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4-5. Using the driving support systems
◆VGRS (Variable Gear Ratio Steering)
Helps to adjust the wheel turning angle in accordance with the vehicle
speed and steering wheel movement.
◆Trailer Sway Control
Helps the driver to control trailer sway by selectively applyin g brake pres-
sure for individual wheels and reducing engine torque when trai ler sway is
detected.
Trailer Sway Control is part of the VSC system and will not operate if VSC
turned off or experiences a malfunction.
The slip indicator light flashes to
indicate that the VSC/Trailer
Sway Control/Active TRAC/hill-
start assist control systems have
been engaged.
The stop lights and high mounted
stoplight turn on when the hill-start
assist control system or Trailer
Sway Control is operating.
When the Active TRAC/VSC/Trailer Sway Control/hill-start assist
control systems are operating
LC200_OM_OM60T03U_(U)
3794-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
If the vehicle gets stuck in fresh snow or mud, Active TRAC may
reduce power from the engine to the wheels. You may need to tur n
the system off to enable you to r ock the vehicle in order to free it.
Quickly push and release the but-
ton to turn off Active TRAC.
The TRAC OFF indicator will come
on.
This mode can be used when the
transfer mode is H4.
Push the button again to turn the
system back on.
■ Turning off Active TRAC, VSC and Trailer Sway Control
Push and hold the button for more than 3 seconds while the vehicle is
stopped to turn off Active TRAC, VSC and Trailer Sway Control.
The VSC OFF indicator light and TRAC OFF indicator will come on
*.
Push the button again to turn the system back on.
*: On vehicles with pre-collision system, pre-collision brake assist and pre- collision braking will also be disabled. The PCS warning light will come on
and the message will be shown on the multi-information display. (P. 254)
■ When the message is displayed on the multi-information display show-
ing that TRAC has been disable d even if the VSC OFF switch has not
been pressed
Active TRAC, hill-start assist control, Crawl Control cannot be operated. Con-
tact your Toyota dealer.
Disabling the Active TRAC
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4-5. Using the driving support systems
■Automatic reactivation of Active TRAC, VSC and Trailer Sway Con trol
Turning the engine switch off after turning off the Active TRAC and VSC sys-
tems will automatically re-enable them.
■ Automatic Active TRAC reactivation
If only the Active TRAC system is turned off, the Active TRAC s ystem will turn
on when vehicle speed increases.
■ Automatic Active TRAC, VSC and T railer Sway Control reactivation
If the Active TRAC, VSC and Trailer Sway Control are turned off, the systems
will not turn on even when vehicle speed increases.
■ If the brake system overheats
The brake system may overheat. In this case, a buzzer will soun d, and the
TRAC OFF indicator will flash, and Active TRAC and hill-start a ssist control
will be temporarily inoperable. In this event, stop the vehicle immediately in a
safe place, and allow the brake system to cool down sufficientl y until the
TRAC OFF indicator go off. (There is no problem with continuing normal driv-
ing.)
■ Sounds and vibrations caused by the Multi Terrain ABS, brake assist,
Active TRAC, VSC, Trailer Sway Control, hill-start assist contr ol and
VGRS
● 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 any of these systems.
● Any of the following conditions may occur when the above system s are
operating. None of these indicates that a malfunction has occur red.
• 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 Multi Terrain ABS is acti- vated.
• The brake pedal may move down slightly after the Multi Terrain ABS is
activated.
■ Hill-start assist control is operational when
●The shift lever is in D or S.
● The brake pedal is not depressed.
■ VGRS is disabled in the following situations
●During stopping or the steering wheel has been moved for a long time while
driving at lower speeds.
● After the engine is restarted at less than -22 F (-30 C).
● If you disconnect the battery with the steering wheel turned, the center posi-
tion of the steering wheel could be slightly and temporary hanged. To initial-
ize the VGRS, drive for a short while.
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4-5. Using the driving support systems
WARNING
■When the VSC and Trailer Sway Control are activated
The slip indicator light flashes. Always drive carefully.
Reckless driving may cause an accident. Exercise particular car e when the
indicator light flashes.
■
Replacing tires
Make sure that all tires are of the same size, brand, tread pat tern and
total load capacity. In addition, make sure that the tires are inflated to
the specified tire pressure level.
The Multi Terrain ABS, Active TR AC, VSC and Trailer Sway Control will
not function correctly if different tires are fitted on the veh icle.
Contact your Toyota dealer for further information when replaci ng tires
or wheels.
■Handling of tires and suspension
Using tires with any kind of probl em or modifying the suspension will
affect the driving assist system s, and may cause the system to malfunc-
tion.
■ Trailer Sway Control precaution
The Trailer Sway Control system is not able to reduce trailer sway in all situ-
ations. Depending on many factors such as the conditions of the vehicle,
trailer, road surface, and driving environment, the Trailer Swa y Control sys-
tem may not be effective. Refer to your trailer owner’s manual for informa-
tion on how to tow your trailer properly.
■ If trailer sway occurs
Observe the following precautions.
Failing to do so may cause death or serious injury.
● Firmly grip the steering wheel. Steer straight ahead.
Do not try to control trailer swaying by turning the steering w heel.
● Begin releasing the accelerator pedal immediately but very grad ually to
reduce speed.
Do not increase speed. Do not apply vehicle brakes.
If you make no extreme correction with the steering or brakes, your vehicle
and trailer should stabilize. ( P. 207)
LC200_OM_OM60T03U_(U)
3834-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
NOTICE
■KDSS
In the following situations, there is the possibility that a sy stem malfunction
has occurred, and drive comfort and the vehicle’s ability to travel on poor
road surfaces may be reduced. Take the vehicle to your Toyota d ealer
immediately.
● When turning a corner, the vehicle’s body seems to roll further than nor-
mal.
● If after the vehicle has been left in a slanted position for a long time, for
example with the wheels of one side parked on a curb, the vehic le does
not return to level when driving (the vehicle remains slanted to one side
after returning the vehicle to level ground).
LC200_OM_OM60T03U_(U)
3874-6. Driving tips
4
Driving
WARNING
■Off-road driving precautions
Always observe the following precautions to minimize the risk o f death, seri-
ous injury or damage to your vehicle:
● Drive carefully when off the road. Do not take unnecessary risk s by driving
in dangerous places.
● Do not grip the steering wheel spokes when driving off-road. A bad bump
could jerk the wheel and injure your hands. Keep both hands and espe-
cially your thumbs on the outside of the rim.
● Always check your brakes for effectiveness immediately after driving in
sand, mud, water or snow.
● After driving through tall grass, mud, rock, sand, rivers, etc. , check that
there is no grass, bush, paper, rags, stone, sand, etc. adherin g or trapped
on the underbody. Clear off any such matter from the underbody. If the
vehicle is used with these materials trapped or adhering to the underbody,
a breakdown or fire could occur.
● When driving off-road or in rugged terrain, do not drive at excessive
speeds, jump, make sharp turns, strike objects, etc. This may c ause loss
of control or vehicle rollover causing death or serious injury. You are also
risking expensive damage to your vehicle’s suspension and chass is.
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4-6. Driving tips
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 d amage.
● Water entering the automatic transmission will cause deteriorat ion in shift
quality, locking up of your transmission accompanied by vibrati on, 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 riverbed for firmn ess. Drive
slowly and avoid deep water.
■ Inspection after off-road driving
● Sand and mud that has accumulated in brake drums and around bra ke
discs may affect braking efficiency and may damage brake system compo-
nents.
● Always perform a maintenance inspection after each day of off-r oad driv-
ing that has taken you through rough terrain, sand, mud, or wat er. For
scheduled maintenance information, refer to the “Scheduled Main tenance
Guide” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”.
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4-6. Driving tips
●Park the vehicle and move the shift lever to P without setting the
parking brake. The parking brake may freeze up, preventing it from
being released. If the vehicle is parked without setting the pa rking
brake, make sure to block the wheels.
Failure to do so may be dangerou s because it may cause the vehi-
cle to move unexpectedly, pos sibly leading to an accident.
● If the vehicle is parked without setting the parking brake, confirm
that the shift lever c annot be moved out of P
*.
*: The shift lever will be locked if it is attempted to be shifte d from P to any
other position without depressing the brake pedal. If the shift lever can be
shifted from P, there may be a problem with the shift lock syst em. Have
the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.
Use the correct tire ch ain size when mounting the snow chains.
Chain size is regulate d for each tire size.
Side chain
(0.20 in. [5 mm] in diameter)
Cross chain
(0.25 in. [6.3 mm] in diameter)
Regulations regarding the use of tire chains vary depending on loca-
tion and type of road. Always chec k local regulations before installing
chains.
■ Tire chain installation
Observe the following precautions when installing and removing chains:
● Install and remove tire chains in a safe location.
● Install tire chains on the rear tires. Do not install tire chains on the front tires.
● Install tire chains on rear tires as tightly as possible. Retig hten chains after
driving 1/4 - 1/2 mile (0.5 - 1.0 km).
● Install tire chains following the instructions provided with th e tire chains.
When parking the vehicle
Selecting tire chains
1
2
Regulations on the use of tire chains