2021 TOYOTA 4RUNNER maintenance schedule

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.)

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”.

398
4RUNNER (U)
6-2. Maintenance
General maintenance should be performed on a daily basis. This can
be done by yourself or by a Toyota dealer.
Scheduled maintenance should be performed at specified intervals
according to the maintenance schedule.
For details about maintenance items and schedules, refer to the “Sched-
uled Maintenance Guide” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”.
You can perform som e maintenance procedures by yourself.
Please be aware that do-it-yourse lf maintenance may affect warranty
coverage.
The use of Toyota Repair Manuals is recommended.
For details about warranty coverage, refer to the separate “Own er’s War-
ranty Information Booklet” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”.
■ Repair and replacement
It is recommended that genuine Toyota parts be used for repairs to ensure
performance of each system. If non-Toyota parts are used in rep lacement or if
a repair shop other than a Toyota dealer performs repairs, conf irm the war-
ranty coverage.
Maintenance requirements
To ensure safe and economical driving, day-to-day care and reg-
ular maintenance are essential. I t is the owner’s responsibility to
perform regular checks. Toyota recommends the following main-
tenance:
General maintenance
Scheduled maintenance
Do-it-yourself maintenance

3996-2. Maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
4RUNNER (U)■
Resetting the message indicating ma intenance is required (U.S.A. only)
After the required maintenance is performed according to the ma intenance
schedule, please reset the message.
To reset the message, follow the procedures described below:
Turn the engine switch off with the trip meter A reading shown. (P. 89)
Vehicles without a smart key system:
While pressing the display change button ( P. 89), turn the engine switch
to the “ON” position (do not start the engine because reset mod e will be
canceled).
Vehicles with a smart key system:
While pressing the display change button ( P. 89), turn the engine switch
to the IGNITION ON mode (do not start the engine because otherw ise the
reset mode will be canceled).
Continue to press and hold the button until the trip meter disp lays “000000”.
■ Allow inspection and repairs to be performed by a Toyota dealer
●Toyota technicians are well-trained specialists and are kept up to date with
the latest service information. They are well informed about th e operations
of all systems on your vehicle.
● Keep a copy of the repair order. It proves that the maintenance that has
been performed is under warranty coverage. If any problem should arise
while your vehicle is under warranty, your Toyota dealer will p romptly take
care of it.
WARNING
■ If your vehicle is no t properly maintained
Improper maintenance could result in serious damage to the vehi cle and
possible death or serious injury.
■ Handling of the battery
● Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and a wide variety of automobile
components contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects and other reproductive harm. Wor k in a
well ventilated area.
● Oils, fuels and fluids contained in vehicles as well as waste produced by
component wear contain or emit chemicals known to the State of Califor-
nia to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive har m. Avoid
exposure and wash any affected area immediately.
● Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead a nd lead
compounds which are known to cause brain damage. Wash your hand s
after handling. ( P. 417)
1
2
3

4026-2. Maintenance
4RUNNER (U)
Vehicle exterior
ItemsCheck points
Doors• Do the doors operate smoothly?
Engine hood• Does the engine hood lock system work properly?
Fluid leaks• There should not be any signs of fluid leakageafter the vehicle has been parked.
Tires
• Is the tire inflation pressure correct?
• The tires should not be damaged or excessively
worn.
• Have the tires been rotated according to the maintenance schedule?
• The wheel nuts should not be loose.
Windshield wipers/
rear window wiper
• The wiper blades should not show any signs of cracking, splitting, wear, contamination or defor-
mation.
• The wiper blades should clear the windshield/rear
window without streaking or skipping.
WARNING
■If the engine is running
Turn the engine off and ensure that there is adequate ventilati on before per-
forming maintenance checks.

4426-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4RUNNER (U)
■Checking interval
Inspect and replace the air conditioning filter according to th e maintenance
schedule. In dusty areas or areas with heavy traffic flow, earl y replacement
may be required. (For scheduled maintenance information, please refer to the
“Schedule maintenance guide” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”.)
■ If air flow from the ven ts decreases dramatically
The filter may be clogged. Check the filter and replace if nece ssary.
NOTICE
■When using the air conditioning system
Make sure that a filter is always installed.
Using the air conditioning system without a filter may cause da mage to the
system.

4877-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
4RUNNER (U)■
If “Auto power off to co nserve battery” is shown
Power was turned off due to the automatic power off function.
Next time when starting the engine, increase the engine speed s lightly and
maintain that level for approximately 5 minutes to recharge the battery.
■ When a message that indicates the need for the shift lever oper ation is
shown
To prevent the shift lever from being operated incorrectly or t he vehicle from
moving unexpectedly, a message that requires shifting the shift lever may be
shown on the multi-information display. In that case, follow th e instruction of
the message and shift the shift lever.
■ When “Headlight System Malfuncti on Visit Your Dealer” is displayed on
the multi-information display
The following system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle in spected by
your Toyota dealer.
● Automatic High Beam
■ If a message that indicates the malfunction of front camera is displayed
The following systems may be suspended until the problem shown in the
message is resolved. ( P. 251, 484)
● PCS (Pre-Collision System)
● LDA (Lane Departure Alert)
● Dynamic radar cruise control
● Automatic High Beam
■ If a following message is shown, take appropriate action and co nfirm
that the message has disappeared.
*
● “Crawl Not Available Select L4 and Shift to [D] or [R] Position ”
● “Crawl Not Available Check System Operation Conditions”
*: Refer to the “Off-road Driving Owner’s Manual”.
■ If “Oil Maintenance Required Soon” is displayed (U.S.A. only)
Indicates that all maintenance according to the driven distance on the mainte-
nance schedule* should be performed soon.
Comes on approximately 4500 miles (7200 km) after the message has been
reset.
If necessary, perform maintenance. Please reset the message aft er the main-
tenance is performed. ( P. 399)
*: Refer to the separate “Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or “Owner’ s Manual
Supplement” for the maintenance interval applicable to your veh icle.

4887-2. Steps to take in an emergency
4RUNNER (U)■
If “Oil Maintenance Required” is displayed (U.S.A. only)
Indicates that all maintenance is required to correspond to the driven distance
on the maintenance schedule*.
Comes on approximately 5000 miles (8000 km) after the message has been
reset.
(The indicator will not work properly unless the message has been reset.)
Perform the necessary maintenance. Please reset the message aft er the
maintenance is performed. ( P. 399)
*: Refer to the separate “Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or “Owner’ s Manual
Supplement” for the maintenance interval applicable to your veh icle.
■ If “Visit Your Dealer” is shown
The system or part shown on the multi-information display is ma lfunctioning.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.
■ Warning buzzer
In some cases, the buzzer may not be heard due to being in a no isy location
or audio sound.
NOTICE
■ While the engine oil level warning is displayed
Continued engine operation with low engine oil will damage the engine.