Hill Start Assist Control - is it not working, or just a badly implemented idea?

[Thrasher_S]

I think I ran into this the other day, but didn't know what it was so it freaked me out. I was going slow in 2wd on wet gravel and approached a steep uphill, 90 degree corner. I turned to power up it and slipped badly enough that I was just going to dig in. I stood on the brake, shifted to 4wd, then reverse for a few feet (so I could engage the 4wd), then back to drive. I then went to quickly transitioned from brake to gas and I got the slippage light and ABS clicks like crazy, then it suddenly got traction and lurched forward. I thought I had tromped on the gas BEFORE it was done engaging 4wd (exactly what I was trying to avoid by reversing until it was engaged...), but Hill Assist makes more sense.

It works fine, but there really should be a separate indicator... actually I'd rather engage it manually.

 

[outdoorbound]

Thanks for all the replies. My personal conclusion is that it's a pretty useless feature. I have no problem driving the car without it, and if I had the option to not get the vehicle equipped with it (knowing how it actually worked), I would have have chosen not to get it. They should have named it something other than Hill Start Assist as it really only assists you from rolling backwards uncontrollably. Either way, the documentation of the feature is poor and it seems like service reps are confused about it as well.

 

[thinkxingu]

Found this thread after searching for what I'm doing wrong with my '18. Sounds like it's just a weak "feature." My past Jeeps had an AWESOME system--essentially, when on a hill, the brakes would hold until the accelerator was pressed. The 4Runner doesn't have enough idle strength to hold it without rolling back, so it would be a cool feature to have work well.

 

[4Regrets]

The 4Runner doesn't have enough idle strength to hold it without rolling back, so it would be a cool feature to have work well.

I know we'll never see it because of emissions regulations, but I wish the 4Runner had a high-idle switch like many diesel vehicles do.

 

[Charlievee]

Not to sound like a total arse (to late), but all 5th gens have the automatic transmission? I could understand rolling back with a gearbox and clutch, but with an auto?

 

[4Regrets]

Not to sound like a total arse (to late), but all 5th gens have the automatic transmission? I could understand rolling back with a gearbox and clutch, but with an auto?

Take your foot off the brake while facing up a steep hill in D, and the car will roll back quite a ways, despite the drivetrain resistance.

 

[Charlievee]

Take your foot off the brake while facing up a steep hill in D, and the car will roll back quite a ways, despite the drivetrain resistance.

I got it, its a driver issue.

 

[pointman]

Good thread from the people contributing. Thanks for the insight. It was odd that on smaller uphills it would hold the 4R. Then on steep hills, it did not do much and the pig wanted to roll back.. so a not so subtle throttle application lead to unpleasant action.

 

[RoamingScott]

I was curious to see this “feature” in action after bringing mine home for the first time since I have a super steep driveway.

Long story short, it sucks and is useless. My Jeep would just sit there nose down on a 30 degree grade waiting for you to hit the gas. I’ll have to change habits of course, but disappointing for sure.

 

[euser]

I was curious to see this “feature” in action after bringing mine home for the first time since I have a super steep driveway.

Long story short, it sucks and is useless. My Jeep would just sit there nose down on a 30 degree grade waiting for you to hit the gas. I’ll have to change habits of course, but disappointing for sure.

When I owned a Jeep it was too old for that sort of fancy stuff, but a system that keeps your vehicle from moving on a decline without you touching the accelerator sounds stupid for a vehicle designed to be off-road. I’ll put it in park if I don’t want it moving in my driveway.

 

[RoamingScott]

When I owned a Jeep it was too old for that sort of fancy stuff, but a system that keeps your vehicle from moving on a decline without you touching the accelerator sounds stupid for a vehicle designed to be off-road. I’ll put it in park if I don’t want it moving in my driveway.

I think an automatic tranny is a bit more asinine for an off-roader than a functional hill assist lol.

Hill assist is quite nice to have when you’re up in the mountains but still on roads. Or backing into your garage from your steep ass driveway. Or literally any hill where rolling would be less than preferable.

 

[00Sebby]

I just got my '20 ORP and am comparing it to my recent vehicles that also have this feature. All were automatic transmissions. If stopped on a steep uphill slope:

• 10 TE - brakes would hold for a second or two to keep from rolling back then let go and all the noise/lurching would begin
• 18 Subaru Crosstrek - brakes will hold until you hit the gas
• 13 LC200 - brakes would hold for a second or two to keep from rolling back and all the noise/lurching would begin
• 20 ORP - immediately begins rolling back, but only about a foot, then it stops, light comes on dash and it starts beeping. It's clumsy but it works.

If you live in an area with many steep hills and lots of people who like to stop right up on your rear bumper, this is a nice feature. Sure, I can move my foot quickly from brake to gas and maybe only roll back a few inches but most vehicles have this feature now for good reason.

 

[Mo's TE]

This a safety feature that all modern Toyota vehicles have as STANDARD, I have 15 TE, the hill assist should prevent the car from rolling backwards, my work vehicle (Prado) does it perfectly, it holds the vehicle in position until you accelerate. My t4r does not, it rolls backwards. albeit Prado is all wheel drive.

4runners are broken, I nearly hit the car behind me when exiting a basement parking the other day. Something is not right.

 

[John in NC]

My 2011 will hold firm in place with no brake or accelerator input if I do this: when it starts to creep backwards I give a little accelerator bump, then if need be touch the brake (if needed) and it holds still until I pull away.

 

[smann]

This feature has never worked for me

 

[Mo's TE]

I have code C1452 abs module is it related? Did a quick search and it seems that I need to replace the entire break master cylinder!