2021 TOYOTA 4RUNNER brakes

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
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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
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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. 528)
● 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.)

2064-1. Before driving
4RUNNER (U)
WARNING
●Do not apply the brakes suddenly as you may skid, resulting in jackknifing
and loss of vehicle control. This is especially true on wet or slippery sur-
faces.
● Do not exceed the trailer hitch assembly weight, gross vehicle weight,
gross axle weight and trailer tongue weight capacities.
● Do not use cruise control when towing.
● Slow down and downshift before descending steep or long downhill
grades. Do not make sudden downshifts while descending steep or long
downhill grades.
● Vehicle-trailer instability is more likely on steep long downhi lls. Before
descending steep or long downhill grades, slow down and downshi ft. Do
not make sudden downshifts when descending steep or long downhi ll
grades. Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or applying the
brakes too frequently. This could cause the brakes to overheat and result
in reduced braking efficiency.
■ Hitch
Trailer hitch assemblies have different weight capacities estab lished by the
hitch manufacturer. Even though the vehicle may be physically capable of
towing a higher weight, the operator must determine the maximum weight
rating of the particular hitch assembly and never exceed the ma ximum
weight rating specified for the trailer-hitch. Exceeding the ma ximum weight
rating set by the trailer-hitch manufacturer can cause an accid ent resulting
in death or serious personal injuries.
■ When towing a trailer
Toyota recommends trailers with brakes that conform to any appl icable fed-
eral and state/provincial regulations.
● If the gross trailer weight exceeds unbraked TWR, trailer brake s are
required. Toyota recommends trailers with brakes that conform t o all appli-
cable federal and state/provincial regulations.
● Never tap into your vehicle’s hydraulic system, as this will lo wer the vehi-
cle’s braking effectiveness.
● Never tow a trailer without using a safety chain securely attac hed to both
the trailer and the vehicle. If damage occurs to the coupling u nit or hitch
ball, there is danger of the trailer wandering into another lan e.

2544-5. Using the driving support systems
4RUNNER (U)
◆Pre-collision warning
When the system determines
that the possibility of a frontal
collision is high, a buzzer will
sound and a warning message
will be displayed on the multi-
information display to urge the
driver to take evasive action.
◆Pre-collision brake assist
When the system determines that the possibility of a frontal colli-
sion is high, the system applies greater braking force in relat ion to
how strongly the brake pedal is depressed.
◆Pre-collision braking
When the system determines that the possibility of a frontal colli-
sion is high, the system warns the driver. If the system determ ines
that the possibility of a frontal collision is extremely high, the brakes
are automatically applied to hel p avoid the collision or reduce the
collision speed.
PCS (Pre-Collision System)
The pre-collision system uses a radar sensor and front camera
to detect vehicles and pedestrians in front of your vehicle. Wh en
the system determines that the possibility of a frontal collisi on
with a vehicle or pedestrian i s high, a warning operates to urg e
the driver to take evasive action and the potential brake pres-
sure is increased to help the driver avoid the collision. If the sys-
tem determines that the possibi lity of a frontal collision with a
vehicle or pedestrian is extremely high, the brakes are automat i-
cally applied to hel p avoid the collision or help reduce the
impact of the collision.
The pre-collision system can b e disabled/enabled and the warnin g
timing can be changed. ( P. 2 5 7 )

2634-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)●
In some situations such as the following, sufficient braking fo rce may not be
obtained, preventing the system from performing properly:
• If the braking functions cannot operate to their full extent, such as when
the brake parts are extremely cold, extremely hot, or wet
• If the vehicle is not properly maintained (brakes or tires are excessively
worn, improper tire inflation pressure, etc.)
• When the vehicle is being driven on a gravel road or other sli ppery sur-
face
● Some pedestrians such as the following may not be detected by t he radar
sensor and front camera, preventing the system from operating p roperly:
• Pedestrians shorter than approximately 3.2 ft. (1 m) or taller than approx-
imately 6.5 ft. (2 m)
• Pedestrians wearing oversized clothing (a rain coat, long skir t, etc.), mak-
ing their silhouette obscure
• Pedestrians who are carrying large baggage, holding an umbrella, etc., hiding part of their body
• Pedestrians who are bending forward or squatting
• Pedestrians who are pushing a stroller, wheelchair, bicycle or other vehi-
cle
• Groups of pedestrians which are close together
• Pedestrians who are wearing white and look extremely bright
• Pedestrians in the dark, such as at night or while in a tunnel
• Pedestrians whose clothing appears to be nearly the same color or
brightness as their surroundings
• Pedestrians near walls, fences, guardrails, or large objects
• Pedestrians who are on a metal object (manhole cover, steel plate, etc.)
on the road
• Pedestrians who are walking fast
• Pedestrians who are changing speed abruptly
• Pedestrians running out from behind a vehicle or a large objec t
• Pedestrians who are extremely close to the side of the vehicle (outside
rear view mirror, etc.)
■ If VSC is disabled
●If VSC is disabled ( P. 322, 323), the pre-collision brake assist and pre-col-
lision braking functions are also disabled.
● The PCS warning light will turn on and “VSC Turned Off Pre-Coll ision Brake
System Unavailable” will be displayed on the multi-information display.

2764-5. Using the driving support systems
4RUNNER (U)
This mode employs a radar sensor to detect the presence of vehi cles
up to approximately 320 ft. (100 m) ahead, determines the curre nt
vehicle-to-vehicle following distance, and operates to maintain a suit-
able following distance from the vehicle ahead.
Note that vehicle-to-vehicle distance will close in when traveling on long
downhill slopes.
Example of constant speed cruising
When there are no vehicles ahead
The vehicle travels at the speed set by the driver. The desired vehicle-to-
vehicle distance can also be set by operating the vehicle-to-ve hicle dis-
tance switch.
Example of deceleration crui sing and follow-up cruising
When a preceding vehicle driving slower than the set speed
appears
When a vehicle is detected running ahead of you, the system automatically
decelerates your vehicle. When a greater reduction in vehicle s peed is
necessary, the system applies the brakes (the stop lights will come on at
this time). The system will respond to changes in the speed of the vehicle
ahead in order to maintain the vehicle-to-vehicle distance set by the driver.
Approach warning warns you when the system cannot decelerate su ffi-
ciently to prevent your vehicle fr om closing in on the vehicle ahead.
Example of acceleration
When there are no longer any preceding vehicles driving slower
than the set speed
The system accelerates until the set speed is reached. The syst em then
returns to constant speed cruising.
Driving in vehicle-to-vehi cle distance control mode
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2834-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)■
Automatic cancelation of c onstant speed control mode
Constant speed control mode is automatically canceled in the following situa-
tions:
● Actual vehicle speed is more than approximately 10 mph (16 km/h ) below
the set vehicle speed.
● Actual vehicle speed falls below approximately 25 mph (40 km/h) .
● VSC is activated.
● TRAC is activated for a period of time.
● When the VSC or TRAC system is turned off.
● Pre-collision braking is activated.
If constant speed control mode is automatically canceled for an y other rea-
son, there may be a malfunction in the system. Contact your Toyota dealer.
■ Brake system operation sound
If the brakes are applied automatically while the vehicle is in vehicle-to-vehi-
cle distance control mode, a brake system operation sound may b e heard.
This does not indicate a malfunction.
■ Warning messages and buzzers for d ynamic radar cruise control
Warning messages and buzzers are used to indicate a system malfunction or
to inform the driver of the need for caution while driving. If a warning message
is shown on the multi-information display, read the message and follow the
instructions.
■ When the sensor may not be correctly detect ing the vehicle ahead
In the case of the following and depending on the conditions, o perate the
brake pedal when deceleration of the system is insufficient or operate the
accelerator pedal when acceleration is required.
As the sensor may not be able to correctly detect these types o f vehicles, the
approach warning ( P. 280) may not be activated.
● Vehicles that cut in suddenly
● Vehicles traveling at low speeds
● Vehicles that are not moving in the same lane
● Vehicles with small rear ends (trailers with no load on board, etc.)
● Motorcycles traveling in the same lane

2894-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)
■Intuitive parking assist can be operated when
●Front corner sensors:
• The engine switch is in the “ON” position (without a smart key system) or
the engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode (with a smart key syst em).
• The shift lever is in a position other than P.
• The vehicle speed is less than approximately 6 mph (10 km/h).
● Rear corner and rear center sensors:
• The engine switch is in the “ON” position (without a smart key system) or
the engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode (with a smart key syst em).
• The shift lever is in R.
■ Intuitive parking assist display
When an obstacle is detected while the Toyota parking assist mo nitor is in
use, the warning indicator will appear in the upper part of the screen even if
the display setting has been set to off.
■ Sensor detection information
●The sensor’s detection areas are limited to the areas around th e vehicle’s
front corner and rear bumpers.
● Certain vehicle conditions and the surrounding environment may affect the
ability of the sensor to correctly detect obstacles. Particular instances where
this may occur are listed below.
• There is dirt, snow or ice on the sensor. (Wiping the sensors will resolve
this problem.)
• The sensor is frozen. (Thawing the area will resolve this problem.)
In especially cold weather, if a sensor is frozen the screen ma y show an
abnormal display, or obstacles may not be detected.
• The sensor is covered in any way.
• The vehicle is leaning considerably to one side.
• On an extremely bumpy road, on an incline, on gravel, or on gr ass.
• The vicinity of the vehicle is noisy due to vehicle horns, motorcycle
engines, air brakes of large vehicles, or other loud noises pro ducing ultra-
sonic waves.
• There is another vehicle equipped with parking assist sensors in the
vicinity.
• The sensor is coated with a sheet of spray or heavy rain.
• The vehicle is equipped with a fender pole or wireless antenna .
• Towing eyelet is installed.
• The bumper or sensor receives a strong impact.
• The vehicle is approaching a tall or curved curb.
• In harsh sunlight or intense cold weather.
• The area directly under the bumpers is not detected.
• If obstacles draw too close to the sensor.
• A non-genuine Toyota suspension (lowered suspension etc.) is i nstalled.
• People may not be detected if they are wearing certain types o f clothing.
In addition to the examples above, there are instances in which, because of
their shape, signs and other objects may be judged by the senso r to be
closer than they are.