2009 TOYOTA 4RUNNER parking brake

137
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
CAUTION
■
When the vehicle is parked
●Do not touch the exhaust pipe while the engine is running or immediately
after turning the engine off.
Doing so may cause burns.
● Do not leave the engine running in an area with snow build-up, or where it
is snowing. If snowbanks build up around the vehicle while the engine is
running, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle. This may lead
to death or a serious health hazard.
■ Exhaust gases
Exhaust gases include harmful carbon monoxide (CO) that is colorless and
odorless. Inhaling exhaust gases may lead to death or a serious health haz-
ard.
●If the vehicle is in a poorly ventilated area, stop the engine. In a closed
area, such as a garage, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle.
This may lead to death or a serious health hazard.
● The exhaust should be checked occasionally. If there is a hole or crack
caused by corrosion, damage to a joint or abnormal exhaust noise, be
sure to have the vehicle inspected and repaired by your Toyota dealer.
Failure to do so may allow exhaust gases to enter the vehicle, resulting in
death or a serious health hazard.
■ 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, leadin\
g 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.

138 2-1. Driving procedures
CAUTION
■When braking 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.
NOTICE
■When driving the vehicle
Do not use the accelerator pedal or depress accelerator and brake pedals
together to hold the vehicle on a hill.
■ When parking the vehicle
Always put the shift lever in P.
Failure to do so may cause the vehicle to move or the vehicle may acceler-
ate suddenly if the accelerator pedal is accidentally depressed.
■ Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
●Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for a
long time.
Doing so may damage the power steering pump.
● When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid
damaging the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.

140
2-1. Driving procedures
Engine (ignition) switch
■Engine switch
LOCK
The steering wheel is locked
and the key can be removed.
(The key can be removed only
when the shift lever is in P.)
ACC
Some electrical components
such as the audio system can
be used.
ON
All electrical components can
be used.
START
For starting the engine.
■Starting the engine
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is set in P.
Sit in the driver’s seat and firmly depress the brake pedal.
Turn the engine switch to the START position and start the
engine.
The engine will crank until it starts or for up to 25 seconds, which-
ever is less. If you turn the engine switch, the engine will keep
cranking for about 30 seconds maximum.
Continue depressing the brake pedal until the engine is com-
pletely started.

143
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
Automatic Transmission
Select a shift position appropriate for the driving conditions.
■Shifting the shift lever
While the engine switch is on, depress the brake pedal and
move the shift lever.
■ Shift position uses
*: To improve fuel consumption and reduce noises, set the shift lever in
D for normal driving.
Shift positionFunction
PParking the vehicle or starting the engine
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*
4Position for engine braking
3, 2Position for more powerful engine braking
LPosition for maximum engine braking

146
2-1. Driving procedures
Parking brake
■Parking brake engaged warning buzzer
The buzzer sounds to indicate that parking brake is still engaged (with the
vehicle having reached a speed of 3 mph [5 km/h]).
NOTICE
■Before driving
Fully release the parking brake.
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to brake components
overheating, which may affect braking performance and increase brake
wear.
Set the parking brake*.
(Depressing the pedal again
releases the parking brake.)
At this time, the indicator will
come on.
*: Fully depress the parking brake pedal with your left
foot while depressing the
brake pedal with your right
foot.

160 2-3. Operating the lights and wipers
■Daytime running light system (if equipped)
To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers, the headlights turn on
automatically (at a reduced intensity) whenever the engine is started and the
parking brake is released. Daytime running lights are not designed for use at
night.
■ Headlight control sensor
■ Automatic light off system
●When the headlights come on: The headlights and tail lights turn off 30
seconds after all doors are closed with the engine switch turned to the
ACC or LOCK position. (The lights turn off immediately if the LOCK but-
ton on the wireless remote control is pressed twice after all doors are
locked.)
● When only the tail lights come on: The tail lights turn off automatically
with the engine switch turned to the ACC or LOCK position and the
driver’s door is opened.
If the driver’s door is kept open, the lights automatically turn off after 30 min-
utes.
To turn the lights on again, turn the engine switch to the ON position, or turn
the headlight switch off once and then back to the or position.
■ Customization that can be co nfigured at Toyota dealer
Settings (e.g. light sensor sensitivity) can be changed.
(Customizable features P. 495)
The sensor may not function properly if
an object is placed on the sensor, or any-
thing that blocks the sensor is affixed to
the windshield.
Doing so interferes with the sensor
detecting the level of ambient light and
may cause the automatic headlight sys-
tem to malfunction.

214 2-5. Driving information
Regulations on the use of snow chains● Regulations regarding the use of tire chains vary according to loca-
tion and type of road. Always check local regu lations before install-
ing chains.
● Install the chains on the rear tires.
● Retighten the chains after drivi ng 1/4 - 1/2 mile (0.5 - 1.0 km).
■Snow chain installation
Observe the following precautions when installing and removing chains.
●Install and remove tire chains in a safe location.
● Install tire chains on the rear tires only. Do not install tire chains on the
front tires.
● Install tire chains following the instructions provided in the accompanying
instructions.
■ When driving the vehicle
Accelerate the vehicle slowly and drive at a reduced speed suit-
able to road conditions.
■ When parking the vehicle
Park the vehicle and move the shift lever to P without setting the
parking brake. The parking brak e may freeze up, preventing it
from being released.

223
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
●
Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and the trailer
wheels when parking. Apply the parking brake firmly, and put the
transmission in P. Avoid parking on a slope, but if unavoidable, do
so only after performing the following:
Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
Have someone place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and
trailer wheels.
When the wheel blocks are in pl ace, release the brakes slowly
until the blocks absorb the load.
Apply the parking brake firmly.
Shift into P and turn off the engine.
● When restarting after parking on a slope:
With the transmission in P, start the engine. Be sure to keep
the brake pedal pressed.
Shift into a forward gear. If reversing, shift into R.
Release the parking brake and brake pedal, and slowly pull or
back away from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply the brakes.
Have someone retrieve the blocks.
■ Service connector for towing brake controller (if equipped)
Your vehicle is equipped with a service
connector for the trailer brake controller
as shown.