Page 346 of 528
3466-2. Maintenance
4RUNNER (U)_(OM35B37U)
General maintenance
Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be
performed at the intervals specified in the “Owner’s Warranty
Information Booklet” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement/Sched-
uled Maintenance Guide”. It is recommended that any problem
you notice should be brought to the attention of your Toyota
dealer or qualified service shop for advice.
Engine compartment
ItemsCheck points
BatteryCheck the connections. (→P. 364)
Brake fluidIs the brake fluid at the correct level? ( →P. 361)
Engine coolantIs the engine coolant at the correct level? ( →P. 359)
Engine oilIs the engine oil at the correct level? (→P. 356)
Exhaust systemThere should not be any fumes or strange sounds.
Power steering fluidIs the power steering fluid at the correct level?
(→P. 363)
Radiator/condenserThe radiator and condenser should be free from
foreign objects. ( →P. 360)
Washer fluidIs there sufficient washer fluid? (→P. 367)
Page 347 of 528

3476-2. Maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
4RUNNER (U)_(OM35B37U)
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator pedal• The accelerator pedal should move smoothly(without uneven pedal effort or catching).
Automatic transmis-
sion “Park” mecha-
nism• 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 appropriate clearancefrom the floor? ( →P. 471)
• Does the brake pedal have the correct amount of
free play? ( →P. 471)
Brakes
• The vehicle should not pull to one side when the
brakes are applied.
• The brakes should work effectively.
• 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 locksecurely?
Indicators/buzzers• Do the indicators and buzzers function properly?
Lights • Do all the lights come on?
Parking brake
• Does the parking brake pedal move smoothly?
• When parked on a slope and the parking brake is on, is the vehicle securely stopped?
Seat belts• Do the seat belts operate smoothly?
• The seat belts should not be damaged.
Seats• Do the seat controls operate properly?
Steering wheel
• Does the steering wheel rotate smoothly?
• Does the steering wheel have the correct amountof free play?
• There should not be any strange sounds coming
from the steering wheel.
Page 350 of 528

350
4RUNNER (U)_(OM35B37U)
6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service precautions
If you perform maintenance by yourself, be sure to follow the
correct procedure as given in these sections.
ItemsParts and tools
Battery condition(→P. 364)
• Warm water• Baking soda
•Grease
• Conventional wrench (for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level
(→P. 361)
• FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake
fluid
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding brake fluid)
Engine coolant level (→P. 359)
• “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or a similar
high quality ethylene glycol-based non-silicate,
non-amine, non-nitrite and non-borate coolant
with long-life hybrid organic acid technology
For the U.S.A.:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is pre-mixed
with 50% coolant and 50% deionized water.
For Canada:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is pre-mixed
with 55% coolant and 45% deionized water.
• Funnel (used only for adding coolant)
Engine oil level (→P. 356)
• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding engine oil)
Page 354 of 528
3546-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4RUNNER (U)_(OM35B37U)
Engine compartment
Washer fluid tank (→P. 367)
Power steering fluid reservoir (→ P. 363)
Engine oil level dipstick (→ P. 356)
Engine coolant reservoir (→ P. 359)
Engine oil filler cap ( →P. 357) Brake fluid reservoir
(→ P. 361)
Fuse box ( →P. 386)
Battery ( →P. 364)
Condenser ( →P. 360)
Radiator ( →P. 360)1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Page 361 of 528
3616-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
4RUNNER (U)_(OM35B37U)■
Checking fluid level
The brake fluid level should be
between the “MAX” and “MIN”
lines on the tank.
“MAX” line
“MIN” line
■Adding fluid
Make sure to check the fluid ty pe and prepare the necessary item.
■Refilling brake fluid
Turn the engine switch off.
Depress the brake pedal more than 40 times.
Remove the reservoir cap by hand. Add brake fluid up to the
“MAX” line.
If you do not follow the procedure above, the reservoir may over-
flow.
Brake fluid
1
2
Fluid type FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake fluid
Items Clean funnel
1
2
3
Page 362 of 528
3626-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4RUNNER (U)_(OM35B37U)
■Brake fluid can absorb moisture from the air
Excess moisture in the brake fluid can cause a dangerous loss of braking effi-
ciency. Use only newly opened brake fluid.
CAUTION
■When filling the reservoir
Take care as brake fluid can harm your hands and eyes and damage
painted surfaces.
If fluid gets on your hands or in your eyes, flush the affected area with clean
water immediately.
If you still experience discomfort, see a doctor.
NOTICE
■If the fluid level is low or high
It is normal for the brake fluid level to go down slightly as the brake pads
wear out or when the fluid level in the accumulator is high.
If the reservoir needs frequent refilling, there may be a serious problem.
Page 407 of 528

4077-1. Essential information
7
When trouble arises
4RUNNER (U)_(OM35B37U)
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 vehicle 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.
Vehicles with a smart key sys-
tem: To stop the engine, press
and hold the engine switch for 2
consecutive seconds or more,
or press it briefly 3 times or
more in succession.
Stop the vehicle in a safe place by the road.
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, st op the vehicle using the follow-
ing procedure:
1
2
3
4
3
4
Press and hold for 2 seconds or more
or press briefly 3 times or more
4
5
Page 408 of 528
4087-1. Essential information
4RUNNER (U)_(OM35B37U)
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.