TOYOTA 4RUNNER 1999 Owners Manual

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Vehicles with cruise controlÐWhen the
cruise control is being used, even if you
downshift the transmission by turning off
the overdrive switch, engine braking is not
applied because the cruise control is not
cancelled.
For ways to decrease the vehicle speed,
see ºCruise control
i n this chapter.
CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a
slippery surface. Abrupt shifting
could cause the vehicle to spin or
skid.
(c) Using the º2º and ºLº, positions
The º2º and ºLº positions are used for
strong engine braking as described pre-
viously.
With the selector lever in º2º or ºLº, you
can start the vehicle in motion as with the
lever in ºDº.
With the selector lever in º2º, the vehicle
will start in the first gear and automatical-
ly shift to the second gear.
With the selector lever in ºLº, the trans-
mission is engaged in the first gear.
NOTICE
Be careful not to overrev the en-
gine. Watch the tachometer to keepengine rpm from going into the redzone. The approximate maximum al-
lowable speed for each position isgiven above for your reference:
Front drive control lever in ºH2º orºH4º
3RZ- FE engine º2º 111km/h (68 mph) . . . . . . . . . . .
ºLº 60km/h (37 mph) . . . . . . . . . . .
5VZ- FE engine º2º 118km/h (73 mph) . . . . . . . . . . .
ºLº 64km/h (40 mph) . . . . . . . . . . .
Front drive control lever in ºL4º 3RZ- FE engine º2º 43km/h (26 mph) . . . . . . . . . . .
ºLº 23km/h (14 mph) . . . . . . . . . . .
5VZ- FE engine º2º 46km/h (28 mph) . . . . . . . . . . .
ºLº 25km/h (15 mph) . . . . . . . . . . .
Do not continue hill climbing or
hard towing for a long time in theº2º or ºLº position. This may causesevere automatic transmission dam-
age from overheating. To preventsuch damage, ºDº position shouldbe used in hill climbing or hard
towing.
(d) 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
ºRº position.
NOTICE
Never shift into reverse while the ve-
hicle is moving.
(e) Parking
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Pull the parking brake lever fully to securely apply the parking brake.
3. With the brake pedal pressed down, shift the selector lever to the ºPº posi-
tion.

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CAUTION
While the vehicle is moving, never
attempt to move the selector lever
into ºPº position under any circum-
stances. Serious mechanical damage
and loss of vehicle control may re-
sult.
(f) Good driving practice If the transmission is repeatedly up-
shifted and downshifted between third
gear and overdrive when climbing a
gentle slope, the overdrive switch
should be turned off. Be sure to turn
the switch on immediately afterward.
When towing a trailer, in order to main-
tain engine braking efficiency, do not
use overdrive.
CAUTION
Always keep your foot on the brake
pedal while stopped with the engine
running. This prevents the vehicle
from creeping.
NOTICE
Do not hold the vehicle on an up-
grade with the accelerator pedal. Itcan cause the transmission to over- heat. Always use the brake pedal or
parking brake.
(g) Rocking your vehicle if stuck
CAUTION
If your vehicle becomes stuck in
snow, mud, sand, etc., then you may
attempt to rock the vehicle free by
moving it forward and backward. Do
not attempt this procedure if people
or objects are anywhere near the ve-
hicle. During the rocking operation
the vehicle may suddenly move for-
ward or backward as it becomes un-
stuck, causing injury or damage to
nearby people or objects.
NOTICE
If you rock your vehicle, observe thefollowing precautions to prevent dam-age to the transmission and other parts.
Do not depress the accelerator ped-
al while shifting the selector leveror before the transmission is com-pletely shifted to forward or reverse
gear.
Do not race the engine and avoidspinning the wheels.
If your vehicle remains stuck afterrocking the vehicle several times,
consider other ways such as tow-ing.
(h) Driving in ºPWRº (Power) mode
In the ºPWRº mode, the transmission is
shifted up and down at a higher vehicle
speed than in the ºNORMº(Normal) mode
and a more powerful acceleration is
achieved. To set the ºPWRº mode, push
in the driving pattern selector button. The
ºPWRº mode indicator light comes on.
For ordinary driving, Toyota recommends
using the ºNORMº mode to improve fuel
economy.

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(i) If you cannot shift the selector le-
ver out of ºPº position
If you cannot shift the selector lever from
the ºPº position even though the brake
pedal is depressed, use the shift lock
override lever. For instructions, see ºIf you
cannot shift automatic transmission selec-
tor leverº in Part 4. Manual transmission
The shift pattern is as shown above.
Press the clutch pedal down fully while
shifting, and then release it slowly. Do not
rest your foot on the pedal while driving,
because it will cause clutch trouble. And
do not use the clutch to hold the vehicle
when stopped on an uphill gradeÐuse the
parking brake.Recommended shifting speeds
The transmission is fully synchronized and
upshifting or downshifting is easy.
For the best compromise between fuel
economy and vehicle performance, you
should upshift or downshift at the following
speeds:
3RZ- FE engine
Upshifting gear km/h (mph)
1 to 2 24 (15)
2 to 3 40 (25)/58 (36) *
3 to 4 64 (40)/72 (45) *
4 to 5 72 (45)/85 (53) *
Downshifting gear km/h (mph)
2 to 1 24 (15)
3 to 2 40 (25)
4 to 3 64 (40)
5 to 4 72 (45)
* : Applicable under heavy acceleration
conditions.
5VZ- FE engine
gear km/h (mph)
1 to 2 or 2 to 1 24 (15)
2 to 3 or 3 to 2 40 (25)
3 to 4 or 4 to 3 64 (40)
4 to 5 or 5 to 4 72 (45)

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Downshift to the appropriate gear if accel-
eration is needed when you are cruising
below the above downshifting speeds.
Upshifting too soon or downshifting too
late will cause lugging and, possibly, ping-
ing. Regularly revving the engine to maxi-
mum speed in each gear will cause ex-
cessive engine wear and high fuel
consumption.
Maximum allowable speeds
To get on a highway or to pass slower
traffic, maximum acceleration may be nec-
essary. Make sure you observe the follow-
ing maximum allowable speeds in each
gear:
Two- wheel drive models
gear km/h (mph)1 48 (29)
2 90 (55)
3 139 (86)
4 165 (102)
Four- wheel drive models
3RZ- FE engine
gear km/h (mph) ºH2º and ºH4º ºL4º
1 45 (28) 17 (11)
2 84 (52) 32 (20)
3 130 (81) 50 (31)
4 165 (102) 64 (39) 5VZ- FE engine
gear km/h (mph) ºH2º and ºH4º ºL4º
1 48 (29) 18 (11)
2 89 (55) 34 (21)
3 127 (79) 49 (31)
4 165 (102) 64 (39)
NOTICE
Do not downshift if you are going
faster than the maximum allowablespeed for the next lower gear.
Good driving practice
If it is difficult to shift into reverse, put
the transmission in neutral, release the
clutch pedal momentarily, and then try
again.
When towing a trailer, in order to main-
tain engine braking efficiency, do not
use the fifth gear.
CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a
slippery surface. Abrupt shifting
could cause the vehicle to spin or
skid.
NOTICE
Make sure the vehicle is completely
stopped before shifting into reverse.

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Use the front drive control lever to se-
lect the following transfer modes.
ºH2º (high speed position, two- wheel
drive): Lever at ºH2º
Use this for normal driving on dry hard-
surfaced roads. This position gives greater
economy, quietest ride and least wear.
ºH4º (high speed position, four- wheel
drive): Lever at ºH4º
Use this for normal driving on wet, icy or
snow- covered roads. This position pro-
vides greater traction than two- wheel
drive. ºNº (neutral position):
Lever at ºNº
No power is delivered to the wheels. The
vehicle must be stopped.
ºL4º (low speed position, four- wheel
drive): Lever at ºL4º
Use this for maximum power and traction.
Use ºL4º for climbing or descending steep
hills, off- road driving, and hard pulling in
sand, mud or deep snow.
The four- wheel drive indicator light comes
on when the ºH4º, ºNº or ºL4º mode is
selected.
See º(c) Shifting procedure (lever type)º
for further instructions.
H2 mode
H4 mode
H4L, L4L or N mode
Four- wheel drive systemÐ
(a) Front drive control
(lever type)
(a) Front drive control
(lever/button type)

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Use the front drive control lever and
º4WDº button to select the transfer and
center differential modes.
ºH2º mode (high speed position, two-
wheel drive):
Lever at ºH2´H4º, º4WDº
button left out
Use this for normal driving on dry hard-
surfaced roads. This position gives greater
economy, quietest ride and least wear and
better vehicle control.
ºH4º mode (high speed position, four-
wheel drive, center differential un-
locked): Lever at ºH2´H4º, º4WDº button
pushed in
Use this for normal driving on all types of
roads, from dry hard- surfaced roads to
wet, icy or snow- covered roads. This
position provides greater traction than
two- wheel drive. ºH4Lº mode (high speed position, four-
wheel drive, center differential locked):
Lever at ºH4Lº
Use this for greater traction when you
experience a loss of power, such as
wheel slipping, in the ºH2´H4º (four- wheel
drive) mode.
ºNº mode (neutral position):
Lever at
ºNº
No power is delivered to the wheels. The
vehicle must be stopped.
ºL4Lº mode (low speed position, four-
wheel drive, center differential locked):
Lever at ºL4Lº
Use this for maximum power and traction.
Use ºL4Lº mode for hard pu lling in situa-
tions the vehicle cannot negotiate even in
the ºH4Lº mode.
The indicator shows which transfer and
center differential mode the vehicle is in.
See º(c) Shifting procedureº for further in-
structions.
Steel wheels
Aluminum wheels (b) A.D.D. (automatic
disconnecting differential)

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The A.D.D. can be engaged or disen-
gaged by the shifting operations des-
cribed in º(c) Shifting procedureº.
You should drive in four- wheel drive for
at least 16 km (10 miles) each month.
This will assure that the front drive com-
ponents are lubricated.
SHIFTING BETWEEN ºH2º AND ºH4º
Without A.D.D.
To shift from ºH2º to ºH4º,
move the
front drive control lever.
This can be done when the vehicle is
stopped, or moving straight ahead at
speeds of 40 km/h (25 mph) or less. You
need not depress the clutch pedal. If you
have trouble shifting, depress or release
the accelerator pedal momentarily while
pushing the front drive control lever.
CAUTION
Never move the front drive control
lever if wheels are slipping. Stop the
slipping or spinning before shifting.
To shift from ºH4º to ºH2 º, simply move
the front drive control lever.
This can be done at any vehicle speed.
You need not depress the clutch pedal.
If the indicator light does not go off when
you shift the transfer into ºH2º, drive
straight ahead while accelerating or decel-
erating, or drive in reverse. With A.D.D.
To shift from ºH2º to ºH4º,
reduce your
speed to less than 80 km/h (50 mph) and
move the front drive control lever. You
need not depress the clutch pedal.
If you have trouble shifting in cold weath-
er, reduce your speed or stop the vehicle
and reshift.
CAUTION
Never move the front drive control
lever if wheels are slipping. Stop the
slipping or spinning before shifting.
To shift from ºH4º to ºH2º, simply move
the front drive control lever.
This can be done at any vehicle speed.
You need not depress the clutch pedal.
If the indicator light does not go off when
you shift the transfer into ºH2º, drive
straight ahead while accelerating or decel-
erating, or drive in reverse.
(c) Shifting procedure
(lever type with manual
transmission)

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SHIFTING BETWEEN ºH4º AND ºL4º
To shift from ºH4º to ºL4,
stop the ve-
hicle or reduce your speed to less than
8 km/h (5 mph). With your foot off the
accelerator pedal, depress the clutch ped-
al and move the front drive control lever.
To shift from ºL4º to ºH4º, depress the
clutch pedal and move the front drive con-
trol lever.
This can be done at any vehicle speed. SHIFTING BETWEEN ºH2º AND ºH4º
Without A.D.D.
To shift from ºH2º to ºH4º,
move the
front drive control lever.
This can be done when the vehicle is
stopped, or moving straight ahead at
speeds of 40 km/h (25 mph) or less. If
you have trouble shifting, depress or re-
lease the accelerator pedal momentarily
while pushing the front drive control lever.
CAUTION
Never move the front drive control
lever if wheels are slipping. Stop the
slipping or spinning before shifting.
To shift from ºH4º to ºH2º, simply move
the front drive control lever.
This can be done at any vehicle speed.
If the indicator light does not go off when
you shift the transfer into ºH2º, drive
straight ahead while accelerating or decel-
erating, or drive in reverse. With A.D.D.
To shift from ºH2º to ºH4º,
reduce your
speed to less than 80 km/h (50 mph) and
move the front drive control lever.
If you have trouble shifting in cold weath-
er, reduce your speed or stop the vehicle
and reshift.
CAUTION
Never move the front drive control
lever if wheels are slipping. Stop the
slipping or spinning before shifting.
To shift from ºH4º to ºH2º, simply move
the front drive control lever.
This can be done at any vehicle speed.
If the indicator light does not go off when
you shift the transfer into ºH2º, drive
straight ahead while accelerating or decel-
erating, or drive in reverse.
SHIFTING BETWEEN ºH4º AND ºL4º
To shift between ºH4º and ºL4º, stop
the vehicle and put the transmission in
ºNº. With your foot holding down the
brake pedal, move the front drive control
lever.
(c) Shifting procedure
(lever type with automatic
transmission)

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SHIFTING BETWEEN ºH2º MODE AND
ºH4º MODE
To shift from ºH2º mode to ºH4º mode,
reduce your speed to less than 100 km/h
(62 mph) and push in the º4WDº button.
If the indicator light flashes when you
push in the º4WDº button, drive straight
ahead while accelerating or decelerating.
If the indicator light flashes and the buzz-
er sounds when you push in the º4WDº
button, reduce your speed or stop the
vehicle and reset.
CAUTION
Never push the º4WDº button if
wheels are slipping. Stop the slipping
or spinning before shifting.
To shift from ºH4º mode to ºH2º mode,
push the º4WDº button again to turn it off.
This can be done at any vehicle speed.
If the indicator light flashes when you
push in the º4WDº button, drive straight
ahead while accelerating or decelerating,
or drive in reverse.
SHIFTING BETWEEN ºH2´H4º AND
ºH4Lº
To shift from ºH2´H4º to ºH4Lº,
reduce
your speed to less than 100 km/h (62
mph) and move the front drive control
lever.
If the indicator light flashes when you
move the front drive control lever, drive
straight ahead while accelerating or decel-
erating.
If the indicator light flashes and the buzz-
er sounds when you move the front drive
control lever, reduce your speed or stop
the vehicle and reset.
CAUTION
Never move the front drive control
lever if wheels are slipping. Stop the
slipping or spinning before shifting.
NOTICE
Do not drive on a dry paved surface
in ºH4Lº mode. This may damage thelocking mechanism and the drive sys- tem.
To shift from ºH4Lº to ºH2´H4º move
the front drive control lever.
This can be done at any vehicle speed.
If the indicator light flashes when you shift
the transfer into ºH2´H4º, drive straight
ahead while accelerating or decelerating,
or drive in reverse.
SHIFTING BETWEEN ºH4Lº AND ºL4Lº
To shift from ºH4Lº to ºL4Lº, stop the
vehicle and put the transmission in ºNº.
With your foot holding down the brake
pedal, move the front drive control lever.
NOTICE
Do not drive on a dry paved surface
in ºH4Lº or ºL4Lº mode. This maydamage the locking mechanism and
the drive system.
(c) Shifting procedure
(lever/button type)

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11 0
To shift from ºL4Lº to ºH4Lº,
stop the
vehicle and put the transmission in ºNº.
With your foot holding down the brake
pedal, move the front drive control lever.
NOTICE
Do not drive on a dry paved surface
in ºH4Lº or ºL4Lº mode. This maydamage the locking mechanism andthe drive system.
Rear differential lock system
The rear differential lock system is pro-
vided for use only when wheel spinning
occurs in a ditch or on a slippery or
ragged surface.
This differential lock system is effective in
case one of the rear wheels is spinning.
Before using the rear differential lock sys-
tem, first shift the front drive control into
ºL4º to see if it works. If this has no
effect, additionally use the rear differential
lock system.
CAUTION
Do not use the rear differential lock
in the conditions other than above.
Large steering effort and careful cor-
nering control will be required.