2008 TOYOTA 4RUNNER suspension

377
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 191
in Section 1−7.
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.
CY30023
For weight carrying hitch
CY30024
Also for weight distributing hitch
Tr ailer to win g

383
CY30025
TOWING CONNECTOR FOR TRAILER
LIGHTS
Your vehicle is equipped with a wire
harness stored in the rear end under
body. Some models are fitted with a
socket for trailer lights under the rear
bumper. Use either of them to connect
and operate the trailer lights. However,
the trailer lights must comply with fed-
eral, state/provincial and local regula-
tions. See your local recreational ve-
hicle dealer or rental agency for the
correct type of wiring and relays for
your trailer. Check for correct operation
of the turn signals and stop lights each
time you hitch up. Direct splicing may
damage your vehicle’s electrical system
and cause a malfunction of your lights.
The towing connector can be also con-
nected to the trailer brake and trailer
sub battery.
BREAK−IN SCHEDULE
Toyota recommends that you do not
tow a trailer with a new vehicle or a
vehicle with any new power train com-
ponent (engine, transmission, differen-
tial, wheel bearing, etc.) for the first
800 km (500 miles) of driving. MAINTENANCE
If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will
require more frequent maintenance due
to the additional load. For this
information, please refer to the
scheduled maintenance information in
the Scheduled Maintenance Guide" or
Owner ’s Manual Supplement".
Retighten all fixing bolts of the towing
ball and bracket after approximately
1000 km (600 miles) of trailer driving.
CONNECTING A TRAILER (models with
rear height control air suspension)
Stop your vehicle and a trailer in line and
perform the following: 1. Put the rear height control air suspen- sion in the LO" (low) mode. Turn the
engine switch off or push the HEIGHT
CONTROL OFF" switch to turn off the
rear height control air suspension.
2. Connect a trailer.
3. Turn the engine switch on or push the HEIGHT CONTROL OFF" switch to
turn on the rear height control air sus-
pension. Select the N" (normal) mode
with the height select switch.

384
DISCONNECTING A TRAILER (models
with rear height control air suspension)
Stop your vehicle and a trailer in line and
perform the following:1. Put the rear height control air suspen- sion in the LO" (low) mode. (Make
sure the vehicle height is in the LO"
(low) mode by pushing the height se-
lect switch on the  " side.)
2. Turn the engine switch off or push the HEIGHT CONTROL OFF" switch to
turn off the rear height control air sus-
pension.
3. Set the supporting leg of a trailer on the ground and raise the hitch by 100
mm (4 in.).
4. Turn the engine switch on or push the HEIGHT CONTROL OFF" switch to
turn on the rear height control air sus-
pension.
5. Wait for about 20 seconds until the rear vehicle height is lowered by the
automatic leveling function.
6. Make sure the hitch is disconnected. If not, raise the hitch higher and repeat
steps 2 through 5. 7. Move the vehicle forward in the LO"
(low) mode where the hitch does not
touch anything in the N" (normal)
mode.
8. Put the rear height control air suspen- sion in the N" (normal) mode.
PRE−TOWING SAFETY CHECK
Check that your vehicle remains level
when a loaded or unloaded trailer is
hitched. Do not drive if the vehicle has
an abnormal nose−up or nose−down
condition, and check for improper
tongue load, overload, worn suspension
or other possible causes.
Make sure the trailer cargo is securely
loaded so that it cannot shift.
Check that your rear view mirrors con-
form to any applicable federal, state/
provincial or local regulations. If not,
install the rear view mirrors required
for towing purpose. TRAILER TOWING TIPS
When towing a trailer, your vehicle will
handle differently than when not tow-
ing. The three main causes of vehicle−
trailer accidents are driver error, exces-
sive speed and improper trailer loading.
Keep these in mind when towing:
Before starting out, check operation of
the lights and all vehicle−trailer connec-
tions. After driving a short distance,
stop and recheck the lights and con-
nections. Before actually towing a trail-
er, practice turning, stopping and back-
ing with a trailer in an area away from
traffic until you learn the feel.
Backing with a trailer is difficult and
requires practice. Grip the bottom of
the steering wheel and move your hand
to the left to move the trailer to the
left. Move your hand to the right to
move the trailer to the right. (This pro-
cedure is generally opposite to that
when backing without a trailer.) Also,
just turn the steering wheel a little at
a time, avoiding sharp or prolonged
turning. Have someone guide you when
backing to reduce the risk of an acci-
dent.

396
Make sure to set the jack prop-
erly in the jack point. Raising
the vehicle with jack improper-
ly positioned will damage the
vehicle or may allow the ve-
hicle to fall off the jack and
cause death or serious injury.
 Never get under the vehicle
when the vehicle is supported
by the jack alone.
 Use the jack only for lifting
your vehicle during wheel
changing.
 Do not raise the vehicle with
someone in the vehicle.
 When raising the vehicle, do
not place any objects on top
of or underneath the jack.
 Raise the vehicle only high
enough to remove and change
the tire.
NOTICE
 Do not continue driving with
a deflated tire. Driving even a
short distance can damage a
tire and wheel beyond repair.
 Vehicles with rear height con-
trol air suspension: When
jacking up or installing the
tire chains, be sure to turn
off the rear height control
and stop the engine. Other-
wise, the vehicle height may
change in the automatic lev-
eling function, resulting in
accident.
CY40055
1. G et th e req u i red to o l s an d
spare tire.
1. Tool bag
2. Jack
To prepare yourself for an emergency,
you should familiarize yourself with
the use of the jack, each of the tools
and their storage locations.
When storing the tool bag, make sure
it is securely held by the tightening
strap.
Required tools and spare
tire

406
CY40013
(b) Using flat bed truckFrom rear From front
(a) Towing with wheel lift type truck
Four−wheel drive models
If towing is necessary, we recommend
you to have it done by your Toyota
dealer or a commercial tow truck ser-
vice. In consultation with them, have
your vehicle towed using either (a) or
(b).
Only when you cannot receive a towing
service from a Toyota dealer or
commercial tow truck service, tow your
vehicle carefully in accordance with the
instructions given in Emergency
towing" on page 408 in this Section.
Proper equipment will help ensure that
your vehicle is not damaged while being
towed. Commercial operators are generally
aware of the state/provincial and local
laws pertaining to towing.
Your vehicle can be damaged if it is
towed incorrectly. Although most operators
know the correct procedure, it is possible
to make a mistake. To avoid damage to
your vehicle, make sure the following pre-
cautions are observed. If necessary, show
this page to the tow truck driver. TOWING PRECAUTIONS:
Use a safety chain system for all towing,
and abide by the state/provincial and local
laws. The wheels and axle on the ground
must be in good condition. If they are
damaged, use a towing dolly.
CAUTION
Vehicles with rear height control air
suspension: When your vehicle is
towed, put the vehicle height in the
N" (normal) 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 191 in Section 1−7.

415
Check the interior of your vehicle. Wa-
ter and dirt can accumulate under the
floor mats and could cause corrosion. Oc-
casionally check under the mats to make
sure the area is dry. Be particularly care-
ful when transporting chemicals, cleans-
ers, fertilizers, salt, etc; these s hould be
transported in proper containers. If a spill
or leak should occur, immediately clean
and dry the area.
Use mud shields on your wheels. If you
drive on salted or gravel roads, mud
shields help protect your vehicle. Full−size
shields, which come as near to the ground
as possible, are the best. We recommend
that the fittings and the area where the
shields are installed be treated to resist
corrosion. Your Toyota dealer will be
happy to assist in supplying and installing
the shields if they are recommended for
your area.
Keep your vehicle in a well ventilated
garage or a roofed place. Do not park
your vehicle in a damp, poorly venti-
lated garage. If you wash your vehicle in
the garage, or if you drive it covered with
water or snow, your garage may be so
damp as to cause corrosion. Even if your
garage is heated, a wet vehicle can cor-
rode if the ventilation is poor. Washing your Toyota
Keep your vehicle clean by regular
washing.
The following cases may cause weakness
to the paint or corrosion to the body and
parts. Wash your vehicle as soon as pos-
sible.
When driving in a coastal area
When driving on a road sprinkled with
antifreeze
When exposed to coal tar, tree sap,
bird droppings and carcass of an insect
When driving in areas where there is
a lot of smoke, soot, dust, iron dust or
chemical substances
When the vehicle becomes remarkably
dirty with dust and mud
Hand−washing your Toyota
Work in the shade and wait until the
vehicle body is not warm to the touch.
CAUTION
When cleaning under floor or chas-
sis, be careful not to injure your
hands.
Exhaust gases cause the exhaust
pipe to become quite hot. When
washing the vehicle, be careful not
to touch the pipe until it has cooled
sufficiently, as touching a hot ex-
haust pipe can cause burns.
1. Rinse off loose dirt with a hose. Re- move any mud or road salt from the
underside of the vehicle or the wheel
wells.
2. Wash with a mild car−wash soap, mixed according to the manufacturer ’s
instructions. Use a soft cotton mitt and
keep it wet by dipping it frequently into
the wash water. Do not rub hardlet
the soap and water remove the dirt.
Fuel filler door: Do not apply water (high−
pressure car wash, for example) at or
near the fuel tank inlet with the fuel f iller
door opened. If the water enters the air
vent, you may experience trouble with re-
fueling or rough engine idling.
Rear height control air suspension: Do not
spray a jet of high−pressure water at the
air suspension unit, especially the air
spring, at an extremely close range. This
may damage the air suspension.
Washing and waxing your
To y o t a

425
Doors and engine hood
Check that all doors including back door
operate smoothly and all latches lock se-
curely. Make sure the engine hood sec-
ondary latch secures the hood from open-
ing when the primary latch is released.
Tire inflation pressure
Check the pressure with a gauge ev-
ery two weeks, or at least once a
month. See page 441 in Section 7−2
for additional information.
Tire surface and wheel nuts
Check the tires carefully for cuts,
damage or excessive wear. See page
443 in Section 7−2 for additional in-
formation. When checking the tires,
make sure no nuts are missing, and
check the nuts for looseness. Tighten
them if necessary.
Tire rotation
Rotate the tires according to the
maintenance schedule. (For
scheduled maintenance information,
please refer to the Scheduled
Maintenance Guide" or Owner ’s
Manual Supplement".) See page 445
in Section 7−2 for additional
information.
Be on the alert for changes in perfor-
mance, sounds, and visual tip−offs that
indicate service is needed. Some impor-
tant clues are as follows:
Engine missing, stumbling, or pinging
Appreciable loss of power
Strange engine noises
A leak under the vehicle (however, wa-
ter dripping from the air conditioning
after use is normal.)
Change in exhaust sound (This may
indicate a dangerous carbon monoxide
leak. Drive with the windows open and
have the exhaust system checked im-
mediately.)
Flat−looking tire; excessive tire squeal
when cornering; uneven tire wear
Vehicle pulls to one side when driving
straight on a level road
Strange noises related to suspension
movement
Loss of brake effectiveness; spongy
feeling brake pedal; pedal almost
touches floor; vehicle pulls to one side
when braking
Engine coolant temperature continually
higher than normal If you notice any of these clues, take your
vehicle to your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible. It probably needs adjustment or
repair.
CAUTION
Do not continue driving with the ve-
hicle unchecked. It could result in se-
rious vehicle damage and possibly
personal injury.
Does your vehicle need
repairing?

462
Towing capacity (trailer weight + cargo
weight), kg (lb.):For weight carrying hitch 2268(5000)
Also for weight distributing hitch
(4.7 L V8 [2UZ−FE] engine only)Two−wheel drive models 3311(7300)
Four−wheel drive models
3175(7000)
Dimensions and weights
Overall width mm (in.)
2790(109.8)
Overall height
∗
1mm (in.)
1575(62.0)
Wheelbase mm (in.)
Front tread mm (in.) 1575(62.0)
Rear tread mm (in.)
431(950)
∗7
477(1050)∗8
∗1: Unladen vehicle∗2: Two−wheel drive models∗3: Four−wheel drive models∗4: With roof rails∗5: With rear spoiler∗6: With rear height control air suspension∗7: With 5 occupants∗8: With 7 occupantsOverall length mm (in.)
Vehicle capacity weight (occupants + luggage)
kg (lb.)4805(189.2)
1910(75.2)
1820(71.7)
∗
2or3,4
1800(70.9)∗2,3,5
1755(69.1)∗2,3
1805(71.1)∗2or3,4,6
1785(70.3)∗2or3,5,6
1740(68.5)∗2or3,6
91(200)∗7
0(0)∗8Luggage compartment load capacity kg (lb.)