Driving -> Driving procedures for Your Toyota 4 Runner SUV Fifth Generation (2010-2024)

199  
4-2. Driving procedures  
Engine (ignition) switch  
Performing the following operations when carrying the elec-  
tronic key on your person starts the engine or changes engine  
switch modes.  
Starting the engine  
1
2
3
Check that the parking brake is set.  
Check that the shift lever is set in P.  
Firmly depress the brake pedal.  
and a message will be displayed on the multi-information display.  
If it is not displayed, the engine cannot be started.  
4
Press the engine switch shortly  
and firmly.  
4
When operating the engine switch,  
one short, firm press is enough. It  
is not necessary to press and hold  
the switch.  
The engine will crank until it starts  
or for up to 30 seconds, whichever  
is less.  
Continue depressing the brake  
pedal until the engine is completely  
started.  
The engine can be started from  
any engine switch mode.  
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Stopping the engine  
4-2. Driving procedures  
1
2
3
4
Stop the vehicle.  
Set the parking brake (P. 211), and shift the shift lever to P.  
Press the engine switch.  
Release the brake pedal and check that “ACCESSORY” or “IGNI-  
TION ON” is not shown on the meter.  
Changing engine switch modes  
Modes can be changed by pressing the engine switch with brake  
pedal released. (The mode changes each time the switch is pressed.)  
Off*  
1
The emergency flashers can be  
used.  
ACCESSORY mode  
2
Some electrical components such  
as the audio system can be used.  
“ACCESSORY” will be displayed  
on the multi-information display.  
IGNITION ON mode  
3
All electrical components can be  
used.  
“IGNITION ON” will be displayed  
on the multi-information display.  
*: If the shift lever is in a position other than P when turning off the engine,  
the engine switch will be turned to ACCESSORY mode, not to off.  
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4-2. Driving procedures  
When stopping the engine with the shift lever in a position other  
than P  
If the engine is stopped with the shift lever in a position other than P,  
the engine switch will not be turned off but instead be turned to  
ACCESSORY mode. Perform the following procedure to turn the  
switch off:  
1
2
3
Check that the parking brake is set.  
Shift the shift lever to P.  
Check that “Turn Power Off” is displayed on the multi-information  
display and then press the engine switch once.  
4
Check that “Turn Power Off” on the multi-information display is  
turned off.  
Auto power off function  
4
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode for more than 20 minutes or IGNI-  
TION ON mode (the engine is not running) for more than an hour with the  
shift lever in P, the engine switch will automatically turn off. However, this  
function cannot entirely prevent battery discharge. Do not leave the vehicle  
with the engine switch in ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode for long peri-  
ods of time when the engine is not running.  
Automatic engine shut off feature  
The vehicle is equipped with a feature that automatically shuts off the  
engine when the shift lever is in P with the engine running for an extended  
period.  
The engine will automatically shut off after approximately 1 hour if it has  
been left running while the shift lever is in P.  
The timer for the automatic engine shut off feature will reset if the brake  
pedal is depressed or if the shift lever is in a position other than P.  
After the vehicle is parked, if the door is locked with the door lock switch  
(P. 108) from the inside or the mechanical key (P. 512) from the outside,  
the automatic engine shut off feature will be disabled. The timer for the auto-  
matic engine shut off feature will be re-enabled if the driver’s door is  
opened.  
Electronic key battery depletion  
P. 104  
Conditions affecting operation  
P. 117  
Notes for the entry function  
P. 118  
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4-2. Driving procedures  
If the engine does not start  
The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. (P. 78)  
Contact your Toyota dealer.  
Check that the shift lever is securely set in P. The engine may not start if the  
shift lever is displaced out of P.  
When a message requesting the smart key system be inspected is dis-  
played on the multi-information display  
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your  
Toyota dealer immediately.  
If the electronic key battery is depleted  
P. 447  
Operation of the engine switch  
If the switch is not pressed shortly and firmly, the engine switch mode may  
not change or the engine may not start.  
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4-2. Driving procedures  
WARNING  
When starting the engine  
Always start the engine while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the  
accelerator pedal while starting the engine under any circumstances.  
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.  
Caution while driving  
If engine failure occurs while the vehicle is moving, do not lock or open the  
doors until the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop.  
Stopping the engine in an emergency  
If you want to stop the engine in an emergency while driving the vehicle,  
press and hold the engine switch for more than 2 seconds, or press it  
briefly 3 times or more in succession. (P. 467)  
However, do not touch the engine switch while driving except in an emer-  
gency. Turning the engine off while driving will not cause loss of steering or  
braking control, but the power assist to these systems will be lost. This will  
make it more difficult to steer and brake, so you should pull over and stop  
the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.  
4
If the engine switch is operated while the vehicle is running, a warning  
message will be shown on the multi-information display and a buzzer  
sounds.  
When parking  
Exhaust gases include harmful carbon monoxide (CO), which is colorless  
and odorless. Observe the following precautions.  
Failure to do so may cause exhaust gases to enter the vehicle and may  
lead to an accident caused by light-headedness, or may lead to death or a  
serious health hazard.  
If the vehicle is in a poorly ventilated area or a closed area, such as a  
garage, stop the engine.  
Do not leave the vehicle with the engine running for a long time. If such a  
situation cannot be avoided, park the vehicle in an open space and ensure  
that exhaust fumes do not enter the vehicle interior.  
Do not leave the engine running in an area with snow build-up, or where it  
is snowing. If snowbanks build up around the vehicle while the engine is  
running, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle.  
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4-2. Driving procedures  
NOTICE  
To prevent battery discharge  
Do not leave the engine switch in ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode  
for long periods of time without the engine running.  
If “ACCESSORY” or “IGNITION ON” is displayed on the multi-information  
display, the engine switch is not off. Exit the vehicle after turning the  
engine switch off.  
Do not stop the engine when the shift lever is in a position other than P. If  
the engine is stopped in another shift lever position, the engine switch will  
not be turned off but instead be turned to ACCESSORY mode. If the vehi-  
cle is left in ACCESSORY mode, battery discharge may occur.  
When starting the engine  
Do not race a cold engine.  
If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have your vehi-  
cle checked by your Toyota dealer immediately.  
Symptoms indicating a malfunction with the engine switch  
If the engine switch seems to be operating somewhat differently than usual,  
such as the switch sticking slightly, there may be a malfunction. Contact  
your Toyota dealer immediately.  
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4-2. Driving procedures  
Automatic transmission  
Shifting the shift lever  
4
While the engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode, move the  
shift lever with the brake pedal depressed.  
When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the  
vehicle is completely stopped.  
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4-2. Driving procedures  
Shift position purpose  
Shift position  
Objective or function  
Parking the vehicle/starting the engine  
Reversing  
P
R
N
D
S
Neutral  
Normal driving*1  
S mode driving*2  
*1: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noises, set the shift lever in the D  
position for normal driving.  
*2: Selecting shift ranges using S mode restricts the upper limit of the possible  
gear ranges, controls engine braking forces, and prevents unnecessary  
upshifting  
Changing shift ranges in S mode  
When the shift lever is in the S position, the shift lever can be oper-  
ated as follows:  
Upshifting  
1
2
Downshifting  
The initial shift range in S mode is set automatically to “4” according to  
vehicle speed. However, the initial shift range may be set to “3” if AI-  
SHIFT has operated while the shift lever was in the D position.  
(P. 207)  
Shift ranges and their functions  
You can choose from 5 levels of engine braking force.  
A lower shift range will provide greater engine braking force than a  
higher shift range, and the engine speed will also increase.  
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4-2. Driving procedures  
S mode  
When the shift range is “3” or lower, holding the shift lever toward “+” sets the  
shift range to “5”.  
AI-SHIFT  
AI-SHIFT automatically selects the optimal gear according to driver perfor-  
mance and driving conditions.  
AI-SHIFT automatically operates when the shift lever is in the D position.  
(Shifting the shift lever to the S position or paddle shifting cancels the func-  
tion.)  
The engine speed may remain high after releasing the accelerator pedal. This  
does not indicate a malfunction.  
When driving with Dynamic radar cruise control system  
Engine braking will not occur in S mode, even when downshifting to “3”.  
(P. 257)  
Restraining sudden start (Drive-start Control)  
P. 167  
Shift lock system  
4
The shift lock system is a system to prevent accidental operation of the shift  
lever in starting.  
The shift lever can be shifted from P only when the engine switch is in the  
IGNITION ON mode the brake pedal is depressed and the shift release but-  
ton is pushed.  
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4-2. Driving procedures  
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P  
First, check whether the brake pedal is being depressed.  
If the shift lever cannot be shifted with your foot on the brake pedal, there may  
be a problem with the shift lock system. Have the vehicle inspected by your  
Toyota dealer immediately.  
The following steps may be used as an emergency measure to ensure that  
the shift lever can be shifted.  
Releasing the shift lock:  
1
Set the parking brake.  
2
Turn the engine switch is off.  
3
Depress the brake pedal.  
4
Pry the cover up with a flathead screw-  
driver or equivalent tool.  
To prevent damage to the cover, cover  
the tip of the screwdriver with a rag.  
5
Press the shift lock override button.  
The shift lever can be shifted while the  
button is pressed.  
If the “S” indicator does not come on even after shifting the shift lever to  
S
This may indicate a malfunction in the automatic transmission system. Have  
the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.  
(In this situation, the transmission will operate in the same manner as when  
the shift lever is in D.)  
Downshift restriction warning buzzer (S mode)  
To help ensure safety and driving performance, downshifting operation may  
sometimes be restricted. In some circumstances, downshifting may not be  
possible even when the shift lever is operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.)  
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4-2. Driving procedures  
WARNING  
When driving on slippery road surfaces  
Be careful of downshifting and sudden acceleration, as this could result in  
the vehicle skidding to the side or spinning.  
To prevent an accident when releasing the shift lock  
Before pressing the shift lock override button, make sure to set the parking  
brake and depress the brake pedal.  
If the accelerator pedal is accidentally depressed instead of the brake pedal  
when the shift lock override button is pressed and the shift lever is shifted  
out of P, the vehicle may suddenly start, possibly leading to an accident  
resulting in death or serious injury.  
4
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4-2. Driving procedures  
Turn signal lever  
Operating instructions  
The lever will return to its original position after operation.  
Right turn  
1
2
Lane change to the right (push  
and hold the lever partway)  
The right hand signals will flash  
until you release the lever.  
Lane change to the left (push  
and hold the lever partway)  
3
4
The left hand signals will flash until  
you release the lever.  
Left turn  
Turn signals can be operated when  
The engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode.  
If the indicator flashes faster than usual  
Check that a light bulb in the front or rear turn signal lights has not burned  
out.  
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4-2. Driving procedures  
Parking brake  
To set the parking brake, fully  
depress the parking brake pedal  
with your left foot while depress-  
ing the brake pedal with your right  
foot.  
U.S.A. Canada  
(Depressing the pedal again  
releases the parking brake.)  
Parking the vehicle  
P. 166  
Usage in winter time  
P. 332  
4
NOTICE  
Before driving  
Fully release the parking brake.  
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to brake components  
overheating, which may affect braking performance and increase brake  
wear.  
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