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Increase Suspension Articulation for Off-Road Performance
The Stabilizer with Disconnection Mechanism (SDM) is an off-road feature available on certain 2025 4Runner models that enhances suspension flexibility by electronically unlocking the front stabilizer bar. This improves comfort and control in rugged terrain while maintaining on-road stability. It allows drivers to disconnect the front sway bar to improve wheel articulation and ground contact during off-road driving, then automatically reconnect it for on-road stability. It's similar to Toyota's Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) on the 5th Gen 4Runner, but it only disconnects the front sway bar.
(Reference: 2025 Owner’s Manual, pg. 436–437)
Link to Owners Manual: https://trail4runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/2025-4runner-owners-manual.pdf
When activated for off-road use, SDM unlocks the stabilizer to allow greater suspension travel, which helps each wheel maintain contact with uneven surfaces and reduces body vibration.
SDM will re-lock automatically once the vehicle exceeds approximately 18 mph. You’ll hear a mechanical sound when the stabilizer bar is engaging or disengaging—this is normal and not a malfunction.
Refer to the Owner’s Manual (pages 436–437) for a diagram of the SDM switch and system behavior under different conditions.
The Stabilizer with Disconnection Mechanism (SDM) is an off-road feature available on certain 2025 4Runner models that enhances suspension flexibility by electronically unlocking the front stabilizer bar. This improves comfort and control in rugged terrain while maintaining on-road stability. It allows drivers to disconnect the front sway bar to improve wheel articulation and ground contact during off-road driving, then automatically reconnect it for on-road stability. It's similar to Toyota's Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) on the 5th Gen 4Runner, but it only disconnects the front sway bar.
(Reference: 2025 Owner’s Manual, pg. 436–437)
Link to Owners Manual: https://trail4runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/2025-4runner-owners-manual.pdf
SDM Purpose and Function
When driving on paved roads, the stabilizer is locked to limit suspension movement, which improves cornering and handling.When activated for off-road use, SDM unlocks the stabilizer to allow greater suspension travel, which helps each wheel maintain contact with uneven surfaces and reduces body vibration.
How to Use SDM
- Make sure the vehicle is traveling under approximately 18 mph
- Press the SDM switch located on the dash
- The SDM indicator light will turn on
- To cancel, press the switch again (indicator turns off)
SDM will re-lock automatically once the vehicle exceeds approximately 18 mph. You’ll hear a mechanical sound when the stabilizer bar is engaging or disengaging—this is normal and not a malfunction.
Operating Conditions
- Engine switch must be in the ON position
- Vehicle speed must be at or below 18 mph
- SDM state is retained even if the engine is turned off; to change it, restart the engine and press the SDM switch again
- On uneven surfaces, there may be a delay in switching states depending on suspension movement
Limitations
- The system may not function properly if the outside temperature is below -22°F (-30°C)
- If the SDM indicator does not match actual stabilizer status, drive the vehicle briefly to allow the suspension to adjust
- When SDM is active, some Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 features may be temporarily disabled
2025 4Runner Stabilizer with Disconnection Mechanism Diagram
Refer to the Owner’s Manual (pages 436–437) for a diagram of the SDM switch and system behavior under different conditions.