TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2021 Owners Manual (in English)
Page 101 of 592
101
Operation of
each component
3
4RUNNER (U) 3-1.  Key information
Keys .................................. 102
Side doors ......................... 110
3-2.  Opening, closing and  locking the doors
Smart key system ............. 118
Automatic running  boards ............................. 128
Back door .......................... 131
3-3.  Adjusting the seats Front seats ........................ 136
Rear seats......................... 139
Driving position memory ........................... 149
Head restraints.................. 153
3-4.  Adjusting the steering  wheel and mirrors
Steering wheel .................. 156
Inside rear view mirror ...... 158
Outside rear view  mirrors ............................. 160
3-5.  Opening, closing  the windows and 
moon roof
Power windows ................. 162
Power back window .......... 166
Moon roof .......................... 170 
Page 102 of 592
102
4RUNNER (U)
3-1. Key information
Vehicles without a smart key system
Master keys
Operating the wireless remote con-
trol function
Valet key
Key number plate
Vehicles with a smart key system
The following keys are pr ovided with the vehicle.
Electronic keys
• Operating  the  smart  key  system (P. 118)
• Operating  the  wireless  remote control function
Mechanical keys
Key number plate
Keys
The keys
1
2
3
1
2
3 
Page 103 of 592
1033-1. Key information
3
Operation of each component
4RUNNER (U)
Vehicles without a smart key system
Locks all the doors (P.   1 1 0 )
Unlocks all the doors ( P.   1 1 0 )
Pressing  the  button  unlocks  the
driver’s  door.  Pressing  the  button
again within 3 seconds unlocks the
other doors.
Opens  the  windows  and  moon
roof (press and hold)
*
Sounds the alarm 
(press and hold) ( P. 104)
*: This setting must be customized at your Toyota dealer.
Vehicles with a smart key system
Locks all the doors ( P.   1 1 0 )
Unlocks all the doors ( P.   1 1 0 )
Pressing  the  button  unlocks  the
driver’s  door.  Pressing  the  button
again within 3 seconds unlocks the
other doors. 
Opens  the  windows  and  moon
roof (press and hold)
*
Sounds the alarm 
(press and hold) ( P. 104)
*: This setting must be customized at your Toyota dealer.
Wireless remote control (if equipped)
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4 
Page 104 of 592
1043-1. Key information
4RUNNER (U)
To  take  out  the  mechanical  key,
push  the  release  button  and  take
the key out.
The  mechanical  key  can  only  be
inserted  in  one  direction,  as  the
key  only  has  grooves  on  one  side.
If  the  key  cannot  be  inserted  in  a
lock  cylinder,  turn  it  over  and  re-
attempt to insert it.
After  using  the  mechanical  key,  store  it  in  the  electronic  key. Carry the
mechanical  key  together  with  the  electronic  key.  If  the  electro nic  key  bat-
tery  is  depleted  or  the  entry  function  does  not  operate  properl y,  you  will
need the mechanical key. ( P. 507)
■Panic mode
Vehicles without a smart key system
Vehicles with a smart key system
■ When required to leave the vehicle’s key with a parking attendant
Lock the glove box as circumstances demand. ( P. 361)
Vehicles without a smart key system
Carry  the  master  key  for  your  own  use  and  provide  the  attendant  with  the
valet key.
Vehicles with a smart key system
Remove the mechanical key for your own use and provide the attendant with
the electronic key only.
Using the mechanical key (vehic les with a smart key system)
When    is  pressed  for  longer  than
about  one  second,  an  alarm  will  sound
intermittently  and  the  vehicle  lights  will
flash  to  deter  any  person  from  trying  to
break into or damage your vehicle.
To stop the alarm, press any button on the
wireless remote control.
When    is  pressed  for  longer  than
about  one  second,  an  alarm  will  sound
intermittently  and  the  vehicle  lights  will
flash  to  deter  any  person  from  trying  to
break into or damage your vehicle.
To stop the alarm, press any button on the
electronic key. 
Page 105 of 592
1053-1. Key information
3
Operation of each component
4RUNNER (U)■
If you lose your keys
New  genuine  keys  can  be  made  by  your  Toyota  dealer  using  the  ot her  key
(vehicles  without  a  smart  key  system)  or  mechanical  key  (vehicles  with  a
smart  key  system)  and  the  key  number  stamped  on  your  key  number  plate.
Keep the plate in a safe place such as your wallet, not in the  vehicle. 
■ When riding in an aircraft
When  bringing  a  key  with  wireless  remote  control  function  onto  an  aircraft,
make  sure  you  do  not  press  any  buttons  on  the  key  while  inside  the  aircraft
cabin. If you are carrying the key in your bag etc., ensure tha t the buttons are
not likely to be pressed accidentally. Pressing a button may cause the key to
emit radio waves that could interfere with the operation of the aircraft. 
■ Conditions affecting operation
Vehicles without a smart key system
The wireless remote control  function may  not operate  normally  i n the follow-
ing situations:
● When the wireless key battery is depleted
● Near  a  TV  tower,  electric  power  plant,  gas  station,  radio  stati on,  large  dis-
play,  airport  or  other  facility  that  generates  strong  radio  wav es  or  electrical
noise
● When  carrying  a  portable  radio,  cellular  phone  or  other  wireles s  communi-
cation device
● When the wireless key is in contact with, or is covered by a me tallic object
● When other wireless keys (that emits radio waves) are being use d nearby
● If  window  tint  with  a  metallic  content  or  metallic  objects  are  attached  to  the
rear window
Vehicles with a smart key system
P. 122 
Page 106 of 592
1063-1. Key information
4RUNNER (U)■
Key battery depletion
Vehicles with a smart key system
● The standard battery life is 1 to 2 years. 
● If the battery becomes low, an alarm will sound in the cabin wh en the engine
stops.
● As the electronic  key always receives radio waves, the battery  will become
depleted even if the electronic key is not used. The following  symptoms indi-
cate  that  the  electronic  key  battery  may  be  depleted.  Replace  the  battery
when necessary. ( P. 443)
• The smart key system or the wireless remote control does not o perate.
• The detection area becomes smaller.
• The LED indicator on the key surface does not turn on.
● To avoid serious deterioration, do not leave the electronic key  within 3 ft. (1
m) of the following electrical appliances that produce a magnet ic field:
•TVs
• Personal computers
• Cellular phones, cordless phones and battery chargers
• Recharging cellular phones or cordless phones
• Table lamps
• Induction cookers
Vehicles without a smart key system
If  the  wireless  remote  control  function  does  not  operate,  the  b attery may be
depleted. Replace the battery when necessary. ( P. 443)
■ Precautions  when  disconnecting  the  battery  (vehicles  with  a  sma rt  key
system)
● In  some  cases,  it  may  not  be  possible  to  unlock  the  doors  using  the smart
key  system  immediately  after  the  battery  has  been  disconnected.  Use the
wireless remote control or the mechanical key to lock or unlock the doors.
● The  engine may not start  on  the  first  attempt after reconnectin g the battery
but will start normally after the second attempt. This is not a  malfunction.
● The  engine  switch  mode  is  memorized  by  the  vehicle.  When  the  ba ttery  is
reconnected, the system will return to the mode it was in befor e the battery
was disconnected. Before disconnecting the battery, turn the en gine switch
off.
If you are unsure what mode the engine switch was in when the b attery was
disconnected, be especially careful when reconnecting the batte ry. 
Page 107 of 592
1073-1. Key information
3
Operation of each component
4RUNNER (U)■
Replacing the battery
P. 443
■ Confirmation of the registered key number
The  number  of  keys  already  registered  to  the  vehicle  can  be  confirmed. Ask
your Toyota dealer for details.
■ If a wrong key is used (vehicles with a smart key system)
The key cylinder rotates freely to isolate inside mechanism.
■ Certification for wireless remote control
For vehicles sold in the U.S.A. 
Page 108 of 592
1083-1. Key information
4RUNNER (U)
For vehicles sold in Canada 
Page 109 of 592
1093-1. Key information
3
Operation of each component
4RUNNER (U)
NOTICE
■To prevent key damage
● Do not drop the keys, subject them to strong shocks or bend them.
● Do not expose the keys to high temperatures for long periods of  time.
● Do not get the keys wet or wash them in an ultrasonic washer et c.
● Do not attach metallic or magnetic materials to the keys or pla ce the keys
close to such materials.
● Do not disassemble the keys.
● Do not attach a sticker or anything else to the surface of the electronic key
and key (with a wireless remote control function).
● Vehicles with a smart key system: Do not place the keys near ob jects that
produce magnetic fields, such as TVs, audio systems and inducti on cook-
ers, or medical electrical equipment, such as low-frequency the rapy equip-
ment.
■ Carrying  the  electronic  key  on  your  person  (vehicles  with  a  sma rt  key
system)
Carry  the  electronic  key  3.9  in.  (10  cm)  or  more  away  from  elec tric  appli-
ances  that  are  turned  on.  Radio  waves  emitted  from  electric  app liances
within 3.9 in. (10 cm) of the electronic key may interfere with the key, caus-
ing the key to not function properly.
■ In  case  of  a  smart  key  system  malfunction  or  other  key-related  prob-
lems (vehicles with a smart key system)
Take  your  vehicle  with  all  the  electronic  keys  provided  with  yo ur  vehicle  to
your Toyota dealer.
■ When an electronic key is lost (vehicles with a smart key system)
If  the  electronic  key  remains  lost,  the  risk  of  vehicle  theft  i ncreases  signifi-
cantly.  Visit  your  Toyota  dealer  immediately  with  all  remaining   electronic
keys that was provided with your vehicle. 
Page 110 of 592
1103-1. Key information
4RUNNER (U)
◆Smart key system (if equipped)
Carry the electronic key to enable this function.
Grip  the  driver’s  door  handle
to  unlock  the  door.  Grip  the
passenger’s  door  handle  to
unlock all the doors. 
Make  sure  to  touch  the  sensor
on the back of the handle.
The  doors  cannot  be  unlocked
for 3 seconds after the doors are
locked.
Touch  the  lock  sensor  (the  indent ation  on  the  upper  part  of  the
door handle) to lock the doors.
Check that the door is securely locked.
◆Wireless remote control
Vehicles without a smart key system
Locks all the doors
Check  that  the  door  is  securely
locked.
Unlocks all the doors
Pressing  the  button  unlocks  the
driver's  door.  Pressing  the  but-
ton  again  within  3  seconds
unlocks the other doors.
Press  and hold to open the win-
dows and moon roof.
* 
( P. 164, 172)
*: This setting must be customized at your Toyota dealer.
Side doors
Unlocking and locking the doors from the outside
1
2
1
2