Still need brakes when using 4low?

Hi everyone!

I just bought a 2008 4runner SR5 V6 after my 1999 Land Cruiser broke down. I live at the bottom of a VERY steep hill, and when I used 4low on the LC, I didn't have to brake at all. Yesterday, I drove my 4runner home for the first time. Even in 4low, I had to use brakes the whole way down! Is my 4wd not working properly, or do 4runners just not go as "low" as Land Cruisers?

Any perspective appreciated!

Emily

 

First gear in 4Lo isn't as low as other vehicles I've driven.

Welcome to the Forum!

 

Put it in 4LO and shift the transmission into 1st gear. If you leave it in D, it's still going to shift gears. If you also have the Hill Assist button, that will automagically apply the brakes for you to assist with descents.

 

thanks! so it sounds like it's OK that I still need brakes to go down the hill? I'm worried that the fact that it doesn't go "low" enough to not need brakes means the 4wd isn't working right...

 

It's very unlikely that the 4wd isn't working, it's just not geared as low as some other vehicles. Using some brakes is OK.

 

thank you so much! it's my first time buying a truck on my own and I think I'm just anxious because it feels *so* different from the land cruiser. the 4lo lights come on like they should, so I guess it's working fine.

 

Yes, as long as the 4-low light is on you should be fine. I believe if the vehicle is having an issue shifting into 4- low, the light would be flashing. And like somebody else said, put the transmission into first gear, it will prevent it from up shifting and speeding you up. I was recently off road in my 5th gen 4Runner, and even in 4 low, first gear, I had to use the brakes a lot because these do not have that low of a low range.

 

Welcome from Arizona!
Low range,first gear.