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Apologies for my complete ignorance but I was hoping for some guidance in how to use my Prado.
I have just moved to Central Africa and bought 1990 Land Cruiser Prado EX 2.5l Diesel. It is the first time I have used a 4X4 and am trying to work out exactly how it works, as it seems to have a lot more kit on it than other 4X4s I have seen. Unfortunately I dont have an owners manual and it is a Japanese Import so there are absolutely no intructions I can use. I have looked online for a manual but to no avail!
My main issue is how to engage the 4WD properly and when to use the various options so I don't damage my Vehicle. It has an electronic Hub lock, H4 button and the H, neutal, L4 gear selector. I am assuming that when I am in H and the hub lock and H4 are off, then I am in 2WD. When I engage the Hub lock and H4, I am in 4High and then when I shift to 4L I am in 4low. The problem I have is that I dont know the order to do this in, and how to know if it has engaged properly as i dont have any light on the dash indicating it is in 4WD. Also I am not sure if you need to engage the Hub lock/H4 to shift to 4Low or if this occurs autmoatically.
My other issue is that I have a Diff lock with the option of RR (rear?). This was actually in the on position when I bought the car but I assume it could not have been engaged or it would have not steered or broken pretty soon by driving on flat roads in High (2WD). Also the diff lock light was not on. I have switched it to off, but would like to know when and how to engage it, as I have tried in 4Low but no indicator light came on. I am not sure if it is broken or I am incompetent (more likely!). I have read a lot about diff locks, but am not sure if I have a central Diff lock that comes on automatically in 4Low so I would love to know more as I am wary of damaging the car.
Any beginners information would be gratefully received, I have spent ages trawling the interent looking for answers but I think my questions are too basic. If anyone has an explanation of the dash and all the buttons and options the car has that would be great...its driving me crazy having such a competent vehicle with all these options and not knowing what the buttons do!!! Sorry for the long post.
Sam
I have just moved to Central Africa and bought 1990 Land Cruiser Prado EX 2.5l Diesel. It is the first time I have used a 4X4 and am trying to work out exactly how it works, as it seems to have a lot more kit on it than other 4X4s I have seen. Unfortunately I dont have an owners manual and it is a Japanese Import so there are absolutely no intructions I can use. I have looked online for a manual but to no avail!
My main issue is how to engage the 4WD properly and when to use the various options so I don't damage my Vehicle. It has an electronic Hub lock, H4 button and the H, neutal, L4 gear selector. I am assuming that when I am in H and the hub lock and H4 are off, then I am in 2WD. When I engage the Hub lock and H4, I am in 4High and then when I shift to 4L I am in 4low. The problem I have is that I dont know the order to do this in, and how to know if it has engaged properly as i dont have any light on the dash indicating it is in 4WD. Also I am not sure if you need to engage the Hub lock/H4 to shift to 4Low or if this occurs autmoatically.
My other issue is that I have a Diff lock with the option of RR (rear?). This was actually in the on position when I bought the car but I assume it could not have been engaged or it would have not steered or broken pretty soon by driving on flat roads in High (2WD). Also the diff lock light was not on. I have switched it to off, but would like to know when and how to engage it, as I have tried in 4Low but no indicator light came on. I am not sure if it is broken or I am incompetent (more likely!). I have read a lot about diff locks, but am not sure if I have a central Diff lock that comes on automatically in 4Low so I would love to know more as I am wary of damaging the car.
Any beginners information would be gratefully received, I have spent ages trawling the interent looking for answers but I think my questions are too basic. If anyone has an explanation of the dash and all the buttons and options the car has that would be great...its driving me crazy having such a competent vehicle with all these options and not knowing what the buttons do!!! Sorry for the long post.
Sam