
3
1
8 7
6
5
4
3
2
9
4RUNNER (U)4-1.  Before driving
Driving the vehicle ............. 176
Cargo and luggage............ 186
Vehicle load limits ............. 191
Trailer towing..................... 192
Dinghy towing.................... 208
4-2.  Driving procedures Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles without a 
smart key system) ........... 209
Engine (ignition) switch  (vehicles with a 
smart key system) ........... 212
Automatic transmission ..... 218
Turn signal lever................ 223
Parking brake .................... 224
4-3.  Operating the lights  and wipers
Headlight switch ................ 225
Automatic High Beam ....... 231
Fog light switch ................. 235
Windshield wipers and  washer ............................ 237
Rear window wiper and  washer ............................ 240
4-4.  Refueling Opening the fuel tank cap .................................. 243 4-5.  Using the driving 
support systems
Toyota Safety Sense P ...... 246
PCS  (Pre-Collision System)..... 254
LDA  (Lane Departure Alert)..... 265
Dynamic radar cruise  control.............................. 273
Intuitive parking assist ....... 286
Four-wheel drive system  (part-time 4WD 
models)............................ 293
Four-wheel drive system  (full-time 4WD 
models)............................ 297
Active traction control  system ............................. 301
AUTO LSD system ............ 303
Rear differential lock  system ............................. 305
Downhill assist control  system ............................. 308
Crawl Control ..................... 311
Multi-terrain Select............. 314
Driving assist systems ....... 321
4-6.  Driving tips Winter driving tips .............. 330
Off-road precautions .......... 334
4Driving 

9
4RUNNER (U)The vehicle is equipped with sophisticated computers that will 
record certain
data, such as:
• Engine speed/Electric motor speed (traction motor speed)
• Accelerator status
• Brake status
• Vehicle speed
• Operation status of the driving assist systems
• Images from the camerasYour vehicle is equipped with cameras. Contact your Toyota deal er for the
location of recording cameras.
The  recorded  data  varies  according  to  the  vehicle  grade  level  and  options
with which it is equipped.
These  computers  do  not  record  conversations  or  sounds,  and  only  record
images outside of the vehicle in certain situations.
●Data Transmission
Your  vehicle  may  transmit  the  data  recorded  in  these  computers  to  Toyota
without notification to you.
●Data usage
Toyota  may  use  the  data  recorded  in  this  computer  to  diagnose  m alfunc-
tions, conduct research and development, and improve quality.
Toyota will not disclose the recorded data to a third party exc ept:
• With the consent of the vehicle owner or with the consent of the lessee if the vehicle is leased
• In response to an official request by the police, a court of l aw or a govern-
ment agency
• For use by Toyota in a lawsuit
• For  research  purposes  where the  data is not  tied to  a  specific   vehicle  or
vehicle owner
●Recorded image information can be erased by your Toyota dealer.  
The  image  recording  function  can  be  disabled.  However,  if  the  f unction  is
disabled, data from when the system operates will not be available.
●To  learn  more  about  the  vehicle  data  collected,  used  and  shared  by
Toyota, please visit www.toyota.com/privacyvts/
.
Vehicle data recording 

175
Driving4
4RUNNER (U)4-1.  Before driving
Driving the vehicle ............. 176
Cargo and luggage ........... 186
Vehicle load limits ............. 191
Trailer towing..................... 192
Dinghy towing ................... 208
4-2.  Driving procedures Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles without a 
smart key system) ........... 209
Engine (ignition) switch  (vehicles with a 
smart key system) ........... 212
Automatic transmission ..... 218
Turn signal lever................ 223
Parking brake .................... 224
4-3.  Operating the lights  and wipers
Headlight switch ................ 225
Automatic High Beam ....... 231
Fog light switch ................. 235
Windshield wipers and  washer ............................ 237
Rear window wiper and  washer ............................ 240
4-4.  Refueling Opening the fuel tank cap .................................. 243 4-5.  Using the driving 
support systems
Toyota Safety Sense P ..... 246
PCS  (Pre-Collision System) .... 254
LDA  (Lane Departure Alert) .... 265
Dynamic radar cruise  control ............................. 273
Intuitive parking assist....... 286
Four-wheel drive system  (part-time 4WD 
models) ........................... 293
Four-wheel drive system  (full-time 4WD 
models) ........................... 297
Active traction control  system ............................ 301
AUTO LSD system  (2WD models) ................. 303
Rear differential lock  system ............................ 305
Downhill assist control  system ............................ 308
Crawl Control .................... 311
Multi-terrain Select ............ 314
Driving assist systems ...... 321
4-6.  Driving tips Winter driving tips ............. 330
Off-road precautions ......... 334 

1804-1. Before driving
4RUNNER (U)
WARNING
Observe the following precautions. 
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
● Sudden  braking,  acceleration  and  steering  may  cause  tire  slippa ge  and
reduce your ability to control the vehicle, resulting in an accident.
● Sudden acceleration, engine braking due to shifting, or changes  in engine
speed could cause the vehicle to skid, resulting in an accident .
● After  driving  through  a  puddle,  lightly  depress  the  brake  pedal  to make
sure that the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads m ay prevent
the brakes from functioning properly. If the brakes on only one  side are wet
and not functioning properly, steering control may be affected,  resulting in
an accident.
■ When shifting the shift lever
● Do not let the vehicle roll backward while the shift lever is i n a driving posi-
tion, or roll forward while the shift lever is in R.
Doing so may cause the engine to stall or lead to poor brake an d steering
performance, resulting in an accident or damage to the vehicle.
● Do not shift the shift lever to P while the vehicle is moving. 
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss o f vehicle
control.
● Do not shift the shift lever to R while the vehicle is moving f orward. 
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss o f vehicle
control.
● Do not shift the shift lever to a driving position while the ve hicle is moving
backward. 
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss o f vehicle
control.
● Moving  the  shift  lever  to  N  while  the  vehicle  is  moving  will  disengage  the
engine  from  the  transmission.  Engine  braking  is  not  available  w hen  N  is
selected.
● Be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pe dal depressed.
Shifting the shift lever to a gear other than P or N may lead to unexpected
rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may cause an accident an d result in
death or serious injury. 

2024-1. Before driving
4RUNNER (U)
●Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.
● Avoid jerky steering  and sharp turns, and slow down before maki ng
turn.
● Note that when making a turn, the trailer wheels will be closer  than
the vehicle wheels to the inside  of the turn. Compensate by mak ing
a wider than normal turning radius.
● Slow down before making a turn, in cross winds, on wet or slipp ery
surfaces, etc.
Increasing vehicle speed can destabilize the trailer.
● Take care when passing other vehicles. Passing requires consider-
able  distance. After  passing  a  vehicle,  do  not  forget  the  lengt h  of
your  trailer,  and  be  sure  you  have  plenty  of  room  before  changi ng
lanes.
● To  maintain  engine  braking  efficiency  and  charging  system  perfo r-
mance  when  using  engine  braking,  do  not  put  the  transmission  in
D.
● Instability happens more frequently when descending steep or lo ng
downhill grades. Before descending, slow down and downshift. Do
not make sudden downshifts while  descending steep or long down-
hill grades.
● Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or applying the bra kes
too frequently. This could cause  the brakes to overheat and result in
reduced braking efficiency.
● Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle’s engine may  over-
heat  on  hot  days  (at  temperatures  over  85°F  [30°C])  when  drivin g
up  a  long  or steep  grade.  If  the  engine  coolant  temperature  gau ge
indicates overheating, immediately turn off the air conditionin g (if in
use), pull your vehicle off the  road and stop in a safe spot. 
(  P. 517) 

2034-1. Before driving
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)
●Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle’s and the trai ler’s
wheels  when  parking. Apply  the  parking  brake  firmly,  and  put  th e
transmission  in  P. Avoid  parking  on  a  slope,  but  if  unavoidable ,  do
so only after perform ing the following:
Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
Have someone  place wheel blocks  under both the vehicle’s and
trailer’s wheels.
When  the  wheel  blocks  are  in  pl ace,  release  the  brakes  slowly
until the blocks absorb the load.
Apply the parking brake firmly.
Shift into P and turn off the engine.
● When restarting afte r parking on a slope:
With the transmission in P, start the engine. Be sure to keep t he
brake pedal pressed.
Shift into a forward gear.  If reversing, shift into R.
Release  the  parking  brake  and  brake  pedal,  and  slowly  pull  or
back away from the wheel bloc ks. Stop and apply the brakes.
Have someone retrieve the blocks.
■ Matching trailer ball height  to trailer coupler height
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
No  matter  which  class  of  tow  hitch
applies,  for  a  more  safe  trailer  hookup,
the  trailer  ball  setup  must  be  the  proper
height for the coupler on the trailer.
Coupler 
Trailer ball
1
2 

2044-1. Before driving
4RUNNER (U)■
Before towing
Check that the following conditions are met:
●Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. ( P. 530)
● Trailer  tires  are  inflated  according  to  the  trailer  manufacture r’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 imprope r 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 ap propriate for tow-
ing purposes.
■ Break-in schedule
If  your  vehicle  is  new  or  equipped  with  any  new  power  train  com ponents
(such  as  an  engine,  transmission,  differential  or  wheel  bearing ),  Toyota  rec-
ommends  that  you  do  not  tow  a  trailer  until  the  vehicle  has  bee n  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 veh icle 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 m aintenance 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 w heel.
• Begin  releasing  the  accelerator  pedal  immediately  but  very  gra dually  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.) 

2184-2. Driving procedures
4RUNNER (U)
Vehicles without a smart key systemWhile the engine switch is in the  “ON” position, move the shift
lever with the brake pedal depressed.
When  shifting  the  shift  lever  between  P  and  D,  make  sure  that  t he
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  t he
vehicle is completely stopped. 
Automatic transmission
Shifting the shift lever