TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2021 Owners Manual (in English)
Manufacturer: TOYOTA, Model Year: 2021, Model line: 4RUNNER, Model: TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2021Pages: 592, PDF Size: 13.3 MB
Page 471 of 592

4717-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
4RUNNER (U)
Part-time 4WD models: 
Ty p e  A
Shift the front-wheel drive  control lever to H2.
Ty p e   B
Push  the  “UNLOCK”  button  and  turn  the  front-wheel  drive  control
switch to H2.
Full-time  4WD  models:  Push  the  “UNLOCK”  button  and  turn  the
four-wheel  drive  control  switch  to  H4F.  (The  center  differentia l  is
unlocked.)
Shift the shift lever to N  and release the parking brake.
When the shift lever  cannot be shifted: P.   2 2 1
■While towing
If the  engine  is not running, the power assist  for  the  brakes  a nd  steering  will
not function, making steering and braking more difficult.
4
5 
Page 472 of 592

4727-2. Steps to take in an emergency
4RUNNER (U)
●Fluid leaks un der the vehicle.
(Water dripping from the air conditioning a fter use is normal.)
● Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
● Engine coolant temperature gauge needle continually points high er
than normal.
● Changes in exhaust sound
● Excessive tire squeal when cornering
● Strange noises related to the suspension system
● Pinging or other noises  related to the engine
● Engine missing, stumb ling or running roughly
● Appreciable loss of power
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one s ide when driving on a level road
● Loss  of  brake  effectiveness,  spongy  feeling,  pedal  almost  touch es
the floor
If  you think something is wrong
If you notice any of the followi ng symptoms, your vehicle proba -
bly  needs  adjustment  or  repair.  Contact  your  Toyota  dealer  as
soon as possible.
Visible symptoms
Audible symptoms
Operational symptoms 
Page 473 of 592

4737-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
4RUNNER (U)
Follow  the  procedure  below  to  restart  the  engine  after  the  system  is
activated.
Vehicles without a smart key system
Turn the engine switch to the “ACC” or “LOCK” position.
Restart the engine.
Vehicles with a smart key system
Turn the engine switch to ACCESSORY mode or turn it off.
Restart the engine.
Fuel pump shut off  system
To minimize the risk of fuel leakage when the engine stalls or
when  an  airbag  inflates  upon  collision,  the  fuel  pump  shut  off
system stops the supply of fuel to the engine.
NOTICE
■ Before starting the engine
Inspect the ground under the vehicle.
If  you  find  that  fuel  has  leaked  onto  the  ground,  the  fuel  system  has  been
damaged and is in need of repair. Do not restart the engine.
1
2
1
2 
Page 474 of 592

4747-2. Steps to take in an emergency
4RUNNER (U)
If  a warning light turns on or a war ning 
buzzer sounds
Calmly perform the following actions if any of the warning ligh ts
comes  on  or  flashes.  If  a  light  comes  on  or  flashes,  but  then
goes off, this does not necessarily indicate a malfunction in the
system.  However,  if  this  continues  to  occur,  have  the  vehicle
inspected by your Toyota dealer.
Warning light and w arning buzzer list
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Brake system warning li ght (warning buzzer)
• Low brake fluid
• Malfunction in the brake system
This  light  also  comes  on  when  the  parking  brake  is  not
released.  If  the  light  turns  off  after  the  parking  brake  is
fully released the system is operating normally.
 Immediately  stop  the  vehicle  in  a  safe  place  and
contact  your  Toyota  dealer.  Continuing  to  drive
the vehicle may be dangerous.
High  coolant  temperature  warning  light  (warning
buzzer)
*4
Indicates  that  the  engine  coolant  temperature  is  too
high
 Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place.
Handling method ( P. 514)
Charging system warning light
Indicates  a  malfunction  in  the  vehicle’s  charging  sys-
tem
 Immediately  stop  the  vehicle  in  a  safe  place  and
contact your Toyota dealer.
Low engine oil pressure warning light*4
Indicates that the engine oil pressure is too low
 Immediately  stop  the  vehicle  in  a  safe  place  and
contact your Toyota dealer. 
Page 475 of 592

4757-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
4RUNNER (U)(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Malfunction indicator lamp Indicates a malfunction in:
• The emission control system;
• The electronic engine control system;
• The electronic throttle control system; or
• The  electronic  automatic  transmission  control  sys-
tem
 Have  the  vehicle  inspected  by your  Toyota  dealer
immediately.
SRS warning light
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The SRS airbag system;
• The front passenger occupant classification system;or
• The seat belt pretensioner system
 Have  the  vehicle  inspected  by your  Toyota  dealer
immediately.
(U.S.A.)
(Canada) ABS warning light
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The ABS; or
• The brake assist system
 Have  the  vehicle  inspected  by your  Toyota  dealer
immediately.
Slip indicator
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The VSC system;
• Trailer Sway Control system;
• The TRAC system;
• The active traction control system;
• The AUTO LSD system;
• The downhill assist control system;
• The hill-start assist control system; or 
• The Crawl Control system
 Have  the  vehicle  inspected  by your  Toyota  dealer
immediately.
(Flashes rapidly)
Rear differential lock indi cator light (if equipped)
Indicates a malfunction in the rear differential lock sys-
tem
 Have  the  vehicle  inspected  by your  Toyota  dealer
immediately.
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions 
Page 476 of 592

4767-2. Steps to take in an emergency
4RUNNER (U)
(Flashes rapidly)
Four-wheel drive indicator light (if equipped)
Indicates a malfunction in the four-wheel drive system
 Have  the  vehicle  inspected  by your  Toyota  dealer
immediately.
(Flashes rapidly)
Low  speed  four-wheel  dri ve  indicator  light  (if
equipped) Indicates a malfunction in the four-wheel drive system
 Have  the  vehicle  inspected  by your  Toyota  dealer
immediately.
(Flashes rapidly)
Center differential lock indicator light (if equipped)
Indicates a malfunction in the four-wheel drive system
 Have  the  vehicle  inspected  by your  Toyota  dealer
immediately.
(Flashes contin-
uously)
Multi-terrain Select ind icator light (if equipped)*4
Indicates  a  malfunction  in  the  Multi-terrain  Select  sys-
tem
 Have  the  vehicle  inspected  by your  Toyota  dealer
immediately.
Power steering warning light
Indicates a malfunction in the power steering system
 Have  the  vehicle  inspected  by your  Toyota  dealer
immediately.
Unengaged “Park” warning light (if equipped)
Indicates  a  malfunction  in  the  transmission  “Park”
mechanism.
 Have  the  vehicle  inspected  by your  Toyota  dealer
immediately.
KDSS warning light (if equipped)
Indicates a malfunction in KDSS
 Have  the  vehicle  inspected  by your  Toyota  dealer
immediately.
(Flashes)
Automatic  running  boards  indicator  light  (if
equipped)
Indicates a malfunction in Automatic running boards
 Have  the  vehicle  inspected  by your  Toyota  dealer
immediately.
Open door warning light (warning buzzer)*2
Indicates that a door is not fully closed
 Check that all the doors are closed.
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions 
Page 477 of 592

4777-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
4RUNNER (U)
Low fuel level warning lightIndicates remaining fuel is approximately 3.5 gal. (13.1
L, 2.9 Imp. gal.) or less
 Refuel the vehicle.
Seat belt reminder light (warning buzzer)*3
Warns the driver and/or front passenger to fasten their
seat belts
 Fasten the seat belt.
If the front passenger’s s eat is occupied, the front
passenger’s seat belt also needs to be fastened to
make the warning light (wa rning buzzer) turn off.
Brake  Override  System/Drive- Start  Control  warning
light (warning buzzer)
*4
When a buzzer sounds:
• Brake Override System is malfunctioning;
• Drive-Start Control is operating;
• Drive-Start Control is malfunctioning; or
 Follow  the  instructions  displayed  on  the  multi-
information display.
When a buzzer does not sound:
Brake Override System is operating
 Release  the  accelerator  pedal  and  depress  the
brake pedal.
(Flashes)
(U.S.A.)
(Flashes)
(Canada)Parking brake indicator (warning buzzer)*1
Indicates that the parking brake is engaged
 Release the parking brake.
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions 
Page 478 of 592

4787-2. Steps to take in an emergency
4RUNNER (U)
(Flashes or 
illuminates)
PCS warning light
When a buzzer sounds simultaneously:
Indicates a malfunction has occurred in the PCS (Pre-
Collision System).
 Have  the  vehicle  inspected  by your  Toyota  dealer
immediately.
When a buzzer does not sound: 
The  PCS  (Pre-Collision  System)  has  become  tempo-
rarily unavailable, corrective action may be necessary.
 Follow  the  instructions  displayed  on  the  multi-
information display. ( P. 251, 484)
If the PCS (Pre-Collision System) or VSC (Vehicle Sta-
bility  Control)  system  is  disabled,  the  PCS  warning
light will illuminate.
 P. 263
(Amber)
LDA indicator*4
Indicates a malfunction in the LDA
 When  “LDA  Unavailable”  is  displayed  on  the
multi-information  display,  turn  the  LDA  system
off,  wait  for  a  little  while,  and  then  turn  the  LDA
system back on. ( P. 267) 
When  a  message  other  than  above  is  displayed,
follow the instructions  displayed in the message.
Master warning light
A  buzzer  sounds  and  warning  light  comes  on  flashes
to  indicate  that  the  master  warning  system  has
detected a malfunction.
 P. 484
Tire pressure warning light
When the light comes on: 
Low tire inflation pressure such as
• Natural causes ( P.   4 8 0 )
• Flat tire ( P. 489)
 Adjust  the  tire  inflation  pressure  (including  the
spare tire) to the specified level. 
The light will turn off after a few minutes. In
case  the  light  does  not  turn  off  even  if  the  tire
inflation  pressure  is  adjusted,  have the  system
checked by your Toyota dealer.
When the light comes on after blinking for 1 minute:
Malfunction in the tire p ressure warning system 
(  P.   4 8 1 )
 Have  the  system  checked  by  your  Toyota
dealer.
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions 
Page 479 of 592

4797-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
4RUNNER (U)
*1: Parking brake engaged warning buzzer:A  buzzer  will  sound  if  the  vehicle  is  driven  at  a  speed  of  appr oximately  3
mph (5 km/h) or more.
*2: Open door warning buzzer: The open  door warning  buzzer sounds  to alert  one or  more  of the   doors  is
not fully closed (with the vehicle having reached a speed of 3  mph [5 km/h]).
*3: Driver’s seat belt buzzer:
The driver's seat belt warning buzzer sounds to  alert the  drive r that his  or
her seat  belt is not  fastened.  Once the  engine switch is turned  to  ON, the
buzzer sounds. If the seat belt is still unfastened, the buzzer  sounds inter-
mittently  for  a  certain  period  of  time  after  the  vehicle  reache s  a  certain
speed.
Front passenger’s seat belt warning buzzer:
The  front  passenger’s  seat  belt  warning  buzzer  sounds  to  alert  the  front
passenger that his or her seat belt is not fastened. If the sea t belt is unfas-
tened, the buzzer sounds intermittently for a certain period of time after the
vehicle reaches a certain speed.
*4: This light illuminates on the multi-information display.
■ SRS warning light
This  warning  light  system monitors  the  airbag  sensor  assembly,  front  impact
sensors,  side  impact  sensors  (front  door),  side  impact  sensors  (rear),  safing
sensor (rear), driver's seat belt buckle switch, front passenger occupant clas-
sification  system  (ECU  and  sensors),  “AIR  BAG  ON”  and  “AIR  BAG  OFF”
indicator  lights,  front  passenger's  seat  belt  buckle  switch,  se at  belt  preten-
sioners, airbags, interconnecting wiring and power sources. (P.   3 5 )
■ Key reminder buzzer (vehicles without a smart key system)
The  buzzer  indicates  that  the  key  has  not  been  removed  with  the  engine  off
and the driver’s door opened.
■ Open moon roof reminder buzzer (if equipped)
The buzzer indicates that the moon roof is not fully closed with the engine off
and the driver’s door opened.
■ Front  passenger  detection  senso r,  passenger  seat  belt  reminder and
warning buzzer
● If luggage is placed on the front passenger seat, the front pas senger detec-
tion sensor may cause  the warning light to  flash and the warnin g  buzzer  to
sound even if a passenger is not sitting in the seat.
● If  a  cushion  is  placed  on  the  seat,  the  sensor  may  not  detect  a  passenger,
and the warning light may not operate properly. 
Page 480 of 592

4807-2. Steps to take in an emergency
4RUNNER (U)■
If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on while driving
First check the following:
●Is the fuel tank empty?
If it is, fill the fuel tank immediately.
● Is the fuel tank cap loose?
If it is, tighten it securely.
The light will go off after several driving trips.
If the light does not go off even after several trips, contact  your Toyota dealer
as soon as possible.
■
When the tire pressure warning light comes on
Inspect the appearance of the ti re to check that the tire is not punctured.
If the tire is punctured:  P. 489
If the tire is not punctured:
Carry  out  the  following  procedure  after  the  tire  temperature  has  lowered
sufficiently.
●Check the tire inflation pressure and adjust to the appropriate  level.
●If  the  warning  light  does  not  go  out  even  after  several  minutes ,  check
that  the  tire  inflation  pressure  is  at  the  specified  level  and  carry  out  ini-
tialization. ( P.   4 2 4 )
The  warning  light  may  come  on  again  if  the  above  operations  are con-
ducted without first allowing t he tire temperature to lower suf ficiently.
■The tire pressure warning light may come on due to natural caus es
The tire pressure warning light may come on due to natural caus es such
as  natural  air  leaks  and  tire  inflation  pressure  changes  caused  by tem-
perature. In this case, adjusting the tire inflation pressure w ill turn off the
warning light (afte r a few minutes).
■When a tire is replace d with a spare tire
Vehicles without P245/60R20 tires
The  spare  tire  is  not  equipped  with  a  tire  pressure  warning  val ve  and
transmitter. If a tire goes flat, the tire pressure warning lig ht will not turn off
even  though  the  flat  tire  has  been  replaced  with  the  spare  tire .  Replace
the  spare  tire  with  the  repaired  tire  and  adjust  the  tire  infla tion  pressure.
The tire press ure warning light will go  off after a few minutes.
Vehicles with P245/60R20 tires
The  spare  tire  is  also  equipped  with  a  tire  pressure  warning  va lve  and
transmitter. The  tire  pressure  warning  light  will  turn  on  if  the  tire  inflation
pressure of the spare tire is low. If a tire goes flat, the tire pressure warn-
ing  light  will  not  turn  off  even  though  the  flat  tire  has  been replaced  with
the spare tire. Replace the spar e tire with the repaired tire and adjust the
tire inflation pressure. The t ire pressure warning light will go off after a few
minutes.