2012 TOYOTA 4RUNNER Owners Manual

5
When trouble arises
625
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
4RUNNER_U
■
Starting the engine when the battery is discharged
The engine cannot be started by push-starting.
■ To prevent battery discharge
● Turn off the headlights and the audio system while the engine is off.
● Turn off any unnecessary electrical components when the vehicle is run-
ning at a low speed for an extended period, such as in heavy traffic.
■ Charging the battery
The electricity stored in the battery will discharge gradually even when the
vehicle is not in use, due to natural discharge and the draining effects of cer-
tain electrical appliances. If the vehicle is left for a long time, the battery may
discharge, and the engine may be unable to start. (The battery recharges
automatically during driving.)
■ Precautions when the battery is di scharged (vehicles with a smart key
system)
● In some cases, it may not be possible to unlock the doors using the smart
key system when the battery is discharged. Use the wireless remote con-
trol or the mechanical key to lock or unlock the doors.
● The engine may not start on the first attempt after the battery has
recharged but will start normally after the second attempt. This is not a
malfunction.
● The “ENGINE START STOP” switch mode is memorized by the vehicle.
When the battery is reconnected, the system will return to the mode it
was in before the battery was discharged. Before disconnecting the bat-
tery, turn the “ENGINE START STOP” switch off.
If you are unsure what mode the “ENGINE START STOP” switch was in
before the battery discharged, be especially careful when reconnecting
the battery.

626 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
4RUNNER_U
CAUTION
■Avoiding battery fires or explosions
Observe the following precautions to prevent accidentally igniting the flam-
mable gas that may be emitted from the battery:
● Make sure each jumper cable is connected to the correct terminal and that
it is not unintentionally in contact with any other than the intended terminal.
● Do not allow the + and - clamps of the jumper cables to come into contact
with each other.
● Do not smoke, use matches, cigarette lighters or allow open flame near
the battery.
■ Battery precautions
The battery contains poisonous and corrosive acidic electrolyte, while
related parts contain lead and lead compounds. Observe the following pre-
cautions when handling the battery:
● When working with the battery, always wear safety glasses and take care
not to allow any battery fluids (acid) to come into contact with skin, clothing
or the vehicle body.
● Do not lean over the battery.
● In the event that battery fluid comes into contact with the skin or eyes,
immediately wash the affected area with water and seek medical attention.
Place a wet sponge or cloth over the affected area until medical attention
can be received.
● Always wash your hands after handling the battery support, terminals, and
other battery-related parts.
● Do not allow children near the battery.
NOTICE
■When handling jumper cables
When connecting the jumper cables, ensure that they do not become entan-
gled in the cooling fans or belt.

5
When trouble arises
627
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
4RUNNER_U
If your vehicle overheats
If your engine overheats:Stop the vehicle in a safe place and turn off the air condi-
tioning system.
Check to see if steam is coming out from under the hood.
If you see steam:
Stop the engine. Carefully lift the hood after the steam sub-
sides and then restart the engine.
If you do not see steam:
Leave the engine running and carefully lift the hood.
Check to see if the cooling fan is operating.
If the fan is operating:
Wait until the temperature of the engine (shown on the
instrument panel) begins to fall and then stop the engine.
If the fan is not operating:
Stop the engine immediately and call your Toyota dealer. After the engine has cooled
down sufficiently, check the
engine coolant level and
inspect the radiator core (radi-
ator) for any leaks.
If the engine compartment
cover needs to be removed.
( P. 521)
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
CTH52AS043
STEP 4

628 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
4RUNNER_U
■Overheating
If you observe the following, your vehicle may be overheating:
● The engine coolant temperature gauge enters the red zone or a loss of
power is experienced.
● Steam comes out from under the hood.
CAUTION
■To prevent an accident or injury when inspecting under the hood of
your vehicle
● If steam is seen coming from under the hood, do not open the hood until
the steam has subsided. The engine compartment may be very hot, caus-
ing serious injuries such as burns.
● Keep hands and clothing away from the fan and drive belt while the engine
is running.
● Do not loosen the radiator cap, or coolant reservoir cap while the engine
and radiator are hot.
Serious injury, such as burns, may result from hot coolant and steam
released under pressure.
Add engine coolant if neces-
sary.
Water can be used in an emer-
gency if engine coolant is
unavailable.
( P. 639)
Have the vehicle inspected at the nearest Toyota dealer as soon as
possible.
CTH52AS033
STEP 5

5
When trouble arises
629
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
4RUNNER_U
NOTICE
■
When adding engine coolant
Wait until the engine has cooled down before adding engine coolant.
When adding coolant, do so slowly. Adding cool coolant to a hot engine too
quickly can cause damage to the engine.

630
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
4RUNNER_U
If the vehicle becomes stuck
CAUTION
■When attempting to free a stuck vehicle
If you choose to push the vehicle back and forth to free it, make sure the sur-
rounding area is clear to avoid striking other vehicles, objects or people. The
vehicle may also lunge forward or lunge back suddenly as it becomes free.
Use extreme caution.
■ When shifting the shift lever
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 resulting in death or serious injury.
NOTICE
■To avoid damage to the transmission and other components
● Avoid spinning the wheels and depressing the accelerator pedal more
than necessary.
● If the vehicle remains stuck even after these procedures are performed,
the vehicle may require towing to be freed.
Carry out the following procedures if the tires spin or the vehicle
becomes stuck in mud, dirt or snow:
Stop the engine. Set the parki ng brake and shift the shift
lever to P.
Remove the mud, snow or sand from around the stuck tire.
Place wood, stones or some other material under the tires
to help provide traction.
Restart the engine.
Shift the shift lever to the D or R position and carefully apply
the accelerator to free the vehicle.
Turn off TRAC and VSC if these functions are hampering your
attempts to free the vehicle. ( P. 268)
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 5

5
When trouble arises
631
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
4RUNNER_U
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an emergency
Only in an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible to stop the
vehicle in the normal way, stop the vehicle using the following pro-
cedure:
Steadily step on the brake pedal with both feet and firmly
depress it.
Do not pump the brake pedal repeatedly as this will increase the
effort required to slow the vehicle.
Shift the shift lever to N.
If the shift lever is shifted to N After slowing down, stop the vehi cle in a safe place by the
road.
Stop the engine.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted to N Keep depressing the brake pedal with both feet to reduce
vehicle speed as much as possible.
Vehicles without a smart key
system: Stop the engine by
turning the engine switch to
the “ACC” position.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 3
STEP 4

632 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
4RUNNER_U
CAUTION
■If the engine has to be turned off while driving
● Power assist for the brakes and steering wheel will be lost, making the
brake pedal harder to depress and the steering wheel heavier to turn.
Decelerate as much as possible before turning off the engine.
● Vehicles without a smart key system: Never attempt to remove the key, as
doing so will lock the steering wheel.
Vehicles with a smart key sys-
tem: Stop the engine by press-
ing and holding the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch for 3
consecutive seconds or more.
Stop the vehicle in a safe place by the road.
Press and hold for 3 seconds or more
STEP 4
STEP 5