Toyota 4Runner (2020 year). Instruction — part 19

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4-5. Using the driving support systems

4RUNNER (U)

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Shifting from L4 to H4

Stop the vehicle completely and continue to depress the brake
pedal.
Shift the shift lever to N.



Type A
Shift the front-wheel drive control lever to H4.



Type 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 to 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 indicator 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 control 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.

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H4F (high speed position)

Use this for normal driving on dry hard-surfaced roads. This position gives
greater economy, quietest ride and least wear.

H4L (high speed position, center 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, center differential locked)

Use this for maximum power and traction. Use “L4L” for climbing or
descending steep hills, off-road driving, and hard pulling in sand, mud or
deep snow.

Center differential lock indicator
Low speed four-wheel drive indicator

Four-wheel drive system (full-time 4WD

models)

Use the four-wheel drive control switch to select the following
transfer modes:

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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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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 switch can be operated when

The engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode.

■

When the four-wheel drive 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 wheels 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 drive indicator continues to flash

The transfer mode may not successfully change. Operate the four-wheel
drive control switch again.

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4-5. Using the driving support systems

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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 indicator 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-wheel 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.

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System operation

Part-time 4WD models:
Stop the vehicle, shift the shift 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 control 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 system automatically helps prevent
the spinning of 4 wheels when the vehicle is started or acceler-
ated on slippery road surfaces.

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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 system

●

A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the engine is
started or just after the vehicle begins to move. This sound does not indicate
that a malfunction has occurred in the system.

●

Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering. This 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 control 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 power may be lost.

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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 traction 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

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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.

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If the engine is turned off and restarted

The AUTO LSD system and the indicators are automatically turned off.

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Reactivation of the VSC system linked to vehicle speed

When the AUTO LSD system is turned on, the VSC, TRAC and Trailer Sway
Control systems will turn on automatically if vehicle speed increase.

■

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 one 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.

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The rear differential lock system is effective in case one of the 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.

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4-5. Using the driving support systems

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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 rear 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 differential, press the switch again.

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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 indicator 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.

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If the rear differential lock 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 differential lock system

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WARNING

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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.

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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 gradually
ceases operation, and will turn off when the system is fully off. Press
the “DAC” switch while the downhill assist control system indicator is
flashing to start the 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 acceler-
ator and brake pedals released and the transfer mode is in L4
(part-time 4WD models) or L4L (full-time 4WD models).

System operation

Turning off the system

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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.

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If the downhill assist control system indicator flashes

●

In the following situations, the indicator flashes and the system 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 control system is operated continuously

This may cause the brake actuator to overheat. In this case, the downhill
assist control system will stop operating, a buzzer will sound and the downhill
assist control system indicator will start flashing, and the “TRAC 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.)

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Sounds and vibrations caused by the downhill assist control system

●

A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the engine is
started or just after the vehicle begins to move. This sound does not indicate
that a malfunction has occurred in downhill assist control system.

●

Either of the following conditions may occur when the downhill assist control
system is operating. None of these are indicators 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.

■

System malfunction

In the following cases, have your vehicle checked by your Toyota dealer.

●

The downhill assist control system indicator does not come on when 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 (vehicles with
a smart key system).

●

The downhill assist control system indicator does not come on when 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. This function
does not extend the vehicle’s performance limitations. Always thoroughly
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

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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 counterclockwise to
decrease the speed.

Crawl Control indicator
Slip indicator
Multi-information display

The operating status and speed select status of the Crawl Control 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 accelerator or brake pedal. Mini-
mizes loss of traction or vehicle slip when driving on slippery
road surfaces, allowing for stable driving.

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