tow TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2021 (in English) Service Manual

3665-3. Using the storage features
4RUNNER (U)
■When using the bottle holder
●When storing a bottle, close the cap.
● The bottle may not be stored depending on its size or shape.
Bottle holders
Front seatsRear seats (without third row
seats)/second row seats (with
third row seats)
WARNING
■Items unsuitable for the bottle holder
Do not place anything other than a bottle in the bottle holders .
Other items may be thrown out of the holders in the event of an accident or
sudden braking and cause injury.
NOTICE
■ Items that should not be st owed in the bottle holders
Put the cap on before stowing a bottle. Do not place open bottl es in the bot-
tle holders, or glasses and paper cups containing liquid. The c ontents may
spill and glasses may break.

3715-3. Using the storage features
5
Interior features
4RUNNER (U)
WARNING
■When the cargo hooks are not in use
To avoid injury, always return the cargo hooks to their stowed positions.
■ Slide deck operating precaution (if equipped)
● Be careful not to get hands or feet pinched by the slide deck.
● Be careful not to allow the slide deck to hit any persons or lu ggage while
sliding the deck.
● Do not operate the slide deck while someone is on it.
Doing so may cause an accident.
● If operating the slide deck when the vehicle is stopped on an i ncline, the
slide deck may move faster. Be careful not to allow the slide d eck to hit
you or pinch your fingers etc.
● After sliding the deck, make sure it is securely locked in position.
● Do not close the back door while any person is sitting on the s lide deck or
any person is between the slide deck and back door.
● Do not stow any objects into the space between the slide deck r ails.
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the cargo net hooks
Avoid hanging things other than a cargo net on them.
■ Slide deck weight capacity (if equipped)
Do not load anything heavier than 440 lb. (200 kg) on the slidi ng deck.
■ Grocery bag hook weight capacity
Do not hang any object heavier than 8.8 lb. (4 kg) on the groce ry bag hooks.
■ When using the slide deck (if equipped)
● Do not close the back door while the slide deck is sliding out. Doing so
may cause the back door or slide deck to break.
● If operating the slide deck when the vehicle is stopped on an i ncline, the
slide deck may move faster. Be careful as luggage may become da maged
or fly out and damage the cabin.

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

4306-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4RUNNER (U)■
Situations in which the tire pressure warning system may not op
er-
ate properly
●In the following cases, the tire pressure warning system may no t operate
properly.
• If non-genuine Toyota wheels are used.
• A tire has been replaced with a tire that is not an OE (Original Equip-
ment) tire.
• A tire has been replac ed with a tire that is not of the specif ied size.
• Tire chains etc . are equipped.
• If a window tint that affects the radio wave signals is instal led.
• If there is a lot of snow or ice on the vehicle, particularly around the
wheels or wheel housings.
• If the tire inflation pressure is extremely higher than the sp ecified
level.
• If the spare tire is in a location subject to poor radio wave signal
reception.
• If a large metallic object whic h can interfere with signal reception is
put near the spare tire.
• If tires not equipped with the tire pressure warning valves an d trans-
mitters are used.
• If the ID code on the tire pressure warning valves and transmi tters is
not registered in the tire pressure warning computer.
●Performance may be affected in the following situations.
• Near a TV tower, electric power plant, gas station, radio stat ion, large
display, airport or other facilit y that generates strong radio waves or
electrical noise
• When carrying a portable radio, cellular phone, cordless phone or
other wireless communication device
●When the vehicle is parked, the time taken for the warning to s tart or go
off could be extended.
●When tire inflation pressure declines rapidly for example when a tire has
burst, the warning may not function.

4456-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
4RUNNER (U)
WARNING
■Battery precautions
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
● Do not swallow the battery. Doing so may cause chemical burns.
● A coin battery or button battery is used in the wireless remote control/elec-
tronic key. If a battery is swallowed, it may cause severe chem ical burns in
as little as 2 hours and may result in death or serious injury.
● Keep away new and removed batteries from children.
● If the cover cannot be firmly closed, stop using the wireless r emote con-
trol/electronic key and stow the key in the place where childre n cannot
reach, and then contact your Toyota dealer.
● If you accidentally swallow a battery or put a battery into a p art of your
body, get emergency medical attention immediately.
■ To prevent battery explosion or leakage of flammable liquid or gas
● Replace the battery with a new battery of the same type. If a w rong type of
battery is used, it may explode.
● Do not expose batteries to extremely low pressure due to high altitude or
extremely high temperatures.
● Do not burn, break or cut a battery.
NOTICE
■For normal operation after replacing the battery
Observe the following precautions to prevent accidents:
● Always work with dry hands.
Moisture may cause the battery to rust.
● Do not touch or move any other component inside the remote cont rol.
● Do not bend either of the battery terminals.

461
When trouble arises7
4RUNNER (U)7-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers .......... 462
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an
emergency ...................... 463
If the vehicle is trapped in rising water ..................... 465
7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle needs to be towed .............................. 466
If you think something is wrong .............................. 472
Fuel pump shut off system ............................ 473
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds ............................ 474
If a warning message is displayed......................... 484
If you have a flat tire.......... 489
If the engine will not start ................................. 504
If you cannot operate back door opener ............ 506
If the electronic key does not operate properly
(vehicles with a smart
key system)..................... 507
If the vehicle battery is discharged ...................... 510
If your vehicle overheats ........................ 514
If the vehicle becomes stuck ............................... 517

466
4RUNNER (U)
7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle needs to be towed
If towing is necessary, we recommend having your vehicle
towed by your Toyota dealer or commercial towing service,
using a wheel-lift type t ruck or flatbed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by all stat e/
provincial and local laws.
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■ When towing the vehicle
2WD models: Be sure to transport the
vehicle with the rear wheels raised or
with all four wheels raised off the ground.
If the vehicle is towed with the rear
wheels contacting the ground, the drive-
train and related parts may be damaged
or an accident may occur due to a
change in direction of the vehicle.
4WD models: Be sure to transport the
vehicle with all four wheels raised off the
ground. If the vehicle is towed with the
tires contacting the ground, the drivetrain
or related parts may be damaged, the
vehicle may fly off the truck.

4677-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
4RUNNER (U)
WARNING
■While towing
● When towing using cables or chains, avoid sudden starts, etc. w hich place
excessive stress on the towing eyelets, cables or chains. The towing eye-
lets, cables or chains may become damaged, broken debris may hit peo-
ple, and cause serious damage.
● Vehicles with a smart key system: Do not turn the engine switch off.
There is a possibility that the steering wheel is locked and ca nnot be oper-
ated.
● Vehicles without a smart key system: Do not turn the engine switch to the
“LOCK” position.
There is a possibility that the steering wheel is locked and ca nnot be oper-
ated.
NOTICE
■ To prevent damage to the vehicle when towing using a wheel-lift type
truck
● Vehicles with a smart key system: Do not tow the vehicle from the rear
when the engine switch is off. The steering lock mechanism is n ot strong
enough to hold the front wheels straight.
● Vehicles without a smart key system: Do not tow the vehicle fro m the rear
when the engine switch is in the “LOCK” position or the key is removed.
The steering lock mechanism is not strong enough to hold the front wheels
straight.
● When raising the vehicle, ensure adequate ground clearance for towing at
the opposite end of the raised vehicle. Without adequate clearance, the
vehicle could be damaged while being towed.
■ To prevent damage to the vehicle when towing with a sling-type truck
Do not tow with a sling-type truck, either from the front or re ar.
■ To prevent damage to the vehic le during emergency towing
Do not secure cables or chains to the suspension components.
■ Recreational towing (behind mo tor home, etc.) (4WD models)
Never dinghy tow your vehicle to prevent
causing serious damage to the transmis-
sion. (P. 208)

4687-2. Steps to take in an emergency
4RUNNER (U)
The following may indicate a problem with your transmission. Contact
your Toyota dealer or commercial towing service before towing.
● The engine is running but t he vehicle does not move.
● The vehicle makes an abnormal sound.
From the front
Use a towing dolly under the rear
wheels.
From the rear (2WD models)
Turn the engine switch to the
“ACC” position (vehicles without a
smart key system) or ACCES-
SORY mode (vehicles with a
smart key system) so that the
steering wheel is unlocked.
From the rear (4WD models)
Use a towing dolly under the front
wheels.
Situations when it is necessary to contact dealers before towing
Towing with a wheel-lift type truck