Get INCASEOFANEMERGENCY -> If your vehicle needs to be towed Guide for Toyota 4 Runner SUV Fourth Generation (2003-2009)

07 12.25

If your vehicle needs to be

towed—

If your vehicle becomes stuck

If your vehicle becomes stuck in snow,

mud, sand, etc., then you may attempt

to rock the vehicle free by moving it

forward and backward.

(a) Towing with wheel lift type truck—

NOTICE

If you rock your vehicle, observe the

following precautions to prevent dam-

age to the transmission and other

parts.

—From front

Turn off the traction control system to

become unstuck to allow the tires to

spin enough to remove the vehicle from

the obstruction. (For details, see

“Traction control system” on page 175

in Section 1−7.)

z Do not depress the accelerator ped-

al while shifting the selector lever

or before the transmission is com-

pletely shifted to forward or reverse

gear.

—From rear

CAUTION

z Do not race the engine and avoid

spinning the wheels.

Do not attempt to rock the vehicle

free by moving it forward and back-

ward if people or objects are any-

where near the vehicle. During the

rocking operation the vehicle may

suddenly move forward or backward

as it becomes unstuck, causing injury

or damage to nearby people or ob-

jects.

z If your vehicle remains stuck after

rocking the vehicle several times,

consider other ways such as tow-

ing.

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(b) Using flat bed truck

Two−wheel drive models

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07 12.25

If towing is necessary, we recommend

you to have it done by your Toyota

dealer or a commercial tow truck ser-

vice. In consultation with them, have

your vehicle towed using either (a) or

(b).

TOWING PRECAUTIONS:

(a) Towing with wheel lift type truck—

—From front

Use a safety chain system for all towing,

and abide by the state/provincial and local

laws. The wheels and axle on the ground

must be in good condition. If they are

damaged, use a towing dolly.

Only when you cannot receive a towing

service from

a

Toyota dealer or

CAUTION

commercial tow truck service, tow your

vehicle carefully in accordance with the

instructions given in “—Emergency

towing” on page 408 in this Section.

Vehicles with rear height control air

suspension: When your vehicle is

towed, put the vehicle height in the

“N” (normal) mode and push the

“HEIGHT CONTROL OFF” switch to

turn off the rear height control air

suspension. Otherwise, the vehicle

height may be changed in the auto-

matic leveling function, resulting in

accident. For details, see “Rear

height control air suspension” on

page 191 in Section 1−7.

—From rear

Proper equipment will help ensure that

your vehicle is not damaged while being

towed. Commercial operators are generally

aware of the state/provincial and local

laws pertaining to towing.

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Your vehicle can be damaged if it is

towed incorrectly. Although most operators

know the correct procedure, it is possible

to make a mistake. To avoid damage to

your vehicle, make sure the following pre-

cautions are observed. If necessary, show

this page to the tow truck driver.

(b) Using flat bed truck

Four−wheel drive models

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07 12.25

Two−wheel drive models—

Four−wheel drive models—

NOTICE

(a) Towing with wheel lift type truck

z When lifting wheels, take care to

ensure adequate ground clearance

for towing at the opposite end of

the raised vehicle. Otherwise, the

bumper and/or underbody of the

towed vehicle will be damaged dur-

ing towing.

From front—Use a towing dolly under the

rear wheels.

FULL−TIME

MODELS

FOUR

WHEEL

DRIVE

Use a towing dolly under the wheels not

lifted by the truck.

NOTICE

Never tow a vehicle from the front

with the rear wheels on the ground,

as this may cause serious damage to

the transmission.

MULTI−MODE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE

MODELS

z Do not tow with the key removed or

in the “LOCK” position when tow-

ing from the rear without a towing

dolly. The steering lock mechanism

is not strong enough to hold the

front wheels straight.

From front—Use a towing dolly under the

rear wheels.

From rear—Place the engine switch in the

“ACC” position.

NOTICE

Never tow a vehicle from the front

with the rear wheels on the ground,

as this may cause serious damage to

the transmission.

NOTICE

(b) Using flat bed truck

z When lifting wheels, take care to

ensure adequate ground clearance

for towing at the opposite end of

the raised vehicle. Otherwise, the

bumper and/or underbody of the

towed vehicle will be damaged dur-

ing towing.

From rear—We recommend using a tow-

ing dolly under the front wheels. If you do

not use a towing dolly, place the engine

switch in the “ACC” position, put the

transmission in “N” and the multi−mode

control switch knob in “H2”.

z Do not tow with the key removed or

in the “LOCK” position, as the

steering lock mechanism is not

strong enough to hold the front

wheels straight while towing.

(b) Using flat bed truck

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07 12.25

—Emergency towing

NOTICE

(c) Towing with sling

type truck

z Only use specified towing eyelet;

otherwise your vehicle may be dam-

aged.

z Never tow a vehicle from the rear

with four wheels on the ground.

This may cause serious damage to

the transmission.

CY40014

CY40061

A driver must be in the vehicle to steer

it and operate the brakes.

Towing in this manner may be done only

on hard−surfaced roads for a short dis-

tance and at low speeds. Also, the

wheels, axles, drive train, steering and

brakes must all be in good condition.

All models—

If towing is necessary, we recommend

you to have it done by your Toyota

dealer or a commercial tow truck ser-

vice.

(c) Towing with sling type truck

NOTICE

If towing service is not available in an

emergency, your vehicle may be tempo-

rarily towed by a cable or chain se-

cured to one of the emergency towing

eyelets under the front of the vehicle.

Use extreme caution when towing the

vehicles.

Do not tow with sling type truck, ei-

ther from the front or rear. This may

cause body damage.

CAUTION

Use extreme caution when towing ve-

hicles. Avoid sudden starts or erratic

driving maneuvers which would place

excessive stress on the emergency

towing eyelet and towing cable or

chain. The eyelet and towing cable or

chain may break and cause serious

injury or damage.

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07 12.25

—Emergency towing eyelet

precautions

D Before emergency towing, check that

the eyelet is not broken or damaged

and that the installation bolts are not

loose.

NOTICE

CAUTION

Use only a cable or chain specifically

intended for use in towing vehicles.

Securely fasten the cable or chain to

the towing eyelet provided.

If the emergency towing eyelet is

used to get out when your vehicle

becomes struck in mud, sand or oth-

er condition from which the vehicle

cannot be driven out under its own

power, make sure to observe the pre-

cautions mentioned below. Otherwise,

excessive stress will be put on the

eyelet and the towing cable or chain

may break, causing serious injury or

damage.

D Fasten the towing cable or chain se-

curely to the eyelet.

D Do not jerk the eyelet. Apply steady

Before towing, release the parking brake

and put the transmission in “N”. The en-

gine switch must be in “ACC” (engine off)

or “ON” (engine running).

and even force.

D To avoid damaging the eyelet, do not

pull from the side or at

a

vertical

angle. Always pull straight ahead.

Four−wheel drive models—On multi−mode

four−wheel drive models, put the multi−

mode control switch knob in “H2”. On full−

time four−wheel drive models, unlock the

center differential.

D If the towing vehicle can hardly

move, do not forcibly continue the

towing. Contact your Toyota dealer

or a commercial tow truck service

for assistance.

CAUTION

D Tow the vehicle as straight ahead

as possible.

If the engine is not running, the pow-

er assist for the brakes and steering

will not work so steering and braking

will be much harder than usual.

D Keep away from the vehicle during

towing.

409

INCASEOFANEMERGENCY -> If your vehicle needs to be towed for Your Toyota 4 Runner SUV Fourth Generation (2003-2009)

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