Page 197 of 568
197
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
To disable TRAC and VSC (2WD m odels and H2 mode [automatic
transmission] on 4WD models)
If the vehicle gets stuck in fresh snow or mud, TRAC and VSC 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.
■ Turning off TRAC and VSC
Press and hold the switch for
more than 3 seconds while the
vehicle is stopped to turn off
TRAC and VSC.
The VSC OFF and TRAC OFF
indicators will come on.
Push the switch again to turn both
systems back on.
Page 198 of 568
198 2-4. Using other driving systems
To disable TRAC (TRC) and/or VSC (H4 mode [automatic transmission]
or H and HL mode [manual transmission] on 4WD models)
If the vehicle gets stuck in fresh snow or mud, TRAC (TRC) and VSC
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.
■ Turning off TRAC (TRC)
Quickly press and release the
switch to turn off TRAC (TRC).
The TRAC OFF (TRC OFF) indi-
cator will come on.
Push the switch again to turn the
system back on.
■Turning off TRAC (TRC) and VSC
Press and hold the switch for
more than 3 seconds while the
vehicle is stopped to turn off
TRAC (TRC) and VSC.
The VSC OFF and TRAC OFF
(TRC OFF) indicators will come
on.
Push the switch again to turn both
systems back on.
U.S.A. Canada
U.S.A. Canada
Page 199 of 568

199
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
■When the TRAC OFF (TRC OFF) indi cator light comes on even if the
VSC OFF switch has not been pressed
TRAC (TRC) and Crawl Control (if equipped) systems cannot be operated.
Contact your Toyota dealer.
■ Automatic reactivation of TRAC (TRC) and VSC
Turning the engine switch off after turning off the TRAC (TRC) and VSC sys-
tems will automatically re-enable them.
■ Automatic VSC reactivation (2WD models)
If only the TRAC system is turned off, VSC OFF and AUTO LSD indicators
turn on. The VSC system will turn on when the vehicle speed increases.
■ Automatic TRAC (TRC) and VSC reactivation
If the TRAC (TRC) and VSC systems are turned off, the systems will not turn
on, even when vehicle speed increases.
■ Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, TRAC (TRC), VSC and
brake assist 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 any of these systems.
● Any of the following conditions may occur when the above systems are
operating. None of these indicates that a malfunction has occurred.
• Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
• A motor sound may be heard after the vehicle comes to a stop.
• The brake pedal may pulsate slightly after the ABS is activated.
• The brake pedal may move down slightly after the ABS is activated.
■ If the brake system overheats
TRAC (TRC) 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.)
Page 205 of 568

205
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
NOTICE
■
To prevent the water damage
●Take all necessary safety measures to ensure that water damage to the
engine or other components does not occur.
● Water entering the engine air intake will cause severe engine damage.
● Water entering the automatic transmission will cause deterioration in shift
quality, locking up of your transmission accompanied by vibration, and ulti-
mately damage.
● Water can wash the grease from wheel bearings, causing rusting and pre-
mature failure, and may also enter the differentials, transmission and
transfer case, reducing the gear oil’s lubricating qualities.
■ When you drive through water
If driving through water, such as when crossing shallow streams, first check
the depth of the water and the bottom of the river bed for firmness. Drive
slowly and avoid deep water.
■ Inspection after off-road driving
●Sand and mud that has accumulat ed in brake drums and around brake
discs may affect braking efficiency and may damage brake system compo-
nents.
● Always perform a maintenance inspection after each day of off-road driv-
ing that has taken you through rough terrain, sand, mud, or water. For
scheduled maintenance information, refer to the “Scheduled Maintenance
Guide” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”.
Page 211 of 568

211
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before driving
the vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a manner appropri-
ate to the prevailing weather conditions.
■ Pre-winter preparations
●Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside tem-
peratures.
• Engine oil
• Engine coolant
• Washer fluid
● Have a service technician inspect the level and specific grav-
ity of battery electrolyte.
● Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set
of tire chains for the rear tires.
Ensure that all tires are the same size and brand, and that chains
match the size of the tires.
■Before driving the vehicle
Perform the following according to the driving conditions.
●Do not try to forcibly open a window, scrape an outside rear
view mirror surface or move a wiper or outside rear view mir-
ror that is frozen. Pour warm water over the frozen area to
melt the ice. Wipe away the water immediately to prevent it
from freezing.
● To ensure proper operation of th e climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents
in front of the windshield.
● Remove any ice that has accumu lated on the vehicle chassis.
● Periodically check for and remove any excess ice or snow
that may have accumulated in the wheel well or on the
brakes.
Page 219 of 568
219
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
GCWR, TWR and Unbraked TWR
Confirm that the gross trailer weight, gross combination weight, gross
vehicle weight, gross axle weight and tongue weight are all within the
limits.
■ GCWR
* and TWR*
*1: The model code is indicated on the Certification Label. (P. 511)
■Unbraked TWR*
1000 lb. (453 kg)
*: These models meet the tow-vehicle trailering requirement of SAE
International per SAE J2807.
Model code*1EngineDriving
systemGCWRTWR
GSJ10L-GKASKA4.0L V6
(1GR-FE)
engine 2WD 9200 lb. (4170 kg)
4700 lb. (2130 kg)
GSJ15L-GKFSKA4WD 9500 lb. (4305 kg)GSJ15L-GKASKA
Page 225 of 568

225
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
●
Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.
● Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns, and slow down before mak-
ing a turn.
● Note that when making a turn, th e trailer wheels will be closer than
the vehicle wheels to the inside of the turn. Compensate by making
a wider than normal turning radius.
● Slow down before making a turn, in crosswinds, on wet or slippery
surfaces, etc.
Increasing vehicle speed can destabilize the trailer.
● Take care when passing other vehicles. Passing requires consider-
able distance. After passing a vehicle, do not forget the length of
your trailer, and be sure you hav e plenty of room before changing
lanes.
● To maintain engine braking efficiency and charging system perfor-
mance when using engine braking, do not use sixth gear (manual
transmission), or do not put the transmission in D (automatic trans-
mission).
● Instability happens more frequently when descending steep or long
downhill grades. Before descending, slow down and downshift. Do
not make sudden downshifts while descending steep or long down-
hill grades.
● Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or applying the
brakes too frequently. This could cause the brakes to overheat and
result in reduced braking efficiency.
● Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle’s engine may
overheat on hot days (at temperatures over 85°F [30°C]) when
driving up a long or steep grade. If the engine coolant temperature
gauge indicates overheating, immedi ately turn off the air condition-
ing (if in use), pull your vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot.
( P. 502)
Page 226 of 568

226 2-5. Driving information
●Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle’s and the
trailer’s wheels when parking. Ap ply the parking brake firmly, and
put the transmission in P (automatic transmission) or in 1 or R
(manual transmission). Avoid park ing on a slope, but if unavoid-
able, do so only after performing the following:
Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
Have someone place wheel blo cks under both the vehicle’s
and trailer’s wheels.
When the wheel blocks are in place, release the brakes slowly
until the blocks absorb the load.
Apply the parking brake firmly.
Shift into P (automatic transmission) or 1 or R (manual trans-
mission) and turn off the engine.
● When restarting after parking on a slope:
With the transmission in P (automatic transmission) or the
clutch pedal (manual transmission) depressed, start the
engine. On vehicles with an au tomatic transmission, be sure
to keep the brake pedal depressed.
Shift into a forward gear. If reversing, shift into R.
Release the parking brake (and also the brake pedal on vehi-
cles with an automatic transmission), and slowly pull or back
away from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply the brakes.
Have someone retrieve the blocks.