Get Ignitionswitch,etc. -> Automatic transmission Guide for Toyota 4 Runner SUV Third Generation (1996-2002)

’01 4Runner_U (L/O 0008)

Automatic transmission

"Two−wheel drive models

Your automatic transmission has

a

shift

lock system to minimize the possibility of

incorrect operation. This means you can

only shift out of “P” position when the

brake pedal is depressed (with the ignition

switch in “ON” position and the lock re-

lease button depressed).

Lock release button

To prevent misshifting

Selector lever

(a) Selector lever

The shift position is also displayed on the

instrument cluster.

P: Parking, engine starting and

key removal

Overdrive switch

R: Reverse

N: Neutral

D: Normal driving (with overdrive on)

2: Stronger engine braking

L: Maximum engine braking

With the brake pedal depressed,

shift while holding the lock release

button in. (The ignition switch must

be in “ON” position.)

Driving pattern

selector button

Shift while holding the lock

release button in.

Shift normally.

2001 4RUNNER (OM35768U)

103

’01 4Runner_U (L/O 0008)

Vehicles with cruise control—When the

3. Release the parking brake and brake

pedal. Depress the accelerator pedal

slowly for smooth starting.

cruise control is being used, even if you

downshift the transmission by pushing and

releasing the overdrive switch, engine

braking will not be enabled because the

cruise control is not cancelled.

(d) Using engine braking

To use engine braking, you can downshift

the transmission as follows:

For ways to decrease the vehicle speed,

see “Cruise control” in this section.

D Push the overdrive switch. The “O/D

OFF” indicator light will come on and

the transmission will downshift to third

gear.

(c) Normal driving

1. Start the engine as instructed in “How

to start the engine” in Section 3. The

transmission must be in “P” or “N”.

D Shift into the “2” position. The trans-

mission will downshift to second gear

when the vehicle speed drops down to

or lower than 119 km/h (73 mph), and

stronger engine braking will be en-

abled.

2. With your foot holding down the brake

pedal, shift the selector lever to “D”.

(b) Overdrive switch

You can select either third gear (with

overdrive off) or fourth gear (with over-

drive on) by pushing this switch.

When the lever is in the “D” position, the

automatic transmission system will select

the most suitable gear for running condi-

tions such as normal cruising, hill climb-

ing, hard towing, etc.

D Shift into the “L” position. The trans-

mission will downshift to first gear

When the vehicle speed drops down to

or lower than 58 km/h (36 mph), and

maximum engine braking will be en-

abled.

To turn the overdrive off, push the switch.

The “O/D OFF” indicator light should come

on. To turn the overdrive on again, push

the switch again. The “O/D OFF” indicator

light should go off.

Always turn the overdrive on for better

fuel economy and quieter driving. If the

engine coolant temperature is low, the

transmission will not shift into the over-

drive gear even with the overdrive on.

Always drive your vehicle with the over-

drive on for better fuel economy and

quieter driving.

CAUTION

If the engine is turned off when the over-

drive is off and restarted, the overdrive

will be on automatically.

Never put your foot on the accelera-

tor pedal while shifting.

2001 4RUNNER (OM35768U)

104

’01 4Runner_U (L/O 0008)

Vehicles with cruise control—When the

cruise control is being used, even if you

downshift the transmission by pushing and

releasing the overdrive switch, engine

braking will not be enabled because the

cruise control is not cancelled.

(g) Parking

NOTICE

1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.

z Be careful not to over−rev the en-

gine. Watch the tachometer to keep

engine rpm from going into the red

zone. The approximate maximum al-

lowable speed for each position is

given below for your reference:

2. Pull the parking brake lever up fully to

securely apply the parking brake.

3. With the brake pedal pressed down,

shift the selector lever to the “P” posi-

tion.

For ways to decrease the vehicle speed,

see “Cruise control” in this section.

“2” . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 km/h (74 mph)

“L” . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 km/h (40 mph)

CAUTION

z Do not continue hill climbing or

hard towing for a long time in the

“2” or “L” position. This may cause

severe automatic transmission dam-

age from overheating. To prevent

such damage, “D” position should

be used in hill climbing or hard

towing.

Never attempt to move the selector

lever into “P” position under any cir-

cumstances while the vehicle is mov-

ing. Serious mechanical damage and

loss of vehicle control may result.

Be careful when downshifting on a

shifting

could cause the vehicle to spin or

skid.

slippery

surface.

Abrupt

(e) Using “2” and “L” positions

(h) Good driving practice

The “2” and “L” positions are used for

strong engine braking as described pre-

viously.

D If the transmission repeatedly shifts up

and down between third gear and over-

drive when climbing a gentle slope, the

overdrive should be turned off. Be sure

to turn the switch on immediately after-

ward.

(f) Backing up

With the selector lever in “2” or “L”, you

can start the vehicle in motion as with the

lever in “D”.

1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.

2. With the brake pedal held down with

your foot, shift the selector lever to the

“R” position.

With the selector lever in “2”, the vehicle

will start in first gear and automatically

shift to second gear.

D When towing a trailer, in order to main-

tain engine braking efficiency, do not

use overdrive.

NOTICE

With the selector lever in “L”, the trans-

mission is engaged in first gear.

Never shift into reverse while the ve-

hicle is moving.

2001 4RUNNER (OM35768U)

105

’01 4Runner_U (L/O 0008)

(i) Rocking your vehicle if stuck

NOTICE

CAUTION

If you rock your vehicle, observe the

following precautions to prevent dam-

age to the transmission and other

parts.

Always keep your foot on the brake

pedal while stopped with the engine

running. This prevents the vehicle

from creeping.

If your vehicle becomes stuck in

snow, mud, sand, etc., then you may

attempt to rock the vehicle free by

moving it forward and backward. Do

not attempt this procedure if people

or objects are anywhere near the ve-

hicle. During the rocking operation

the vehicle may suddenly move for-

ward or backward as it becomes un-

stuck, causing injury or damage to

nearby people or objects.

z Do not depress the accelerator ped-

al while shifting the selector lever

or before the transmission is com-

pletely shifted to forward or reverse

gear.

NOTICE

Do not hold the vehicle on an up-

grade with the accelerator pedal. It

can cause the transmission to over-

heat. Always use the brake pedal or

parking brake.

z Do not race the engine and avoid

spinning the wheels.

z If your vehicle remains stuck after

rocking the vehicle several times,

consider other ways such as tow-

ing.

2001 4RUNNER (OM35768U)

106

’01 4Runner_U (L/O 0008)

(k) If you cannot shift the selector le-

ver out of “P” position

If you cannot shift the selector lever from

the “P” position even though the brake

pedal is depressed, use the shift lock

override button. For instructions, see “If

you cannot shift automatic transmission

selector lever” in Section 4.

(j) Driving in “PWR” (Power) mode

In the “PWR” mode, the transmission is

shifted up and down at a higher vehicle

speed than in the “NORM” (Normal) mode

and

a

more powerful acceleration is

achieved. To set the “PWR” mode, push

in the driving pattern selector button. The

“PWR” mode indicator light comes on.

For ordinary driving, Toyota recommends

using the “NORM” mode to improve fuel

economy.

2001 4RUNNER (OM35768U)

107

’01 4Runner_U (L/O 0008)

"Four−wheel drive models

Your automatic transmission has

a

shift

Selector lever

lock system to minimize the possibility of

incorrect operation. This means you can

only shift out of “P” position when the

brake pedal is depressed (with the ignition

switch in “ON” position and the lock re-

lease button depressed).

Lock release button

To prevent misshifting

(a) Selector lever

The shift position is also displayed on the

instrument cluster.

Overdrive switch

P: Parking, engine starting and

key removal

R: Reverse

N: Neutral

D: Normal driving (with overdrive on)

2: Stronger engine braking

L: Maximum engine braking

With the brake pedal depressed,

shift while holding the lock release

button in. (The ignition switch must

be in “ON” position.)

Driving pattern

selector button

Shift while holding the lock

release button in.

Shift normally.

2001 4RUNNER (OM35768U)

108

’01 4Runner_U (L/O 0008)

Vehicles with cruise control—When the

Always turn the overdrive on for better

fuel economy and quieter driving. If the

engine coolant temperature is low or when

the front drive control lever is in “L4”

(low−speed position, four−wheel drive), the

transmission will not shift into the over-

drive gear even with the overdrive on.

(See “Four−wheel drive system” in this

section for information of the front drive

control lever.)

cruise control is being used, even if you

downshift the transmission by pushing and

releasing the overdrive switch, engine

braking will not be enabled because the

cruise control is not cancelled.

For ways to decrease the vehicle speed,

see “Cruise control” in this section.

(c) Normal driving

1. Start the engine as instructed in “How

to start the engine” in Section 3. The

transmission must be in “P” or “N”.

CAUTION

Never put your foot on the accelera-

tor pedal while shifting.

When the front drive control lever is in

four−wheel

(b) Overdrive switch

“L4”

(low−speed

position,

drive), the driving pattern selector setting

has no effect on gear shift timing. (See

“Four−wheel drive system” in this section

for information of the front drive control

lever.)

You can select either third gear (with

overdrive off) or fourth gear (with over-

drive on) by pushing this switch.

3. Release the parking brake and brake

pedal. Depress the accelerator pedal

slowly for smooth starting.

To turn the overdrive off, push the switch.

The “O/D OFF” indicator light should come

on. To turn the overdrive on again, push

the switch again. The “O/D OFF” indicator

light should go off.

(d) Using engine braking

2. With your foot holding down the brake

pedal, shift the selector lever to “D”.

To use engine braking, you can downshift

the transmission as follows:

When the lever is in the “D” position, the

automatic transmission system will select

the most suitable gear for running condi-

tions such as normal cruising, hill climb-

ing, hard towing, etc.

D Push the overdrive switch. The “O/D

OFF” indicator light will come on and

the transmission will downshift to third

gear.

Always drive your vehicle with the over-

drive on for better fuel economy and

quieter driving.

If the engine is turned off when the over-

drive is off and restarted, the overdrive

will be on automatically.

2001 4RUNNER (OM35768U)

109

’01 4Runner_U (L/O 0008)

D Shift into the “2” position. The trans-

mission will downshift to second gear

when the vehicle speed drops down to

or lower than the following speed, and

stronger engine braking will be en-

abled.

Vehicles with cruise control—When the

(e) Using the “2” and “L”, positions

cruise control is being used, even if you

downshift the transmission by pushing and

releasing the overdrive switch, engine

braking will not be enabled because the

cruise control is not cancelled.

The “2” and “L” positions are used for

strong engine braking as described pre-

viously.

With the selector lever in “2” or “L”, you

can start the vehicle in motion as with the

lever in “D”.

Front drive control lever in “H”

114 km/h (70 mph)

For ways to decrease the vehicle speed,

see “Cruise control” in this section.

With the selector lever in “2”, the vehicle

will start in first gear and automatically

shift to second gear.

Front drive control lever in “L4”

41 km/h (25 mph)

CAUTION

D Shift into the “L” position. The trans-

mission will downshift to first gear

when the vehicle speed drops down to

or lower than the following speed, and

maximum engine braking will be en-

abled.

With the selector lever in “L”, the trans-

mission is engaged in first gear.

Be careful when downshifting on a

slippery

could cause the vehicle to spin or

skid.

surface.

Abrupt

shifting

NOTICE

z Be careful not to over−rev the en-

gine. Watch the tachometer to keep

engine rpm from going into the red

zone. The approximate maximum al-

lowable speed for each position is

given above for your reference:

Front drive control lever in “H”

55 km/h (34 mph)

Front drive control lever in “L4”

12 km/h (7 mph)

Front drive control lever in “H”

“2” . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118km/h (73 mph)

“L” . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64km/h (40 mph)

Front drive control lever in “L4”

“2” . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 km/h (28 mph)

“L” . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 km/h (15 mph)

2001 4RUNNER (OM35768U)

110

’01 4Runner_U (L/O 0008)

(g) Parking

z Do not continue hill climbing or

hard towing for a long time in the

“2” or “L” position. This may cause

severe automatic transmission dam-

age from overheating. To prevent

such damage, “D” position should

be used in hill climbing or hard

towing.

CAUTION

1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.

2. Pull the parking brake lever fully to

securely apply the parking brake.

Always keep your foot on the brake

pedal while stopped with the engine

running. This prevents the vehicle

from creeping.

3. With the brake pedal pressed down,

shift the selector lever to the “P” posi-

tion.

NOTICE

CAUTION

(f) Backing up

Do not hold the vehicle on an up-

grade with the accelerator pedal. It

can cause the transmission to over-

heat. Always use the brake pedal or

parking brake.

Never attempt to move the selector

lever into “P” position under any cir-

cumstances while the vehicle is mov-

ing. Serious mechanical damage and

loss of vehicle control may result.

1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.

2. With the brake pedal held down with

your foot, shift the selector lever to the

“R” position.

NOTICE

(h) Good driving practice

Never shift into reverse while the ve-

hicle is moving.

D If the transmission repeatedly shifts up

and down between third gear and over-

drive when climbing a gentle slope, the

overdrive should be turned off. Be sure

to turn the switch on immediately after-

ward.

D When towing a trailer, in order to main-

tain engine braking efficiency, do not

use overdrive.

2001 4RUNNER (OM35768U)

111

’01 4Runner_U (L/O 0008)

(i) Rocking your vehicle if stuck

CAUTION

z Do not race the engine and avoid

spinning the wheels.

z If your vehicle remains stuck after

rocking the vehicle several times,

consider other ways such as tow-

ing.

If your vehicle becomes stuck in

snow, mud, sand, etc., then you may

attempt to rock the vehicle free by

moving it forward and backward. Do

not attempt this procedure if people

or objects are anywhere near the ve-

hicle. During the rocking operation

the vehicle may suddenly move for-

ward or backward as it becomes un-

stuck, causing injury or damage to

nearby people or objects.

(j) Driving in “PWR” (Power) mode

In the “PWR” mode, the transmission is

shifted up and down at a higher vehicle

speed than in the “NORM”(Normal) mode

NOTICE

and

a

more powerful acceleration is

If you rock your vehicle, observe the

following precautions to prevent dam-

age to the transmission and other

parts.

achieved. To set the “PWR” mode, push

in the driving pattern selector button. The

“PWR” mode indicator light comes on.

For ordinary driving, Toyota recommends

using the “NORM” mode to improve fuel

economy.

z Do not depress the accelerator ped-

al while shifting the selector lever

or before the transmission is com-

pletely shifted to forward or reverse

gear.

2001 4RUNNER (OM35768U)

112

Ignitionswitch,etc. -> Automatic transmission for Your Toyota 4 Runner SUV Third Generation (1996-2002)

Related Topics

Ignitionswitch,TransmissionandParkingbrake

Popular Owner Manuals

Latest Owner Manuals