1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER Owners Manual

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)

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)
Low level
Full level
Type A
Type B
Add oil O.K. Too full
With the engine at operating tem-
perature and turned off, check the
oil level on the dipstick. 1. To get a true reading, the vehicle should be on a level spot. After
turning off the engine, wait a few
minutes for the oil to drain back
into the bottom of the engine.
2. Pull out the dipstick, and wipe it clean with a rag.
3. Reinsert the dipstickÐpush it in as far as it will go, or the reading will
not be correct.
4. Pull the dipstick out and look at the oil level on the end. If the oil level is below or only
slightly above the low level, add en-
gine oil of the same type as already
in the engine.
Remove the oil filler cap and add en-
gine oil in small quantities at a time,
checking the dipstick.
The approximate quantity of oil need-
ed to fill between the low level and
the full level on the dipstick is indi-
cated below for reference.
When the level reaches within the cor-
rect range, install the f
iller cap hand-
tight.
Oil quantity, L (qt., lmp. qt.): 3RZ- FE engine
1.5 (1.6, 1.3) 5VZ- FE engine
1.2 (1.3, 1.1)
NOTICE
Avoid overfilling, or the engine
could be damaged.
Check the oil level on the dip-stick once again after adding
the oil.

4RUNNER (1998)
ENGINE OIL SELECTION Use API grade SH, ºEnergy- Conserv-
ing IIº or SJ, Energy- conservingº
multigrade engine oil or ILSAC multi-
grade engine oil.Recommended viscosity (SAE):
SAE 5W- 30 is the best choice for
your vehicle, for good fuel economy
and good starting in cold weather.
If you use SAE 10W- 30 engine oil
in extremely low temperatures, the
engine may become difficult to
start, so SAE 5W- 30 engine oil is
recommended.

4RUNNER (1998)
API service symbol
ILSAC certification mark
Oil identification marks
Either or both API registered marks
are added to some oil containers to
help you select the oil you should use. The API Service Symbol is located
anywhere on the outside of the con-
tainer.

4RUNNER (1998)
The top portion of the label shows the
oil quality by API (American Petroleum
Institute) designations such as SJ.
The center portion of the label shows
the SAE
viscosity grade such as SAE 5W- 30.
ºEnergy- Conservingº shown in the
lower portion, indicates that the oil
has fuel- saving capab ilities.
The ILSAC (International Lubricant
Standardization and Approval Commit-
tee) Certification Mark is displayed on
the front of the container. Look at the see- through coolant
reservoir when the engine is cold.
The coolant level is satisfactory if
it is between the ºF (Full)º and ºL
(Low)º lines on the reservoir. If the
level is low, add ethylene- glycol
type coolant.
The coolant level in the reservoir will
vary with engine temperature. Howev-
er, if the level is on or below the ºLº
line, add coolant. Bring the level up
to the ºFº line.
Use only ethylene- glycol type coolant.
See information in the next column.
If the coolant level drops within a
short time after replenishing, there
may be a leak in the system. Visually
check the radiator, hoses, radiator cap
and drain cock and water pump.
If you can find no leak, have your
Toyota dealer test the cap pressure
and check for leaks in the cooling
system.
CAUTION
To prevent burning yourself, do
not remove the radiator cap when
the engine is hot.
Coolant type selection
Your coolant must contain ethylene-
glycol antifreeze. In addition to pre-
venting freezing and subsequent dam-
age to the engine, this will also
prevent corrosion. Further supplemen-
tal inhibitors or additives are neither
needed nor recommended.
Read the antifreeze container for in-
formation on freeze protection. Follow
the manufacturer 's directions for how
much to mix with water. The total ca-
pacity of the cooling system is given
in Part 8. We recommend 50% solu-
tion be used for your Toyota, or a
sufficient quantity to provide protection
to about -35
C (- 31 F).
NOTICE
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze
or plain water alone.
Checking the engine coolan
level

4RUNNER (1998)
Checking brake fluid
To check the fluid level, simply look
at the see- through reservoir. The
level should be between the ºMAXº
and ºMINº lines on the reservoir.
It is normal for the brake fluid level
to go down slightly as the brake pads
wear. So be sure to keep the reser-
voir filled.
If the reservoir needs frequent refil-
ling, it may indicate a serious me-
chanical problem.
If the level is low, add SAE J1703
or FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3 brake
fluid to the brake reservoir. Remove and replace the reservoir
cover by hand.
Use only newly opened brake fluid.
Once opened, brake fluid absorbs
moisture from the air, and excess
moisture can cause a dangerous loss
of braking.
CAUTION
Take care when filling the r
eser-
voir because brake fluid can harm
your eyes and damage painted
surfaces. If fluid gets in your
eyes, flush your eyes with clean
water.
NOTICE
If you spill the fluid, be sure to
wash it off with water to preventit from damaging the parts orpaint.