2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER fuel

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Low fuel level
warning light
The gauge indicates the approximate
quantity of the fuel remaining in the
tank when the ignition switch is on.
Nearly full—Needle at “F”
Nearly empty—Needle at “E”
It is a good idea to keep the tank over
1/4 full.
The needle moves when braking, acceler-
ating or making turns. This is caused by
the movement of the fuel in the tank.
If the fuel level approaches “E” or the low
fuel level warning light comes on, fill the
fuel tank as soon as possible. On inclines or curves, due to the move-
ment of fuel in the tank, the fuel gauge
needle may fluctuate or the low fuel level
warning light may come on earlier than
usual.
If the fuel tank is completely empty, the
malfunction indicator lamp comes on. Fill
the fuel tank immediately.
The indicator lamp goes off after driving
several times. If the indicator lamp does
not go off, contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible.
It is not a malfunction even if the needle
of the fuel gauge returns to “E” when the
ignition switch is turned to the “START”
position.The gauge indicates the engine coolant
temperature when the ignition switch is
on. The engine operating temperature
will vary with changes in weather and
engine load.
If the needle moves into the red zone,
your engine is too hot. If your vehicle
overheats, stop your vehicle and allow the
engine to cool.
Your vehicle may overheat during severe
operating conditions, such as:
Driving up a long hill on a hot day.
Reducing speed or stopping after high
speed driving.
Fuel gauge
Engine coolant temperature
gauge

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Idling for a long period with the air
conditioning on in stop −and− go traffic.
Towing a trailer.
It is not a malfunction even if the needle
of the engine coolant temperature gauge
returns to “C” when the ignition switch is
turned to the “START” position.
NOTICE
 Do not remove the thermostat in
the engine cooling system as this
may cause the engine to overheat.
The thermostat is designed to con-
trol the flow of coolant to keep the
temperature of the engine within
the specified operating range.
 Do not continue driving with an
overheated engine. See “If your ve-
hicle overheats” on page 320 in
Section 4.
The tachometer indicates engine speed
in thousands of rpm (revolutions per
minute). Use it while driving to select
correct shift points and to prevent en-
gine lugging and overrevving.
Driving with the engine running too fast
causes excessive engine wear and poor
fuel economy. Remember, in most cases
the slower the engine speed, the greater
the fuel economy.
It is not a malfunction even if the needle
of the tachometer returns to the bottom
position when the ignition switch is turned
to the “START” position.
NOTICE
Do not let the indicator needle get
into the red zone. This may cause
severe engine damage.
Tachometer

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This meter displays the odometer and
two trip meters.
1. Odometer—Shows the total distance the vehicle has been driven.
2. Two trip meters—Show two different distances independently driven since
the last time each trip meter was set
to zero.
You can use one trip meter to calculate
the fuel economy and the other to
measure the distance on each trip. All
trip meter data is cancelled if the elec-
trical power source is disconnected.
3. Odometer/two trip meter changeover button—Switches the meter display.
To change the meter display, quickly
push and release the changeover but-
ton. The meter display changes in the
order from the odometer to trip meter
A to trip meter B, then back to the
odometer each time you push.
4. Trip meter reset button—Resets the two trip meters to zero.
To reset the trip meter A to zero, dis-
play the meter A reading, then push
and hold the button until the meter is
set to zero. The same process can be
applied for resetting the trip meter B.
Odometer and two trip meters

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If the indicator or buzzer comes on...Do this.
(a)
(indicator and buzzer)
If parking brake is off, stop immediately and contact Toyota dealer.
(b)
(indicator and buzzer)
Fasten driver ’s seat belt.
(c)Fasten front passenger ’s seat belt.
(d)Stop and check.
(e)Stop and check.
(f)Take vehicle to Toyota dealer.
(g)Low fuel level warning lightFill up tank.
Service reminder indicators and warning buzzers

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(f) Malfunction Indicator Lamp
This lamp comes on when the ignition
key is turned to the “ON” position and
goes off after the engine starts. This
means that the warning light system is
operating properly.
If the lamp remains on, or the lamp
comes on while driving, first check the
followings.
Empty fuel tank
If the fuel tank is empty, refuel immedi-
ately.
Loose fuel tank cap
If the fuel tank cap is loose, securely
tighten it.
These cases are temporary malfunctions.
The malfunction indicator lamp will go off
after taking several driving trips.
If the lamp will not go off even after the
several trips, contact your Toyota dealer
as soon as possible.
If the fuel tank is not empty or the fuel
tank cap is not loose...
There is a problem somewhere in the
engine, emission control system, elec-
tronic throttle control system, automatic
transmission electrical system or warn-
ing light system itself. Contact your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible to service the vehicle.
If the engine speed does not increase with
the accelerator pedal depressed down,
there may be a problem somewhere in
your electronic throttle control system.
At this time, vibration may occur. Howev-
er, if you depress the accelerator pedal
more firmly and slowly, you can drive your
vehicle at low speeds. Have your vehicle
checked by your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible.
Even if the abnormality of the electronic
throttle control system is corrected during
low speed driving, the system may not be
recovered until the engine is stopped and
the ignition key is turned to “ACC” or
“LOCK” position.
CAUTION
Be especially careful to prevent erro-
neous pedal operation.
Emissions inspection and maintenance
(I/M) programs
Your vehicle may not pass a state
emission inspection if the malfunction
indicator lamp remains on. Contact your
Toyota dealer to check your vehicle’s
emission control system and OBD
(On
−Board Diagnostics) system before
taking your vehicle for the inspection.
For details, see “Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance (I/M) programs” on page 350
in Section 6.
(g) Low Fuel Level Warning Light
This light comes on when the fuel level
in the tank becomes nearly empty. Fill up
the tank as soon as possible.
On inclines or curves, due to the move-
ment of fuel in the tank, the low fuel level
warning light may come on earlier than
usual.

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(o) Low Windshield Washer Fluid Level
Warning Light (for vehicles sold in
Canada)
The light warns that the windshield washer
fluid level is too low. Add washer fluid at
your earliest opportunity. (For instructions,
see “Adding washer fluid” on page 381 in
Section 7 −3.)
(p) Key Reminder Buzzer
This buzzer reminds you to remove the
key when you open the driver ’s door with
the ignition key in the “ACC” or “LOCK”
position. 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
Low tire pressure warning light
“RSCA OFF” indicator light
“TRAC OFF” indicator light
(two −wheel drive models)
“VSC OFF” indicator light
(four− wheel drive models)
Slip indicator light
Height control indicator lights
Height control “OFF” indicator light
Downhill assist control system indicator
light (four −wheel 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” (two −wheel drive
models) or “VSC OFF” (four −wheel
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.

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“START”—Starter motor on. The key
will return to the “ON” position when
released.
For starting tips, see page 297 in Section
3.
It is not a malfunction even if the needle
of the tachometer, fuel gauge or engine
coolant temperature gauge returns to the
bottom position when the ignition switch is
turned to the “START” position. “ON”—Engine on and all accessories
on.
This is the normal driving position.
It is not a malfunction even if the needle
on the speedometer may move when the
ignition switch is turned to the “ON” posi-
tion.
“ACC”—Accessories such as the radio
operate, but the engine is off.
If you leave the key in the “ACC” or
“LOCK” position and open the driver’s
door, a buzzer will remind you to remove
the key.
“LOCK”—Engine is off and the steering
wheel is locked. The key can be re-
moved only at this position.
You must push in the key to turn it from
“ACC” to the “LOCK” position. The selec-
tor lever must be in the “P” position be-
fore pushing the key.
Once you remove the key, the engine im-
mobilizer system is automatically set. (See
“Engine immobilizer system” on page 14
in Section 1−
2.)
When starting the engine, the key may
seem stuck at the “LOCK” position. To
free it, first be sure the key is pushed all
the way in, and then rock the steering
wheel slightly while turning the key gently.
NOTICE
Do not leave the key in the “ON”
position if the engine is not running.
The battery will discharge and the
ignition could be damaged.
Ignition switch with steering
lock

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(b) Normal driving
1. Start the engine as instructed in “How to start the engine” on page 298 in
Section 3. The transmission must be in
“P” or “N”.
When the four −wheel drive control switch
knob is in “L4” (low −speed position, center
differential locked), the driving pattern se-
lector setting has no effect on gear shift
timing. (See “Four −wheel drive system
(full −time four −wheel drive models)” on
page 158 in this Section for information of
the four −wheel 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
four
−wheel drive control switch knob is in
“L4” (low −speed position, center differential
locked), the transmission will not shift into
the overdrive gear even in the “D” posi-
tion. (See “Four −wheel drive system (full −
time four −wheel drive models)” on page
158 in this Section for information of the
four −wheel 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 18 in Section 1 −2. (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.
Tw o −wheel drive models
133 km/h (83 mph)
Four −wheel drive models
Four −wheel drive control switch
knob at “H4” 133 km/h (83 mph)
Four −wheel drive control switch
knob at “L4”
52 km/h (32 mph)