2021 TOYOTA 4RUNNER Owners Manual (in English)

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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3064-5. Using the driving support systems
4RUNNER (U)
WARNING
■To avoid an accident
● Do not use the rear differential lock system except when wheel spinning
occurs in a ditch or on a slippery or rugged surface. Large steering effort
and careful cornering control will be required.
● Do not lock the rear differential until the wheels have stopped spinning.
Otherwise, the vehicle may move in an unexpected direction when the dif-
ferential lock is engaged, resulting in an accident. This may also lead to
possible damage to rear differential lock component parts.
● Do not drive over 5 mph (8 km/h) when the rear differential is locked.
● Do not keep driving with the rear differential lock switch on.

3074-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
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

3084-5. Using the driving support systems
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.)

3094-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
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

3104-5. Using the driving support systems
4RUNNER (U)■
Crawl Control switch
“ON/OFF” switch
The Crawl Control indicator comes on and the slip indicator flashes
when operating.
Speed selector dial
Turn the dial clockwise to increase the speed and counterclockw ise to
decrease the speed.
Crawl Control indicator
Slip indicator
Multi-information display
The operating status and speed select status of the Crawl Contr ol are
shown on the multi-information display.
Crawl Control
: If equipped
Allows travel on extremely rough off-road surfaces at a fixed low
speed without pressing the accel erator or brake pedal. Mini-
mizes loss of traction or vehic le slip when driving on slippery
road surfaces, allowing for stable driving.
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3114-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)■
Speed modes
The following table shows
some typical terrains and the
recommended speed modes.
■
Crawl Control can be operated when
●The engine is running.
● The shift lever is in any position other than P or N.
● The front-wheel drive control lever or switch is in L4.
● The driver’s door is closed.
■ Crawl Control is temporarily canceled when
Vehicle speed exceeds 15 mph (25 km/h). The Crawl Control indic ator
flashes until the vehicle speed is reduced.
ModeRoad condition
L (Low)Rock, mogul (downhill) and gravel
(downhill)
Between L and M
Mogul (uphill)
M (Medium)
Snow, mud, gravel (uphill), sand, dirt,
mogul (uphill) and grassBetween M and H
H (High)
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3124-5. Using the driving support systems
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. 474, 484)
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. 311) 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