Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
SUVs Toyota RAV4 Toyota 4WD systems explained
2400 messages, Last post on Nov 22, 2009 at 10:30 AM
You are in the Toyota RAV4 Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
|
Replying to: tuttie01 (Mar 17, 2009 3:22 pm) Same thing, often, when unlocking. |
|
|
Replying to: tuttie01 (Mar 17, 2009 3:22 pm) |
|
|
Can anyone please simply explain how to use the various 4 wheel drive options on the 05 V8 4Runner? Literally. There is so much info on slip/no slip, locks but without traction control to some diferential.........? Wow. You guys know what your talking about and for a simple gut like me it gets a bit confusing. Now to my questions that I hope is clear enough to understand. Aperrently my 4Runner is always in 4 wheel drive. O.K. There is a silver knob to the right of the steering wheel and a black button to the left of the steering wheel. My understanding is that there are two other levels of 4 wheel drive that can be applied to the already 4 wheel drive that the car is always in. How do I get the car into the optional 4 wheel drives. Literally. Does the car need to be in neutral or park to perform these stunts? What knob or button do I engage first,second or third. It sounds like driving a submarine. After I apply these tecniques so generously given by you, what simply happens to the car? Lol. Ex: 1st- Turn the knob to 4W low then press the buton, open the sun roof half way and this will give you X. All four wheels are now locked Or You now have low tourq for good pulling power etc.... i've read quite a bit on do's, dont's and bennefits in different 4 wheel drive settings but have no idea how to get the car to those settings. Please Help Me!! Thanking you all in advance. Dave.
|
|
|
Replying to: bosma (Mar 30, 2009 12:16 am) The silver dial is for low range gearing. You need to be in neutral and stopped to engage. It's for extra pulling power or low speed control. The black button with a picture of 4 wheels on it locks the center differential which does 2 things. 1. Locks the mechanical connection between the front and rear axles for better traction. 2. Defeats the electronic feature that limits throttle output (mostly or only an issue in high range). You can press this button stopped or in motion. If you're stopped, it sometimes requires a little wheel, throttle, or shifter motion to complete. The following rule is over-simplified but it works as a rule of thumb. Don't lock it unless the road surface is slippery: snow, dirt, slush etc. If you have to have it locked on pavement, avoid tight turns especially at low speed. |
|
I have a 95 limited 4runner and have been having trouble with my 4wd. We've had a lot of snow lately and its been hard to get around because its very sluggish. The steering seems a lot stiffer, and once I pass 20mph it feels like all 4 wheels are moving out of sync with each other which results in jerky movements side to side and front to back. It makes it very difficult to build up speed and stay in just one lane. I'm guess some sort of differential issue? I'm hoping I just need to grease something but chances are its probably more than that. Any ideas?
|
|
|
Replying to: blueduck (Apr 18, 2009 7:21 am) |
|
|
|
I recently purchased a '01 4Runner from my local dealer. Before purchasing the vehicle, I checked that the 4wd system was operating as per the owner's manual instruction. As it should have, when in 4wd, the ESC OFF and center diff indicator lights lit when the 4wd button on the side of the selector was pushed. A few months and about 2k miles later, I did a quick check of the 4wd system to make sure everything was getting lubricated when I noticed that when in the Low range, there was nothing happening once I pushed the 4wd button (I check this mode when fully stopped). Unlike before, the ESC OFF and center diff lock indicator lights do not come on when the button is pushed. Am I missing something here? I know it worked as the owner's manual said it should when I checked the system the first time. Now, nothing at all is happening when I push the 4wd button.
|
|
|
Replying to: fullcircle (May 06, 2009 10:26 am) Getting the 4WD clutch to engage in low, "granny grunt" range without the vehicle in motion is even worse and will often be disabled unless the shifter is in one of the lower gears. |
|
|
|
I'm thinking of getting a 2005 RAV4 with manual transmission. I'm finding more 2 wheel drive cars than 4x4, plus they cost a lot less. Are 2wd RAVs nearly as good in the snow as 4x4s and isn't that about the only time you'd use it? Thanks!
|
|
|
Replying to: toyotapilot (Jun 02, 2009 11:39 am) The RAV4 is a F/awd system NOT/NEVER a 4X4 or 4WD. For the RAV4 "2WD" is really FWD and I would NEVER advise anyone north of te snow line to purchase one without VSC/TC/ABS/BA/EBD/Etc, and even then NEVER with a manual transaxle. If you have a HIGH experience level/background in the operation of FWD in wintertime conditions to begin with, and then transition to one with a stick shift, then maybe.
|
|
You are here:
Forums
SUVs Toyota RAV4 Toyota 4WD systems explained
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
2010 Toyota Sequoia
2010 Toyota Highlander
2010 Toyota 4Runner
2010 Toyota Land Cruiser
2011 Toyota RAV4
2011 Toyota Tacoma
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
