2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER Owners Manual

1032000 4Runner (OM35762U)
(b) Overdrive switch
You can select either a third gear (with
overdrive off) or fourth gear (with over-
drive on) by pushing this switch.
To turn the overdrive off, push the switch.
The O/D OFFº indicator light should come
on. To turn the overdrive on again, push
the switch again. The O/D OFFº indicator
light should go off.
Always drive your vehicle with the over-
drive on for better fuel economy and
quieter driving.
If the engine is turned off when the over-
drive is off and restarted, the overdrive
will be on automatically.Vehicles with cruise controlÐWhen the
cruise control is being used, even if you
downshift the transmission by pushing and
releasing the overdrive switch, engine
braking will not be applied because the
cruise control is not cancelled.
For ways to decrease the vehicle speed,
see Cruise controlº in this section.
(c) Normal driving
1. Start the engine as instructed in How
to start the engineº in Section 3. The
transmission must be in Pº or Nº.
When the front drive control lever is in
L4º (low- speed position, four- wheel
drive), the driving pattern selector setting
has no effect on gear shift timing. (See
Four- wheel drive systemº in this section
for information of the front drive control
lever.)
2. With your foot holding down the brake
pedal, shift the selector lever to Dº.
When the lever is in the Dº position, the
automatic transmission system will select
the most suitable gear for running condi-
tions such as normal cruising, hill climb-
ing, hard towing, etc.Always turn the overdrive on for better
fuel economy and quieter driving. If the
engine coolant temperature is low or when
the front drive control lever is in L4º
(low- speed position, four- wheel drive), the
transmission will not shift into
the overdrive gear even with the overdrive
on. (See Four- wheel drive systemº in this
section for information of the front drive
control lever.)
CAUTION
Never put your foot on the accelera-
tor pedal while shifting.
3. Release the parking brake and brake
pedal. Depress the accelerator pedal
slowly for smooth starting.
(d) Using engine braking
To use engine braking, you can downshift
the transmission as follows:
Push the overdrive switch. The O/D
OFFº indicator light will come on and
the transmission will downshift to the
third gear.
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1042000 4Runner (OM35762U)
Shift into the 2º position. The trans-
mission will downshift to the second
gear when the vehicle speed drops
down to or lower than the following
speed, and stronger engine braking will
be enabled.
Front drive control lever in H2º or
H4º
3RZ- FE engine
105 km/h (65 mph)
5VZ- FE engine
114 km/h (70 mph)
Front drive control lever in L4º
3RZ- FE engine
38 km/h (23 mph)
5VZ- FE engine
41 km/h (25 mph)
Shift into the Lº position. The trans-
mission will downshift to the first gear
when the vehicle speed drops down to
or lower than the following speed, and
maximum engine braking will be en-
abled.Front drive control lever in H2º or
H4º
3RZ- FE engine
51 km/h (31 mph)
5VZ- FE engine
55 km/h (34 mph)
Front drive control lever in L4º
3RZ- FE engine
11 km/h (6 mph)
5VZ- FE engine
12 km/h (7 mph)
Vehicles with cruise controlÐWhen the
cruise control is being used, even if you
downshift the transmission by pushing and
releasing the overdrive switch, engine
braking is not applied because the cruise
control is not cancelled.
For ways to decrease the vehicle speed,
see Cruise control
i n this section.
CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a
slippery surface. Abrupt shifting
could cause the vehicle to spin or
skid.
(e) Using the 2º and Lº, positions
The 2º and Lº positions are used for
strong engine braking as described pre-
viously.
With the selector lever in 2º or Lº, you
can start the vehicle in motion as with the
lever in Dº.
With the selector lever in 2º, the vehicle
will start in the first gear and automatical-
ly shift to second gear.
With the selector lever in Lº, the trans-
mission is engaged in first gear.
NOTICE

Be careful not to overrev the en-
gine. Watch the tachometer to keep
engine rpm from going into the red
zone. The approximate maximum al-
lowable speed for each position is
given above for your reference:
Front drive control lever in H2º or
H4º
3RZ- FE engine
2º 111km/h (68 mph). . . . . . . . . . .
Lº 60km/h (37 mph). . . . . . . . . . .
5VZ- FE engine
2º 118km/h (73 mph). . . . . . . . . . .
Lº 64km/h (40 mph). . . . . . . . . . .
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1052000 4Runner (OM35762U)
Front drive control lever in L4º
3RZ- FE engine
2º 43 km/h (26 mph). . . . . . . . . .
Lº 23 km/h (14 mph). . . . . . . . . .
5VZ- FE engine
2º 46 km/h (28 mph). . . . . . . . . .
Lº 25 km/h (15 mph). . . . . . . . . .

Do not continue hill climbing or
hard towing for a long time in the
2º or Lº position. This may cause
severe automatic transmission dam-
age from overheating. To prevent
such damage, Dº position should
be used in hill climbing or hard
towing.
(f) Backing up
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. With the brake pedal held down with
your foot, shift the selector lever to the
Rº position.
NOTICE
Never shift into reverse while the ve-
hicle is moving.
(g) Parking
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Pull the parking brake lever fully to
securely apply the parking brake.
3. With the brake pedal pressed down,
shift the selector lever to the Pº posi-
tion.
CAUTION
Never attempt to move the selector
lever into Pº position under any cir-
cumstances while the vehicle is mov-
ing. Serious mechanical damage and
loss of vehicle control may result.
(h) Good driving practice
If the transmission repeatedly shifts up
and down between third gear and over-
drive when climbing a gentle slope, the
overdrive should be turned off. Be sure
to turn the switch on immediately after-
ward.
When towing a trailer, in order to main-
tain engine braking efficiency, do not
use overdrive.
CAUTION
Always keep your foot on the brake
pedal while stopped with the engine
running. This prevents the vehicle
from creeping.
NOTICE
Do not hold the vehicle on an up-
grade with the accelerator pedal. It
can cause the transmission to over-
heat. Always use the brake pedal or
parking brake.
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1062000 4Runner (OM35762U)
(i) Rocking your vehicle if stuck
CAUTION
If your vehicle becomes stuck in
snow, mud, sand, etc., then you may
attempt to rock the vehicle free by
moving it forward and backward. Do
not attempt this procedure if people
or objects are anywhere near the ve-
hicle. During the rocking operation
the vehicle may suddenly move for-
ward or backward as it becomes un-
stuck, causing injury or damage to
nearby people or objects.
NOTICE
If you rock your vehicle, observe the
following precautions to prevent dam-
age to the transmission and other
parts.

Do not depress the accelerator ped-
al while shifting the selector lever
or before the transmission is com-
pletely shifted to forward or reverse
gear.

Do not race the engine and avoid
spinning the wheels.

If your vehicle remains stuck after
rocking the vehicle several times,
consider other ways such as tow-
ing.
(j) Driving in PWRº (Power) mode
In the PWRº mode, the transmission is
shifted up and down at a higher vehicle
speed than in the NORMº(Normal) mode
and a more powerful acceleration is
achieved. To set the PWRº mode, push
in the driving pattern selector button. The
PWRº mode indicator light comes on.
For ordinary driving, Toyota recommends
using the NORMº mode to improve fuel
economy.
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1072000 4Runner (OM35762U)
(k) If you cannot shift the selector le-
ver out of Pº position
If you cannot shift the selector lever from
the Pº position even though the brake
pedal is depressed, use the shift lock
override lever. For instructions, see If you
cannot shift automatic transmission selec-
tor leverº in Section 4.
Manual transmission
The shift pattern is as shown above.
Press the clutch pedal down fully while
shifting, and then release it slowly. Do not
rest your foot on the pedal while driving,
because it will cause clutch trouble. And
do not use the clutch to hold the vehicle
when stopped on an uphill gradeÐuse the
parking brake.
Recommended shifting speeds
The transmission is fully synchronized and
upshifting or downshifting is easy.
For the best compromise between fuel
economy and vehicle performance, you
should upshift or downshift at the following
speeds:3RZ- FE engine
Upshifting
gear km/h (mph)
1 to 2 24 (15)
2 to 3 40 (25)/58 (36)
*
3 to 4 64 (40)/72 (45)*
4 to 5 72 (45)/85 (53)*
Downshifting
gear km/h (mph)
2 to 1 24 (15)
3 to 2 40 (25)
4 to 3 64 (40)
5 to 4 72 (45)
*: Applicable under heavy acceleration
conditions.
5VZ- FE engine
gear km/h (mph)
1 to 2 or 2 to 1 24 (15)
2 to 3 or 3 to 2 40 (25)
3 to 4 or 4 to 3 64 (40)
4 to 5 or 5 to 4 72 (45)
Downshift to the appropriate gear if accel-
eration is needed when you are cruising
below the above downshifting speeds.
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1082000 4Runner (OM35762U)
Upshifting too soon or downshifting too
late will cause lugging and, possibly, ping-
ing. Regularly revving the engine to maxi-
mum speed in each gear will cause ex-
cessive engine wear and high fuel
consumption.
Maximum allowable speeds
To get on a highway or to pass slower
traffic, maximum acceleration may be nec-
essary. Make sure you observe the follow-
ing maximum allowable speeds in each
gear:
Two- wheel drive models
gear km/h (mph)
1 48 (29)
2 90 (55)
3 139 (86)
4 165 (102)
Four- wheel drive models
3RZ- FE engine
gear km/h (mph)
H2º and H4º L4º
1 45 (28) 17 (11)
2 84 (52) 32 (20)
3 130 (81) 50 (31)
4 165 (102) 64 (39)5VZ- FE engine
gear km/h (mph)
H2º and H4º L4º
1 48 (29) 18 (11)
2 89 (55) 34 (21)
3 127 (79) 49 (31)
4 165 (102) 64 (39)
NOTICE
Do not downshift if you are going
faster than the maximum allowable
speed for the next lower gear.
Good driving practice
If it is difficult to shift into reverse, put
the transmission in neutral, release the
clutch pedal momentarily, and then try
again.
When towing a trailer, in order to main-
tain engine braking efficiency, do not
use the fifth gear.
CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a
slippery surface. Abrupt shifting
could cause the vehicle to spin or
skid.
NOTICE
Make sure the vehicle is completely
stopped before shifting into reverse.
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1092000 4Runner (OM35762U)
Use the front drive control lever to se-
lect the following transfer modes.
H2º (high speed position, two- wheel
drive): Lever at H2º
Use this for normal driving on dry hard-
surfaced roads. This position gives greater
economy, quietest ride and least wear.
H4º (high speed position, four- wheel
drive): Lever at H4º
Use this for normal driving on wet, icy or
snow- covered roads. This position pro-
vides greater traction than two- wheel
drive.
Nº (neutral position): Lever at Nº
No power is delivered to the wheels. The
vehicle must be stopped.L4º (low speed position, four- wheel
drive): Lever at L4º
Use this for maximum power and traction.
Use L4º for climbing or descending steep
hills, off- road driving, and hard pulling in
sand, mud or deep snow.
The four- wheel drive indicator light comes
on when the H4º, Nº or L4º mode is
selected.
See (c) Shifting procedure (lever type)º
for further instructions.
H2º mode
H4º mode
H4Lº, L4Lº or Nº mode
Four- wheel drive systemÐ
(a) Front drive control
(lever type)(a) Front drive control
(lever/button type)
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11 02000 4Runner (OM35762U)
Use the front drive control lever and
4WDº button to select the transfer and
center differential modes.
H2º mode (high speed position, two-
wheel drive): Lever at H2´H4º, 4WDº
button left out
Use this for normal driving on dry hard-
surfaced roads. This position gives greater
economy, quietest ride and least wear and
better vehicle control.
H4º mode (high speed position, four-
wheel drive, center differential un-
locked): Lever at H2´H4º, 4WDº button
pushed in
Use this for normal driving on all types of
roads, from dry hard- surfaced roads to
wet, icy or snow- covered roads. This
position provides greater traction than
two- wheel drive.H4Lº mode (high speed position, four-
wheel drive, center differential locked):
Lever at H4Lº
Use this for greater traction when you
experience a loss of power, such as
wheel slipping, in the H2´H4º (four- wheel
drive) mode.
Nº mode (neutral position): Lever at
Nº
No power is delivered to the wheels. The
vehicle must be stopped.
L4Lº mode (low speed position, four-
wheel drive, center differential locked):
Lever at L4Lº
Use this for maximum power and traction.
Use L4Lº mode for hard pulling in situa-
tions the vehicle cannot negotiate even in
the H4Lº mode.
The indicator shows which transfer and
center differential mode the vehicle is in.
See (c) Shifting procedureº for further in-
structions.
Steel wheels
Aluminum wheels
(b) A.D.D. (automatic
disconnecting differential)
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