2003 Toyota 4Runner Owners Manual - Page 617

'03 4Runner_U (L/O 0211) How to save fuel and make your vehicle last longer Improving fuel economy is easy-just take it easy. It will help make your vehicle last longer, too. Here are some specific tips on how to save money on both fuel and repairs: D Accelerate slowly and smoothly. Avoid jackrabbit starts. Get into high gear as quickly as possible. a long wait and you are not in traffic, it is better to turn off the engine and start again later. D Maintain a moderate speed on highways. The faster you drive, the greater the fuel consumption. By reducing your speed, you will cut down on fuel consumption. D Avoid long engine idling. If you have D Keep your tires inflated at the correct pressure. Underinflation causes tire wear and wastes fuel. See page 328 in Section 7-2 for instructions. D Keep the front wheels in proper alignment. Avoid hitting the curb and slow down on rough roads. Improper alignment not only causes faster tire wear but also puts an extra load on the engine, which, in turn, wastes fuel. D Avoid engine lugging or over-revving. Use a gear position suitable for the road on which you are travelling. D Do not carry unneeded weight in your vehicle. Excess weight puts a heavier load on the engine, causing greater fuel consumption. D Avoid continuous speeding up and slowing down. wastes fuel. Stop-and-go driving D Keep the bottom of your vehicle free from mud, etc. This not only lessens weight but also helps prevent corrosion. D Avoid lengthy warm-up idling. Once the engine is running smoothly, begin driving-but gently. Remember, however, that on cold winter days this may take a little longer. D Avoid D Put the selector lever into the "D" when engine braking is not required. 5-speed automatic transmission-Driving with the selector lever in "4" will reduce the fuel economy. (For details, see "Automatic transmission (5-speed)" on page 127 in Section 1-6.) 4-speed automatic transmission-Driving with the selector lever in "3" will reduce the fuel economy. (For details, see "Automatic transmission (4-speed)" on page 132 in Section 1-6.) unnecessary stopping and braking. Maintain a steady pace. Try to time the traffic signals so you only need to stop as little as possible or take advantage of through streets to avoid traffic lights. Keep a proper distance from other vehicles to avoid sudden braking. This will also reduce wear on your brakes. whenever possible. D Keep your vehicle tuned-up and in top shape. A dirty air cleaner, improper valve clearance, dirty plugs, dirty oil and grease, brakes not adjusted, etc. all lower engine performance and contribute to poor fuel economy. For longer life of all parts and lower operating costs, keep all maintenance work on schedule, and if you often drive under severe conditions, see that your vehicle receives more frequent maintenance. (For scheduled maintenance information, please refer to the "Scheduled Maintenance Guide" or "Owner's Manual Supplement".) D Avoid heavy traffic or traffic jams D Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal. This causes premature wear, overheating and poor fuel economy. 2003 4RUNNER from Oct. '02 Prod. (OM35804U) 271