towing TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2008 N210 / 4.G Owners Manual

68
CY13164
To release the belt, press the buckle
release button and allow the belt to
retract.
If the belt does not retract smoothly, pull
it out and check for kinks or twists. Then
make sure it remains untwisted as it re-
tracts.
CY13107
Rear center seatvehicles without third
seats
CY13200
Second seatsvehicles with third seats
CY13249
Third seats
The rear seat belt buckles can be
stowed when not in use.
Seat belt buckle must be stowed before
you fold the seatback. (See Folding
down rear seats" on page 50, Tumbling
second seats" on page 53, Folding up
third seats" on page 55 or Removing
third seats" on page 58 in this Section.)
Stowing rear seat belt
buckles

147

Idling for a long period with the air
conditioning on in stop−and−go traffic.
Towing a trailer.
NOTICE

Do not remove the thermostat in
the engine cooling system as this
may cause the engine to overheat.
The thermostat is designed to con-
trol the flow of coolant to keep the
temperature of the engine within
the specified operating range.
 Do not continue driving with an
overheated engine. See If your
vehicle overheats" on page 394 in
Section 4.CY15003
The tachometer indicates engine speed
in thousands of rpm (revolutions per
minute). Use it while driving to select
correct shift points and to prevent en-
gine lugging and over−revving.
Driving with the engine running too fast
causes excessive engine wear and poor
fuel economy. Remember, in most cases
the slower the engine speed, the greater
the fuel economy.
NOTICE
Do not let the indicator needle get
into the red zone. This may cause
severe engine damage.
Tachometer

164
(b) Normal driving1. Start the engine as instructed in How to start the engine" on page 370 in
Section 3. The transmission must be in
P" or N".
Vehicles with four−wheel drive control
When the four−wheel drive control and
switch knob is in L4" (low−speed position)
and center differential locked, the driving
pattern selector setting has no effect on
gear shift timing. (See Four−wheel drive
system (full−time four−w heel drive mod-
els)" on page 168 in this Section for in-
formation of the four−wheel drive control.)
Vehicles with multi−mode control
When the multi−mode control switch knob
is in L4" (low−speed position, four−wheel
drive) and center differential locked, the
driving pattern selector setting has no ef-
fect on gear shift timing. (See Four−wheel
drive system (multi−mode four−wheel drive
models)" on page 171 in this Section for
information of the multi−mode 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.
Two−wheel drive models
Always use the D" position for better fuel
economy and quieter driving. If the engine
coolant temperature is low, the transmis-
sion will not shift into the overdrive gear
even in the D" position.
Vehicles with four−wheel drive control
Always use the D" position for better fuel
economy and quieter driving. If the engine
coolant temperature is low or when the
four−wheel drive control switch knob is in
L4" (low−speed position) and center dif-
ferential locked, the transmission will not
shift into the overdrive gear even in the
D" position. (See Four−wheel drive sys-
tem (full−time four−wheel drive models)"
on page 168 in this Section for informa-
tion of the four−wheel drive control.) Vehicles with multi−mode control
Always use the D" position for better fuel
economy and quieter driving. If the engine
coolant temperature is low or when the
multi−mode control switch knob is in L4"
(low−speed position, four−wheel drive) and
center differential locked, the transmission
will not shift into the overdrive gear even
in the D" position. (See Four−wheel drive
system (multi−mode four−w
heel drive
models)" on page 171 in this Section for
information of the multi−mode 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
and all the side doors and back door are
closed. For details, see Automatic door
locking and unlocking functions" on page
25 in Section 1−2.

167
Four−wheel drive models4.0 L V6 (1GR−FE) engineMulti−mode drive control
switch knob at H2" or H4"3" 146km/h(90mph) . . . . .
2" 100km/h(62mph) . . . . .
L" 58km/h(36mph) . . . . . .
Multi−mode drive control
switch knob at L4" 3" 57km/h(35mph) . . . . . .
2" 39km/h(24mph) . . . . . .
L" 22km/h(14mph) . . . . . .
4.7 L V8 (2UZ−FE) engine Four−wheel drive control
switch knob at H4"3" 146km/h(90mph) . . . . .
2" 100km/h(62mph) . . . . .
L" 58km/h(36mph) . . . . . .
Four−wheel drive control
switch knob at L4" 3" 57km/h(35mph) . . . . . .
2" 39km/h(24mph) . . . . . .
L" 26km/h(16mph) . . . . . . 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.
Vehicles with rear view monitor system
When the selector lever is shifted into R"
position with the engine switch in the
ON" position, rear view monitor system
will activate. For instructions, see Rear
view monitor system" on page 312 in Sec-
tion 1−10. (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 engine switch
is in the ON" position. For details, see
Automatic door locking and unlocking
functions" on page 25 in Section 1−2.

168
(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.
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 410 in Section 4.
CY16060
Four−wheel drive control switch knob
CY16061
Center differential lock switch
Four−wheel drive system (full−time
four−wheel drive models)
(a) Four−wheel drive control

364 Vehicle load limits include total load
capacity, seating capacity, towing ca-
pacity and cargo capacity. Follow the
load limits shown below. Total load ca-
pacity and seating capacity are also
described on the tire and loading in-
formation label. For location of the tire
and loading information label, see
Checking tire inflat ion pr es s ur e" on
page 441.
Total load capacity:
With 5 occupants:431 kg (950 lb.)
With 7 occupants: 477 kg (1050 lb.)
Total load capacity means com-
bined weight of occupants, cargo
and luggage. Tongue load is in-
cluded when trailer towing. Seating capacity:
Without third seats:Total 5 (Front 2, Rear 3)
With third seats: Total 7 (Front 2, Rear 5)
Seating capacity means the maxi-
mum number of occupants whose
estimated average weight is 68 kg
(150 lb.) per person. Depending on
the weight of each person, the seat-
ing capacity given may exceed the
total load capacity.
NOTICE
Even if the number of occu-
pants are within the seating ca-
pacity, do not exceed the total
load capacity.
Towing capacity:For weight carrying hitch2268 kg (5000 lb.)
Also for weight distributing hitch
(4.7 L V8 [2UZ−FE] engine only) Two−wheel drive models3311 kg (7300 lb.)
Four−wheel drive models 3175 kg (7000 lb.)
Towing capacity means the maxi-
mum gross trailer weight (trailer
weight plus its cargo weight) that
your vehicle is able to tow.
Veh icle lo ad lim it s

365
Cargo capacity
Cargo capacity may increase or de-
crease depending on the size (weight)
and the number of occupants. For de-
tails, see Capacity and distribution"
that follows.
CAUTION
Do not apply the load more than
each load limit. That may cause
not only damage to the tires, but
also deterioration to the steering
ability and braking ability, which
may cause an accident.
When stowing cargo and luggage in
the vehicle, observe the following:
 Put cargo and luggage in the lug-
gage compartment when at all
possible. Be sure all items are se-
cured in place.
 Be careful to keep the vehicle bal-
anced. Locating the weight as far
forward as possible helps maintain
balance.
 For better fuel economy, do not
carry unneeded weight.
CAUTION
To prevent cargo and luggage
from sliding forward during
braking, do not stack anything
in the luggage compartment
higher than the seatbacks.
Keep cargo and luggage low,
as close to the floor as pos-
sible.
Do not store more than 91 kg
(200 lb.) of cargo and luggage
in the luggage compartment. If
the third seats are occupied,
do not store cargo and luggage
in the luggage compartment.
 Do not place anything on the
flattened seat or it may slide
forward during braking.
 Never allow anyone to ride in
the luggage compartment. It is
not designed for passengers.
They should ride in their seats
with their seat belts properly
fastened. Otherwise, they are
much more likely to suffer seri-
ous bodily injury, in the event
of sudden braking or a colli-
sion.
Cargo and luggage
Stowage precautions

366
Do not place anything on the
luggage cover. Such items may
be thrown about and possibly
injure people in the vehicle
during sudden braking or an
accident. Secure all items in a
safe place.
 Do not drive with objects left
on top of the instrument panel.
They may interfere with the
driver’s field of view. Or they
may move during sharp vehicle
acceleration or turning, and im-
pair the driver’s control of the
vehicle. In an accident they
may injure the vehicle occu-
pants.
Cargo capacity depends on the to-
tal weight of the occupants.
(Cargo capacity) = (Total load capac-
ity) – (Total weight of occupants)
Steps for Determining Correct
Load Limit
(1) Locate the statement The com-
bined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX
kg or XXX lbs." on your vehicle’s
placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from
XXX kg or XXX lbs. (4) The resulting figure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For exam-
ple, if the  XXX" amount equals
1400 lbs. and there will be five
150 lb passengers in your ve-
hicle, the amount of available
cargo and luggage load capacity
is 650 lbs. (1400–750
(5x150)=650 lbs.)
(5) Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being
loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the
available cargo and luggage load
capacity calculated in Step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will
be transferred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine
how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity
of your vehicle.
For details about trailer towing, see
page 377.
 C ap acit y an d dist rib u t io n

369
STARTING AND DRIVING
Before starting the engine370
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How to start the engine 370
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. .
Tips for driving in various conditions 371
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving in the rain 373
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Off−road driving precautions 374
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Winter driving tips 375
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. . . . . .
Dinghy towing 376
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Trailer towing 377
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How to save fuel and make your vehicle last longer 386
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 3

376
Check the condition of the battery and
cables.
Cold temperatures reduce the capacity of
any battery, so it must be in top shape to
provide enough power for winter starting.
Section 7−3 tells you how to visually in-
spect the battery. Your Toyota dealer and
most service stations will be pleased to
check the level of charge.
Make sure the engine oil viscosity is
suitable for the cold weather.
See page 437 in Section 7−2 for recom-
mended viscosity. Leaving a heavy sum-
mer oil in your vehicle during winter
months may cause harder starting. If you
are not sure about which oil to use, call
your Toyota dealerthey will be pleased
to help.
Keep the door locks from freezing.
Squirt lock de−icer or glycerine into the
locks to keep them from freezing.
Use a washer fluid containing an anti-
freeze solution.
This product is available at your Toyota
dealer and most auto parts stores. Follow
the manufacturer ’s directions for how
much to mix with water.NOTICE
Do not use engine antifreeze or any
other substitute because it may dam-
age your vehicle’s paint.
Do not use your parking brake when
there is a possibility it could freeze.
When parking, put the transmission into
P" and block the front wheels. Do not
use the parking brake, or snow or water
accumulated in and around the parking
brake mechanism may freeze, making it
hard to release.
Keep ice and snow from accumulating
under the fenders.
Ice and snow built up under your fenders
can make steering difficult. During bad
winter driving, stop and check under the
fenders occasionally.
Depending on where you are driving,
we recommend you carry some emer-
gency equipment.
Some of the things you might put in the
vehicle are tire chains, window scraper,
bag of sand or salt, flares, small shovel,
jumper cables, etc.CY30020
Your vehicle is not designed to be
dinghy towed (with four wheels on the
ground) behind a motorhome.
NOTICE
Do not tow your vehicle with four
wheels on the ground. This may
cause serious damage to your vehicle.
Dinghy towing