2012 TOYOTA SEQUOIA Owners Manual

249
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.

250 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.

251
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
CAUTION
■Shifting from 2WD to 4H while driving
Never operate the front wheel drive cont rol switch if the wheels are slipping.
Stop the slipping or spinning before shifting.
■ When the vehicle is parked
●If the shift lever is moved before the 4LO indicator turns on/off, the transfer
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 before placing transmission in P. ( P. 247)
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
loose or bumpy surface.
● Do not push the center differential lock switch when the vehicle is corner-
ing or when its wheels are spinning freely off the ground.

252
2-4. Using other driving systems
AUTO LSD system
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 one of the rear wheels spin-
ning occurs in a ditch or rough surface.
■ System operation
The system can be used on 2W D models and in 2WD mode on
4WD models.
The system is activated when dr iving at a speed under 62 mph
(100 km/h).
The AUTO LSD system will be ac tivated with the following two
procedures.
Press the VSC OFF switch
briefly.
At this time, the AUTO LSD
indicator will come on.
To turn off the system, push
the switch again.
Stop the vehicle completely,
and press the VSC OFF
switch for more than 3 sec-
onds.
At this time, VSC OFF and
AUTO LSD indicators will
come on simultaneously.
To turn off the system, push
the switch again.

253
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
When the AUTO LSD system is operating
If the rear wheels spin, the slip
indicator flashes to indicate that
the AUTO LSD system has con-
trolled the spinning of the rear
wheels.
■If the engine is turned off and restarted
The AUTO LSD system and the indicators are automatically turned off.
■ If the brake system overheats
The AUTO LSD system will cease operation, and the slip indicator will
change from flashing to being on continuously to alert the driver. 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
■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.

254
2-4. Using other driving systems
Driving assist systems
To help enhance driving safety and performance, the following sys-
tems operate automatically in res ponse to various driving situations.
Be aware, however, that these systems are supplementary and
should not be relied upon too h eavily when operating the vehicle.
■ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenly, or if
the brakes are applied while driving on a slippery road surface.
■Brake Assist
Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake pedal is
depressed, when the system detects a panic stop situation.
■VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to control skidding when swerving suddenly or turning
on slippery road surfaces.
■Trailer Sway Control
Helps the driver to control trailer sway by selectively applying brake
pressure for individual wheels and reducing engine torque when trailer
sway is detected.
Trailer Sway Control is part of the VSC system and will not operate if
VSC is turned off or experiences a malfunction.
■ TRAC (Traction Control) for 2WD
Maintains drive power and prevents the rear wheels from spinning
when starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads.
■A-TRAC (Active Traction Control) for 4WD
Maintains drive power and prevents all wheels from spinning when
starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads.

255
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
When VSC/Trailer Sway Control/TRAC/A-TRAC are operating
If the vehicle is in danger of slip-
ping, or if the rear wheels (2WD
models) or all wheels (4WD
models) spin, the slip indicator
flashes to indicate that
VSC/Trailer Sway Control/TRAC/
A-TRAC have been engaged.
To disable VSC, Trailer Sway Control and/or TRAC (2WD models
and 2WD mode on 4WD models)If the vehicle gets stuck in fresh snow or mud, VSC, Trailer Sway
Control and/or TRAC may reduce power from the engine to the
wheels. You may need to turn the system off to enable you to rock the
vehicle in order to free it.
■ TRAC OFF mode
Press the VSC OFF switch
briefly.
The AUTO LSD indicator will
come on.
The system is in TRAC off, AUTO
LSD on and VSC, Trailer Sway
Control on mode.
Push the switch again to turn the
system back on.

256 2-4. Using other driving systems
■AUTO LSD mode
Stop the vehicle completely, and
press the VSC OFF switch for
more than 3 seconds, when the
system is in the TRAC OFF
mode.
The VSC OFF and AUTO LSD
indicators will come on.
The system is in TRAC off, AUTO
LSD on and VSC, Trailer Sway
Control off mode.
■VSC OFF mode
Stop the vehicle completely, and
press the VSC OFF switch for
more than 3 seconds, when the
system is in the AUTO LSD
mode.
The VSC OFF and TRAC OFF
indicators will come on.
The system is all off mode.