Toyota 2000 4Runner Starting Manual

STARTING AND DRIVING Before starting the engine 184 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . How to start the engine 184 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tips for driving in various conditions 185 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Off- road driving precautions 186 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Winter driving tips 188 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trailer towing 189 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . How to save fuel and make your vehicle last longer, too 194 . . . . . . . . . SECTION 3

Before starting the engine 1. Check the area around the vehicle be- fore entering it. 2. Adjust seat position, seatback angle, seat cushion angle, head restraint height and steering wheel angle. 3. Adjust the inside and outside rear view mirrors. 4. Lock all doors. 5. Fasten seat belts. 1. Apply the parking brake firmly. 2. Turn off unnecessary lights and acces- sories. 3. Manual transmission: Press the clutch pedal to the floor and shift the trans- mission into neutral. Hold the clutch pedal to the floor until the engine is started. A starter safety device will pre- vent the starter from operating if the clutch pedal is not fully depressed. Automatic transmission: Put the se- lector lever in “P”. If you need to re- start the engine while the vehicle is moving, put the selector lever in “N”. A starter safety device will prevent the starter from operating if the selector lever is in any drive position. 4. Automatic transmission only: De- press the brake pedal and hold it to the floor until driving off. (b) Starting the engine Before starting the engine, be sure to fol- low the instructions in “(a) Before crank- ing”. Normal starting procedure The multiport fuel injection system/sequen- tial multiport fuel injection system in your engine automatically controls the proper air- fuel mixture for starting. You can start a cold or hot engine as follows: 1. With your foot off the accelerator ped- al, crank the engine by turning the key to “START”. Release it when the en- gine starts. 2. After the engine runs for about 10 se- conds, you are ready to drive. If the weather is below freezing, let the engine warm up for a few minutes before driving. If the engine stalls... Simply restart it, using the correct proce- dure given in normal starting. If the engine will not start... See “If your vehicle will not start” in Sec- tion 4. How to start the engine— (a) Before cranking

NOTICE
Do not crank for more than 30 se- conds at a time. This may overheat the starter and wiring systems.
Do not race a cold engine.
If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have the engine checked immediately.
Always slow down in gusty crosswinds. This will allow you much better control.
Drive slowly onto curbs and, if pos- sible, at a right angle. Avoid driving onto high, sharp- edged objects and other road hazards. Failure to do so can lead to severe tire damage result- ing in tire bursts.
When parking on a hill, turn the front wheels until they touch the curb so that the vehicle will not roll. Apply the parking brake, and place the transmis- sion in “P” (automatic) or in first or reverse (manual). If necessary, block the wheels.
Washing your vehicle or driving through deep water may get the brakes wet. To see whether they are wet, check that there is no traffic near you, and then press the pedal lightly. If you do not feel a normal braking force, the brakes are probably wet. To dry them, drive the vehicle cautiously while lightly pressing the brake pedal with the park- ing brake applied. If they still do not work safely, pull to the side of the road and call a Toyota dealer for assistance.
Four- wheel drive models—Toyota rec- ommends not using four- wheel drive on dry hard- surfaced roads, because four- wheel driving will cause unnecessary noise and wear, and poor fuel econo- my.
Four- wheel drive models—In cold tem- peratures, noise may occur when driv- ing in two- wheel drive before the trans- fer is warmed up. Therefore, first drive in four- wheel drive until the transfer is warmed up. CAUTION
Before driving off, make sure that the parking brake is fully released and the parking brake reminder light is off.
Do not leave your vehicle unat- tended while the engine is running.
Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal while driving. It can cause dangerous overheating, needless wear, and poor fuel economy. Tips for driving in various conditions

To drive down a long or steep hill, reduce your speed and downshift. Remember, if you ride the brakes excessively, they may overheat and not work properly.
Be careful when accelerating, up- shifting, downshifting or braking on a slippery surface. Sudden accelera- tion or engine braking, could cause the vehicle to spin or skid.
Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit permits it, do not drive over 140 km/h (85 mph) unless your vehicle has high- speed capability tires. Driving over 140 km/h (85 mph) may result in tire failure, loss of control and possible injury. Be sure to con- sult a tire dealer to determine whether the tires on your vehicle are high- speed capability tires or not before driving at such speeds.
Do not continue normal driving when the brakes are wet. If they are wet, your vehicle will require a longer stopping distance, and it may pull to one side when the brakes are applied. Also, the park- ing brake will not hold the vehicle securely. Off- road driving precautions When driving your vehicle off- road, please observe the following precautions to en- sure your driving enjoyment and to help prevent the closure of areas to off- road vehicles. a. Drive your vehicle only in areas where off- road vehicles are permitted to travel. b. Respect private property. Get owner’s permission before entering private proper- ty. c. Do not enter areas that are closed. Honor gates, barriers and signs that re- strict travel. d. Stay on established roads. When condi- tions are wet, driving techniques should be changed or travel delayed to prevent damage to roads. For owners in U.S. mainland, Hawaii and Puerto Rico: To obtain additional information pertaining to driving your vehicle off- road, consult the following organizations.
State and Local Parks and Recreation Departments
State Motor Vehicle Bureau
Recreational Vehicle Clubs
U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management

CAUTION Always observe the following precau- tions to minimize the risk of serious personal injury or damage to your ve- hicle:
Drive carefully when off the road. Do not take unnecessary risks by driving in dangerous places.
Do not grip the steering wheel spokes when driving off- road. A bad bump could jerk the wheel and injure your hands. Keep both hands and especially your thumbs on the outside of the rim.
Always check your brakes for effec- tiveness immediately after driving in sand, mud, water or snow.
After driving through tall grass, mud, rock, sand, rivers, etc., check that there is no grass, bush, paper, rags, stone, sand, etc. adhering or trapped on the underbody. Clear off any such matter from the under- body. If the vehicle is used with these materials trapped or adhering to the underbody, a breakdown or fire could occur.
In a rollover crash, an unbelted per- son is significantly more likely to die than a person wearing a seat belt. Therefore, the driver and all passengers should fasten their seat belts whenever the vehicle is mov- ing.
When driving off- road or in rugged terrain, do not drive at excessive speeds, jump, make sharp turns, strike objects, etc. This may cause loss of control or vehicle rollover causing death or serious injury. You are also risking expensive damage to your vehicle’s suspension and chassis. NOTICE
If driving through water, such as when crossing shallow streams, first check the depth of the water and the bottom of the river bed for firmness. Drive slowly and avoid deep water.
Take all necessary safety measures to ensure that water damage to the engine or other components does not occur. Water entering the engine air intake will cause severe engine damage. Water can wash the grease from wheel bearings, causing rusting and premature failure, and may also en- ter the differentials, transmission and transfer case, reducing the gear oil’s lubricating qualities.
Sand and mud that has accumulated in brake drums and around brake discs may affect braking efficiency and may damage brake system com- ponents.
Always perform a maintenance in- spection after each day of off- road driving that has taken you through rough terrain, sand, mud, or water. For scheduled maintenance informa- tion, refer to the separate “Sched- uled Maintenance Guide” or “Own- er’s Manual Supplement”.

Winter driving tips Make sure you have a proper freeze protection of engine coolant. Your coolant must contain ethylene- glycol type coolant for a proper corrosion protection of aluminum components. Use “TOYOTA Long Life Coolant” or equivalent. See Section 7- 2 for details about coolant type selection. NOTICE Do not use alcohol type antifreeze or plain water alone. When it is extremely cold, we recommend to use 60% solution for your Toyota, to provide protection down to about -50C (- 58F). Do not use more than 70% solu- tion for better coolant performance. Check the condition of the battery and cables. Cold temperatures reduce the capacity of any battery, so it must be in top shape to provide enough power for winter start- ing. Section 7- 3 tells you how to visually inspect the battery. Your Toyota dealer and most service stations will be pleased to check the level of charge. Make sure the engine oil viscosity is suitable for the cold weather. See Section 7- 2 for recommended viscos- ity. Leaving a heavy summer oil in your vehicle during winter months may cause harder starting. If you are not sure about which oil to use, call your Toyota dealer— he will be pleased to help. Keep the door locks from freezing. Squirt lock de- icer or glycerine into the locks to keep them from freezing. Use a washer fluid containing an anti- freeze solution. This product is available at your Toyota dealer and most auto parts stores. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for how much to mix with water. NOTICE Do not use engine antifreeze or any other substitute because it may dam- age your vehicle’s paint. Do not use your parking brake when there is a possibility it could freeze. When parking, put the transmission into “P” (automatic) or into first or reverse (manual) and block the rear wheels. Do not use the parking brake, or snow or water accumulated in and around the parking brake mechanism may freeze, making it hard to release. Keep ice and snow from accumulating under the fenders. Ice and snow built up under your fenders can make steering difficult. During bad winter driving, stop and check under the fenders occasionally. Depending on where you are driving, we recommend you carry some emer- gency equipment. Some of the things you might put in the vehicle are tire chains, window scraper, bag of sand or salt, flares, small shovel, jumper cables, etc.

Trailer towing Your vehicle is designed primarily as a passenger- and- load- carrying vehicle. Tow- ing a trailer will have an adverse effect on handling, performance, braking, durability and driving economy (fuel consumption, etc.). Your safety and satisfaction depend on the proper use of correct equipment and cautious driving habits. For your safe- ty and the safety of others, you must not overload your vehicle or trailer. Ask your local Toyota dealer for further details be- fore towing. WEIGHT LIMITS Before towing, make sure the total trail- er weight, gross combination weight, gross vehicle weight, gross axle weight and trailer tongue load are all within the limits. The total trailer weight and tongue load can be measured with platform scales found at a highway weighing station, build- ing supply company, trucking company, junk yard, etc. CAUTION
The maximum gross trailer weight (trailer weight plus cargo weight) must never exceed the following. 3RZ- FE engine 1587 kg (3500 lb.) 5VZ- FE engine 2267 kg (5000 lb.) If towing a trailer and cargo weigh- ing over 907 kg (2000 lb.), it is necessary to use a sway control device with sufficient capacity. The combination of the gross trailer weight added to the total weight of the vehicle, occupants and vehicle cargo must never exceed a total of the following. Two- wheel drive models 3RZ- FE engine 3447 kg (7600 lb.) 5VZ- FE engine 3992 kg (8800 lb.) Four- wheel drive models 3RZ- FE engine 3583 kg (7900 lb.) 5VZ- FE engine 4173 kg (9200 lb.) Exceeding the maximum weight of the trailer, the vehicle, or the ve- hicle and trailer combination, can cause an accident resulting in seri- ous personal injuries.

Trailer hitch assemblies have differ- ent weight capacities established by the hitch manufacturer. Even though the vehicle may be physically capa- ble of towing a higher weight, the operator must determine the maxi- mum weight rating of the particular hitch assembly and never exceed the maximum weight rating speci- fied for the trailer- hitch. Exceeding the maximum weight rating set by the trailer hitch manufacturer can cause an accident resulting in seri- ous personal injuries.
The gross vehicle weight must not exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) indicated on the Certification Label. The gross vehi- cle weight is the sum of weights of the unloaded vehicle, driver, pas- sengers, luggage, hitch and trailer tongue load. It also includes the weight of any special equipment installed on your vehicle.
The load on either the front or rear axle resulting from distribution of the gross vehicle weight on both axles must not exceed the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) listed on the Certification Label. Total trailer weight Tongue load Tongue load Total trailer weight
100 9 to 11% CAUTION
The trailer cargo load should be distributed so that the tongue load is 9 to 11% of the total trailer weight, not exceeding the maximum of the following. Never load the trailer with more weight in the back than in the front. About 60% of the trailer load should be in the front half of the trailer and the remaining 40% in the rear. 3RZ- FE engine 158 kg (350 lb.) 5VZ- FE engine 226 kg (500 lb.)

HITCHES
Use only a weight carrying hitch designed for the total trailer weight. Toyota does not recommend using a weight distribution (load equalizing) hitch.
The hitch must be bolted securely to the vehicle frame and installed accord- ing to the hitch manufacturer’s instruc- tions.
The hitch ball and king pin should have a light coat of grease.
Toyota recommends removing the hitch when not towing to prevent injury and/ or damage due to the hitch in event of a rear end collision. After removal of the hitch, seal the installation area to prevent entry of exhaust fumes and mud. NOTICE Do not use an axle- mounting hitch as it may cause damage to the axle housing, wheel bearings, wheels and or tires. BRAKES AND SAFETY CHAINS
Toyota recommends trailers with brakes that conform to any applica- ble federal and state/provincial regu- lations.
A safety chain must always be used between the towing vehicle and the trailer. Leave sufficient slack in the chain for turns. The chain should cross under the trailer tongue to prevent the tongue from dropping to the ground in case it becomes dam- aged or separated. For correct safety chain procedures, follow the hitch or trailer manufacturer’s recommenda- tions. CAUTION
If the total trailer weight exceeds 453 kg (1000 lb.), trailer brakes are required.
Never tap into your vehicle’s hy- draulic system as it would lower its braking effectiveness.
Never tow a trailer without using a safety chain securely attached to both the trailer and the vehicle. If damage occurs to the coupling unit or hitch ball, there is danger of the trailer wandering over into another lane. TIRES
Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. See Section 7- 2 for instructions.
The trailer tires should be inflated to the pressure recommended by the trail- er manufacturer in respect to the total trailer weight. TRAILER LIGHTS
Trailer lights must comply with federal, state/provincial and local regulations. See your local recreational vehicle dealer or rental agency for the correct type of wiring and relays for your trail- er. Check for correct operation of the turn signals and stop lights each time you hitch up. Direct splicing may dam- age your vehicle’s electrical system and cause a malfunction of your lights.

BREAK- IN SCHEDULE
Toyota recommends that you do not tow a trailer with a new vehicle or a vehicle with any new power train com- ponent (engine, transmission, differen- tial, wheel bearing, etc.) for the first 800 km (500 miles) of driving. MAINTENANCE
If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent maintenance due to the additional load. For this informa- tion, please refer to the scheduled maintenance information in the “Sched- uled Maintenance Guide” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”.
Retighten all fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approximately 1000 km (600 miles) of trailer driving. PRE- TOWING SAFETY CHECK
Check that your vehicle remains level when a loaded or unloaded trailer is hitched. Do not drive if the vehicle has an abnormal nose- up or nose- down condition, and check for improper tongue load, overload, worn suspension or other possible causes.
Make sure the trailer cargo is securely loaded so that it cannot shift.
Check that your rear view mirrors con- form to any applicable federal, state/ provincial or local regulation. If not, install the rear view mirrors required for towing purpose. TRAILER TOWING TIPS When towing a trailer, your vehicle will handle differently than when not tow- ing. The three main causes of vehicle- trailer accidents are driver error, exces- sive speed and improper trailer loading. Keep these in mind when towing:
Before starting out, check operation of the lights and all vehicle- trailer connec- tions. After driving a short distance, stop and recheck the lights and con- nections. Before actually towing a trail- er, practice turning, stopping and back- ing with a trailer in an area away from traffic until you learn the feel.
Backing with a trailer is difficult and requires practice. Grip the bottom of the steering wheel and move your hand to the left to move the trailer to the left. Move your hand to the right to move the trailer to the right. (This pro- cedure is generally opposite to that when backing without a trailer). Also, just turn the steering wheel a little at a time, avoiding sharp or prolonged turning. Have someone guide you when backing to reduce the risk of an acci- dent.

Because stopping distance may be in- creased, vehicle- to- vehicle distance should be increased when towing a trailer. For each 16 km/h (10 mph) of speed, allow at least one vehicle and trailer length between you and the ve- hicle ahead. Avoid sudden braking as you may skid, resulting in jackknifing and loss of control. This is especially true on wet or slippery surfaces.
Avoid jerky starts or sudden accelera- tion. If your vehicle has a manual transmission, prevent excessive clutch slippage by keeping engine rpm low and not racing the engine. Always start out in first gear.
Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns. The trailer could hit your vehicle in a tight turn. Slow down before making a turn to avoid the necessity of sudden braking.
Remember that when making a turn, the trailer wheels will be closer than the vehicle wheels to the inside of the turn. Therefore, compensate for this by making a larger than normal turning radius with your vehicle.
Crosswinds and rough roads will ad- versely affect handling of your vehicle and trailer, causing sway. Pay attention to the rear from time to time to pre- pare yourself for being passed by large trucks or buses, which may cause your vehicle and trailer to sway. If swaying happens, firmly grip the steering wheel and reduce speed immediately but gradually. Never increase speed. Steer straight ahead. If you make no extreme correction with the steering or brakes, the vehicle and trailer will stabilize.
Be careful when passing other ve- hicles. Passing requires considerable distance. After passing a vehicle, do not forget the length of your trailer and be sure you have plenty of room befo- re changing lanes.
In order to maintain engine braking effi- ciency, do not use fifth gear (manual transmission) or overdrive (automatic transmission).
Because of the added load of the trail- er, your vehicle’s engine may overheat on hot days (at temperatures over 30C [85F]) when going up a long or steep grade with a trailer. If the engine coolant temperature gauge indicates overheating, immediately turn off the air conditioning (if in use), pull off the road and stop in a safe spot. Refer to “If your vehicle overheats” in Section 4 of this manual.
Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and trailer wheels when parking. Apply the parking brake firmly. Put the transmission in “P” (automatic) or in first or reverse (manual). Avoid parking on a slope with a trailer, but if it cannot be avoided, do so only after performing the following: 1. Apply the brakes and hold. 2. Have someone place wheel blocks un- der both the vehicle and trailer wheels. 3. When the wheel blocks are in place, release your brakes slowly until the blocks absorb the load. 4. Apply the parking brake firmly. 5. Shift into first or reverse (manual) or “P” (automatic) and turn off the engine.

When restarting out after parking on a slope: 1. With the transmission in “P” position (automatic) or the clutch pedal de- pressed (manual), start the engine. (With an automatic transmission, be sure to keep the brake pedal de- pressed.) 2. Shift into gear. 3. Release the parking brake (also foot brake on automatic transmission ve- hicles) and slowly pull or back away from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply your brakes. 4. Have someone retrieve the blocks. CAUTION
Do not exceed 72 km/h (45 mph) or the posted towing speed limit, whichever is lower. Because insta- bility (swaying) of a towing vehicle- trailer combination usually in- creases as the speed increases, ex- ceeding 72 km/h (45 mph) may cause loss of control.
Slow down and downshift before descending steep or long downhill grades. Do not make sudden down- shifts.
Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or too frequently. This could cause the brakes to overheat and result in reduced braking effi- ciency. Getting more kilometers/mileage from a liter/gallon of fuel is easy—just take it easy. It will help make your vehicle last longer, too. Here are some specific tips on how to save money on both fuel and repairs:
Keep your tires inflated at the cor- rect pressure. Underinflation causes tire wear and wastes fuel. See Section 7- 2 for instructions.
Do not carry unneeded weight in your vehicle. Excess weight puts a heavier load on the engine, causing greater fuel consumption.
Avoid lengthy warm- up idling. Once the engine is running smoothly, begin driving—but gently. Remember, howev- er, that on cold winter days this may take a little longer.
Keep the automatic transmission overdrive turned on when engine braking is not required. Driving with the overdrive off will reduce the fuel economy. (For details, see “Automatic transmission” in Section 1- 6.)
Accelerate slowly and smoothly. Avoid jackrabbit starts. Get into high gear as quickly as possible. How to save fuel and make your vehicle last longer, too

Avoid long engine idling. If you have a long wait and you are not in traffic, it is better to turn off the engine and start again later.
Avoid engine lug or overrevving. Use a gear position suitable for the road on which you are travelling.
Avoid continuous speeding up and slowing down. Stop- and- go driving wastes fuel.
Avoid unnecessary stopping and braking. Maintain a steady pace. Try to time the traffic signals so you only need to stop as little as possible or take advantage of through streets to avoid traffic lights. Keep a proper dis- tance from other vehicles to avoid sud- den braking. This will also reduce wear on your brakes.
Avoid heavy traffic or traffic jams whenever possible.
Do not rest your foot on the clutch or brake pedal. This causes premature wear, overheating and poor fuel econo- my.
Maintain a moderate speed on high- ways. The faster you drive, the greater the fuel consumption. By reducing your speed, you will cut down on fuel con- sumption.
Keep the front wheels in proper alignment. Avoid hitting the curb and slow down on rough roads. Improper alignment not only causes faster tire wear but also puts an extra load on the engine, which, in turn, wastes fuel.
Keep the bottom of your vehicle free from mud, etc. This not only lessens weight but also helps prevent corro- sion.
Keep your vehicle tuned- up and in top shape. A dirty air cleaner, improp- er valve clearance, dirty plugs, dirty oil and grease,brakes not adjusted, etc. all lower engine performance and contrib- ute to poor fuel economy. For longer life of all parts and lower operating costs, keep all maintenance work on schedule, and if you often drive under severe conditions, see that your vehicle receives more frequent maintenance. (For scheduled maintenance informa- tion, please refer to the separate “Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”). CAUTION Never turn off the engine to coast down hills. Your power steering and brake booster will not function with- out the engine running. Also, the emission control system operates properly only when the engine is run- ning.