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.