1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER oil change

4RUNNER (1998)
Keep the back door and back
window closed while driving. An
open or unsealed back door and
back window, may cause ex-
haust gases to be drawn into
the vehicle. If you must drive
with the trunk lid open to ac-
commodate a large object, close
the windows, open all the
instrument panel vents and
have the heating or cooling sys-
tem deliver fresh air into the
vehicle by turning the fan to
high speed with the air intake
control set at the outside air
position.
To allow proper operation of
your vehicle's ventilation sys-
tem, keep the inlet grilles in
front of the windshield clear of
snow, leaves, or other obstruc-
tions.
If you smell exhaust fumes in
the vehicle, drive with the win-
dows open and the back door
and back window closed. Have
the cause immediately located
and corrected.FUNCTIONS OF ENGINE OIL
Engine oil has the primary functions
of lubricating and cooling the inside of
the engine, and plays a major role in
maintaining the engine in proper work-
ing order.
ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION
It is normal that an engine should
consume some engine oil during
normal engine operation. The
causes of oil consumption in a nor-
mal engine are as follows.
Oil is used to lubricate pistons,
piston rings and cylinders. A thin
film of oil is left on the cylinder
wall when a piston moves down-
wards in the cylinder. High nega-
tive pressure generated when the
vehicle is decelerating sucks some
of this oil into the combustion
chamber. This oil as well as some
part of the oil film left on the cylin-
der wall is burned by the high tem-
perature combustion gases during
the combustion process.
Oil is also used to lubricate the
stems of the intake valves. Some
of this oil is sucked into the com-
bustion chamber together with the
intake air and is burned along with
the fuel. High temperature exhaust
gases also burn the oil used to
lubricate the exhaust valve stems.
The amount of engine oil consumed
depends on the viscosity of the oil,
the quality of the oil and the condi-
tions the vehicle is driven under.
More oil is consumed by high- speed
driving and frequent acceleration and
deceleration.
A new engine consumes more oil,
since its pistons, piston rings and cyl-
inder walls have not become condi-
tioned.
When judging the amount of oil
consumption, note that the oil may
become diluted and make it difficult
to judge the true level accurately.
As an example, if a vehicle is used
for repeated short trips, and consumes
a normal amount of oil, the dipstick
may not show any drop in the oil
level at all, even after 1000 km (600
miles) or more. This is because the
oil is gradually becoming diluted with
fuel or moisture, making it appear that
the oil level has not changed.
Facts about engine oil
consumption

4RUNNER (1998)
Tire surface and wheel nuts
Check the tires carefully for cuts,
damage or excessive wear. See Chap-
ter 7- 2 for additional information.
When checking the tires, make sure
no nuts are missing, and check the
nuts for looseness. Tighten them if
necessary.
Tire rotation
Rotate the tires every 12000 km (7500
miles). See Chapter 7- 2 for additional
information.
Fluid leaks
Check underneath for leaking fuel, oil,
water or other fluid after the vehicle
has been parked for a while. If you
smell fuel fumes or notice any leak,
have the cause found and corrected
immediately.
Doors and engine hood
Check that all doors including back
door operate smoothly and all latches
lock securely. Make sure the engine
hood secondary latch secures the
hood from opening when the primary
latch is released. INSIDE THE VEHICLE
Items listed below should be
checked regularly, e.g. while per-
forming periodic services, cleaning
the vehicle, etc.
Lights
Make sure the headlights, stop lights,
tail lights, turn signal lights, and other
lights are all working. Check headlight
aim.
Service reminder indicators and
warning buzzers
Check that all service reminder indica-
tors and warning buzzers function
properly.
Steering wheel
Check that it has the specified free-
play. Be alert for changes in steering
condition, such as hard steering or
strange noise.
Seats
Check that all seat controls such as
seat adjusters, seatback recliner, etc.
operate smoothly and that all latches
lock securely in any position. Check
that the head restraint move up and
down smoothly and that the locks hold
securely in any latched position. For
folding- down rear seatbacks, swing- up
rear seat cushions and detachable
temporary third seat, check that the
latches lock securely.Seat belts
Check that the seat belt system such
as buckles, retractors and anchors op-
erate properly and smoothly. Make
sure the belt webbing is not cut,
frayed, worn or damaged.
Accelerator pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation
and uneven pedal effort or catching.
Clutch pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation.
Brake pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation
and that the pedal has the proper
clearance. Check the brake booster
function.
Brakes
At a safe place, check that the brakes
do not pull to one side when applied.
Parking brake
Check that the lever has the proper
travel and that, on a safe incline, your
vehicle is held securely with only the
parking brake applied.

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?