Get Driving -> Off-road precautions Guide for Toyota 4 Runner SUV Fifth Generation (2010-2024)

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4-6. Driving tips

Off-road precautions

This vehicle belongs to the utility vehicle 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 off-road applications.

Off-road vehicle feature

● Specific design characteristics give it a higher center of gravity than

ordinary passenger 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 advantage of the higher ground clearance is a better view of the

road allowing you to anticipate problems.

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● It is not designed for cornering at the same speeds as ordinary pas-

senger cars any more than low-slung sports cars designed to per-

form satisfactorily under off-road conditions. Therefore, sharp turns

at excessive speeds may cause rollover.

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4-6. Driving tips

WARNING

■Off-road vehicle precautions

Always observe the following precautions to minimize the risk of death, seri-

ous injury or damage to your vehicle:

●In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more likely to die

than a person wearing a seat belt. Therefore, the driver and all passengers

should always fasten their seat belts.

●Avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers, if at all possible.

Failure to operate this vehicle correctly may result in loss of control or

vehicle rollover causing death or serious injury.

●Loading cargo on the roof luggage carrier will make the center of the vehi-

cle gravity higher. Avoid high speeds, sudden starts, sharp turns, sudden

braking or abrupt maneuvers, otherwise it may result in loss of control or

vehicle rollover due to failure to operate this vehicle correctly.

●Always slow down in gusty crosswinds. Because of its profile and higher

center of gravity, your vehicle is more sensitive to side winds than an ordi-

nary passenger car. Slowing down will allow you to have better control.

●When driving off-road 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.

●Do not drive horizontally across steep slopes. Driving straight up or

straight down is preferred. Your vehicle (or any similar off-road vehicle)

can tip over sideways much more easily than forward or backward.

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4-6. Driving tips

Off-road driving

When driving your vehicle off-road, please observe the following pre-

cautions to ensure your driving enjoyment and to help prevent the clo-

sure of areas to off-road vehicles:

● Drive your vehicle only in areas where off-road vehicles are permit-

ted to travel.

● Respect private property. Get owner’s permission before entering

private property.

● Do not enter areas that are closed. Honor gates, barriers and signs

that restrict travel.

● Stay on established roads. When conditions are wet, driving tech-

niques should be changed or travel delayed to prevent damage to

roads.

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■Additional information for off-road driving

For owners in U.S. mainland, Hawaii and Puerto Rico:

To obtain additional information pertaining to driving your vehicle off-road,

consult the following organizations.

●State and Local Parks and Recreation Departments

●State Motor Vehicle Bureau

●Recreational Vehicle Clubs

●U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management

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4-6. Driving tips

WARNING

■Off-road driving precautions

Always observe the following precautions to minimize the risk of death, seri-

ous injury or damage to your vehicle:

●Drive carefully when off the road. Do not take unnecessary risks by driving

in dangerous places.

●Do not grip the steering wheel spokes when driving off-road. A bad bump

could jerk the wheel and injure your hands. Keep both hands and espe-

cially your thumbs on the outside of the rim.

●Always check your brakes for effectiveness immediately after driving in

sand, mud, water or snow.

●After driving through tall grass, mud, rock, sand, rivers, etc., check that

there is no grass, bush, paper, rags, stone, sand, etc. adhering or trapped

on the underbody. Clear off any such matter from the underbody. If the

vehicle is used with these materials trapped or adhering to the underbody,

a breakdown or fire could occur.

●In a rollover crash, an unbelted person 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 moving.

●When driving off-road 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.

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4-6. Driving tips

NOTICE

■To prevent water damage

Take all necessary safety measures to ensure that water damage to the

engine or other components does not occur.

●Water entering the engine air intake will cause severe engine damage.

●Water entering the automatic transmission will cause deterioration in shift

quality, locking up of your transmission accompanied by vibration, and ulti-

mately damage.

●Water can wash the grease from wheel bearings, causing rusting and pre-

mature failure, and may also enter the differentials, transmission and

transfer case, reducing the gear oil’s lubricating qualities.

■When you drive through water

If driving through water, such as when crossing shallow streams, first check

the depth of the water and the bottom of the riverbed for firmness. Drive

slowly and avoid deep water.

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■Inspection after off-road driving

●Sand and mud that has accumulated in brake drums and around brake

discs may affect braking efficiency and may damage brake system compo-

nents.

●Always perform a maintenance inspection after each day of off-road driv-

ing that has taken you through rough terrain, sand, mud, or water. For

scheduled maintenance information, refer to the “Scheduled Maintenance

Guide” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”.

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Driving -> Off-road precautions for Your Toyota 4 Runner SUV Fifth Generation (2010-2024)

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