4356-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
4RUNNER (U)
NOTICE
■Repairing or replacing tires, wheels, tire pressure warning valves,
transmitters and tire valve caps
●When removing or fitting the wheels, tires or the tire pressure warning
valves and transmitters, contact your Toyota dealer as the tire pres-
sure warning valves and transmitters may be damaged if not hand led
correctly.
●Make sure to install the tire val ve caps. If the tire valve caps are not
installed, water could enter the tire pressure warning valves a nd the
tire pressure warning valves could be bound.
●When replacing tire valve caps, do not use tire valve caps othe r than
those specified. The cap may become stuck.
■To avoid damage to the tire pressure warning valves and transmi t-
ters
When a tire is repaired with liqui d sealants, the tire pressure warning
valve and transmitter may not operate properly. If a liquid sea lant is
used, contact your Toyota dealer or other qualified service shop as soon
as possible. Make sure to replac e the tire pressure warning valve and
transmitter when replacing the tire. ( P. 4 2 5 )
■Driving on rough roads
Take particular care when drivi ng on roads with loose surfaces or pot-
holes.
These conditions may cause losses in tire inflation pressure, reducing
the cushioning ability of the t ires. In addition, driving on ro ugh roads
may cause damage to the tires themselves, as well as the vehicl e’s
wheels and body.
■If tire inflation pressure of e ach tire becomes low while drivi ng
Do not continue driving, or your t ires and/or wheels may be ruined.
4386-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4RUNNER (U)■
Instructions for checking tire inflation pressure
When checking tire inflation p
ressure, observe the following:
●Check only when the tires are cold.
If your vehicle has been parked for at least 3 hours or has not been
driven for more than 1 mile or 1.5 km, you will get an accurate cold tire
inflation pressure reading.
●Always use a tire pressure gauge.
It is difficult to judge if a tire is properly inflated based o nly on its appear-
ance.
●It is normal for the tire inflation pressure to be higher after driving as
heat is generated in the tire. Do not reduce tire inflation pre ssure after
driving.
●Never exceed the vehicle capacity weight.
Passengers and luggage weight should be placed so that the vehi cle is
balanced.
WARNING
■Proper inflation is critical to save tire performance
Keep your tires properly inflated.
If the tires are not properly in flated, the following conditions may occur
which could lead to an accident r esulting in death or serious injury:
●Excessive wear
●Uneven wear
●Poor handling
●Possibility of blowouts resulting from overh eated tires
●Air leaking from between tire and wheel
●Wheel deformation and/or tire damage
●Greater possibility of tire damage while driving (due to road hazards,
expansion joints, sharp ed ges in the road, etc.)
NOTICE
■When inspecting and adjusti ng tire inflation pressure
Be sure to put the tire valve caps back on.
If a valve cap is not installed , dirt or moisture may get into the valve and
cause an air leak, resulting in decreased tire inflation pressu re.
4396-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
4RUNNER (U)
When replacing wheels, care should be taken to ensure that they are
equivalent to those removed in load capacity, diameter, rim wid th and
inset
*.
Replacement wheels are available at your Toyota dealer.
*:Conventionally referred to as “offset”.
Toyota does not recommend using the following:
● Wheels of different sizes or types
● Used wheels
● Bent wheels that hav e been straightened
● Use only Toyota wheel nuts and wrenches designed for use with
your aluminum wheels.
● When rotating, repairing or changi ng your tires, check that the
wheel nuts are still tight afte r driving 1000 miles (1600 km).
● Be careful not to damage the aluminum wheels when using tire
chains.
● Use only Toyota genuine balance we ights or equivalent and a plas-
tic or rubber hammer when balancing your wheels.
Wheels
If a wheel is bent, cracked or heavily corroded, it should be
replaced. Otherwise, the tire may separate from the wheel or
cause a loss of handling control.
Wheel selection
Aluminum wheel precautions
4406-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4RUNNER (U)
■When replacing wheels
The wheels of your vehicle are equipped with tire pressure warn ing
valves and transmitters that allow the tire pressure warning sy stem to
provide advance warning in the event of a loss in tire inflatio n pressure.
Whenever wheels are replaced, tir e pressure warning valves and trans-
mitters must be installed. ( P. 425)
WARNING
■When replacing wheels
●Do not use wheels that are a different size from those recommen ded in
the Owner’s Manual, as this may result in a loss of handling control.
●Never use an inner tube in a leaking wheel which is designed fo r a
tubeless tire. Doing so may resu lt in an accident, causing death or seri-
ous injury.
■When installing the wheel nuts
Never use oil or grease on the wheel bolts or wheel nuts.
Oil and grease may cause the wheel nuts to be excessively tightened, lead-
ing to bolt or disc wheel damage. In addition, the oil or greas e can cause the
wheel nuts to loosen and the wheel may fall off, causing an accident and
resulting in death or serious injury. Remove any oil or grease from the wheel
bolts or wheel nuts.
NOTICE
■Replacing tire pressure warn ing valves and transmitters
●Because tire repair or replacement may affect the tire pressure warn-
ing valves and transmitters, make sure to have tires serviced b y your
Toyota dealer or other qualified service shop. In addition, make sure to
purchase your tire pressure warning valves and transmitters at your
Toyota dealer.
●Ensure that only genuine Toyota wheels are used on your vehicle.
Tire pressure warning valves and transmitters may not work prop erly
with non-genuine wheels.
466
4RUNNER (U)
7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle needs to be towed
If towing is necessary, we recommend having your vehicle
towed by your Toyota dealer or commercial towing service,
using a wheel-lift type t ruck or flatbed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by all stat e/
provincial and local laws.
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■ When towing the vehicle
2WD models: Be sure to transport the
vehicle with the rear wheels raised or
with all four wheels raised off the ground.
If the vehicle is towed with the rear
wheels contacting the ground, the drive-
train and related parts may be damaged
or an accident may occur due to a
change in direction of the vehicle.
4WD models: Be sure to transport the
vehicle with all four wheels raised off the
ground. If the vehicle is towed with the
tires contacting the ground, the drivetrain
or related parts may be damaged, the
vehicle may fly off the truck.
4727-2. Steps to take in an emergency
4RUNNER (U)
●Fluid leaks un der the vehicle.
(Water dripping from the air conditioning a fter use is normal.)
● Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
● Engine coolant temperature gauge needle continually points high er
than normal.
● Changes in exhaust sound
● Excessive tire squeal when cornering
● Strange noises related to the suspension system
● Pinging or other noises related to the engine
● Engine missing, stumb ling or running roughly
● Appreciable loss of power
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one s ide when driving on a level road
● Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy feeling, pedal almost touch es
the floor
If you think something is wrong
If you notice any of the followi ng symptoms, your vehicle proba -
bly needs adjustment or repair. Contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible.
Visible symptoms
Audible symptoms
Operational symptoms
4807-2. Steps to take in an emergency
4RUNNER (U)■
If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on while driving
First check the following:
●Is the fuel tank empty?
If it is, fill the fuel tank immediately.
● Is the fuel tank cap loose?
If it is, tighten it securely.
The light will go off after several driving trips.
If the light does not go off even after several trips, contact your Toyota dealer
as soon as possible.
■
When the tire pressure warning light comes on
Inspect the appearance of the ti re to check that the tire is not punctured.
If the tire is punctured: P. 489
If the tire is not punctured:
Carry out the following procedure after the tire temperature has lowered
sufficiently.
●Check the tire inflation pressure and adjust to the appropriate level.
●If the warning light does not go out even after several minutes , check
that the tire inflation pressure is at the specified level and carry out ini-
tialization. ( P. 4 2 4 )
The warning light may come on again if the above operations are con-
ducted without first allowing t he tire temperature to lower suf ficiently.
■The tire pressure warning light may come on due to natural caus es
The tire pressure warning light may come on due to natural caus es such
as natural air leaks and tire inflation pressure changes caused by tem-
perature. In this case, adjusting the tire inflation pressure w ill turn off the
warning light (afte r a few minutes).
■When a tire is replace d with a spare tire
Vehicles without P245/60R20 tires
The spare tire is not equipped with a tire pressure warning val ve and
transmitter. If a tire goes flat, the tire pressure warning lig ht will not turn off
even though the flat tire has been replaced with the spare tire . Replace
the spare tire with the repaired tire and adjust the tire infla tion pressure.
The tire press ure warning light will go off after a few minutes.
Vehicles with P245/60R20 tires
The spare tire is also equipped with a tire pressure warning va lve and
transmitter. The tire pressure warning light will turn on if the tire inflation
pressure of the spare tire is low. If a tire goes flat, the tire pressure warn-
ing light will not turn off even though the flat tire has been replaced with
the spare tire. Replace the spar e tire with the repaired tire and adjust the
tire inflation pressure. The t ire pressure warning light will go off after a few
minutes.
4817-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
4RUNNER (U)■
If the tire pressure warning system is not functioning
The tire pressure warning syst
em will be disabled in the follow ing condi-
tions:
(When the condition becomes normal, the system will work properly.)
●If tires not equipped with tire pressure warning valves and tra nsmitters
are used
●If the ID code on the tire pressure warning valves and transmit ters is not
registered in the tire pr essure warning computer
●If the tire inflation pressure is 73 psi (500 kPa, 5.1 kgf/cm2 or bar) or
higher
The tire pressure warning system may be disabled in the followi ng condi-
tions:
(When the condition becomes normal, the system will work properly.)
●If electronic devices or facilitie s using similar radio wave frequencies are
nearby
●If a radio set at a similar frequency is in use in the vehicle
●If a window tint that affects the radio wave signals is installed
●If there is a lot of snow or ice on the vehicle, particularly around the
wheels or wheel housings
●If non-genuine Toyota wheels are used (Even if you use Toyota wheels,
the tire pressure warning system may not work properly with som e types
of tires.)
●If tire chains are used
●Vehicles with P245/60R20 tires: If the spare tire is in a locat ion subject
to poor radio wave signal reception
●Vehicles with P245/60R20 tires : If a large metallic object whic h can
interfere with signal reception is put in the luggage compartme nt
■If the tire pressure warning light frequently comes on after bl inking
for 1 minute
If the tire pressure warning light frequently comes on after bl inking for 1
minute when the engine switch is turned on, have it checked by your
Toyota dealer.
■ Customization that can be configured at Toyota dealer
The vehicle speed linked seat belt reminder buzzer can be disab led.
(Customizable features P. 545) However, Toyota recommends that the seat
belt reminder buzzer be operational to alert the driver and fro nt passenger
when seat belts are not fastened.