check engine light TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2012 N280 / 5.G Owners Manual

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4-1. Maintenance and careCleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior............ 502
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior............. 505
4-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements ..................... 508
General maintenance.......... 511
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs........................... 515
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance Do-it-yourself service precautions ....................... 516
Hood ................................... 519
Engine compartment ........... 520
Tires .................................... 537
Tire inflation pressure ......... 543
Wheels ................................ 547
Air conditioning filter............ 550
Wireless remote control/ electronic key battery ........ 552
Checking and replacing fuses ................................. 555
Light bulbs........................... 565 5-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers............ 578
If your vehicle needs to be towed........................... 579
If you think something is wrong ............................... 585
Fuel pump shut off system .............................. 586
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds.............................. 587
If you have a flat tire ........... 603
If the engine will not start.... 616
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P .............. 618
If you lose your keys........... 619
If you cannot operate back door opener ............. 620
If the electronic key does not operate properly ......... 621
If the vehicle battery is discharged........................ 623
If your vehicle overheats .... 627
If the vehicle becomes stuck ................................. 630
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an
emergency ....................... 631
4Maintenance and care5When trouble arises

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1-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors
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Before driving
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If the electronic key is inside the vehicle and a door handle becomes wet
during a car wash, a buzzer will sound outside the vehicle. To turn off the
alarm, lock all the doors.
● The lock sensor may not work properly if it comes into contact with ice,
snow, mud, etc. Clean the lock sensor and attempt to operate it again, or
use the lock sensor on the lower part of the door handle.
● Fingernails may scrape against the door during operation of the door
handle. Be careful not to injure fingernails or damage the surface of the
door.
■ Notes for the unlocking function
● Gripping the door handle when wearing a glove may not unlock the door.
● A sudden approach to the effective range or door handle may prevent the
doors from being unlocked. In this case, return the door handle to the
original position and check that the doors unlock before pulling the door
handle again.
● If there is another electronic key in the detection area, it may take slightly
longer to unlock the doors after the door handle is gripped.
■ When the vehicle is not dr iven for extended periods
To prevent theft of the vehicle, do not leave the electronic key within 6 ft. (2
m) of the vehicle.
■ To operate the system properly
Make sure to carry the electronic key when operating the system. Do not get
the electronic key too close to the vehicle when operating the system from
the outside of the vehicle.
Depending on the position and holding condition of the electronic key, the
key may not be detected correctly and the system may not operate properly.
(The alarm may go off accidentally, or the door lock prevention function may
not operate.)
■ If the smart key system does not operate properly
● Locking and unlocking the doors: Use the mechanical key. ( P. 621)
● Starting the engine: P. 622

162 2-1. Driving procedures
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■Operating your vehicle in a foreign country
Comply with the relevant vehicle registration laws and confirm the availability
of the correct fuel. ( P. 636)
CAUTION
■When starting the vehicle
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped with the engine run-
ning. This prevents the vehicle from creeping.
■ When driving the vehicle
● Do not drive if you are unfamiliar with the location of the brake and accel-
erator pedals to avoid depressing the wrong pedal.
• Accidentally depressing the accelerator pedal instead of the brake
pedal will result in sudden acceleration that may lead to an accident
that could result in death or serious injury.
• When backing up, you may twist your body around, leading to a diffi-
culty in operating the pedals. Make sure to operate the pedals properly.
• Make sure to keep a correct driving posture even when moving the vehicle only slightly. This allows you to depress the brake and acceler-
ator pedals properly.
• Depress the brake pedal using your right foot. Depressing the brake pedal using your left foot may delay response in an emergency, result-
ing in an accident.
● Do not drive the vehicle over or st op the vehicle near flammable materials.
The exhaust system and exhaust gases can be extremely hot. These hot
parts may cause a fire if there is any flammable material nearby.
● Do not let the vehicle roll backward while the shift lever is in a driving posi-
tion, or roll forward while the shift lever is in R.
Doing so may cause the engine to stall or lead to poor brake and steering
performance, resulting in an accident or damage to the vehicle.
● If the smell of exhaust is noticed inside the vehicle, open the windows and
check that the back door is closed. Large amounts of exhaust in the vehi-
cle can cause driver drowsiness and an accident, resulting in death or a
serious health hazard. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.

164 2-1. Driving procedures
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CAUTION
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
● Sudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippage and
reduce your ability to control the vehicle, resulting in an accident.
● Sudden changes in engine speed, such as engine braking caused by up-
shifting or down-shifting, may cause the vehicle to skid, resulting in an
accident.
● After driving through a puddle, lightly depress the brake pedal to make
sure that the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent
the brakes from functioning properly. If the brakes on only one side are wet
and not functioning properly, steering control may be affected, resulting in
an accident.
■ When shifting the shift lever
Be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pedal depressed.
Shifting the shift lever to a gear other than P or N may lead to unexpected
rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may cause an accident and result in
death or serious injury.
■ If you hear a squealing or scraping noise (brake pad wear limit indica-
tors)
Have the brake pads checked and replaced by your Toyota dealer as soon
as possible.
Rotor damage may result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
It is dangerous to drive the vehicle when the wear limits of the brake pads
and/or those of the brake discs are exceeded.

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2-1. Driving procedures
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When driving
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CAUTION
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When the vehicle is stopped
● Do not race the engine.
If the vehicle is in any gear other than P or N, the vehicle may accelerate
suddenly and unexpectedly, causing an accident.
● Do not leave the vehicle with the engine running for a long time.
If such a situation cannot be avoided, park the vehicle in an open space
and check that exhaust fumes do not enter the vehicle interior.
● In order to prevent accidents due to the vehicle rolling away, always keep
depressing the brake pedal while the engine is running, and apply the
parking brake as necessary.
● If the vehicle is stopped on an incline, in order to prevent accidents caused
by the vehicle rolling forward or ba ckward, always depress the brake pedal
and securely apply the parking brake as needed.
● Avoid revving or racing the engine.
Running the engine at high speed while the vehicle is stopped may cause
the exhaust system to overheat, which could result in a fire if combustible
material is nearby.
■ When the vehicle is parked
● Do not leave glasses, cigarette lighters, spray cans, or soft drink cans in
the vehicle when it is in the sun.
Doing so may result in the following:
• Gas may leak from a cigarette lighter or spray can, and may lead to a
fire.
• The temperature inside the vehicle may cause the plastic lenses and plastic material of glasses to deform or crack.
• Soft drink cans may fracture, causing the contents to spray over the interior of the vehicle, and may also cause a short circuit in the vehi-
cle's electrical components.
● Do not leave cigarette lighters in the vehicle. If a cigarette lighter is in a
place such as the glove box or on the floor, it may be lit accidentally when
luggage is loaded or the seat is adjusted, causing a fire.
● Do not attach adhesive discs to the windshield or windows. Do not place
containers such as air fresheners on the instrument panel or dashboard.
Adhesive discs or containers may act as lenses, causing a fire in the vehi-
cle.

166 2-1. Driving procedures
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CAUTION
●Do not leave a door or window open if the curved glass is coated with a
metallized film such as a silver-colored one. Reflected sunlight may cause
the glass to act as a lens, causing a fire.
● Always apply the parking brake, shift the shift lever to P, stop the engine
and lock the vehicle.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended while the engine is running.
● Do not touch the exhaust pipes while the engine is running or immediately
after turning the engine off.
Doing so may cause burns.
● 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 vehicle. This may lead
to death or a serious health hazard.
■ Exhaust gases
Exhaust gases include harmful carbon monoxide (CO), which is colorless
and odorless. Inhaling exhaust gases may lead to death or a serious health
hazard.
● If the vehicle is in a poorly ventilated area, stop the engine. In a closed
area, such as a garage, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle.
This may lead to death or a serious health hazard.
● The exhaust system 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.

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NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
● Do not leave the “ENGINE START STOP” switch in ACCESSORY or IGNI-
TION ON mode for long periods of time without the engine running.
● If the indicator on the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is illuminated, the
“ENGINE START STOP” switch is not off. When exiting the vehicle,
always check that the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is off.
● Do not stop the engine when the shift lever is in a position other than P. If
the engine is stopped in another shift lever position, the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch will not be turned off but instead be turned to ACCESSORY
mode. If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode, battery discharge may
occur.
■ When starting the engine
● Do not race a cold engine.
● If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have the engine
checked immediately.
■ Symptoms indicating a malfunction with the “ENGINE START STOP”
switch
If the “ENGINE START STOP” seems to be operating somewhat differently
than usual, such as the switch sticking slightly, there may be a malfunction.
Contact your Toyota dealer immediately.

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2-1. Driving procedures
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When driving
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Tur n signal lever
■Turn signals can be operated when
Vehicles without a smart key system: The engine switch is in the “ON” posi-
tion.
Vehicles with a smart key system: The “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in
IGNITION ON mode.
■ If the indicator flashes faster than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or rear turn signal lights has not burned
out.
The turn signal lever can be used to show the following intentions
of the driver:
Right turn
Left turn
Lane change to the right
(push and hold the lever
partway)
The right hand signals will
flash until you release the
lever.
Lane change to the left
(push and hold the lever
partway)
The left hand signals will flash
until you release the lever.
CTH21AS028

192 2-2. Instrument cluster
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■The meters and display illuminate when (Optitron type meter)
Vehicles without a smart key system:
The engine switch is in the “ON” position.
Vehicles with a smart key system:
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
■ Eco Driving Indicator Light will not operate in the following conditions
● The shift lever is anything other than D.
● The vehicle speed is approximately 80 mph (130 km/h) or higher.
■ When the average fuel consumption is reset
The average fuel consumption displayed on the accessory meter and “Past
Record” screen of the Display Audio system (if equipped) or the navigation
system (if equipped) will be reset at the same time.
■ The brightness of the instrument panel lights (Optitron type meter)
When the headlight switch is turned to on, the brightness will be reduced
slightly unless the control dial is turned fully upward.
NOTICE
■ To prevent damage to the engine and its components
● Do not let the indicator needle of the tachometer enter the red zone, which
indicates the maximum engine speed.
● The engine may be overheating if the engine coolant temperature gauge is
in the red zone (H). In this case, immediately stop the vehicle in a safe
place, and check the engine after it has cooled completely. ( P. 627)
■ While driving (Optitron type meter)
When the voltmeter indicates more than 19 V or less than 9 V, the battery
may be malfunctioning. Have your vehicle checked at your Toyota dealer.

196 2-2. Instrument cluster
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*1: These lights turn on when the “ENGINE START STOP” switch isturned to IGNITION ON mode (vehicles with a smart key system) or
the engine switch is turned to the “ON” position (vehicles without a
smart key system) to indicate that a system check is being per-
formed. They will turn off after the engine is started, or after a few
seconds. There may be a malfunction in a system if a light does not
come on, or if the lights do not turn off. Have the vehicle inspected
by your Toyota dealer.
*2: The light flashes to indicate that the system is operating.
(if equipped)
Crawl Control indicator
(P. 254) Security indicator
(P. 11 3 , 11 6 )
Eco Driving Indicator
Light ( P. 189)
(if equipped)
Intuitive parking assist
indicator ( P. 221)
SRS airbag on-off indi-
cator (P. 136)
(if equipped)
Automatic running
boards indicator
(P. 59)
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