Get Informationbeforedriving -> Brake system Guide for Toyota 4 Runner SUV Third Generation (1996-2002)

’01 4Runner_U (L/O 0008)

Brake system

This brake system has 2 independent hy-

draulic circuits. If either circuit should fail,

the other will still work. However, the ped-

al will be harder to press, and your stop-

ping distance will be longer. Also, the

brake system warning light may come on.

Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly

ANTI−LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM

(with “ABS” warning light)

may turn on the brake system warning

light and buzzer. It is normal if the light

turns off and the buzzer stops sounding

after a few seconds.

The anti−lock brake system is designed

to help prevent lock−up of the wheels

during a sudden braking or braking on

slippery road surfaces. This assists in

providing directional stability and steer-

ing performance of the vehicle under

these circumstances.

You may hear a small sound in the engine

compartment after the engine is started or

the brake pedal is depressed repeatedly.

This is a pump pulsating sound of the

brake system, and it is not a malfunction.

CAUTION

Do not drive your vehicle with only a

single brake system. Have your

brakes fixed immediately.

Effective way to press the ABS brake

pedal: When the anti−lock brake system

function is in action, you may feel the

brake pedal pulsating and hear a noise.

In this situation, to let the anti−lock

brake system work for you, just hold the

brake pedal down more firmly. Do not

pump the brake in a panic stop. This

will result in reduced braking performan-

ce.

CAUTION

D Do not pump the brake pedal if the

engine stalls. Each push on the

pedal uses up your brake fluid

pressure reserve.

BRAKE BOOSTER

The brake booster uses brake fluid pres-

surized by the pump to power−assist the

brakes. If the brake booster fails during

driving, the brake system warning light

comes on and buzzer sounds continuous-

ly. In this case, the brakes may not work

properly. If they do not work well, depress

the brake pedal firmly. If the brake system

warning light comes on, immediately stop

your vehicle and contact your Toyota deal-

er.

D Even if the power assist is com-

pletely lost, the brakes will still

work. But you will have to push the

pedal hard, much harder than nor-

mal. And your braking distance will

be longer.

The anti−lock brake system becomes op-

erative after the vehicle has accelerated

to a speed in excess of approximately 10

km/h (6 mph). It stops operating when the

vehicle decelerates to

approximately 5 km/h (3 mph).

speed below

The brake system warning light may stay

on for about 60 seconds after the ignition

key is turned to the “ON” position. It is

normal if the light turns off after a while.

2001 4RUNNER (OM35768U)

197

’01 4Runner_U (L/O 0008)

Depressing the brake pedal on slippery

road surfaces such as on the manhole

cover, the steel plate under the construc-

tion, joints in the bridge, etc. on a rainy

day tends to activate the anti−lock brake

system.

D Driving with tire chains installed.

CAUTION

D Driving over the steps such as the

joints on the road.

Do not overestimate the anti−lock

brake system: Although the anti−lock

brake system assists in providing ve-

hicle control, it is still important to

drive with all due care and maintain

a moderate speed and safe distance

from the vehicle in front of you, be-

cause there are limits to the vehicle

stability and effectiveness of steering

wheel operation even with the anti−

lock brake system on.

D Driving on roads where the road

surface is pitted or has other differ-

ences in surface height.

You may hear a click or motor sound in

the engine compartment for a few seconds

when the engine is started or just after

the vehicle is started. This means that the

anti−lock brake system is in the self−

check mode, and does not indicate a mal-

function.

Install all 4 tires of specified size at

appropriate pressure: The anti−lock

brake system detects vehicle speeds

using the speed sensors for respec-

tive wheels’ turning speeds. The use

of tires other than specified may fail

to detect the accurate turning speed

When the anti−lock brake system is ac-

tivated, the following conditions may

occur. They do not indicate a malfunc-

tion of the system:

If tires grip performance exceeds its

capability, or if hydroplaning occurs

during high speed driving in the rain,

the anti−lock brake system does not

provide vehicle control.

resulting in

tance.

longer stopping dis-

D You may hear the anti−lock brake sys-

tem operating and feel the brake pedal

pulsating and the vibrations of the ve-

hicle body and steering wheel. You

may also hear the motor sound in the

engine compartment even after the ve-

hicle is stopped.

Anti−lock brake system is not de-

signed to shorten the stopping dis-

tance: Always drive at the moderate

speed and maintain a safe distance

from the vehicle in front of you.

Compared with vehicles without an

anti−lock brake system, your vehicle

D At the end of the anti−lock brake sys-

tem activation, the brake pedal may

move a little forward.

may require

tance in the following cases:

longer stopping dis-

D Driving on rough, gravel or snow−

covered roads.

2001 4RUNNER (OM35768U)

198

’01 4Runner_U (L/O 0008)

“ABS” warning light

If either of the following conditions oc-

curs, this indicates a malfunction some-

where in the parts monitored by the

warning light system. Contact your To-

yota dealer as soon as possible to ser-

vice the vehicle.

The light comes on when the ignition key

is turned to the “ON” position. If the anti−

lock brake system and the brake assist

system work properly, the light turns off

after a few seconds. Thereafter, if either

of the systems malfunctions, the light

comes on again.

D The light does not come on when the

ignition key is turned to the “ON” posi-

tion, or remains on.

When the “ABS” warning light is on (and

the brake system warning light is off), the

anti−lock brake system, the brake assist

system, the traction control system (two−

wheel drive vehicles), the active traction

control system (four−wheel drive vehicles)

and the vehicle skid control system do not

operate, but the brake system still oper-

ates conventionally.

D The light comes on while you are dri-

ving.

A warning light turning on briefly during

operation does not indicate a problem.

Type A

CAUTION

If the “ABS” warning light remains on

together with the brake system warn-

ing light, immediately stop your ve-

hicle at a safe place and contact your

Toyota dealer.

When the “ABS” warning light is on (and

the brake system warning light is off), the

anti−lock brake system does not operate

so that the wheels could lock up during

a sudden braking or braking on slippery

road surfaces.

In this case, not only the anti−lock

brake system will fail but also the

vehicle will become extremely unsta-

ble during braking.

“TRC” or “VSC/TRAC” warning light may

come on with the “ABS” warning light

(brake assist system warning light) when

there is a malfunction somewhere in the

anti−lock brake system (brake assist sys-

tem).

Type B

2001 4RUNNER (OM35768U)

199

’01 4Runner_U (L/O 0008)

Brake pad wear limit indicators

Either of the following conditions do

not indicate the malfunction.

For an explanation of this system’s warn-

ing light, see “Service reminder indicators

and warning buzzers” in Section 1−5.

D The light may stay on for about 60

seconds after the ignition key is turned

to the “ON” position. It is normal if it

turns off after a while.

D Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly

may turn on the light. It is normal if it

turns off after a few seconds.

BRAKE ASSIST SYSTEM

When you slam the brakes on, the

brake assist system judges as an emer-

gency stop and provides more powerful

braking for a driver who cannot hold

down the brake pedal firmly.

The brake pad wear limit indicators on

your disc brakes give a warning noise

when the brake pads are worn to where

replacement is required.

When you slam the brakes on, more pow-

erful braking will be applied. At this time,

If you hear a squealing or scraping noise

while driving, have the brake pads

checked and replaced by your Toyota

dealer as soon as possible. Expensive ro-

tor damage can result if the pads are not

replaced when necessary.

you may hear

sound in the engine

compartment and feel the vibrations of the

brake pedal. This does not indicate a mal-

function.

The brake assist system becomes opera-

tive after the vehicle has accelerated to

a speed in excess of approximately 10

km/h (6 mph). It stops operating when the

vehicle decelerates to

approximately 5 km/h (3 mph).

speed below

2001 4RUNNER (OM35768U)

200

Informationbeforedriving -> Brake system for Your Toyota 4 Runner SUV Third Generation (1996-2002)

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