2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER ECO mode

’03 4Runner_U (L/O 0305)
14
2003 4RUNNER from Apr. ’03 Prod. (OM 35820U)
LOCKING AND UNLOCKING WITH KEY
Insert the key into the keyhole and turn
it.
To lock: Turn the key forward.
To unlock: Turn the key backward.
All the side doors and back door lock and
unlock simultaneously with the driver ’s
door. In the driver ’s door lock, turning the
key once will unlock the driver’s door and
twice in succession will unlock all the side
doors and back door simultaneously. This double key turning operation to un-
lock all the side doors and back door can
be changed to a single key turning opera-
tion. For details, contact your Toyota deal-
er.
When any of the side doors and back
door is unlocked with a key, the interior
light, luggage compartment light, ignition
switch light and running board lights (on
some models) will come on and remain on
for about 15 seconds before fading out.
(For details, see “Interior light” on page
105, “Luggage compartment light” on page
107, “Ignition switch light” on page 108
and “Running board lights” on page 108
in Section 14.)LOCKING AND UNLOCKING WITH
INSIDE LOCK KNOB
Move the lock knob.
To lock: Push the knob forward.
To unlock: Pull the knob backward.
The front doors can be opened by pulling
the inside handles even if the lock knobs
are in the locked position.
Side doors

’03 4Runner_U (L/O 0305)
18
2003 4RUNNER from Apr. ’03 Prod. (OM 35820U)
Locking operation
Unlocking operation
The wireless remote control system is
designed to lock or unlock all the side
doors and back door, open the back
window or activate the “PANIC” mode
from a distance within approximately 1
m (3 ft.) of the vehicle.
LOCKING AND UNLOCKING THE SIDE
DOORS AND BACK DOOR
To lock and unlock all the side doors
and back door, push the switches of
the transmitter slowly and securely.
To lock: Push the “LOCK” switch. All the
side doors and back door are locked si-
multaneously. At this time one beep will
be heard, and the turn signal lights flash
once.
Check to see that all the side doors and
back door are securely locked.
If any of the side doors or the back door
is not securely closed, locking cannot be
performed by the “LOCK” switch and a
beep will sound continuously for 10 sec-
onds. However, if the key is in the ignition
switch, a beep will not sound.
To stop the buzzer, close all the side
doors and back door securely or push the
“UNLOCK” switch.
The buzzer can be disabled. For details,
contact your Toyota dealer. To unlock: Push the “UNLOCK” switch
once to unlock the driver ’s door alone.
Pushing the switch twice within 3 seconds
unlocks all the side doors and back door
simultaneously. Each time the “UNLOCK”
switch is pushed, two beeps will be heard,
and the turn signal lights flash twice.
This double switch operation to unlock all
the side doors and back door can be
changed to a single switch operation. For
details, contact your Toyota dealer.
When the “UNLOCK” switch is pressed,
the interior light, luggage compartment
light, ignition switch light and running
board lights (on some models) will come
on and remain on for about 15 seconds
before fading out. (For details, see “Interi-
or light” on page 105, “Luggage compart-
ment light” on page 107, “Ignition switch
light” on page 108 and “Running board
lights” on page 108 in Section 14.)
You have 30 seconds to open a door after
using the wireless remote unlock feature.
If a door is not opened by then, all the
side doors and back door will be automati-
cally locked again.
The timing for the automatic door lock
function can be changed. For details, con-
tact your Toyota dealer.
—Wireless remote control

’03 4Runner_U (L/O 0305)
20
2003 4RUNNER from Apr. ’03 Prod. (OM 35820U)
The “PANIC” mode does not work when
the ignition key is in the “ON” position.
This alarm function can be disabled. For
details, contact your Toyota dealer.
WIRELESS REMOTE CONTROL
TRANSMITTER
The wireless remote control transmitter is
an electronic component. Observe the fol-
lowing instructions in order not to cause
damage to the transmitter.
Do not leave the transmitter on places
where the temperature becomes high
such as on the dashboard.
Do not disassemble it.
Avoid knocking it hard against other
objects or dropping it.
Avoid putting it in water.
You can use up to 4 wireless remote con-
trol transmitters for the same vehicle.
Contact your Toyota dealer for detailed
information. If the wireless remote control transmitter
does not actuate the doors, back window
or alarm, operate from a normal distance:
Check for closeness to a radio trans-
mitter such as a radio station or an
airport which can interfere with normal
operation of the transmitter.
The battery may have been consumed.
Check the battery in the transmitter. To
replace the battery, see following
“REPLACING THE BATTERY”.
If you lose your transmitter, contact your
Toyota dealer as soon as possible to
avoid the possibility of theft, or an acci-
dent. (See “If you lose your wireless re-
mote control transmitter” on page 299 in
Section 4.) For vehicles sold in U.S.A.
This device complies with Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful
interference, and (2) this device must
accept any interference received, includ-
ing interference that may cause unde-
sired operation.

’03 4Runner_U (L/O 0305)
30
2003 4RUNNER from Apr. ’03 Prod. (OM 35820U)
When all the side doors and back door
are unlocked simultaneously with a key,
the interior light, luggage compartment
light, ignition switch light and running
board lights (on some models) will come
on and remain on for about 15 seconds
before fading out. (For details, see “Interi-
or light” on page 105, “Luggage compart-
ment light” on page 107, “Ignition switch
light” on page 108 and “Running board
lights” on page 108 in Section 14.)
The back window can be opened and
closed with the key operation in the back
door keyhole. (For details, see “Power
back window” on page 26 in this Section.)
When closing the back door, the inside
strap can be used to make the reach
easier.
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.
Back door closer: When the back door
has not been fully closed, it is automati-
cally closed completely.
See “Luggage stowage precautions” on
page 253 in Section 2 for precautions
when loading luggage.
CAUTION
Keep the back window and back
door closed while driving. This not
only keeps the luggage from being
thrown out but also prevents ex-
haust gases from entering the ve-
hicle.
Careful attention is needed so as
not to get your fingers trapped as
the back door automatically closes
when it has not been fully closed.
Never allow a child to operate the
back door.
NOTICE
 To avoid damage to the back door
dampers, do not apply any force,
paint or let any other foreign matter
on them.
 Do not apply excessive force when
the back door closer is operating.
Otherwise, the back door closer
may become defective.

’03 4Runner_U (L/O 0305)
123
2003 4RUNNER from Apr. ’03 Prod. (OM 35820U)
When you drive for about 8000 km (5000
miles) after the engine oil replacement,
this light illuminates for about 3 seconds
and then flashes for about 12 seconds
with the ignition key turned to “ON” posi-
tion. If you continue driving without the
engine oil replacement, and if the driving
range exceeds 12000 km (7500 miles), the
light will come on after the ignition key is
turned to “ON” position. The light will re-
main on thereafter.
If the light is flashing, we recommend that
you replace the engine oil at an early
opportunity depending on the driving and
road condition. If the light comes on, re-
place it as soon as possible.
You need to reset the light after the en-
gine oil replacement. Reset the light by
following the procedure below:
1. Turn the ignition key to the “OFF” posi- tion with the odometer reading shown.
(For details, see “Odometer and two
trip meters” on page 116 in this Sec-
tion.)
2. Turn the ignition key to the “ON” posi- tion while holding down the trip meter
reset button. Hold down the button until the light goes
off. Before the light goes off, it illuminates
for 3 seconds, flashes for 2 seconds and
illuminates for 1 sec
ond.
If the system fails to reset, the light will
remain flashing.
(i) “ABS” Warning Light
The light comes on when the ignition key
is turned to the “ON” position. If the anti
lock brake system and the brake assist
system work properly, the light turns off
after a few seconds. Thereafter, if either
of the systems malfunctions, the light
comes on again.
When the “ABS” warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
following systems do not operate, but the
brake system still operates conventionally.
Antilock brake system
Brake assist system
Traction control system
(twowheel drive models)
Active traction control system
(fourwheel drive models)
Vehicle stability control system
Downhill assist control system
(fourwheel drive models)
Hillstart assist control system When the “ABS” warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
antilock brake system does not operate,
so that the wheels will lock up during a
sudden braking or braking on slippery
road surfaces.
If either of the following conditions oc-
curs, this indicates a malfunction some-
where in the components 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 “ON” posi-
tion, or remains on.
The light comes on while you are dri-
ving.
A warning light turning on briefly during
operation does not indicate a problem.

’03 4Runner_U (L/O 0305)
124
2003 4RUNNER from Apr. ’03 Prod. (OM 35820U)
CAUTION
If the “ABS” warning light remains on
together with the brake system warn-
ing light, immediately stop your ve-
hicle at a safe place and contact your
Toyota dealer.
In this case, not only the antilock
brake system will fail but also the
vehicle will become extremely unsta-
ble during braking.
Either of the following conditions may
occur, but do not indicate a malfunc-
tion:
The light may stay on for about 60
seconds after the ignition key is turned
to the “ON” position. It is normal if it
turns off after a while.
Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly
may turn on the light. It is normal if it
turns off after a few seconds. (j) “VSC TRAC” Warning Light
The light warns that there is a problem
somewhere in the following.
Vehicle stability control system
Traction control system
(twowheel drive models)
Active traction control system
(fourwheel drive models)
Downhill assist control system
(fourwheel drive models)
Hillstart assist control system
The light will come on when the ignition
key turned to “ON”, and will go off after
a few seconds.
It is not a malfunction that the warning
light may stay on for 60 seconds after the
ignition key is turned to the “ON” position.
Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly
may turn on the lights. It is normal if they
go out after a few seconds.
There is no problem when the “VSC
TRAC” warning light comes on when the
brake actuator temperature becomes high. If the light comes on while driving, the
above mentioned systems do not work.
However, as conventional braking operates
when applied, there is no problem to con-
tinue your driving.
In the following cases, contact your Toyota
dealer:
The warning light does not come on
after the ignition key is turned to “ON”.
The warning light remains on after the
ignition key is turned to “ON”.
The warning light comes on while driv-
ing.
The “TRAC OFF” indicator light will come
on when the “VSC TRAC” warning light
comes on even if the “TRAC OFF” switch
is not pushed.
(k) Open Door Warning Light
This light remains on until all the side
doors and back door are completely
closed.

’03 4Runner_U (L/O 0305)
126
2003 4RUNNER from Apr. ’03 Prod. (OM 35820U)
CHECKING SERVICE REMINDER
INDICATORS (except the low fuel level
warning light and low windshield
washer fluid level warning light)
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Open one of the side doors or back door.
The open door warning light should
come on.
3. Close the door. The open door warning light should go
off.
4. Turn the ignition key to “ON”, but do not start the engine.
All the service reminder indicators ex-
cept the open door warning light should
come on.
The following service reminder indica-
tors go off after a few seconds:
Engine oil replacement reminder light
“ABS” warning light
“VSC TRAC” warning light
“TRAC OFF” indicator light
(twowheel drive models)
“VSC OFF” indicator light
(fourwheel drive models)
Slip indicator light
Height control indicator lights
Height control “OFF” indicator light
Downhill assist control system indicator
light (fourwheel drive models)
The SRS warning light goes off after
about 6 seconds.
There may be the case that the “ABS”
warning light (brake assist system
warning light), “VSC TRAC” warning
light and “TRAC OFF” (twowheel drive
models) or “VSC OFF” (fourwheel
drive models) indicator light stay on for
about 60 seconds after the ignition key
is turned to the “ON” position. It is
normal if they go out after a while.
If any service reminder indicator or warn-
ing buzzer does not function as described
above, have it checked by your Toyota
dealer as soon as possible.

’03 4Runner_U (L/O 0305)
130
2003 4RUNNER from Apr. ’03 Prod. (OM 35820U)
(b) Normal driving
1. Start the engine as instructed in “How to start the engine” on page 260 in
Section 3. The transmission must be in
“P” or “N”.
When the fourwheel drive control switch
knob is in “L4” (lowspeed position, center
differential locked), the driving pattern se-
lector setting has no effect on gear shift
timing. (See “Fourwheel drive system
(fulltime fourwheel drive models)” on
page 138 in this Section for information of
the fourwheel drive control.) 2. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the selector lever to “D”.
When the lever is in the “D” 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 use the “D” position for better fuel
economy and quieter driving. If the engine
coolant temperature is low or when the
fourwheel drive control switch knob is in
“L4” (lowspeed position, center differential
locked), the transmission will not shift into
the overdrive gear even in the “D” posi-
tion. (See “Fourwheel drive system (full
time fourwheel drive models)” on page
138 in this Section for information of the
fourwheel drive control.)
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.
If the automatic locking operation linked
with the shift position is set, all the side
doors and back door are automatically
locked when the shift lever is moved out
of the “P” position with the engine running
(including ignition switch in the “ON” posi-
tion) and all the side doors and back door
are closed. For details, see “—Automatic
door locking and unlocking functions” on
page 17 in Section 12. (c) Using engine braking
To use engine braking, you can downshift
the transmission as follows:
Shift into the “4” position. The trans-
mission will downshift to fourth gear
and engine braking will be enabled.
Shift into the “3” position. The trans-
mission will downshift to third gear
when the vehicle speed drops down to
or lower than the following speed, and
stronger engine braking will be en-
abled.
Twowheel drive models 133 km/h (83 mph)
Fourwheel drive models
Fourwheel drive control switch
knob at “H4” 133 km/h (83 mph)
Fourwheel drive control switch
knob at “L4” 52 km/h (32 mph)