2012 TOYOTA 4RUNNER engine coolant

187
2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
4RUNNER_U
Tachometer
Displays the engine speed in revolutions per minute
Speedometer
Displays the vehicle speed
Display change button

P. 188
Engine coolant temperature gauge
Displays the engine coolant temperature
Fuel gauge
Displays the quantity of fuel remaining in the tank
Eco Driving Indicator Zone Display
P. 189
Odometer, trip meter and average fuel consumption display
P. 188
Shift position and shift range indicators
P. 179
Vo l t m e t e r
Displays the charge state

192 2-2. Instrument cluster
4RUNNER_U
■The meters and display illuminate when (Optitron type meter)
Vehicles without a smart key system:
The engine switch is in the “ON” position.
Vehicles with a smart key system:
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
■ Eco Driving Indicator Light will not operate in the following conditions
● The shift lever is anything other than D.
● The vehicle speed is approximately 80 mph (130 km/h) or higher.
■ When the average fuel consumption is reset
The average fuel consumption displayed on the accessory meter and “Past
Record” screen of the Display Audio system (if equipped) or the navigation
system (if equipped) will be reset at the same time.
■ The brightness of the instrument panel lights (Optitron type meter)
When the headlight switch is turned to on, the brightness will be reduced
slightly unless the control dial is turned fully upward.
NOTICE
■ To prevent damage to the engine and its components
● Do not let the indicator needle of the tachometer enter the red zone, which
indicates the maximum engine speed.
● The engine may be overheating if the engine coolant temperature gauge is
in the red zone (H). In this case, immediately stop the vehicle in a safe
place, and check the engine after it has cooled completely. ( P. 627)
■ While driving (Optitron type meter)
When the voltmeter indicates more than 19 V or less than 9 V, the battery
may be malfunctioning. Have your vehicle checked at your Toyota dealer.

288
2-5. Driving information
4RUNNER_U
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.
■ Pre-winter 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.

304 2-5. Driving information
4RUNNER_U●
Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.
● Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns, and slow down before mak-
ing turn.
● Note that when making a turn, th e trailer wheels will be closer than
the vehicle wheels to the inside of the turn. Compensate by making
a wider than normal turning radius.
● Slow down before making a turn, in cross winds, on wet or slippery
surfaces, etc.
Increasing vehicle speed c an destabilize the trailer.
● Take care when passing other v ehicles. Passing requires consider-
able distance. After passing a vehi cle, do not forget the length of
your trailer, and be sure you hav e plenty of room before changing
lanes.
● To maintain engine braking efficiency and charging system perfor-
mance when using engine braking, do not put the transmission in
D.
● Instability happens more frequently when descending steep or long
downhill grades. Before descending, slow down and downshift. Do
not make sudden downshifts while descending steep or long down-
hill grades.
● Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or applying the
brakes too frequently. This could cause the brakes to overheat and
result in reduced braking efficiency.
● Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle’s engine may
overheat on hot days (at temper atures over 85°F [30°C]) when
driving up a long or steep grade. If the engine coolant temperature
gauge indicates overheating, immediately turn off the air condition-
ing (if in use), pull your vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot.
(  P. 627)

511
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
4RUNNER_U
General maintenance
Engine compartment
ItemsCheck points
Battery Check the connections.
(P. 532)
Brake fluid Is the brake fluid at the correct
level? (
P. 528)
Engine coolant Is the engine coolant at the
correct level? (
P. 526)
Engine oil Is the engine oil at the correct
level? (
P. 522)
Exhaust system There should not be any fumes or
strange sounds.
Power steering fluid Is the power steering fluid at the
correct level? (
P. 530)
Radiator/condenser The radiator and condenser
should be free from foreign
objects. (
P. 527)
Washer fluid Is there sufficient washer fluid?
(P. 535)
Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be per-
formed at the intervals specified in the “Owner's Warranty Informa-
tion Booklet” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement/Scheduled
Maintenance Guide”. It is recommended that any problem you notice
should be brought to the attention of your Toyota dealer or qualified
service shop for advice.

516
4RUNNER_U
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself ser vice precautions
If you perform maintenance by yourself, be sure to follow the correct
procedure as given in these sections.
ItemsParts and tools
Battery condition ( P. 532)
•Warm water
• Baking soda
• Grease
• Conventional wrench
(for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level ( P. 528)
• FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE
J1703 brake fluid
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding brake fluid)
Engine coolant level ( P. 526)
• “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”
or a similar high quality ethylene
glycol based non-silicate, non-
amine, non-nitrite and non-borate
coolant with long-life hybrid
organic acid technology
For the U.S.A.:
“Toyota Super Long Life
Coolant” is pre-mixed with 50%
coolant and 50% deionized
water.
For Canada:
“Toyota Super Long Life
Coolant” is pre-mixed with 55%
coolant and 45% deionized
water.
• Funnel (used only for adding engine coolant)
Engine oil level ( P. 522)
• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or
equivalent
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding engine oil)

520
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4RUNNER_U
Engine compar tment
Washer fluid tank (P. 535)
Power steering fluid reservoir ( P. 530)
Engine oil level dipstick ( P. 522)
Engine coolant reservoir ( P. 526)
Engine oil filler cap ( P. 522)Brake fluid reservoir
( P. 528)
Fuse box ( P. 555)
Battery ( P. 532)
Condenser ( P. 527)
Radiator ( P. 527)
CTH43AS117

526 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4RUNNER_U
Engine coolantThe coolant level is sati sfactory if it is between the “F” and “L” lines on
the reservoir when the engine is cold.
Reservoir cap
“F” line
“L” line
If the level is on or below the “L”
line, add coolant up to the “F” line.
(P. 627)
CTH43AS108
■ Coolant selection
Only use “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or a similar high quality ethylene
glycol based non-silicate, non-amine, non-nitrite, and non-borate coolant
with long-life hybrid organic acid technology.
U.S.A.: “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 50% coolant and 50% deionized water. (Minimum temperature: -31 F [-35 C])
Canada: “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 55% coolant and 45% deionized water. (Minimum temperature: -44 F [-42 C])
For more details about engine coolant, contact your Toyota dealer.
■ If the coolant level drops within a short time of replenishing
Visually check the radiator, hoses, engine coolant reservoir caps, drain cock
and water pump.
If you cannot find a leak, have your Toyota dealer test the cap and check for
leaks in the cooling system.