Toyota 4RUNNER 1998 User manual

i
Foreword
Welcome to the growing group of value−conscious people who drive Toyotas. We
are proud of the advanced engineering and quality construction of each vehicle we
build.
This Owner’s Manual explains the features of your new Toyota. Please read it and
follow the instructions carefully so that you can enjoy many years of safe motoring.
When it comes to service, remember that your Toyota dealer knows your vehicle
best and is interested in your complete satisfaction. He will provide quality mainte-
nance and any other assistance you may require.
Please leave this Owner’s Manual in this vehicle at the time of resale. The next
owner will need this information also.
All information and specifications in this manual are current at the time of
printing. However, because of Toyota’s policy of continual product improve-
ment, we reserve the right to make changes at any time without notice.
Please note that this manual applies to all models and explains all equipment,
including options. Therefore, you may find some explanations for equipment
not installed on your vehicle.
©1997 TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION
All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or copied, in whole or in
part, without the written permission of Toyota Motor Corporation.

ii
New vehicle warranty
Your new vehicle is covered by the following Toyota
limited warranties:
DNew vehicle warranty
DEmission control systems warranty
DOthers
For further information, please refer to the separate
‘‘Owner’s Guide’’, ‘‘Owner’s Manual Supplement’’ or
‘‘Warranty Booklet’’.
Your responsibility for maintenance
It is owner’s responsibility to make sure that the speci-
fied maintenance is performed. Part 6 gives details of
these maintenance requirements. Also included in Part 6
is general maintenance. For scheduled maintenance in-
formation, please refer to the separate ‘‘Owner’s Manual
Supplement/Maintenance Schedule’’.
Accessories, spare parts and
modification of your Toyota
A wide variety of non−genuine spare parts and accesso-
ries for Toyota vehicles are currently available in the
market. You should know that Toyota does not warrant
these products and is not responsible either for their
performance, repair or replacement, or for any damage
they may cause to, or adverse effect they may have on,
your Toyota vehicle.
This vehicle should not be modified with non−genuine
Toyota products. Modification with non−genuine Toyota
products could affect its performance, safety or durabili-
ty, and may even violate governmental regulations. In
addition, damage or performance problems resulting from
the modification may not be covered under warranty.

iii
Spark ignition system of your
Toyota
The spark ignition system in your Toyota meets all re-
quirements of the Canadian Interference−Causing Equip-
ment Standard.
Installation of a mobile
two−way radio system
As the installation of a mobile two−way radio system in
your vehicle could affect electronic systems such as
multiport fuel injection system/sequential multiport fuel
injection system, cruise control system, anti−lock brake
system and SRS airbag system, be sure to check with
your Toyota dealer for precautionary measures or special
instructions regarding installation.
Scrapping of your Toyota
The SRS airbag devices in your Toyota contains explo-
sive chemicals. If the vehicle is scrapped with the air-
bags left as they are, it may cause an accident such as
a fire. Be sure to have the SRS airbag system removed
and disposed of by a quilified service shop or by your
Toyota dealer before you dispose of your vehicle.
On−pavement and off−road
driving tips
This vehicle will handle and maneuver differently from an
ordinary passenger car because it is also desinged for
off−road use. As with other vehicles of this type, failure
to operate this vehicle correctly may result in loss of
control or an accident. Be sure to read Off−road vehicle
precations" in Part 2 and Off−road driving precautions"
in Part 3.

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v
Part
1 OPERATION OF INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
Chapter Page
1−1 Overview of instruments and controls .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1−2 Keys and Doors.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
1−3 Seats, Seat belts, Steering wheel and Mirrors.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
1−4 Lights, Wipers and Defogger.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
1−5 Gauges, Meters and Service reminder indicators.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
1−6 Ignition switch, Transmission and Parking brake.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
1−7 Car audio system and Air conditioning system.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
1−8 Other equipment.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
2 INFORMATION BEFORE DRIVING YOUR TOYOTA .. . . . . . . . . . . . 139
3 STARTING AND DRIVING .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
4 IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
5 CORROSION PREVENTION AND APPEARANCE CARE .. . . . . . . 183
6 VEHICLE MAINTENANCE AND CARE .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
7 DO−IT−YOURSELF MAINTENANCE
Chapter
7−1 Introduction .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
7−2 Engine and Chassis .. . ...................................203
7−3 Electrical components .....................................211
8 SPECIFICATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
9 REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS FOR U.S. OWNERS
AND UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
10 INDEX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231

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Important information about this manual
Safety and vehicle damage warnings
In this manual, you will see CAUTION and NOTICE warn-
ings. These are used in the following ways:
CAUTION
This is a warning against something which may
cause injury to people if the warning is ignored.
You are informed what you must or must not do in
order to avoid or reduce the risk to yourself and
other people.
NOTICE
This is a warning against something which may
cause damage to the vehicle or its equipment if the
warning is ignored. You are informed what you
must or must not do in order to avoid or reduce
the risk of damage to your vehicle and its equip-
ment.
Safety symbol
In this manual, you will also see a circle
with a slash through it. This means ‘‘Do
not’’, ‘‘Do not do this’’, or ‘‘Do not let
this happen’’.

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1
Part 1
OPERATION OF
INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLS
Chapter 1−1
Overview of instruments
and controls
DInstrument panel overview
DInstrument cluster overview
DIndicator symbols on the
instrument panel

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Instrument panel overview
1. Side vent
2. Tilt steering lock release lever
3. Instrument cluster
4. Center vents
5. Personal lights
6. Electric moon roof switch
7. Glovebox
8. Power door lock switch
9. Power window switches
10. Automatic transmission selector lever or
manual transmission gear shift lever
11. Parking brake lever
12. Driving pattern selector button
13. Power back window switch
14. Front drive control lever
15. Lower vent
16. Hood lock release lever
17. Fuel filler door opener
18. Power rear view mirror control switch
(with power windows)

4RUNNER (ᝌᛆ)
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1. Clutch start cancel switch
2. Headlight and turn signal switch
3. Wiper and washer switches
4. Back window defogger switch
5. Emergency flasher switch
6. Clock
7. Cup holder
8. Air conditioning controls
9. Car audio
10. Ashtray
11. Cigarette lighter
12. Ignition switch
13. Cruise control switch
14. Rear differential lock switch
15. Instrument panel light control knob
16. Power rear view mirror control switch
(without power windows)
17. Power back window lock switch (without
power windows)

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Instrument cluster overview
1. Service reminder indicators or indicator
lights
2. Engine coolant temperature gauge
3. Tachometer
4. Speedometer
5. Odometer
6. Trip meter
7. Fuel gauge
8. Trip meter reset knob

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Indicator symbols on the instrument panel
Automatic transmission fluid temperature warning
light∗1
SRS airbag warning light∗1
Unengaged "Park" warning light∗1
Anti-lock brake system warning light∗1
Seat belt reminder light∗1
Open door warning light∗1
(type A)
(type B)
Low oil pressure warning light∗1
Low fuel level warning light∗1
Brake system warning light∗1
Discharge warning light∗1
Malfunction indicator lamp∗1
Low windshield washer fluid level warning light∗1
Headlight high beam indicator light
Overdrive−off indicator light
Turn signal indicator lights

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∗1:For details, see "Service reminder indicators and warning
 buzzers" in Chapter 1−5.
∗2:If this light flashes, see "Cruise control" in Chapter 1−6.
Cruise control indicator light∗2
Driving pattern ("POWER" mode) indicator light
Four−wheel drive indicator light
Rear differential lock indicator light
Automatic transmission indicator light

4RUNNER (ᝌᛆ)
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Part 1
OPERATION OF
INSTRUMENTS
AND CONTROLS
Chapter 1−2
Keys and Doors
DKeys
DSide doors
DPower windows
DPower back window
DBack door
DHood
DFuel tank cap
DElectric moon roof
Keys
Your vehicle is supplied with two kinds
of key.
1. Master keyThis key works in every
lock.
2. SubkeyThis key will not work in the
glovebox.
To protect things locked in the glovebox
when you have your vehicle parked, leave
the subkey with the attendant.
Since the doors can be locked without a
key, you should always carry a spare
master key in case you accidentally lock
your keys inside the vehicle.
KEY NUMBER PLATE
Your key number is shown on the plate.
Keep the plate in a safe place such as
your wallet, not in the vehicle.
If you should lose your keys or if you
need additional keys, duplicates can be
made by a Toyota dealer using the key
number.
You should also put a copy of the key
number with your important papers.

4RUNNER (ᝌᛆ)
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Side doors
LOCKING AND UNLOCKING WITH KEY
Insert the key into the keyhole and turn
it.
To lock: Turn the key forward.
To unlock: Turn the key backward.
Vehicles with power door lock system
All the side doors and back door lock and
unlock simultaneously with either front
door. In the driver’s door lock, turning the
key once will unlock the driver’s door and
twice in succession will unlock all the side
doors simultaneously.
LOCKING AND UNLOCKING WITH
INSIDE LOCK BUTTON
Move the lock button.
To lock: Push the button downward.
To unlock: Pull the button upward.
Closing the door with the lock button
pushed in will also lock the door. Be care-
ful not to lock your keys in the vehicle.
Vehicles with power door lock sys-
temThe front doors cannot be locked if
you leave the key in the ignition switch.
Driver’s side
Front passenger’s side
With power window

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Front passenger’s side
Driver’s side
Without power window
LOCKING AND UNLOCKING WITH
POWER DOOR LOCK SWITCH
Push the switch.
To lock: Push the switch on the front side.
To unlock: Push the switch on the rear
side.
All the doors lock or unlock simultaneous-
ly.
REAR DOOR CHILD−PROTECTORS
Move the lock lever to the "LOCK"
position as shown on the label.
This feature allows you to lock a rear
door so it can be opened from the outside
only, not from inside. We recommend us-
ing this feature whenever small children
are in the vehicle.

4RUNNER (ᝌᛆ)
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CAUTION
Before driving, be sure that the
doors are closed and locked, espe-
cially when small children are in the
vehicle. Along with the proper use of
seat belts, locking the doors helps
prevent the driver and passengers
from being thrown out from the ve-
hicle during an accident. It also helps
prevent the doors from being opened
unintentionally.
Power windows
The windows can be operated with the
switch on each side door.
The power windows work when the ignition
switch is in the "ON" position. However,
if both front side doors are closed, they
work for 43 seconds even after the igni-
tion switch is turned off. They stop work-
ing when either front side door is opened.
OPERATING THE DRIVER’S WINDOW
Use the switch on the driver’s door.
Normal operation: The window moves as
long as you hold the switch.
To open: Lightly push down the switch.
To close: Pull up the switch.
Automatic operation (to open only):
Push the switch completely down and then
release it. The window will fully open. To
stop the window partway, lightly pull the
switch up and then release it.

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11
Window lock
button
OPERATING THE PASSENGERs’
WINDOW
Use the switch on the passenger’s
door. The driver’s door also has a
switch that controls the passengers’
window.
The window moves as long as you hold
the switch.
To open: Push down the switch.
To close: Pull up the switch.
If you push in the window lock button on
the driver’s door, the passengers’ window
cannot be operated.
CAUTION
To avoid serious personal injury, you
must do the following.
DAlways make sure the head, hands
and other parts of the body of all
occupants are kept completely in-
side the vehicle before you close
the power windows. If someone’s
neck, head or hands gets caught in
a closing window, it could result in
a serious injury. When anyone
closes the power windows, be sure
that they operate the windows safe-
ly.
DWhen small children are in the ve-
hicle, never let them use the power
window switches without supervi-
sion. Use the window lock button to
prevent them from making unex-
pected use of the switches.
DNever leave small children alone in
the vehicle, especially with the igni-
tion key still inserted. They could
use the power window switches and
get trapped in a window. Unat-
tended children can become in-
volved in serious accidents.

4RUNNER (ᝌᛆ)
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Power back window
The back window can be operated with
the inner switch on the center console
or outer switch on the back door.
OPERATING FROM INSIDE
The ignition key must be in the "ON" posi-
tion.
The back window moves as long as you
hold the inner switch.
To open: Push the switch on the "DOWN"
side.
To close: Push the switch on the "UP"
side.
You can also open the back window when
the back window wiper is working. At that
time, the wiper stops working until the
window is closed again.
If you push in the window lock button on
the driver’s door (with power window) or
on the instrument panel (without power
window), the back window cannot be oper-
ated.
With power window (driver’s door)
Without power window (instrument panel)

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OPERATING FROM OUTSIDE
After turning and holding the key for a few
seconds. the back window will move as
far as holding the key.
To open: Turn the key counterclockwise.
To close: Turn the key clockwise.
You can also open the back window when
the back window wiper is working. At the
time, the wiper stops working until the
window is closed again.
CAUTION
To avoid serious personal injury, you
must do the following.
DAlways make sure the head, hands
and other parts of the body of all
occupants are kept completely in-
side the vehicle before you close
the power back window. If some-
one’s neck, head or hands gets
caught in a closing window, it
could result in a serious injury.
When anyone closes the power
back window, be sure that they op-
erate the window safely.
DWhen small children are in the ve-
hicle, never let them use the power
back window switch without super-
vision. Use the window lock button
to prevent them from making unex-
pected use of the switch.
DNever leave small children alone in
the vehicle, especially with the igni-
tion key still inserted. They could
use the power back window switch
and get trapped in a window. Unat-
tended children can become in-
volved in serious accidents.
DKeep the back window closed while
driving. This not only keeps the
luggage from being thrown out but
also prevents exhaust gases from
entering the vehicle.
Back door
LOCKING AND UNLOCKING WITH KEY
Insert the key into the keyhole and turn
it.
To lock: Turn the key clockwise.
To unlock: Turn the key counterclockwise.
The back door will be controlled by oper-
ating the power door lock switch.
When closing the back door, make sure
it is fully closed.
See "Luggage stowage precautions" in
Partȡ2 for precautions to observe in load-
ing luggage.

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14
CAUTION
Keep the back window and back door
closed while driving. This not only
keeps the luggage from being thrown
out but also prevents exhaust gases
from entering the vehicle.
Driver’s side
Front passenger’s side
Type A
Front passenger’s side
Driver’s side
Type B