2007 4Runner V8 4WD/AWD?

[birdtail]

I am a new 2007 V8 4Runner owner, coming from a Jeep. My jeep had very easily identifiable 4wd hi (for slick conditions and regular driving) and a 4wd lo (when I needed extra help with snow or mud). I am confused by the Toyota's 4WD.

My knob shows it's in H4 (no option for 2WD?) and I see the switch to put it in 4Lo, but 4Lo is obviously for needing that extra Push.

Can anyone explain this to me? am I constantly driving in 4wd? (AWD?).

I see that my shift knob has PRND as well as 4321. Are the 4321 for extra power, 1 being the most power (in the slowest conditions, such as heavy towing up a hill?)

Signed,
the 4Runner Newbie.


P.S. I will not be offroading.

 

[zachb_NW]

V8 is all time 4wd

 

[MistrWebmastr]

As I understand it, our 4th gen 4Runners have MultiMode 4WD - that is to say we have both full-time 4WD (Center diff unlocked, power split varies between front and rear wheels, up to 70% rear and 51% front I believe) and part-time 4WD (Center diff locked, an even 50/50 split of power). Having a V8 means you're in 4H in full-time mode. the V6 models have a 2WD mode only for gas savings. You can switch from high to low for extra torque, and the 4321 is also for more torque or for using the transmission to control speeds going downhill. If you want to engage part-time 4WD, you just hit the button to the left of your steering wheel while stopped, in neutral, and your foot on the brake.

Also from what I can gather, You're running full-time 4WD, not AWD. The difference being most AWD cars provide 100% power to front OR rear wheels, and the transfer of power can happen too late (ie, if you start sliding)

 

[stanleybb50]

As I understand it, our 4th gen 4Runners have MultiMode 4WD - that is to say we have both full-time 4WD (Center diff unlocked, power split varies between front and rear wheels, up to 70% rear and 51% front I believe) and part-time 4WD (Center diff locked, an even 50/50 split of power). Having a V8 means you're in 4H in full-time mode. the V6 models have a 2WD mode only for gas savings. You can switch from high to low for extra torque, and the 4321 is also for more torque or for using the transmission to control speeds going downhill. If you want to engage part-time 4WD, you just hit the button to the left of your steering wheel while stopped, in neutral, and your foot on the brake.

Also from what I can gather, You're running full-time 4WD, not AWD. The difference being most AWD cars provide 100% power to front OR rear wheels, and the transfer of power can happen too late (ie, if you start sliding)

Great post. Only slight, quick correction is that you can click the diff lock on the fly (while moving). You only need to be stopped in N to engage 4low.


- Sent via Tapatalk for Android

 

[MistrWebmastr]

I didn't know that! Granted, it was only a few weeks ago I found out I had MultiMode 4WD

Before my 4Runner, my only 4WD experience was a 99 suburban.

 

[NJshadow93]

right its basically full time 4wd (regular driving), 4x4 (center diff locked,50/50 torque split) and 4lo

 

[birdtail]

Thank you to everyone for clearing all of that up! I am still getting used to my new car, so excited to be a Toyota owner finally

 

[NJshadow93]

Thank you to everyone for clearing all of that up! I am still getting used to my new car, so excited to be a Toyota owner finally

must be refreshing, especially coming from a Jeep LOL:bravo:

 

[birdtail]

must be refreshing, especially coming from a Jeep LOL

Absolutely, don't regret the sale of my Jeep and the new purchase at all. Thanks again.

 

[zimm]

Spend some time with the owner's manual- it explains it all in detail. Plus how/when to use the diff lock (snow). If you don't have it, you can download it from the toyota owner's site.

As for downshifting from D to 4-3-2-1... That allows you to manually select the highest gear the tranny will shift to. On the street, this is best used for steep downhills. Driving down a mountain on the highway? Drop it to "4" and you won't have to drag the brakes all the way down. It's perfectly safe to downshift to keep speeds under control when going downhill to avoid dragging the brakes too much- just watch the tachometer so you don't spin the engine too high. When you get done going down the big hill, put it back into "D". Or you can not worry about it at all.