automatic transmission TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2000 Owner's Manual

922000 4Runner (OM35762U)
(d) Discharge Warning Light
This light warns that the battery is being
discharged.
If it comes on while you are driving, there
is a problem somewhere in the charging
system.
The engine ignition will continue to oper-
ate, however, until the battery is dis-
charged. Turn off the air conditioning,
blower, radio, etc., and drive directly to
the nearest Toyota dealer or repair shop.
NOTICE
Do not continue driving if the engine
drive belt is broken or loose.
(e) Low Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light warns that the engine oil pres-
sure is too low.
If it flickers or stays on while you are
driving, pull off the road to a safe place
and stop the engine immediately. Call a
Toyota dealer or qualified repair shop for
assistance.
The light may occasionally flicker when
the engine is idling or it may come on
briefly after a hard stop. There is no
cause for concern if it then goes out when
the engine is accelerated slightly.The light may come on when the oil level
is extremely low. It is not designed to
indicate low oil level, and the oil level
must be checked using the level dipstick.
NOTICE
Do not drive the vehicle with the
warning light onÐeven for one block.
It may ruin the engine.
(f) Malfunction Indicator Lamp
This lamp comes on in the following
cases.
a. The fuel tank is completely empty. (See
Fuel gaugeº in Section 1- 5 for instruc-
tions.)
b. The fuel tank cap is not tightened se-
curely. (See Fuel tank capº in Section
1- 2 for instructions.)
c. There is a problem somewhere in your
engine or automatic transmission electrical
system.
If it comes on while you are driving in
case c, have your vehicle checked/re-
paired by your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible.(g) Low Fuel Level Warning Light
This light comes on when the fuel level
in the tank becomes nearly empty. Fill up
the tank as soon as possible.
On inclines or curves, due to the move-
ment of fuel in the tank, the low fuel level
warning light may come on earlier than
usual.
(h) ABSº Warning Light
The light comes on with the ignition key
turned to ONº. If the anti- lock brake sys-
tem works properly, the light goes out
after a few seconds. Thereafter, if the
system malfunctions, the light comes on.
When the ABSº warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
anti- lock brake system does not operate,
but the brake system still operates con-
ventionally.
When the ABSº warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
anti- lock brake system does not operate
so that the wheels could lock up during
a sudden braking or braking on slippery
road surfaces.
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932000 4Runner (OM35762U)
If the following conditions occur, this
indicates a malfunction somewhere in
the parts monitored by the warning
light system. Contact your Toyota deal-
er as soon as possible to service the
vehicle.

The light does not come on with the
ignition key turned to ONº, or remains
on.

The light comes on while driving.
If the light lit during driving goes out and
does not come on again, it is a normal
operation.
However, it is a normal operation for the
light to be on with rear differential locked.
At this time, the anti- lock brake system
does not operate.
With rear differential lock: However, it is
a normal operation for the light to be on
with rear differential locked. At this time,
the anti- lock brake system does not oper-
ate.(i) Open Door Warning Light
This light remains on until all the doors
and back door are completely closed.
(j) SRS Warning Light
This light will come on when the igni-
tion key is turned to the ACCº or
ONº position. After about 6 seconds,
the light will go off. This means the
system of the airbag and front seat belt
pretensioner are operating properly.
The warning light system monitors the air-
bag sensor assembly, front airbag sen-
sors, seat belt pretensioner assemblies,
inflators, warning light, interconnecting wir-
ing 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 ACCº or
ONº position or remains on.

The light comes on or flashes while
driving.(k) Key Reminder Buzzer
This buzzer reminds you to remove the
key when you open the driver 's door with
the ignition key in the ACCº or LOCKº
position.
(l) Unengaged Parkº Warning
Light
( four- wheel drive vehicles
with automatic transmission)
This light warns that the transmission
Parkº mechanism is not engaged. If the
front drive control lever is in the Nº posi-
tion while the selector lever is in the Pº
position, the transmission will disengage
and the wheels will not lock.
CAUTION
To restore the park function, shift the
front drive control lever out of Nº,
or the vehicle can move.
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942000 4Runner (OM35762U)
(m) Automatic Transmission Fluid Tem-
perature 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 Pº. 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 (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 fluidº in Section 7- 3.)CHECKING SERVICE REMINDER
INDICATORS (except the low fuel level
warning light and low windshield wash-
er 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 ACCº.
The SRS warning light should come on.
It goes off after about 6 seconds.
5. Turn the ignition key to ONº, but do
not start the engine.
All the service reminder indicators ex-
cept the open door warning light and
SRS warning light should come on. The
ABSº warning light goes off after a
few seconds.
If any service reminder indicator or warn-
ing buzzer does not function as described
above, either the bulb is burned out or the
circuit is in need of repair. Have it
checked by your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible.
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952000 4Runner (OM35762U)
OPERATION OF INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLS
Ignition switch, Transmission and Parking brake
Ignition switch with steering lock96 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic transmission97 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Manual transmission107 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Four- wheel drive system109 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear differential look system11 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking brake11 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cruise control11 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Clutch start cancel switch11 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 1- 6
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962000 4Runner (OM35762U)
STARTºÐStarter motor on. The key
will return to the ONº position when
released.
For starting tips, see Section 3.
ONºÐEngine on and all accessories
on.
This is the normal driving position.
ACCºÐAccessories such as the radio
operate, but the engine is off.
If you leave the key in the ACCº or
LOCKº position and open the driver's
door, a buzzer will remind you to remove
the key.
LOCKºÐEngine is off and the steering
wheel is locked. The key can be re-
moved only at this position.Vehicles with manual transmissionÐ
You must push in the key to turn the key
from ACCº to the LOCKº position.
Vehicles with automatic transmissionÐ
You must shift the selector lever into the
Pº position before turning the key from
ACCº to the LOCKº position.
Vehicles with engine immobiliser systemÐ
Once you remove the key, the engine im-
mobiliser system is automatically set. (See
Engine immobiliser systemº in Section
1- 2.)
When starting the engine, the key may
seem stuck at the LOCKº 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.
CAUTION
For manual transmission:
Never remove the key when the ve-
hicle is moving, as this will lock the
steering wheel and result in loss of
steering control.
NOTICE
Do not leave the key in the ONº
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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972000 4Runner (OM35762U)
Your automatic transmission has a shift
lock system to minimize the possibility of
incorrect operation. This means you can
only shift out of Pº position when the
brake pedal is depressed (with the ignition
switch in ONº position and the lock re-
lease button depressed).
(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 (with overdrive on)
2:Stronger engine braking
L:Maximum engine braking
Automatic transmission

Two- wheel drive models
Selector lever
Overdrive switch
Driving pattern selector button Lock release button
To prevent misshifting
Shift while holding the lock
release button in
Shift normally With the brake pedal depressed,
shift while holding the lock release
button in. (The ignition switch must
be in ONº position.)
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982000 4Runner (OM35762U)
(b) Overdrive switch
You can select either a third gear (with
overdrive off) or fourth gear (with over-
drive on) by pushing this switch.
To turn the overdrive off, push the switch.
The O/D OFFº indicator light should come
on. To turn the overdrive on again, push
the switch again. The O/D OFFº indicator
light should go off.
Always drive your vehicle with the over-
drive on for better fuel economy and
quieter driving.
If the engine is turned off when the over-
drive is off and restarted, the overdrive
will be on automatically.Vehicles with cruise controlÐWhen the
cruise control is being used, even if you
downshift the transmission by pushing and
releasing the overdrive switch, engine
braking will not be applied because the
cruise control is not cancelled.
For ways to decrease the vehicle speed,
see Cruise controlº in this section.
(c) Normal driving
1. Start the engine as instructed in How
to start the engineº in Section 3. The
transmission must be in Pº or Nº.
2. With your foot holding down the brake
pedal, shift the selector lever to Dº.
When the lever is in the Dº 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 turn the overdrive on for better
fuel economy and quieter driving. If the
engine coolant temperature is low, the
transmission will not shift into the over-
drive gear even with the overdrive on.
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.
(d) Using engine braking
To use engine braking, you can downshift
the transmission as follows:
Push the overdrive switch. The O/D
OFFº indicator light will come on and
the transmission will downshift to the
third gear.
Shift into the 2º position. The trans-
mission will downshift to the second
gear when the vehicle speed drops
down to or lower than the following
speed, and stronger engine braking will
be enabled.
3RZ- FE engine
112 km/h (69 mph)
5VZ- FE engine
119 km/h (73 mph)
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992000 4Runner (OM35762U)
Shift into the Lº 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 en-
abled.
3RZ- FE engine
54 km/h (33 mph)
5VZ- FE engine
58 km/h (36 mph)
Vehicles with cruise controlÐWhen the
cruise control is being used, even if you
downshift the transmission by pushing and
releasing the overdrive switch, engine
braking is not applied because the cruise
control is not cancelled.
For ways to decrease the vehicle speed,
see Cruise controlº in this section.
CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a
slippery surface. Abrupt shifting
could cause the vehicle to spin or
skid.
(e) Using 2º and Lº positions
The 2º and Lº positions are used for
strong engine braking as described pre-
viously.
With the selector lever in 2º or Lº, you
can start the vehicle in motion as with the
lever in Dº.
With the selector lever in 2º, the vehicle
will start in the first gear and automatical-
ly shift to second gear.
With the selector lever in Lº, 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:
2º 120 km/h (74 mph). . . . . . . . . . . .
Lº 65 km/h (40 mph). . . . . . . . . . . .

Do not continue hill climbing or
hard towing for a long time in the
2º or Lº position. This may cause
severe automatic transmission dam-
age from overheating. To prevent
such damage, Dº position should
be used in hill climbing or hard
towing.
(f) 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
Rº position.
NOTICE
Never shift into reverse while the ve-
hicle is moving.
(g) 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 Pº posi-
tion.
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1012000 4Runner (OM35762U)
(j) Driving in PWRº (Power) mode
In the PWRº mode, the transmission is
shifted up and down at a higher vehicle
speed than in the NORMº (Normal) mode
and a more powerful acceleration is
achieved. To set the PWRº mode, push
in the driving pattern selector button. The
PWRº mode indicator light comes on.
For ordinary driving, Toyota recommends
using the NORMº mode to improve fuel
economy.(k) If you cannot shift the selector le-
ver out of Pº position
If you cannot shift the selector lever from
the Pº position even though the brake
pedal is depressed, use the shift lock
override button. For instructions, see If
you cannot shift automatic transmission
selector leverº in Section 4.
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1022000 4Runner (OM35762U)
Your automatic transmission has a shift
lock system to minimize the possibility of
incorrect operation. This means you can
only shift out of Pº position when the
brake pedal is depressed (with the ignition
switch in ONº position and the lock re-
lease button depressed).
(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 (with overdrive on)
2:Stronger engine braking
L:Maximum engine braking
Automatic transmission

Four- wheel drive control
Selector lever
Lock release button
To prevent misshifting
Shift while holding the lock
release button in
Shift normally With the brake pedal depressed,
shift while holding the lock release
button in. (The ignition switch must
be in ONº position.)
Overdrive switch
Driving pattern selector button
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