2012 TOYOTA SEQUOIA Owners Manual

241
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
Electronically modulated air suspension
Selecting vehicle heightHigher
Lower
Vehicle height can be adjusted
only when the engine is running.
The height control indicator
stops blinking, and comes on
continuously to in dicate that the
mode shift is completed.
: If equipped
The electronically modulated air suspension allows the driver to
control the vehicle’s height in orde r to adjust for driving conditions.
Select the desired height with the height control switch.
Height control switch
Height control mode select
switch

242 2-4. Using other driving systems
■Height modes
●N mode (normal mode): For ordinary driving
Normal height
● HI mode (high mode): For driving on bumpy roads
1.2 in. (30 mm) higher than the normal height
The HI mode is unavailable w hen the vehicle’s speed exceeds
18 mph (30 km/h).
When the vehicle’s speed exceed s 18 mph (30 km/h), the height
will be adjusted to the norm al height automatically.
● LO mode (low mode): For the ease of egress/ingress and load-
ing luggage
1.2 in. (30 mm) lower than the normal height
The LO mode is unavailable when the vehicle’s speed exceeds
8 mph (12 km/h).
When the vehicles speed exceed s 8 mph (12 km/h), the height
will be adjusted to the norm al height automatically.
Disabling the height control
When the height control mode
select switch is pressed, the
vehicle height is fixed at the cur-
rent height.
The height can be adjusted by
pressing the height control
switch.
When the vehicle’s speed
exceeds 18 mph (30 km/h), the
height will be adjusted to the nor-
mal height automatically.

243
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.

244 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, and you may catch part of your body in the vehicle, 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.
● HI mode should only be used when driving on rough roads, for example
when driving off-road.
Because the vehicle’s center of gravity will become higher when in the
mode, the vehicle may become unstable when turning abruptly, resulting
in an accident.
● Do not select HI mode when you load cargo on the roof luggage carrier.
Because the vehicle’s center of gravity will become higher when in the
mode, the vehicle may become unstable when turning abruptly, resulting
in an accident.

245
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.

246
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.

247
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

248 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.