2021 TOYOTA 4RUNNER Owners Manual (in English)

2174-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
● Do not leave the engine switch in ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode
for long periods of time without the engine running.
● If “ACCESSORY” or “IGNITION ON” is displayed on the multi-infor mation
display, the engine switch is not off. Exit the vehicle after t urning the
engine switch off.
● Do not stop the engine when the shift lever is in a position ot her than P. If
the engine is stopped in another shift lever position, the engi ne switch will
not be turned off but instead be turned to ACCESSORY mode. If t he vehi-
cle is left in ACCESSORY mode, battery discharge may occur.
■ When starting the engine
● Do not race a cold engine.
● If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have your vehi-
cle checked by your Toyota dealer immediately.
■ Symptoms indicating a malf unction with the engine switch
If the engine switch seems to be operating somewhat differently than usual,
such as the switch sticking slightly, there may be a malfunctio n. Contact
your Toyota dealer immediately.

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

2194-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)
*1: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noises, set the shift lever in the D
position for normal driving.
*2: Selecting shift ranges using S mode restricts the upper limit of the possible
gear ranges, controls engine braking forces, and prevents unnec essary
upshifting
When the shift lever is in the S position, the shift lever can be oper-
ated as follows:
Upshifting
Downshifting
The initial shift range in S mode is set automatically to “4” a ccording to
vehicle speed. However, the ini tial shift range may be set to “3” if AI-
SHIFT has operated while the shif t lever was in the D position.
(  P. 220)
■Shift ranges and their functions
You can choose from 5 leve ls of engine braking force.
A lower shift range will provide greater engine braking force t han a
higher shift range, and the engine speed will also increase.
Shift position purpose
Shift positionObjective or function
PParking the vehicle/starting the engine
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*1
SS mode driving*2
Changing shift ranges in S mode
1
2

2204-2. Driving procedures
4RUNNER (U)
■S mode
When the shift range is “3” or lower, holding the shift lever t oward “+” sets the
shift range to “5”.
■ AI-SHIFT
AI-SHIFT automatically selects the optimal gear according to driver perfor-
mance and driving conditions.
AI-SHIFT automatically operates when the shift lever is in the D position.
(Shifting the shift lever to the S position or paddle shifting cancels the func-
tion.)
The engine speed may remain high after releasing the accelerato r pedal. This
does not indicate a malfunction.
■ When driving with Dynamic r adar cruise control system
Engine braking will not occur in S mode, even when downshifting to “3”.
( P. 272)
■ Restraining sudden start (Drive-start Control)
P. 177
■ Shift lock system
The shift lock system is a system to prevent accidental operation of the shift
lever in starting.
The shift lever can be shifted from P only when the engine switch is in the
“ON” position (vehicles without a smart key system) or IGNITION ON mode
(vehicles with a smart key system) and the brake pedal is being depressed.

2214-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)■
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
First, check whether the brake pedal is being depressed.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted with your foot on the brak e pedal, there may
be a problem with the shift lock system. Have the vehicle inspected by your
Toyota dealer immediately.
The following steps may be used as an emergency measure to ensu re that
the shift lever can be shifted.
Releasing the shift lock:
Set the parking brake.
Vehicles without a smart key system: Turn the engine switch to the “LOCK”
position.
Vehicles with a smart key system: Turn the engine switch is off .
Depress the brake pedal.
■ If the “S” indicator does not come on even after shifting the s hift lever to
S
This may indicate a malfunction in the automatic transmission s ystem. Have
the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.
(In this situation, the transmission will operate in the same m anner as when
the shift lever is in D.)
■ Downshift restriction warning buzzer (S mode)
To help ensure safety and driving performance, downshifting ope ration may
sometimes be restricted. In some circumstances, downshifting ma y not be
possible even when the shift lever is operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.)
Pry the cover up with a flathead screw-
driver or equivalent tool.
To prevent damage to the cover, cover
the tip of the screwdriver with a rag.
Press the shift lock override button.
The shift lever can be shifted while the
button is pressed.
1
2
3
4
5

2224-2. Driving procedures
4RUNNER (U)
WARNING
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
Be careful of downshifting and sudden acceleration, as this cou ld result in
the vehicle skidding to the side or spinning.
■ To prevent an accident when releasing the shift lock
Before pressing the shift lock override button, make sure to se t the parking
brake and depress the brake pedal.
If the accelerator pedal is accidentally depressed instead of t he brake pedal
when the shift lock override button is pressed and the shift le ver is shifted
out of P, the vehicle may suddenly start, possibly leading to a n accident
resulting in death or serious injury.

2234-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)
The lever will return to its original position after operation.
Right turn
Lane change to the right (push
and hold the lever partway)
The right hand signals will flash
until you release the lever.
Lane change to the left (push
and hold the lever partway)
The left hand signals will flash until
you release the lever.
Left turn
■ Turn signals can be operated when
Vehicles without a smart key system
The engine switch is in the “ON” position.
Vehicles with a smart key system
The engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
■ If the indicator flashes faster than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or rear turn signal lights has not burned
out.
Turn signal lever
Operating instructions
1
2
3
4

2244-2. Driving procedures
4RUNNER (U)
To set the parking brake, fully
depress the parking brake pedal
with your left foot while depress-
ing the brake pedal with your right
foot.
(Depressing the pedal again
releases the parking brake.)
■Parking the vehicle
P. 176
■ Usage in winter time
P. 330
Parking brake
U.S.A.Canada
NOTICE
■Before driving
Fully release the parking brake.
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to bra ke components
overheating, which may affect braking performance and increase brake
wear.