1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER coolant temperature

4RUNNER (1998)
Instrument cluster overview
1. Service reminder indicators or indi- cator lights
2. Engine coolant temperature gauge
3. Tachometer 4. Speedometer
5. Odometer
6. Trip meter
7. Fuel gauge
8. Trip meter reset knob

4RUNNER (1998)
Part 1
OPERATION OF
INSTRUMENTS
AND CONTROLSÐ
Chapter 1- 5
Gauges, Meters
and Service reminder indicators
Fuel gauge
Engine coolant temperature gauge
Tachometer
Odometer and trip meter
Service reminder indicators and
warning buzzers
Fuel gauge

4RUNNER (1998)
The gauge indicates the engine
coolant temperature when the igni-
tion switch is on. The engine oper-
ating temperature will vary with
changes in weather and engine
load.
If the needle moves into the red zone,
your engine is too hot. If your vehicle
overheats, stop your vehicle and allow
the engine to cool.
Your vehicle may overheat during se-
vere operating conditions, such as:
Driving up a long hill on a hot day.
Reducing speed or stopping after
high speed driving.
Idling for a long period with the air
conditioning on in stop- and- go traf-fic.
Towing a trailer
NOTICE
Do not remove the thermostat
in the engine cooling system asthis may cause the engine to
overheat. The thermostat is de-
signed to control the flow ofcoolant to keep the temperatureof the engine within the speci-
fied operating range.
Do not continue driving with anoverheated engine. See ºIf your
vehicle overheatsº in Part 4.
Tachometer

4RUNNER (1998)
CAUTION
When making the connections, to
avoid serious injury, do not lean
over the battery or accidentally
let the jumper cables or clamps
touch anything except the correct
battery terminals or the ground.
5. Start your engine in the normal
way. After starting, run it at about
2000 rpm for several minutes with
the accelerator pedal lightly de-
pressed.
6. Carefully disconnect the cables in the exact reverse order: the nega-
tive cable and then the positive
cable.
7. Carefully dispose of the battery cover clothsÐthey may now con-
tain sulfuric acid.
8. If removed, replace all the battery vent plugs.
If the cause of your battery discharg-
ing is not apparent (for example,
lights left on), you should have it
checked. If your engine stalls while driving...
1. Reduce your speed gradually, keep- ing a straight line. Move cautiously
off the road to a safe place.
2. Turn on your emergency flashers.
3. Try starting the engine again.
If the engine will not start, see ºIf
your vehicle will not startº.
CAUTION
If the engine is not running, the
power assist for the brakes and
steering will not work so steering
and braking will be much harder
than usual.
If your vehicle overheats
If your engine coolant temperature
gauge indicates overheating, if you
experience a loss of power, or if
you hear a loud knocking or ping-
ing noise, the engine has probably
overheated. You should follow this
procedure... 1. Pull safely off the road, stop the vehicle and turn on your emergen-
cy flashers. Put the transmission in
ºPº (automatic) or neutral (manual)
and apply the parking brake. Turn
off the air conditioning if it is being
used.
2. If coolant or steam is boiling out of the radiator or reservoir, stop the
engine. Wait until the steam sub-
sides before opening the hood. If
there is no coolant boiling over or
steam, leave the engine running.
CAUTION
To help avoid personal injury,
keep the hood closed until there
is no steam. Escaping steam or
coolant is a sign of very high
pressure.
If your engine stalls while
driving

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?

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