1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER transmission

4RUNNER (1998)
3. Visually check to see if the engine drive belt (fan belt) is broken or
loose. Look for obvious coolant
leaks from the radiator, hoses, and
under the vehicle. However, note
that water draining from the air
conditioning is normal if it has
been used.
CAUTION
When the engine is running, keep
hands and clothing away from the
moving fan and engine drive
belts.
4. If the engine drive belt is brokenor the coolant is leaking, stop the
engine immediately. Call a Toyota
dealer for assistance.
5. If the engine drive belt is O.K. and there are no obvious leaks, you
may help the engine cool down
more quickly by running it at about
1500 rpm for a few minutes with
the accelerator pedal lightly de-
pressed.
6. Check the coolant reservoir. If it is dry, add coolant to the reservoir
while the engine is running. Fill it
about half full.
CAUTION
Do not attempt to remove the ra-
diator cap when the engine and
radiator are hot. Serious injury
could result from scalding hot
fluid and steam blown out under
pressure.
7. After the engine coolant tempera-ture has cooled to normal, again
check the coolant level in the res-
ervoir. If necessary, bring it up to
half full again. Serious coolant loss
indicates a leak in the system. You
should have it checked as soon as
possible at your Toyota dealer. If you have a flat tireÐ
1. Reduce your speed gradually, keep- ing a straight line. Move cautiously
off the road to a safe place well
away from the traffic. Avoid stop-
ping on the center divider of a
highway. Park on a level spot with
firm ground.
2. Stop the engine and turn on your emergency flashers.
3. Firmly set the parking brake and put the transmission in ºPº (auto-
matic) or reverse (manual).
4. Have everyone get out of the ve- hicle on the side away from traffic.
5. Read the following instructions thoroughly.
CAUTION
When jacking, be sure to observe
the following to reduce the possi-
bility of personal injury: Follow jacking instructions.
Do not start or run the engine
while your vehicle is supported
by the jack.

4RUNNER (1998)
Stop the vehicle on a level firm
ground, firmly set the parking
brake and put the transmission
in ºPº (automatic) or reverse
(manual). Block the wheel diag-
onally opposite to the one be-
ing changed if necessary.
Make sure to set the jack prop-
erly in the jack point. Raising
the vehicle with jack improperly
positioned will damage the ve-
hicle or may allow the vehicle
to fall off the jack and cause
personal injury.
Never get under the vehicle
when the vehicle is supported
by the jack alone.
Use the jack only for lifting
your vehicle during wheel
changing.
Do not raise the vehicle with
someone in the vehicle.
When raising the vehicle, do
not put an object on or under
the jack.
Raise the vehicle only high
enough to remove and change
the tire.NOTICE
Do not continue driving with a
deflated tire. Driving even a shortdistance can damage a tire be-yond repair.
ÐRequired tools and spare
tire

4RUNNER (1998)
Only when you cannot receive a
towing service from a Toyota dealer
or commercial tow truck service,
tow your vehicle carefully in accor-
dance with the instructions given in
ºÐEmergency towingº in this Part.
Proper equipment will help ensure that
your vehicle is not damaged while be-
ing towed. Commercial operators are
generally aware of the state/provincial
and local laws pertaining to towing.
Your vehicle can be damaged if it is
towed incorrectly. Although most oper-
ators know the correct procedure, it is
possible to make a mistake. To avoid
damage to your vehicle, make sure
the following few precautions are ob-
served. If necessary, show this page
to the tow truck driver. TOWING PRECAUTIONS:
Use a safety chain system for all tow-
ing, and abide by the state/provincial
and local laws. The wheels and axle
on the ground must be in good condi-
tion. If they are damaged, use a tow-
ing dolly.
Two- wheel drive modelsÐ
(a) Towing with wheel lift type
truck
From frontÐ Manual transmission:
We recommend using a towing dolly
under the rear wheels. If you do not
use a towing dolly, release the park-
ing brake and put the transmission
in neutral.
Automatic transmission:
Use a towing dolly under the rear
wheels.
NOTICE
Never tow a vehicle with an auto-
matic transmission from the frontwith the rear wheels on theground, as this may cause serious
damage to the transmission.
From rearÐ Place the ignition key in
the ºACCº position.
NOTICE
When lifting wheels, take care
to ensure adequate groundclearance for towing at the op-posite end of the raised vehicle.
Otherwise, the bumper and/orunderbody of the towed vehiclewill be damaged during towing.
Do not tow with the key re-moved or in the ºLOCKº posi-tion, as the steering lock mech-
anism is not strong enough tohold the front wheels straight
while towing.
(b) Using flat bed truck

4RUNNER (1998)
Four-wheel drive modelsÐ
(a) Towing with wheel lift type truck From frontÐ
Manual transmission:
We recommend using a towing dol-
ly under the rear wheels. If you do
not use a towing dolly, release the
parking brake, put the transmission
in neutral and the transfer in ºH2º.
Automatic transmission:
Use a towing dolly under the rear
wheels.
NOTICE
Never tow a vehicle with an auto-
matic transmission from the frontwith the rear wheels on the
ground, as this may cause serious
damage to the transmission.
From rearÐ We recommend using a
towing dolly under the front wheels. If
you do not use a towing dolly, place
the ignition key in the ºACCº position,
put the transmission in neutral and the
transfer in ºH2º.
NOTICE
Do not tow with the key removed
or in the ºLOCKº position whentowing from the rear without atowing dolly. The steering lock
mechanism is not strong enoughto hold the front wheels straight.
(b) Using flat bed truck

4RUNNER (1998)
If towing is necessary, we recom-
mend you to have it done by your
Toyota dealer or a commercial tow
truck service.
If towing service is not available in
an emergency, your vehicle may be
temporarily towed by a cable or
chain secured to the emergency
towing hook. Use extreme caution
when towing vehicles.
A driver must be in the vehicle to
steer it and operate the brakes.
Towing in this manner may be done
only on hard- surfaced roads for a
short distance and at low speeds.
Also, the wheels, axles, drive train,
steering and brakes must all be in
good condition.
CAUTION
Use extreme caution when towing
vehicles. Avoid sudden starts or
erratic driving maneuvers which
would place excessive stress on
the emergency towing hook and
towing cable or chain. The hook
and towing cable or chain may
break and cause serious injury or damage.
NOTICE
Use only a cable or chain specifi-
cally intended for use in towingvehicles. Securely fasten the cableor chain to the towing hook pro-
vided.
Before towing, release the parking
brake and put the transmission in neu-
tral (manual) or ºNº (automatic) and
the transfer in ºH2º (four- wheel drive
models). The key must be in ºACCº
(engine off) or ºONº (engine running).

4RUNNER (1998)
The following methods are effective to
get out when your vehicle is struck in
mud, sand or other condition from
which the vehicle cannot be driven out
under its own power. Use extreme
caution when towing vehicles. In addi-
tion, keep away from the vehicles and
towing cable or chain when towing.
Remove the soil and sand in the
front and the back of the tires.
Place a stone or wood under the
tires.
If you cannot shift the selector le-
ver out of ºPº position to other
positions even though the brake
pedal is depressed, use the shift
lock override button as follows: 1. Turn the ignition key to ºLOCKº
position. Make sure the parking
brake is set.
2. Pry up the cover with a flat- bladed screwdriver or equivalent.
ÐTips for towing a stuck
vehicle
If you cannot shift automa
t
transmission selector lever
(two- wheel drive models)

4RUNNER (1998)
3. Insert the screwdriver or equiva-
lent into the hole to push down
the shift lock override button.
You can shift out of ºPº position
only while pushing the button.
4. Shift into ºNº position.
5. Insert the cover.
6. Start the engine. For your safety, keep the brake pedal depressed.
Be sure to have the system checked
by your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible. If you cannot shift automa
t
transmission selector lever
(four- wheel drive models)

4RUNNER (1998)
Automatic transmission ºParkº mech- anism
Check the lock release button of the
selector lever for proper and smooth
operation. On a safe incline, check
that your vehicle is held securely with
the selector lever in ºPº position and
all brakes released.
IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT
Items listed below should be
checked from time to time, e.g.
each time when refueling.
Washer fluid
Make sure there is sufficient fluid in
the tank. See Chapter 7- 3 for addi-
tional information.
Engine coolant level
Make sure the coolant level is be-
tween the ºFULLº and ºLOWº lines on
the see- through reservoir when the
engine is cold. See Chapter 7- 2 for
additional information.
Battery electrolyte level
Make sure the electrolyte level of all
battery cells is between upper and
lower level lines on the case. Add
only distilled water when replenishing.
See Chapter 7- 3 for additional in-
formation. Brake fluid level
Make sure the brake fluid level is cor-
rect. See Chapter 7- 2 for additional
information.
Engine oil level
Check the level on the dipstick with
the engine turned off and the vehicle
parked on a level spot. See Chapter
7- 2 for additional information.
Power steering fluid level
Check the level through the reservoir.
The level should be in the ºHOTº or
ºCOLDº range depending on the fluid
temperature. See Chapter 7- 2 for
additional information.
Exhaust system
If you notice any change in the sound
of the exhaust or smell exhaust
fumes, have the cause located and
corrected immediately. (See engine ex-
haust cautions in Part 2.)
Be on the alert for changes in perfor-
mance, sounds, and visual tip- offs
that indicate service is needed. Some
important clues are as follows:
Engine missing, stumbling, or ping-
ing
Appreciable loss of power
Strange engine noises
A leak under the vehicle (however,
water dripping from the air condi-
tioning after use is normal.)
Change in exhaust sound (This
may indicate a dangerous carbon
monoxide leak. Drive with the win-
dows open and have the exhaust
system checked immediately.)
Flat- looking tire; excessive tire
squeal when cornering; uneven tire wear
Vehicle pulls to one side when
driving straight on a level road
Strange noises related to suspen-
sion movement
Loss of brake effectiveness;
spongy feeling brake or clutch ped-
al; pedal almost touches floor; ve-
hicle pulls to one side when brak-
ing
Engine coolant temperature continu-
ally higher than normal
Does your vehicle need
repairing?