Any outdoor enthusiast will love driving a Toyota 4Runner Trail. Additionally, you’ll have considerably superior control and performance with the four-wheel drive system.
Find the shift lever transfer on your center console to activate the four-wheel drive system in your 4Runner. Depending on your demands, you can choose between four-wheel drive high, four-wheel drive low, and two-wheel drive high with this shift lever.
To adjust this lever, you must come to a complete stop and maintain foot pressure on the brake pedal. After coming to a complete stop, place the shift lever in the neutral position and select four-wheel drive low (L4) or four-wheel drive high (H4) (H4).
You can now reach any hiking route or fishing place thanks to your 4Runner’s 4WD system. However, use the Jerry app to check that you have the finest auto insurance coverage at the cheapest price before you hit the road.
In This Article...
How is a 2020 4runner Limited with 4 wheels used?
All generations of 4runners shared a common type of part-time 4WD. It was an antiquated kind of 4 wheel drive on the first and second generation cars, with either manual locking hubs or a technology known as Auto Differential Disconnect.
The front driveline continued to spin and wear even while the front differential is disengaged because of this mechanism, which essentially detached the axles from the front differential but enabled them to spin freely with the wheels.
When to use each 4WD setting in a 1st and 2nd gen 4runner
Except while driving in slick weather, you should always be in 2WD. Change to 4hi if you need extra traction. Due to the fact that the front and back are equally locked, 4HI should not be used on dry ground. This could damage the driveline by causing binding in the driveline.
A 4lo setting is available on all 4WD 4Runners. This modifies the gearing to allow the car to go at a sluggish rate. Only use 4lo to climb or descend steep hills, assault sizable rocks, or extricate a stalled vehicle.
How to engage 4WD in a 1st or 2nd gen 4runner
Get outside, lock your hubs, and then switch to the 4hi position. (Shift to the 4hi setting if your 4runner doesn’t have manual hubs.)
Put the transmission in neutral, then shift to the 4lo position while coming to a stop.
The Toyota 4Runner has permanent 4WD.
For daily trips, front-wheel drive is standard on Toyota 4Runner models. A part-time 4WD system with Active Traction Control and a two-speed transfer case are standard on the majority of Toyota 4Runner trim levels, including the Trail Special Edition, SR5 Premium, TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium, Venture Special Edition, Nightshade Special Edition, and TRD Pro. With this tough 44 system at its disposal, the Toyota 4Runner will transmit torque to any tire making contact with the road, and Active Grip Control will make sure you don’t lose traction in slick and bumpy circumstances.
Toyota 4Runner Full-Time 4WD System with Torsen Locking Center Differential
With a full-time 4WD system that uses a Torsen locking center differential, the 2021 Toyota 4Runner Limited trim will raise the bar for off-road capability. Three 44 modes on the Toyota 4Runner Limited 4WD vehicles enable drivers to maximize performance with a 40:60 torque distribution that is perfect for daily commuting. The Toyota 4Runner Limited may split its torque between 30:70 and 53:47 when the situation calls for it. An additional tool to help you keep control with low-speed control on hilly terrain is downhill assist control.
What drives the 4Runner 4WD?
For the 2020 Toyota 4Runner, there are two distinct four-wheel drive (4WD) systems available. In order to maintain traction on the ground, the SR5 4WD and TRD Off-Road trims use part-time 4WD with Active Traction Control (A-TRAC). The Limited trim level also offers a full-time 4WD system as an alternative. Both A-TRAC and a Torsen limited-slip center differential with a locking function are available with this drivetrain.
Wherever you go, you could run against different difficulties. This may involve a variety of situations, such as muddy, sandy, or rocky pathways. With Multi-terrain Select, you may select from four drive modes to assist you on your journey and ensure that your 4Runner responds as needed dependent on the terrain. So that you can concentrate on where you are steering, Crawl Control (CRAWL) controls your throttle utilizing five low-speed levels in the background. Taking a hilly route up or down? Every 2020 Toyota 4Runner comes standard with Hill Start Assist Control, which stops rollback. When traveling down a steep or slippery slope, Downhill Assist Control is available to keep you down at a reasonable pace.
How quickly can I travel in 4WD on my 4Runner?
Normally, 4WD is always an option, although the best speeds tend to be under 35 mph. Highway speeds between 55 and 65 mph are generally not excessive when driving in 4WD, unless road conditions make it impossible to do so safely.
H4 and L4 are what?
In low-traction situations, H4a high-speed mode that activates four-wheel drivingshould be employed. When maximum traction or power is required, such as when going up steep slopes or pulling hard in slick conditions, L4, a low-speed mode for four-wheel driving, should be used.
Can you use 4WD when you’re moving?
Normally, you can change from 2WD to 4WD while driving. However, it’s ideal to make the change while you’re moving slowly and straight forward. On slick, mud, or any other terrain with poor traction, doing so can be very beneficial.
It’s also important to note that you shouldn’t go from high-range to low-range 4WD or vice versa while you’re on the road.
Only transition to high-range 4WD from 2WD. You risk damaging your car if you don’t.
Jerry can help, no matter what kind of vehicle you drive. Create an account in under a minute to begin comparing affordable quotes from more than 50 reputable insurance providers. When you locate the coverage you need at the lowest price, Jerry makes transferring carriers simple and quick.
How frequently should 4 wheel drive be engaged?
The main guideline for 4WD roads? Utilize it or lose it. If your 4WD system is not utilized for an extended period of time, it will deteriorate. Gears will become sticky and seals will dry out. To keep your 4WD in good working shape, engage it occasionally.
- Use 4WD sparingly on dry pavement. When traveling on level, dry roads, avoid using 4WD. Your drivetrain’s efficiency will suffer, as well as your own.
- If you have 4WD, you cannot brake. Be cautious! With 4WD, you won’t gain stability or braking power while you brake through corners. 4WD frequently causes drivers to be overconfident, which can result in accidents.
- For 4WD, adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines. The front axles, differential gears, and differential case can all be damaged by improper 4WD use (differentials give power to your wheels and allow them to rotate at different speeds). Putting car jargon aside, consult your owner’s manual for 4WD advice relevant to your make and model. Activating and disabling 4WD differs depending on the vehicle.
Maintain the battling 4WD-ready condition of your SUV or pickup with routine maintenance and repairs at your neighborhood Tires Plus. Make an appointment right away to stay on top of your manufacturer-recommended maintenance regimen!
Can the 4Runner handle snow?
The Toyota 4Runner SUV is generally well-equipped to handle the snow. The vehicle has long been associated with off-road driving. It performs best off-road at its top trims. Winter driving can benefit from features like high ground clearance, traction control, and all-terrain tires. The 4Runner’s inexpensive 4WD immediately makes it a solid choice for the majority of snowy conditions, even though the lowest trims aren’t flawless. The Toyota 4Runner performs well in the snow because of this.
Is the 2020 4Runner a permanent 4WD model?
For the 2020 Toyota 4Runner, there are two distinct 4-wheel drive (4WD) systems available. Part-time 4WD with Active Traction Control is the first choice. You will have control over when the 4WD system engages because this drivetrain is only used intermittently. The SR5 4WD and TRD Off-Road trim levels both come with a part-time 4WD option.
Full-time 4WD with Active Traction Control, a Torsen limited-slip center differential, and a locking function are available in the Limited 4WD grade. Drive mode swaps are automatic with this full-time 4WD powertrain, allowing you to concentrate on the route ahead.
Off-Road Features and Towing Capability
The 2020 Toyota 4Runner has a variety of off-road capabilities in addition to 4WD to make navigating difficult terrain much easier. You can select one of four drive modes using Multi-terrain Select. The brakes and throttle are automatically adjusted by Crawl Control (CRAWL) so you don’t have to.
Taking a slope up or down? Rollback is avoided with the conventional Hill Start Assist. To assist you in descending at a safe and manageable speed, the included Downhill Assist Control automatically applies the brakes. Would you like to bring your boat or trailer? The 4Runner has a 5,000-pound towing capacity.
Is AWD the same as full-time 4WD?
What distinguishes automated All Wheel Drive (auto AWD) from full-time Four Wheel Drive (4WD) All Wheel Drive (AWD)?
Full-time 4WD, sometimes known as permanent 4WD (not to be confused with part-time 4WD), is a system that continuously supplies power to all four wheels and can be used on any surface, even paved surfaces. It is feasible to employ 4WD continuously because to the insertion of a differential built into the transfer case. 2WD is not offered (only part time 4WD offers that option). When the ground is level and the surface is uniform, each tire generates around 25% of the available torque. The driver can select between “4-high” (4H), which is the default setting, and “4-low,” (4L).
It’s important to note that driving in “4-low” does not increase traction; instead, it increases torque at slower speeds, which can be dangerous on slick surfaces. In “low,” slipping tires are more common than in “high.” “Low” would be a horrible choice on snowy, icy roads, but truly deep snow puts up so much resistance that “Low” is required to move forward. As you can see, using 4WD is not simple.
All-wheel drive (AWD) is a system that drives a vehicle’s four wheels continuously, which is nearly the same as full-time 4WD. Like full-time 4WD, it can be used continuously on all surfaces, even pavement. AWD vehicles don’t have a “4-low” mode like full-time 4WD vehicles have. AWD vehicles are significantly less capable off-road than full-time 4WD vehicles due to the lack of “low range,” but perform just as well on the road.
In essence, automatic AWD is an advanced 2WD system. AUTOMATIC AWD DOES NOT ALWAYS POWER ALL 4 WHEELS. Only very seldom will all 4 wheels be propelled for a limited period of time. Automatic AWD is frequently incorrectly referred to as “part time 4WD” because it only engages on rare situations. This technology is referred to as a “on demand system” by engineers. It is also known as a “hang on” option because it is based on an existing 2WD setup.
Here’s how they function: When driving in 2WD, one axle receives 100% of the torque under normal circumstances. A fully automatic system (hydraulic, mechanical, or electrical) transfers some of the torque to the axle with available traction when traction is lost at the driven axle (which could be front or rear). This implies that in 2WD, you must first lose traction on your driving axle before adding the other axle and attempting to keep the vehicle moving and stable. The system switches back to 2WD whenever the primary driven axle regains traction and both axles rotate at the same speed once more. Consequently, you briefly had AWD.
Compared to full-time AWD systems and full-time 4WD, automatic AWD is substantially less effective off-road. In reality, automated AWD is essentially unusable off-road. However, automatic AWD is getting more advanced all the time and provides almost everything users want for regular (pavement) driving.