tow TOYOTA 4RUNNER 1999 User Guide

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NOTICE
Be careful not to overrev the en-gine. Watch the tachometer to keepengine rpm from going into the red zone. The approximate maximum al-
lowable speed for each position isgiven below for your reference:
º2º 120 km/h (74 mph). . . . . . .
ºLº 65 km/h (40 mph) . . . . . . .
Do not continue hill climbing or
hard towing for a long time in theº2º or ºLº position. This may cause severe automatic transmission dam-
age from overheating. To preventsuch damage, ºDº position should
be 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 up fully to securely apply the parking brake.
3. With the brake pedal pressed down, shift the selector lever to the ºPº posi-
tion.
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.

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(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 the
following precautions to prevent dam-age to the transmission and otherparts.
Do not depress the accelerator ped-al while shifting the selector lever or before the transmission is com-
pletely shifted to forward or reversegear.
Do not race the engine and avoidspinning the wheels.
If your vehicle remains stuck after
rocking 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.
(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 button. For instructions, see ºIf
you cannot shift automatic transmission
selector leverº in Part 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 ºPº position when the
brake pedal is depressed (with the ignition
switch in ºONº position and the lock re-
lease button depressed).
(a) Normal driving
1. Start the engine as instructed in ºHow
to start the engineº in Part 3. The trans-
mission must be in ºPº or ºNº.
When the front drive control lever is in
ºL4º (low- speed position, four- wheel
drive), the driving pattern selector setting
has no effect on gear shift timing. (See
ºFour- wheel drive systemº in this chapter
for information of the front drive control
lever.)
2. With your foot holding down the brake
pedal, shift the selector lever to ºDº.
In ºDº position, the automatic transmission
system will select the most suitable gear
for running conditions such as normal
cruising, hill climbing, hard towing, etc.
Always turn the overdrive switch on for
better fuel economy and quieter driving. If
the engine coolant temperature is low or
when the front drive control lever is in
ºL4º (low- speed position, four- wheel
drive), the transmission will not shift into
the overdrive gear even with the overdrive
switch on. (See ºFour- wheel drive systemº
in this chapter for information of the front
drive control lever.)
CAUTION
Never put your foot on the accelera-
tor pedal while shifting.
3. Release the parking brake and brake
pedal. Depress the accelerator pedal slow-
ly for smooth starting.
(b) Using engine braking
To use engine braking, you can downshift
the transmission as follows:
Turn off the overdrive switch. The ºO/D
OFFº indicator light will come on and
the transmission will downshift to the
third gear.
Shift into the º2º position. The trans-
mission will downshift to the second
gear when the vehicle speed drops
down to or lower than the following
speed, and more powerful engine brak-
ing will be obtained.
Front drive control lever in ºH2º or
ºH4º3RZ- FE engine.....105 km/h (65 mph)
5VZ- FE engine.....114 km/h (70 mph)
Front drive control lever in ºL4º 3RZ- FE engine.....38 km/h (23 mph)
5VZ- FE engine.....41 km/h (25 mph)
Shift into the ºLº position. The trans-
mission will downshift to the first gear
when the vehicle speed drops down to
or lower than the following speed, and
maximum engine braking will be ap-
plied.
Front drive control lever in ºH2º or
ºH4º3RZ- FE engine.....51 km/h (31 mph)
5VZ- FE engine.....55 km/h (34 mph)
Front drive control lever in ºL4º
3RZ- FE engine.....11 km/h (6 mph)
5VZ- FE engine.....12 km/h (7 mph)

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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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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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ÐRear heater system
1. Fan Speed Selector
2. Temperature Selector
Fan speed selector
Push the switch toward ºHIº or ºLOº.
Temperature selector
Place the lever anywhere except the ºOFFº
position.

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The cup holders are designed for hold-
ing cups or drink- cans securely in its
holes.
To use the rear cup holder, pull it out.
CAUTION

Do not place anything else other
than cups or drink- cans on the cup
holder, as such item may be thrown
about in the compartment and poss-
ibly injure people in the vehicle
during sudden braking or an acci-
dent.
To reduce the chance of injury in
case of an accident or a sudden
stop while driving, keep the cup
holder closed when it is not in use.
Tie- down hooks
To secure your luggage, use the tie-
down hooks as shown above.
See ºLuggage stowage precautionsº in
Part 2 for what to observe in loading lug- gage. Luggage coverTo use the luggage cover, pull it out of
the retractor and hook it to the an-
chors.

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Part 2
INFORMATION
BEFORE DRIVING
YOUR TOYOTA
Off- road vehicle precautions
Break- in period
Fuel
Operation in foreign countries
Three- way catalytic converter
Engine exhaust cautions
Facts about engine oil
consumption
Twin ground electrode spark plugs
Brake system
Brake pad wear limit indicators
Luggage stowage precautions
Your Toyota's identification
Theft prevention labels
Suspension and chassis
Types of tires
Off- road vehicle precautions
This vehicle is one of the class of ve-
hicles which have higher ground clear-
ance and narrower tread in relation to
the height of their center of gravity to
make them capable of performing in a
wide variety of off- road applications.
Specific design characteristics give it a
higher center of gravity than ordinary
cars. An advantage of the higher
ground clearance is a better view of the
road allowing you to anticipate prob-
lems. It is not designed for cornering
at the same speeds as conventional
two- wheel drive vehicles any more than
low- slung sports cars are designed to
perform satisfactorily under off- road
conditions.
CAUTION
Always observe the following precau-
tions to minimize the risk of serious
personal injury or damage to your ve-
hicle:
Avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneu-
vers, if at all possible. As with oth-
er vehicles of this type, failure to
operate this vehicle correctly may
result in loss of control or vehicle
rollover.
Avoid loading any items on the roof
that will make the center of gravity
even higher.
Always slow down in gusty cross-
winds. Because of its high center of
gravity, your vehicle is more sensi-
tive to side winds than an ordinary
passenger car. Slowing down will
allow you to have much better con-
trol.
Do not drive horizontally across
steep slopes. Driving straight up or
straight down is preferred. Your ve-
hicle (or any similar off- road ve-
hicle) can tip over sideways much
more easily than forward or back-
ward.

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When driving off- road or in rugged
terrain, do not drive at excessive
speeds, jump the vehicle, or strike
objects, etc. This may cause loss of
control or vehicle rollover. You are
also risking expensive damage to
your vehicle's suspension and chas-
sis.
Break- in period
Drive gently and avoid high speeds.
Your vehicle does not need an elaborate
break- in. But following a few simple tips
for the first 1600 km (1000 miles) can add
to the future economy and long life of
your vehicle:
Do not drive over 88 km/h (55 mph).
Run the engine at moderate speed be-
tween 2000 and 4000 rpm.
Avoid full- throttle starts.
Try to avoid hard stops during the first
300 km (200 miles).
Do not drive slowly with the manual
transmission in a high gear.
Do not drive for a long time at any
single speed, either fast or slow.
Do not tow a trailer during the first
800km (500miles). Fuel
FUEL TYPE
Your new vehicle must use only un-
leaded gasoline.
To help prevent gas station mix- ups, your
Toyota has a new smaller fuel tank open-
ing. The special nozzle on pumps with
unleaded fuel will fit it, but the larger
standard nozzle on pumps with leaded gas
will not.
At a minimum, the gasoline you use
should meet the specifications of ASTM
D4814 in the U.S.A. and CGSB 3.5- M93
in Canada.
NOTICE
Do not use leaded gasoline. Use of
leaded gasoline will cause the three-way catalytic converter to lose its ef-
fectiveness and the emission control
system to function improperly. Also,this can increase maintenance costs.