How to Use the Prado's Four-Wheel Drive System?
2 Answers
The method of using the Prado's four-wheel drive system: The vehicle is equipped with full-time four-wheel drive. The small gear lever has three positions: H, N, and L. Normally, the gear should be placed in the H position. If the vehicle gets stuck, shift the gear to the L position. The H position stands for High-speed free, the N position stands for Neutral, and the L position stands for Low-speed lock. When the vehicle is stuck and the front or rear wheels slip, shifting to this position will lock the front and rear wheels together, preventing the slipping wheels from spinning. The Prado is a new model in Toyota's Land Cruiser series. This newly developed next-generation off-road vehicle is equipped with a newly developed Toyota six-cylinder fuel-injected 1GR-FEV6 engine, with a displacement of 3956CC, offering excellent power performance. In terms of body dimensions, the Prado measures 4840 mm in length, 1885 mm in width, 1890 mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 2790 mm.
I've been driving a Prado for several years and often go on off-road adventures, getting quite skilled with the 4WD system. On regular roads, I use H2 mode, which is rear-wheel drive—fuel-efficient and smooth, perfect for city driving. But once I hit mud or snow, I stop and switch to H4 (high-speed 4WD), distributing power to all wheels to prevent slipping. When facing steep slopes or large rocks, I stop and shift to L4 (low-speed 4WD) with the differential lock for extra stability and a major power boost when climbing. Remember not to use 4WD too long on dry, hard surfaces, as it can wear out the drivetrain faster—always stop to switch for safety. That time I got stuck in the mountains, L4 saved me, so now I check fluids every six months—proper maintenance is key for reliability. For beginners, start with small slopes, avoid aggressive acceleration, and let the system do its job.
