- Turn the front control switch knob in the other direction, or counterclockwise, to transition from high-speed four-wheel drive to two-wheel drive. You can complete this at any pace.
- The transfer mode is not firmly in two-wheel drive if the high-speed four-wheel drive indicator light blinks after you flip the button.
- Drive straight ahead while accelerating or decelerating in this scenario, or go briefly forward or backward.
- The indicator ought to stop flashing after the transfer mode has been adjusted.
- If the warning light keeps blinking, there might be an issue with the four-wheel drive.
In This Article...
What drives the Toyota Tundra 4WD?
Although it has been on the market for a little over two decades, Toyota is a relative newcomer to this market. Until the second generation was introduced for the 2007 model year, it was not a true full-size pickup. Despite not having the same sales volume as American nameplates, this Texas-built, U.S.-designed work/play/daily-driver truck sold 111,678 units in 2020.
A week spent driving a 2021 Toyota Tundra 4X4 SR5 CREWMAX, the second of the six trim levels available for 2021 (excluding special editions), demonstrated many of the features my acquaintance at the harbor noted.
V8 power, four-wheel drive and sturdy frame provide a solid base
The i-FORCE 5.7-liter V8 engine at the center of the Tundra produces 381 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 401 pounds-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm. The i-FORCE is fortified with a variety of performance technology, including double overhead cams, four valves per cylinder, Dual Independent Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i), and an Acoustic Control Induction System for a broad torque curve. It is constructed with an aluminum cylinder block and heads. A 6-speed electronically regulated automatic transmission is standard for all Tundra variants.
The electronic, on-demand 4WDemand part-time four-wheel drive (4WD) system was installed in this truck. A dial on the dashboard is used by the driver to choose the drive mode. Active Grip Control (A-TRAC) for 4WDemand allows full, unrestricted engine output while shifting power to the wheel with the most traction on both the front and rear axles. This system works similarly to an automatic limited-slip differential (Auto-LSD).
The driver can modify the traction capability as necessary by using the mode selection. Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and TRAC work in normal mode to aid in enabling traction and control capacity. By enabling full, unrestricted engine output and sending power to the wheel with the most traction, Auto-LSD is activated by TRAC Off and Auto-LSD modes to assist in rescuing the Tundra from challenging circumstances. All three systems are turned off in the VSC Off mode.
A full-size pickup with all these characteristics can travel practically anywhere in almost any situation, whether you want to work, play, or simply move from point A to point B safely and securely. The vehicle has a tow kit that includes a hitch, heavy-duty battery, heavy-duty alternator, 4/7-pin connector, and Tow/Haul Mode driving options. It can also accomplish this while towing up to 10,200 pounds of goods. Trailer-brake and trailer-sway control are also incorporated.)
For strength, riding quality, and durability, Toyota refers to the Tundra’s Triple Tech structure, which has wide, fully boxed rails for the front part, a reinforced C-channel under the cab, and an open C-channel beneath the bed.
Coil-over spring-shock units are used in the double A-arm front suspension, and a front-mounted steering rack improves steering feel and response while reducing the total turning diameter. Staggered shocks that are situated outside of the trapezoidal leaf springs in the rear suspension aid to increase dampening effectiveness and enhance rear axle control. When the vehicle is completely loaded, spring rates are adjusted to help maintain a flat stance.
The 18-inch steel type wheels that the SR5 is mounted on are covered with Michelin All-Terrain tires.
Toyota Safety Sense P headlines driver-assist and safety features
The Toyota Safety Sense P collection of advanced driver-assist systems (ADAS) comes standard and includes automatic high beams, lane-departure alert, dynamic radar cruise control, and pre-collision braking with pedestrian recognition. As part of the SR5 Convenience Package, our truck had the incredibly useful blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front/back parking assist systems.
Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), and Smart Stop Technology (SST) brake override are all included in the Toyota Star Safety System as standard equipment for the Tundra.
The truck included eight standard airbags: front and rear roll-sensing side curtain airbags, driver and front outboard passenger airbags with an Advanced Airbag System, driver and front outboard passenger knee airbags, and side airbags located on the driver and front passenger seats.
Quiet, comfortable and roomy interior
The huge, spacious cabin, which has enough height, leg, and shoulder room for five people, is easy to enter and exit thanks to its four broad doors and running boards. Once inside, the broad and deep center console and the power seat with lumbar support (both included in the SR5 Upgrade Package) make it simple to establish the ideal driving position from a height that gives command-of-the-road visibility.
From the driver’s position, clear views extend beyond the outside world. The sizeable, uncomplicated, properly designed tools, displays, and controls are equally apparent.
The climate control system is controlled manually, in addition to the infotainment system’s on-screen controls. The review truck had dynamic navigation and an eight-inch touchscreen for the Premium Audio Upgrade. The infotainment system has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto features.
On Cape Cod in early January, the Tundra offered a cozy and welcoming setting. The tight production quality and excellent sound deadening architecture of this vehicle made conversation simple.
There were no objectionable bumps or road abnormalities to speak of, and the ride was strong but not harsh. None of my passengers had any objections. The Tundra confirmed my opinion that modern pickup trucks, particularly full-size ones, are typically as comfortable as anything on the road and, despite their size, just as simple to drive.
Fuel economy and pricing
When compared to other contemporary light-duty vehicles, the one area where a full-size pickup still stands out is fuel efficiency. The Tundra 4X4 SR5 CREWMAX is rated at 14 mpg overall, 17 mpg on the interstate, and 13 mpg in the city. During our time with the Tundra, we managed to reach the latter figurenot fantastic, but comparable to other V8s in the class.
Another area where the Tundra competes favorably with Ford, GM, and Ram is pricing. The base price for the base Tundra starts at $33,675 for the SR and rises to $48,775 for the TRD Pro trim. You can construct just about any full-size Toyota pickup you could imagine within that price range.
The basic MSRP for the 4WD SR5 CREWMAX in our driveway was $41,020. The as-tested price was $49,040 after adding the delivery, processing, and handling fee of $1,595 plus options and packages like running boards, Premium Audio, SR5 Upgrade, Trail Edition (with locking bed storage bins, dark-gray wheels, and all-terrain tires), and Convenience Package.
In today’s market, there is not a lot of money for this size of vehicle. It delivers praise from owners like my new acquaintance, who called it “the best truck I’ve ever had,” as well as Toyota’s well-deserved reputation for quality and dependability.
Wet roads
Owning a full-time 4WD is probably better if you reside in an area of the world that regularly sees heavy rain or if your winter season is especially wet. Driving a 4WD has many benefits, including the option to switch to 4H when the road surface becomes hazardous and traction is compromised by inclement weather. Drivers are seriously endangered by wet roads, which are frequently to blame for thousands of collisions each year. Actually, it’s not so much the slick roads that cause accidents as it is people’s risky driving practices.
A car may aquaplane on a wet road due to the presence of shallow pools, especially if the vehicle is in the right place, such as on a bend or a sharp corner. Driving in 2H at speed increases your risk of losing control of your car if you accidently drive through a shallow puddle on a bend. The beauty of 4WD is that all 4 wheels are continually pushing and pulling the car forward at any given time, which significantly increases traction and stability.
Therefore, it would be a good idea to switch to 4WD if you find yourself driving on a very wet road while it is still raining and surface traction is minimal. It will be okay to activate 4H with a semi-permanent 4WD for a while, but ONLY if traction is very poor, such as when the surface is covered in water and the tires are still able to slide a little.
If you have a semi-permanent 4WD and it’s just a little drizzle, you might want to reconsider your choice because traction might still be adequate. If traction is still enough, you run the risk of “drive-train windup” and “drive-shaft binding” if you don’t allow the tires to rotate at varied rates, especially when cornering. The decision to activate 4H with a part-time 4WD is one that you, the driver, must make after carefully observing the state of the road.
Due to a clever component on the center differential known as a viscous coupling, a full-time or permanent 4WD is appropriate for this type of driving environment since it is always in 4H. When necessary, this part enables the front and rear driveshafts to rotate at different rates while supplying power to the front and rear axles. A permanent 4WD is becoming more and more appealing to me.
Snowy Icy roads
The best time to activate your 4H feature while driving your 4WD on a snowy, low-traction route. For better handling and stability, you can lock your front and rear driveshafts with the 4H option. Unlike a wet road that might be slippery in certain places but isn’t always slippery, snowy and icy road conditions allow ample slipping.
You’ll notice that the vehicle seems more stable when you switch to 4H while driving on icy roads. The rules of physics still hold true, so don’t let that deceive you into thinking you’re safe. This shouldn’t be interpreted as a request to accelerate while operating a 4WD. Adapt your driving style by changing how you go and reducing your speed as necessary.
When using 4WD while traveling on snow-covered roads, it nearly seems as though the car could easily climb any slope. When this happens, you should proceed with the utmost caution and avoid accelerating up slick hills since you run the risk of losing traction and spinning your wheels. It’s important to gain some speed before the slope so that inertia can help you and gently take you over. Make sure to correctly time your speed, give the hill’s inertia time to reach the peak before continuing slowly downward after it does. To master this, practice is required.
Many individuals believe that switching to 4WD enhances braking performance. This is wholly untrue; when driving on snowy or icy roads, you should always increase your following distance to five or six seconds. You will have a greater stopping distance in the event of an emergency stop thanks to this expanded safety margin.
Sand tracks
Engaging your 4WD mode in this environment is a great idea. In fact, if you don’t use 4H while driving on sand, you might not get very far. Your 4WD needs to have the most traction possible in loose sand, and using it while driving in sand is completely safe.
When walking on the sand, you should always use momentum to move through soft, deep sand and keep an eye out in front for any significant changes in the size or form of sand dunes.
Beach driving
Driving on the beach is quite similar to driving in the sand as indicated above, and most of the rules still apply, but you should drive even more cautiously because there is always a chance of more traffic on the beach during busy holiday seasons. Always keep an eye out for beach campers, swimmers, and marine wildlife like turtles.
Driving on the beach in 4WD has the benefit of allowing you to stay on the firmer, moister sand that is closer to the water. Because the sand is moist or wet, it is more compact and your tires may easily roll over it without sinking into it.
A word of advice: drive with caution and pay attention to high tides. Due to carelessness and ignorance, many unwary 44 drivers have lost their cars on the beach. Keep a tidal table close at hand for reference.
Muddy tracks
An additional excellent driving surface for 4WD. In certain circumstances, you could even swap between 4hi and 4Lo. Deep mud is a surface with high resistance that puts a lot of strain on your clutch and drivetrain. Modern 4WDs allow you to securely convert from 4Lo to 4Hi while you’re driving, but you must always stop before switching from 4Hi to 4Lo.
How quickly can you move in a 4 high tundra?
When utilizing 4Hi, the owner’s manual advises slowing down to 62 MPH. The top driving speed is not mentioned in 4Hi. Driving slower than is safe is just common sense. I believe you won’t be traveling at speeds close to 60 MPH if you need to use 4Hi.
What does the Toyota Tundra’s 4HI code mean?
I assume you drive in 4HI if there is active snow on the ground, or if it is wet or slick. And you switch to 4LO unless you’re going slowly over deep snow, sand, or mud. That’s just my quick and shaky understanding of it; I could be incorrect.
Can you engage 4WD when you’re moving?
Some earlier and simpler 4WD systems require human engagement with the car completely stopped and the transmission in Park or Neutral. When the car is moving, avoid trying to engage these 4WD systems since you risk damaging expensive parts. The majority of 4WD systems, however, may now be switched into or out of 4WD instantly by pressing a button. Fully automatic 4WD systems are the most advanced. They automatically switch between 4WD and 2WD as the algorithm determines that they need extra traction.
Owners of 4WD vehicles frequently struggle with knowing when to utilize 4HI or 4LO, so here are some guidelines.