Two embarassing incidents - long story

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skategoat

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Over the holidays, I had two rather embarassing incidents with my 4Runner that I thought I would share.

The first happened when I went snowboarding during a big snowstorm on the 23rd. I went back to my truck to switch to my powder board at lunch. I reached into my pocket and came out with a handful of snow. Yep, I managed to lose my keys somewhere in 3 feet of fresh snow on a mountain 2 hours from my house. Talk about a sinking feeling.

But, I thought "no problem, I have Toyota Roadside Assistance". With my extended warranty, I received Toyota Canada's "Extended Care Program". So I called them up. The answer? "Sorry, we don't cover lost keys.". "Oh, okay do you have any suggestions?". "No, sorry."

So I called up my dealer who said that the closest dealer could cut keys for me. When I called that dealer up, he told me I was out of luck. The only way to cut an extra key is to tow the vehicle in. All about the immobilizer chip. Is this true?

I ended up putting my tail between my legs and talking my wife into driving 2 hours throught snowstorm with the spare keys.

Story Two: Today, I managed to put the truck firmly into a snowbank and needed a tow truck to pull me out.

It was a very icy country road. We received freezing rain lately and the road was basically an ice rink. Still, I tried to make it up a few steep hills. Hill #2 was not doable. I got halfway up and then slid into the snowbank at the side of the road. I could not extricate myself.

So, a couple of questions - In this sort of situation - one side of the car in a snowbank, one side of the car on ice, what drive mode gives me the best chance? 4LO with diff lock?

Also, what's with the continual beeping in 4LO? Is this normal or did I do something wrong?

Thanks for listening guys.
 
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skategoat said:
So I called up my dealer who said that the closest dealer could cut keys for me. When I called that dealer up, he told me I was out of luck. The only way to cut an extra key is to tow the vehicle in. All about the immobilizer chip. Is this true?
Click to expand...
True. The truck has a chip in it that requires you to have a master key to program a new key for use. If you lose all master keys, then you need to replace the computer....not a cheap proposition.

Someone who drives regularly on snow and ice are better to handle the tougher questions.
 
Re: Re: Two embarassing incidents - long story

jharris2 said:
True. The truck has a chip in it that requires you to have a master key to program a new key for use. If you lose all master keys, then you need to replace the computer....not a cheap proposition.
Click to expand...

Are you sure about that?

We used to be able to find the code by entering the VIN into the Toyota database.
 
Read the manual and it says that a little metal plate comes with your keys. The number stamped on they key will enable a Toyota Dealer to cut a new key. I'm uncertain if they will be able to program it as well though. When I got my truck they owed me a duplicate key. They cut me a new one but told me that I would need all my keys to be there when programming to ensure that all 3 would work. So they may have needed it to program the new key, not sure.

As far as the beeping in 4LO, I'm not entirely sure. Is it beeping when you're stationary or when you stepped on the gas it beeped? The only beeping I've ever heard is when the VSC kicks on. If 4WD or 4LO doesn't engage correctly, the lights on the dash blink but it doesn't beep.
 
4LO

It's beeping all the time and the light is flashing. I checked the manual and it doesn't really say how you are supposed to engage 4LO. Or at least I couldn't find that part in the manual.

Do you have to engage in Park or Neutral? And does it work in Drive or do you have to put it in 2 or L?
 
Re: 4LO

skategoat said:
It's beeping all the time and the light is flashing. I checked the manual and it doesn't really say how you are supposed to engage 4LO. Or at least I couldn't find that part in the manual.

Do you have to engage in Park or Neutral? And does it work in Drive or do you have to put it in 2 or L?
Click to expand...

To engage 4LO, bring the truck to a complete stop and keep your foot on the brake pedal. Switch to Neutral. Push and turn the knob to 4LO. Wait a few seconds and the indicator should flash and then stay on (no flashing). Then you are in 4LO.

4LO can be engaged in all D-3-2-L
 
Programming new keys

I think it's a security strategy that the computer in the 4Runners won't let you program it to recognize a new key unless you have a valid master (not valet) key. You need the new key (which has already been physically cut), a valid master key, and Toyota's hand-held tester. Figure about $100 total to cover each new key for the key itself, cutting, and programming, given the estimates I've seen.

They note that if you've lost all the master keys, you've got to buy a new computer module. I suspect the new modules come with a master key that they've already been programmed to recognize, and you program additional keys with that.

By the way, the system works by using an antenna near the ignition key receptacle that excites an RFID chip in the keys themselves. The chip replies with a code that the computer is programmed to recognize. A nice and fairly secure system, I think, but much more expensive than simpler systems.
 
Re: 4LO

skategoat said:
It's beeping all the time and the light is flashing. I checked the manual and it doesn't really say how you are supposed to engage 4LO. Or at least I couldn't find that part in the manual.

Do you have to engage in Park or Neutral? And does it work in Drive or do you have to put it in 2 or L?
Click to expand...

The beeping is a warning that the 4LO didn't engage properly.

I believe the instructions for 4LO engagement are printed on a card on the back of the drivers side visor, along with the owners manual.
 
Ice is Ice.. Regulars tires no go.

Even the very best tires will give minimal to no traction on ice. If you expect a lot of icy conditions or a real burning need to drive on ice covered roads, studded tires are your best option. Chains will limit your maximum road speed, but studded tires will generally keep you mobile regardless of the weather situation.


Beeping after trying to engage 4LO means it didn't "take". You are supposed to be in neutral, switch to 4lo, and if engaged properly the dash light comes on solid. Also no beeping, and it's impossible to go fast in 4LO, you would know for a fact it was engaged.

Don't know about the keys but that sucks losing them!! I always keep my keys zipped in an inner pocket when skiing. I am too paranoid to leave a spare hidden on the truck, like some of my bike riding buds.
 
No Dunlops. I switched to winter tires (BF Goodrich Winter Slalom). They didn't do much good. I think Toolman is right, the only thing that would've worked is studs. Too bad they are illegal in my province.

As for the 4LO, I definitely tried to engage in Park and then I tried again in Neutral. I'm going to have to practice this. I don't know what I'm doing wrong.

Story One ended happily today. Someone actually found the keys on the ski hill yesterday and turned them in. I got them returned to me and the remote still works! I have a nice dent in the casing, looks like someone planted a ski pole into it. I don't mind, it serves as a good reminder to zip up my pocket.
 
skategoat said:
Story One ended happily today. Someone actually found the keys on the ski hill yesterday and turned them in. I got them returned to me and the remote still works! I have a nice dent in the casing, looks like someone planted a ski pole into it. I don't mind, it serves as a good reminder to zip up my pocket.
Click to expand...
Great to hear that you got it back -- certainly one less thing to worry about with a working key and remote out there.....
 
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