Does the 2023 Off Road Premium not come with auto headlights?

Glad you brought this up. I'm gonna make another thread about how I'm sick that we don't have Auto Daytime Running Lights. I shouldnt have to turn a switch for DRLs on a $50k truck.

 

You tested this on a Pro though right? I'm still unsure about how the SR5 ADD functions in 2WD.

 

Phasers set to stunned!

 

The 2WD SR5 model weighs 350 pounds less than a 4WD TRD Pro and a whopping 405 pounds less than a Limited. That must translate to some improved mpg I would think.

 

OP joined the forum just to pop off.
That’s awesome.

 

Too late!

 

Intuitively you’d think the ADD disconnects the front drive shaft from the differential, but no.

The ADD disconnects the driver’s-side axle shaft from the differential. The right half shaft and the front drive shaft remain connected. Theoretically, owing to typical differential behavior, the front driveshaft shouldn’t spin. But because of frictional forces in the differential gearing, the front driveshaft does often spin in 2WD. Some vehicle owners who have observed this note that the rotating front drive shaft can be stopped by hand (it’s just a matter of the internals of the diff spinning another way.) I’m not so sure gear oil is a factor.

 

Yeah but it's just so standard that it's shocking you can even buy something that doesn't have some things. And it's the reason a lot of us bought the 4runner. It's so reliable because it's so very old.

 

Here’s a photo of what the ADD actuator looks like.


Here’s a dry but informative video that shows how the actuator works in situ.


The video does not explain the phenomenon of the rotating front drive shaft in 2WD.

On cars with a knob rather than a lever there are two such actuators. One at the differential and one at the transfer case.

 

@Captain Spalding

Thanks. Seems I'm totally mistaken and now even more confused at what would cause the spinning.

 

I’ll take your 4 runner off your hands. Not a fan of daytime head lights.

 

Haha I know. Anything happening in the differential is so difficult to wrap one’s head around. When the spider gears and side gears spin on their shafts, there is no impetus for the drive shaft to rotate. But friction among the spider and side gears is enough to get the differential cage to tumble, and that’s connected to the ring gear, which also turns. Which spins the pinion gear, which spins the front drive shaft.

At one point I got my brain massaged into a place where I could understand how a center differential works, and how the front and rear drive shafts can work at the same speed but with an asymmetrical torque split. And then I stopped thinking about it and the understanding evaporated.

 

Haha. Not that I'll ever actually need the info, but I damn sure want it.

 

When you have some time to spare, , including the links. Feel the schadenfreude while you watch me struggle to comprehend the unfathomable. Then you will understand, for a fleeting moment at least.

 

No way. My computer can't handle that site. Windows 7 peeps in the house!!!

 

Same here (except for the training). Until I got the 4R, I haven't driven a mile without headlights on since '89. I was kind of taken aback by prevalence of members here who dislike DRLs. They're there to reduce the chances of getting hit by a knucklehead, of which there is no shortage.

 

I can't imagine any good reason not to want DRL's.

I go through phases of leaving the headlights on all the time, but I end up turning them off whenever my door lock actuator acts up, because locking it with the key doesn't shut off the headlights.

 

Weight is >1% higher in limited than orp. It is 2.7% higher when compared with SR5. I don't think we can disregard these numbers, and in the same sentence use air deflector as reason for increased efficiency in limited.

MPG numbers are highly specific to a particular driver. As I mentioned in another post, it would be interesting to know MPG for same owner using both limited and non-limited trim. I think someone else posted their mpg numbers are pretty similar, which to me is very surprising.
Just for kicks, I compared some of the other manufacturers who do post mpg numbers for AWD and FWD/RWD vehicles. Routinely they are lesser in AWD, which is what I'd expect.

What is more likely explanation is that toyota just does not publish tested numbers for individual trims. I suspect limited is lower than other trims for exact same driving conditions. That is the only explanation that makes sense to me, given additional weight and full time 4WD (as mentioned by everyone who owns limited here).

 

I think we are saying the same thing. I agree that AWD/4WD is less efficient than 2WD - and in a vehicle where you can select between AWD/4WD and 2WD you would get better gas mileage in 2WD. What I am saying though is that the difference in efficiency between a FT 4WD Limited and other 4Runner trim levels with PT 4WD, when driven in 2WD, is small enough that other small changes in aerodynamics, rolling resistance of the tires, etc... can make up for it. I saw the previous post about one trim level - engine/tranny combination being tested to establish estimated MPG for the entire vehicle line. I think this is correct - and I also agree that if tested extensively - the Limited would most likely have the lowest MPG of all the 4Runner trims. However, I also think that the difference between the best MPG and worst MPG among the different trims would be fairly insignificant. The 16 city/19 hwy MPG estimate might be based on the Limited - and it may well be that other trim levels do slightly better than this (although I consistantly do better than the 16/19 with my driving style - I could totally accept that I could do even better if I drove an SR5, OR, ORP the exact same way.

I also think some should take another look at the premise that a 1% or 2.7% difference in weight should make a big difference in MPG - and that differences in aerodynamics would not negate that. Vehicle weight and aerodynamic drag are both major affecters of MPG. When it comes to aerodynamic drag - amount of airflow under the vehicle is very significant. Things like the lower front bumper and the air deflector under the bumper of a Limited could significantly decrease the airflow under the vehicle. We're only talking about negating a couple % decrease in MPG due to weight with improved airflow. That is totally reasonable. This is all debate for debate's sake though. I don't think any of us purchased our 4Runners for the gas mileage.

 

On that I agree with you

 

I was curious, so I checked on Fuelly.com. I compared a few years of overall average VS average on the Limited trim only. Based on what I saw, it looks like the Limited got slightly higher numbers. But, typical use by trim could also be a factor.

Edit: although, it seems to vary by year, so it's probably a crapshoot.

 

This does not surprise me. It is what I would expect. The curb weight of the different trim levels only varies by a few % - and knowing that MPG would be proportional to vehicle weight - the differences in weight would only make a few % difference in MPG. It is likely that the differences in MPG are insignificant enough that individual driving style is a larger factor in the MPG you get versus the trim level of the 4Runner you drive. The proposition that the 4Runner rated MPG is based on the inferior MPG of the Limited and the other trim levels actually get significantly better MPG - or that Toyota was rating the Limited's MPG at significantly higher than what it really is as a marketing gimmick to offset the Limited's inferior MPG due to FT 4WD is baseless.

 

Agreed

In several cases, the Limited got better average fuel economy than the overall average. I honestly doubt the other trims get measurably better mileage.

As it has been pointed out already in this thread, the front CV axles and some differential parts are always turning in part time 4wd models. Between the air dam, and skinnier highway tires, it's entirely possible that the Limited does in fact get the same, or better mileage than other trims.

 

@kmeeg I don’t blame OP. His first and only post was terce and showed a sense of entitlement, yes. But what he asked and how he asked it weren’t that inflammatory. And as to the 4 pages of crap posting that followed, we all did that ourselves. I don’t blame OP.

 

I think you are correct - and looking at reported fuel economy differences vs. 4Runner trims may have more to do with the driver than the trim level. If, as we have supposed, the lower bumper, under bumper air dam, skinnier highway tires, etc... does help the Limited get the same, or nearly the same, MPG as the other trims - then I would think the TRD Sport would be better still. It has the same front bumper height,under bumper air dam, and skinnier highway tires as the Limited - and it weighs about 130 lbs less - no center diff as the Sport is PT 4WD. If our logic is correct the Sport would get even better MPG. However, as you have already pointed out - the differences might be so insignificant that how the vehicle is driven has much more of an affect on MPG.