
New L/C100(U)97
(g) SRS Warning Light 
This light will come on when the igni- 
tion key is turned to the ºACCº or 
ºONº position. After about 6 seconds, 
the light will go off. This means the
system of the airbag and front seat belt 
pretensioners are operating properly. 
The warning light system monitors the air- 
bag sensor assembly, front airbag sen- 
sors, seat belt pretensioner assemblies,
inflators, warning light, interconnecting wir- 
ing 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 or flashes while 
driving. (h) ºABSº Warning Light 
This light warns that there is a problem 
somewhere in your anti- lock brake sys- 
tem. 
If it comes on while you are driving, have 
your  vehicle checked by  your Toyota deal- 
er as soon as possible. However, it is
normal if the light goes out. 
The light will come on when the ignition 
key is turned to the ºONº position. After
a few seconds,  the light will go off. There 
may be the case that the ºABSº warning 
light stays on for about 60 seconds after
the engine is started. It  is normal  if it 
goes out after a while. 
Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly 
may turn on the light. It  is normal  if it
goes off after a few seconds. 
When the ºABSº warning light is on (and 
the brake system warning light is off), the
brake  system operates  conventionally 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. 
However, 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
While the ºABSº warning light is on, 
if either of the following conditions 
occurs, immediately stop your vehicle
at a safe place and contact your 
Toyota dealer.  
The brake system warning light 
stays on even with the parking 
brake being released.
  The brake system warning light and
buzzer come on.
In either case,  the brakes may not 
work properly. If they do not work 
well, depress the brake pedal firmly.
(i) Open Door Warning Light 
This light remains on until all the side 
doors and back door are completely 
closed. 
(j) Unengaged ºParkº Warning Light 
This light warns that the transmission 
ºParkº mechanism is not engaged. If the 
four- wheel drive control is  in the ºNº posi- 
tion while the selector lever is in the ºPº
position, the transmission will disengage 
and the wheels will not lock. 

New L/C100(U)
158
For detailed information on oil  level  check, 
see ºChecking the engine oil levelº in
Chapter 7- 2.
Your engine is fitted with iridium- tipped 
spark plugs.
NOTICE
Use only iridium- tipped spark spark
plugs for your engine performanceand smooth drivability.
Brake system 
BRAKE SYSTEM 
This brake system has  two independent 
hydraulic circuits. If either circuit should 
fail, the other will still work. However, the 
pedal will be harder to press, and your
stopping distance will be longer. Also, the 
brake system warning light may  come on.
CAUTION
Do not drive your vehicle with only a 
single brake system.  Have your 
brakes fixed immediately.
BRAKE BOOSTER 
The brake booster uses brake  fluid pres- 
surized by the pump to power- assist the 
brakes. If the brake booster fails during
driving, the brake system warning light 
comes on and buzzer  sound continuously. 
In this case the brakes may not work
properly. If they do not work well, depress 
the brake pedal firmly. If the brake system 
warning light comes on, immediately stop
your vehicle and  contact  your  Toyota deal- 
er.
Iridium- tipped spark plugs  

New L/C100(U)
168
(b) Starting the engine 
Before starting the engine, be sure to fol- 
low the instructions in º(a) Before crank-
ingº. 
Normal starting procedure 
The multiport fuel injection system/sequen- 
tial multiport fuel injection system in your 
engine automatically controls the proper
air- fuel mixture for starting. You can start 
a cold or hot engine as  follows:
1. With your foot off the accelerator ped- al, crank the engine by turning the key
to ºSTARTº. Release it when the en- 
gine starts.
2. After the engine runs for about 10 se- conds, you are ready to drive. 
If the weather is below freezing, let the 
engine warm up for a few minutes be-
fore driving.
If  the engine stalls... 
Simply restart it, using the correct proce- 
dure given in normal  starting. 
If the engine will not start... 
See ºIf your vehicle will not startº in Part 4.
NOTICE
 Do not crank for more than 30 se- conds at a time. This may overheatthe starter and wiring systems.
 Do not race a cold engine.
 If the engine becomes difficult tostart or stalls frequently, have the
engine checked immediately.
  Always slow down in gusty crosswinds. 
This will allow you much better control.
  Drive slowly onto curbs and, if pos- 
sible, at a right angle. Avoid driving 
onto high, sharp- edged objects and
other road hazards. Failure to do so 
can lead to severe tire damage result- 
ing in tire bursts.
  When parking on a hill, turn the front
wheels until they  touch the curb so
that the vehicle will not roll. Apply the 
parking brake, and place the transmis- 
sion in ºPº. If necessary, block the
wheels.
  Washing your vehicle or driving through
deep water may get the brakes wet. To
see whether they are wet, check that 
there is no traffic near you, and then 
press the pedal lightly. If you do not 
feel a normal braking force, the brakes 
are probably wet. To dry them, drive
the vehicle cautiously while lightly 
pressing the brake pedal with the park- 
ing brake pulled. If  they  still  do not
work safely, pull to the side of the road 
and call a Toyota dealer  for assistance.
Tips for driving 
in various conditions