weight TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2009 N280 / 5.G User Guide

217
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
■
GCWR
For weight carrying hitch
4.0 L V6 (1GR-FE) engine — 9600 lb. (4354 kg)
4.7 L V8 (2UZ-FE) engine — 9750 lb. (4422 kg)
For weight distributing hitch
(4.7 L V8 [2UZ-FE] engine only)
12000 lb. (5443 kg)
● The gross combination weight must never exceed the GCWR
above.
●The gross vehicle weight must
never exceed the GVWR indi-
cated the Certification Label.
● The gross axle weight on each
axle must never exceed the
GAWR indicated the Certifica-
tion Label.

218 2-5. Driving information
Towing related term
Towing related termMeaning
GVWR (Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating)
The maximum allowable gross vehicle weight. The
gross vehicle weight is the total weight of the
vehicle. When towing a trailer, it is the sum of the
vehicle weight (including the occupants, cargo and
any optional equipment installed on the vehicle) and
the tongue load.
GAWR (Gross Axle
Weight Rating)The maximum allowable gross axle weight. The
gross axle weight is the load placed on each axle
(front and rear).
GCWR (Gross
Combination Weight
Rating)
The maximum allowable gross combination weight.
The gross combination weight is the sum of the total
vehicle weight (including the occupants, cargo and
any optional equipment installed on the vehicle) and
the weight of the trailer being towed (including the
cargo in the trailer).
Gross trailer weightThe sum of the trailer weight and the weight of the
cargo in the trailer.
Towing capacity
The maximum allowable gross trailer weight. Towing
capacity is calculated considering base vehicle with
necessary vehicle equipment and 150 pound driver.
Additional optional equipment, passengers and
cargo in the vehicle will reduce the towing capacity,
gross trailer weight includes the trailer, cargo and
necessary equipment for towing.
Tongue loadThe load placed on the trailer hitch ball.

219
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Trailer tongue load
● A recommended tongue load varies in accordance with the types
of trailers or towing as described below.
● In order to ensure the recommended values shown below, the
trailer must be loaded by referring to the following instructions.
The trailer cargo load should be di stributed so that the tongue load
is 10% of the gross trailer weight, not exceeding the following.
(Tongue load /Gross trailer weight x 100 = 10%)
If the gross trailer weight is over 2000 lbs. (907 kg), it is necessary
to use a sway control device with sufficient capacity.
If the gross trailer weight is over 5000 lbs. (2268 kg), it is neces-
sary to use a weight distributing hitch with sufficient capacity.
If using a weight distributing hitch when towing, keep your vehicle
level with the ground.
The gross trailer weight and tongue l oad can be measured with plat-
form scales found at a highway weighing station, building supply
company, trucking company, junk yard, etc.
Gross trailer weight
Tongue load
Hitch
Trailer hitch assemblies have different weight capacities established
by the hitch manufacturer. Even th ough the vehicle may be rated for
towing a higher weight, the operat or must never exceed the maxi-
mum weight rating specified for the trailer hitch.

220 2-5. Driving information
Selecting trailer ballUse the correct trailer ball for your application. Trailer ball load rating
Matches or exceeds the gross
trailer weight rating of the trailer.
Ball diameter
Matches the size of the trailer
coupler. Most couplers are
stamped with the required trailer
ball size.
Shank length
Protrudes beyond the bottom of
the lock washer and nut at least 2
threads.
Shank diameter
Matches the ball mount hole
diameter size.
Trailer
classTypical trailer ball
size
IV2 5/16 in.
II and III2 in.
I1 7/8 in.

225
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
■
When connecting and disconnecting a trailer
Set the electronically modulated air suspension system to LO mode and
push the HEIGHT CONTROL OFF switch to turn off the rear height control
air suspension. (if equipped)
■ Break-in schedule
If your vehicle is new or equipped with any new power train components
(such as an engine, transmission, differential and wheel bearing), Toyota
recommends that you do not tow a trailer until it has been driven for over 500
miles (800 km).
However, avoid full throttle acceleration.
■ Maintenance
●If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent maintenance
due to the additional load. (See “Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or
“Owner’s Manual Supplement”.)
● Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approxi-
mately 600 miles (1000 km).
CAUTION
■Trailer towing precautions
●Follow all the instructions described in this section. Failure to do so could
cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
● Exceeding the towing capacity, GVWR, GCWR or GAWR can cause an
accident resulting in death or serious injuries.
■ To avoid accident or injury
●Do not exceed the trailer hitch assembly weight, gross vehicle weight,
gross axle weight and trailer tongue load capacities.
● Do not exceed 45 mph (72 km/h) or the posted towing speed limit, which-
ever is lower. As instability (swaying) of the towing vehicle-trailer combina-
tion increases as speed increases, exceeding 45 mph (72 km/h) may
cause loss of control.
● Do not use cruise control when you are towing.
● Slow down and downshift before descending steep or long downhill
grades. Do not make sudden downshifts.

226 2-5. Driving information
CAUTION
■To avoid accident or injury
●Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or applying the brakes too
frequently. This could cause the brakes to overheat and result in reduced
braking efficiency.
■ Hitches
●If you wish to install a trailer hitch, contact your Toyota dealer.
● Use only a hitch that conforms to the gross trailer weight requirement.
● Follow the directions supplied by the hitch manufacturer.
● Lubricate the hitch ball with a light coat of grease.
● Remove the trailer hitch whenever you are not towing a trailer. After
removing the hitch, seal any mounting hole in the vehicle body to prevent
entry of any substances into the vehicle.
■ When towing a trailer
●If the gross trailer weight exceeds 1000 lb. (453 kg), trailer brakes are
required. Toyota recommends trailers with brakes that conform to all appli-
cable federal and state/provincial regulations.
● Never tap into your vehicle’s hydraulic system, as this will lower the vehi-
cle’s braking effectiveness.
● Never tow a trailer without using a safety chain securely attached to both
the trailer and the vehicle. If damage occurs to the coupling unit or hitch
ball, there is danger of the trailer wandering into another lane.

313
3-5. Using the
storage features
3
Interior features
Tissue pocket
Pull up the console box lid while
pushing the lock release button.
CAUTION
■Caution while driving
Keep the console box closed.
Injuries may result in the event of an accident or sudden braking.
NOTICE
■Console box table weight capacity
Do not place any object heavier than 2.2 lb. (1 kg) on console box table.
Console box and tissue pocket

335
3-6. Other interior features
3
Interior features
CAUTION
■
Burns
●Use caution when seating the following persons in a seat with the seat
heater on to avoid the possibility of burns:
• Babies, small children, the elderly, the sick and the disabled
• Persons with sensitive skin
• Persons who are fatigued
• Persons who have taken alcohol or drugs that induce sleep (sleeping
drugs, cold remedies, etc.)
● Do not cover the seat with anything when using the seat heater.
Using the seat heater with a blanket or cushion increases the temperature
of the seat and may lead to overheating.
NOTICE
■To prevent seat heater damage
Do not put unevenly weighted objects on the seat and do not stick sharp
objects (needles, nails, etc.) into the seat.
■ To prevent battery discharge
Turn the switches off when the engine is not running.

344 3-6. Other interior features
Removing luggage cover (if equipped)Retract the cover and release
both ends, then lift it out.
After removing the luggage cover,
place it somewhere other than the
passenger compartment.
CAUTION
■When the tie-down hooks are not in use
To avoid injury, always return the tie-down hooks to their retracted positions
when they are not in use.
■ Caution while driving
Keep the double deck locked. Injuries may result in the event of an accident
or sudden braking.
NOTICE
■Shopping bag hooks weight capacity
Do not hang any object heavier than 2.2 lb. (1 kg) on shopping bag hoo\
ks.
■ Double deck weight capacity
Do not place any object heavier than 66 lb. (30 kg) on double deck.
CAUTION
■Caution while driving
Do not place anything on the luggage cover. Such items may be thrown
about and possibly injure people in the vehicle during sudden braking or an
accident.

391
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
■If the tread wears down below 0.16 in. (4 mm) on snow tires
The effectiveness of snow tires is lost.
■Maximum load of tire
Check that the maximum load of the re
placed tire is greater than 1/2 of
the Gross Axle Weight Ratings (GAWR) of either the front axle or the
rear axle, whichever is greater.
As for the maximum load of the tire, see the load limit at maximum cold
tire inflation pressure mentioned on the sidewall of the tire, and as for the
Gross Axle Weight Ratings (GAWR) , see the Certification Label.
(  P. 395, 471, 484).
■Tire types
1 Summer tires
Summer tires are high-speed performance tires best suited to highway
driving under dry conditions. Since summer tires do not have the same
traction performance as snow tire s, summer tires are inadequate for
driving on snow-covered or icy roads. For driving on snow-covered
roads or icy roads, the use of snow tires is recommended. When
installing snow tires, be sure to replace all four tires.
2 All season tires
All season tires are designed to provide better traction in snow and to
be adequate for driving in most winter conditions, as well as for use
year round. All season tires, however, do not have adequate traction
performance compared with snow tires in heavy or loose snow. Also,
all season tires fall short in acceleration and handling performance
compared with summer tires in highway driving.
3Snow tires For driving on snow-covered roads or icy roads, we recommend using
snow tires. If you need snow tires, select tires of the same size, con-
struction and load capacity as the or iginally installed tires. Since your
vehicle has radial tires as original equipment, make sure your snow
tires also have radial construction. Do not install studded tires without
first checking local regulations for possible restriction. Snow tires
should be installed on all wheels. ( P. 213)