
3084-5. Using the driving support systems
4RUNNER (U)
Press the “DAC” switch.
The downhill assist control system
indicator  will  comes  on  and  the
system  will  operate.  When  the
system  is  in  operation,  the  slip
indicator  will  flash,  and  the  stop
lights/high mounted  stop lights will
be  lit.  A  sound  may  also  occur
during  the  operation.  This  does
not indicated a malfunction.
Press the “DAC” switch while the  system is in operation. The downhill
assist  control  system  indicator  will  flash  as  the  system  gradua lly
ceases operation, and will turn  off when the system is  fully of f.  Press
the  “DAC”  switch  while  the  downh ill  assist  control  system  indicator  is
flashing to start t he system again.
Downhill assist control system
: If equipped
The  downhill  assist  control  system  helps  to  prevent  excessive
speed  on  steep  downhill  slopes.  The  system  will  operate  when
the vehicle is traveling under 15 mph (25 km/h) with the accele r-
ator  and  brake  pedals  released  and  the  transfer  mode  is  in  L4
(part-time 4WD models) or L 4L (full-time 4WD models).
System operation
Turning off the system 

3094-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)
■Operating tips
The system will operate when the shift lever is in a position other than P, how-
ever to make effective use of the system it is recommended to select a lower
shift range.
■ The system will not operate when
●Part-time 4WD models: The transfer mode is in H2 or H4.
● Full-time 4WD models: The transfer mode is in H4L or H4F.
■ If the downhill assist control system indicator flashes
●In the following situations, the indicator flashes and the syst em will not oper-
ate:
• The  transfer  mode  is  not  in  L4  (part-time  4WD  models)  or  L4L  ( full-time
4WD models).
• The shift lever is in P.
• The accelerator or brake pedal is depressed.
• The vehicle speed exceeds approximately 15 mph (25 km/h).
• The brake system overheats.
● In  the  following  situations,  the  indicator  flashes  to  alert  the  driver, but the
system will operate:
• The shift lever is in N.
• The “DAC” switch is turned off while the system is operating. The system will gradually ceases operation. The indicator will flash during
operation, and then go off when the system is fully off.
■ When the downhill assist contro l system is operated continuously
This  may  cause  the  brake  actuator  to  overheat.  In  this  case,  th e  downhill
assist control system will stop operating, a buzzer will sound and the downhill
assist control system indicator will start flashing, and the “T RAC OFF” indica-
tor  light  will  come  on. Refrain  from using  the  system  until  the   downhill  assist
control  system  indicator  stays  on  and  “TRAC  OFF”  indicator  light  turns  off.
(The vehicle can be driven normally during this time.) 

3104-5. Using the driving support systems
4RUNNER (U)■
Sounds and vibrations caused b y the downhill assist control system
● A  sound  may  be  heard  from  the  engine  compartment  when  the  engin e  is
started or just after the vehicle begins to move. This sound do es not indicate
that a malfunction has occurred in downhill assist control syst em.
● Either of the following conditions may occur when the downhill  assist control
system  is  operating.  None  of  these  are  indicators  that  a  malfun ction  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.
■ System malfunction
In the following cases, have your vehicle checked by your Toyot a dealer.
● The  downhill  assist  control  system  indicator  does  not  come  on  w hen  the
engine  switch  is  turned  to  the  “ON”  position  (vehicles  without  a  smart  key
system) or the engine switch is turned to IGNITION ON mode (veh icles with
a smart key system).
● The  downhill  assist  control  system  indicator  does  not  come  on  w hen  the
“DAC” switch is pressed.
● The slip indicator comes on. 
WARNING
■When using downhill assist control system
Do  not  rely  overmuch  on  the  downhill  assist  control  system.  Thi s  function
does  not  extend  the  vehicle’s  performance  limitations.  Always  t horoughly
check the road conditions, and drive safely.
■ The system may not operate on the following surfaces, which may  lead
to an accident causing death or serious injury
● Slippery surfaces such as wet or muddy roads
● Icy surface
● Unpaved roads 

3134-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)■
Automatic system cancelation
In  the  following  situations,  the  system  will  cease  operation  an d  a  buzzer  will
sound to alert the driver. The Cr awl Control indicator will flash until the system
is turned off completely.
● When the shift lever is shifted to P or N
● When the front-wheel drive control lever or switch is shifted t o H4
● When the driver’s door is opened
● When the system is malfunctioning
● When the brake system overheats
Stop the vehicle in a safe place. (There is no problem with con tinuing normal
driving.)
● When the automatic transmission system overheats
Stop  the  vehicle  in  a  safe  place  until  the  automatic  transmissi on  fluid  tem-
perature warning light goes off.
■ Sounds and vibrations caused  by the Crawl Control system
● A  sound  may  be  heard  from  the  engine  compartment  when  the  engin e  is
started or just after the vehicle begins to move. This sound do es not indicate
that a malfunction has occurred in Crawl Control system.
● Either of the following conditions may occur when the Crawl Con trol system
is 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.
■ When there is a malfunction in the system
Warning lights and/or warning messages will turn on. ( P. 477, 487)
WARNING
■When using Crawl Control
● Do  not  overly  rely  on  Crawl  Control.  This  function  does  not  ext end  the
vehicle’s performance limitations. Always check the terrain tho roughly and
drive safely.
● The recommended speed modes for the listed terrains ( P. 312) are only
a reference. The selected mode may not be suitable to actual of f-road con-
ditions due to factors such as the type or unevenness of the te rrain or the
degree of incline. Check the actual terrain thoroughly and drive safely.
● After  activating  Crawl  Control,  make  sure  that  the  Crawl  Contro l  indicator
comes on. If the indicator flashes, the vehicle is not under system control.
■ Conditions under which the system may not operate correctly
When  driving  on  the  following  surfaces,  the  system  may  not  be  a ble  to
maintain a fixed low speed, which may result in an accident:
● Extremely steep inclines
● Extremely uneven surfaces
● Snow-covered roads, or other slippery surfaces 

3214-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)
◆ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenl y,
or if the brakes are applied while  driving on a slippery road surface
◆Multi Terrain ABS (Anti-lock  Brake System) (if equipped)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenl y,
or if the brakes are applied while driving on a slippery road s urface,
or in off-road conditions (such as rough roads, sand and mud)
The  Multi  Terrain ABS  operates  in   synchronization  with  the  Multi-
terrain Select.
◆Brake assist
Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake p edal
is depressed when the system de tects 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  driving  torque  when
trailer sway is detected.
◆TRAC (Traction Control)
Helps  to  maintain  drive  power  and  prevent  the  drive  wheels  from
spinning when starting the vehicl e or accelerating on slippery roads
Driving assist systems
To  keep  driving  safety  and  perf ormance,  the  following  systems
operate  automatically  in  respon se  to  various  driving  situations.
Be  aware,  however,  that  these  systems  are  supplementary  and
should  not  be  relied  upon  too  heav ily  when  operating  the  vehi-
cle.  

3264-5. Using the driving support systems
4RUNNER (U)
■When  the  “TRAC  OFF”  indicator  light  comes  on  even  if    has  not
been pressed
TRAC,  hill-start  assist  control,  downhill  assist  control  and  cr awl  control  are
temporary  deactivated.  If  the  indicator  light  continues  to  rema in  on,  contact
your Toyota dealer.
■ When  the  VSC  or  TRAC  system  is  turned  off  by  pressing  the  VSC  o ff
switch
On vehicles with pre-collision system, pre-collision brake assi st and pre-colli-
sion  braking  will  also  be  disabled.  The  PCS  warning  light  will  come  on  and
the message will be shown on the multi-information display. ( P. 264)
■ Operating conditions of  hill-start assist control
When the following conditions are met, the hill-start assist co ntrol will operate:
2WD models
● The  shift  lever  is  in  a  position  other  than  P  or  N  (when  starting  off  forward/
backward on an upward incline)
● The vehicle is stopped
● The accelerator pedal is not depressed
● The parking brake is not engaged
4WD models
● The system has detected that the vehicle is moving backward
● The  shift  lever  is  in  a  position  other  than  P  or  N  (when  starting  off  forward/
backward on an upward incline)
● The brake pedal is not depressed.
● The rear differential is not locked.(if equipped)
■ Automatic system cancelation of  hill-start assist control (2WD models)
The hill-start assist control will turn off in any of the following situations:
● The shift lever is shifted to P or N 
● The accelerator pedal is depressed
● The parking brake is engaged
● 2 seconds at maximum elapsed after the brake pedal is released
■ When the brake system o perates continuously
The brake actuator may overheat. In this case, the TRAC and hil l-start assist
control systems will stop operating, a buzzer will sound and th e “TRAC OFF”
indicator  will  come  on.  Refrain  from  using  the  system  until  the   “TRAC  OFF”
indicator turns off. (There is no problem with continuing norma l driving.) 

3284-5. Using the driving support systems
4RUNNER (U)
WARNING
■The ABS and Multi Terrain ABS do not operate effectively when
● The  limits  of  tire  gripping  performance  have  been  exceeded  (suc h  as
excessively worn tires on a snow covered road).
● The vehicle hydroplanes while driving at high speed on wet or s lick roads.
■ Stopping distance when the ABS or Multi Terrain ABS is operatin g may
exceed that of normal conditions
The ABS  and  Multi  Terrain ABS  are  not  designed  to  shorten  the  v ehicle’s
stopping distance. Always maintain a safe distance from the veh icle in front
of you, especially in the following situations:
● When driving on dirt, gravel or snow-covered roads
● When driving with tire chains
● When driving over bumps in the road
● When driving over roads with potholes or uneven surfaces
■ TRAC/VSC may not operate effectively when
Directional  control  and  power  may  not  be  achievable  while  drivi ng  on  slip-
pery road surfaces, even if the TRAC/VSC system is operating. 
Drive  the  vehicle  carefully  in  conditions  where  stability  and  p ower  may  be
lost.
■  Hill-start assist control does  not operate effectively when
2WD models
● Do  not  overly  rely  on  the  hill-start  assist  control.  Hill-start   assist  control
may not operate effectively on steep inclines and roads covered  with ice.
● Unlike the parking brake, hill-start assist control is not inte nded to hold the
vehicle  stationary  for  an  extended  period  of  time.  Do  not  attempt  to  use
hill-start  assist  control  to  hold  the  vehicle  on  an  incline,  as   doing  so  may
lead to an accident.
4WD models
Do not overly rely on the hill-start assist control. The hill-start assist control
may not operate effectively on a steep uphill and roads covered  with ice. 

3525-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
4RUNNER (U)■
Ventilation and air conditioning odors
●To let fresh air in, set the air conditioning system to the out side air mode.
● During use, various odors from inside and outside the vehicle m ay enter into
and accumulate in the air conditioning system. This may then ca use odor to
be emitted from the vents.
● To reduce potential odors from occurring:
• It  is  recommended  that  the  air  conditioning  system  be  set  to  o utside  air
mode prior to turning the vehicle off.
• The  start  timing  of  the  blower  may  be  delayed  for  a  short  peri od  of  time
immediately  after  the  air  conditioning  system  is  started  in  aut omatic
mode.
■ Air conditioning filter
P. 440
WARNING
■To prevent the windshield from fogging up
● Do  not  use    during  cool  air  operation  in  extremely  humid  weathe r.
The  difference  between  the  temperature  of  the  outside  air  and  t hat  of  the
windshield can cause the outer surface of the windshield to fog  up, block-
ing your vision.
■ To prevent burns
● Do not touch the rear view mirror surfaces when the outside rear view mir-
ror defoggers are on.
● Do not touch the glass at lower part of the windshield or to the side of the
front pillars when the windshield wiper de-icer is on.
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the air conditioning system on longer than necessa ry when the
engine is stopped.
● Do not place anything on the instrument
panel  which  may  cover  the  air  outlets.
Otherwise,  air  flow  may  be  obstructed,
preventing  the  windshield  defoggers
from defogging.