Page 161 of 530

159
Driving4
4RUNNER (U)_(OM35A83U)4-1. Before driving
Driving the vehicle ............. 160
Cargo and luggage ........... 170
Vehicle load limits ............. 175
Trailer towing..................... 176
Dinghy towing ................... 191
4-2. Driving procedures Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles without a
smart key system) ........... 192
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles with a
smart key system) ........... 195
Automatic transmission ..... 200
Turn signal lever................ 203
Parking brake .................... 204
4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Headlight switch ................ 205
Fog light switch ................. 211
Windshield wipers and washer ............................ 213
Rear window wiper and washer ............................ 216 4-4. Refueling
Opening the fuel tank cap .................................. 219
4-5. Using the driving support systems
Cruise control .................... 222
Intuitive parking assist....... 226
Four-wheel drive system (part-time 4WD
models) ........................... 232
Four-wheel drive system (full-time 4WD
models) ........................... 236
Active traction control system ............................ 240
AUTO LSD system............ 242
Rear differential lock system ............................ 244
Downhill assist control system ............................ 247
Crawl Control .................... 250
Multi-terrain Select ............ 253
Driving assist systems ...... 260
4-6. Driving tips Winter driving tips ............. 269
Off-road precautions ......... 273
Page 186 of 530
1844-1. Before driving
4RUNNER (U)_(OM35A83U)
Weight carrying ball position:
50.1 in. (1272 mm)
Hitch receiver pin hole position:
43.7 in. (1109 mm)
Use the wire harness stored in the
rear end under body.
Please consult your dealer when inst alling trailer lights, as incorrect
installation may cause damage to th e vehicle’s lights. Please take
care to comply with y our state’s laws when installing trailer lights.
■Service connector for towing brake controller
Positions for towing hitch receiver and hitch ball
1
2
Connecting trailer lights
Your vehicle is equipped with a service
connector for the trailer brake controller
as shown.
Page 187 of 530

1854-1. Before driving
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)_(OM35A83U)
Your vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. Help to avoid
an accident, death or serious injury, keep the following in mind when
towing:
● Speed limits for towing a trailer vary by state or province. Do not
exceed the posted to wing speed limit.
● Toyota recommends that the vehicle-trailer speed limit is 65 mph
(104 km/h) on a flat, straight, dry road. Do not exceed this limit, the
posted towing speed limit or the spe ed limit for your trailer as set
forth in your trailer owner’s manual, whichever is lowest. Instability
of the towing vehicle-trailer combination (trailer sway) increases as
speed increases. Exceeding speed limits may cause loss of control.
● Before starting out, check the trailer lights, tires and the vehicle-
trailer connections. Recheck after driving a short distance.
● Practice turning, stopping and reve rsing with the trailer attached in
an area away from traffic until you become accustomed to the feel
of the vehicle-trailer combination.
● Reversing with a trailer attached is difficult and requires practice.
Grip the bottom of the steering wheel and move your hand to the
left to move the traile r to the left. Move your hand to the right to
move the trailer to right. (This is generally opposite to reversing
without a trailer attached.) Avoid sharp or prolonged turning. Have
someone guide you when reversing to reduce the risk of an acci-
dent.
● As stopping distance is increased when towing a trailer, vehicle-to
vehicle distance should be increa sed. For each 10 mph (16 km/h)
of speed, allow at least one vehicle and trailer length.
● Avoid sudden braking as you may skid, resulting in the trailer jack-
knifing and a loss of vehicle contro l. This is especially true on wet or
slippery surfaces.
Trailer towing tips
Page 190 of 530

1884-1. Before driving
4RUNNER (U)_(OM35A83U)■
Before towing
Check that the following conditions are met:
●Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. ( P. 468)
● Trailer tires are inflated according to the trailer manufacturer’s recommen-
dation.
● All trailer lights work as required by law.
● All lights work each time you connect them.
● The trailer ball is set at the proper height for the coupler on the trailer.
● The trailer is level when it is hitched.
Do not drive if the trailer is not level, and check for improper tongue weight,
overloading, worn suspension, or other possible causes.
● The trailer cargo is securely loaded.
● The rear view mirrors conform to all applicable federal, state/provincial or
local regulations. If they do not, install rear view mirrors appropriate for tow-
ing purposes.
■ Break-in schedule
If your vehicle is new or equipped with any new power train components
(such as an engine, transmission, differ ential 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 start
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 approximately
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. (if enabled, Trailer Sway Control can also help to
stabilize the vehicle and trailer.)
Page 192 of 530

1904-1. Before driving
4RUNNER (U)_(OM35A83U)
CAUTION
●Do not apply the brakes suddenly as you may skid, resulting in jackknifing
and loss of vehicle control. This is especially true on wet or slippery sur-
faces.
● Do not exceed the trailer hitch assembly weight, gross vehicle weight,
gross axle weight and trailer tongue weight capacities.
● Do not use cruise control when towing.
● Slow down and downshift before descending steep or long downhill
grades. Do not make sudden downshifts while descending steep or long
downhill grades.
● Vehicle-trailer instability is more likely on steep long downhills. Before
descending steep or long downhill grades, slow down and downshift. Do
not make sudden downshifts when descending steep or long downhill
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.
■ Hitch
Trailer hitch assemblies have different weight capacities established by the
hitch manufacturer. Even though the vehicle may be physically capable of
towing a higher weight, the operator must determine the maximum weight
rating of the particular hitch assembly and never exceed the maximum
weight rating specified for the trailer-hitch. Exceeding the maximum weight
rating set by the trailer-hitch manufacturer can cause an accident resulting
in death or serious personal injuries.
■ When towing a trailer
Toyota recommends trailers with brakes that conform to any applicable fed-
eral and state/provincial regulations.
● If the gross trailer weight exceeds unbraked TWR, trailer brakes are
required. Toyota recommends trailers with brakes that conform to all appli-
cable federal and state/provincial regulations.
● Never tap into your vehicle’s hydraulic system, as this will lower the vehi-
cle’s braking effectiveness.
● Never tow a trailer without using a safety chain securely attached to both
the trailer and the vehicle. If damage occurs to the coupling unit or hitch
ball, there is danger of the trailer wandering into another lane.
NOTICE
■When installing a trailer hitch
Use only the position recommended by your Toyota dealer. Do not install
the trailer hitch on the bumper; this may cause body damage.
■ Do not directly splice trailer lights
Do not directly splice trailer lights. Directly splicing trailer lights may damage
your vehicle’s electrical system and cause a malfunction.
Page 205 of 530
2034-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)_(OM35A83U)
The lever will return to its original position after operation.
Right turn
Lane change to the right (push
and hold the lever partway)
The right hand signals will flash
until you release the lever.
Lane change to the left (push
and hold the lever partway)
The left hand signals will flash until
you release the lever.
Left turn
■ Turn signals can be operated when
Vehicles without a smart key system
The engine switch is in the “ON” position.
Vehicles with a smart key system
The engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
■ If the indicator flashes faster than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or rear turn signal lights has not burned
out.
Turn signal lever
Operating instructions
1
2
3
4
Page 207 of 530
205
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)_(OM35A83U)
4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Turning the end of the lever turns on the lights as follows:
Ty p e AThe daytime runninglights turn on.
The side marker, park- ing, tail, license plate,
daytime running lights
and instrument panel
lights turn on.
The headlights and all the lights listed above
(except daytime running
lights) turn on.
The daytime running lights turn off.
Headlight switch
The headlights can be operated manually or automatically.
Operating instructions
1
2
3
4
Page 208 of 530
2064-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4RUNNER (U)_(OM35A83U)
Ty p e BThe headlights, parkinglights, daytime running
lights and so on turn on
and off automatically
(when the engine switch
is in IGNITION ON
mode).
The side marker, park- ing, tail, license plate,
daytime running lights
and instrument panel
lights turn on.
The headlights and all the lights listed above
(except daytime running
lights) turn on.
The daytime running lights turn off.
1
2
3
4