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

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

291
AUTO" button
For automatic operation of the air condi-
tioning, push the AUTO" button. An indi-
cator light will illuminate to show that the
automatic operation mode has been se-
lected.
In the automatic operation mode, the air
conditioning selects the most suitable fan
speed, air flow, air intake and on−off of
the air conditioning according to the tem-
perature.
When you push the AUTO" button with
the air intake mode at FRESH, internal
circulation may be applied for maximum
cooling.
You may use manual controls if you want
to select your own settings.
Fan speed selector
Select the mode button you desire to ad-
just the fan speed and push it. An indica-
tor light will illuminate to show which fan
speed mode is being selected.
In automatic operation, you do not have
to adjust the fan speed unless you desire
another fan speed mode.Temperature selector
To increase the temperature, push the
UP" side, to decrease it, push the
DOWN" side.
LO" appears when you adjust to maxi-
mum cooling, and HI" appears when you
adjust to maximum warming.
OFF" button
Push the OFF" button to turn off the air
conditioning system.
CY18014
Air flow selector
Push one of the buttons to select the
vents used for air flow. An indicator light
will illuminate to show which air flow
mode is being selected.
In automatic operation, you do not have
to select the air flow unless you desire
another air flow mode.
1. Panel Air flows from the instrument
panel vents and rear vents.
2. Bi−level Air flows from both the floor
vents, the instrument panel vents and
rear vents.
3. Floor Air flows mainly from the floor
vents.

294
AUTO" button
For automatic operation of the air condi-
tioning, push the AUTO" button. An indi-
cator light will illuminate to show that the
automatic operation mode has been se-
lected.
In the automatic operation mode, the air
conditioning selects the most suitable fan
speed, air flow, air intake and on−off of
the air conditioning according to the tem-
perature.
When you push the AUTO" button with
the air intake mode at FRESH, internal
circulation may be applied for maximum
cooling.
You may use manual controls if you want
to select your own settings.
Fan speed selector
Select the mode button you desire to ad-
just the fan speed and push it. An indica-
tor light will illuminate to show which fan
speed mode is being selected.
In automatic operation, you do not have
to adjust the fan speed unless you desire
another fan speed mode.Temperature selector
To increase the temperature, push the 
"
side, to decrease it, push the  " side.
LO" appears when you adjust to maxi-
mum cooling, and HI" appears when you
adjust to maximum warming.
DUAL" button
This button is used to set the tempera-
tures independently for the driver ’s seat
and front passenger seat.
Pushing the button changes the mode
from independent and linked.
Independent mode: Temperatures can be
set independently for the driver ’s seat and
front passenger ’s seat. An indicator light
will illuminated to show that the indepen-
dent mode has been selected.
Linked mode: The same temperature is
set for the driver’s seat and front passen-
ger ’s seat.
When the temperature for the front pas-
senger ’s seat is changed in linked mode,
the mode is changed automatically to in-
dependent mode.
OFF" button
Push the OFF" button to turn off the air
conditioning system.
CY18014
Air flow selector
Push one of the buttons to select the
vents used for air flow. An indicator light
will illuminate to show which air flow
mode is being selected.
In automatic operation, you do not have
to select the air flow unless you desire
another air flow mode.
1. Panel Air flows from the instrument
panel vents and rear vents.
2. Bi−level Air flows from both the floor
vents, the instrument panel vents and
rear vents.
3. Floor Air flows mainly from the floor
vents.

297

If following another vehicle on a dusty
road, or driving in windy and dusty
conditions, it is recommended that the
air intake selector be temporarily set to
RECIRCULATE, which will close off the
outside passage and prevent outside
air and dust from entering the vehicle
interior.
Heating
For best results, set controls as follows:
For automatic operation
Press in the AUTO" button.
Temperature To the desired
temperature
Air intakeFRESH (outside air)
Air conditioningOFF
For manual operation
Fan speed To the desired fan speed
Temperature To w a r d s WARM
Air intakeFRESH (outside air)
Air flowFLOOR
Air conditioningOFF
For quick heating, select recirculated
air for a few minutes. To keep the
windows from fogging, select fresh af-
ter the vehicle interior has been war-
med.
Press the A/C" button on for dehumidi-
fied heating.
Choose floor/windshield air flow to heat
the vehicle interior while defrosting or
defogging the windshield. Air conditioning
For best results, set controls as follows:
For automatic operation
Press in the AUTO" button.
Temperature To the desired
temperature
Air intakeFRESH (outside air)
Air conditioningON
For manual operation
Fan speed To the desired fan speed
Temperature To w a r d s COLD
Air intakeFRESH (outside air)
Air flowPANEL
Air conditioningON
For quick cooling, select recirculated
air for a few minutes.

298
Ventilation
For best results, set controls as follows:
For automatic operationPress in the AUTO" button.
Temperature Towards low temperature
Air intakeFRESH (outside air)
Air conditioningOFF
For manual operation
Fan speed To the desired fan speed
Temperature To w a r d s COLD
Air intakeFRESH (outside air)
Air flowPANEL
Air conditioningOFF
Defogging and defrosting
The inside of the windshield
For best results, set controls as follows:
For automatic operation
Temperature To w a r d s high temperature
to heat; low temperature
to cool
Air intakeFRESH (outside air)
Air flowWINDSHIELD
For manual operation
Fan speed To the desired fan speed
Temperature To w a r d s high temperature
to heat; low temperature
to cool
Air intakeFRESH (outside air)
Air flowWINDSHIELD
Pressing the windshield air flow button
turns on the defogging function with the
purpose of clearing the front view.
When pressing the windshield air flow but-
ton, the air intake selects FRESH auto-
matically. This is to clean up the front
view more quickly.
It is not possible to return to RECIRCU-
LATE in this mode. Press the A/C" button for dehumidified
heating or cooling. This setting clears the
front view more quickly.
On humid days, do not blow cold air
on the windshieldthe difference be-
tween the outside and inside tempera-
tures could make the fogging worse.
The outside of the windshield
For best results, set controls as follows:
For automatic operation
Temperature Towards high temperature
Air intakeFRESH (outside air)
Air flowWINDSHIELD
For manual operation
Fan speed To the desired fan speed
Temperature Towards high temperature
Air intakeFRESH (outside air)
Air flowWINDSHIELD

299
Pressing the windshield air flow button
turns on the defogging function with the
purpose of clearing the front view.
When pressing the windshield air flow but-
ton, the air intake selects FRESH auto-
matically. This is to clean up the front
view more quickly.
It is not possible to return to RECIRCU-
LATE in this mode.
Press the A/C" button for dehumidified
heating or cooling. This setting clears the
front view more quickly.
To heat the vehicle interior while de-
frosting the windshield, choose
floor/windshield air flow.
CY18006
Center vents
CY18005
Side vents
CY18017
Rear vents
If air flow control is not satisfactory, check
the instrument panel and rear vents. The
instrument panel and rear vents may be
opened or closed as shown.
Instrument panel and rear
vents

343
CAUTION
Exhaust gases include harmful car-
bon monoxide (CO) that is colorless
and odorless. Inhaling exhaust
gases may lead to death or a seri-
ous health hazard.
The exhaust should be checked
occasionally. If there is a hole or
crack caused by corrosion, damage
to a joint or abnormal exhaust
noise, be sure to have the vehicle
inspected and repaired by your
Toyota dealer. Failure to do so may
allow exhaust gases to enter the
vehicle, resulting in death or a
serious health hazard.
If the vehicle is in a poorly venti-
lated area, turn the engine off. In a
closed area, such as a garage, ex-
haust gases may collect and enter
the vehicle. This may lead to death
or a serious health hazard.
Do not remain for a long time in a
parked vehicle with the engine run-
ning. If it is unavoidable, however,
do so only in an unconfined area
and adjust the heating or cooling
system to force outside air into the
vehicle.
Keep the back door and back win-
dow closed while driving. An open
or unsealed back door and back
window, may cause exhaust gases
to be drawn into the vehicle.
To allow proper operation of your
vehicle’s ventilation system, keep
the inlet grilles in front of the wind-
shield clear of snow, leaves, or oth-
er obstructions.
If the smell of exhaust is noticed
inside the vehicle, open the win-
dows. Large amounts of exhaust in
the vehicle can cause driver drowsi-
ness and an accident, resulting in
death or a serious health hazard.
Have the vehicle inspected by your
Toyota dealer immediately.
Do not leave the engine running in
an area with snow build−up, or
where it is snowing. If snowbanks
build up around the vehicle while
the engine is running, exhaust
gases may collect and enter the ve-
hicle. This may lead to death or a
serious health hazard.
When taking a nap in the vehicle,
always turn the engine off. Other-
wise, you may accidentally move
the shift lever or depress the accel-
erator pedal, which could cause an
accident or fire due to engine over-
heating. Additionally, if the vehicle
is parked in a poorly ventilated
area, exhaust gases may collect and
enter the vehicle, leading to death
or a serious health hazard.
Engine exhaust cautions

344
FUNCTIONS OF ENGINE OIL
Engine oil has the primary functions of
lubricating and cooling the inside of the
engine, and plays a major role in main-
taining the engine in proper working order.
ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION
It is normal that an engine should con-
sume some engine oil during normal
engine operation. The causes of oil
consumption in a normal engine are as
follows.
Oil is used to lubricate pistons, piston
rings and cylinders. A thin film of oil
is left on the cylinder wall when a pis-
ton moves downwards in the cylinder.
High negative pressure generated when
the vehicle is decelerating sucks some
of this oil into the combustion chamber.
This oil as well as some part of the oil
film left on the cylinder wall is burned
by the high temperature combustion
gases during the combustion process.
Oil is also used to lubricate the stems
of the intake valves. Some of this oil
is sucked into the combustion chamber
together with the intake air and is
burned along with the fuel. High tem-
perature exhaust gases also burn the
oil used to lubricate the exhaust valve
stems.The amount of engine oil consumed de-
pends on the viscosity of the oil, the
quality of the oil and the conditions the
vehicle is driven under.
More oil is consumed by high−speed driv-
ing and frequent acceleration and decel-
eration.
A new engine consumes more oil, since
its pistons, piston rings and cylinder walls
have not become conditioned.
Oil consumption:
Max. 1.0 L per 1000
km (1.1 qt./600 miles, 0.9 Imp. qt./600
miles)
When judging the amount of oil con-
sumption, note that the oil may become
diluted and make it difficult to judge
the true level accurately.
As an example, if a vehicle is used for
repeated short trips, and consumes a nor-
mal amount of oil, the dipstick may not
show any drop in the oil level at all, even
after 1000 km (600 miles) or more. This
is because the oil is gradually becoming
diluted with fuel or moisture, making it
appear that the oil level has not changed.
The diluting ingredients evaporate out
when the vehicle is then driven at high
speeds, as on an expressway, making it
appear that oil is excessively consumed
after driving at high speeds. IMPORTANCE OF ENGINE OIL LEVEL
CHECK
One of the most important points in prop-
er vehicle maintenance is to keep the en-
gine oil at the optimum level so that oil
function will not be impaired. Therefore, it
is essential that the oil level be checked
regularly. Toyota recommends that the oil
level be checked every time you refuel
the vehicle.
NOTICE
Failure to check the oil level regularly
could lead to serious engine trouble
due to insufficient oil.
For detailed information on oil level check,
see Checking the engine oil level" on
page 436 in Section 7−2.
Facts about engine oil
consumption

438
To ensure excellent lubrication perfor-
mance for your engine, Toyota Genuine
Motor Oil" is available, which has been
specifically tested and approved for all
Toyota engines.
Please contact your Toyota dealer for fur-
ther details about Toyota Genuine Motor
Oil".Look at the see−through coolant reser-
voir when the engine is cold. The cool-
ant level is satisfactory if it is between
the F" and L" lines on the reservoir.
If the level is low, add the coolant. (For
the coolant type, see Coolant type
selection" described below.)
The coolant level in the reservoir will vary
with engine temperature. However, if the
level is on or below the L" line, add
coolant. Bring the level up to the F" line.
If the coolant level drops within a short
time after replenishing, there may be a
leak in the system. Visually check the
radiator, hoses, radiator cap and drain
cock and water pump.
If you can find no leak, have your Toyota
dealer test the cap pressure and check
for leaks in the cooling system.
CAUTION
To prevent burning yourself, do not
remove the radiator cap when the en-
gine is hot.
Coolant type selection
Use of improper coolants may damage
your engine cooling system.
Only use Toyota Super Long Life Coolant"
or similar high quality ethylene glycol
based non−silicate, non−amine, non−nitrite,
and non−borate coolant with long−life
hybrid organic acid technology. (Coolant
with long−life hybrid organic acid
technology is a combination of low
phosphates and organic acids.)
For the U.S.A.Toyota Super Long Life
Coolant" is a mixture of 50% coolant and
50% deionized water. This coolant pro-
vides protection down to about −35
C
(−31 F).
For CanadaToyota Super Long Life
Coolant" is a mixture of 55% coolant and
45% deionized water. This coolant pro-
vides protection down to about −42 C
(−44 F).
NOTICE
Do not use plain water alone.
Checking the engine coolant
level

439
Toyota recommends Toyota Super Long
Life Coolant", which has been tested to
ensure that it will not cause corrosion nor
result in malfunction of your engine
coolant system with proper usage. Toyota
Super Long Life Coolant" is formulated
with long−life hybrid organic acid
technology and has been specifically
designed to avoid engine cooling system
malfunction on Toyota vehicles.
Please contact your Toyota dealer for
further details.If any of the above parts are extremely
dirty or you are not sure of their condi-
tion, take your vehicle to a Toyota dealer.
CAUTION
To prevent burning yourself, be care-
ful not to touch the radiator or con-
denser when the engine is hot.
NOTICE
To prevent damage to the radiator
and condenser, do not perform the
work by yourself.
CY72025
To check the fluid level, simply look at
the see−through reservoir. The level
should be between the MAX" and
MIN" lines on the reservoir.
It is normal for the brake fluid level to go
down slightly as the brake pads wear or
when the fluid level in the accumulator is
high.
If the reservoir needs frequent ref
illing, it
may indicate a serious mechanical prob-
lem.
If the level is low, add SAE J1703 or
FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 brake fluid to the
brake reservoir.
Checking the radiator and
condenser Checking brake fluid