TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2003 N210 / 4.G Owners Manual

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(l) SRS Warning Light
This light will come on when the igni-
tion key is turned to the “ON” position.
After about 6 seconds, the light will go
off. This means the system of the air-
bag and front seat belt pretensioner are
operating properly.
This warning light system monitors the
airbag sensor assembly, front airbag sen-
sors, side and curtain shield airbag sen-
sors, curtain shield airbag sensors, driv-
er ’s seat position sensor, driver ’s seat belt
buckle switch, front seat belt pretensioner
assemblies, inflators, warning light, inter-
connecting wiring and power sources.
If either of the following conditions occurs,
this indicates a malfunction somewhere in
the parts monitored by the warning light
system. Contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible to service the vehicle.
The light does not come on when the
ignition key is turned to the “ON” posi-
tion or remains on.
The light comes on or flashes while
driving. (m) Automatic Transmission Fluid
Temperature Warning Light
This light warns that the automatic trans-
mission fluid temperature is too high.
If this light comes on while you are driv-
ing, slow down and pull off the road. Stop
the vehicle at a safe place and put the
selector lever in “P”. With the engine id-
ling, wait until the light goes off. If the
light goes off, you may start the vehicle
again. If the light does not go off, call a
Toyota dealer or qualified repair shop for
assistance.
NOTICE
Continued driving with the warning
light on may damage the automatic
transmission.
(n) Low Windshield Washer Fluid Level Warning Light (for vehicles sold in
Canada)
The light warns that the windshield washer
fluid level is too low. Add washer fluid at
your earliest opportunity. (For instructions,
see “Adding washer fluid” on page 343 in
Section 73.)
(o) Key Reminder Buzzer
This buzzer reminds you to remove the
key when you open the driver ’s door with
the ignition key in the “ACC” or “LOCK”
position.

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CHECKING SERVICE REMINDER
INDICATORS (except the low fuel level
warning light and low windshield
washer fluid level warning light)
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Open one of the side doors or back door.
The open door warning light should
come on.
3. Close the door. The open door warning light should go
off.
4. Turn the ignition key to “ON”, but do not start the engine.
All the service reminder indicators ex-
cept the open door warning light should
come on.
The following service reminder indica-
tors go off after a few seconds:
Engine oil replacement reminder light
“ABS” warning light
“VSC TRAC” warning light
“TRAC OFF” indicator light
(twowheel drive models)
“VSC OFF” indicator light
(fourwheel drive models)
Slip indicator light
Height control indicator lights
Height control “OFF” indicator light
Downhill assist control system indicator
light (fourwheel drive models)
The SRS warning light goes off after
about 6 seconds.
There may be the case that the “ABS”
warning light (brake assist system
warning light), “VSC TRAC” warning
light and “TRAC OFF” (twowheel drive
models) or “VSC OFF” (fourwheel
drive models) indicator light stay on for
about 60 seconds after the ignition key
is turned to the “ON” position. It is
normal if they go out after a while.
If any service reminder indicator or warn-
ing buzzer does not function as described
above, have it checked by your Toyota
dealer as soon as possible.

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OPERATION OF INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLS
Ignition switch, Transmission and Parking brake
Ignition switch with steering lock 128
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Automatic transmission 129
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.
Fourwheel drive system 138
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Traction control system 145
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. .
Active traction control system 148
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Vehicle stability control system 150
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Downhill assist control system 152
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Hillstart assist control system 155
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear height control air suspension 158
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Parking brake 163
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. . . . . . . . . .
Cruise control 164
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. . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 1 6

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“START”—Starter motor on. The key
will return to the “ON” position when
released.
For starting tips, see page 259 in Section
3.
It is not a malfunction even if the needle
of the tachometer, fuel gauge or engine
coolant temperature gauge returns to the
bottom position when the ignition switch is
turned to the “START” position. “ON”—Engine on and all accessories
on.
This is the normal driving position.
It is not a malfunction even if the needle
on the speedometer may move when the
ignition switch is turned to the “ON” posi-
tion.
“ACC”—Accessories such as the radio
operate, but the engine is off.
If you leave the key in the “ACC” or
“LOCK” position and open the driver’s
door, a buzzer will remind you to remove
the key.
“LOCK”—Engine is off and the steering
wheel is locked. The key can be re-
moved only at this position.
You must push in the key to turn it from
“ACC” to the “LOCK” position. The selec-
tor lever must be in the “P” position be-
fore pushing the key.
Once you remove the key, the engine im-
mobiliser system is automatically set. (See
“Engine immobiliser system” on page 12
in Section 12.)
When starting the engine, the key may
seem stuck at the “LOCK” position. To
free it, first be sure the key is pushed all
the way in, and then rock the steering
wheel slightly while turning the key gently.
NOTICE
Do not leave the key in the “ON”
position if the engine is not running.
The battery will discharge and the
ignition could be damaged.
Ignition switch with steering
lock

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Your automatic transmission has a shift
lock system to minimize the possibility of
incorrect operation. This means you can
only shift out of “P” position when the
brake pedal is depressed (with the ignition
switch in “ON” position).
(a) Selector lever
The shift position is also displayed on the
instrument cluster.
P:Parking, engine starting and
key removal
R: Reverse
N: Neutral
D: Normal driving
(shifting into overdrive possible)
4: Engine braking
(shifting into overdrive not possible)
3, 2: Stronger engine braking
L: Maximum engine braking
Automatic transmission (5speed)
With the brake pedal depressed
(The ignition switch must be in
“ON” position.)
Shift normally.

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(b) Normal driving
1. Start the engine as instructed in “How to start the engine” on page 260 in
Section 3. The transmission must be in
“P” or “N”.
When the fourwheel drive control switch
knob is in “L4” (lowspeed position, center
differential locked), the driving pattern se-
lector setting has no effect on gear shift
timing. (See “Fourwheel drive system
(fulltime fourwheel drive models)” on
page 138 in this Section for information of
the fourwheel drive control.) 2. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the selector lever to “D”.
When the lever is in the “D” position, the
automatic transmission system will select
the most suitable gear for running condi-
tions such as normal cruising, hill climb-
ing, hard towing, etc. Always use the “D” position for better fuel
economy and quieter driving. If the engine
coolant temperature is low or when the
fourwheel drive control switch knob is in
“L4” (lowspeed position, center differential
locked), the transmission will not shift into
the overdrive gear even in the “D” posi-
tion. (See “Fourwheel drive system (full
time fourwheel drive models)” on page
138 in this Section for information of the
fourwheel drive control.)
CAUTION
Never put your foot on the accelera-
tor pedal while shifting.
3. Release the parking brake and brake
pedal. Depress the accelerator pedal
slowly for smooth starting.
If the automatic locking operation linked
with the shift position is set, all the side
doors and back door are automatically
locked when the shift lever is moved out
of the “P” position with the engine running
(including ignition switch in the “ON” posi-
tion) and all the side doors and back door
are closed. For details, see “—Automatic
door locking and unlocking functions” on
page 17 in Section 12. (c) Using engine braking
To use engine braking, you can downshift
the transmission as follows:
Shift into the “4” position. The trans-
mission will downshift to fourth gear
and engine braking will be enabled.
Shift into the “3” position. The trans-
mission will downshift to third gear
when the vehicle speed drops down to
or lower than the following speed, and
stronger engine braking will be en-
abled.
Twowheel drive models 133 km/h (83 mph)
Fourwheel drive models
Fourwheel drive control switch
knob at “H4” 133 km/h (83 mph)
Fourwheel drive control switch
knob at “L4” 52 km/h (32 mph)

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Shift into the “2” position. The trans-
mission will downshift to second gear
when the vehicle speed drops down to
or lower than the following speed, and
stronger engine braking will be en-
abled.
Twowheel drive models 90 km/h (56 mph)
Fourwheel drive models Fourwheel drive control switch
knob at “H4” 90 km/h (56 mph)
Fourwheel drive control switch
knob at “L4” 35 km/h (22 mph)Shift into the “L” position. The trans-
mission will downshift to first gear
when the vehicle speed drops down to
or lower than the following speed, and
maximum engine braking will be en-
abled.
Twowheel drive models 47 km/h (29 mph)
Fourwheel drive models Fourwheel drive control switch
knob at “H4” 47 km/h (29 mph)
Fourwheel drive control switch
knob at “L4” 18 km/h (11 mph)
When the cruise control is being used,
even if you downshift from “D” to “4”,
engine braking will not be enabled be-
cause the cruise control is not cancelled.
For ways to decrease the vehicle speed,
see “Cruise control” on page 164 in this
Section.
CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a
slippery surface. Abrupt shifting
could cause the vehicle to spin or
skid.
(d) Using “3”, “2” and “L” positions
The “3”, “2” and “L” positions are used for
strong engine braking as described pre-
viously.
With the selector lever in ”3”, “2” or “L”,
you can start the vehicle in motion as
with the lever in “D”.
With the selector lever in “3” or “2”, the
vehicle will start in first gear and automat-
ically shift to third gear or second gear.
With the selector lever in “L”, the trans-
mission is engaged in first gear.
NOTICE
 Be careful not to overrev the en-
gine. Watch the tachometer to keep
engine rpm from going into the red
zone. The approximate maximum al-
lowable speed for each position is
given below for your reference:
Twowheel drive models “3” 136 km/h (84 mph) . . . . . . .
“2” 93 km/h (57 mph) . . . . . . . .
“L” 54 km/h (33 mph) . . . . . . . .

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Fourwheel drive models
Fourwheel drive control switch
knob at “H4”“3” 136 km/h (84 mph) . . . . . . .
“2” 93 km/h (57 mph) . . . . . . . .
“L” 54 km/h (33 mph) . . . . . . . .
Fourwheel drive control switch
knob at “L4” “3” 53 km/h (32 mph) . . . . . . . .
“2” 36 km/h (22 mph) . . . . . . . .
“L” 21 km/h (13 mph) . . . . . . . .
 Do not continue hill climbing or
hard towing for a long time in the
“3”, “2” or “L” position. This may
cause severe automatic transmis-
sion damage from overheating. To
prevent such damage, “4” position
should be used in hill climbing or
hard towing.(e) Backing up
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. With the brake pedal held down with your foot, shift the selector lever to the
“R” position.
NOTICE
Never shift into reverse while the ve-
hicle is moving.
(f) Parking
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. With the brake pedal pressed down, fully depress the parking brake pedal
to apply the parking brake securely.
3. With the brake pedal pressed down, shift the selector lever to the “P” posi-
tion.
CAUTION
Never attempt to move the selector
lever into “P” position under any cir-
cumstances while the vehicle is mov-
ing. Serious mechanical damage and
loss of vehicle control may result.
If the automatic unlocking operation linked
with the shift position is set, all the side
doors and back door are automatically un-
locked when the selector lever is moved
to the “P” position with the ignition switch
is in the “ON” position. For details, see
“—Automatic door locking and unlocking
functions” on page 17 in Section 12.
(g) Good driving practice
If the transmission repeatedly shifts up
and down between fourth gear and
overdrive when climbing a gentle slope,
shift the selector lever to the “4” posi-
tion. Be sure to shift the selector lever
to the “D” position immediately after-
ward.
When towing a trailer, in order to main-
tain engine braking efficiency, do not
use “D” position.
CAUTION
Always keep your foot on the brake
pedal while stopped with the engine
running. This prevents the vehicle
from creeping.

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NOTICE
Always use the brake pedal or the
parking brake to hold the vehicle on
an upgrade. Do not attempt to hold
the vehicle using the accelerator ped-
al, as this can cause the transmission
to overheat.
(h) If you cannot shift the selector le-
ver out of “P” position
If you cannot shift the selector lever from
the “P” position even though the brake
pedal is depressed, use the shift lock
override button. For instructions, see “If
you cannot shift automatic transmission
selector lever” on page 298 in Section 4.

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Your automatic transmission has a shift
lock system to minimize the possibility of
incorrect operation. This means you can
only shift out of “P” position when the
brake pedal is depressed (with the ignition
switch in “ON” position).
(a) Selector lever
The shift position is also displayed on the
instrument cluster.
P:Parking, engine starting and
key removal
R: Reverse
N: Neutral
D: Normal driving
(shifting into overdrive possible)
3: Engine braking
(shifting into overdrive not possible)
2: Stronger engine braking
L: Maximum engine braking
Automatic transmission (4speed)
With the brake pedal depressed
(The ignition switch must be in
“ON” position.)
Shift normally.