2023 TOYOTA 4RUNNER differential

2994-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)
Push the “UNLOCK” button and
turn the four-wheel drive control
switch to H4L or H4F.
This can be done at any speed.
The center differential lock indica-
tor will turn on (H4L) or go off
(H4F).
■
Shifting from H4L to L4L Stop the vehicle completely and continue to depress the brake
pedal.
Shift the shift lever to N.
Push the “UNLOCK” button
and then push and turn the
four-wheel drive control
switch to L4L.
Maintain this condition until the
low speed four-wheel drive indi-
cator turns on.
Shifting between H4F and H4L
Shifting between H4L and L4L
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2
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3004-5. Using the driving support systems
4RUNNER (U)■
Shifting from L4L to H4L
Stop the vehicle completely and continue to depress the brake
pedal.
Shift the shift lever to N.
Push the “UNLOCK” button
and turn the four-wheel drive
control switch to H4L.
Maintain this condition until the
low speed four-wheel drive indi-
cator goes off.
■The four-wheel drive control sw itch can be operated when
The engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
■ When the four-wheel d rive control switch is turned to L4L
VSC and TRAC are automatically turned off.
■ If the center differential lock indicator flashes
Locking or unlocking of the center differential is not complete . Drive straight
ahead while accelerating or decelerating, or drive in reverse.
■ If the center differential lock indicator flashes and a buzzer sounds
Locking of the center differential is not complete. Stop the wh eels from slip-
ping or spinning and, if the indicator still flashes, operate the four-wheel drive
control switch again.
■ If the low speed four-wheel dri ve indicator continues to flash
The transfer mode may not successfully change. Operate the four -wheel
drive control switch again.
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2
3

3014-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)■
If the low speed four-wheel drive indicator continues to flash and a
buzzer sounds
The shift lever is not in N and/or the vehicle is moving. Stop the vehicle com-
pletely, shift the shift lever to N and make sure that the indi cator stops flash-
ing.
■ If the low speed four-wheel drive indicator or the center differential lock
indicator flashes rapidly
There may be a malfunction in the four-wheel drive system. Have the vehicle
inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.
WARNING
■ Operating the four-wh eel drive control switch
Never operate the four-wheel drive control switch if the wheels have lost
traction. Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious
injury.
Stop the wheels from slipping or spinning before operating the switch.
NOTICE
■ To prevent damage to the center differential
● For normal driving on dry and hard surface roads, unlock the center differ-
ential.
● Unlock the center differential after the wheels are out of the ditch or off the
slippery or bumpy surface.
● Do not lock or unlock the center differential when the vehicle is turning or
when its wheels are spinning freely off the ground.

3034-5. 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 differential lock
system)
The active traction control system is activated only when vehicle 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 engine 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 alert 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.

3064-5. Using the driving support systems
4RUNNER (U)
The rear differential lock system is effective in case one of t he rear
wheels is spinning.
Press the switch to lock the rear
differential.
At this time, the rear differential
lock indicator will flash. Wait a few
seconds for the system to com-
plete operation. After the rear dif-
ferential is locked, the indicator will
stop flashing and remain on.
To unlock the rear differential,
press the switch again.
Rear differential lock system
: If equipped
The rear differential lock system is provided for use only when
wheel spinning occurs in a ditch or on a slippery or rugged sur -
face.

3074-5. 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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4

3084-5. 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 ste ering 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.

3194-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)
Depending on switch operation,
one of the following messages
may appear on the multi-informa-
tion display to provide guidance
on transfer mode selection etc:
Messages displayed on the multi-information display
MessageDetailsProcedure
“Select 4WD”
(When selecting MUD
& SAND mode) Indicates that the trans-
fer mode needs to be
changed to H4 or L4.Shift the front-wheel
drive control lever to H4
or L4.
“Select L4”
(When selecting
LOOSE ROCK,
MOGUL or ROCK
mode)
Indicates that the trans-
fer mode needs to be
changed to L4.Shift the front-wheel
drive control lever to
L4.
“Stop the Vehicle. Shift
to N”
(When selecting any
mode)Indicates that the trans-
fer mode cannot be
changed to H4 or L4.Stop the vehicle com-
pletely and/or shift the
shift lever to N.
“Accelerate or Deceler-
ate”
(When shifting the
front-wheel control
lever to H4 or H2)
Indicates that the trans-
fer mode may not suc-
cessfully change.Drive straight ahead
while accelerating or
decelerating, or drive in
reverse.
“Drive the Vehicle a
Short Distance”
(When pressing the
rear differential lock
switch)
Indicates that the rear
differential is not
locked.Drive the vehicle for-
ward or backward a
short distance.