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2-4. Using other
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2
When driving
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 front 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.
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2-4. Using other driving systems
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.
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When driving
■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. (Ther e 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.
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2-4. Using other driving systems
AUTO LSD system (2WD models)
When the AUTO LSD system is operatingIf the rear wheels spin, the slip
indicator flashes to indicate that
the AUTO LSD system has con-
trolled the spinning of the rear
wheels.
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
The system is activated when driving at a speed under 62 mph
(100 km/h).
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, push
the switch again.
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2-4. Using other
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2
When driving
■If the engine is turned off and restarted
The AUTO LSD system and the indicators are automatically turned off.
■ Reactivation of the VSC system linked to vehicle speed
When the AUTO LSD system is turned on, the VSC system will turn on auto-
matically if vehicle speed increases.
■ 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.)
The system will be automatically restored after a short time.
CAUTION
■ To avoid an accident
●Do not use the AUTO LSD system in conditions other than the above.
A much greater steering effort and more careful cornering control will be
required.
● Do not drive with the AUTO LSD system continuously turned on.
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2-4. Using other driving systems
Rear differential lock system
Using the rear differential lock systemAutomatic transmission 4WD models: Before using the rear differential lock system.
Stop the vehicle, shift the shift lever to N and shift the front-
wheel drive control lever into L4 to see if this is sufficient. If
this has no effect, additionally use the rear differential lock
system.
Be sure to stop the wheels.
Press the RR DIFF LOCK switch.
Gently depress the accelerator pedal.
After the rear differential is locked, the indicator will come on.
Unlock the rear differential as soon as the vehicle moves.
To unlock the rear differential, push the switch again.
: If equipped
The rear differential lock system is provided for use only when wheel
spinning occurs in a ditch or on a slippery or rugged surface.
The rear differential lock system is effective in case one of the rear
wheels is spinning.
Press the RR DIFF LOCK
switch to lock the rear differen-
tial.
At this time, the rear differential
lock indicator will blink. Wait a
few seconds for the system to
complete operation. After the
rear differential is locked, the
indicator will stop blinking and
remain on.
To unlock the rear differential,
push the switch again.
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When driving
Manual transmission
Before using the rear differential lock system.
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 to see if this is sufficient. If this has no
effect, additionally use the r ear differential lock system.
Be sure to stop the wheels.
Depress the clutch pedal.
Press the RR DIFF LOCK switch.
Slowly release the clutch pedal.
After the rear differential is locked, the indicator will come on.
Unlock the rear differential as soon as the vehicle moves.
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 will come on.)
● The following systems do not operate when the rear differential is locked.
It is normal operation for the ABS warning light and VSC OFF indicator to
be on at this time.
•ABS
• Brake assist system
•VSC
• TRAC (TRC)
■ The rear differential lock is disengaged when
●Shift the four-wheel drive control lever to H or HL. (4WD models with a
manual transmission)
● Shift the front-wheel drive control lever to H2 or H4. (4WD models with
an automatic transmission)
Never forget to turn off the switch after using this feature.
■ After unlocking the rear differential
Check that the indicator goes off.
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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.