2003 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER tires

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55
When the front seat belt pretensioners are
activated, an operating noise may be
heard and a small amount of smokelike
gas may be released. This gas is harm-
less and does not indicate that a fire is
occurring.
Once the front seat belt pretensioners
have been activated, the seat belt retrac-
tors remain locked.
CAUTION
Do not modify, remove, strike or
open the front seat belt pretension-
er assemblies, airbag sensor or sur-
rounding area or wiring. Doing any
of these may cause sudden opera-
tion of the front seat belt preten-
sioners or disable the system,
which could result in death or seri-
ous injury.
Do not use tires or wheels other
than the manufacturer ’s recom-
mended size. Such a use may cause
the curtain shield airbags and seat
belt pretensioners to inflate acci-
dentally, which could result in death
or serious injury. For details, see
”Checking and replacing tires” on
page 275.
Do not place luggage heavier than
specified on the roof luggage carri-
er. Such luggage may cause the
curtain shield airbags and seat belt
pretensioners to inflate accidentally,
which could result in death or seri-
ous injury. For details, see ”Roof
luggage carrier” on page 188.
Do not modify or change the sus-
pension system. Such changes may
cause the curtain shield airbags to
inflate accidentally, which could re-
sult in death or serious injury.
Failure to follow these instructions
can result in death or serious inju-
ries. Consult your Toyota dealer be-
fore performing any repairs and modi-
fications.
NOTICE
Do not perform any of the following
changes without first consulting your
Toyota dealer. Such changes can
interfere with proper operation of the
front seat belt pretensioners in some
cases.
 Installation of electronic devices
such as a mobile twoway radio,
cassette tape player or compact
disc player
 Repairs on or near the front seat
belt retractor assemblies
 Modification of the front end struc-
ture
 Attachment of a grille guard (bull
bar, kangaroo bar, etc.), snowplow,
winches or any other equipment to
the front end
 Repairs made on or near the front
fenders, front end structure or con-
sole

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The curtain shield airbags may not in-
flate if the vehicle is subjected to a
collision from the side at certain
angles, or a collision to the side of the
vehicle body other than the passenger
compartment as shown in the illustra-
tion.
The curtain shield airbags are designed to
inflate when the passenger compartment
area suffers a severe impact from the
side or vehicle rollover.
For the safety of all occupants, always
wear your seat belts properly.
The angle of
vehicle tipup
is marginalSkidding vehicle
hitting a curb
stone
The curtain shield airbags may inflate
if the angle of vehicle tipup is margin-
al or if the skidding vehicle’s tires hit
a curb stone laterally as shown in the
illustration.
Collision from
the front
Collision from
the rear
Pitch end over end
The curtain shield airbags are not de-
signed to inflate if the vehicle is in-
volved in a front or rear collision, if it
pitches end over end or if it is involved
in a lowspeed side collision.

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Do not hook a hanger, heavy or
sharp pointed objects on the coat
hook. If the curtain shield airbags
inflate, those items will be hurled
away with great force or the curtain
shield airbags may not activate cor-
rectly which could result in death
or serious injury. When you hang
clothes, hang them on the coat
hook directly.
Do not use seat accessories which
cover the area where the side air-
bags inflate. Such accessories may
prevent the side airbags from acti-
vating correctly, which could cause
death or serious injury.
Do not modify or replace the seats
or upholstery of front seats with
side airbags. Such changes may
disable the system or cause the
side airbags to inflate accidentally,
which could result in death or seri-
ous injury.
Do not disassemble or repair the
front and rear pillars and roof side
rail containing the curtain shield
airbags. Such changes may disable
the system or cause the curtain
shield airbags to inflate accidental-
ly, which could result in death or
serious injury.
Do not use tires or wheels other
than the manufacturer ’s recom-
mended size. Such a use may cause
the curtain shield airbags to inflate
accidentally, which could result in
death or serious injury. For details,
see ”Checking and replacing tires”
on page 275.
Do not place luggage heavier than
specified on the roof luggage carri-
er. Such luggage may cause the
curtain shield airbags to inflate ac-
cidentally, which could result in
death or serious injury. For details,
see ”Roof luggage carrier” on page
188.
Do not modify or change the sus-
pension system. Such changes may
cause the curtain shield airbags to
inflate accidentally, which could re-
sult in death or serious injury.
Failure to follow these instructions
can result in death or serious injury.
Consult your Toyota dealer before
performing any repairs and modifica-
tions.

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The “VSC/TRAC” warning light may stay
on for 60 seconds after the ignition key
is turned to “ON” position. It is normal if
it goes off after a few seconds.
Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly
may turn on the “VSC/TRAC” warning
light. It is normal if it goes off after a few
seconds.
When the “VSC/TRAC” warning light
comes on the active traction control sys-
tem is not operating, but there is no prob-
lem if you continue to drive.
In the following cases, contact your Toyota
dealer:
The “VSC/TRAC” warning light does not
come on after the ignition key is turned
“ON”.
The “VSC/TRAC” remains on after the
ignition key is turned “ON”.
CAUTION
Under certain slippery road condi-
tions, full traction of the vehicles and
power to 4 wheels may not be main-
tained, even though the active trac-
tion control system is in operation.
Do not drive the vehicle under any
speed or maneuvering conditions
which will cause the vehicle to lose
traction. In situations where the road
surface is covered with ice or snow,
your vehicle should be fitted with
snow tires or tire chains. Always
drive at an appropriate and cautious
speed for the road conditions pres-
ent.
The vehicle skid control system helps
provide integrated control of the sys-
tems such as antilock brake, traction
control, engine control, etc. This sys-
tem automatically controls the output of
the brakes or engine to help prevent
the vehicle from skidding under adverse
conditions.
The vehicle skid control system activates
when the vehicle speed is more than the
following speed.
Fourwheel drive control lever in “H”15 km/h (9 mph)
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Fourwheel drive control lever in “L”
30 km/h (19 mph)
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You may hear a sound in the engine
compartment for a few seconds when the
engine is started or just after the vehicle
begins to move. This means that the ve-
hicle skid control system is in the self
check mode and does not indicate a mal-
function.
Vehicle skid control system

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CAUTION
Active traction control system, ve-
hicle skid control system and anti
lock brake system are electronic
systems designed to help the driver
maintain control under adverse con-
ditions. They are not a substitute
for safe driving practices. Factors
including speed, road conditions
and driver steering input can all af-
fect whether active traction control
system, vehicle skid control system
and antilock brake system will be
effective in preventing a loss of
control. Always keep safety driving
in mind. If the slip indicator light
flashes, sounding an alarm, special
care should be taken while driving.
Only use tires of specified size. The
size, manufacturer, brand and tread
pattern for all 4 tires should be the
same. If you use the tires other
than specified, or different type or
size, the vehicle skid control sys-
tem may not function correctly.
When replacing the tires or wheels,
contact your Toyota dealer. (See
“Checking and replacing tires” on
page 275.)
If the vehicle is going to skid during driv-
ing, the slip indicator light flashes and an
alarm sounds intermittently.
When you turn the ignition switch on, the
slip indicator light will come on. The slip
indicator light will go off after a few sec-
onds.Pushing the center differential lock button
automatically turns the vehicle skid control
system off. At this time, the “VSC OFF”
indicator comes on with the center differ-
ential lock indicator light. (For details, see
“Fourwheel drive system—(a)Fourwheel
drive control” on page 135.)

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Vehicle skid control system failure
warning
These lights warn when there is a prob-
lem somewhere in the vehicle skid control
system or active traction control system.
If the “VSC/TRAC” warning light and “VSC
OFF” indicator light come on, have your
vehicle checked by your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible. However, there is no
problem if the “VSC/TRAC” warning light
comes on when the brake actuator tem-
perature becomes high. (For details, see
“Active traction control system” on page
140.)When the “ABS” warning light comes on,
the vehicle skid control system is not op-
erating.
The “VSC/TRAC” warning light and “VSC
OFF” indicator light will come on when the
ignition key is turned “ON”, and will go off
after a few seconds.
The “VSC/TRAC” warning light and “VSC
OFF” indicator light may stay on for 60
seconds after the ignition key is turned to
“ON” position. It is normal if they go off
after a few seconds.
Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly
may turn on the lights. It is normal if they
go off after a few seconds.
When the “VSC/TRAC” warning light and
“VSC OFF” indicator light come on, the
vehicle skid control system is not operat-
ing, but there is no problem if you contin-
ue to drive.
In the following cases, contact your Toyota
dealer:
The “VSC/TRAC” warning light, “VSC
OFF” indicator light and slip indicator
light do not come on after the ignition
key is turned “ON”.
The “VSC/TRAC” warning light and
“VSC OFF” indicator light remain on af-
ter the ignition key is turned “ON”.
The “VSC OFF” indicator light comes
on while driving without pushing the
center differential lock switch.
CAUTION
Active traction control system, ve-
hicle skid control system and anti
lock brake system are electronic
systems designed to help the driver
maintain control under adverse con-
ditions. They are not a substitute
for safe driving practices. Factors
including speed, road conditions
and driver steering input can all af-
fect whether active traction control
system, vehicle skid control system
and antilock brake system will be
effective in preventing a loss of
control. Always keep safety driving
in mind. If the slip indicator light
flashes, sounding an alarm, special
care should be taken while driving.
Only use tires of specified size. The
size, manufacturer, brand and tread
pattern for all 4 tires should be the
same. If you use the tires other
than specified, or different type or
size, the vehicle skid control sys-
tem may not function correctly.
When replacing the tires or wheels,
contact your Toyota dealer. (See
“Checking and replacing tires” on
page 275.)

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INFORMATION BEFORE DRIVING
YOUR TOYOTA
Offroad vehicle precautions192
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Breakin period 193
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Fuel 193
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Fuel pump shut off system 195
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Operation in foreign countries 195
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Threeway catalytic converter 196
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Engine exhaust cautions 197
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Facts about engine oil consumption 198
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Iridiumtipped spark plugs 199
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Brake system 199
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Brake pad wear limit indicators 203
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Luggage stowage precautions 203
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Rear step bumper 204
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Limitedslip differential 205
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Your Toyota’s identification 205
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Theft prevention labels 206
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Suspension and chassis 206
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Types of tires 207
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SECTION 2

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CAUTION
Do not overestimate the antilock
brake system: Although the antilock
brake system assists in providing ve-
hicle control, it is still important to
drive with all due care and maintain
a moderate speed and safe distance
from the vehicle in front of you, be-
cause there are limits to the vehicle
stability and effectiveness of steering
wheel operation even with the anti
lock brake system on.
If tire grip performance exceeds its
capability, or if hydroplaning occurs
during high speed driving in the rain,
the antilock brake system does not
provide vehicle control.
Antilock brake system is not de-
signed to shorten the stopping dis-
tance: Always drive at a moderate
speed and maintain a safe distance
from the vehicle in front of you.
Compared with vehicles without an
antilock brake system, your vehicle
may require a longer stopping dis-
tance in the following cases:
Driving on rough, gravel or snow
covered roads.
Driving with tire chains installed.
Driving over the steps such as the
joints on the road.
Driving on roads where the road
surface is pitted or has other differ-
ences in surface height.
Install all 4 tires of specified size at
appropriate pressure: The antilock
brake system detects vehicle speeds
using the speed sensors for respec-
tive wheels’ turning speeds. The use
of tires other than specified may fail
to detect the accurate turning speed,
resulting in a longer stopping dis-
tance.
“ABS” warning light
The light comes on when the ignition
key is turned to the “ON” position. If
the antilock brake system and the
brake assist system work properly, the
light turns off after a few seconds.
Thereafter, if either of the systems mal-
functions, the light comes on.