Toyota 4Runner (2020 year). Instruction - part 14

216

4-2. Driving procedures

4RUNNER (U)

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. Activation of the
steering  lock  in  this  circumstance  may  lead  to  an  accident,  resulting  in
death or serious injury.

■

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. 465)

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.

●

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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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

4RUNNER (U)



Vehicles without a smart key system

While the engine switch is in the “ON” position, 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.



Vehicles with a smart key system

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. 

Automatic transmission

Shifting the shift lever

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*

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

When the shift lever is in the S position, the shift lever can be oper-
ated as follows:

Upshifting
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. 220)

■

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.

Shift position purpose

Shift position

Objective or function

P

Parking the vehicle/starting the engine

R

Reversing

N

Neutral

D

Normal driving

*

1

S

S mode driving

*

2

Changing shift ranges in S mode

1

2

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4-2. Driving procedures

4RUNNER (U)

■

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. 273)

■

Restraining sudden start (Drive-start Control)



P. 177

■

Shift lock system

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
“ON” position (vehicles without a smart key system) or IGNITION ON mode
(vehicles with a smart key system) and the brake pedal is being depressed.

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■

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:

Set the parking brake.
Vehicles without a smart key system: Turn the engine switch to the “LOCK”
position. 
Vehicles with a smart key system: Turn the engine switch is off.
Depress the brake pedal.

■

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.) 

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.

Press the shift lock override button.
The shift lever can be shifted while the
button is pressed.

1

2

3

4

5

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4-2. Driving procedures

4RUNNER (U)

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.

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The lever will return to its original position after operation.

Right turn
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)

The left hand signals will flash until
you release the lever.

Left turn

■

Turn signals can be operated when



Vehicles without a smart key system

The engine switch is in the “ON” position.



Vehicles with a smart key system

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.

Turn signal lever

Operating instructions

1

2

3

4

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4-2. Driving procedures

4RUNNER (U)

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.
(Depressing  the  pedal  again
releases the parking brake.)

■

Parking the vehicle



P. 176

■

Usage in winter time



P. 331

Parking brake

U.S.A. Canada

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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4-3. Operating the lights and wipers

Operating the 

 switch turns on the lights as follows:



Type A

The  daytime  running
lights turn on. (



P. 229)

The  side  marker,  park-
ing,  tail,  license  plate,
instrument  panel  lights,
and  daytime  running
lights (



P. 229) turn on.

The  headlights  and  all
the  lights  listed  above
(except  daytime  running
lights) turn on.
The  daytime  running
lights turn off.

Headlight switch

The headlights can be operated instructionly or automatically. 

Operating instructions

1

2

3

4

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4-3. Operating the lights and wipers

4RUNNER (U)



Type B

The  headlights,  parking
lights,  daytime  running
lights  (



P.  229)  and  so

on  turn  on  and  off  auto-
matically 

(when 

the

engine switch is in IGNI-
TION ON mode).
The  side  marker,  park-
ing,  tail,  license  plate,
instrument  panel  lights,
and  daytime  running
lights (



P. 229) turn on.

The  headlights  and  all
the  lights  listed  above
(except  daytime  running
lights) turn on.
The daytime running lights turn off.

1

2

3

4

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4-3. Operating the lights and wipers

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

Type C

The  daytime  running
lights (



P. 229) turn on.

The  side  marker,  park-
ing,  tail,  license  plate,
instrument  panel  lights,
and  daytime  running
lights (



P. 229) turn on.

The  headlights  and  all
the  lights  listed  above
(except  daytime  running
lights) turn on.

1

2

3

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4-3. Operating the lights and wipers

4RUNNER (U)



Type D

The  headlights,  parking
lights,  daytime  running
lights  (



P.  229)  and  so

on  turn  on  and  off  auto-
matically 

(when 

the

engine switch is in IGNI-
TION ON mode).
The  side  marker,  park-
ing,  tail,  license  plate,
instrument  panel  lights,
and  daytime  running
lights (



P. 229) turn on.

The  headlights  and  all
the  lights  listed  above
(except  daytime  running
lights) turn on.
The daytime running lights (



P. 229) turn on.

With  the  headlights  on,  push
the lever away from you to turn
on the high beams. 

Pull  the  lever  toward  you  to  the
center  position  to  turn  the  high
beams off.

Pull  the  lever  toward  you  and
release  it  to  flash  the  high
beams once. 

You can flash the high beams with the headlights on or off.

1

2

3

Turning on the high beam headlights

4

1

2

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4-3. Operating the lights and wipers

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■

Daytime running light system

●

The daytime running lights illuminate using the same lights as the headlight
high beam and illuminate dimmer than the headlight high beam.

●

To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers during daytime driving,
the  daytime  running  lights  turn  on  automatically  when  all  of  the  following
conditions are met. (The daytime running lights are not designed for use at
night.)
• The engine is running
• The parking brake is released
• The headlight switch is in the 

, 

 (type A only), 

 (type C

and D), or 

*

 (type B and D) position

*

: When the surroundings are bright

The daytime running lights remain on after they illuminate, even if the park-
ing brake is set again.
Type A  and  B:  Daytime  running  lights  can  be  turned  off  by  operating  the
switch.

●

Compared  to  turning  on  the  headlights,  the  daytime  running  light  system
offers greater durability and consumes less electricity, so it can help improve
fuel economy.

■

Headlight control sensor (if equipped)

The sensor may not function properly if an
object is placed on the sensor, or anything
that  blocks  the  sensor  is  affixed  to  the
windshield. 
Doing  so  interferes  with  the  sensor
detecting  the  level  of  ambient  light  and
may  cause  the  automatic  headlight  sys-
tem to malfunction. 

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4-3. Operating the lights and wipers

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■

Automatic light off system



Vehicles without a smart key system

●

When the headlights come on: The headlights and tail lights turn off 30 sec-
onds after a door is opened and closed if the engine switch is turned to the
“ACC” or “LOCK” position. (The lights turn off immediately if 

 on the

key is pressed after all the doors are locked.)

●

When only the tail lights come on: The tail lights turn off automatically if the
engine  switch  is  turned  to  the  “ACC”  or  “LOCK”  position  and  the  driver’s
door is opened.

To turn the lights on again, turn the engine switch to the “ON” position, or turn
the lights off and then back to 

 or 

. 



Vehicles with a smart key system

●

When the headlights come on: The headlights and tail lights turn off 30 sec-
onds  after  a  door  is  opened  and  closed  if  the  engine  switch  is  turned  to
ACCESSORY mode or turned off. (The lights turn off immediately if 
on the key is pressed after all the doors are locked.)

●

When only the tail lights come on: The tail lights turn off automatically if the
engine switch is turned off and the driver’s door is opened.

To turn the lights on again, turn the engine switch to IGNITION ON mode, or
turn the light switch off and then back to 

 or 

. 

■

Customization

Settings (e.g. light sensor sensitivity) can be changed. 
(Customizable features: 



P. 547)

NOTICE

■

To prevent battery discharge

Do  not  leave  the  lights  on  longer  than  necessary  when  the  engine  is  not
running.

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Push  the  lever  away  from  you
with the headlight switch in the

 or 

 position.

Press  the  Automatic  High
Beam switch.

The Automatic  High  Beam  indica-
tor  will  come  on  when  the  system
is operating.

Automatic High Beam

The Automatic High Beam uses a camera sensor located behind
the upper portion of the windshield to assess the brightness of
the lights of vehicles ahead, streetlights, etc., and automatically
turns the high beams on or off as necessary.

WARNING

■

Limitations of the Automatic High Beam

Do not overly rely on the Automatic High Beam. Always drive safely, taking
care  to  observe  your  surroundings  and  turning  the  high  beams  on  or  off
instructionly if necessary.

■

To prevent incorrect operation of the Automatic High Beam system

Do not overload the vehicle.

Activating the Automatic High Beam

1

2