Page 405 of 608
4056-2. Maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
4RUNNER (U)
General maintenance
Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be
performed at the intervals specified in the “Owner’s Warranty
Information Booklet” or “Own er’s Manual Supplement/Sched-
uled Maintenance Guide”. It is recommended that any problem
you notice should be brought to the attention of your Toyota
dealer or qualified s ervice shop for advice.
Engine compartment
ItemsCheck points
BatteryCheck the connections. (P. 422)
Brake fluidIs the brake fluid at the correct level? ( P. 419)
Engine coolantIs the engine coolant at the correct level? ( P. 417)
Engine oilIs the engine oil at the correct level? (P. 415)
Exhaust systemThere should not be any fumes or strange sounds.
Power steering fluidIs the power steering fluid at the correct level?
(P. 421)
Radiator/condenserThe radiator and condenser should be free from
foreign objects. ( P. 419)
Washer fluidIs there sufficient washer fluid? (P. 425)
Page 409 of 608

409
6
Maintenance and care
4RUNNER (U)
6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself ser vice precautions
If you perform maintenance by yourself, be sure to follow the
correct procedure as given in these sections.
ItemsParts and tools
Battery condition (P. 422)
• Warm water• Baking soda
•Grease
• Conventional wrench (for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level
(P. 419)
• FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake
fluid
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding brake fluid)
Engine coolant level (P. 417)
• “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or a similar
high quality ethylene glycol-based non-silicate,
non-amine, non-nitrite and non-borate coolant
with long-life hybrid organic acid technology
For the U.S.A.:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is pre-mixed
with 50% coolant and 50% deionized water.
For Canada:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is pre-mixed
with 55% coolant and 45% deionized water.
• Funnel (used only for adding coolant)
Engine oil level (P. 415)
• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding engine oil)
Page 411 of 608

4116-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
4RUNNER (U)
WARNING
The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that may
move suddenly, become hot, or become electrically energized. To avoid death
or serious injury, observe the following precautions.
■ When working on the engine compartment
● Keep hands, clothing and tools away from the moving fan and engine
drive belt.
● Be careful not to touch the engine, radiator, exhaust manifold, etc. right
after driving as they may be hot. Oil and other fluids may also be hot.
● Do not leave anything that may burn easily, such as paper and r ags, in the
engine compartment.
● Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose an open flame to fuel or t he bat-
tery. Fuel and battery fumes are flammable.
● Be extremely cautious when working on the battery. It contains poisonous
and corrosive sulfuric acid.
■ Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc.
from getting in your eyes.
NOTICE
■If you remove the air cleaner filter
Driving with the air cleaner filter removed may cause excessive engine wear
due to dirt in the air.
Page 413 of 608
4136-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
4RUNNER (U)
Engine compartment
Washer fluid tank (P. 425)
Power steering fluid reservoir ( P. 421)
Engine oil level dipstick ( P. 415)
Engine coolant reservoir ( P. 417)
Engine oil filler cap ( P. 416)Brake fluid reservoir
( P. 419)
Fuse box ( P. 450)
Battery ( P. 422)
Condenser ( P. 419)
Radiator ( P. 419)1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Page 415 of 608
4156-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
4RUNNER (U)
With the engine at operating temperature and turned off, check the oil
level on the dipstick.
■Checking the engine oil
Park the vehicle on level ground. After warming up the engine
and turning it off, wait more than 5 minutes for the oil to dra in
back into the bottom of the engine.
Holding a rag under the end,
pull the dipstick out.
Wipe the dipstick clean.
Reinsert the dipstick fully.
Holding a rag under the end,
pull the dipstick out and
check the oil level.
Low
Normal
Excessive
The shape of the dipstick may
differ depending on the type of
vehicle or engine.
Wipe the dipstick and reinsert it fully.
Engine oil
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
6
Page 416 of 608

4166-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4RUNNER (U)■
Adding engine oil
If the oil level is below or near
the low level mark, add engine
oil of the same type as that
already in the engine.
Make sure to check the oil type and prepare the items needed
before adding oil.
Remove the oil fille r cap by turning it counterclockwise.
Add engine oil slowly, checking the dipstick.
Install the oil filler cap by turning it clockwise.
■Engine oil consumption
A certain amount of engine oil will be consumed while driving. In the following
situations, oil consumption may increase, and engine oil may ne ed to be
refilled in between oil maintenance intervals.
● When the engine is new, for example directly after purchasing t he vehicle or
after replacing the engine
● If low quality oil or oil of an inappropriate viscosity is used
● When driving at high engine speeds or with a heavy load, when t owing, or
when driving while accelerating or decelerating frequently
● When leaving the engine idling for a long time, or when driving frequently
through heavy traffic
Engine oil selection P. 527
Oil quantity
(Low Full) 1.8 qt. (1.7 L, 1.5 Imp. qt.)
Items
Clean funnel
1
2
3
Page 417 of 608

4176-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
4RUNNER (U)
The coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the “F” and “L” lines on
the reservoir when the engine is cold.
Reservoir cap
“F” line
“L” line
If the level is on or below the “L”
line, add coolant up to the “F” line.
(P. 519)
WARNING
■ Used engine oil
● Used engine oil contains potentially harmful contaminants which may
cause skin disorders such as inflammation and skin cancer, so c are
should be taken to avoid prolonged and repeated contact. To remove used
engine oil from your skin, wash thoroughly with soap and water.
● Dispose of used oil and filters only in a safe and acceptable manner. Do
not dispose of used oil and filters in household trash, in sewers or onto the
ground.
Call your Toyota dealer, service station or auto parts store for information
concerning recycling or disposal.
● Do not leave used engine oil within the reach of children.
NOTICE
■To prevent serious engine damage
Check the oil level on a regular basis.
■ When replacing the engine oil
● Be careful not to spill engine oil on the vehicle components.
● Avoid overfilling, or the engine could be damaged.
● Check the oil level on the dipstick every time you refill the v ehicle.
● Be sure the engine oil filler cap is properly tightened.
Engine coolant
1
2
3
Page 477 of 608

4777-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
4RUNNER (U)
If a warning light turns on or a war ning
buzzer sounds
Calmly perform the following actions if any of the warning ligh ts
comes on or flashes. If a light comes on or flashes, but then
goes off, this does not necessarily indicate a malfunction in the
system. However, if this continues to occur, have the vehicle
inspected by your Toyota dealer.
Warning light and w arning buzzer list
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Brake system warning li ght (warning buzzer)
• Low brake fluid
• Malfunction in the brake system
This light also comes on when the parking brake is not
released. If the light turns off after the parking brake is
fully released the system is operating normally.
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and
contact your Toyota dealer. Continuing to drive
the vehicle may be dangerous.
High coolant temperature warning light (warning
buzzer)
*4
Indicates that the engine coolant temperature is too
high
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place.
Handling method ( P. 519)
Charging system warning light
Indicates a malfunction in the vehicle’s charging sys-
tem
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and
contact your Toyota dealer.
Low engine oil pressure warning light*4
Indicates that the engine oil pressure is too low
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and
contact your Toyota dealer.