Toyota 4Runner (2020 year). Instruction - part 8

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■

Alarms and warning indicators

A combination of  exterior and interior alarms as well as warning messages
shown on the multi-information display are used to prevent theft of the vehicle
and  accidents  resulting  from  erroneous  operation.  Take  appropriate  mea-
sures in response to any warning message on the multi-information display.
The following table describes circumstances and correction procedures when
only alarms are sounded.

Alarm

Situation

Correction procedure

Exterior  alarm  sounds
once for 5 seconds

An  attempt  was  made
to  lock  the doors  using
the  smart  key  system
while the electronic key
was still inside the vehi-
cle.

Retrieve  the  electronic
key  from  the  vehicle
and  lock  the  doors
again.

An  attempt  was  made
to lock either front door
by  opening  a  door  and
putting  the  inside  lock
button  into  the  lock
position,  then  closing
the  door  by  pulling  on
the outside door handle
with  the  electronic  key
still inside the vehicle.

An  attempt  was  made
to lock the vehicle while
a door was open.

Close  all  of  the  doors
and  lock  the  doors
again.

Interior  alarm  sounds
continuously

An  attempt  was  made
to  open  the  door  and
exit  the  vehicle  when
the  shift  lever  was  not
in P.

Shift the shift lever to P.

Interior  alarm  pings
repeatedly

The engine  switch was
turned to ACCESSORY
mode while the driver's
door was open
(The  driver's  door  was
opened 

when 

the

engine  switch  was  in
ACCESSORY mode.)

Turn  the  engine  switch
off  and  close  the
driver's door.

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Battery-saving function

The battery-saving function will be activated in order to prevent the electronic
key battery and the vehicle battery from being discharged while the vehicle is
not in operation for a long time.

●

In  the  following  situations,  the  smart  key  system  may  take  some  time  to
unlock the doors.
• The electronic key has been left in an area of approximately 6 ft. (2 m) of

the outside of the vehicle for 10 minutes or longer.

• The smart key system has not been used for 5 days or longer.

●

If the smart key system has not been used for 14 days or longer, the doors
cannot be unlocked at any doors except the driver’s door. In this case, take
hold of the driver’s door handle, or use the wireless remote control or the
mechanical key, to unlock the doors.

■

Electronic key battery-saving function

When battery-saving mode is set, battery depletion is minimized by stopping
the electronic key from receiving radio waves.

Interior  alarm  sounds
once.

The engine  switch was
pressed after the doors
were unlocked with the
mechanical key.

Touch  the  electronic
key  to  the  engine
switch while depressing
the brake pedal.

The engine  switch was
pressed  two  consecu-
tive  times  without  the
electronic  key  being
present.

Alarm

Situation

Correction procedure

Press 

  twice  while  pressing  and

holding 

. Confirm that the electronic

key indicator flashes 4 times.
While the battery-saving mode is set, the
smart  key  system  cannot  be  used.  To
cancel  the  function,  press  any  of  the
electronic key buttons.

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Conditions affecting operation

The smart key system uses weak radio waves. In the following situations, the
communication between the electronic key and the vehicle may be affected,
preventing the smart key system, wireless remote control and engine immobi-
lizer system from operating properly. (Ways of coping: 



P. 510)

●

When the electronic key battery is depleted

●

Near a TV tower, electric power plant, gas station, radio station, large dis-
play, airport or other facility that generates strong radio waves or electrical
noise

●

When  carrying  a  portable  radio,  cellular  phone,  cordless  phone  or  other
wireless communication device

●

When  the  electronic  key  is  in  contact  with,  or  is  covered  by  the  following
metallic objects
• Cards to which aluminum foil is attached
• Cigarette boxes that have aluminum foil inside
• Metallic wallets or bags
• Coins
• Hand warmers made of metal
• Media such as CDs and DVDs

●

When multiple electronic keys are in the vicinity

●

When other wireless keys (that emit radio waves) are being used nearby

●

When  carrying  the  electronic  key  together  with  the  following  devices  that
emit radio waves
• Another vehicle’s electronic key or a wireless key that emits radio waves
• Personal computers or personal digital assistants (PDAs)
• Digital audio players
• Portable game systems

●

If window tint with a metallic content or metallic objects are attached to the
back window

●

When  the  electronic  key  is  placed  near  a  battery  charger  or  electronic
devices

●

When  the  vehicle  is  parked  in  a  pay  parking  spot  where  radio  waves  are
emitted.

If  the  doors  cannot  be  locked/unlocked  using  the  smart  key  system,  lock/
unlock the doors by performing any of the following:

●

Bring  the  electronic  key  close  to  either  front  door  handle  and  operate  the
entry function.

●

Operate the wireless remote control.

If  the  doors  cannot  be  locked/unlocked  using  the  above  methods,  use  the
mechanical key. (



P. 510)

If the engine cannot be started using the smart key system, refer to P. 511.

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Note for the entry function

●

Even when the electronic key is within the effective range (detection areas),
the system may not operate properly in the following cases:
• The electronic key is too close to the window or outside door handle, near

the ground, or in a high place when the doors are locked or unlocked.

• The electronic key is on the instrument panel or floor, in the glove box, or

in the auxiliary box of the instrument panel.

●

Do not leave the electronic key on top of the instrument panel or near the
door pockets when exiting the vehicle. Depending on the radio wave recep-
tion conditions, it may be detected by the antenna outside the cabin and the
door will become lockable from the outside, possibly trapping the electronic
key inside the vehicle.

●

As long as the electronic key is within the effective range, the doors may be
locked or unlocked by anyone. However, only the doors detecting the elec-
tronic key can be used to unlock the vehicle.

●

The  doors  may  lock  or  unlock  if  the  electronic  key  is  within  the  effective
range and a large amount of water splashes on the door handle, such as in
the  rain  or  in  a  car  wash.  The  doors  will  automatically  be  locked  after
approximately 60 seconds if a door is not opened and closed.

●

If the wireless remote control is used to lock the doors when the electronic
key  is  near  the  vehicle,  there  is  a  possibility  that  the  door  may  not  be
unlocked by the entry function. (Use the wireless remote control to unlock
the doors.)

●

Whether or not the electronic key is inside the vehicle, the engine could be
started if the electronic key is near the window.

■

Note for locking the doors

●

Touching the door lock sensor while wearing gloves may delay or prevent
lock operation. Remove the gloves and touch the lock sensor again.

●

When the lock operation is performed using the lock sensor, recognition sig-
nals  will  be  shown  up  to  two  consecutive  times. After  this,  no  recognition
signals will be given. 

●

If the door handle becomes wet while the electronic key is within the effec-
tive  range,  the  door  may  lock  and  unlock  repeatedly.  Place  the  electronic
key in a location 6 ft. (2 m) or more away from the vehicle while the vehicle
is being washed. (Take care to ensure that the key is not stolen.)

●

If the electronic key is inside the vehicle and a door handle becomes wet
during a car wash, a buzzer will sound outside the vehicle. To turn off the
alarm, lock all the doors.

●

The  lock  sensor  may  not  work  properly  if  it  comes  into  contact  with  ice,
snow, mud, etc. Clean the lock sensor and attempt to operate it again, or
use the lock sensor on the lower part of the door handle.

●

Fingernails may scrape against the door during operation of the door han-
dle. Be careful not to injure fingernails or damage the surface of the door.

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Note for the unlocking function

●

Gripping the door handle when wearing a glove may not unlock the door.

●

A sudden approach to the effective range or door handle may prevent the
doors from being unlocked. In this case, return the door handle to the origi-
nal position and check that the doors unlock before pulling the door handle
again.

●

If there is another electronic key in the detection area, it may take slightly
longer to unlock the doors after the door handle is gripped. 

■

When the vehicle is not driven for extended periods

●

To prevent theft of the vehicle, do not leave the electronic key within 6 ft. (2
m) of the vehicle.

●

The  smart  key  system  can  be  deactivated  in  advance.  Ask  your  Toyota
dealer for details.

●

Setting the electronic key to battery- saving mode helps to reduce key bat-
tery depletion. (



P. 121)

■

To operate the system properly

●

Make sure to carry the electronic key when operating the system. Do not get
the electronic key too close to the vehicle when operating the system from
the outside of the vehicle.

●

Depending on the position and holding condition of the electronic key, the
key may not be detected correctly and the system may not operate properly.
(The alarm may go off accidentally, or the door lock prevention function may
not operate.)

■

If the smart key system does not operate properly

●

Locking and unlocking the doors: Use the mechanical key. (



P. 510)

●

Starting the engine: 



P. 511

■

Customization

Settings (e. g. operation signal) can be changed. 
(Customizable features: 



P. 547)

■

If the smart key system has been deactivated in a customized setting

●

Locking and unlocking the doors: 



P. 510

●

Starting the engine and changing engine switch modes: 



P. 511

●

Stopping the engine: 



P. 213

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Certification for the smart key system



For vehicles sold in the U.S.A.

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

For vehicles sold in Canada



For vehicles sold in the U.S.A.

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

For vehicles sold in Canada

WARNING

■

Caution regarding interference with electronic devices

●

People  with  implantable  cardiac  pacemakers,  cardiac  resynchronization
therapy-pacemakers or implantable cardioverter defibrillators should keep
away from the smart key system antennas. 
(



P. 118)

The radio waves may affect the operation of such devices. If necessary,
the entry function can be disabled. Ask your Toyota dealer for details, such
as  the  frequency  of  radio  waves  and  timing  of  the  emitted  radio  waves.
Then, consult your doctor to see if you should disable the entry function.

●

Users  of  any  electrical  medical  device  other  than  implantable  cardiac
pacemakers,  cardiac  resynchronization  therapy-pacemakers  or  implant-
able  cardioverter  defibrillators  should  consult  the  manufacturer  of  the
device  for  information  about  its  operation  under  the  influence  of  radio
waves.
Radio  waves  could  have  unexpected  effects  on  the  operation  of  such
medical devices.

Ask your Toyota dealer for details on disabling the entry function.

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Opening a door: The appropriate board extends 
Closing a door: The appropriate board retracts 

Press  “OFF”  on  the Automatic  running  boards  switch  to  turn  off  the
Automatic running boards system.

On (Automatic mode)
Off

The  orange  line  at  the  top  of  the
switch  illuminates  to  indicate  that
the Automatic  running boards sys-
tem is on.
When  extension  of  the  boards  is
not  necessary,  or  extension  of  a
board  is  not  desirable  due  to  an
obstacle,  turn  the  Automatic  run-
ning boards switch off before open-
ing the side door.

Automatic running boards





: If equipped

The Automatic running boards are linked to the side door opera-
tions, extending and retracting when a side door is opened and
closed. When a door is opened or closed, the board on the same
side extends or retracts.

Turning off the Automatic running boards system

1

2

1

2

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Jam protection function

During Automatic running boards operation:
If a board contacts an obstacle when extending, it will retract. If an obstacle
gets caught between a board and the vehicle when retracting, the board will
extend. 
If an obstacle is detected 3 times in a row during Automatic running boards
operation, the board will stop at the position it contacts the obstacle. When a
side  door  on  the  same  side  as  the  board  is  opened  and  closed  one  more
time, the board will extend and retract, or retract and extend. After this, the
board will resume normal operation. 

■

Automatic retraction function

The boards will be automatically retracted, for safety, under the following con-
ditions:

●

A board is not completely retracted

●

Vehicle speed is approximately 5 mph (8 km/h) or higher

The boards will not automatically extend again when vehicle speed returns to
less than 5 mph (8 km/h). 

■

If  the Automatic  running  boards  indicator  comes  on  when  driving  first
commences

A board has not completely retracted. Check that nothing is caught between
the board and the vehicle. 
Additionally, if the engine is started immediately after a door has been closed,
the  automatic  running  board  may  not  retract  completely  and  the  automatic
running boards indicator may illuminate. In this case, open and close the door
to retract the running board and turn off the indicator.

■

If the Automatic running boards indicator light flashes

There may be a malfunction in the Automatic running boards system. Have
the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.

■

When snow or mud is attached to the board or the board is frozen

The Automatic running boards may not operate correctly. Before stepping on
a board, check that it is completely extended. If the Automatic running boards
are not operating correctly, turn the Automatic running boards switch off and
refrain from use.
When removing snow or mud, turn the Automatic running boards switch off.

■

After recharging/reconnecting the battery

If the Automatic running boards have not completely extended or retracted,
the boards may not move in the intended direction the first time they are oper-
ated. However, from the second time onwards, the boards will resume normal
operation.

■

When getting in and out of the vehicle

Take care because clothes and shoes may become dirty due to contact with
the lower part of the vehicle body.

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WARNING

■

Jam protection function

Observe the following precautions. 
Failure to do so may cause serious injury.
Never use any part of your body to intentionally activate the jam protection
function.
The jam protection function may not work depending on the shape of the
object  that  is  caught.  Be  careful  not  to  get  fingers  or  other  body  parts
caught. 

■

Cautions regarding the Automatic running boards

Observe the following precautions. 
Failure to do so may cause serious injury.

●

Check to make sure that all passengers and people in the vehicle’s sur-
rounding area do not have a hand on a board or any part of their body in a
position where it could be caught between a board and the vehicle when
an Automatic running board is being operated.

●

Confirm that the boards have completely extended or retracted before get-
ting in or out of the vehicle. If someone gets in or out of the vehicle during
Automatic  running  board  operation,  the  boards  may  stop  extending  or
retracting.

●

Drive  the  vehicle  after  confirming  that  the  boards  have  completely
retracted. Driving with a board extended is dangerous because it may hit
other people or objects.

●

Take care when pressing the Automatic running boards switch. The board
will extend or retract and may hit other people or objects.

●

Always check that the Automatic running boards switch is turned off when
cleaning a board. 

●

Do not allow children to operate the Automatic running boards. 
Operating Automatic running boards in a manner so that a board contacts
someone can cause serious injury, and in some instances, even death.

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◆

Smart key system (if equipped)

Carry the electronic key to enable this function.

Press  the  button  to  unlock
the door.
Press  the  button  to  lock  the
door.

Check  that  the  door  is  securely
locked.

◆

Wireless remote control



P. 110

◆

Key (vehicles without a smart key system)

Turning the key operates the doors as follows:

Locks all the doors
Unlocks all the doors

Back door

Unlocking and locking the back door from the outside

1

2

1

2

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Locks all the doors
Unlocks all the doors

Raise the back door while pushing
up the back door opener switch.

The rear step bumper is intended
for rear end protection and easier
step-up loading.

Lower  the  back  door  using  the
back  door  strap  and/or  the  back
door  handle,  and  make  sure  to
push the back door down from the
outside to close it.

Unlocking and locking the back door from the inside

1

2

Opening the back door from outside the vehicle

Rear step bumper

When closing the back door

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Luggage compartment lights

Each luggage compartment light has the following 3 positions:

If the luggage compartment lights remain on, the lights will go off automati-
cally after 20 minutes.

■

If the back door opener is inoperative or the battery is discharged



P. 509

Turns the light off
Turns the light on
Turns the light on/off linked to back door
position

WARNING

■

Before driving

Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.

●

Make sure that the back door is fully closed. If the back door is not fully
closed, it may open unexpectedly while driving and hit near-by objects or
luggage in the luggage compartment may be thrown out, causing an acci-
dent.

●

Do not allow children to play in the luggage compartment.
If  a  child  is  accidentally  locked  in  the  luggage  compartment,  they  could
have heat exhaustion or other injuries.

●

Do not allow a child to open or close the back door.
Doing  so  may cause  the  back door  to move  unexpectedly,  or  cause  the
child’s hands, head, or neck to be caught by the closing back door.

●

Do not get on the rear step bumper.

■

Important points while driving

Never  let  anyone  sit  in  the  luggage  compartment.  In  the  event  of  sudden
braking or a collision, they are susceptible to death or serious injury.

1

2

3

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Operating the back door

Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may cause parts of the body to be caught, resulting in death
or serious injury.

●

Remove  any  heavy  loads,  such  as  snow  and  ice,  from  the  back  door
before opening it. Failure to do so may cause the back door to suddenly
shut again after it is opened.

●

When  opening  or  closing  the  back  door,  thoroughly  check  to  make  sure
the surrounding area is safe. 

●

If anyone is in the vicinity, make sure they are safe and let them know that
the back door is about to open or close.

●

Use caution when opening or closing the back door in windy weather as it
may move abruptly in strong wind.

●

The back door may suddenly shut if it is
not  opened  fully.  It  is  more  difficult  to
open  or  close  the  back  door  on  an
incline  than  on  a  level  surface,  so
beware  of  the  back  door  unexpectedly
opening or closing by itself. Make sure
that  the  back  door  is  fully  open  and
secure  before  using  the  luggage  com-
partment. 

●

When closing the back door, take extra
care  to  prevent  your  fingers  etc.  from
being caught.

●

When closing the back door, make sure
to press it lightly on its outer surface. If
the back door handle or back door strap
is  used  to  fully  close  the  back  door,  it
may  result  in  hands  or  arms  being
caught. 

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3-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors

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4RUNNER (U)

WARNING

●

Do not pull on the back door damper stay to close the back door, and do
not hang on the back door damper stay. 
Doing so may cause hands to be caught or the back door damper stay to
break, causing an accident.

●

If a bicycle carrier or similar heavy object is attached to the back door, it
may suddenly shut again after being opened, causing someone’s hands,
head or neck to be caught and injured. When installing an accessory part
to the back door, using a genuine Toyota part is recommended.

NOTICE

■

To prevent damage to the back door components

Do not allow more than one person to get on the rear step bumper at a time.

■

Back door damper stays

The  back  door  is  equipped  with  damper  stays  that  hold  the  back  door  in
place.
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may cause damage to the back door damper stay, resulting
in malfunction.

●

Do not place your hand on the damper stay or apply lateral forces to it.

●

Do not attach any foreign objects, such
as stickers, plastic sheets, or adhesives
to the damper stay rod.

●

Do not touch the damper stay rod with
gloves or other fabric items.

●

Do  not  attach  any  accessories  other
than  genuine  Toyota  parts  to  the  back
door.