Page 329 of 592
329
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)
4-6. Driving tips
●Use fluids that are appropriate t o the prevailing outside tempera-
tures. • Engine oil
• Engine coolant
• Washer fluid
● Have a service technician inspec t the condition of the battery.
● Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set of tire
chains for the rear tires.
Ensure that all tires are the same size and brand, and that chains match
the size of the tires.
Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before
driving the vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a ma n-
ner appropriate to the prevailing weather conditions.
Preparation for winter
Page 332 of 592

3324-6. Driving tips
4RUNNER (U)
WARNING
■Driving with snow tires
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of acciden ts.
Failure to do so may result in a loss of vehicle control and ca use death or
serious injury.
● Use tires of the specified size.
● Maintain the recommended level of air pressure.
● Do not drive in excess of 75 mph (120 km/h), regardless of the type of
snow tires being used.
● Use snow tires on all, not just some wheels.
■ Driving with tire chains
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of acciden ts.
Failure to do so may result in the vehicle being unable to be d riven safely,
and may cause death or serious injury.
● Do not drive in excess of the speed limit specified for the tir e chains being
used, or 30 mph (50 km/h), whichever is lower.
● Avoid driving on bumpy road surfaces or over potholes.
● Avoid sudden acceleration, abrupt steering, sudden braking and shifting
operations that cause sudden engine braking.
● Slow down sufficiently before entering a curve to ensure that v ehicle con-
trol is maintained.
NOTICE
■ Repairing or replacing snow tires
Request repairs or replacement of snow tires from Toyota dealer s or legiti-
mate tire retailers.
This is because the removal and attachment of snow tires affect s the opera-
tion of the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters.
■ Fitting tire chains
The tire pressure warning valves and transmitters may not funct ion correctly
when tire chains are fitted.
Page 337 of 592

3374-6. Driving tips
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)
NOTICE
■To prevent water damage
Take all necessary safety measures to ensure that water damage to the
engine or other components does not occur.
● Water entering the engine air intake will cause severe engine d amage.
● Water entering the automatic transmission will cause deteriorat ion in shift
quality, locking up of your transmission accompanied by vibrati on, and ulti-
mately damage.
● Water can wash the grease from wheel bearings, causing rusting and pre-
mature failure, and may also enter the differentials, transmission and
transfer case, reducing the gear oil’s lubricating qualities.
■ When you drive through water
If driving through water, such as when crossing shallow streams , first check
the depth of the water and the bottom of the riverbed for firmn ess. Drive
slowly and avoid deep water.
■ Inspection after off-road driving
● Sand and mud that has accumulated in brake drums and around bra ke
discs may affect braking efficiency and may damage brake system compo-
nents.
● Always perform a maintenance inspection after each day of off-r oad driv-
ing that has taken you through rough terrain, sand, mud, or wat er. For
scheduled maintenance information, refer to the “Scheduled Main tenance
Guide” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”.
Page 344 of 592

3445-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
4RUNNER (U)
■Fogging up of the windows
●The windows will easily fog up when the humidity in the vehicle is high.
Turning on will dehumidify the air from the outlets and defog the wind-
shield effectively.
● If you turn off, the windows may fog up more easily.
● The windows may fog up if the recirculated air mode is used.
■ When driving on dusty roads
Close all windows. If dust thrown up by the vehicle is still drawn into the vehi-
cle after closing the windows, it is recommended that the air intake mode be
set to outside air mode and the fan speed to any setting except off.
■ Outside/recirculated air mode
Setting to the recirculated air mode temporarily is recommended in prevent-
ing dirty air from entering the vehicle interior and helping to cool the vehicle
when the outside air temperature is high.
■ When the outside temperature exceeds 75°F (24°C) and the air co ndition-
ing system is on
● In order to reduce the air conditioning power consumption, the air condition-
ing system may switch to recirculated air mode automatically. This may also
reduce fuel consumption.
● Recirculated air mode is selected as a default mode when the en gine switch
is turned to the “ON” position (vehicles without a smart key system) or the
engine switch is turned to IGNITION ON mode (vehicles with a sm art key
system).
● It is possible to switch to outside air mode at any time by pre ssing
.
■When the indicator light on flashes
Press
to turn off the cooling and dehumidification function and turn it on
again. There may be a problem in the air conditioning system if the indicator
light continues to flash. Turn the air conditioning system off and have it
inspected by your Toyota dealer.
Page 346 of 592

3465-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
4RUNNER (U)
WARNING
■To prevent the windshield from fogging up
● Do not use during cool air operation in extremely humid weathe r.
The difference between the temperature of the outside air and t hat of the
windshield can cause the outer surface of the windshield to fog up, block-
ing your vision.
■ To prevent burns
● Do not touch the rear view mirror surfaces when the outside rear view mir-
ror defoggers are on.
● Do not touch the glass at lower part of the windshield or to the side of the
front pillars when the windshield wiper de-icer is on.
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the air conditioning system on longer than necessa ry when the
engine is stopped.
■ When repairing/replacing parts of the air conditioning system
Have repair/replacement performed by your Toyota dealer.
When a part of the air conditioning system, such as the evapora tor, is to be
replaced, it must be replaced with a new one.
● Do not place anything on the instrument
panel which may cover the air outlets.
Otherwise, air flow may be obstructed,
preventing the windshield defoggers
from defogging.
Page 352 of 592

3525-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
4RUNNER (U)■
Fogging up of the windows
●The windows will easily fog up when the humidity in the vehicle is high.
Turning on will dehumidify the air from the outlets and defog the wind-
shield effectively.
● If you turn off, the windows may fog up more easily.
● The windows may fog up if the recirculated air mode is used.
■ When driving on dusty roads
Close all windows. If dust thrown up by the vehicle is still drawn into the vehi-
cle after closing the windows, it is recommended that the air intake mode be
set to outside air mode and the fan speed to any setting except off.
■ Outside/recirculated air mode
●Setting to the recirculated air mode temporarily is recommended in prevent-
ing dirty air from entering the vehicle interior and helping to cool the vehicle
when the outside air temperature is high.
● Outside/recirculated air mode may automatically switch dependin g on the
temperature setting, outside temperature, pressure, engine cool ant tem-
perature or inside temperature.
■ When the outside temperature exceeds 75°F (24°C) and the air co ndition-
ing system is on
● In order to reduce the air conditioning power consumption, the air condition-
ing system may switch to recirculated air mode automatically. This may also
reduce fuel consumption.
● Recirculated air mode is selected as a default mode when the en gine switch
is turned to the “ON” position (vehicles without a smart key system) or the
engine switch is turned to IGNITION ON mode (vehicles with a sm art key
system).
● It is possible to switch to outside air mode at any time by pre ssing
.
■When the outside tempera ture falls to nearly 32F (0 C)
The dehumidification function may not operate even when is pre ssed.
■ When driving on dusty roads
Close all windows. If dust thrown up by the vehicle is still drawn into the vehi-
cle after closing the windows, it is recommended that the air intake mode be
set to outside air mode and the fan speed to any setting except off.
■ When the indicator light on flashes
Press
to turn off the cooling and dehumidification function and turn it on
again. There may be a problem in the air conditioning system if the indicator
light continues to flash. Turn the air conditioning system off and have it
inspected by your Toyota dealer.
Page 354 of 592

3545-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
4RUNNER (U)
WARNING
■To prevent the windshield from fogging up
● Do not use during cool air operation in extremely humid weathe r.
The difference between the temperature of the outside air and t hat of the
windshield can cause the outer surface of the windshield to fog up, block-
ing your vision.
■ To prevent burns
● Do not touch the rear view mirror surfaces when the outside rear view mir-
ror defoggers are on.
● Do not touch the glass at lower part of the windshield or to the side of the
front pillars when the windshield wiper de-icer is on.
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the air conditioning system on longer than necessa ry when the
engine is stopped.
■ When repairing/replacing parts of the air conditioning system
Have repair/replacement performed by your Toyota dealer.
When a part of the air conditioning system, such as the evapora tor, is to be
replaced, it must be replaced with a new one.
● Do not place anything on the instrument
panel which may cover the air outlets.
Otherwise, air flow may be obstructed,
preventing the windshield defoggers
from defogging.
Page 355 of 592

3555-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
5
Interior features
4RUNNER (U)
Seat heaters/seat ventilators
: If equipped
The seat heaters warm the seats and the seat ventilators main-
tain good airflow by blowi ng air through the seats.
WARNING
●Care should be taken to prevent injury if anyone in the following categories
comes in contact with the seats when the heater is on:
• Babies, small children, the elderly, the sick and the physical ly chal-
lenged
• Persons with sensitive skin
• Persons who are fatigued
• Persons who have taken alcohol or drugs that induce sleep (sle eping
drugs, cold remedies, etc.)
● Observe the following precautions to prevent the minor burns or overheat-
ing
• Do not cover the seat with a blanket or cushion when using the seat
heater.
• Do not use seat heater more than necessary.
NOTICE
● Do not put heavy objects that have an uneven surface on the sea t and do
not stick sharp objects (needles, nails, etc.) into the seat.
● To prevent battery discharge, do not use the functions when the engine is
off.