2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER towing

’01 4Runner_U (L/O 0008)
2322001 4RUNNER (OM35768U)
(a) Towing with wheel lift type truck—
—From front
—From rear
(b) Using flat bed truck
Fourwheel drive models
If towing is necessary, we recom-
mended you to have it done by your
Toyota dealer or a commercial tow
truck service. In consultation with them,
have your vehicle towed using either (a)
or (b).
Only when you cannot receive a towing
service from a Toyota dealer or com-
mercial tow truck service, tow your ve-
hicle carefully in accordance with the
instructions given in “—Emergency tow-
ing” in this section.
Proper equipment will help ensure that
your vehicle is not damaged while being
towed. Commercial operators are generally
aware of the state/provincial and local
laws pertaining to towing.
Your vehicle can be damaged if it is
towed incorrectly. Although most operators
know the correct procedure, it is possible
to make a mistake. To avoid damage to
your vehicle, make sure the following pre-
cautions are observed. If necessary, show
this page to the tow truck driver.TOWING PRECAUTIONS:
Use a safety chain system for all towing,
and abide by the state/provincial and local
laws. The wheels and axle on the ground
must be in good condition. If they are
damaged, use a towing dolly.
Twowheel drive models—
(a) Towing with wheel lift type truck
From front—
Use a towing dolly under the rear wheels.
NOTICE
Never tow a vehicle with an automatic
transmission from the front with the
rear wheels on the ground, as this
may cause serious damage to the
transmission.
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’01 4Runner_U (L/O 0008)
2332001 4RUNNER (OM35768U)
From rear—Place the ignition key in the
“ACC” position.
NOTICE
When lifting wheels, take care to
ensure adequate ground clearance
for towing at the opposite end of
the raised vehicle. Otherwise, the
bumper and/or underbody of the
towed vehicle will be damaged dur-
ing towing.
Do not tow with the key removed or
in the “LOCK” position, as the
steering lock mechanism is not
strong enough to hold the front
wheels straight while towing.
(b) Using flat bed truckFourwheel drive models—
(a) Towing with wheel lift type truck
From front—
Use a towing dolly under the rear wheels.
NOTICE
Never tow a vehicle with an automatic
transmission from the front with the
rear wheels on the ground, as this
may cause serious damage to the
transmission.
From rear—We recommend using a tow-
ing dolly under the front wheels. If you do
not use a towing dolly, place the ignition
key in the “ACC” position, put the trans-
mission in “N” and the transfer in “H”
mode (high speed position, twowheel
drive).
NOTICE
Do not tow with the key removed or
in the “LOCK” position when towing
from the rear without a towing dolly.
The steering lock mechanism is not
strong enough to hold the front
wheels straight.
(b) Using flat bed truck
(c) Towing with sling type truck
All models—
(c) Towing with sling type truck
NOTICE
Do not tow with sling type truck, ei-
ther from the front or rear. This may
cause body damage.
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’01 4Runner_U (L/O 0008)
2342001 4RUNNER (OM35768U)
—Emergency towing
If towing is necessary, we recommend
you to have it done by your Toyota
dealer or a commercial tow truck ser-
vice.
If towing service is not available in an
emergency, your vehicle may be tempo-
rarily towed by a cable or chain se-
cured to the emergency towing hook.
Use extreme caution when towing ve-
hicles.
Fourwheel drive models—Before towing,
remove the towing hook cover in front of
the emergency towing hook. By doing this,
it prevents the towing cable from damag-
ing the bumper. See “—Removing towing
hook cover for emergency towing” for in-
structions.
NOTICE
Only use specified towing hook;
otherwise your vehicle may be dam-
aged.
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer
it and operate the brakes.
Towing in this manner may be done only
on hardsurfaced roads for a short dis-
tance and at low speeds. Also, the
wheels, axles, drive train, steering and
brakes must all be in good condition.
CAUTION
Use extreme caution when towing ve-
hicles. Avoid sudden starts or erratic
driving maneuvers which would place
excessive stress on the emergency
towing hook and towing cable or
chain. The hook and towing cable or
chain may break and cause serious
injury or damage.
NOTICE
Use only a cable or chain specifically
intended for use in towing vehicles.
Securely fasten the cable or chain to
the towing hook provided.
Before towing, release the parking brake
and put the transmission in “N” and the
transfer in “H” mode (high speed position,
twowheel drive). The key must be in
“ACC” (engine off) or “ON” (engine run-
ning).
CAUTION
If the engine is not running, the pow-
er assist for the brakes and steering
will not work so steering and braking
will be much harder than usual.
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’01 4Runner_U (L/O 0008)
2352001 4RUNNER (OM35768U)
Towing hook
cover
Clip
Removing clip
Installing clip
1. Use a Phillipshead screwdriver and
remove 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.
—Removing towing hook
cover for emergency towing
(fourwheel drive models)—Emergency towing hook
precautions
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’01 4Runner_U (L/O 0008)
2362001 4RUNNER (OM35768U)
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.
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 “P” 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 “LOCK”
position. Make sure the parking
brake is set.
2. Pry up the cover with a flatbladed
screwdriver or equivalent.
—Tips for towing a stuck
vehicleIf you cannot shift automatic
transmission selector lever
(twowheel drive models)
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’01 4Runner_U (L/O 0008)
2752001 4RUNNER (OM35768U)
Engine compartment
(with daytime running light system)
5. DOME 15 A: Interior lights, personal
lights, luggage compartment light,
clock, car audio system, gauges and
meters, ignition switch light, vanity mir-
ror light, daytime running light
6. OBD 7.5 A: Onboard diagnosis sys-
tem
7. EFI 20 A: Multiport fuel injection sys-
tem/sequential multiport fuel injection
system
8. HEAD(RH) 10 A: Righthand headlight,
gauges and meters
9. HEAD(LH) 10 A: Lefthand headlight
Instrument panel
10. TAIL 10 A: Tail lights, license plate
lights, instrument panel lights
11. A.C 10 A: Air conditioning system
12. MIR HTR 10 A: Outside rear view mir-
ror heaters
13. DEFOG 15 A: Back window defogger
14. ETCS 15 A: Multiport fuel injection
system/sequential multiport fuel injec-
tion system
15. DRL 7.5 A: Daytime running light sys-
tem
16. HEAD (HI RH) 10 A: Righthand head-
light (high beam), gauges and meters17. HEAD (HI LH) 10 A: Lefthand head-
light (high beam)
18. HEAD (LO RH) 10 A: Righthand
headlight (low beam)
19. HEAD (LO LH) 10 A: Lefthand head-
light (low beam)
20. TOWING 25 A: Trailer lights (backup
lights, rear turn signal lights, stop/tail
lights)
21. SEAT HTR 20 A: Seat heater
22. FOG 15 A: Front fog lights
23. ECUIG 10 A: Cruise control system,
antilock brake system, vehicle skid
control system, SRS airbag system,
electronically controlled automatic
transmission system, power antenna,
power window, electric moon roof, pow-
er back window, back window defogger,
back window wiper
24. TURN 10 A: Turn signals lights, emer-
gency flashers
25. WIPER 25 A: Windshield wipers and
washer, power door lock control sys-
tem, back window defogger, horns,
theft deterrent system
26. 4WD 20 A: A.D.D. control system,
fourwheel drive control system, center
differential lock system
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