TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2023 Owners Manual

4116-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
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 engine
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.

4126-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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.
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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 u r y.

4136-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
4RUNNER (U)
Engine compartment
Washer fluid tank (P. 425)
Power steering fluid reservoir ( P. 421)
Engine oil level dipstick ( P. 415)
Engine coolant reservoir ( P. 417)
Engine oil filler cap ( P. 416)Brake fluid reservoir
( P. 419)
Fuse box ( P. 450)
Battery ( P. 422)
Condenser ( P. 419)
Radiator ( P. 419)1
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4146-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4RUNNER (U)■
Removing the engine compartment cover
■Installing the clips
Push up center portion
Insert
Press
Engine compa rtment cover
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NOTICE
■After installing an engine compartment cover
Make sure that the cover is securely installed in its original position.

4156-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
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
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5
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6

4166-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4RUNNER (U)■
Adding engine oil
If the oil level is below or near
the low level mark, add engine
oil of the same type as that
already in the engine.
Make sure to check the oil type and prepare the items needed
before adding oil.
Remove the oil fille r cap by turning it counterclockwise.
Add engine oil slowly, checking the dipstick.
Install the oil filler cap by turning it clockwise.
■Engine oil consumption
A certain amount of engine oil will be consumed while driving. In the following
situations, oil consumption may increase, and engine oil may ne ed to be
refilled in between oil maintenance intervals.
● When the engine is new, for example directly after purchasing t he vehicle or
after replacing the engine
● If low quality oil or oil of an inappropriate viscosity is used
● When driving at high engine speeds or with a heavy load, when t owing, or
when driving while accelerating or decelerating frequently
● When leaving the engine idling for a long time, or when driving frequently
through heavy traffic
Engine oil selection P. 527
Oil quantity
(Low  Full) 1.8 qt. (1.7 L, 1.5 Imp. qt.)
Items
Clean funnel
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4176-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
4RUNNER (U)
The coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the “F” and “L” lines on
the reservoir when the engine is cold.
Reservoir cap
“F” line
“L” line
If the level is on or below the “L”
line, add coolant up to the “F” line.
(P. 519)
WARNING
■ Used engine oil
● Used engine oil contains potentially harmful contaminants which may
cause skin disorders such as inflammation and skin cancer, so c are
should be taken to avoid prolonged and repeated contact. To remove used
engine oil from your skin, wash thoroughly with soap and water.
● Dispose of used oil and filters only in a safe and acceptable manner. Do
not dispose of used oil and filters in household trash, in sewers or onto the
ground.
Call your Toyota dealer, service station or auto parts store for information
concerning recycling or disposal.
● Do not leave used engine oil within the reach of children.
NOTICE
■To prevent serious engine damage
Check the oil level on a regular basis.
■ When replacing the engine oil
● Be careful not to spill engine oil on the vehicle components.
● Avoid overfilling, or the engine could be damaged.
● Check the oil level on the dipstick every time you refill the v ehicle.
● Be sure the engine oil filler cap is properly tightened.
Engine coolant
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4186-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4RUNNER (U)
■Coolant selection
Only use “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or a similar high quality ethylene
glycol based non-silicate, non-amine, non-nitrite, and non-bora te coolant with
long-life hybrid organic acid technology.
U.S.A.:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 50% coolant and 50% deion-
ized water. (Minimum temperature: -31 F [-35 C])
Canada:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 55% coolant and 45% deion-
ized water. (Minimum temperature: -44 F [-42 C])
For more details about engine coolant, contact your Toyota deal e r.
■ If the coolant level drops within a short time of replenishing
Visually check the radiator, hoses, engine coolant reservoir caps, drain cock
and water pump.
If you cannot find a leak, have your Toyota dealer test the cap and check for
leaks in the cooling system.
WARNING
■ When the engine is hot
Do not remove the engine coolant reservoir cap or the radiator cap.
(P. 520)
The cooling system may be under pressure and may spray hot coolant if the
cap is removed, causing serious injuries, such as burns.
NOTICE
■ When adding coolant
Coolant is neither plain water nor straight antifreeze. The cor rect mixture of
water and antifreeze must be used to provide proper lubrication, corrosion
protection and cooling. Be sure to read the antifreeze or coolant label.
■ If you spill coolant
Be sure to wash it off with water to prevent it from damaging p arts or paint.

4196-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
4RUNNER (U)
Check the radiator and condenser and clear away any foreign objects.
If either of the above parts is extremely dirty or you are not sure of
their condition, have your vehicle inspected by your Toyota dea l e r.
■Checking fluid level
The brake fluid level should be
between the “MAX” and “MIN”
lines on the tank.
“MAX” line
“MIN” line
■Adding fluid
Make sure to check the fluid ty pe and prepare the necessary ite m.
■Refilling brake fluid
Turn the engine switch off.
Depress the brake pedal more than 40 times.
Remove the reservoir cap by hand. Add brake fluid up to the
“MAX” line.
If you do not follow the procedure above, the reservoir may over-
flow.
Radiator and condenser
WARNING
■ When the engine is hot
Do not touch the radiator or condenser as they may be hot and c ause seri-
ous injuries, such as burns.
Brake fluid
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Fluid type FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake fluid
Items Clean funnel
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4206-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4RUNNER (U)
■Brake fluid can absorb moisture from the air
Excess moisture in the brake fluid can cause a dangerous loss o f braking effi-
ciency. Use only newly opened brake fluid.
WARNING
■ When filling the reservoir
Take care as brake fluid can harm your hands and eyes and damage
painted surfaces.
If fluid gets on your hands or in your eyes, flush the affected area with clean
water immediately.
If you still experience discomfort, see a doctor.
NOTICE
■ If the fluid level is low or high
It is normal for the brake fluid level to go down slightly as the brake pads
wear out or when the fluid level in the accumulator is high.
If the reservoir needs frequent refilling, there may be a serious problem.