2008 TOYOTA 4RUNNER checking oil

159
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 engine switch 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
Tire pressure warning light
RSCA OFF" indicator light
AUTO LSD" indicator light
VSC OFF" indicator/warning light
Slip indicator light
Height control indicator lights
Downhill assist control system indicator
light (four−wheel drive models)
Height control OFF" indicator light
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), AUTO LSD" indicator
light, VSC OFF" indicator/warning light
or slip indicator light stay on for about
60 seconds after the engine switch is
turned to the ON" position. It is nor-
mal 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.

344
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 Imp. 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 436 in Section 7−2.
Facts about engine oil
consumption

375
NOTICE
If driving through water, such as
when crossing shallow streams,
first check the depth of the water
and the bottom of the river bed for
firmness. Drive slowly and avoid
deep water.
 Take all necessary safety measures
to ensure that water damage to the
engine or other components does
not occur.
 Water entering the engine air intake
will cause severe engine damage.
 Water entering the automatic trans-
mission will cause deterioration in
shift quality, locking up of your
transmission accompanied by vibra-
tion, and ultimately damage.
 Water can wash the grease from
wheel bearings, causing rusting and
premature failure, and may also en-
ter the differentials, transmission
and transfer case, reducing the gear
oil’s lubricating qualities.
Sand and mud that has accumulated
in brake drums and around brake
discs may affect braking efficiency
and may damage brake system com-
ponents.
 Always perform a maintenance
inspection after each day of
off−road driving that has taken you
through rough terrain, sand, mud,
or water. For scheduled
maintenance information, refer to
the Scheduled Maintenance Guide"
or Owner ’s Manual Supplement".Make sure your coolant is properly pro-
tected against freezing.
Only use Toyota Super Long Life Coolant"
or similar high quality ethylene glycol
based non−silicate, non−amine, non−nitrite,
and non−borate coolant with long−life hy-
brid organic acid technology. (Coolant with
long−life hybrid organic acid technology is
a combination of low phosphates and or-
ganic acids.)
See Checking the engine coolant level"
on page 438 in Section 7−2 for details of
coolant type selection.
For the U.S.A.Toyota Super Long Life
Coolant" is a mixture of 50% coolant and
50% deionized water. This coolant pro-
vides protection down to about −35 C
(−31 F).
For the CanadaToyota Super Long Life
Coolant" is a mixture of 55% coolant and
45% deionized water. This coolant pro-
vides protection down to about −42 C
(−44 F).
NOTICE
Do not use plain water alone.
Winter driving tips

432
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 iridium−tipped 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.
 Be careful not to scratch the glass
surface with the wiper frame.
 When closing the engine hood,
check to see that you have not for-
gotten any tools, rags, etc.Here is a list of parts and tools you will
need to perform do−it−yourself mainte-
nance. Remember all Toyota parts are de-
signed in metric sizes, so your tools must
be metric.
CHECKING THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL
Parts (if level is low):
Toyota Genuine Motor Oil" or equiva-
lent
See page 437 in Section 7−2 for de-
tails about engine oil selection.
Tools:
Rag or paper towel
Funnel (only for adding oil)
CHECKING THE ENGINE COOLANT
LEVEL
Parts (if level is low):
Toyota Super Long Life Coolant" or
similar high quality ethylene glycol
based non−silicate, non−amine, non−ni-
trite, and non−borate coolant with long−
life hybrid organic acid technology.
Toyota Super Long Life Coolant" is a
mixture of 50% coolant and 50% deion-
ized water (for the U.S.A.) or 55%
coolant and 45% deionized water (for
Canada). Tools:
Funnel (only for adding coolant)
CHECKING BRAKE FLUID
Parts (if level is low):
SAE J1703 or FMVSS No.116 DOT 3
brake fluid
Tools:
Rag or paper towel
Funnel (only for adding fluid)
CHECKING POWER STEERING FLUID
Parts (if level is low):
Automatic transmission fluid
DEXRON II or III
Tools:
Rag or paper towel
Funnel (only for adding fluid)
CHECKING BATTERY CONDITION
Tools:
Warm water
Baking soda
Grease
Conventional wrench (for terminal
clamp bolts)
Parts and tools

435
DO−IT−YOURSELF MAINTENANCE
Engine and Chassis
Checking the engine oil level436
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the engine coolant level 438
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the radiator and condenser 439
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking brake fluid 439
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . .
Checking power steering fluid 440
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking tire inflation pressure 441
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking and replacing tires 443
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rotating tires 445
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . . .
Installing snow tires and chains 446
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing wheels 447
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . .
Aluminum wheel precautions 448
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 7− 2

436
Z72112
Low level Full level
Add oil O.K. Too full
4.0 L V6 (1GR−FE) engine
Z72111
Low level Full level
Add oil O.K. Too full
4.7 L V8 (2UZ−FE) engine
With the engine at operating tempera-
ture and turned off, check the oil level
on the dipstick. 1. To get a correct reading, the vehicle should be on level ground. After turning
off the engine, wait a few minutes for
the oil to drain back into the bottom of
the engine.
2. Pull the dipstick out, hold a rag under the end and wipe it clean.
3. Reinsert the dipstickpush it in as far as it will go, or the reading will not be
correct.
4. Pull the dipstick out and look at the oil level while holding a rag under the
end.
CAUTION
Be careful not to touch the hot ex-
haust manifold.
NOTICE
Be careful not to drop engine oil on
the vehicle components.
If the oil level is below or only slightly
above the low level, add engine oil of
the same type as already in the engine.
Remove the oil filler cap and add engine
oil in small quantities at a time, checking
the dipstick. We recommend that you use
a funnel when adding oil.
The approximate quantity of oil needed to
raise the level between low and full on the
dipstick is indicated as follows:1.5L(1.6qt.,1.3Imp.qt.)
For the engine oil capacity, see Service
specifications" on page 463 in Section 8.
When the level reaches within the correct
range, install the f iller cap hand−tight.
NOTICE
Be careful not to spill engine oil on
the vehicle components.
 Avoid overfilling, or the engine
could be damaged.
 Check the oil level on the dipstick
once again after adding the oil.
Checking the engine oil level

438
To ensure excellent lubrication perfor-
mance for your engine, Toyota Genuine
Motor Oil" is available, which has been
specifically tested and approved for all
Toyota engines.
Please contact your Toyota dealer for fur-
ther details about Toyota Genuine Motor
Oil".Look at the see−through coolant reser-
voir when the engine is cold. The cool-
ant level is satisfactory if it is between
the F" and L" lines on the reservoir.
If the level is low, add the coolant. (For
the coolant type, see Coolant type
selection" described below.)
The coolant level in the reservoir will vary
with engine temperature. However, if the
level is on or below the L" line, add
coolant. Bring the level up to the F" line.
If the coolant level drops within a short
time after replenishing, there may be a
leak in the system. Visually check the
radiator, hoses, radiator cap and drain
cock and water pump.
If you can find no leak, have your Toyota
dealer test the cap pressure and check
for leaks in the cooling system.
CAUTION
To prevent burning yourself, do not
remove the radiator cap when the en-
gine is hot.
Coolant type selection
Use of improper coolants may damage
your engine cooling system.
Only use Toyota Super Long Life Coolant"
or similar high quality ethylene glycol
based non−silicate, non−amine, non−nitrite,
and non−borate coolant with long−life
hybrid organic acid technology. (Coolant
with long−life hybrid organic acid
technology is a combination of low
phosphates and organic acids.)
For the U.S.A.Toyota Super Long Life
Coolant" is a mixture of 50% coolant and
50% deionized water. This coolant pro-
vides protection down to about −35
C
(−31 F).
For CanadaToyota Super Long Life
Coolant" is a mixture of 55% coolant and
45% deionized water. This coolant pro-
vides protection down to about −42 C
(−44 F).
NOTICE
Do not use plain water alone.
Checking the engine coolant
level

450
CAUTION
BATTERY PRECAUTIONS
The battery produces flammable and
explosive hydrogen gas.
Do not cause a spark from the bat-
tery with tools.
Do not smoke or light a match near
the battery.
The electrolyte contains poisonous
and corrosive sulfuric acid.
Avoid contact with eyes, skin or
clothes.
Never ingest electrolyte.
Wear protective safety glasses when
working near the battery.
Keep children away from the bat-
tery.
EMERGENCY MEASURES
If electrolyte gets in your eyes,
flush your eyes with clean water
immediately and get immediate
medical attention. If possible, con-
tinue to apply water with a sponge
or cloth while en route to the medi-
cal office.
If electrolyte gets on your skin,
thoroughly wash the contact area. If
you feel pain or burning, get medi-
cal attention immediately.
If electrolyte gets on your clothes,
there is a possibility of its soaking
through to your skin, so immediate-
ly take off the exposed clothing and
follow the procedure above, if nec-
essary.
If you accidentally swallow electro-
lyte, drink a large quantity of water
or milk. Follow with milk of magne-
sia, beaten raw egg or vegetable
oil. Then go immediately for emer-
gency help.
CY73024
Terminals
Hold−down
clamp
Ground cable
Check the battery for corroded or loose
terminal connections, cracks, or loose
hold−down clamp. a. If the battery is corroded, wash it off with a solution of warm water and bak-
ing soda. Coat the outside of the termi-
nals with grease to prevent further cor-
rosion.
b. If the terminal connections are loose, tighten their clamp nutsbut do not
overtighten.
c. Tighten the hold−down clamp only enough to keep the battery firmly in
place. Overtightening may damage the
battery case.
Checking battery condition
Precautions Checking battery exterior