2011 TOYOTA SEQUOIA Owners Manual

225
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
■Automatic leveling function
Regardless of the number of occupants or the luggage load, vehicle height
in any mode is always adjusted to a fixed height by the automatic leveling
function.
■ When HI mode is selected
The vehicle height will change to N mode when driving at the speeds of 18
mph (30 km/h).
■ When LO mode is selected
●The vehicle height will change to N mode when vehicle speed exceeds 7
mph (12 km/h).
● This mode allows for easy access to the vehicle (getting in and out) and
easy loading and unloading.
■ The electronically modulated air suspen sion will not operate in the fol-
lowing cases:
● The underbody of the vehicle is touching the surface of the road.
● The area around the suspension is covered with ice.
The height control indicators will blink, turn off and then turn on continuously
to indicate that the electronically modulated air suspension is not opera-
tional.
To re-enable operation, turn off the engine and then restart it.
■ Even if you hear an operating noise
This does not indicate a problem in the electronically modulated air suspen-
sion.
■ If there is a problem somewhere in the electronically modulated air
suspension
The height control MAN. indicator will behave as follows:
●The indicator will not come on when the engine switch is turned on.
● The indicator will blink.
Although the vehicle may be driven, have the vehicle inspected by your Toy-
ota dealer.

226 2-4. Using other driving systems
CAUTION
■The electronically modulated air susp ension must be turned off in the
following circumstances:
Otherwise, the automatic leveling function may cause the vehicle’s height to
change, resulting in an unexpected accident.
● When driving through water such as shallow streams (Put the vehicle
height in HI mode and turn off the electronically modulated air suspension.
Drive at 18 mph [30 km/h] or slower.)
● When jacking up the vehicle, installing tire chains or tying the vehicle with
chains/wires for transportation via flat bed truck (Turn the system to the
manual mode and stop the engine.)
● When the vehicle must be towed (Put the vehicle height in N mode and
turn the system to the manual mode.)
● When the vehicle gets stuck (Turn the system to the manual mode.)
● When disconnecting a trailer (Put the vehicle height in LO mode and turn
the system to the manual mode.)
■ Selecting the correct height mode
Observe the following precautions to prevent accidents.
Failure to do so may cause damage to parts of the vehicle, as well as dan-
gerous handling characteristics, which may lead to fatal or injury accidents.
●Before you lower the vehicle’s height, check under the vehicle to make
sure that no one is there.
● The HI mode should be used for off-road driving conditions.
As the vehicle’s center of gravity is higher in this setting, the vehicle may
become unstable when turning abruptly.
● Do not select HI mode when you load cargo on the roof luggage carrier.
This may result in a loss of control or vehicle rollover.

227
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
NOTICE
■Be careful in any place where overhead space is limited.
When changing to a higher mode or after unloading, the vehicle height will
rise. This may cause damage to the vehicle.
■ Do not select LO mode when driving on bumpy roads.
If the underbody of the vehicle touches a rugged road surface, the vehicle
may be damaged.
■ Do not change the vehicle height frequently.
The compressor might overheat and cause the operation to stop.
■ When on the extremely uneven roads with rocks
Sometimes the vehicle height is not adjusted because it is judged as uneven
road driving.

228
2-4. Using other driving systems
AVS (Adaptive Variable Suspension System)
: If equipped
■Driving mode
●Sport mode is suitable for winding mountain road driving, high speed
driving or towing a trailer.
● Normal mode is suitable for ordinary driving.
AVS controls the suspension accord ing to the road and driving con-
ditions. Selecting an optimum driving mode allows good vehicle
posture and steering wheel operation.
Sport mode
For winding mountain road
driving or high speed driving.
Normal mode
For ordinary driving.
Comfort mode
For driving on a bumpy road.

229
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
Four-wheel drive system
: If equipped
Use the front wheel drive control switch to select the following trans-
fer modes.
*1: Vehicles with multi-information display
*2: Vehicles without multi-information display
2WD (high speed position, two-wheel drive)
Normal driving.
4H (high speed position, four-wheel drive)
Greater traction than two wheel drive.
When you experience a loss of power, such as wheel slipping.
The 4HI indicator comes on.
4L (low speed position, four-wheel drive)
Driving requiring maximum power and traction such as climbing or
descending steep hills, off-road driving and hard pulling in sand or mud,
etc.
The 4LO indicator comes on.
*2*1

230 2-4. Using other driving systems
Shifting between 4H and 4L■ Shifting from 4H to 4L
Stop the vehicle completely.
Shift the shift lever to N.
Push and turn the front wheel dr ive control switch fully clock-
wise.
Maintain this condition until the 4LO indicator turns on.
■ Shifting from 4L to 4H
Stop the vehicle completely.
Shift the shift lever to N.
Turn the front wheel drive cont rol switch fully counterclock-
wise.
Maintain this condition until the 4LO indicator turns off.
Center differential lock switch
Use the center differential lock
system if your wheels get stuck
in a ditch, or when you are driv-
ing on a slippery or bumpy sur-
face.
Unlock the center differential after
the wheels have been freed, or
after moving to a flat, non-slippery
surface.

231
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
■Shifting between 2WD and 4H
●Reduce your speed to less than 62 mph (100 km/h) and set the front
wheel drive control switch between 2WD and 4H.
When the ambient temperature is 5.0° F (-15°C) or lower, shifting from
2WD to 4H cannot be performed with the vehicle speed above 43 mph (70
km/h).
● If the 4HI indicator does not go off when you shift from 4H to 2WD, drive
straight ahead while accelerating or decelerating, or drive in reverse.
■ 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.
■ The center differential lock switch can be operated when
●The front wheel drive control switch is in the 4H or 4L position.
● The vehicle speed is less than 62 mph (100 km/h)
■ Center differential lock system
●When the front wheel drive control switch is in the 4L position and the
center differential is locked, the VSC is automatically turned off.
● When the front wheel drive control switch is turned to the 2WD position,
the center differential is automatically unlocked.
● If the operation is not completed, the center differential lock indicator
blinks. If the indicator does not go off when unlocking the center differen-
tial, drive straight ahead while accelerating or decelerating, or drive \
in
reverse.

232 2-4. Using other driving systems
■If the 4LO indicator, 4HI indicator or the center differential lock indica-
tor blinks
● If the 4LO indicator continues to blink when shifting between 4H and 4L,
stop the vehicle completely, move the shift lever to N and operate the
switch again.
● If the shift lever is moved before the 4LO indicator turns on/off, the trans-
fer mode may not be shifted completely. The transfer mode disengages
both the front and rear driveshafts from the powertrain and allows the
vehicle to move regardless of the shift position. (At this time, the indicator
blinks and the buzzer sounds.)
Therefore, the vehicle is free to roll even if the automatic transmission is in
P. You or someone else could be seriously injured. You must complete the
shifting of the transfer mode.
To complete the shifting, stop the vehicle completely, return the shift lever
to N, and confirm that the shift was completed (The indicator turns on/off).
● If the engine coolant temperature is too low, transfer mode may not be
able to shift. When the engine is warmer, turn the switch again.
If the 4LO indicator, 4HI indicator or the center differential lock indicator con-
tinues to blink even after attempting the above, there may be a malfunction
in the engine, the brake system or the four-wheel drive system. In this case,
you may not be able to shift between 2WD and 4H, 4H and 4L, and the cen-
ter differential lock may not be operable. Have the vehicle inspected by your
Toyota dealer immediately.
■ Shifting to 4L position
The VSC OFF indicator will come on.
If the center differential is locked, VSC is automatically turned off.