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...
What does “4WD” mean on a Toyota 4Runner?
A better 4 wheel drive system was added to the third generation 4runner. It has settings for 2WD, 4hi, and 4lo. This system is a standard 4WD in that it locks the drivetrain while in 4hi or 4lo to offer a 50/50 split between the front and rear (“4hi locked).
Toyota introduced the Multi-Mode setting with the Limited versions in 1999 and 2000, as well as with all models in 2001 and 2002. This setting was comparable to the 4hi level in the other models, but it produced torque wherever it was needed, much like all-wheel-drive vehicles do. This qualifies as “4hi unlocked.”
The “4WD button on the side of the shifter is a sign that a 4runner is Multi-Mode fitted. By pressing a button on the dash or moving the lever to H4L (depending on the model) to lock the center differential, it can be changed to a conventional 4hi setting (50/50). This qualifies as being “4hi locked.”
A locking rear diff, or “e-locker,” was also available on some 3rd generation 4runners. A center diff lock should not be confused with this. For added traction, locking the rear differential locks the two rear tires together.
When to use each 4WD setting in a 3rd gen 4runner
A 2WD vehicle should always be used unless more traction is required. Although it can put greater strain on the system, that level is still safe to use on 4Runners with Multi-Mode 4WD.
Snow, ice, and loose gravel are no match for the 4hi enabled (Multi-Mode). Basically, situations in which an AWD vehicle, such as a Subaru, would perform well. In essence, 4hi unlocked simulates all-wheel drive. It will determine which wheels are slipping and distribute power appropriately.
Only utilize 4hi locked when the terrain is slick. In this setting, avoid driving on bare pavement. It might harm someone.
How to engage 4WD in a 3rd gen 4runner
Simply move the lever to 4HI if your vehicle has the standard 4WD system. You can do this while moving as long as your speed is under 50 mph.
By pushing the 4WD button on 4Runners with Multi-Mode 4WD, you can switch to 4hi unlocked. Either move the lever to H4L or press the center diff lock button in the dash to lock the center diff 50/50 like the standard 4WD system (depending on the model).
You must be halted and in neutral in order to engage 4lo. Put L4L on the lever. If the vehicle is being recalcitrant, you might need to move it an inch forward or backward to get it to engage.
Does the Toyota 4Runner always have 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.
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.
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How quickly can a 4Runner be driven in 4WD?
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.
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.
What does SR5 refer to?
Sport Rally 5 speed is referred to as SR5. Sport, RE (EFI) engine family, and 5 refers to the five-speed transmission in the acronym SR5. The aforementioned response is not entirely accurate, but it is mostly accurate. The term “SR5” typically refers to a specific Toyota trim level with a more aggressive appearance, stronger suspension, and a large range of available options.
The Complete Guide on how to use your 4Runner’s Off-Road, Crawl Control, Multi-terrain Select, Active Trac (A-TRAC) and E-Locker System
Today’s market is flooded with various four-wheel drive systems. While every four-wheel drive system has unique features, they all share a common design goal: to provide traction to all four wheels. Although not all systems are made equal, the Toyota 4Runner TRD Off Road is one exception.
The Toyota 4Runner TRD Off Road is what I would deem to be the most economical 4Runner you can purchase, as well as likely one of the most economical all-terrain vehicles on the market right now. Although the TRD Off Road offers a lot of features, only the four-wheel drive system will be covered in this article.
The 4Runner TRD Off Road (also known as the previously called Trail) and TRD Pro have the identical four-wheel drive system for comparison’s sake. Crawl Control, Multi-terrain Select, and an electrically locking rear differential will not be available on the SR5 4Runner. The Toyota 4Runner TRD Off Road, TRD Pro, and formerly known as Trail 4Runner all come with the following major system features.
- Transfer case with high and low range
- Spider Control
- Select Multi-Terrain
- Current Trac (A-TRAC)
- electronic rear differential locking
Runner High vs Low Range
The transfer case is the first and most crucial aspect to talk about. Off-roading expertise includes knowing when to use 4HI vs. 4LO. The first choice is 2HI, which is not at all four-wheel drive. Simply said, 2HI only supplies power to the back tires.
This will provide you with the best fuel efficiency and ought to be used for regular driving. Two-wheel drive has the drawback that, occasionally, only one of the two wheels will receive power. This is due to the fact that two-wheel drive’s rear differential is unlocked.
Even though you are in two-wheel drive, it is possible for only one of the two wheels to have power if you run into a situation where one of the rear wheels is in the air with zero traction, in slick mud, ice, or anything else with little to no traction. In this case, you will be stranded.
The tire with the least resistance will get the majority of the power. This is crucial for when you turn, despite the fact that it seems counterintuitive. With two-wheel drive, the tire that experiences the least amount of resistance receives the greatest power since turning requires the inside and outer wheels to spin at different rates. This is a situation where 4HI can be quite helpful.
The first four-wheel drive setting you can use is 4HI. You must be moving at a pace of no more than 55 mph in order to enter 4HI. To engage 4HI on the 4Runner TRD Off Road, you only need to pull back on the transfer case lever. Again, you can do this while driving, but you should keep your speed under 55 mph. In high-traction areas where two-wheel drive could be used, 4HI should not be engaged.
Why is that so? In any setting, all the tires will be spinning at the same pace when you are traveling straight. The front wheels spin quicker than the back wheels when you are turning, and outer wheels revolve faster than inside wheels. The center differential locks automatically when the transmission is in 4HI. This implies that as you turn, the automobile will “bind” because various tires will desire to spin at various rates.
At least two tires will have electricity to them, according to 4HI. The middle differential locks and evenly distributes power between the front and back when you shift into 4HI, which is the cause. This roughly sums up what constitutes a four-wheel drive car. Although front and rear power are distributed evenly, each wheel will only get 25% of the total power.
In four-wheel drive, power can move left to right similarly to two-wheel drive, but not front and back because power is distributed equally between the two. This means that, theoretically, you could become stuck if one tire in the front and one tire in the rear lose all traction. This typically occurs when both of the tires are barely off the ground, one in the front and one in the back. Having said that, 4HI offers you a lot more traction than 2HI.
When you need greater control and traction without “crawling” speeds, 4HI is fantastic. Roads that are covered in snow, ice, or mud are all suitable places to use 4HI. Generally speaking, you should shift into 4LO if you need to move at a pace of less than 5 to 10 mph.
The vehicle must be completely stopped, in neutral, with the brake applied before you can shift into 4LO. Pull back, over to the right, then up while holding the lever for the transfer case on your 4Runner TRD Off Road.
Simply shift into drive after the “j” stroke is complete. Shifting into 4LO will give you a noticeable boost in torque right away. Because you don’t need to use any throttle at all to get over obstacles in 4LO, it’s perfect for crawling. If you don’t have enough torque to creep over obstacles in 4HI, you might have to surge over them.
This is risky and a simple method to harm your car because you suddenly surge forward after coming to a stop. This could put your car in risk by causing your suspension to compress more than it should, causing you to run over a rock or slide over an obstacle, among other things.
Anytime you need to drive slowly or on the trickier off-road aspects, 4LO should be employed. Use 4LO when there is deeper or heavier mud, a steep ascent, rocky terrain, or uneven ground, for example.
In that you only ensure that at least two tires will have power and that power is distributed 50/50 between the front and back, 4LO is similar to 4HI in that regard. The difference is in the gearing, and 4LO also automatically disables traction control and stability control.
You can actually gain control of your 4Runner in off-road scenarios because to 4LO’s incredible torque advantage.
th Gen 4Runner Crawl Control
Since the gas and braking are handled by Crawl Control, a driver can concentrate just on rotating the steering wheel. When in 4LO, Crawl Control must be engaged, which makes sense given that you want to drive slowly and should be in challenging off-road terrain.
The knob cranked completely counterclockwise, or to the left, causes the slowest movement. Turned completely to the right, or clockwise, is the fastest.
- For rock, downhill moving moguls, and downhill moving gravel, slower speeds are advised.
- Moguls that are climbing are best suited to medium speeds.
- The high speeds are for uphill travel in snow, mud, and gravel as well as sand, dirt, and slick grass.
One thing to keep in mind concerning Crawl Control is that the condition must be more severe the slower the setting is. When using crawl control on a level surface, you will hear all kinds of strange noises and may mistakenly believe your car is stopping. But this is not unusual.
Only in extreme uphill or downhill conditions, and only at reduced speeds, can Crawl Control be employed. Crawl Control has come in incredibly handy for me when descending a steep incline, for example. Crawl Control can brake certain wheels with the highest traction to maintain your chosen speed when traveling downhill, acting much like a reversed A-TRAC system. Crawl Control is not a helpful option for drivers who want total control over the vehicle. Crawl Control is excellent if all you want to do is concentrate on driving when going uphill or downhill.
th Gen 4Runner Multi-Terrain Select
This sounds just like what the name impliesa system made to support you in various terrains.
- Sand & Mud
- Free Rock
- Mogul
- Rock
What mode do you then set it to? The names are quite helpful and provide a user with a wealth of knowledge about how the system functions. In general, the mud and sand mode is the least intrusive and permits the most system slippage. Rock is the most intense mode and attempts to minimize slippage on the other end of the spectrum.
While the mud and sand mode can be used in either 4HI or 4LO, the loose rock, mogul, and rock modes can only be used in 4LO.
All you need to do to choose a mode is to be in the proper 4LO or 4HI and press the Multi-terrain Select on/off switch. The mode you are in will be displayed in the image cluster close to your gauges. You can choose the mode you want to be in by turning the dial.
You can see a warning indicating shift to 4LO, which means you can’t use that mode in 4HI, depending on the mode you try to select. You are able to select the type of traction you believe you are in with this technology, which may be thought of as off-road traction control. Particularly for a driver with little experience, it can be incredibly helpful.
th Gen 4Runner A-TRAC
A-TRAC is one of the best features on the 4Runner that distinguishes it from many other cars. There are cars with systems that are extremely comparable to A-TRAC, however we can admit that the Toyota system is our favorite.
A-TRAC will brake a spinning wheel when four-wheel drive is engaged and turned on in order to transfer power from one side of the axle to the other. As was previously mentioned, it is feasible to engage four-wheel drive while having one spinning tire on the back axle and another on the front. This is due to the way differentials operate.
The 4Runner ABS system can independently brake slipping wheels with A-TRAC in order to transfer power to the other wheel (the wheel that actually has traction).
My first vehicle was a 2005 Toyota 4Runner with two wheels. Auto LSD, which is essentially A-TRAC for the rear axle only, was installed in this vehicle. Despite having only two wheels, this method greatly increased capability. Despite this, upgrading from two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive gives you a significant increase in capability.
Once A-TRAC is added to all four wheels, the system is highly effective. This should not be mistaken with a locking differential, although it is a very capable tool that, in some circumstances, may even be more useful. All four-wheel drive 4Runners include A-TRAC, which is an incredible feature to have.
Runner Electronic Rear Locking Differential
The locking rear differential is exclusive to the Trail, TRD Off Road, and TRD Pro models of 4Runners.
An already capable car gains a lot of capability thanks to the rear locking differential. It is incredible to consider that you can purchase a standard car with a locking rear differential, Crawl Control, Multi-terrain Select, and an HI/LO transfer case. It’s difficult to find a better package for an all-terrain vehicle like the 4Runner than this one.
The rear locker ensures that the same amount of power is distributed evenly between the two rear wheels and that at least one front wheel will have power. This ensures that you will have at least three powered wheels. Each rear tire received 25% of the entire power, and the front two tires received 50% of the total power. You can probably appreciate how difficult it would be to become trapped, at least in typical off-road circumstances.
On surfaces with good traction, using a locker is not recommended since it could damage your car. The interior and outside wheels rotate at different rates when you turn. When the rear axle is locked, the vehicle can no longer have the outside wheel spinning more quickly than the inside wheel.
Use the rear locker exclusively on slick, low-traction surfaces. When using your rear locker and 4LO with A-TRAC, you are prepared for some challenging off-road terrain.
When to Use Each Off-Road Setting on your 4Runner?
There are many distinct features to take into account. How can you determine what will give you the best traction? With the exception of Crawl Control and Multi-terrain Select, which are essentially a user’s desire and adding these two elements to the equation practically allows unlimited options for what may be done, I will provide a simple guide to what is my opinion on the topic “a state to be in.
Two-wheel drive is the most practical arrangement for everyday driving. You are receiving the best possible gas mileage, you don’t need more traction, and going somewhere else could damage your car. Don’t mistakenly believe that the 4Runner in 4HI has all-wheel drive; it actually has a true four-wheel drive system with the middle differential locked to distribute power equally between the front and back. Two-wheel drive is probably best, regardless of whether it is pouring, snowing lightly, or in another comparable circumstance. You must act now “slick stuff for the road you’re taking to go to 4HI.
When traveling on a paved road that is slick from snow, mud, or ice on the pavement, 4HI is the best setting to use. Slick dirt and gravel roads are an additional choice. 4HI will allow you the chance to drive more safely and at faster speeds (exercise good judgment and travel slower if in doubt).
You can go at quite high speeds and will have considerably better steering feedback. The ability to apply throttle to your steering will give you the added benefit of being able to be pulled in the direction you are steering. Since you can theoretically shift into 4HI on the fly if you’re traveling less than 55 mph, I’d use that as a guide to determine what your top speed in 4HI should be. In most cases, if you require 4HI, you should be traveling under 55 mph or else you probably need to be in 2HI.
This actually depends on the situation and the driver. I believe it is advantageous to keep traction control on in 4HI, especially for a novice driver. If the correct circumstances are present, turning off traction control can be beneficial for an experienced driver. The optimal option is often 4HI with all traction aids engaged. If you ever find yourself in a position where your traction control is continuously interfering with your ability to control the car while in 4HI, you should either be in 4LO or switch off your traction controlbut only if you are an experienced driver who is capable of doing so.
You need more torque and traction control turned off in deep snow or muck. When traction control is engaged in snow, the computer system will repeatedly attempt to cut power, which is hazardous in mud and snow since you will lose momentum.
Thankfully, 4LO turns off traction control automatically. If you are driving in deep snow or mud, 4LO automatically disables traction aids, and you shouldn’t be going any faster than the indicated speed on your speedometer. You’ll get significantly more torque from 4LO, and there won’t be any traction control to prevent slipping in deep mud or snow.
Depending on your pace and motivation, this is a toss-up. 2HI is the ideal route to take if you’re just cruising down a gravel road. You do not require added traction. 4HI is the greatest option if you want to travel from A to B with the most control and the most traction possible. This largely depends on your level of comfort and confidence.
Large pebbles and ruts require you to be in at least 4LO without a doubt. While being in 4HI will get you through it, the basic gear ratios don’t give you much control, so you can be surging a lot and risk damaging your car.
Your car will be easy for you to control with 4LO, and you will be able to safely negotiate some terrain. Consider activating A-TRAC if you are experiencing slippage and have trouble navigating the terrain. If you still have trouble passing, give it your all with 4LO, A-TRAC engaged, and the back diff locked.
For 4LO, steep slopes are a sure calling. You will be in the greatest possible control of your car and have more than enough torque to climb. A-TRAC can significantly increase capabilities, just like with the big boulders and ruts. The rear differential locked is an excellent alternative as well, but I advise trying A-TRAC first. If that doesn’t work, lock the back differential.
The best solution will depend on how much mud there is on the gravel road. However, 4LO is preferable if the mud is really deep and thick and there isn’t much of a gravel road left. On a slippery, muddy gravel road, you may still go in 4HI at a manageable speed while benefiting from extra steering assistance thanks to the four-wheel drive. Always exercise caution when braking and turning, though. It’s simple to become overconfident and round a corner into a ditch or a fence.