenly in H4 or L4 position. If you do turn suddenly, the
difference in turning speeds between the front and rear wheels may have
a similar effect to braking, thus making driving difficult.
● Securely shift the front-wheel drive control lever to H4 or L4. Otherwise,
the transfer may disengage both the fr ont and rear driveshafts from the
powertrain and allow the vehicle to move regardless of the shift position.
If this happens, the vehicle may be free to roll even if the automatic t\
rans-
mission is in P.

167
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
Active traction control system
When the active traction control system is operatingIf any of the drive wheels spins,
the slip indicator flashes to indi-
cate that the active traction con-
trol system have been engaged.
: If equipped
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 with an automatic transmission:
Stop the vehicle, shift the shift lever to N and shift the front-
wheel drive control lever into L4.
Vehicles with a manual transmission:
Stop the vehicle or reduce your speed to less than 5 mph (8
km/h). Depress the clutch pedal and shift the four-wheel
drive control lever into LL.
Press the A-TRAC switch to
activate the system.
At this time, the active traction
control system indicator will
come on.
To cancel the system, push the
switch again.

168 2-4. Using other driving systems
■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. (There 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.