Page 398 of 596
3986-2. Maintenance
4RUNNER (U)
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  “Own er’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 s ervice shop for advice.
Engine compartment
ItemsCheck points
BatteryCheck the connections. (P. 415)
Brake fluidIs the brake fluid at the correct level?  ( P. 412)
Engine coolantIs the engine coolant at the correct level? ( P. 410)
Engine oilIs the engine oil at the correct level?  (P. 408)
Exhaust systemThere should not be any fumes or strange sounds.
Power steering fluidIs the power steering fluid at the correct level?
 (P. 414)
Radiator/condenserThe radiator and condenser should be free from 
foreign objects.  ( P. 412)
Washer fluidIs there sufficient washer fluid? (P. 418) 
     
        
        Page 402 of 596

402
4RUNNER (U)
6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself  ser vice 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. 415)
• Warm water• Baking soda
•Grease
• Conventional wrench (for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level
(P. 412)
• 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. 410)
• “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. 408)
• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding engine oil) 
     
        
        Page 406 of 596
4066-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4RUNNER (U)
Engine compartment
Washer fluid tank  (P. 418)
Power steering fluid reservoir ( P. 414)
Engine oil level dipstick  ( P. 408)
Engine coolant reservoir  ( P. 410)
Engine oil filler cap ( P. 409)Brake fluid reservoir 
( P. 412)
Fuse box  ( P. 445)
Battery  ( P. 415)
Condenser  ( P. 412)
Radiator  ( P. 412)1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 
     
        
        Page 410 of 596

4106-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4RUNNER (U)
The coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the “F” and “L” lines on
the reservoir when the engine is cold.
Reservoir cap
“F” line
“L” line
If  the  level  is  on  or  below  the  “L”
line,  add  coolant  up  to  the  “F”  line.
(P. 517)
WARNING
■ Used engine oil
● Used  engine  oil  contains  potentially  harmful  contaminants  which  may
cause  skin  disorders  such  as  inflammation  and  skin  cancer,  so  c are
should be taken to avoid prolonged and repeated contact. To remove used
engine oil from your skin, wash thoroughly with soap and water.
● Dispose  of  used  oil  and  filters  only  in  a  safe  and  acceptable  manner.  Do
not dispose of used oil and filters in household trash, in sewe rs or onto the
ground. 
Call  your Toyota  dealer,  service  station  or  auto  parts  store  fo r  information
concerning recycling or disposal.
● Do not leave used engine oil within the reach of children.
NOTICE
■To prevent serious engine damage
Check the oil level on a regular basis.
■ When replacing the engine oil
● Be careful not to spill engine oil on the vehicle components.
● Avoid overfilling, or the engine could be damaged.
● Check the oil level on the dipstick every time you refill the v ehicle.
● Be sure the engine oil filler cap is properly tightened.
Engine coolant
1
2
3 
     
        
        Page 411 of 596

4116-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
4RUNNER (U)
■Coolant selection
Only  use  “Toyota Super  Long  Life Coolant”  or a  similar  high quality ethylene
glycol based non-silicate, non-amine, non-nitrite, and non-bora te coolant with
long-life hybrid organic acid technology.
U.S.A.:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 50% coolant and 50% deion-
ized water. (Minimum temperature: -31 F [-35 C])
Canada:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 55% coolant and 45% deion-
ized water. (Minimum temperature: -44 F [-42 C])
For more details about engine coolant, contact your Toyota deal er.
■ If the coolant level drops within a short time of replenishing
Visually  check  the  radiator,  hoses,  engine  coolant  reservoir  ca ps,  drain  cock
and water pump. 
If you cannot find a leak, have your Toyota dealer test the cap  and check for
leaks in the cooling system.
WARNING
■ When the engine is hot
Do not remove the engine coolant reservoir cap or the radiator cap. 
(P. 518) 
The cooling system may be under pressure and may spray hot coolant if the
cap is removed, causing serious injuries, such as burns.
NOTICE
■ When adding coolant
Coolant is neither plain water nor straight antifreeze. The cor rect mixture of
water  and  antifreeze  must  be  used  to  provide  proper  lubrication ,  corrosion
protection and cooling. Be sure to read the antifreeze or coolant label.
■ If you spill coolant
Be sure to wash it off with water to prevent it from damaging p arts or paint. 
     
        
        Page 475 of 596
4757-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
4RUNNER (U)
●Fluid leaks un der the vehicle.
(Water dripping from the air conditioning a fter use is normal.)
● Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
● Engine coolant temperature gauge needle continually points high er
than normal.
● Changes in exhaust sound
● Excessive tire squeal when cornering
● Strange noises related to the suspension system
● Pinging or other noises  related to the engine
● Engine missing, stumb ling or running roughly
● Appreciable loss of power
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one s ide when driving on a level road
● Loss  of  brake  effectiveness,  spongy  feeling,  pedal  almost  touch es
the floor
If  you think something is wrong
If you notice any of the followi ng symptoms, your vehicle proba -
bly  needs  adjustment  or  repair.  Contact  your  Toyota  dealer  as
soon as possible.
Visible symptoms
Audible symptoms
Operational symptoms 
     
        
        Page 517 of 596
5177-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
4RUNNER (U)
●The  needle  of  the  engine  coolant  temperature  gauge  ( P.   8 8 )
enters the red zone o r a loss of engine power is experienced.
(For example, the vehicle  speed does not increase.)
● Steam comes out f rom under the hood.
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and turn off the air condition ing sys-
tem, and then stop the engine.
If you see steam: 
Carefully lift the hood after the steam  subsides.
If you do not see steam:
Carefully lift the hood.
After  the  engine  has  cooled
down  sufficiently,  inspect  the
hoses  and  radiator  core  (radia-
tor) for any leaks. Radiator
Cooling fan
If  a  large  amount  of  coolant  leaks,
immediately  contact  your  Toyota
dealer.
The coolant level is satisfactory
if  it  is  between  the  “F”  and  “L”
lines on the reservoir.Reservoir
“F” line
“L” line
Radiator cap
If  your vehicle overheats
The following may indicate that  your vehicle is overheating:
Correction procedures
1
2
3
1
2
4
1
2
3
4