2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER tow

2132000 4Runner (OM35762U)
1. Use a phillips-head screwdriver and re-
move the clip.
2. Unhook the towing hook cover.
Before emergency towing, check that
the hook is not broken or damaged and
that the installation bolts are not loose.

Fasten the towing cable or chain se-
curely to the hook.

Do not jerk the hook. Apply steady and
even force.

To avoid damaging the hook, do not
pull from the side or at a vertical
angle. Always pull straight ahead.
CAUTION
If the emergency towing hook is used
to get out when your vehicle becomes
struck in mud, sand or other condi-
tion from which the vehicle cannot be
driven out under its own power, make
sure to observe the precautions men-
tioned below. Otherwise, excessive
stress will be put on the hook and
the towing cable or chain may break,
causing serious injury or damage.

If the towing vehicle can hardly
move, do not forcibly continue the
towing. Contact your Toyota dealer
or a commercial tow truck service
for assistance.

Tow the vehicle as straight ahead
as possible.

Keep away from the vehicle during
towing.
ÐEmergency towing hook
precautions
ProCarManuals.com

2142000 4Runner (OM35762U)
The following methods are effective to
get out when your vehicle is struck in
mud, sand or other condition from
which the vehicle cannot be driven out
under its own power. Use extreme cau-
tion when towing vehicles. In addition,
keep away from the vehicles and towing
cable or chain when towing.

Remove the soil and sand in the front
and the back of the tires.

Place a stone or wood under the tires.
If you cannot shift the selector lever
out of Pº position to other positions
even though the brake pedal is de-
pressed, use the shift lock override but-
ton as follows:
1. Turn the ignition key to LOCKº
position. Make sure the parking
brake is set.
2. Pry up the cover with a flat- bladed
screwdriver or equivalent.3. Insert the screwdriver or equivalent
into the hole to push down the shift
lock override button. You can shift
out of Pº position only while push-
ing the button.
4. Shift into Nº position.
5. Insert the cover.
6. Start the engine. For your safety,
keep the brake pedal depressed.
Be sure to have the system checked by
your Toyota dealer as soon as possible.
ÐTips for towing a stuck
vehicleIf you cannot shift automatic
transmission selector lever
(two- wheel drive models)
ProCarManuals.com

2202000 4Runner (OM35762U)
NOTICE
Do not use organic substances (gaso-
line, kerosene, benzine or strong sol-
vents), which may be toxic or cause
damage.
3. Rinse thoroughlyÐdried soap can
cause streaking. In hot weather you
may need to rinse each section right
after you wash it.
4. To prevent water spots, dry the vehicle
using a clean soft cotton towel. Do not
rub or press hardÐyou might scratch
the paint.
Automatic car wash
Your vehicle may be washed in an auto-
matic car wash, but remember that the
paint can be scratched by some type of
brushes, unfiltered washing water, or the
washing process itself. Scratching reduces
paint durability and gloss, especially on
darker colors. The manager of the car
wash should be able to advise you wheth-
er the process is safe for the paint on
your vehicle.
NOTICE
To prevent damage to the antenna,
make sure it is retracted before driv-
ing your Toyota through an automatic
car wash. On models with detachable
antenna, remove the antenna before
using an automatic car wash.
Waxing your Toyota
Polishing and waxing is recommended
to maintain the original beauty of your
Toyota's finish.
Once a month or if the vehicle surface
does not repel water well, apply wax.
1. Always wash and dry the vehicle be-
fore you begin waxing, even if you are
using a combined cleaner and wax.
2. Use a good quality polish and wax. If
the finish has become extremely weath-
ered, use a car- cleaning polish, fol-
lowed by a separate wax. Carefully fol-
low the manufacturer 's instructions and
precautions. Be sure to polish and wax
the chrome trim as well as the paint.
3. Wax the vehicle again when water
does not bead but remains on the sur-
face in large patches.
Cleaning the interior
CAUTION
Do not wash the vehicle floor with
water, or allow water to get onto the
floor when cleaning the vehicle interi-
or or exterior. Water may get into
audio components or other electrical
components above or under the floor
carpet (or mat) and cause a malfunc-
tion; and it may cause body corro-
sion.
Vinyl interior
The vinyl upholstery may be easily
cleaned with a mild soap or detergent
and water.
First vacuum over the upholstery to re-
move loose dirt. Then, using a sponge or
soft cloth, apply the soap solution to the
vinyl. After allowing it to soak in for a few
minutes to loosen the dirt, remove the dirt
and wipe off the soap with a clean damp
cloth. If all the dirt does not come off,
repeat the procedure. Commercial foam-
ing- type vinyl cleaners are also available
which work well. Follow the manufacturer 's
instructions.
ProCarManuals.com

262000 4Runner (OM35762U)
Back door
LOCKING AND UNLOCKING WITH KEY
Insert the key into the keyhole and turn
it.
To lock: Turn the key clockwise.
To unlock: Turn the key counterclockwise.
To open the back door, pull the lever.
The back door will be controlled by oper-
ating the power door lock switch.When closing the back door, use the
inside strap for easier reach to the
back door.
To close the back door, lower it and press
down on it. After closing the back door,
try pulling it up to make sure it is secure-
ly closed.
See Luggage stowage precautionsº in
Section 2 for precautions in loading lug-
gage.
CAUTION
Keep the back window and back door
closed while driving. This not only
keeps the luggage from being thrown
out but also prevents exhaust gases
from entering the vehicle.
NOTICE
To prevent damage to the back door
dampers, do not apply any force,
paint or let any other foreign matter
on them.
ProCarManuals.com

392000 4Runner (OM35762U)
Fold- down rear seats
BEFORE FOLD- DOWN REAR SEAT
Stow the rear seat belt and buckles as
shown in the illustration.
This prevents the belt and buckles from
falling out when you fold the seatback.
NOTICE
The seat belt and buckles must be
stowed before you fold the seatback.
1. Swing the bottom cushion up by
pulling the lock release strap, and
remove the head restraint.
It is hinged at the front edge, so just lift
it up.
If desired, each bottom cushion may be
swung up separately.2. Store the head restraints in the head
restraint retaining holes in the bot-
tom cushion.
ProCarManuals.com

402000 4Runner (OM35762U)
3. Unlock the seatback and fold it
down.
This will enlarge the luggage compartment
as far as the raised seat cushion. See
Luggage stowage precautionsº in Section
2 for precautions in loading luggage.
If desired, each seatback may be folded
separately.
CAUTION
When returning the seats to their
original position:

Make sure the seat belts are not
twisted or caught in the seatback
and are arranged in their proper
position and are ready to use.

Make sure the seatback is securely
locked by pushing forward and rear-
ward on the top of the seatback.
Failure to do so will prevent seat
belt from operating properly. Be
certain to replace the head re-
straints.

Make sure the bottom cushion is
securely locked by trying to pull up
the edge of the cushion near the
lock release straps.

Do not forget to pull out the buckle
of the side seatbelts and center
seatbelt and arranged them in their
proper position and are ready to
use.
Head restraints
Front
Rear
ProCarManuals.com

462000 4Runner (OM35762U)
To release the belt, press the buckle- re-
lease button.The rear seat belt and buckles can be
stowed when not in use.
Seat belt and buckles must be stowed
before you fold the seat back. (See Fold
down rear seatsº in this section.)
ÐSeat belt extender
If your seat belt cannot be fastened se-
curely because it is not long enough, a
personalized seat belt extender is avail-
able from your Toyota dealer free of
charge.
Please contact your local Toyota dealer so
that the dealer can order the proper re-
quired length for the extender. Bring the
heaviest coat you expect to wear for prop-
er measurement and selection of length.
Additional ordering information is available
at your Toyota dealer.
ÐStowing rear seat belt
and buckles
ProCarManuals.com

742000 4Runner (OM35762U)
This model sold in Canada is provided
with a bracket set in the glove box, de-
signed for use with any of the 2 anchor
locations shown in the illustration.
If your child restraint system does not
provide any of the necessary parts, ask
your Toyota dealer. (See ÐChild restraint
systemº.)
Tilt steering wheel
To change the steering wheel angle,
hold the steering wheel, pull the lock
release lever toward you, tilt the steer-
ing wheel to the desired angle and re-
turn the lever to its original position.
When the steering wheel is in a low posi-
tion, it will spring up as you release the
lock release lever.
CAUTION

Do not adjust the steering wheel
while the vehicle is moving.

After adjusting the steering wheel,
try moving it up and down to make
sure it is locked in position.
Outside rear view mirrorsÐ
Adjust the mirror so that you can see
the side of your vehicle in the mirror.
Be careful when judging the size or dis-
tance of any object seen in the outside
rear view mirror on the passenger 's side.
It is a convex mirror with a curved sur-
face. Any object seen in a convex mirror
will look smaller and farther away than
when seen in a flat mirror.
On some models, when you push the
back window defogger switch, the heater
panels in the outside rear view mirrors will
quickly clear the surface. To turn on the
back window defogger, see Back window
and outside rear view mirror defoggersº in
Section 1- 4.
ProCarManuals.com