
461
When trouble arises7
4RUNNER (U)7-1.  Essential information
Emergency flashers .......... 462
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an 
emergency ...................... 463
If the vehicle is trapped in  rising water ..................... 465
7-2.  Steps to take in an  emergency
If your vehicle needs to be  towed .............................. 466
If you think something is  wrong .............................. 472
Fuel pump shut off  system ............................ 473
If a warning light turns  on or a warning buzzer 
sounds ............................ 474
If a warning message is  displayed......................... 484
If you have a flat tire.......... 489
If the engine will not  start ................................. 504
If you cannot operate  back door opener ............ 506
If the electronic key does  not operate properly 
(vehicles with a smart 
key system)..................... 507
If the vehicle battery is  discharged ...................... 510
If your vehicle  overheats ........................ 514
If the vehicle becomes  stuck ............................... 517 

4737-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
4RUNNER (U)
Follow  the  procedure  below  to  restart  the  engine  after  the  system  is
activated.
Vehicles without a smart key system
Turn the engine switch to the “ACC” or “LOCK” position.
Restart the engine.
Vehicles with a smart key system
Turn the engine switch to ACCESSORY mode or turn it off.
Restart the engine.
Fuel pump shut off  system
To minimize the risk of fuel leakage when the engine stalls or
when  an  airbag  inflates  upon  collision,  the  fuel  pump  shut  off
system stops the supply of fuel to the engine.
NOTICE
■ Before starting the engine
Inspect the ground under the vehicle.
If  you  find  that  fuel  has  leaked  onto  the  ground,  the  fuel  system  has  been
damaged and is in need of repair. Do not restart the engine.
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4867-2. Steps to take in an emergency
4RUNNER (U)
■Warning messages
The warning messages explained below may differ from the actual  messages
according to operation conditions and vehicle specifications.
■ System warning lights
The  master  warning  light  does  not  come  on  or  flash  in  the  following  cases.
Instead, a separate system warning light will come on along wit h a message
or image shown on the multi-information display.
● Malfunction in the ABS
The ABS warning light comes on. ( P. 475)
● Indicates that the PCS (Pre-Collision System) is not currently functional
The PCS warning light comes on or flashes. ( P. 478)
● Malfunction in the tire pressure warning system 
The tire pressure warning light comes on. ( P. 478)
■ If a message instructing to refer to the Owner’s Manual is disp layed
● If the following message is shown, there may be a malfunction.
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your T oyota dealer.
Continuing to drive the vehicle may be dangerous.
• “Braking Power Low Stop in a Safe Place See Owner’s Manual”
• “Oil Pressure Low Stop in a Safe Place See Owner’s Manual”
● If “Engine Coolant Temp High Stop in a Safe Place See Owner’s M anual” is
displayed, follow the instructions accordingly. ( P. 514)
● If “Front Camera Unavailable See Owner’s Manual” is displayed,  follow the
instructions accordingly. ( P. 251, 484)
● If the following message is shown, there may be a malfunction.
Immediately have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer.
• “Smart Key System Malfunction See Owner’s Manual”
■ If  “High  transmission  fluid  temperature”  is  shown,  it  indicates  that the
automatic transmission fluid temperature is too high.
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place, shift the shift l ever to P and wait
until  the  warning  message  and  light  go  off.  If  the  warning  message  and  light
go  off,  you  may  start  the  vehicle  again.  If  the  warning  message  and  light  do
not go off, contact your Toyota dealer. 

5087-2. Steps to take in an emergency
4RUNNER (U)
Ensure that the shift lever is in P and depress the brake pedal.
Touch  the  Toyota  emblem  side
of  the  electronic  key  to  the
engine switch.
When  the  electronic  key  is
detected, a buzzer sounds and the
engine switch will turn to IGNITION
ON mode.
When  the  smart  key  system  is
deactivated  in  customization  set-
ting,  the  engine  switch  will  turn  to
ACCESSORY mode.
Firmly  depress  the  brake pedal  and  check  that    is  displayed
on the multi-information display.
Press the engine switch  shortly and firmly.
In the event that the engine still cannot be started, contact your Toyota
dealer.
■ Stopping the engine
Shift the shift lever to P and press the engine switch as you normally do when
stopping the engine.
■ Replacing the key battery
As the above procedure is a temporary measure, it is recommende d that the
electronic key battery be replaced immediately when the battery is depleted.
( P. 444)
■ Changing engine switch modes
Within 10 seconds of the buzzer sounding, release the brake ped al and press
the engine switch.
The engine does not start and modes will be changed each time t he switch is
pressed.( P. 213)
■ When the electronic key does not work properly
●Make  sure  that  the  smart  key  system  has  not  been  deactivated  in   the  cus-
tomization setting. If it is off, turn the function on. 
(Customizable features:  P. 545)
● Check if battery-saving mode is set. If it is set, cancel the f unction. 
( P. 121)
Starting the engine
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5157-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
4RUNNER (U)
Add  engine  coolant  if  neces-
sary. (P. 409)
Water  can  be  used  in  an  emer-
gency  if  engine  coolant  is  unavail-
able.
Start  the  engine  to  check  that  the  radiator  cooling  fan  operate  and
to check for coolant leaks from the radiator or hoses.
If the fan are not operating: 
Stop the engine immediately and  contact your Toyota dealer.
If the fan are operating: 
Have the vehicle ins pected at the nearest Toyota dealer.
5
WARNING
■When inspecting under th e hood of your vehicle
Observe the following precautions. 
Failure to do so may result in serious injury such as burns.
● If  steam  is  seen  coming  from  under  the  hood,  do  not  open  the  ho od  until
the steam has subsided. The engine compartment may be very hot.
● Keep hands and clothing (especially a tie, a scarf or a muffler ) away from
the fans and belts.
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7
● Do  not  loosen  the  radiator  cap  and  the
coolant  reservoir  cap  while  the  engine
and radiator are hot.
High  temperature  steam  or  coolant
could spray out. 

5177-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
4RUNNER (U)
Stop the engine. Set the parking brake and shift the shift lever to P.
Remove the mud, snow or sand  from around the stuck tire.
Place  wood,  stones  or  some  other   material  under  the  tires  to  help
provide traction.
Restart the engine.
Shift the shift lever to D or R position and carefully apply th e accel-
erator to free the vehicle.
Turn off TRAC and VSC if these functions are hampering your att empts to
free the vehicle. ( P. 322)
If  the vehicle becomes stuck
Carry out the following procedures if the tires spin or the vehicle
becomes stuck in mud, dirt or snow:
WARNING
■When attempting to f ree a stuck vehicle
If  you  choose  to  push  the  vehicle  back  and  forth  to  free  it,  ma ke  sure  the
surrounding area is clear to avoid striking other vehicles, obj ects or people.
The  vehicle  may also lunge  forward  or  lunge back  suddenly  as  it   becomes
free. Use extreme caution.
■ When shifting the shift lever
Be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pedal depressed.
This  may  lead  to  unexpected  rapid  acceleration  of  the  vehicle  t hat  may
cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
NOTICE
■ To avoid damaging the transmission and other components
● Avoid  spinning  the  wheels  and  depressing  the  accelerator  pedal  more
than necessary.
● If  the  vehicle  remains  stuck  even  after  these  procedures  are  pe rformed,
the vehicle may require towing to be freed.
● When a warning message for the automatic transmission fluid tem perature
is  displayed  while  attempting  to  free  a  stuck  vehicle,  immediat ely  remove
your  foot  from  the  accelerator  pedal  and  wait  until  the  warning   message
disappears. Otherwise, the transmission may become damaged. 
(
P. 484)
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577What to do if... (Troubleshooting)
4RUNNER (U)
●The seat belt reminder light is flashing
Are the driver and the front passenger wearing the seat belts? 
(P. 477)
●The brake system warning light is on
Is the parking brake released? ( P. 224)
●The open door warning indicator is on
Are all the doors closed? (P. 110, 131)
Depending on the situation, other types of warning buzzer may a lso sound. 
( P. 474, 484)
 
●Did anyone inside the vehicle open a door during setting the al arm? 
The sensor detects it and the alarm sounds. ( P. 79)
To  stop  the  alarm,  turn  the  engine  switch  to  IGNITION  ON  mode  ( vehicles
with a smart key system) or start the engine.
●Is the electronic key left inside the vehicle? 
Check the message on the multi-information display.
●When a warning light turns on, refer to P. 474.
●When  a  warning  light  turns  on  or  a  warning  message  or  indicator  is dis-
played, refer to P. 474, 484.
A warning buzzer sounds during driving
An alarm is activated and the horn sounds
A warning buzzer sounds w hen leaving the vehicle 
(vehicles with a smart key system)
A warning light turns on or a warning message is displayed 

582Alphabetical index
4RUNNER (U)
Driving ...................................... 176Break-in tips .......................... 178
Correct driving posture ........... 28
Driving assist systems .......... 320
Off-road precautions ............. 333
Procedures ........................... 176
Winter drive tips .................... 329
Dynamic radar cruise 
control .................................... 272
Eco Driving Indicator ................ 97
EDR (Event data recorder) ........ 10
Electronic key .......................... 102 Battery-saving function ......... 121
If the electronic key does not operate properly ................. 507
Replacing the battery ............ 443
Emergency, in case of
If the electronic key does not operate 
properly .............................. 507
If the engine will not start ...... 504
If the vehicle battery is  discharged .......................... 510
If the warning buzzer  sounds ................................ 474
If the warning light turns  on ....................................... 474
If a warning message  is displayed......................... 484
If you cannot operate 
back door opener ............... 506
If you have a flat tire ............. 489
If you think something  is wrong .............................. 472
If your vehicle becomes  stuck ................................... 517
If your vehicle has to be  stopped in an emergency ... 463
If your vehicle needs 
to be towed ......................... 466
If your vehicle overheats ....... 514 Emergency flashers ................ 462
Engine
ACCESSORY mode ............. 213
Compartment ........................ 408
Engine switch ............... 209, 212
Hood ..................................... 407
How to start the engine ........................ 209, 212
Identification number ............ 521
If the engine will not start ...... 504
Ignition switch  (engine switch) ........... 209, 212
Overheating .......................... 514
Engine coolant......................... 412
Capacity................................ 524
Checking............................... 412
Preparing and checking before winter ...................... 329
Engine coolant temperature  gauge ....................................... 88
Engine immobilizer system ...... 76
Engine oil ................................. 410 Capacity................................ 523
Checking............................... 410
Preparing and checking 
before winter ...................... 329
Engine switch .................. 209, 212
Event data recorder (EDR)........ 10
Flat tire ..................................... 489
Floor mats .................................. 26
Fluid
Automatic transmission ........ 527
Brake .................................... 527
Power steering...................... 528
Washer ................................. 420
Fog lights ................................. 234
Replacing light bulbs ............ 449
Switch ................................... 234
Wattage ................................ 529
Four-wheel drive  system............................ 292, 296
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