2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER fuel consumption

’04 4Runner_U (L/O 0308)
238
2004 4RUNNER from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM35811U)
Air conditioning system with
“DUAL” button only—
The outside temperature display (air
conditioning system with “DUAL” but-
ton) and cruise information display indi-
cates the following information.
Every time you push the “MODE” but-
ton, the display toggles through this
information.
1. Outside temperature
2. Driving range
3. Average fuel consumption
4. Average vehicle speed
5. Display off
The displayed values in the cruise infor-
mation display indicate general driving
conditions. Accuracy varies with driving
habits and road conditions. 1. Outside temperature (“OUTSIDE
C”
or “OUTSIDE F”)
The outside temperature display indi-
cates the outside air temperature.
The displayed value is updated every 1
second.
The displayed temperature ranges from
− 30 C ( −22 F) up to 50 C (122 F).
If there is some abnormality in the con-
nection of the outside air temperature sen-
sor, “ −−C” (“ −−F”) will appear on the
display. If “ −−C” (“ −−F”) appears on the
display, contact your Toyota dealer.
There may be a case that “−− C” (“ −−F”)
appears momentarily when the ignition is
quickly turned to “ON”. It is normal if it
goes out soon.
—Cruise information display

’04 4Runner_U (L/O 0308)
239
2004 4RUNNER from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM35811U)
2. Driving range
(“RANGE MI” or “RANGE km”)
The distance the vehicle can travel with
the remaining fuel is calculated and
displayed based on the quantity of re-
maining fuel and past fuel consumption.
The driving range display indicates the
approximate distance that you can drive
until the fuel gauge reaches “E”. It is
different from the actual distance traveled.
The displayed value is updated about ev-
ery 10 seconds.
Every time you refuel the vehicle, the cal-
culation is reset.
The actual driving range varies with driv-
ing habits and road conditions. If fuel con-
sumption is good, the driving range will be
longer. If fuel consumption is poor, the
driving range will be shorter.
If the low fuel level warning light comes
on, refuel even if the display indicates
that the vehicle can be driven further. 3. Average fuel consumption
(“AVG. MPG” or “AVG. L/100 km”)
Average fuel consumption is calculated
and displayed based on total driving
distance and total fuel consumption
with the engine running.
The displayed value is updated about ev-
ery 10 seconds.
To reset the calculation, push the
“RESET” button about 1 second.
4. Average vehicle speed (“AVG. MPH” or “AVG. km/h”)
Average vehicle speed is calculated and
displayed based on total driving dis-
tance and total driving time with the
engine running.
The displayed value is updated about ev-
ery 10 seconds.
To reset the calculation, push the
“RESET” button about 1 second.
The direction is indicated on the inside
rear view mirror.
If the ignition switch was turned off with
the system on, the system will automati-
cally turn back on when the ignition switch
is turned on.
Push the “COMP” switch to turn the com-
pass system on and off.
Compass

’04 4Runner_U (L/O 0308)
269
2004 4RUNNER from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM35811U)
INFORMATION BEFORE DRIVING YOUR
TOYOTA
Information before driving your Toyota
Off−road vehicle precautions 270
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Break −in period 271
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . .
Fuel 271
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel pump shut off system 273
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operation in foreign countries 273
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Three −way catalytic converters 274
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine exhaust cautions 275
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
Facts about engine oil consumption 276
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Iridium −tipped spark plugs 277
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake system 277
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . .
Brake pad wear limit indicators 281
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Limited −slip differential 281
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. .
Your Toyota’s identification 281
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Theft prevention labels 283
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. .
Suspension and chassis 283
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
Tire information 284
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . .
Vehicle load limits 292
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . .
Cargo and luggage 293
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . .
Types of tires 296
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 2

’04 4Runner_U (L/O 0308)
276
2004 4RUNNER from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM35811U)
FUNCTIONS OF ENGINE OIL
Engine oil has the primary functions of
lubricating and cooling the inside of the
engine, and plays a major role in main-
taining the engine in proper working order.
ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION
It is normal that an engine should con-
sume some engine oil during normal
engine operation. The causes of oil
consumption in a normal engine are as
follows.
Oil is used to lubricate pistons, piston
rings and cylinders. A thin film of oil
is left on the cylinder wall when a pis-
ton moves downwards in the cylinder.
High negative pressure generated when
the vehicle is decelerating sucks some
of this oil into the combustion chamber.
This oil as well as some part of the oil
film left on the cylinder wall is burned
by the high temperature combustion
gases during the combustion process.
Oil is also used to lubricate the stems
of the intake valves. Some of this oil
is sucked into the combustion chamber
together with the intake air and is
burned along with the fuel. High tem-
perature exhaust gases also burn the
oil used to lubricate the exhaust valve
stems. The amount of engine oil consumed de-
pends on the viscosity of the oil, the
quality of the oil and the conditions the
vehicle is driven under.
More oil is consumed by high
−speed driv-
ing and frequent acceleration and decel-
eration.
A new engine consumes more oil, since
its pistons, piston rings and cylinder walls
have not become conditioned.
Oil consumption: Max. 1.0 L per 1000
km (1.1 qt./600 miles, 0.9 lmp. qt./600
miles)
When judging the amount of oil con-
sumption, note that the oil may become
diluted and make it difficult to judge
the true level accurately.
As an example, if a vehicle is used for
repeated short trips, and consumes a nor-
mal amount of oil, the dipstick may not
show any drop in the oil level at all, even
after 1000 km (600 miles) or more. This
is because the oil is gradually becoming
diluted with fuel or moisture, making it
appear that the oil level has not changed.
The diluting ingredients evaporate out
when the vehicle is then driven at high
speeds, as on an expressway, making it
appear that oil is excessively consumed
after driving at high speeds. IMPORTANCE OF ENGINE OIL LEVEL
CHECK
One of the most important points in prop-
er vehicle maintenance is to keep the en-
gine oil at the optimum level so that oil
function will not be impaired. Therefore, it
is essential that the oil level be checked
regularly. Toyota recommends that the oil
level be checked every time you refuel
the vehicle.
NOTICE
Failure to check the oil level regularly
could lead to serious engine trouble
due to insufficient oil.
For detailed information on oil level check,
see “Checking the engine oil level” on
page 360 in Section 7
−2.
Facts about engine oil
consumption

’04 4Runner_U (L/O 0308)
304
2004 4RUNNER from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM35811U)
Your vehicle is designed primarily as a
passenger −and− load− carrying vehicle. Tow-
ing a trailer will have an adverse effect on
handling, performance, braking, durability
and driving economy (fuel consumption,
etc.). Your safety and satisfaction depend
on the proper use of correct equipment
and cautious driving habits. For your safe-
ty and the safety of others, you must not
overload your vehicle or trailer. Ask your
local Toyota dealer for further details be-
fore towing.
CAUTION
Vehicles with rear height control air
suspension: When disconnecting a
trailer, put the vehicle height in the
“LO” (low) mode and push the
“HEIGHT CONTROL OFF” switch to
turn off the rear height control air
suspension. Otherwise, the vehicle
height may be changed in the auto-
matic leveling function, resulting in
accident. For details see “Rear height
control air suspension” on page 178
in Section 17.
WEIGHT LIMITS
Before towing, make sure the total trail-
er weight, gross combination weight,
gross vehicle weight, gross axle weight
and trailer tongue load are all within
the limits.
The total trailer weight and tongue load
can be measured with platform scales
found at a highway weighing station, build-
ing supply company, trucking company,
junk yard, etc.
For weight carrying hitch
Also for weight distributing hitch
Tr ailer to win g

’04 4Runner_U (L/O 0308)
313
2004 4RUNNER from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM35811U)
When restarting out after parking on a
slope:
1. With the transmission in “P” position, start the engine. Be sure to keep the
brake pedal depressed.
2. Shift into gear.
3. Release the parking brake and brake pedal and slowly pull or back away
from the wheel blo cks. Stop and apply
your brakes.
4. Have someone retrieve the blo cks.
CAUTION
Do not exceed 72 km/h (45 mph) or
the posted towing speed limit,
whichever is lower. Because insta-
bility (swaying) of a towing vehicle
trailer combination usually in-
creases as the speed increases, ex-
ceeding 72 km/h (45 mph) may
cause loss of control.
Slow down and downshift before
descending steep or long downhill
grades. Do not make sudden down-
shifts.
Avoid holding the brake pedal down
too long or too frequently. This
could cause the brakes to overheat
and result in reduced braking effi-
ciency.
Improving fuel economy is easy—just take
it easy. It will help make your vehicle last
longer, too. Here are some specific tips
on how to save money on both fuel and
repairs:
Keep your tires inflated at the cor-
rect pressure. Underinflation causes
tire wear and wastes fuel. See page
368 in Section 7 −2 for instructions.
Do not carry unneeded weight in
your vehicle. Excess weight puts a
heavier load on the engine, causing
greater fuel consumption.
Avoid lengthy warmup idling. Once
the engine is running smoothly, begin
driving—but gently. Remember, howev-
er, that on cold winter days this may
take a little longer.
Put the selector lever into the “D”
when engine braking is not required.
5 −speed automatic transmission—Driv-
ing with the selector lever in “4” will
reduce the fuel economy. (For details,
see “Automatic transmission (5− speed)”
on page 149 in Section 1 −7.)
4 −speed automatic transmission—Driv-
ing with the selector lever in “3” will
reduce the fuel economy. (For details,
see “Automatic transmission (4− speed)”
on page 154 in Section 1 −7.)
How to save fuel and make
your vehicle last longer

’04 4Runner_U (L/O 0308)
314
2004 4RUNNER from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM35811U)
Accelerate slowly and smoothly.
Avoid jackrabbit starts. Get into high
gear as quickly as possible.
Avoid long engine idling. If you have
a long wait and you are not in traffic,
it is better to turn off the engine and
start again later.
Avoid engine lugging or overrev-
ving. Use a gear position suitable for
the road on which you are travelling.
Avoid continuous speeding up and
slowing down. Stop−and− go driving
wastes fuel.
Avoid unnecessary stopping and
braking. Maintain a steady pace. Try
to time the traffic signals so you only
need to stop as little as possible or
take advantage of through streets to
avoid traffic lights. Keep a proper dis-
tance from other vehicles to avoid sud-
den braking. This will also reduce wear
on your brakes.
Avoid heavy traffic or traffic jams
whenever possible.
Do not rest your foot on the brake
pedal. This causes premature wear,
overheating and poor fuel economy.
Maintain a moderate speed on high-
ways. The faster you drive, the greater
the fuel consumption. By reducing your
speed, you will cut down on fuel con-
sumption.
Keep the front wheels in proper
alignment. Avoid hitting the curb and
slow down on rough roads. Improper
alignment not only causes faster tire
wear but also puts an extra load on
the engine, which, in turn, wastes fuel.
Keep the bottom of your vehicle free
from mud, etc. This not only lessens
weight but also helps prevent corro-
sion.
Keep your vehicle tunedup and in
top shape. A dirty air cleaner, improp-
er valve clearance, dirty plugs, dirty oil
and grease, brakes not adjusted, etc.
all lower engine performance and con-
tribute to poor fuel economy. For longer
life of all parts and lower operating
costs, keep all maintenance work on
schedule, and if you often drive under
severe conditions, see that your vehicle
receives more frequent maintenance.
(For scheduled maintenance informa-
tion, please refer to the “Scheduled
Maintenance Guide” or “Owner ’s Manu-
al Supplement”.)
CAUTION
Never turn off the engine to coast
down hills. Your power steering and
brake booster will not function with-
out the engine running. Also, the
emission control system operates
properly only when the engine is run-
ning.