2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER air filter

’03 4Runner_U (L/O 0305)
319
2003 4RUNNER from Apr. ’03 Prod. (OM 35820U)
CAUTION
When the engine is running, keep
hands, clothing, and tools away
from the moving fan and engine
drive belts. (Removing rings,
watches, and ties is advisable.)
Right after driving, the engine
compartment—the engine, radiator,
exhaust manifold, power steering
fluid reservoir and spark plug
boots, etc.—will be hot. So be care-
ful not to touch them. Oil, fluids
and spark plugs may also be hot.
If the engine is hot, do not remove
the radiator cap or loosen the drain
plugs to prevent burning yourself.
Do not smoke, cause sparks or al-
low open flames around fuel or the
battery. Their fumes are flammable.
Do not get under your vehicle with
just the body jack supporting it. Al-
ways use automotive jack stands or
other solid supports.
Use eye protection whenever you
work on or under your vehicle
where you may be exposed to flying
or falling material, fluid spray, etc.
Used engine oil contains potentially
harmful contaminants which may
cause skin disorders such as in-
flammation or skin cancer, so care
should be taken to avoid prolonged
and repeated contact with it. To re-
move used engine oil from your
skin, wash thoroughly with soap
and water.
Do not leave used oil within the
reach of children.
Dispose of used oil and filter only
in a safe and acceptable manner.
Do not dispose of used oil and fil-
ter in household trash, in sewers or
onto the ground. Call your dealer or
a service station for information
concerning recycling or disposal.
Be extremely cautious when work-
ing on the battery. It contains poi-
sonous and corrosive sulfuric acid.
Warning: Battery posts, terminals
and related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds, chemicals
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and reproductive
harm. Wash hands after handling.
NOTICE
Remember that battery and ignition
cables carry high currents or volt-
ages. Be careful of accidentally
causing a short circuit.
 Add only demineralized or distilled
water to fill the radiator. And if you
spill some of the coolant, be sure
to wash it off with water to prevent
it from damaging the parts or paint.
 Do not allow dirt or anything else
to fall through the spark plug holes.
 Use only spark plugs of the speci-
fied type. Using other types will
cause engine damage, loss of per-
formance or radio noise.
 Do not reuse iridiumtipped spark
plugs by cleaning or regapping.
 Do not overfill automatic transmis-
sion fluid, or the transmission
could be damaged.
 Do not drive with the air cleaner
filter removed, or excessive engine
wear could result. Also backfiring
could cause a fire in the engine
compartment.

’03 4Runner_U (L/O 0305)
323
2003 4RUNNER from Apr. ’03 Prod. (OM 35820U)
DOITYOURSELF MAINTENANCE
Engine and Chassis
Checking the engine oil level 324
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Checking the engine coolant level 326
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Checking the radiator and condenser 328
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking brake fluid 328
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Checking power steering fluid 329
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Checking and replacing the air conditioning filter 330
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Checking tire pressure 332
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. .
Checking and replacing tires 333
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rotating tires 334
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Installing snow tires and chains 335
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Replacing wheels 336
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Aluminum wheel precautions 337
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SECTION 7 2

’03 4Runner_U (L/O 0305)
330
2003 4RUNNER from Apr. ’03 Prod. (OM 35820U)
The air conditioning filter is behind the
glove box.
The air conditioning filter may clog af-
ter long use. The filter may need to be
replaced if the air flow of the air condi-
tioning and heater experiences extreme
reductions in operating efficiency, or if
the windows begin to fog up easily.
To maintain the air conditioning efficiency,
inspect and replace the air conditioning
filter according to the maintenance sched-
ule. (For scheduled maintenance informa-
tion, please refer to the “Scheduled Main-
tenance Guide” or “Owner ’s Manual
Supplement”.)1. Open the glove box. Remove the
screw with a Phillipshead screw-
driver and slide the hook as shown.2. Push each side of the glove box todisconnect the claws.
Checking and replacing the
air conditioning filter

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2003 4RUNNER from Apr. ’03 Prod. (OM 35820U)
3. Remove the filter case by holding
both sides.4. Remove the filter from the filtercase.
5. Inspect the filter on the surface.
If it is the just moderately dusty, it may
be cleaned by blowing compressed air
from the reverse surface. Do not wash or
oil the filter.
If it is dirty, it should be replaced.
When setting the filter to the filter case,
ensure that the flat side of the filter is
down and the ribbed side is up.
Position the filter case so that the “ ↑UP”
mark is pointing up and install it in the
vehicle.
INFORMATION
The air filter should be installed prop-
erly in position. The use of air condi-
tioning with the air filter removed
may cause deteriorated dustproof per-
formance and then affect air condi-
tioning performance.

’03 4Runner_U (L/O 0305)
2003 4RUNNER from Apr. ’03 Prod. (OM 35820U)
Where to obtain the
Repair Manual
The repair manual for 4RUNNER, written in
English, may be purchased as applicable from
any Toyota dealer.
Pub. Name: 2003 4RUNNER Repair Manual
Pub. No.: RM1001U1 RM1001U2
RM1034U
Maintenance procedures for the engine,
chassis, body, electrical system, and more,
are clearly explained and illustrated.
Periodic maintenance and tuneup
Periodic maintenance and tuneup helps to pre-
vent small problems from growing into larger ones lat-
er on. The repair manual outlines exactly what main-
tenance is required and clearly explains how to do the
work yourself stepbystep.
Areas covered include such things as spark plug re-
placement, valve clearance adjustment and engine oil
and filter replacement.