Page 197 of 528
1974-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)_(OM35B37U)
Stop the vehicle.
Set the parking brake (
→P. 207), and shift the shift lever to P.
Press the engine switch.
Release the brake pedal and check t hat the indicator on the engine
switch is off.
Modes can be changed by pressing the engine switch with brake
pedal released. (The mode changes ea ch time the switch is pressed.)
Off
*
The emergency flashers can be
used.
The engine switch indicator turns
amber.
ACCESSORY mode
Some electrical components such
as the audio system can be used.
The engine switch indicator turns
amber.
IGNITION ON mode
All electrical components can be
used.
*: If the shift lever is in a position other than P when turning off the
engine, the engine switch will be
turned to ACCESSORY mode, not
to off.
Stopping the engine
Changing engine switch modes
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
Page 198 of 528

1984-2. Driving procedures
4RUNNER (U)_(OM35B37U)
If the engine is stopped with the shift lever in a position other than P,
the engine switch will not be turned off but instead be turned to
ACCESSORY mode. Perform the following procedure to turn the
switch off:
Check that the parking brake is set.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Check that the indicator on th e engine switch is illuminated in
amber and then press the engine switch once.
Check that the indicator on the engine switch is off.
■Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode for more than 20 minutes or IGNI-
TION ON mode (the engine is not running) for more than an hour with th\
e
shift lever in P, the engine switch will automatically turn off. However, this
function cannot entirely prevent battery discharge. Do not leave the vehicle
with the engine switch in ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode for long peri-
ods of time when the engine is not running.
■ Electronic key battery depletion
→P. 9 4
■ Conditions affecting operation
→P. 107
■ Notes for the entry function
→P. 108
■ If the engine does not start
The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( →P. 70)
Contact your Toyota dealer.
■ Steering lock
After turning the engine switch off and opening and closing the doors, the
steering wheel will be locked due to the steering lock function. Operating the
engine switch again automatically cancels the steering lock.
When stopping the engine with the shift lever in a position other
than P
1
2
3
4
Page 200 of 528

2004-2. Driving procedures
4RUNNER (U)_(OM35B37U)
CAUTION
■When starting the engine
Always start the engine while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the
accelerator pedal while starting the engine under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■ Caution while driving
If engine failure occurs while the vehicle is moving, do not lock or open the
doors until the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop. Activation of the
steering lock in this circumstance may lead to an accident, resulting in
death or serious injury.
■ Stopping the engine in an emergency
If you want to stop the engine in an emergency while driving the vehicle,
press and hold the engine switch for more than 2 seconds, or press it briefly
3 times or more in succession. ( →P. 407)
However, do not touch the engine switch while driving except in an emer-
gency. Turning the engine off while driving will not cause loss of steering or
braking control, but the power assist to these systems will be lost. This will
make it more difficult to steer and brake, so you should pull over and stop
the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
NOTICE
■ To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the engine switch in ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode for
long periods of time without the engine running.
■ When starting the engine
● Do not race a cold engine.
● If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have your vehi-
cle checked by your Toyota dealer immediately.
Page 201 of 528
2014-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)_(OM35B37U)
Vehicles without a smart key systemWhile the engine switch is in t he “ON” position, move the shift
lever with the brake pedal depressed.
When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the
vehicle is completely stopped.
Vehicles with a smart key system
While the engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode, move the
shift lever with the brake pedal depressed.
When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the
vehicle is completely stopped.
Automatic transmission
Shifting the shift lever
Page 203 of 528

2034-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)_(OM35B37U)
■S mode
When the shift range is “3” or lower, holding the shift lever toward “+” sets the
shift range to “5”.
■ AI-SHIFT
AI-SHIFT automatically selects the optimal gear according to driver perfor-
mance and driving conditions.
AI-SHIFT automatically operates when the shift lever is in the D position.
(Shifting the shift lever to the S position or paddle shifting cancels the func-
tion.)
The engine speed may remain high after releasing the accelerator pedal. This
does not indicate a malfunction.
■ When driving with cruise control system
Engine braking will not occur in S mode, even when downshifting to “4”.
(→P. 225)
■ Shift lock system
The shift lock system is a system to prevent accidental operation of the shift
lever in starting.
The shift lever can be shifted from P only when the engine switch is in the
“ON” position (vehicles without a smart key system) or IGNITION ON mode
(vehicles with a smart key system) and the brake pedal is being depressed.
Page 204 of 528

2044-2. Driving procedures
4RUNNER (U)_(OM35B37U)■
If the shift lever canno t be shifted from P
First, check whether the brake pedal is being depressed.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted with your foot on the brake pedal, there may
be a problem with the shift lock system. Have the vehicle inspected by y\
our
Toyota dealer immediately.
The following steps may be used as an emergency measure to ensure that
the shift lever can be shifted.
Releasing the shift lock:
Set the parking brake.
Vehicles without a smart key system: Turn the engine switch to the “LOCK”
position.
Vehicles with a smart key system: Turn the engine switch is off.
Depress the brake pedal.
■ If the “S” indicator does not come on even after shifting the shift lever to
S
This may indicate a malfunction in the automatic transmission system. Have
the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.
(In this situation, the transmission will operate in the same manner as when
the shift lever is in D.)
■ Downshift restriction warning buzzer (S mode)
To help ensure safety and driving performance, downshifting operation may
sometimes be restricted. In some circumstances, downshifting may not be
possible even when the shift lever is operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.) Pry the cover up with a flathead screw-
driver or equivalent tool.
To prevent damage to the cover, cover
the tip of the screwdriver with a rag.
Press the shift lock override button.
The shift lever can be shifted while the
button is pressed.
1
2
3
4
5
Page 205 of 528
2054-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)_(OM35B37U)
CAUTION
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
Be careful of downshifting and sudden acceleration, as this could result in
the vehicle skidding to the side or spinning.
■ To prevent an accident when releasing the shift lock
Before pressing the shift lock override button, make sure to set the parking
brake and depress the brake pedal.
If the accelerator pedal is accidentally depressed instead of the brake pedal
when the shift lock override button is pressed and the shift lever is shifted
out of P, the vehicle may suddenly start, possibly leading to an accident
resulting in death or serious injury.
Page 207 of 528
2074-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)_(OM35B37U)
To set the parking brake, fully
depress the parking brake pedal
with your left foot while depress-
ing the brake pedal with your right
foot.
(Depressing the pedal again
releases the parking brake.)
■Parking the vehicle
→P. 160
■ Usage in winter time
→P. 273
Parking brake
U.S.A.Canada
NOTICE
■Before driving
Fully release the parking brake.
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to brake components
overheating, which may affect braking performance and increase brake
wear.