With excellent off-road capability, the 2014 Toyota 4Runner will perform in rugged terrain, but before going afield, check your oil and fluid levels. The vehicle has a long history, starting back in 1985 when Toyota combined the terms four-wheel drive and off-road runner and launched the 4Runner. The 4Runner has evolved over the years but it's still designed with an eye toward off-road capabilities. Rutted trails and towing pose little challenge to a well-maintained 4Runner.
Toyota recommends using the International Lubricants Standardization and Approval Committee's GF-5 multigrade engine oil, with a recommended viscosity of SAE 0W-20. If SAE 0W-20 is unavailable, you can use SAE 5W-20, but replace it at the next oil change with SAE 0W-20. The oil capacity with the filter is 6.6 quarts. Capacity without the filter is 6.0 quarts.
Toyota prefers “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” for the radiator, but you may substitute any ethylene glycol-based coolant. Make sure the coolant is non-silicate, non-amine, non-nitrite and non-borate, and has long-life hybrid organic acid technology. The Toyota coolant comes already diluted in the recommended 50-50 water-coolant mix. Toyota cautions you not to use plain water alone. The coolant capacity is 11.1 quarts.
If your 4Runner has four-wheel drive, it makes a difference if it is part-time or full-time four-wheel drive for the correct amount of oil. Part-time requires 1.1 quarts and full-time requires 1.5 quarts in the transfer case. Toyota specifically calls for Toyota Genuine Transfer gear oil LF or an equivalent SAE 75W oil.
For both the front and rear differential use Toyota Genuine Differential gear oil LT 75W-85 GL-5 or equivalent. The front differential requires 1.6 quarts for part-time four-wheel drive and 1.5 quarts for full-time four-wheel drive. The capacity of the rear differential is 2.9 quarts for vehicles without the rear differential lock and 2.8 quarts for 4runners with the rear differential lock.
Toyota recommends using only Toyota Genuine ATF WS and cautions that using anything else may cause damage to the transmission. The transmission fluid capacity is approximately 11.3 quarts.
For the brake system, select SAE J1703 or FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 fluid. When adding brake fluid, turn the engine off and depress the brake pedal more than 40 times. Fill the reservoir with brake fluid until level reaches the "MAX" line. If the vehicle requires power steering fluid, use Automatic transmission fluid DEXRON II or lll.
The 4Runner fuel tank holds 23.0 gallons. Use unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 or higher to prevent engine knock. Toyota warns not use gasoline containing more than 10 percent ethanol. Use of gasoline containing the additive MMT or Methylcyclopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl may damage the emission control system.
