2023 TOYOTA 4RUNNER Owners Manual

2974-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)■
Shifting from L4 to H4
Stop the vehicle completely and continue to depress the brake
pedal.
Shift the shift lever to N.
Ty p e A
Shift the front-wheel drive control lever to H4.
Ty p e B
Push the “UNLOCK” button and turn the front-wheel drive control
switch to H4.
The low speed four-wheel drive indicator will go off.
■When the front-wheel drive control lever or switch is shifted t o L4
VSC and TRAC are automatically turned off.
■ If the four-wheel drive indicator flashes
The transfer mode may not successfully change. Drive straight ahead while
accelerating or decelerating, or drive in reverse.
■ If the low speed four-wheel drive indicator continues to flash
The transfer mode may not successfully change. Operate the four-wheel
drive control switch again.
■ 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 four-wheel drive or low speed four-wheel drive indicator flashes
rapidly
There may be a malfunction in the four-wheel drive system. Have the vehicle
inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.
■ Four-wheel drive usage frequency
You should drive in four-wheel drive for at least 10 miles (16 km) each month.
This will assure that the front drive components are lubricated .
WARNING
■Shifting the front-wheel drive co ntrol lever or switch from H2 to H4
while driving
Never operate the front-wheel drive control lever or switch if the wheels are
slipping.
Stop the slipping or spinning before shifting.
1
2
3
3

2984-5. Using the driving support systems
4RUNNER (U)
H4F (high speed position)
Use this for normal driving on dry hard-surfaced roads. This po sition gives
greater economy, quietest ride and least wear.
H4L (high speed position, cent er differential locked)
Use this for driving only on tracks that permit the tires slide , like off-road,
icy or snow-covered roads.
L4L (low speed position, c enter differential locked)
Use this for maximum power and traction. Use “L4L” for climbing or
descending steep hills, off-road driving, and hard pulling in s and, mud or
deep snow.
Center differential lock indicator
Low speed four-whe el drive indicator
Four-wheel drive system (full-time 4WD
models)
Use the four-wheel drive contro l switch to select the following
transfer modes:
1
2
3
4
5

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
1
2
3

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.
1
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.

3024-5. 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.
1
2

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.

3044-5. Using the driving support systems
4RUNNER (U)
The system can be used on 2WD models.
Press to turn on the system.
At this time, the “AUTO LSD” and
VSC OFF indicators will come on.
To turn off the system, press
again.
AUTO LSD system (2WD models)
The AUTO LSD system aids trac tion by using the traction con-
trol system to control engine performance and braking when
one of the drive wheels begins to spin.
The system should be used only when one of the drive wheels
spinning occurs in a ditch or rough surface.
System operation