1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER ABS

4RUNNER (1998)
The SRS airbag system mainly con-
sists of the following components and
their locations are shown in the il-
lustration.
1 SRS airbag warning light
2 Airbag module for driver (airbag
and inflator)
3 Airbag module for passenger (air-
bag
and inflator)
4 Airbag sensor assembly
The airbag sensor assembly consists
of a safing sensor and airbag sensor. In a severe frontal impact, sensors
detect deceleration and the system
triggers the airbag inflators. Then a
chemical reaction in the inflators mo-
mentarily fills the air
bags with non-
toxic gas to help restrain the forward
motion of the occupants.
When the airbags inflate, they produce
a fairly loud noise and release some
smoke along with non- toxic gas. This
does not indicate a fire. Be sure to
wash off any residue as soon as pos-
sible to prevent minor skin irritation.
Deployment of the airbags happen in
a fraction of a second, so the airbags
must inflate with considerable force.
While the system is designed to re-
duce serious injuries, it may also
cause minor burns or abrasions and
swellings.
Parts of the airbag module (steering
wheel hub, dashboard) may be hot for
several minutes, but the airbags them-
selves will not be hot. The airbags are
designed to inflate only once.
A crash severe enough to inflate the
airbags may break the windshield as
the vehicle buckles. In vehicles with
a passenger airbag the windshield
may also be damaged by absorbing
some of the force of the inflating air- bag.
CAUTION
The SRS airbag system is de-
signed only as a supplement to
the primary protection of the
driver side and front passenger
side seat belt systems. The
front seat occupants can be
killed or seriously injured by an
inflating airbag if they do not
wear the available seat belts.
During sudden braking just be-
fore a collision, an unrestrained
driver or front passenger can
move forward into direct con-
tact with or close proximity to
the airbag which may then
deploy during the collision. To
obtain maximum protection in
an accident, the driver and all
passengers in the vehicle must
wear their seat belts. Wearing a
seat belt during an accident re-
duces the chances of death or
serious injuries or being thrown
out of the vehicle. For instruc-
tions and precautions concern-
ing the seat belt system, see
Seat beltsº in this chapter.

4RUNNER (1998)
(e) Malfunction Indicator Lamp
This lamp comes on in the following
cases.
a. The fuel tank is completely empty. (See ºFuel gaugeº in Chapter
1- 5 for instructions.)
b. The fuel tank cap is not tightened
securely. (See ºFuel tank capº in
Chapter 1- 2 for instructions.)
c. There is a problem somewhere in
your engine or automatic transmis-
sion electrical system.
If it comes on while you are driving
in case c, have your vehicle checked/
repaired by your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible.
(f) Low Fuel Level Warning Light
This light comes on when the fuel
level in the tank becomes nearly
empty. Fill up the tank as soon as
possible.
On inclines or curves, due to the
movement of fuel in the tank, the low
fuel level warning light may come on
earlier than usual.
(g) ºABSº Warning Light
This light warns that there is a prob-
lem somewhere in your anti- lock
brake system. If the light comes on while you are
driving, have your vehicle checked by
your Toyota dealer as soon as pos-
sible.
The light will come on when the igni-
tion key is turned to the ºONº posi-
tion. After about 3 seconds, the light
will go off.
When the ºABSº warning light is on
(and the brake system warning light is
off), the brake system operates con-
ventionally but anti- lock brake system
is not assisting brake performance so
that the wheels can lock- up during
sudden braking or braking on slippery
road surfaces.
Vehicles with rear differential lock sys-
temÐ
The anti-lock brake system does not
operate when the rear differential is
locked. It is normal operation for the
ºABSº warning light to be on at this
time.
(h) Open Door Warning Light
This light remains on until all the
doors and back door are completely
closed.
(i) SRS Airbag Warning Light
This light will come on when the
ignition key is turned to the ºACCº
or ºONº position. After about 6 se-
conds, the light will go off. This
means the airbag system is operat-
ing properly.
The warning light system monitors the
airbag sensor assembly, inflators,
warning light, interconnecting wiring
and power sources.
If either of the following conditions
occurs, this indicates a malfunction
somewhere in the parts monitored by
the warning light system. Contact your
Toyota dealer as soon as possible to
service the vehicle.
The light does not come on when
the ignition key is turned to the
ºACCº or ºONº position or remains on.
The light comes on while driving.
(j) Light Reminder Buzzer
This buzzer will sound if the driver 's
door is opened while the ignition
switch is turned to the ºLOCKº posi-
tion with the headlight switch on. Re-
moving the key will not stop the buzz-
er as long as the headlight switch is on.

4RUNNER (1998)
(k) Key Reminder Buzzer
This buzzer reminds you to remove
the key when you open the driver's
door with the ignition key in the ºACCº
or ºLOCKº position.
(l) Unengaged ºParkº Warning
Light
( vehicles with automatic
transmission)
This light warns that the transmission
ºParkº mechanism is not engaged. If
the front drive control lever is in the
ºNº position while the selector lever is
in the ºPº position, the transmission
will disengage and the wheels will not
lock.
CAUTION
To restore the park function, shift
the front drive control lever out
of ºNº, or the vehicle can move.
(m) Automatic Transmission Fluid Temperature Warning Light
This light warns that the automatic
transmission fluid temperature is too
high.
If this light comes on while you are
driving, slow down and pull off the
road. Stop the vehicle at a safe place
and put the selector lever in ºPº. With
the engine idling, wait until the light
goes off. If the light goes off, you
may start the vehicle again. If the
light does not go off, call a Toyota
dealer or qualified repair shop for as-
sistance.
NOTICE
Continued driving with the warn- ing light on may damage the auto-matic transmission.
(n) Low windshield Washer Fluid Level Warning Light (Canada)
The light warns that the windshield
washer fluid level is too low. Add
washer fluid at your earliest opportuni-
ty. (For instructions, see ºAdding
washer fluidº in Chapter 7- 3.) CHECKING SERVICE REMINDER
INDICATORS
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Open one of the side doors or the back door.
The open door warning light should
come on.
3. Close the door. The open door warning light should
go off.
4. Turn the ignition key to ºACCº. The SRS airbag warning light
should come on. It goes off after
about 6 seconds.
5. Turn the ignition key to ºONº, but do not start the engine.
All the service reminder indicators
except the open door warning light
and SRS airbag warning light
should come on. The ºABSº warn-
ing light goes off after about 3 se-
conds.

4RUNNER (1998)
To lock the rear differential, push
the switch.
Be sure to stop the wheels before
locking the differential.
Vehicles with manual transmis-
sion'For easy locking, depress the
clutch pedal, push the lock switch and
slowly release the clutch pedal.
The indicator light will blink when the
switch is turned on. Wait a few se-
conds for the system to complete op-
eration. After the differential is locked,
the light will stop blinking and remain on. The anti- lock brake system does not
operate when the rear differential is
locked. It is normal operation for the
ºABSº warning light to be on at this
time.CAUTION

Do not lock the differential until
the wheels have stopped spin-
ning. Otherwise, the vehicle
may move in an unexpected
direction when the differential
lock is engaged, resulting in an
accident. This may also lead to
possible damage to differential
lock component parts.
Do not drive over 8 km/h (5
mph) when the differential is
locked.
To unlock the differential, push the
switch once again.
Unlock the differential as soon as the
vehicle moves out.

4RUNNER (1998)
Even if the power assist is
completely lost, the brakes will
still work. But you will have to
push the pedal hardÐmuch
harder than normal. And your
braking distance will be longer.
ANTI- LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
(with ºABSº warning light)
The anti- lock brake system is de-
signed to automatically help prevent
lock- up of the wheels during sudden
braking or braking on slippery road
surfaces. This assists in providing
directional stab ility and steering per-
formance of the vehicle under these
circumstances.
The anti- lock brake system becomes
operative after the vehicle has accel-
erated to a speed in excess of
approximately 10 km/h (6 mph). It
stops operating when the vehicle de-
celerates to a speed below approxi-
mately 5 km/h (3 mph).
You may hear a sound in the engine
compartment for a few seconds when
the engine is started or just after the
vehicle is started. This means that the
anti- lock brake system is in the self
check mode, and does not indicate a
malfunction. Effective way to press the ºABSº
brake pedal: When the anti- lock brake
system function is in action, you may
feel the brake pedal pulsating and
hear a noise. In this situation, to let
the anti- lock brake system work for
you, just hold the brake pedal down
more firmly. Do not pump the brake.
This will result in reduced braking per-
formance.
The brake pedal pulsation caused by
the anti- lock brake system may indi-
cate hazardous road surface condi-
tions. Although the anti- lock brake
system assists in providing vehicle
control, it is still important to drive
with all due care, because the anti-
lock brake system cannot overcome
the laws of physics that act on your
vehicle:
Braking capab ility is dependent on
tire friction with the road surface.
Even though the anti- lock brake
system is operating, a driver can-
not maintain full control on certain
slippery road surfaces, when cor-
nering at high speeds, or in violent
maneuvers.
Avoid high speeds on wet roads.
The anti- lock brake system cannot
eliminate the risk of hydroplaning
and loss of tire friction. Always maintain a safe distance from
the vehicle in front of you. Compared
with vehicles not fitted with an anti-
lock brake system, your vehicle may
require a longer stopping distance in
the following cases:
Driving on rough, gravel or snow-
covered roads.
Driving with tire chains installed.
Driving on roads where the road
surface is pitted or has other differ-
ences in surface height.
CAUTION
Do not use tires other than the
manufacturer 's designated tires,
and do not mix tires or wheels of
different sizes. You may prevent
the antilock brake system from
operating at full effectiveness.
Vehicles with rear differential lock sys-
tem 'The anti- lock brake system does
not operate when the rear differential
is locked. It is normal operation for
the ºABSº warning light to be on at
this time.

4RUNNER (1998)
Ty p e A
Ty p e B
ºABSº warning light This light comes on when the ignition
key is turned to the ºONº position.
After about 3 seconds, the light will
go off.

4RUNNER (1998)
When the light is on with the rear
differential locked, it indicates the
anti- lock brake system will not oper-
ate.
If either of the following conditions
occurs, this indicates a malfunction
somewhere in the parts monitored by
the warning light system. Contact your
Toyota dealer as soon as possible to
service the vehicle.
The light does not come on as
described above, or remains on.
The light comes on while driving
with the rear differential unlocked.
The light does not come on with
the rear differential locked.
The light comes on while driving. Even if the anti- lock brake system
should fail, the brake system will still
operate conventionally. However, when
the ºABSº warning light is on (and the
brake system warning light is off), the
anti- lock brake system is not assist-
ing brake performance so that the
wheels can lock- up during sudden
braking or braking on slippery road
surfaces. Have your vehicle checked
by your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible.
Brake pad wear limit indica-
tors

4RUNNER (1998)
Because of the added load of the
trailer, your vehicle's engine may
overheat on hot days (at tempera-
tures over 30 C [85 F]) when go-
ing up a long or steep grade with
a trailer. If the engine coolant tem-
perature gauge indicates overheat-
ing, immediately turn off the air-
conditioning (if in use), pull off the
road and stop in a safe spot. Refer
to ºIf your vehicle overheatsº in
Part 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 Pº (automatic) or in first or re-
verse (manual). Avoid parking on a
slope with a trailer, but if it cannot
be avoided, do so only after per-
forming the following:
1. Apply the brakes and hold.
2. Have someone place wheel blocks under 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 ºPº (automatic) and turn off the
engine. When restarting out after parking on
a slope:
1. With the transmission in ºPº posi- tion (automatic) or the clutch pedal
depressed (manual), start the en-
gine. (With an automatic transmis-
sion, be sure to keep the brake
pedal depressed.)
2. Shift into gear.
3. Release the parking brake (also foot brake on automatic transmis-
sion vehicles) and slowly pull or
back away from the wheel blo cks.
Stop and apply your brakes.
4. Have someone retrieve the blo cks.
CAUTION
Do not exceed 72 km/h (45
mph) or the posted towing
speed limit, whichever is lower.
Because instab ility (swaying) of
a towing vehicle- trailer com-
bination usually increases as
the speed increases, exceeding
72 km/h (45 mph) may cause
loss of control.