INFORMATIONBEFOREDRIVINGYOURTOYOTA -> Off?road vehicle precautions for Your Toyota 4 Runner SUV Fourth Generation (2003-2009)

07 12.25  
Offroad vehicle precautions  
This vehicle belongs to the utility ve-  
hicle class, which has higher ground  
clearance and narrower tread in relation  
to the height of its center of gravity to  
make it capable of performing in a wide  
variety of offroad applications. Specific  
design characteristics give it a higher  
center of gravity than ordinary passen-  
ger cars. This vehicle design feature  
causes this type of vehicle to be more  
likely to rollover. And, utility vehicles  
have a significantly higher rollover rate  
than other types of vehicles. An advan-  
tage of the higher ground clearance is  
a better view of the road allowing you  
to anticipate problems. It is not de-  
signed for cornering at the same  
speeds as ordinary passenger cars any  
more than lowslung sports cars de-  
signed to perform satisfactorily under  
offroad conditions. Therefore, sharp  
turns at excessive speeds may cause  
rollover.  
CAUTION  
Always observe the following precau-  
tions to minimize the risk of serious  
personal injury or damage to your ve-  
hicle:  
D In a rollover crash, an unbelted per-  
son is significantly more likely to  
die than a person wearing a seat  
belt. Therefore, the driver and all  
passengers should fasten their seat  
belts whenever the vehicle is mov-  
ing.  
D Avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneu-  
vers, if at all possible. Failure to  
operate this vehicle correctly may  
result in loss of control or vehicle  
rollover causing death or serious  
injury.  
D Loading cargo on the roof luggage  
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 cor-  
rectly.  
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07 12.25  
Breakin period  
Fuel  
Drive gently and avoid high speeds.  
FUEL TYPE  
D Always slow down in gusty cross-  
winds. Because of its profile and  
higher center of gravity, your ve-  
hicle is more sensitive to side  
winds than an ordinary passenger  
car. Slowing down will allow you to  
have better control.  
Your vehicle does not need an elaborate  
breakin. But following a few simple tips  
for the first 1600 km (1000 miles) can add  
to the future economy and long life of  
your vehicle:  
Your new vehicle must use only un-  
leaded gasoline.  
To help prevent gas station mixups, your  
Toyota has a smaller fuel tank opening.  
The special nozzle on pumps with un-  
leaded fuel will fit it, but the larger stan-  
dard nozzle on pumps with leaded gas will  
not.  
D Avoid full throttle acceleration when  
starting and driving.  
D When driving offroad or in rugged  
terrain, do not drive at excessive  
speeds, jump, make sharp turns,  
strike objects, etc. This may cause  
loss of control or vehicle rollover  
causing death or serious injury. You  
are also risking expensive damage  
to your vehicle’s suspension and  
chassis.  
D Avoid racing the engine.  
At  
a
minimum, the gasoline you use  
D Try to avoid hard stops during the first  
should meet the specifications of ASTM  
D4814 in the U.S.A. and CGSB 3.5M93  
in Canada.  
300 km (200 miles).  
D Do not drive for a long time at any  
single speed, either fast or slow.  
NOTICE  
D Do not tow a trailer during the first 800  
km (500 miles).  
Do not use leaded gasoline. Use of  
leaded gasoline will cause the three  
way catalytic converter to lose its ef-  
fectiveness and the emission control  
system to function improperly. Also,  
this can increase maintenance costs.  
D Do not drive horizontally across  
steep slopes. Driving straight up or  
straight down is preferred. Your ve-  
hicle (or any similar offroad ve-  
hicle) can tip over sideways much  
more easily than forward or back-  
ward.  
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