Page 274 of 530

2724-6. Driving tips
4RUNNER (U)_(OM35A83U)
CAUTION
■Driving with snow tires
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in a loss of vehicle control and cause death or
serious injury.
● Use tires of the specified size.
● Maintain the recommended level of air pressure.
● Do not drive in excess of 75 mph (120 km/h), regardless of the type of
snow tires being used.
● Use snow tires on all, not just some wheels.
■ Driving with tire chains
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in the vehicle being unable to be driven safely,
and may cause death or serious injury.
● Do not drive in excess of the speed limit specified for the tire chains being
used, or 30 mph (50 km/h), whichever is lower.
● Avoid driving on bumpy road surfaces or over potholes.
● Avoid sudden acceleration, abrupt steering, sudden braking and shifting
operations that cause sudden engine braking.
● Slow down sufficiently before entering a curve to ensure that vehicle con-
trol is maintained.
NOTICE
■Repairing or replacing snow tires
Request repairs or replacement of snow tires from Toyota dealers or legiti-
mate tire retailers.
This is because the removal and attachment of snow tires affects the opera-
tion of the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters.
■ Fitting tire chains
The tire pressure warning valves and transmitters may not function correctly
when tire chains are fitted.
Page 279 of 530

2774-6. Driving tips
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)_(OM35A83U)
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 accumulated 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”.
Page 286 of 530

2845-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
4RUNNER (U)_(OM35A83U)
■Fogging up of the windows
●The windows will easily fog up when the humidity in the vehicle is high.
Turning on will dehumidify the air from the outlets and defog the wind-
shield effectively.
● If you turn off, the windows may fog up more easily.
● The windows may fog up if the recirculated air mode is used.
■ Outside/recirculated air mode
When driving on dusty roads such as tunnels or in heavy traffic, set the out-
side/recirculated air mode to the recirculated air mode. This is effective in
preventing outside air from entering the vehicle interior. During cooling opera-
tion, setting the recirculated air mode will also cool the vehicle inter\
ior effec-
tively.
■ When the outside temperature exceeds 75°F (24°C) and the air condition-
ing system is on
●In order to reduce the air conditioning power consumption, the air condition-
ing system may switch to recirculated air mode automatically. This may also
reduce fuel consumption.
● Recirculated air mode is selected as a default mode when the engine switch
is turned to the “ON” position (vehicles without a smart key system) or the
engine switch is turned to IGNITION ON mode (vehicles with a smart key
system).
● It is possible to switch to outside air mode at any time by pressing
.
■When the indicator light on flashes
Press
to turn off the cooling and dehumidification function and turn it on
again. There may be a problem in the air conditioning system if the indicator
light continues to flash. Turn the air conditioning system off and have it
inspected by your Toyota dealer.
Page 287 of 530

2855-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
5
Interior features
4RUNNER (U)_(OM35A83U)■
When the outside temperature falls to nearly 32 F (0C)
The dehumidification function may not operate even when is pressed.
■ Air conditioning odors
●During use, various odors from inside and outside the vehicle may enter into
and accumulate in the air conditioning system. This may then cause odor to
be emitted from the vents.
● To reduce potential odors from occurring:
It is recommended that the air conditioning system be set to outside air
mode prior to turning the vehicle off.
CAUTION
■To prevent the windshield from fogging up
● Do not use during cool air operation in extremely humid weather.
The difference between the temperature of the outside air and that of the
windshield can cause the outer surface of the windshield to fog up, block-
ing your vision.
■ To prevent burns
● Do not touch the rear view mirror surfaces when the outside rear view mir-
ror defoggers are on.
● Do not touch the glass at lower part of the windshield or to the side of the
front pillars when the windshield wiper de-icer is on.
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the air conditioning system on longer than necessary when the
engine is stopped.
● Do not place anything on the instrument
panel which may cover the air outlets.
Otherwise, air flow may be obstructed,
preventing the windshield defoggers
from defogging.
Page 292 of 530

2905-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
4RUNNER (U)_(OM35A83U)
■Using automatic mode
Fan speed is adjusted automatically according to the temperature setting and
the ambient conditions.
Therefore, the fan may stop for a while until warm or cool air is ready to flow
immediately after is pressed.
■ Fogging up of the windows
●The windows will easily fog up when the humidity in the vehicle is high.
Turning on will dehumidify the air from the outlets and defog the wind-
shield effectively.
● If you turn off, the windows may fog up more easily.
● The windows may fog up if the recirculated air mode is used.
■ Outside/recirculated air mode
●When driving on dusty roads such as tunnels or in heavy traffic, set the out-
side/recirculated air mode to the recirculated air mode. This is effective in
preventing outside air from entering the vehicle interior. During cooling oper-
ation, setting the recirculated air mode will also cool the vehicle interior
effectively.
● Outside/recirculated air mode may automatically switch depending on the
temperature setting, outside temperature, pressure, engine coolant temper-
ature or inside temperature.
Rear outlets
Direct air flow to the left or right, up or down.
Turn the knob to open or close the vent.
1
2
Page 293 of 530

2915-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
5
Interior features
4RUNNER (U)_(OM35A83U)■
When the outside temperature exceeds 75°F (24°C) and the air condition-
ing system is on
●In order to reduce the air conditioning power consumption, the air condition-
ing system may switch to recirculated air mode automatically. This may also
reduce fuel consumption.
● Recirculated air mode is selected as a default mode when the engine switch
is turned to the “ON” position (vehicles without a smart key system) or the
engine switch is turned to IGNITION ON mode (vehicles with a smart key
system).
● It is possible to switch to outside air mode at any time by pressing
.
■When the outside temperature falls to nearly 32 F (0C)
The dehumidification function may not operate even when is pressed.
■ When driving on dusty roads
Close all windows. If dust thrown up by the vehicle is still drawn into the vehi-
cle after closing the windows, it is recommended that the air intake mode be
set to outside air mode and the fan speed to any setting except off.
■ When the indicator light on flashes
Press
to turn off the cooling and dehumidification function and turn it on
again. There may be a problem in the air conditioning system if the indicator
light continues to flash. Turn the air conditioning system off and have it
inspected by your Toyota dealer.
■ Air conditioning odors
●During use, various odors from inside and outside the vehicle may enter into
and accumulate in the air conditioning system. This may then cause odor to
be emitted from the vents.
● To reduce potential odors from occurring:
• It is recommended that the air conditioning system be set to outside air
mode prior to turning the vehicle off.
• The start timing of the blower may be delayed for a short period of time immediately after the air conditioning system is started in automatic
mode.
■ Air conditioning filter
P. 383
Page 294 of 530
2925-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
4RUNNER (U)_(OM35A83U)
CAUTION
■To prevent the windshield from fogging up
● Do not use during cool air operation in extremely humid weather.
The difference between the temperature of the outside air and that of the
windshield can cause the outer surface of the windshield to fog up, block-
ing your vision.
■ To prevent burns
● Do not touch the rear view mirror surfaces when the outside rear view mir-
ror defoggers are on.
● Do not touch the glass at lower part of the windshield or to the side of the
front pillars when the windshield wiper de-icer is on.
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the air conditioning system on longer than necessary when the
engine is stopped.
● Do not place anything on the instrument
panel which may cover the air outlets.
Otherwise, air flow may be obstructed,
preventing the windshield defoggers
from defogging.
Page 295 of 530

2935-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
5
Interior features
4RUNNER (U)_(OM35A83U)
Seat heaters/seat ventilators
: If equipped
The seat heaters warm the seats and the seat ventilators main-
tain good airflow by blowing air through the seats.
CAUTION
●Care should be taken to prevent injury if anyone in the following categories
comes in contact with the seats when the heater is on:
• Babies, small children, the elderly, the sick and the physically chal-
lenged
• Persons with sensitive skin
• Persons who are fatigued
• Persons who have taken alcohol or drugs that induce sleep (sleeping drugs, cold remedies, etc.)
● Observe the following precautions to prevent the minor burns or overheat-
ing
• Do not cover the seat with a blanket or cushion when using the seat
heater.
• Do not use seat heater more than necessary.
NOTICE
● Do not put heavy objects that have an uneven surface on the seat and do
not stick sharp objects (needles, nails, etc.) into the seat.
● To prevent battery discharge, do not use the functions when the engine is
off.