1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER maintenance

4RUNNER (1998)
Part 7
DO- IT- YOURSELF
MAINTENANCEÐ
Chapter 7- 1 Introduction
Engine compartment overview
Fuse locations
Do- it- yourself service
precautions
P ar t s and tools

4RUNNER (1998)
If you perform maintenance by
yourself, be sure to follow the cor-
rect procedure given in this part.
You should be aware that improper or
incomplete servicing may result in op-
erating problems.
Performing do- it- yourself maintenance
during the warranty period may affect
your warranty coverage. Read the
separate Toyota Warranty statement
for details and suggestions.
This part gives instructions only for
those items that are relatively easy
for an owner to perform. As explained
in Part 6, there are still a number of
items that must be done by a qualified
technician with special tools.
For information on tools and parts for
do- it- yourself maintenance, see ºParts
and toolsº.
Utmost care should be taken when
working on your vehicle to prevent
accidental injury. Here are a few pre-
cautions that you should be especially
careful to observe:
CAUTION
When the engine is running,
keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from the moving fan and
engine drive belts. (Removing
rings, watches, and ties is ad-
visable.)
Right after driving, the engine
compartmentÐthe engine, radia-
tor, exhaust manifold, power
steering fluid reservoir and
spark plug boots, etc.Ðwill be
hot. So be careful not to touch
them. Oil, fluids and spark
plugs may also be hot.
If the engine is hot, do not re-
move the radiator cap or loosen
the drain plugs to prevent burn-
ing yourself.
Do not smoke, cause sparks or
allow open flames around fuel
or the battery. Their fumes are
flammable.
Be extremely cautious when
working on the battery. It con-
tains poisonous and corrosive
sulfuric acid.
Do not get under your vehicle
with just the body jack support-
ing it. Always use automotive
jack stands or other solid sup-
ports.
Do- it- yourself service
precautions

4RUNNER (1998)
Parts and tools
Here is a list of parts and tools you
will need on performing do- it- yourself
maintenance. Remember all Toyota
parts are designed in metric sizes, so
your tools must be metric.
Checking the engine oil level
Parts (if level is low): Engine oil API grade SH, ºEnergy-
Conserving IIº or SJ, ºEnergy-
Conservingº multigrade or ILSAC
multigrade having viscosity proper
for your climate
Tools: Rag or paper towel
Funnel (only for adding oil)
Checking the engine coolant level
Parts (if level is low): Ethylene- glycol antifreeze
Demineralized or distilled water
Tools: Funnel (only for adding coolant)
Checking brake fluid
Parts (if level is low): SAE J1703 or FMVSS No. 116
DOT 3 brake fluid
Tools: Rag or paper towel
Funnel (only for adding fluid) Checking power steering fluid
Parts (if level is low):
Automatic transmission fluid DEXRON II or III
Tools: Rag or paper towel
Funnel (only for adding fluid)
Checking battery condition
Tools: Warm water
Baking soda
Grease
Conventional wrench (for terminal
clamp bolts)
Checking and replacing fuses
Parts (if replacement is necessary): Fuse with same amperage rating
as original
Tools: Conventional wrench (for instrument
lower panel nut)
Adding washer fluid
Parts: Water
Washer fluid containing antifreeze
(for winter use)
Tools: Funnel Replacing light bulbs
Parts:
Bulb with same number and watt-
age rating as original (See charts
in ºReplacing light bulbsº in Chap-
ter 7- 3.)
Tools: Screwdriver

4RUNNER (1998)
Part 7
DO- IT- YOURSELF
MAINTENANCEÐ
Chapter 7- 2
Engine and Chassis
Checking the engine oil level
Checking the engine coolant
level
Checking brake fluid
Checking power steering fluid
Checking tire pressure
Checking and replacing tires
Rotating tires
Installing snow tires and
chains
Replacing wheels
Aluminum wheel precautions
Checking the engine oil level

4RUNNER (1998)
Part 7
DO- IT- YOURSELF
MAINTENANCEÐ
Chapter 7- 3
Electrical components
Checking battery condition
Battery recharging precautions
Checking and replacing fuses
Adding washer fluid
Replacing light bulbs
CAUTION
BATTERY PRECAUTIONS
The battery produces flammable
and explosive hydrogen gas. Do not cause a spark from the
battery with tools.
Do not smoke or light a match
near the battery.
The electrolyte contains poison-
ous and corrosive sulfuric acid. Avoid contact with eyes, skin or
clothes.
Never ingest electrolyte.
Wear protective safety glasses
when working near the battery.
Keep children away from the
battery.
EMERGENCY MEASURES If electrolyte gets in your eyes,
flush your eyes with clean wa-
ter immediately and get immedi-
ate medical attention. If pos-
sible, continue to apply water
with a sponge or cloth while en
route to the medical office.
If electrolyte gets on your skin,
thoroughly wash the contact
area. If you feel pain or burn-
ing, get medical attention im-
mediately.
If electrolyte gets on your
clothes, there is a possibility of
its soaking through to your
skin, so immediately take off
the exposed clothing and follow
the procedure above, if neces-
sary.
If you happen to swallow elec-
trolyte, drink a large quantity of
water or milk. Follow with milk
of magnesia, beaten raw egg or
vegetable oil. Then go immedi-
ately for emergency help.
Checking battery c onditionÐ
ÐPrecautions

4RUNNER (1998)
ÐChecking battery exterior
TerminalsGround
cable
Hold- down
clamp
Check the battery for corroded or
loose terminal connections, cracks,
or loose hold- down clamp.
a. If the battery is corroded, wash it off with a solution of warm water
and baking soda. Coat the outside
of the terminals with grease to pre-
vent further corrosion.
b. If the terminal connections are loose, tighten their clamp nutsÐbut
do not overtighten.
c. Tighten the hold- down clamp only enough to keep the battery firmly
in place. Overtightening may dam-
age the battery case.
NOTICE
Be sure the engine and all ac-
cessories are off before per-forming maintenance.
When checking the battery, re-
move the ground cable from thenegative terminal (ºÐº mark)
first and reinstall it last.
Be careful not to cause a shortcircuit with tools.
Take care no solution gets intothe battery when washing it.
ÐChecking battery fluid