2012 TOYOTA 4RUNNER transmission

262 2-4. Using other driving systems
4RUNNER_U
Messages displayed on the accessory meterDepending on switch operation, one of the following messages may
appear on the accessory meter to provide guidance on transfer mode
selection etc:
MessageDetailsProcedure
SHIFT TO 4WD
(When selecting MUD
& SAND mode) Indicates that the
transfer mode needs
to be changed to H4
or L4.Shift the front-wheel
drive control lever to
H4 or L4.
SHIFT TO L4
(When selecting
LOOSE ROCK,
MOGUL or ROCK
mode) Indicates that the
transfer mode needs
to be changed to L4.
Shift the front-wheel
drive control lever to
L4.
STOP THE VEHICLE
& SHIFT THE AUTO.
TRANSMISSION TO N
(When selecting any
mode) Indicates that the
transfer mode cannot
be changed to H4 or
L4.
Stop the vehicle com-
pletely and/or shift the
shift lever to N.
ACCELERATE OR
DECELERATE
(When shifting the
front-wheel control
lever to H4 or H2) Indicates that the
transfer mode may
not successfully
change.
Drive straight ahead
while accelerating or
decelerating, or drive in
reverse.
DRIVE THE VEHICLE
A SHORT DISTANCE
(When pressing the
rear differential lock
switch) Indicates that the rear
differential is not
locked.
Drive the vehicle for-
ward or backward a
short distance.
OP. NOT POSSIBLE
WHEN Multi-terrain
Select ACTIVATED
(When pressing the
VSC off switch or “A-
TRAC” switch) Indicates that VSC
and active traction
control cannot be dis-
abled while Multi-ter-
rain Select is
operating.
-

279
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
4RUNNER_U
NOTICE
■
To prevent water damage
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 transmission will cause deterioration in shift
quality, locking up of your transmission accompanied by vibration, and ulti-
mately damage.
● Water can wash the grease from wheel bearings, causing rusting and pre-
mature failure, and may also enter the differentials, transmission and
transfer case, reducing the gear oil’s lubricating qualities.
■ When you drive through water
If driving through water, such as when crossing shallow streams, first check
the depth of the water and the bottom of the riverbed for firmness. Drive
slowly and avoid deep water.
■ Inspection after off-road driving
● Sand and mud that has accumulat ed in brake drums and around brake
discs may affect braking efficiency and may damage brake system compo-
nents.
● Always perform a maintenance inspection after each day of off-road driv-
ing 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”.

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)

305
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
4RUNNER_U
●
Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle’s and the
trailer’s wheels when parking. Ap ply the parking brake firmly, and
put the transmission in P. Avoid pa rking on a slope, but if unavoid-
able, do so only after performing the following:
Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
Have someone place wheel blo cks under both the vehicle’s
and trailer’s 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.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 5
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4

307
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
4RUNNER_U
■
Break-in schedule
If your vehicle is new or equipped with any new power train components
(such as an engine, transmission, differential or wheel bearing), Toyota rec-
ommends that you do not tow a trailer until the vehicle has been driven \
for
over 500 miles (800 km).
After the vehicle has been driven for over 500 miles (800 km), you can s\
tart
towing. However, for the next 500 miles (800 km), drive the vehicle at a
speed of less than 45 mph (72 km/h) when towing a trailer, and avoid full
throttle acceleration.
■ Maintenance
● If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent maintenance
due to the additional load. (See “Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or
“Owner’s Manual Supplement”.)
● Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approxi-
mately 600 miles (1000 km) of trailer towing.
■ If trailer sway occurs
One or more factors (crosswinds, passing vehicles, rough roads, etc.) can
adversely affect handling of your vehicle and trailer, causing instability.
● If trailer swaying occurs:
• Firmly grip the steering wheel. Steer straight ahead.
Do not try to control trailer swaying by turning the steering wheel.
• Begin releasing the accelerator pedal immediately but very gradually to reduce speed.
Do not increase speed. Do not apply vehicle brakes.
If you make no extreme correction with the steering or brakes, your vehicle
and trailer should stabilize.

512 4-2. Maintenance
4RUNNER_U
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator pedal • The accelerator pedal should
move smoothly (without uneven
pedal effort or catching).
Automatic transmission “Park”
mechanism • When parked on a slope and the
shift lever is in P, is the vehicle
securely stopped?
Brake pedal • Does the brake pedal move
smoothly?
• Does the brake pedal have appro- priate clearance from the floor?
• Does the brake pedal have the correct amount of free play?
Brakes • The vehicle should not pull to one
side when the brakes are applied.
• The brakes should work effec- tively.
• The brake pedal should not feel spongy.
• The brake pedal should not get
too close to the floor when the
brakes are applied.
Head restraints • Do the head restraints move
smoothly and lock securely?
Indicators/buzzers • Do the indicators and buzzers
function properly?
Lights • Do all the lights come on?

517
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
4RUNNER_U
ItemsParts and tools
Fuses
(P. 555)• Fuse with same amperage rating
as original
Light bulbs (P. 565)
• Bulb with same number and watt-
age rating as original
• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Flathead screwdriver
• Wrench
Power steering fluid level (P. 530)
• Automatic transmission fluid
DEXRON® II or III
• Rag or paper towel
• Clean funnel
Radiator and condenser (P. 527)
Tire inflation pressure ( P. 543)• Tire pressure gauge
• Compressed air source
Washer fluid (P. 535)
• Water or washer fluid containing
antifreeze (for winter use)
• Funnel (used only for adding water or washer fluid)

531
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
4RUNNER_U
■
Checking the fluid level
Make sure to check the fluid type and prepare the necessary items.
Clean all dirt off the reservoir.
Remove the cap by turning it counterclockwise.
Wipe the dipstick clean.
Reinstall the cap and remove it again.
Check the fluid level.
Fluid typeAutomatic transmission fluid DEXRON® II or III
ItemsRag or paper, clean funnel (only for adding fluid)
CAUTION
■When checking the reservoir
Take care as the reservoir may be hot.
NOTICE
■When adding fluid
Avoid overfilling, or the power steering may be damaged.
■ After replacing the reservoir cap
Check the steering box case, vane pump and hose connections for leaks or
damage.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 5