engine overheat 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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2-1. Driving procedures
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When driving
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CAUTION
●
Do not shift the shift lever to P while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle\
control.
● Do not shift the shift lever to R while the vehicle is moving forward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle\
control.
● Do not shift the shift lever to D while the vehicle is moving backward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle\
control.
● Moving the shift lever to N while the vehicle is moving will disengage the
engine from the transmission. Engine braking is not available when N is
selected.
● During normal driving, do not turn off the engine. Turning the engine off
while driving will not cause loss of steering or braking control, but the
power assist to these systems will be lost. This will make it more difficult to
steer and brake, so you should pull over and stop the vehicle as soon as it
is safe to do so.
However, in the event of an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible
to stop the vehicle in the normal way: P. 631
● Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving
down a steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose
effectiveness. ( P. 180)
● Do not adjust the positions of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or
outside rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control that can cause accidents,
resulting in death or serious injury.
● Always check that all passengers’ arms, heads or other parts of their body
are not outside the vehicle, as this may result in death or serious injury.
● Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit per-
mits it, do not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicle has high-
speed capability tires. Driving over 85 mph (140 km/h) may result in tire
failure, loss of control and possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer
to determine whether the tires on your vehicle are high-speed capability
tires or not before driving at such speeds.

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2-1. Driving procedures
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When driving
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CAUTION
■
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.

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2-1. Driving procedures
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When driving
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CAUTION
■
When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the engine off. Otherwise, if you accidentally move the shift lever
or depress the accelerator pedal, this could cause an accident or fire due to
engine overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked in a poorly venti-
lated area, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle, leading to
death or a serious health hazard.
■ When braking
● When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously.
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and this may cause
one side of the vehicle to brake differently than the other side. Also, the
parking brake may not securely hold the vehicle.
● If the power brake assist function does not operate, do not follow other
vehicles closely and avoid hills or sharp turns that require braking.
In this case, braking is still possible, but the brake pedal should be
depressed more firmly than usual. Also, the braking distance will increase.
● Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls.
Each push on the brake pedal uses up the reserve for the power-assisted
brakes.
● The brake system consists of 2 individual hydraulic systems; if one of the
systems fails, the other will still operate. In this case, the brake pedal
should be depressed more firmly than usual and the braking distance will
increase.
If this happens, do not continue to drive the vehicle. Have your brakes
fixed immediately.

172 2-1. Driving procedures
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CAUTION
■When starting the engine
Always start the engine while sitting in the driver's seat. Do not depress the
accelerator pedal while starting the engine under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■ Caution when driving
Do not turn the engine switch to the “LOCK” position while driving. If, in an
emergency, you must turn the engine off while the vehicle is moving, turn the
engine switch only to the “ACC” position to stop the engine. An accident may
result if the engine is stopped while driving.
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the engine switch in the “ACC” or “ON” position for long periods
of time without the engine running.
■ When starting the engine
● Do not crank the engine for more than 30 seconds at a time. This may
overheat the starter and wiring systems.
● Do not race a cold engine.
● If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have the engine
checked immediately.

176 2-1. Driving procedures
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■If the engine does not start
The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( P. 113)
■ Steering lock
After turning the “ENGINE START STOP” switch off and opening and closing
the doors, the steering wheel will be locked due to the steering lock function.
Operating the “ENGINE START STOP” switch again automatically cancels
the steering lock.
■ When the steering lock cannot be released
■ Steering lock motor overheating prevention
To prevent the steering lock motor from overheating, the motor may be sus-
pended if the engine is turned on and off repeatedly in a short period of time.
In this case, refrain from operating the engine. After about 10 seconds, the
steering lock motor will resume functioning.
■ When the “ENGINE START STOP” switch indicator flashes in amber
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your
Toyota dealer immediately.
■ If the electronic key battery is depleted
 P. 552
The green indicator light on the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch will flash. Press the
“ENGINE START STOP” switch again
while turning the steering wheel left and
right.
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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.

244 2-4. Using other driving systems
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When the active traction control system is operatingIf all wheels spin, the slip indica-
tor flashes to indicate that the
active traction control system
has been engaged.
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■When the rear differential is locked (vehicles with a rear differential
lock system)
The active traction control system is activated only when vehicle speed is
less than 4 mph (6 km/h).
■ Sounds and vibrations caused by the active traction control system
● A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the engine is
started or just after the vehicle begins to move. This sound does not indi-
cate that a malfunction has occurred in the system.
● Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering. This may
occur when the system is operating.
■ If the brake system overheats
The system will cease operation and a buzzer will sound to alert the driver.
At this time, the “A-TRAC” indicator will go off and the “TRAC OFF” indicator
will come on. Stop the vehicle in a safe place. (There is no problem with con-
tinuing normal driving.)
The system will be automatically restored after a short time.
CAUTION
■The active traction control system m ay not operate effectively when
Directional control and power may not be achievable while driving on slip-
pery road surfaces, even if the active traction control system is operating.
Do not drive the vehicle in conditions where stability and power may be lost.

246 2-4. Using other driving systems
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When the AUTO LSD system is operatingIf the rear wheels spin, the slip
indicator flashes to indicate that
the AUTO LSD system has con-
trolled the spinning of the rear
wheels.
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■If the engine is turned off and restarted
The AUTO LSD system and the indicators are automatically turned off.
■ If the brake system overheats
The system will cease operation and a buzzer will sound to alert the driver.
At this time, the “AUTO LSD” indicator will flash and the “TRAC OFF” indica-
tor will come on. Stop the vehicle in a safe place. (There is no problem with
continuing normal driving.)
The system will be automatically restored after a short time.
CAUTION
■ To avoid an accident
● Do not use the AUTO LSD system in conditions other when wheel spin-
ning occurs in a ditch or rough surfaces.
A much greater steering effort and more careful cornering control will be
required.
● Do not drive with the AUTO LSD system continuously turned on.

252 2-4. Using other driving systems
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While the downhill assist control system is operating
The slip indicator will flash to
indicate that the downhill assist
control system is operating, and
the stop lights and high mounted
stoplight will turn on.
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■Operating tips
The system will operate when the shift lever is in any position other than P.
However, to make effective use of the system it is recommended that the
shift lever be shifted to the “2” or “1” range of S.
■ If the downhill assist control system indicator flashes
● In the following situations, the indicator flashes and the system will not
operate:
• The transfer mode is not in L4 (part-time 4WD models) or L4L (full-time
4WD models).
• The rear differential is locked.
• The brake system overheats. The system will situations operation and a buzzer will sound to alert the
driver. At this time, the “TRAC OFF” indicator will come on. Stop the
vehicle in a safe place. Refrain from using the system until the indicator
stops flashing and stays on. (There is no problem with continuing nor-
mal driving.)
● In the following situations, the indicator flashes to alert the driver, but the
system will still operate:
• The shift lever is in N. (Engine braking will not occur.)
• The “DAC” switch is turned off while the system is operating.
The system will gradually ceases operation. The indicator will flash dur-
ing operation, and then go off when the system is fully off.