Toyota 4Runner (2024 year). Manual in english - page 11

 

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Toyota 4Runner (2024 year). Manual in english - page 11

 

 

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Multi-terrain Select is temporarily canceled when

The front-wheel drive control lever is shifted to H4 when Multi-terrain Select is

in ROCK, MOGUL or LOOSE ROCK mode. The mode indicator will flash until

the lever is shifted back to L4.

If the Multi-terrain Select indicator continues to flash

This may indicate a malfunction in the Multi-terrain Select system. 

In this case, Multi-terrain Select is automatically canceled. Have your vehicle

inspected by your Toyota dealer.

If the Multi-terrain Select indicator goes off while Multi-terrain Select is

operating

One of the vehicle systems related to Multi-terrain Select may be malfunc-

tioning.

Have your vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer.

The brake actuator may be at risk of overheating.

A buzzer will sound, the “A-TRAC” indicator will go off and the “TRAC OFF”

indicator will come on. Stop the vehicle in a safe place. Refrain from using

Multi-terrain Select until the “A-TRAC” indicator comes back on and the

“TRAC OFF” indicator goes off. (The vehicle can still be driven, even if Multi-

terrain Select is inoperative.)

In the above cases, Multi-terrain Select is automatically canceled.

WARNING

Before driving

To avoid an accident, observe the precautions relating to off-road driving.

(

P. 335)

When using Multi-terrain Select

Do not use the Multi-terrain Select system for normal (on-road) driving.

The Multi-terrain Select system is designed for off-road use only.

Do not overly rely on Multi-terrain Select. This function does not extend

the vehicle’s performance limitations. Always check the terrain thoroughly

and drive safely.

The recommended modes for the listed terrains (

P. 316) are only a refer-

ence. The selected mode may not be suitable to actual off-road conditions

due to factors such as the type or unevenness of the terrain or the degree

of incline. Check the actual terrain thoroughly and drive safely.

After selecting a mode, make sure that the Multi-terrain Select indicator

and the selected mode indicator come on. If any related indicator flashes,

the vehicle is not under Multi-terrain Select control.

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ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)

Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenly,
or if the brakes are applied while driving on a slippery road surface

Multi Terrain ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) (if equipped)

Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenly,
or if the brakes are applied while driving on a slippery road surface,
or in off-road conditions (such as rough roads, sand and mud)

The Multi Terrain ABS operates in synchronization with the Multi-
terrain Select.

Brake assist

Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake pedal
is depressed when the system detects a panic stop situation

VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)

Helps the driver to control skidding when swerving suddenly or
turning on slippery road surfaces

Trailer Sway Control

Helps the driver to control trailer sway by selectively applying brake
pressure for individual wheels and reducing driving torque when
trailer sway is detected.

TRAC (Traction Control)

Helps to maintain drive power and prevent the drive wheels from
spinning when starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads

Driving assist systems

To keep driving safety and performance, the following systems
operate automatically in response to various driving situations.
Be aware, however, that these systems are supplementary and
should not be relied upon too heavily when operating the vehi-
cle. 

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Hill-start assist control

Helps to reduce the backward movement of the vehicle when start-
ing on an uphill

LSD (Limited Slip Differential) (if equipped)

Transfers drive power to the rear tires when front tires spin, and
vice versa, in order to improve traction

KDSS (Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System) (if equipped)

Enhances ride comfort and handling response by using a hydraulic
control system to control the suspension stabilizer bars in response
to road surface and driving conditions during cornering or off-road
driving

The slip indicator light will flash
while the TRAC/VSC/Trailer Sway
Control systems are operating.

The slip indicator light will flash
while the TRAC/VSC/Trailer Sway
Control/hill-start 

assist control

systems are operating.

A buzzer (intermittent) sounds
when the hill-start assist control
system is operating.

When the TRAC/VSC/Trailer Sway Control systems are operating
(2WD models)

When the TRAC/VSC/Trailer Sway Control/hill-start assist control
systems are operating (4WD models)

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If the vehicle gets stuck in mud, dirt or snow, the TRAC system may

reduce power from the engine to the wheels. Pressing 

 to turn

the system off may make it easier for you to rock the vehicle in order
to free it.

Turning off the TRAC system (turning on the AUTO LSD system: 

P. 304)

To turn the TRAC system off,
quickly press and release

.

The VSC OFF and “AUTO LSD”
indicators will come on.

Press 

 again to turn the

system back on.

Disabling the TRAC system (2WD models)

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Turning off TRAC, VSC and Trailer Sway Control systems

To turn the TRAC, VSC and
Trailer Sway Control systems

off, press and hold 

 for

more than 3 seconds while the
vehicle is stopped.

The “TRAC OFF” indicator light
and the VSC OFF indicator light
will come on.

Press 

 again to turn the

systems back on.

If the vehicle gets stuck in mud, dirt or snow, the TRAC system may

reduce power from the engine to the wheels. Pressing 

 to turn

the system off may make it easier for you to rock the vehicle in order
to free it.

Disabling the TRAC system (4WD models)

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Turning off the TRAC system

To turn the TRAC system off,
quickly press and release

.

The “TRAC OFF” indicator light
will come on.

Press 

 again to turn the

system back on.

Turning off TRAC, VSC and Trailer Sway Control systems

To turn the TRAC, VSC and
Trailer Sway Control systems

off, press and hold 

 for

more than 3 seconds while the
vehicle is stopped.

The “TRAC OFF” indicator light
and the VSC OFF indicator light
will come on.

Press 

 again to turn the

systems back on.

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When the “TRAC OFF” indicator light comes on even if 

 has not

been pressed

TRAC, hill-start assist control, downhill assist control and crawl control are
temporary deactivated. If the indicator light continues to remain on, contact
your Toyota dealer.

When the VSC or TRAC system is turned off by pressing the VSC off
switch

On vehicles with pre-collision system, pre-collision brake assist and pre-colli-
sion braking will also be disabled. The PCS warning light will come on and
the message will be shown on the multi-information display. (

P. 248)

Operating conditions of hill-start assist control

When the following conditions are met, the hill-start assist control will operate:

2WD models

The shift lever is in a position other than P or N (when starting off forward/
backward on an upward incline)

The vehicle is stopped

The accelerator pedal is not depressed

The parking brake is not engaged

4WD models

The system has detected that the vehicle is moving backward

The shift lever is in a position other than P or N (when starting off forward/
backward on an upward incline)

The brake pedal is not depressed.

The rear differential is not locked.(if equipped)

Automatic system cancelation of hill-start assist control (2WD models)

The hill-start assist control will turn off in any of the following situations:

The shift lever is shifted to P or N 

The accelerator pedal is depressed

The parking brake is engaged

2 seconds at maximum elapsed after the brake pedal is released

When the brake system operates continuously

The brake actuator may overheat. In this case, the TRAC and hill-start assist
control systems will stop operating, a buzzer will sound and the “TRAC OFF”
indicator will come on. Refrain from using the system until the “TRAC OFF”
indicator turns off. (There is no problem with continuing normal driving.)

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Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, Multi Terrain ABS (if
equipped), brake assist, VSC, Trailer Sway Control, TRAC and hill-start
assist control systems

A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the brake pedal
is depressed repeatedly, when the engine is started or just after the vehicle
begins to move. This sound does not indicate that a malfunction has
occurred in any of these systems. 

Any of the following conditions may occur when the above systems are
operating. None of these indicates that a malfunction has occurred. 

• Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
• A motor sound may be heard also after the vehicle comes to a stop.
• The brake pedal may pulsate slightly after the ABS or Multi Terrain ABS is

activated.

• The brake pedal may move down slightly after the ABS or Multi Terrain

ABS is activated.

Automatic reactivation of TRAC, Trailer Sway Control and VSC systems

After turning the TRAC, Trailer Sway Control and VSC systems off, the sys-
tems will be automatically re-enabled in the following situations:

When the engine switch is turned off

2WD models: If the AUTO LSD system is turned on, the VSC, TRAC and
Trailer Sway Control systems will turn on when vehicle speed increases

4WD models: If only the TRAC system is turned off, the TRAC will turn on
when vehicle speed increases

If both the TRAC and VSC systems are turned off, automatic re-enabling will
not occur when vehicle speed increases.

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WARNING

The ABS and Multi Terrain ABS do not operate effectively when

The limits of tire gripping performance have been exceeded (such as

excessively worn tires on a snow covered road).

The vehicle hydroplanes while driving at high speed on wet or slick roads.

Stopping distance when the ABS or Multi Terrain ABS is operating may

exceed that of normal conditions

The ABS and Multi Terrain ABS are not designed to shorten the vehicle’s

stopping distance. Always maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front

of you, especially in the following situations:

When driving on dirt, gravel or snow-covered roads

When driving with tire chains

When driving over bumps in the road

When driving over roads with potholes or uneven surfaces

TRAC/VSC may not operate effectively when

Directional control and power may not be achievable while driving on slip-

pery road surfaces, even if the TRAC/VSC system is operating. 

Drive the vehicle carefully in conditions where stability and power may be

lost.

 Hill-start assist control does not operate effectively when

2WD models

Do not overly rely on the hill-start assist control. Hill-start assist control

may not operate effectively on steep inclines and roads covered with ice.

Unlike the parking brake, hill-start assist control is not intended to hold the

vehicle stationary for an extended period of time. Do not attempt to use

hill-start assist control to hold the vehicle on an incline, as doing so may

lead to an accident.

4WD models

Do not overly rely on the hill-start assist control. The hill-start assist control

may not operate effectively on a steep uphill and roads covered with ice.

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WARNING

When the TRAC/VSC/Trailer Sway Control is activated

The slip indicator light flashes. Always drive carefully. 

Reckless driving may cause an accident. Exercise particular care when the

indicator light flashes.

When TRAC/VSC/Trailer Sway Control systems are turned off

Be especially careful and drive at a speed appropriate to the road condi-

tions. As these are systems to help ensure vehicle stability and driving

force, do not turn the TRAC/VSC/Trailer Sway Control systems off unless

necessary.

Replacing tires

Make sure that all tires are of the specified size, brand, tread pattern and

total load capacity. In addition, make sure that the tires are inflated to the

recommended tire inflation pressure level.
The ABS, Multi Terrain ABS, TRAC, VSC and Trailer Sway Control will not

function correctly if different tires are installed on the vehicle.
Contact your Toyota dealer for further information when replacing tires or

wheels.

Handling of tires and the suspension

Using tires with any kind of problem or modifying the suspension will affect

the driving assist systems, and may cause a system to malfunction.

Trailer Sway Control precaution

The Trailer Sway Control system is not able to reduce trailer sway in all situ-

ations.
Depending on many factors such as the conditions of the vehicle, trailer,

road surface and driving environment, the Trailer Sway Control system may

not be effective. Refer to your trailer owner’s manual for information on how

to tow your trailer properly.

If trailer sway occurs

Observe the following precautions.
Failing to do so may cause death or serious injury.

Firmly grip the steering wheel. Steer straight ahead.
Do not try to control trailer sway by turning the steering wheel.

Begin releasing the accelerator pedal immediately but very gradually to

reduce speed. 

Do not increase speed. Do not apply vehicle brakes.

If you make no extreme correction with the steering or brakes, your vehicle

and trailer should stabilize. (

P. 195)

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4-6. Driving tips

Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside tempera-
tures. 

• Engine oil
• Engine coolant
• Washer fluid

Have a service technician inspect the condition of the battery.

Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set of tire
chains for the rear tires.

Ensure that all tires are the same size and brand, and that chains match
the size of the tires.

Winter driving tips

Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before
driving the vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a man-
ner appropriate to the prevailing weather conditions. 

Preparation for winter

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4-6. Driving tips

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Perform the following according to the driving conditions: 

Do not try to forcibly open a window or move a wiper that is frozen.
Pour warm water over the frozen area to melt the ice. Wipe away
the water immediately to prevent it from freezing. 

To ensure proper operation of the climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents in
front of the windshield. 

Check for and remove any excess ice or snow that may have accu-
mulated on the exterior lights, outside rear view mirrors, windows,
vehicle’s roof, chassis, around the tires or on the brakes.

Remove any snow or mud from the bottom of your shoes before
getting in the vehicle.

Accelerate the vehicle slowly, keep a safe distance between you and
the vehicle ahead, and drive at a reduced speed suitable to road con-
ditions.

Park the vehicle and move the shift lever to P without setting the
parking brake. The parking brake may freeze up, preventing it from
being released. If the vehicle is parked without setting the parking
brake, make sure to block the wheels.
Failure to do so may be dangerous because it may cause the vehi-
cle to move unexpectedly, possibly leading to an accident.

If the vehicle is parked without setting the parking brake, confirm
that the shift lever cannot be moved out of P

*

.

*

: The shift lever will be locked if it is attempted to be shifted from P to any

other position without depressing the brake pedal. If the shift lever can be
shifted from P, there may be a problem with the shift lock system. Have the
vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.

Before driving the vehicle

When driving the vehicle

When parking the vehicle

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Use the correct tire chain size when mounting the tire chains. 
Chain size is regulated for each tire size.

Side chain
(0.20 in. [5 mm] in diameter)

Cross chain
(0.20 in. [5 mm] in diameter)

Regulations regarding the use of tire chains vary depending on loca-
tion and type of road. Always check local regulations before installing
chains.

Tire chain installation

Observe the following precautions when installing and removing chains:

Install and remove tire chains in a safe location.

Install tire chains on the rear tires only. Do not install tire chains on the front
tires.

Install tire chains on rear tires as tightly as possible. Retighten chains after
driving 1/4 

 1/2 mile (0.5 

 1.0 km).

Install tire chains following the instructions provided with the tire chains.

Selecting tire chains

1

2

Regulations on the use of tire chains

334

4-6. Driving tips

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WARNING

Driving with snow tires

Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents. 

Failure to do so may result in a loss of vehicle control and cause death or

serious injury.

Use tires of the specified size.

Maintain the recommended level of air pressure.

Do not drive in excess of 75 mph (120 km/h), regardless of the type of

snow tires being used.

Use snow tires on all, not just some wheels.

Driving with tire chains

Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents. 

Failure to do so may result in the vehicle being unable to be driven safely,

and may cause death or serious injury.

Do not drive in excess of the speed limit specified for the tire chains being

used, or 30 mph (50 km/h), whichever is lower.

Avoid driving on bumpy road surfaces or over potholes.

Avoid sudden acceleration, abrupt steering, sudden braking and shifting

operations that cause sudden engine braking.

Slow down sufficiently before entering a curve to ensure that vehicle con-

trol is maintained.

NOTICE

Repairing or replacing snow tires

Request repairs or replacement of snow tires from Toyota dealers or legiti-

mate tire retailers.

This is because the removal and attachment of snow tires affects the opera-

tion of the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters.

Fitting tire chains

The tire pressure warning valves and transmitters may not function correctly

when tire chains are fitted.

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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.

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.

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

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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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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.

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

Off-road driving

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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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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.

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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5-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger

Adjusting the temperature setting

To adjust the temperature setting, turn 

 clockwise (warm) or

counterclockwise (cool).

If

 

 is not pressed, the system will blow ambient temperature air or

heated air.

For quick cooling, turn the temperature control knob to “MAX A/C”. The
air conditioning will automatically turn on and, if an air outlet position

other than 

 or 

 is selected, the system will be set to recircu-

lated air mode. While “MAX A/C” is selected, it is not possible to turn off
the air conditioning.

Manual air conditioning system

: If equipped

Air conditioning controls

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Fan speed setting

To adjust the fan speed, turn 

 clockwise (increase) or coun-

terclockwise (decrease).

Turning the knob to “OFF” turns off the fan.

Change the airflow mode

To select the air outlets, set 

 to the desired position.

The positions between the air outlet selections shown below can also be
selected for more delicate adjustment.

Other functions

Switching between outside air and recirculated air modes

Defogging the windshield (

P. 344)

Defogging the rear window and outside rear view mirrors 
(

P. 344)

Windshield wiper de-icer (if equipped) (

P. 344)

Switching between outside air and recirculated air modes

Press  

.

The mode switches between outside air mode (introduces air from out-
side the vehicle) (indicator off) and recirculated air mode (recycles air
inside the vehicle) (indicator on) each time the button is pressed.

Other functions

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Defogging the windshield

Defoggers are used to defog the windshield and front side win-
dows.

Set the air outlet selector dial to 

 position.

If the recirculated air mode is used, it will automatically switch to outside
air mode.

To defog the windshield and the side windows early, increase the air
flow and temperature.

If the dehumidification function is not operating, press 

 to

operate the dehumidification function.

Defogging the rear window and outside rear view mirrors

Defoggers are used to defog the rear window, and to remove rain-
drops, dew and frost from the outside rear view mirrors.

Before operating the defoggers, make sure the back window is
completely closed. (

P. 158)

Press 

The defoggers will automatically turn off after their operation time. The
operation time varies depending on the ambient temperature and vehi-
cle speed.

Windshield wiper de-icer (if equipped)

This feature is used to prevent ice from building up on the wind-
shield and wiper blades.

Turns the windshield wiper de-
icer on/off

The windshield wiper de-icer will
automatically turn off after
approximately 15 minutes.

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Location of air outlets

The air outlets and air volume
changes according to the
selected airflow mode.

Adjusting the position of and opening and closing the air out-
lets

Air outlets

Front center outlets

Front side outlets

Rear outlets

Direct air flow to the left or right, up or down.

Turn the knob to open or close the vent.

1

2

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Fogging up of the windows

The windows will easily fog up when the humidity in the vehicle is high.

Turning 

 on will dehumidify the air from the outlets and defog the wind-

shield effectively.

If you turn 

 off, the windows may fog up more easily.

The windows may fog up if the recirculated air mode is used.

When driving on dusty roads

Close all windows. If dust thrown up by the vehicle is still drawn into the vehi-
cle after closing the windows, it is recommended that the air intake mode be
set to outside air mode and the fan speed to any setting except off.

Outside/recirculated air mode

Setting to the recirculated air mode temporarily is recommended in prevent-
ing dirty air from entering the vehicle interior and helping to cool the vehicle
when the outside air temperature is high.

When the outside temperature exceeds 75°F (24°C) and the air condition-
ing system is on

In order to reduce the air conditioning power consumption, the air condition-
ing system may switch to recirculated air mode automatically. This may also
reduce fuel consumption.

Recirculated air mode is selected as a default mode when the engine switch
is turned to IGNITION ON mode.

It is possible to switch to outside air mode at any time by pressing

 

 

.

When the indicator light on 

 flashes

Press 

 

to turn off the cooling and dehumidification function and turn it on

again. There may be a problem in the air conditioning system if the indicator
light continues to flash. Turn the air conditioning system off and have it
inspected by your Toyota dealer.

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When the outside temperature falls to nearly 32

F (0

C)

The dehumidification function may not operate even when 

 is pressed.

Ventilation and air conditioning odors

To let fresh air in, set the air conditioning system to the outside air mode.

During use, various odors from inside and outside the vehicle may enter into
and accumulate in the air conditioning system. This may then cause odor to
be emitted from the vents.

To reduce potential odors from occurring: 
It is recommended that the air conditioning system be set to outside air
mode prior to turning the vehicle off.

Air conditioning system refrigerant

The meaning of each symbol on the label are as follows:

A label regarding the refrigerant of the
air conditioning system is attached to the
hood at the location shown in the follow-
ing illustration.

Caution

Air conditioning system

Air conditioning system lubricant type

Requires registered technician to service air conditioning
system

Flammable refrigerant

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WARNING

To prevent the windshield from fogging up

Do not use 

 during cool air operation in extremely humid weather.

The difference between the temperature of the outside air and that of the

windshield can cause the outer surface of the windshield to fog up, block-

ing your vision.

To prevent burns

Do not touch the rear view mirror surfaces when the outside rear view mir-

ror defoggers are on.

Do not touch the glass at lower part of the windshield or to the side of the

front pillars when the windshield wiper de-icer is on.

NOTICE

To prevent battery discharge

Do not leave the air conditioning system on longer than necessary when the

engine is stopped.

When repairing/replacing parts of the air conditioning system

Have repair/replacement performed by your Toyota dealer.
When a part of the air conditioning system, such as the evaporator, is to be

replaced, it must be replaced with a new one.

Do not place anything on the instrument

panel which may cover the air outlets.

Otherwise, air flow may be obstructed,

preventing the windshield defoggers

from defogging.

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Adjusting the temperature setting

To adjust the temperature setting, turn 

 clockwise to

increases the temperature and turn 

 counterclockwise to

decreases the temperature.

If 

 is not pressed, the system will blow ambient temperature air or

heated air.

Fan speed setting

To adjust the fan speed, press “

” on 

 to increase the fan

speed and “

” to decrease the fan speed.

Press 

 to turn the fan off.

Automatic air conditioning system

: If equipped

Air outlets and fan speed are automatically adjusted according
to the temperature setting.

Air conditioning controls

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Change the airflow mode

To change the air outlets, press 

 or 

.

Other functions

Switching between outside air and recirculated air modes 
(

P. 351)

Defogging the windshield (

P. 351)

Defogging the rear window and outside rear view mirrors 
(

P. 351)

Windshield wiper de-icer (if equipped) (

P. 352)

Press .

The air conditioning system begins to operate. Air outlets and fan speed
are automatically adjusted according to the temperature setting.

Adjust the temperature setting.

To stop the operation, press 

.

Automatic mode indicator

If the fan speed setting or air flow modes are operated, the auto-
matic mode indicator goes off. However, automatic mode for func-
tions other than that operated is maintained.

Adjusting the temperature for driver and passenger seats sep-
arately (“DUAL” mode)

Perform the following procedures to turn on the “DUAL” mode:

Press .

Adjust the passenger’s side temperature setting. 
The indicator comes on when the “DUAL” mode is on. 
While in “DUAL” mode, the temperature of the rear air outlets is
set at the right-hand side temperature setting.

Using automatic mode

1

2

3

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Switching between outside air and recirculated air modes

Press .

The mode switches between outside air mode (the indicator is off) and
recirculated air mode (the indicator is on) each time the button is
pressed.

Defogging the windshield

Defoggers are used to defog the windshield and front side win-
dows.

Press .

The dehumidification function operates and fan speed increases.
Set the outside/recirculated air mode button to the outside air mode if
the recirculated air mode is used. (It may switch automatically.)
To defog the windshield and the side windows early, turn the air flow and
temperature up.

To return to the previous mode, press 

 again when the windshield

is defogged.

Defogging the rear window and outside rear view mirrors

Defoggers are used to defog the rear window, and to remove rain-
drops, dew and frost from the outside rear view mirrors.

Before operating the defoggers, make sure the back window is
completely closed. (

P. 158)

Press 

The defoggers will automatically turn off after their operation time. The
operation time varies depending on the ambient temperature and vehi-
cle speed.

Other functions

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Windshield wiper de-icer (if equipped)

This feature is used to prevent ice from building up on the wind-
shield and wiper blades.

Turns the windshield wiper de-
icer on/off

The windshield wiper de-icer will
automatically turn off after
approximately 15 minutes.

Location of air outlets

The air outlets and air volume
changes according to the
selected airflow mode.

Air outlets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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