TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2023 Owners Manual

2014-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)
If the engine is stopped with the shift lever in a position other than P,
the engine switch will not be turned off but instead be turned to
ACCESSORY mode. Perform the following procedure to turn the
switch off:
Check that the park ing brake is set.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Check that “Turn Power Off” is displayed on the multi-informati on
display and then press the engine switch once.
Check that “Turn Power Off” on the multi-information display is
turned off.
■ Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode for more than 20 minut es or IGNI-
TION ON mode (the engine is not running) for more than an hour with the
shift lever in P, the engine switch will automatically turn off. However, this
function cannot entirely prevent battery discharge. Do not leav e the vehicle
with the engine switch in ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode for lon g peri-
ods of time when the engine is not running.
■ Automatic engine shut off feature
●The vehicle is equipped with a feature that automatically shuts off the
engine when the shift lever is in P with the engine running for an extended
period.
● The engine will automatically shut off after approximately 1 hour if it has
been left running while the shift lever is in P.
● The timer for the automatic engine shut off feature will reset if the brake
pedal is depressed or if the shift lever is in a position other than P.
● After the vehicle is parked, if the door is locked with the door lock switch
(P. 108) from the inside or the mechanical key ( P. 512) from the outside,
the automatic engine shut off feature will be disabled. The tim er for the auto-
matic engine shut off feature will be re-enabled if the driver’ s door is
opened.
■ Electronic key battery depletion
P. 104
■ Conditions affecting operation
P. 117
■ Notes for the entry function
P. 118
When stopping the engine with the shift lever in a position other
than P
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2024-2. Driving procedures
4RUNNER (U)■
If the engine does not start
●The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( P. 78)
Contact your Toyota dealer.
● Check that the shift lever is securely set in P. The engine may not start if the
shift lever is displaced out of P.
■ When a message requesting the smart key system be inspected is dis-
played on the multi-information display
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your
Toyota dealer immediately.
■ If the electronic key battery is depleted
P. 447
■ Operation of the engine switch
If the switch is not pressed shortly and firmly, the engine swi tch mode may
not change or the engine may not start.

2034-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)
WARNING
■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 circumsta nces.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious in jury.
■ Caution while driving
If engine failure occurs while the vehicle is moving, do not lock or open the
doors until the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop.
■ Stopping the engine in an emergency
● If you want to stop the engine in an emergency while driving the vehicle,
press and hold the engine switch for more than 2 seconds, or press it
briefly 3 times or more in succession. ( P. 467)
However, do not touch the engine switch while driving except in an emer-
gency. 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.
● If the engine switch is operated while the vehicle is running, a warning
message will be shown on the multi-information display and a buzzer
sounds.
■ When parking
Exhaust gases include harmful carbon monoxide (CO), which is co lorless
and odorless. Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may cause exhaust gases to enter the vehicle a nd may
lead to an accident caused by light-headedness, or may lead to death or a
serious health hazard.
● If the vehicle is in a poorly ventilated area or a closed area, such as a
garage, stop the engine.
● 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 ensure
that exhaust fumes do not enter the vehicle interior.
● 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.

2044-2. Driving procedures
4RUNNER (U)
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
● Do not leave the engine switch in ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode
for long periods of time without the engine running.
● If “ACCESSORY” or “IGNITION ON” is displayed on the multi-infor mation
display, the engine switch is not off. Exit the vehicle after t urning the
engine switch off.
● Do not stop the engine when the shift lever is in a position ot her than P. If
the engine is stopped in another shift lever position, the engine switch will
not be turned off but instead be turned to ACCESSORY mode. If t he vehi-
cle 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 your vehi-
cle checked by your Toyota dealer immediately.
■ Symptoms indicating a malf unction with the engine switch
If the engine switch seems to be operating somewhat differently than usual,
such as the switch sticking slightly, there may be a malfunction. Contact
your Toyota dealer immediately.

2054-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)
While the engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode, move the
shift lever with the brake pedal depressed.
When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the
vehicle is completely stopped.
Automatic transmission
Shifting the shift lever

2064-2. Driving procedures
4RUNNER (U)
*1: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noises, set the shift lever in the D
position for normal driving.
*2: Selecting shift ranges using S mode restricts the upper limit of the possible
gear ranges, controls engine braking forces, and prevents unnec essary
upshifting
When the shift lever is in the S position, the shift lever can be oper-
ated as follows:
Upshifting
Downshifting
The initial shift range in S mode is set automatically to “4” a ccording to
vehicle speed. However, the ini tial shift range may be set to “3” if AI-
SHIFT has operated while the shif t lever was in the D position.
(  P. 207)
■Shift ranges and their functions
You can choose from 5 leve ls of engine braking force.
A lower shift range will provide greater engine braking force t han a
higher shift range, and the engine speed will also increase.
Shift position purpose
Shift positionObjective or function
PParking the vehicle/starting the engine
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*1
SS mode driving*2
Changing shift ranges in S mode
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2074-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)
■S mode
When the shift range is “3” or lower, holding the shift lever t oward “+” sets the
shift range to “5”.
■ AI-SHIFT
AI-SHIFT automatically selects the optimal gear according to driver perfor-
mance and driving conditions.
AI-SHIFT automatically operates when the shift lever is in the D position.
(Shifting the shift lever to the S position or paddle shifting cancels the func-
tion.)
The engine speed may remain high after releasing the accelerato r pedal. This
does not indicate a malfunction.
■ When driving with Dynamic r adar cruise control system
Engine braking will not occur in S mode, even when downshifting to “3”.
( P. 257)
■ Restraining sudden start (Drive-start Control)
P. 167
■ Shift lock system
The shift lock system is a system to prevent accidental operation of the shift
lever in starting.
The shift lever can be shifted from P only when the engine switch is in the
IGNITION ON mode the brake pedal is depressed and the shift release but-
ton is pushed.

2084-2. Driving procedures
4RUNNER (U)■
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
First, check whether the brake pedal is being depressed.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted with your foot on the brak e pedal, there may
be a problem with the shift lock system. Have the vehicle inspected by your
Toyota dealer immediately.
The following steps may be used as an emergency measure to ensu re that
the shift lever can be shifted.
Releasing the shift lock:
Set the parking brake.
Turn the engine switch is off.
Depress the brake pedal.
■ If the “S” indicator does not come on even after shifting the s hift lever to
S
This may indicate a malfunction in the automatic transmission s ystem. Have
the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.
(In this situation, the transmission will operate in the same m anner as when
the shift lever is in D.)
■ Downshift restriction warning buzzer (S mode)
To help ensure safety and driving performance, downshifting ope ration may
sometimes be restricted. In some circumstances, downshifting ma y not be
possible even when the shift lever is operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.)
Pry the cover up with a flathead screw-
driver or equivalent tool.
To prevent damage to the cover, cover
the tip of the screwdriver with a rag.
Press the shift lock override button.
The shift lever can be shifted while the
button is pressed.
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2094-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)
WARNING
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
Be careful of downshifting and sudden acceleration, as this could result in
the vehicle skidding to the side or spinning.
■ To prevent an accident when releasing the shift lock
Before pressing the shift lock override button, make sure to se t the parking
brake and depress the brake pedal.
If the accelerator pedal is accidentally depressed instead of t he brake pedal
when the shift lock override button is pressed and the shift le ver is shifted
out of P, the vehicle may suddenly start, possibly leading to an accident
resulting in death or serious injury.

2104-2. Driving procedures
4RUNNER (U)
The lever will return to its original position after operation.
Right 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.
Left turn
■ Turn signals can be operated when
The engine 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.
Turn signal lever
Operating instructions
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