2003 Toyota 4Runner Owner's Manual

’03 4Runner_U (L/O 0305) SECTION 2 INFORMATION BEFORE DRIVING YOUR TOYOTA Information before driving your Toyota Off–road vehicle precautions . 242 Break–in period . 243 Fuel . 243 Fuel pump shut off system . 245 Operation in foreign countries . 245 Three–way catalytic converters . 246 Engine exhaust cautions . 247 Facts about engine oil consumption . 248 Iridium–tipped spark plugs . 249 Brake system . 249 Brake pad wear limit indicators . 253 Luggage stowage precautions . 253 Limited–slip differential . 254 Your Toyota’s identification . 254 Theft prevention labels . 256 Suspension and chassis . 256 Types of tires . 256 241 2003 4RUNNER from Apr. ’03 Prod. (OM35820U) ’03 4Runner_U (L/O 0305) Off–road vehicle precautions This vehicle belongs to the utility vehicle class, which has higher ground CAUTION clearance and narrower tread in relation to the height of its center of gravity to Always observe the following precau- make it capable of performing in a wide tions to minimize the risk of serious variety of off–road applications. Specific personal injury or damage to your ve- design characteristics give it a higher hicle: center of gravity than ordinary passen- D In a rollover crash, an unbelted per- ger cars. This vehicle design feature son is significantly more likely to causes this type of vehicle to be more die than a person wearing a seat likely to rollover. And, utility vehicles belt. Therefore, the driver and all have a significantly higher rollover rate passengers should fasten their seat than other types of vehicles. An advan- belts whenever the vehicle is mov- tage of the higher ground clearance is ing. a better view of the road allowing you D Avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneu- to anticipate problems. It is not de- vers, if at all possible. Failure to signed for cornering at the same operate this vehicle correctly may speeds as ordinary passenger cars any result in loss of control or vehicle more than low–slung sports cars de- rollover causing death or serious signed to perform satisfactorily under injury. off–road conditions. Therefore, sharp turns at excessive speeds may cause D Loading cargo on the roof luggage rollover. carrier will make the center of the vehicle gravity higher. Avoid high speeds, sudden starts, sharp turns, sudden braking or abrupt maneu- vers, otherwise it may result in loss of control or vehicle rollover due to failure to operate this vehicle correctly. 242 2003 4RUNNER from Apr. ’03 Prod. (OM35820U) ’03 4Runner_U (L/O 0305) Break–in period Fuel Drive gently and avoid high speeds. FUEL TYPE D Always slow down in gusty cross- Your vehicle does not need an elaborate Your new vehicle must use only un- winds. Because of its profile and break–in. But following a few simple tips leaded gasoline. higher center of gravity, your vehicle is more sensitive to side for the first 1600 km (1000 miles) can add To help prevent gas station mix–ups, your to the future economy and long life of winds than an ordinary passenger Toyota has a smaller fuel tank opening. your vehicle: car. Slowing down will allow you to The special nozzle on pumps with un- have better control. D Avoid full throttle acceleration when leaded fuel will fit it, but the larger stan- starting and driving. dard nozzle on pumps with leaded gas will D When driving off–road or in rugged terrain, do not drive at excessive D Avoid racing the engine. not. speeds, jump, make sharp turns, D Try to avoid hard stops during the first At a minimum, the gasoline you use strike objects, etc. This may cause 300 km (200 miles). should meet the specifications of ASTM loss of control or vehicle rollover D D4814 in the U.S.A. and CGSB 3.5–M93 causing death or serious injury. You Do not drive for a long time at any in Canada. single speed, either fast or slow. are also risking expensive damage to your vehicle’s suspension and D Do not tow a trailer during the first 800 NOTICE chassis. km (500 miles). Do not use leaded gasoline. Use of D Do not drive horizontally across leaded gasoline will cause the three– steep slopes. Driving straight up or way catalytic converter to lose its ef- straight down is preferred. Your ve- fectiveness and the emission control hicle (or any similar off–road ve- system to function improperly. Also, hicle) can tip over sideways much this can increase maintenance costs. more easily than forward or back- ward. 243 2003 4RUNNER from Apr. ’03 Prod. (OM35820U) ’03 4Runner_U (L/O 0305) OCTANE RATING However, all gasoline sold in the U.S. OXYGENATES IN GASOLINE Select Octane Rating 87 (Research contains detergent additives to keep clean Toyota allows the use of oxygenate Octane Number 91) or higher. For and/or clean intake systems. blended gasoline where the oxygenate improved vehicle performance, the use QUALITY GASOLINE content is up to 10% ethanol or 15% of premium unleaded gasoline with an Automotive manufacturers in the U.S., MTBE. If you use gasohol in your Octane Rating of 91 (Research Octane Europe and Japan have developed a Toyota, be sure that it has an octane Number 96) or higher is recommended. specification for quality fuel named rating no lower than 87. Use of unleaded gasoline with an octane World–Wide Fuel Charter (WWFC) that Toyota does not recommend the use of rating or research octane number lower is expected to be applied world wide. gasoline containing methanol. than stated above will cause persistent The WWFC consists of three categories GASOLINE CONTAINING MMT heavy knocking. If it is severe, this will that depend on required emission lev- lead to engine damage. els. In the U.S., category 3 has been Some gasoline contain an octane en- hancing additive called MMT (Methylcy- If your engine knocks... adopted. The WWFC improves air quality by providing for better emissions in clopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl). If you detect heavy knocking even when vehicle fleets, and customer satisfaction Toyota does not recommend the use of using the recommended fuel, or if you through better vehicle performance. gasoline that contains MMT. If fuel con- hear steady knocking while holding a CLEANER BURNING GASOLINE taining MMT is used, your emission con- steady speed on level roads, consult your trol system may be adversely affected. Toyota dealer. Cleaner burning gasoline, including re- The Malfunction Indicator Lamp on the in- However, occasionally, you may notice formulated gasoline that contains oxy- strument cluster may come on. If this hap- light knocking for a short time while accel- genates such as ethanol or MTBE is pens, contact your Toyota dealer for ser- erating or driving up hills. This is normal available in many areas. vice. and there is no need for concern. Toyota recommends the use of cleaner GASOLINE QUALITY burning gasoline and appropriately blended GASOLINE CONTAINING DETERGENT In a very few cases, you may experience ADDITIVES reformulated gasoline. These types of gasoline provide excellent vehicle perfor- driveability problems caused by the partic- Toyota recommends the use of gasoline mance, reduce vehicle emissions, and im- ular gasoline that you are using. If you that contains detergent additives to prove air quality. continue to have unacceptable driveability, avoid build–up of engine deposits. try changing gasoline brands. If this does not rectify your problem, then consult your Toyota dealer. 244 2003 4RUNNER from Apr. ’03 Prod. (OM35820U) ’03 4Runner_U (L/O 0305) Fuel pump shut off system Operation in foreign countries The fuel pump shut off system stops sup- If you plan to drive your Toyota in NOTICE plying fuel to the engine to minimize the another country... z Do not use gasohol other than risk of fuel leakage when the engine stalls First, comply with the vehicle registration stated above. It will cause fuel sys- or an airbag inflates upon collision. To laws. tem damage or vehicle performance restart the engine after the fuel pump shut Second, confirm the availability of the cor- problems. off system activates, turn the ignition switch to “ACC” or “LOCK” once and start rect fuel (unleaded and minimum octane z If driveability problems occur (poor it. number). hot starting, vaporizing, engine knock, etc.), discontinue the use. CAUTION z Take care not to spill gasohol during refueling. Gasohol may cause Inspect the ground under the vehicle paint damage. before restarting the engine. If you find that liquid has leaked onto the FUEL TANK CAPACITY ground, it is the fuel system has 87 L (23.0 gal., 19.1 Imp. gal.) been damaged and it is in need of repair. In this case, do not restart the engine. 245 2003 4RUNNER from Apr. ’03 Prod. (OM35820U) ’03 4Runner_U (L/O 0305) Three–way catalytic converters The three–way catalytic converter is an NOTICE emission control device installed in the exhaust system. A large amount of unburned gases The purpose is to reduce pollutants in the flowing into the three–way catalytic exhaust gas. converter may cause it to overheat and create a fire hazard. To prevent CAUTION this and other damage, observe the following precautions: D Keep people and combustible mate- z Use only unleaded gasoline. rials away from the exhaust pipe z Do not drive with an extremely low while the engine is running. The fuel level; running out of fuel could exhaust gas is very hot. cause the engine to misfire, creat- D Do not idle or park your vehicle ing an excessive load on the three– 1GR–FE engine over anything that might burn easi- way catalytic converter. ly such as grass, leaves, paper or z Do not allow the engine to run at rags.

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