Page 203 of 592

2034-1. Before driving
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)
●Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle’s and the trai ler’s
wheels  when  parking. Apply  the  parking  brake  firmly,  and  put  th e
transmission  in  P. Avoid  parking  on  a  slope,  but  if  unavoidable ,  do
so only after perform ing the following:
Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
Have someone  place wheel blocks  under both the vehicle’s and
trailer’s wheels.
When  the  wheel  blocks  are  in  pl ace,  release  the  brakes  slowly
until the blocks absorb the load.
Apply the parking brake firmly.
Shift into P and turn off the engine.
● When restarting afte r parking on a slope:
With the transmission in P, start the engine. Be sure to keep t he
brake pedal pressed.
Shift into a forward gear.  If reversing, shift into R.
Release  the  parking  brake  and  brake  pedal,  and  slowly  pull  or
back away from the wheel bloc ks. Stop and apply the brakes.
Have someone retrieve the blocks.
■ Matching trailer ball height  to trailer coupler height
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5
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No  matter  which  class  of  tow  hitch
applies,  for  a  more  safe  trailer  hookup,
the  trailer  ball  setup  must  be  the  proper
height for the coupler on the trailer.
Coupler 
Trailer ball
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        Page 211 of 592

2114-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)
WARNING
■When starting the engine
Always start the engine while sitting in the driver's seat. Do  not depress the
accelerator pedal while starting the engine under any circumsta nces.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious in jury.
■ Caution when driving
Do not turn the engine switch to the “LOCK” position while driving. If, in an
emergency,  you  must  turn  the  engine  off  while  the  vehicle  is  mo ving,  turn
the engine switch only to the “ACC” position to stop the engine. An accident
may result if the engine is stopped while driving.
NOTICE
■ To prevent battery discharge
Do  not  leave  the  engine  switch  in  the  “ACC” or  “ON”  position  fo r  long  peri-
ods of time without the engine running.
■ When starting the engine
● Do  not  crank  the  engine  for  more  than  30  seconds  at  a  time.  This  may
overheat the starter and wiring systems.
● Do not race a cold engine.
● If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently,  have the engine
checked immediately. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 216 of 592

2164-2. Driving procedures
4RUNNER (U)
WARNING
■When starting the engine
Always start the engine while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do  not depress the
accelerator pedal while starting the engine under any circumsta nces.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious in jury.
■ Caution while driving
If engine failure occurs while the vehicle is moving, do not lo ck or open the
doors  until  the  vehicle  reaches  a  safe  and  complete  stop. Activ ation  of  the
steering  lock  in  this  circumstance  may  lead  to  an  accident,  res ulting  in
death or serious injury.
■ Stopping the engine in an emergency
● If  you  want  to  stop  the  engine  in  an  emergency  while  driving  th e  vehicle,
press  and  hold  the  engine  switch  for  more  than  2  seconds,  or  press  it
briefly 3 times or more in succession. ( P. 463)
However, do not touch the engine switch while driving except in  an emer-
gency. Turning the engine off while driving will not cause loss of steering or
braking control, but the power assist to these systems will be  lost. This will
make it more difficult to steer and brake, so you should pull o ver and stop
the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
● If  the  engine  switch  is  operated  while  the  vehicle  is  running,  a  warning
message  will  be  shown  on  the  multi-information  display  and  a  bu zzer
sounds.
■ When parking
Exhaust  gases  include  harmful  carbon  monoxide  (CO),  which  is  colorless
and odorless. Observe the following precautions.
Failure  to  do  so  may  cause  exhaust  gases  to  enter  the  vehicle  a nd  may
lead to an accident caused by light-headedness, or may lead to  death or a
serious health hazard.
● If  the  vehicle  is  in  a  poorly  ventilated  area  or  a  closed  area,  such  as  a
garage, stop the engine.
● Do not leave the vehicle with the engine running for a long tim e. If such a
situation cannot be avoided, park the vehicle in an open space  and ensure
that exhaust fumes do not enter the vehicle interior.
● Do not leave the engine running in an area with snow build-up,  or where it
is  snowing.  If  snowbanks  build  up  around  the  vehicle  while  the  engine  is
running, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 217 of 592

2174-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
● Do  not  leave  the  engine  switch  in ACCESSORY  or  IGNITION  ON  mode
for long periods of time without the engine running.
● If “ACCESSORY” or “IGNITION ON” is displayed on the multi-infor mation
display,  the  engine  switch  is  not  off.  Exit  the  vehicle  after  t urning  the
engine switch off.
● Do not stop the engine when the shift lever is in a position ot her than P. If
the engine is stopped in another shift lever position, the engi ne switch will
not be turned off but instead be turned to ACCESSORY mode. If t he vehi-
cle is left in ACCESSORY mode, battery discharge may occur.
■ When starting the engine
● Do not race a cold engine.
● If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently,  have your vehi-
cle checked by your Toyota dealer immediately.
■ Symptoms indicating a malf unction with the engine switch
If the engine switch seems to be operating somewhat differently  than usual,
such  as  the  switch  sticking  slightly,  there  may  be  a  malfunctio n.  Contact
your Toyota dealer immediately. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 300 of 592
3004-5. Using the driving support systems
4RUNNER (U)■
System operation
Part-time 4WD models:
Stop the vehicle, shift the shif t lever to N and shift the front-wheel
drive control lever into L4.
Full-time 4WD models:
Stop the vehicle, shift the shift lever to N and then push and  turn
the four-wheel drive c ontrol switch to L4L.
Press the “A-TRAC” switch to
activate the system.
At  this  time,  the  “A-TRAC”  indi-
cator will come on.
To  cancel  the  system,  push  the
switch again.
Active traction control system
: If equipped
The  active  traction  control  syst em  automatically  helps  prevent
the  spinning  of  4  wheels  when  the  vehicle  is  started  or  acceler -
ated on slippery road surfaces.
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        Page 301 of 592

3014-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)
If all wheels spin, the slip indicator
flashes  to  indicate  that  the  active
traction  control  system  has  been
engaged.
■When the rear differential is locked (vehicles with a rear diff erential lock
system)
The  active  traction  control  system  is  activated  only  when  vehic le  speed  is
less than 4 mph (6 km/h).
■ Sounds and vibrations  caused by the active traction control sys tem
● 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 the system.
● Vibrations  may  be  felt  through  the  vehicle  body  and  steering.  T his  may
occur when the system is operating.
■ If the brake system overheats
The system will cease operation and a buzzer will sound to aler t the driver. At
this time, the “A-TRAC” indicator will go off and the “TRAC OFF ” indicator will
come on. Stop the vehicle in a safe place. (There is no problem  with continu-
ing normal driving.)
The system will be automatically restored after a short time.
When the active traction co ntrol system is operating
WARNING
■The active traction control system may not operate effectively  when 
Directional  control  and  power  may  not  be  achievable  while  driving  on  slip-
pery road surfaces, even if the active traction control system  is operating.
Do not drive the vehicle in conditions where stability and powe r may be lost. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 303 of 592

3034-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)
If  the  drive  wheels  spin,  the  slip
indicator  flashes  to  indicate  that
the  AUTO  LSD  system  has  con-
trolled  the  spinning  of  the  drive
wheels.
■If the engine is turned off and restarted
The AUTO LSD system and the indicators are automatically turned off.
■ Reactivation of the VSC syst em linked to vehicle speed
When the AUTO LSD system is turned on, the VSC, TRAC and Traile r Sway
Control systems will turn on automatically if vehicle speed inc rease.
■ If the brake system overheats
The system will cease operation and a buzzer will alert the driver. At this time,
the  “AUTO  LSD”  indicator  will  flash  and  the  “TRAC  OFF”  indicator  will  come
on. Stop the vehicle in a safe place. (There is no problem with  continuing nor-
mal driving.) The system will be automatically restored after a  short time.
When the AUTO LSD system is operating
WARNING
■To avoid an accident
Failure to do  so, a much greater  steering  effort and  more careful cornering
control will be required.
● Do  not  use  the AUTO  LSD  system  in  conditions  other  than  when  on e  of
the drive wheels spinning occurs in a ditch or rough surface.
● Do not drive with the AUTO LSD system continuously turned on.
NOTICE
■Activating while driving
Do not activate the AUTO LSD system if the wheel is slipping. 
Stop the slipping or spinning before activating. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 305 of 592

3054-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)
Before using the rear differential lock system:
Stop  the  vehicle,  shift  the  shift  lever  to  N  and  shift  the  front-wheel
drive  control  lever  into  L4  to  see  if  this  is  sufficient.  If  this  has  no
effect, additionally use the re ar differential lock system.
Be sure the wheels  have stopped spinning.
Press the rear differential lock switch.
Gently depress the accelerator pedal.
After the rear differential is locked, the indicator will come on.
Unlock the rear differential  as soon as the vehicle moves.
To unlock the rear different ial, press the switch again.
■Locking the rear differential
The following systems do not operate when the rear differential  is locked. It is
normal operation for the ABS warning light and VSC OFF indicato r to be on at
this time.
•ABS
• Multi Terrain ABS
• Brake assist system
•VSC
• Hill-start assist control
■ The rear differential lock is disengaged when
The front-wheel drive control lever or switch is shifted to H2  or H4. 
Never forget to turn off the switch after using this feature.
■ After unlocking the rear differential
Check that the indicator goes off.
■ If the rear differential lo ck indicator flashes rapidly
There  may  be  a  malfunction  in  the  rear  differential  lock  system .  Have  the
vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.
Using the rear diffe rential lock system
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