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Toyota 4WD systems explained
2487 messages, Last post on Apr 28, 2012 at 12:48 PM
You are in the Toyota Sequoia Forum.What is this discussion about? Toyota Sequoia, Toyota Highlander, Toyota 4Runner, Toyota Land Cruiser, Toyota RAV4, Toyota Tacoma, Truck, SUV
#1167 of 2487 You guys are great. Here's my question: by makakio
Aug 13, 2003 (2:59 pm)
Though I've searched this post I haven't found the right answer and I think Toyota has a glaring problem with their 4WD system. My truck is a 2001 4Runner SR5 auto (not a limited), w/ VSC and center diff lock. Here's my story: I went to Tahoe last winter, where the roads were nice and dry and I had no reason to put use 4WD. Parked it at my friends house on a (very) slight decline (backed into it) and overnight we got about of foot of snow. Went out the next morning, warmed up the truck, put it in drive and lo and behold the rear wheels bagan to slip and traction control cut the gas and VSC applied braking, etc etc. I had barely moved two feet and all forward progress was halted. SO, I "engaged" 4WD, only to have my 4WD dash icon flash and flash and flash and flash (and never engage because well, I wasn't rolling and the three feet forward and back I could move the truck wasn't allowing for engagement). Although I tried to go to 4Lo and engage the center diff lock to try and force VSC and Traction Control into "off modde", this of course wouldn't work because 4WD was not actually engaged. I had to get a push from 4 buddies out of this driveway and learned to always put the truck into 4WD *before* parking it for the night in snowy climes. My question: is this a normal experience or did I miss something in the operation manual about how to get the truck into 4WD? On the fly, the system is VERY sensitive to engagement and the quickest method I've found is to roll no gas, push button, blip throttle and get back off the gas to engage it (usually takes about 40 yards at 20mph, which seems very long). It can take 100 yards plus if I'm steady on the gas, accelerating or simply coasting while trying to engage and the act of giving it some throttle appears to speed up the process. You know, I'm not one to bitch and I think on-the-fly 4WD systems are great, but I remember completely sticking my old Bronco numerous times in 2WD, manually locking the hubs and crawling out of just about everything. It would seem to me that the 4Runner doesn't have that ability once stuck due to all the electronic nannies that I'm glad are there to help protect my wife on a daily basis. But no doubt with some ability to spin or gain some momentum I could have made it out of that driveway. Any way to manually cancel the nannies in 2WD?Thanks, Matt
#1169 of 2487 Yep - brain dead - that's me. by makakio
Aug 13, 2003 (3:34 pm)
Sorry all (and thanks intmed99 for reminding me) - it would appear that way way WAY back in this post I asked the question and it was answered (well, I might add). Pls disregard and understand that I apparently haven't had enough coffee today...Makakio
We all have one.... #1171 of 2487 4WD Jeep by wwest
Aug 14, 2003 (8:17 am)
My 92 Cherokee Limited would often take 50 to 100 yards to engage 4WD system with new tires on the rear but not the front. Backing it sometimes helped.#1172 of 2487 Neutral by gkatz1
Aug 16, 2003 (5:32 am)
My Sequoia usually drops right into 4WD after shifting to neutral then to drive.#1173 of 2487 4WD by aggiedog
Aug 19, 2003 (3:28 pm)
Same with my 4Runner. Either drive or reverse gets the job done quickly.#1174 of 2487 If you're already on a slick surface... by cliffy1
Aug 19, 2003 (3:46 pm)
... hit the 4WD button and ease into the accelerator. Don't stomp it. Ease into it. This will do the trick almost every time. If that doesn't do the trick, turn off the vehicle and remove the key (trust me, this is important) and do it again, this time in reverse order. Put the thing in gear, ease into the throttle and then hit the 4WD button.#1175 of 2487 Engaged 4WD in neutral at a stop by corancher
Aug 19, 2003 (3:55 pm)
I wish I understood this better. Maybe it has something to do with time in addition to (rather than?) distance.Yesterday I was at a long stop light, with the transmission in neutral. I remembered that it had been about a month since I'd used 4WD and that the manual recommended using it for 10 miles or so, at least once/month. I rotated the switch to the 4-Hi position and after several seconds of the dash light flashing, it went on steady, indicating 4WD. I then put the transmission in gear and drove away when the light changed. No problem.
In normal driving at speeds below 60 MPH it seems to usually take several seconds to switch. For my vehicle, at least, time seems to be a better guide than distance. As I said, I wish I understood this better.
[Hey Cliffy1, it's good to have you back!]
#1176 of 2487 Shiftless by wwest
Aug 19, 2003 (9:38 pm)
If you're in RWD mode and wish to shift to 4WD mode the front wheels AND the rear (driven) wheels must move at relatively the same rate or the VSC will "kick in". If you're already on a slippery surface with no, or little, RWD traction then you're STUCK!!To POST a message, please
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