TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2021 Owners Manual (in English)

4016-2. Maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
4RUNNER (U)
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator pedal• The accelerator pedal should move smoothly(without uneven pedal effort or catching).
Automatic transmis-
sion “Park” mecha-
nism• When parked on a slope and the shift lever is in P,is the vehicle securely stopped?
Brake pedal
• Does the brake pedal move smoothly?
• Does the brake pedal have appropriate clearancefrom the floor? ( P. 527)
• Does the brake pedal have the correct amount of
free play? ( P. 527)
Brakes
• The vehicle should not pull to one side when the
brakes are applied.
• The brakes should work effectively.
• The brake pedal should not feel spongy.
• The brake pedal should not get too close to the floor when the brakes are applied.
Head restraints• Do the head restraints move smoothly and locksecurely?
Indicators/buzzers• Do the indicators and buzzers function properly?
Lights • Do all the lights come on?
Parking brake
• Does the parking brake pedal move smoothly?
• When parked on a slope and the parking brake is
on, is the vehicle securely stopped?
Seat belts• Do the seat belts operate smoothly?
• The seat belts should not be damaged.
Seats• Do the seat controls operate properly?
Steering wheel
• Does the steering wheel rotate smoothly?
• Does the steering wheel have the correct amountof free play?
• There should not be any strange sounds coming
from the steering wheel.

4026-2. Maintenance
4RUNNER (U)
Vehicle exterior
ItemsCheck points
Doors• Do the doors operate smoothly?
Engine hood• Does the engine hood lock system work properly?
Fluid leaks• There should not be any signs of fluid leakageafter the vehicle has been parked.
Tires
• Is the tire inflation pressure correct?
• The tires should not be damaged or excessively
worn.
• Have the tires been rotated according to the maintenance schedule?
• The wheel nuts should not be loose.
Windshield wipers/
rear window wiper
• The wiper blades should not show any signs of cracking, splitting, wear, contamination or defor-
mation.
• The wiper blades should clear the windshield/rear
window without streaking or skipping.
WARNING
■If the engine is running
Turn the engine off and ensure that there is adequate ventilati on before per-
forming maintenance checks.

4036-2. Maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
4RUNNER (U)
The OBD system determines that a problem exists somewhere in the
emission control system. Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test and
may need to be repaired. Contact your Toyota dealer to service the
vehicle.
● When the battery is disc onnected or discharged
Readiness codes that are set duri ng ordinary driving are erased.
Also, depending on your driving habits, the readiness codes may
not be completely set.
● When the fuel tan k cap is loose
The malfunction indicator lamp comes on indicating a temporary
malfunction and your vehicle m ay not pass the I/M test.
The error code in th e OBD system will not be cleared unless the vehi-
cle is driven 40 or more times.
Contact your Toyota dea ler to prepare the vehicle for re-testin g.
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs
Some states have vehicle emission inspection programs which
include OBD (On Board Diagnos tics) checks. The OBD system
monitors the operation of t he emission control system.
If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on
Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test in the following situations:
When the malfunction indicator lamp still remains on after sev-
eral driving trips
If your vehicle does not pass the I/M test

404
4RUNNER (U)
6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself ser vice precautions
If you perform maintenance by yourself, be sure to follow the
correct procedure as given in these sections.
ItemsParts and tools
Battery condition (P. 417)
• Warm water• Baking soda
•Grease
• Conventional wrench (for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level
(P. 414)
• FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake
fluid
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding brake fluid)
Engine coolant level (P. 412)
• “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or a similar
high quality ethylene glycol-based non-silicate,
non-amine, non-nitrite and non-borate coolant
with long-life hybrid organic acid technology
For the U.S.A.:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is pre-mixed
with 50% coolant and 50% deionized water.
For Canada:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is pre-mixed
with 55% coolant and 45% deionized water.
• Funnel (used only for adding coolant)
Engine oil level (P. 410)
• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding engine oil)

4056-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
4RUNNER (U)
Fuses (P. 446)• Fuse with same amperage rating as original
Light bulbs (P. 449)
• Bulb with same number and wattage rating as
original
• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Flathead screwdriver• Wrench
Power steering fluid
level ( P. 416)• Automatic transmission fluid DEXRON® II or III
• Rag or paper towel• Clean funnel
Radiator and con-
denser (P. 414)
Tire inflation pressure
( P. 4 3 6 )• Tire pressure gauge
• Compressed air source
Washer fluid
(P. 420)
• Water or washer fluid containing antifreeze (for
winter use)
• Funnel (used only for adding water or washerfluid)
ItemsParts and tools

4066-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4RUNNER (U)
WARNING
The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that may
move suddenly, become hot, or become electrically energized. To avoid death
or serious injury, observe the following precautions.
■When working on the engine compartment
● Keep hands, clothing and tools away from the moving fan and eng ine
drive belt.
● Be careful not to touch the engine, radiator, exhaust manifold, etc. right
after driving as they may be hot. Oil and other fluids may also be hot.
● Do not leave anything that may burn easily, such as paper and r ags, in the
engine compartment.
● Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose an open flame to fuel or t he bat-
tery. Fuel and battery fumes are flammable.
● Be extremely cautious when working on the battery. It contains poisonous
and corrosive sulfuric acid.
■ Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc.
from getting in your eyes.
NOTICE
■If you remove the air cleaner filter
Driving with the air cleaner filter removed may cause excessive engine wear
due to dirt in the air.

4076-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
4RUNNER (U)
Pull the hood lock release lever.
The hood will pop up slightly.
Push the auxiliary catch lever to
the left and lift the hood.
Hood
Release the lock from the inside of the vehicle to open the hood.
1
2
WARNING
■Pre-driving check
Check that the hood is fully closed and locked.
If the hood is not locked properly, it may open while the vehic le is in motion
and cause an accident, which may result in death or serious inj ury.

4086-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4RUNNER (U)
Engine compartment
Washer fluid tank (P. 420)
Power steering fluid reservoir ( P. 416)
Engine oil level dipstick ( P. 410)
Engine coolant reservoir ( P. 412)
Engine oil filler cap ( P. 4 11 ) Brake fluid reservoir
( P. 414)
Fuse box ( P. 446)
Battery ( P. 417)
Condenser ( P. 414)
Radiator ( P. 414)1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

4096-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
4RUNNER (U)■
Removing the engine
compartment cover
■Installing the clips
Push up center portion
Insert
Press
Engine compa rtment cover
1
2
3
NOTICE
■After installing an engine compartment cover
Make sure that the cover is securely installed in its original position.

4106-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4RUNNER (U)
With the engine at operating temperature and turned off, check the oil
level on the dipstick.
■Checking the engine oil
Park the vehicle on level ground. After warming up the engine
and turning it off, wait more than 5 minutes for the oil to dra in
back into the bottom of the engine.
Holding a rag under the end,
pull the dipstick out.
Wipe the dipstick clean.
Reinsert the dipstick fully.
Holding a rag under the end,
pull the dipstick out and
check the oil level.
Low
Normal
Excessive
The shape of the dipstick may
differ depending on the type of
vehicle or engine.
Wipe the dipstick and reinsert it fully.
Engine oil
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
6