Accidental Drive Mode Switching by bumping dial

[Labkat71]

I frequently find that I am bumping the drive mode dial unexpectedly switching to 4H and/or Drive mode like Eco to Normal, etc. I feel like this is some kind of design flaw. It is so easy to turn it or just brush by accidentally with my leg or even just putting a drink in the cup holder. I’ve hit it by tapping it when putting my seat belt on. Anybody else? Is there a solution or a cover for it out there?

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[Minnesota4Runner]

It has a button to prevent that. Is your leg also pushing that in, or is it broken?

 

[mfoga]

It has a button to prevent that. Is your leg also pushing that in, or is it broken?

For the 4wd system. I have accidentally changed the mode but not like a huge thing. Other cars I gave had it’s been easy enough to accidentally change rhe mode

 

[SteveS]

Not been an issue for me. However, on its first visit to a dealer for an oil change, they finished and parked it 200ft away. I got in and started to drive out but noticed it was binding and parked it again. The 4WD mode was selected and it was NOT on when I brought it in.

The service guy came out with the advisor and said it happens all the time!!!!! I don't believe that. How would they not notice when driving it from the shop to park it.

 

[Joe Dirt]

I'll chime in on that one. To switch to four high you really have to go through an effort of pushing in the button and turning the knob. So something must be getting pushed in or it's in a broken state. If you can turn the drive mode knob without pushing in the button to shift to four high then you have a problem with the knob for sure. Just my two cents.

I move my drive modes all the time from sport to standard and then fall into Eco when I'm driving around town.

Also, I get it out on the gravel areas to shift to 4 high and 4low at least once a month. And of course I fiddle around with locker and MTS.

 

[127.0.0.1]

design flaw ?

next we'll have people complain the brake is too close to the accelerator

 

[HVLA]

Not one time has this happened to me or my wife. I am not even sure how it could happen by accident.

 

[6thGen1419]

I'll chime in on that one. To switch to four high you really have to go through an effort of pushing in the button and turning the knob. So something must be getting pushed in or it's in a broken state. If you can turn the drive mode knob without pushing in the button to shift to four high then you have a problem with the knob for sure. Just my two cents.

I move my drive modes all the time from sport to standard and then fall into Eco when I'm driving around town.

Also, I get it out on the gravel areas to shift to 4 high and 4low at least once a month. And of course I fiddle around with locker and MTS.

I have accidentally switched to 4wd about four times.

 

[bakutheleo]

I do not recall inadvertently changing drive modes (2wd, 4hi, 4lo), as others have commented that does at least require pressing the button on the selector. I think I have rarely moved it out of eco (I almost always leave it in that mode) but not common at all (probably once or twice in a year). I am sure it would be relatively easy to fashion a cover or guard. Maybe get/make a short pipe just larger than the selector you could attach (glue?) in place although would have to figure out a way to do it while making the 4wd lock button accessible. I do not have it next to me to look, but as I say it has not been a big problem for me.

 

[Labkat71]

It has a button to prevent that. Is your leg also pushing that in, or is it broken?

Hmmmm. I wonder if it’s broken. There is a button to push in but it doesn’t seem to do anything whether pushed or not. It’s like it’s just there to look cool but doesn’t actually do anything. The knob and selectors to switch from 2H to 4H moves VERY EASILY.

I'll chime in on that one. To switch to four high you really have to go through an effort of pushing in the button and turning the knob. So something must be getting pushed in or it's in a broken state. If you can turn the drive mode knob without pushing in the button to shift to four high then you have a problem with the knob for sure. Just my two cents.

I move my drive modes all the time from sport to standard and then fall into Eco when I'm driving around town.

Also, I get it out on the gravel areas to shift to 4 high and 4low at least once a month. And of course I fiddle around with locker and MTS.

yea I think it must be broken. I can switch to Even 4L with no button press. I reached down to fix my shoe and bumped it to 4L.

I do not recall inadvertently changing drive modes (2wd, 4hi, 4lo), as others have commented that does at least require pressing the button on the selector. I think I have rarely moved it out of eco (I almost always leave it in that mode) but not common at all (probably once or twice in a year). I am sure it would be relatively easy to fashion a cover or guard. Maybe get/make a short pipe just larger than the selector you could attach (glue?) in place although would have to figure out a way to do it while making the 4wd lock button accessible. I do not have it next to me to look, but as I say it has not been a big problem for me.

I very recently bought this vehicle. I’m going to see if there is any warranty, and I’ll just ask the dealership to fix it.

 

[Labkat71]

Thanks everyone for your help.

 

[JD013]

I haven't done this yet on my 4runner but on my 25 Tacoma that has the same switch I did it twice. Not sure how it happened either time but somehow I must have bumped it.

 

[HVLA]

I have accidentally switched to 4wd about four times.

How?

 

[NotApplicable]

I am embarrassed to admit I haven’t locked my center diff yet in 6 months of ownership! Certainly not by accident.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Hmmmm. I wonder if it’s broken. There is a button to push in but it doesn’t seem to do anything whether pushed or not. It’s like it’s just there to look cool but doesn’t actually do anything. The knob and selectors to switch from 2H to 4H moves VERY EASILY.

yea I think it must be broken. I can switch to Even 4L with no button press. I reached down to fix my shoe and bumped it to 4L.

I very recently bought this vehicle. I’m going to see if there is any warranty, and I’ll just ask the dealership to fix it.

Well I think the real question is, are you actually seeing the dashboard console light up showing 4-H and or
4 Low.

Perhaps the confusion is that; yes you can move the dial but without engaging the button you will not get an actual engagement.

So to be real clear if you don't see a green 4-H or 4-L then you are not in those respective drives.
Hope this is clear enough for you. But if in doubt I would just drive it in and have one of the service managers give you a complimentary walkthrough on how to engage your off-road features.

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