2008 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER brakes

106 2−1. Driving procedures
Lightly depress the accelerator pedal at the same time as
gradually releasing the clutch pedal.
Release the parking brake.
 Driving in the rain
 Drive carefully when it is raining, because visibility will be reduced, the
windows may become fogged−up, and the road will be slippery.
Drive carefully when it starts to rain, because the road surface will be
especially slippery.
 Refrain from high speeds when driving on an expressway in the rain,
because there may be a layer of water between the tires and the road
surface, preventing the steering and brakes from operating properly.
 Breaking in your new Toyota
To extend the life of the vehicle, the following precautions are recommended
to observe:
 For the first 200 miles (300 km):
Avoid sudden stops.
For the first 500 miles (800 km):
Do not tow a trailer.
 For the first 1000 miles (1600 km):
Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
Avoid sudden acceleration.
Do not drive continuously in the low gears.
Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods.
 Drumin disc type parking brake system
Your vehicle has a drum−in−disc type parking brake system. This type of
brake system needs bedding−down of the brake shoes periodically or when−
ever the parking brake shoes and/or drum are replaced. Have your Toyota
dealer perform the bedding down.
 Operating your vehicle in a foreign country
Comply with the relevant vehicle registration laws and confirm the availability
of the correct fuel. (
P. 364)

108 2−1. Driving procedures
CAUTION
 When driving the vehicle
 Do not shift the shift lever to N while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so may cause the engine brake to not operate properly and lead to
an accident.
 Do not turn the engine off while driving.
The power steering and brake booster systems will not operate properly if
the engine is not running.
 Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving
down a steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose
effectiveness. (
P. 1 1 8120)
When stopped on an inclined surface, use the brake pedal and parking
brake to prevent the vehicle from rolling backward or forward and causing
an accident.
 Do not adjust the position of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or
outside rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control that can cause accidents
that may result in death or serious injury.
 Always check that all passengers’ arms, heads or other parts of their bod−
ies are not outside the vehicle, as this may result in death or serious injury.

Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit per−
mits it, do not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicle has high−
speed capability tires. Driving over 85 mph (140 km/h) may result in tire
failure, loss of control and possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer
to determine whether the tires on your vehicle are high−speed capability
tires or not before driving at such speeds.

109
2−1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
CAUTION
 When driving on slippery road surfaces
 Sudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippage and
reduce your ability to control the vehicle, resulting in an accident.
Sudden changes in engine speed, such as engine braking caused by up−
shifting or down−shifting, may cause the vehicle to skid, resulting in an
accident.
 After driving through a puddle, lightly depress the brake pedal to make
sure that the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent
the brakes from functioning properly. If the brakes on only one side are wet
and not functioning properly, steering control may be affected, resulting in
an accident.
 When shifting the shift lever
 Vehicles with an automatic transmission, be careful not to shift the shift
lever with the accelerator pedal depressed.
This may lead to unexpected rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may
cause an accident and result in death or serious injury.
 When the vehicle is stopped
 Do not race the engine.
If the vehicle is in any gear other than P (automatic transmission only) or
N, the vehicle may accelerate suddenly and unexpectedly, and may cause
an accident.
 Do not leave the vehicle with the engine running for a long time.
If such a situation cannot be avoided, park the vehicle in an open space
and check that exhaust fumes do not enter the vehicle interior.
 Vehicles with an automatic transmission, always keep a foot on the brake
pedal while the engine is running to prevent an accident caused by the
vehicle moving.

111
2−1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
CAUTION
 When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the engine off. Otherwise, you may accidentally move the shift
lever or depress the accelerator pedal, which could cause an accident or fire
due to engine overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked in a poorly
ventilated area, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle, leading to
death or a serious health hazard.
 When braking the vehicle
 When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously.
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and may cause one
side of the vehicle to brake differently than the other side. Also the parking
brake may not securely hold the vehicle.
 If the power brake assist function does not operate, do not follow other
vehicles closely and avoid downhills or sharp turns that require braking.
In this case, braking is still possible, but it will require more force on the
pedal than usual. Braking distance may also increase.
 Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls.
Each push on the brake pedal uses up the reserve for the power−assisted
brakes.
 The brake system consists of 2 individual hydraulic systems: If one of the
systems fails, the other will still operate. In this case, the brake pedal
should be depressed more firmly than usual and braking distance
becomes longer.
Do not drive your vehicle with only a single brake system. Have your
brakes fixed immediately.

137
2−4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
 Cruise control can be set when
 The shift lever is in D or 4 (vehicles with an automatic transmission).
Vehicle speed is between approximately 25 mph (40 km/h) and 125 mph
(200 km/h).
 Accelerating
The vehicle can be accelerated normally.
Automatic cruise control cancelation
The set speed is automatically cancelled in any of the following situations.
Actual vehicle speed falls more than 10 mph (16 km/h) below the preset
vehicle speed.
At this time, the memorized set speed is not retained.
 Actual vehicle speed is below 25 mph (40 km/h).

VSC is activated.
 Canceling and resuming regular acceleration
Cancel
Pull the lever towards you to
cancel cruise control.
The speed setting is also can−
celed when the brakes are
applied or the clutch
depressed (manual transmis−
sion).
Resume
To resume cruise control and
return to the set speed, push
the lever up.

142 2−4. Using other driving systems
 Sensor detection information
 Certain vehicle conditions and the surrounding environment may affect
the ability of a sensor to correctly detect an obstacle. Particular instances
where this may occur are listed below.
There is dirt, snow or ice on a sensor.
A sensor is frozen.
A sensor is covered in any way.
The vehicle is leaning considerably to one side.
On an extremely bumpy road, on an incline, on gravel, or on grass.
The vicinity of the vehicle is noisy due to vehicle horns, motorcycle
engines, air brakes of large vehicles, or other loud noises producing
ultrasonic waves.
There is another vehicle equipped with parking assist sensors in the
vicinity.
A sensor is coated with a sheet of spray or heavy rain.
The vehicle is equipped with a fender pole or radio antenna.
A bumper or sensor receives a strong impact.
The vehicle is approaching a tall or right−angled curb.
In harsh sunlight or intense cold weather.
The area directly under the bumpers is not detected.
Objects lower than the sensors or thin stakes etc. may be detected ini−
tially, but as they draw closer, they may cease to be detected.
A towing hitch is mounted to the vehicle.
A non−genuine Toyota suspension (lowered suspension etc.) is
installed.
In addition to the examples above, there are instances in which, because of
their shapes, signs and other objects may be judged by a sensor to be closer
than they are.
 The shape of the obstacle may prevent a sensor from detecting it. Pay
particular attention to the following obstacles:
Wires, fences, ropes, etc.
Cotton, snow and other materials that absorb radio waves
Sharply−angled objects
Low obstacles
Tall obstacles with upper sections projecting outwards in the direction
of your vehicle

163
2−5. Driving information
2
When driving
CAUTION
 Offroad driving precautions
Always observe the following precautions to minimize the risk of serious per−
sonal injury or damage to your vehicle:
 Drive carefully when off the road. Do not take unnecessary risks by driving
in dangerous places.
Do not grip the steering wheel spokes when driving off−road. A bad bump
could jerk the wheel and injure your hands. Keep both hands and espe−
cially your thumbs on the outside of the rim.
 Always check your brakes for effectiveness immediately after driving in
sand, mud, water or snow.
After driving through tall grass, mud, rock, sand, rivers, etc., check that
there is no grass, bush, paper, rags, stone, sand, etc. adhering or trapped
on the underbody. Clear off any such matter from the underbody. If the
vehicle is used with these materials trapped or adhering to the underbody,
a breakdown or fire could occur.
 In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more likely to die
than a person wearing a seat belt. Therefore, the driver and all passengers
should fasten their seat belts whenever the vehicle is moving.
 When driving off−road or in rugged terrain, do not drive at excessive
speeds, jump, make sharp turns, strike objects, etc. This may cause loss
of control or vehicle rollover causing death or serious injury. You are also
risking expensive damage to your vehicle’s suspension and chassis.

169
2−5. Driving information
2
When driving
Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before driving
the vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a manner appropri
ate to the prevailing weather conditions.
 Prewinter preparations
 Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside tem−
peratures.
Engine oil
Engine coolant
Washer fluid
 Have a service technician inspect the level and specific grav−
ity of battery electrolyte.
Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set
of tire chains for the rear tires.
Ensure that all tires are the same size and brand, and that chains
match the size of the tires.
 Before driving the vehicle
Perform the following according to the driving conditions.

Do not try to forcibly open a window, scrape an outside rear
view mirror surface or move a wiper or outside rear view mir−
ror that is frozen. Pour warm water over the frozen area to
melt the ice. Wipe away the water immediately to prevent it
from freezing.
To ensure proper operation of th e climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents
in front of the windshield.
Remove any ice that has accumulated on the vehicle chassis.

Periodically check for and remo ve any excess ice or snow
that may have accumulated in the wheel well or on the
brakes.