Toyota 4WD systems explained

You have saved this page | See all saved pages

2487 messages, Last post on Apr 28, 2012 at 12:48 PM

You are in the Toyota Land Cruiser Forum.

Your Hosts are steve_ & kyfdx

What is this discussion about? Toyota Sequoia, Toyota Highlander, Toyota 4Runner, Toyota Land Cruiser, Toyota RAV4, Toyota Tacoma, Truck, SUV

#21 of 2487 Landcruiser 4WD by 2nupe

Jun 22, 2001 (10:06 am)

I recently purchased a 1998 Toyota Landcruiser. I know very little about locking differentials, etc. I live in Maryland where we don't get much snow. Under what circumstances (a couple of inches of snow, ice, wet pavement) should I change the setting from 4H to 4L and when should I lock the differential (I also have the rear differential option)? Also, how do you change settings (on the fly or at a stop) and how do you lock the differential (on the fly or at a stop)?

I have three instruments, the 4H N 4L shifter, the locking differential knob on the left of the steering wheel, and the differential button in the main controls near the air conditioning buttons. Which controls which?

#22 of 2487 2nupe by cliffy1

Jun 22, 2001 (11:33 am)

Unless you are going off road, there are never too many situations in MD that would require you to either lock the differentials (either center or rear) or shift into the low range. To engage low, you first need to stop and place the transmission in neutral. Use this only if you are pulling somebody else out of a ditch or are in a ditch yourself.

As for the center and rear locker, again unless you are doing some fairly serious off roading, don't mess with them. If you are, send me an e-mail at sclifford

kjtoyota.com and I'll go into it further.

#23 of 2487 Ok, so what does the snow button... by mikenhgolf

Jun 24, 2001 (5:01 pm)

On my new highlander do?

#24 of 2487 Re: Ok, so what does the snow button... by tonychrys

Jun 24, 2001 (7:25 pm)

The Snow Button will force the auto-transmission to start in 2nd gear after you come to stop (like at a traffic light) rather than 1st. The reason is that by starting in 2nd gear you are applying less torque to the wheels and less likely to spin them on a snowy surface.

#25 of 2487 2WD vs AWD by cageym

Jun 25, 2001 (9:23 am)

I live in the suburban Chicago area where, frankly, my need for an all wheel drive vehicle seems not too great to me. But as I talk with friends about shopping for a new car (about 100% sure it will be a HL), everyone tells me that I am crazy not to get AWD. They maintain the AWD will handle better, etc. I counter with reservations about fuel consumption and additional expense, and they scoff at me. We all seem to agree about the value of the skid control, at least in theory. Anyway, I'd appreciate some discussion of the pros and cons of 2WD vs AWD in these instances. I mean, I will not be off-roading in this car and the snow has never been much of a problem for me in my little FWD compact....

Thanks for your indulgence!

#26 of 2487 cageym by drew_

Jun 26, 2001 (2:48 pm)

You may want to read the messages in the 4WD and AWD systems explained discussion topic too. You're already spending a fair amount for the Highlander. Why not spend a bit more to get the safety and security of AWD? Getting an SUV without 4WD or AWD, in my humble opinion, is like buying a minivan with only 5 seats.
Here's something that may help you to decide.
http://www.4x4abc.com/4WD101/tractionturn2.html
http://www.4x4abc.com/4WD101/need.html

Drew
Host
Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards

#27 of 2487 HL with AWD by chadhburke

Jun 26, 2001 (3:19 pm)

Thanks for the previous posts on various terminology and an explanation of the AWD system on the Highlander. I've got a HL with the skid control option. If I understand it right, the HL has open differentials on the front and rear, in which case it is possible to have both left or both right wheels spinning under the right (or wrong) circumstances. Now, it sounds like at that point the VSC feature would kick in by applying the brakes to the spinning wheels. At that point, power would be diverted to the other wheels.

Assuming what I've said is right, then it seems that it would take some work to get the HL stuck. I know very little about driving in "off-road" conditions, and would like to know if I am likely to get stuck in say mud of different depths, snow, etc. Also, is it ok to drive my HL in off road conditions so long as I don't encounter serious ground clearance obstacles? (i.e. are the suspension and other components "tough" enough to handle rough but not abusive terrain?)

Thanks

#28 of 2487 chadhburke by cliffy1

Jun 26, 2001 (4:44 pm)

By jove, I think you've got it! The real limiting factor in off roading for you is ground clearance and the fact that the HL is a unibody. The unibody means that the body and frame are a single unit and you can flex it by going too serious off road. The 4Runner has a frame to take up this stress but rides more harshly on road.

#29 of 2487 What about a Lexus RX300? by kmh

Jul 06, 2001 (6:09 am)

I own a '99 RX300 AWD which has a rear limited slip differential. I haven't found a clear answer as to what the power ratio or split would be should there be on this model. Is it 50/50? 70/30?

My '99 is coming up on 60,000 miles - what sort of maintenance should I look into for the AWD or LSD?

#30 of 2487 KMH by cliffy1

Jul 06, 2001 (11:54 am)

Yours is a 50-50 power split. Your second question is a bit confusing though. You ask whether you need an AWD or LSD. The LSD is only something you can get on the AWD model. Were it me, I'd skip the LSD and get the VSC instead, which I think is standard on the RX anyway.

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Forum Tools

Search Forums

Enter Keyword(s):

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle

Browse by Board

Browse by Topic

View All Topics

Learn More, Do More

Edmunds Community

Explore Edmunds