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Comments
My only complaint about the 12V extension cord is that it tends to rattle and tap against many adjacent hard surfaces along its course towards the front cabin. However, this is easily solved by such strategies as running it underneath carpet mats or floor liners; as well as wrapping the cord with some soft foam tape in noise-prone areas where it can't be buried under mats. etc.
My Sprint cell phone will accept either a 12V or a 110V recharging cord, so I can also use the 4Runner's 110V outlet (found in the center armrest box) to charge my phone.
I got a 2004 4Runner SR5 V8; it came with the engine immobilizer and the keyless entry system. This vehicle does not come with an upgrade alarm system and I'm thinking of installing the Toyota RS3200 Plus alarm system part number 08586-3D870.
Can anyone comment on this alarm system (what features it has on it) or any other recommended alarm system to install on the 2004 4Runners?
Before I bought this SUV, I'm surprise that I could not find anywhere in Houston Texas for a 2004 4Runner SR5 V8 with an alarm system option.
Thanks
As posted by Corancher, the alarm comes factory installed on all 4Rs. Go To Msg #367 on the Aftermarket & Accessories page, and then read the follow on messages too.
-Whitney
It is an option on the SR5 and just needs to be activated. My '04 SR5 came with keyless entry and engine immobilizer but didn't sound a warning or flash lights. Now, with the RS3200 it will sound a warning when you tap on the glass with your keys. This simulates a breakin. Also, there are ways to program it to your needs. There is also a guarantee to pay your insurance deductible if it is stolen.
corancher "Toyota 4Runner Accessories" Feb 12, 2004 8:28pm
Steve, Host
Thank you. I wasn't clever enough to post the link to corancher's post.
Steve, Host
http://thw.gameparty.net/other/imp/topgear2.WMV
Large Downloads (5 and 9 MB)
Steve, Host
Usually the cable end is attached to a metal plate (the "bracket"_ that snugs against the hole in the wheel. Sometimes this plate adheres to the wheel due to mud and dirt getting in there, but it should pop free easily with a tap of your lug wrench.
So you get the tire on the ground and pop the cable end free of the wheel, and then turn the cable end metal piece so that it slips through the hole in the wheel. Installation is just the reverse.
That's the generic version that I'm familiar with. Hope this makes sense!
Steve, Host
My dealer has reassured me that it is completely safe and acceptable to switch to a full synthetic oil at the 15,000 mile mark, and in fact he encouraged it. (My dealer doesn't currently sell synthetic oils, but they will gladly install these oils for those customers who bring their own supply.)
Many thank yous!
It isn't ideal but it's the same system in every truck that holds the spare tire underneath.
It's easy once you know how to do it but the first time can be a pain in the rear, as you found out.
Also, I think there's a preferred orientation of the tire when you replace the spare on the bracket/cable (valve stem down?).
Steve, Host
Do the 2004 4Runner V6's and/or V8's require premium fuel? This is a big decision maker for me.
Thanks!
For premium engine performance, yes. Some owners run 87 with no problem. I have never filled up with anything other than Premium, I have the V8.
Like Sacstate1, I prefer to run premium grade (91-93 octane) fuel in my '03 V8 4Runner Limited, since this is what Toyota recommends for the best engine performance, and I'm willing to bear the added cost. On the other hand, there seem to be many 4Runner drivers at this forum who are reporting good results (thus far) with lower octane fuels, so you be the judge.
Cheers
Pat
Fill a few tankfulls with different grades and see what happens. Then all this speculation is unnecessary. Let expereince be your teacher.
If your ignition timing is retarded by detection of pinging, your power and mileage will suffer. Above a specific octane which permits maximum ignition advance, no performance increase will be seen. From their statements, it is apparent that Toyota expects ignition timing to be retarded by 87 octane gas, but no pinging since it is prevented by the preignition sensor.
In my vehicles, I use the lowest octane gas that permits optimum performance (maximum ignition advance). When towing, I need to go to premium to prevent retarded ignition timing on anything but dead-flat highways. Hillclimbing or strenuous off-road driving would also benefit by using highest-available octane to maintain your power (advanced ignition timing).
Don't expect that you can determine your octane needs by idling the engine and checking the timing advance. It is under load (accelerating from stop lights, hilly driving or towing) that the real test of octane requirement is provided.
I have been told that you can measure your gas mileage on the highway and see the difference in gas mileage between high-octane and inadequate gasoline. If you only need 91 octane on the highway, for example, using 93 octane gas will not show any improvement in gas mileage over 91 octane gas. You should see a significant decrease in gas mileage if you use 87 octane under these circumstances.
I actually divide the miles driven by the gallons at each fill up. The gas mileage computer on the dash is almost 2 MPG higher than actual gas mileage.
I've not based MY choice of fuel grade on what my dealer has told me; rather, I've based it on what's been advised in the printed materials mentioned above. That said, one of my dealer's Toyota technicians happens to be the proud owner of an '03, V8 4Runner Sport, and when asked, he's told me that he too prefers to feed his truck 91 octane fuel. Why? He said that the high-performance, i-Force V8 has been on the market for many years now, and that in the long-term, they've tended to see the fewest problems when high octane, high-quality fuels are consistently used with this engine.
For those of you who are so far enjoying good results with lower octane fuels, I think that's great. Loinva asked for opinions regarding fuel grade, and I offered mine-- take it or leave it. As a consumer I've found that in general, it's often wise to adhere to instructions found in owner's manuals, but your experiences may differ.
There are plenty of unscrupulous, uncaring, and/or ill-informed car/truck sales persons who may tell a consumer whatever he/she wants to hear in order to make a sale. Indeed, they're more likely to make a sale if they tell the prospective buyer that these engines will happily run on the cheapest fuel available. In my humble opinion, if a prospective 4Runner owner accurately and honestly assesses their own finances and monthly cashflow, and then finds that their financial margins are so tight that they're sweating over the real or potential cost of fueling the vehicle with even the least expensive grade of fuel, then they may be wanting a vehicle they can't realistically afford. As the old saying goes, "Buy in haste, repent at leisure..." In other words, if you can't EASILY afford to feed these gas-hungry SUVs during a volatile and currently rising (and unpredictable) fuel market, then you are probably wanting to drink champagne on a beer wallet. If your financial margins are so tight that the grade of fuel is a deciding factor, then you might need a keeper.
http://pressroom.toyota.com/photo_library/display_release.html?id- - =20044runner_s
91 is not required. The manual says you can use regular gas. I use 89 with no problems and good mileage.
driven 1 year - 19400 miles
87 octane
@14mpg strictly city driving
@17mpg mixed
I have had no problems with my 4-runner using regular gas.
be "REQUIRED" not RECOMMENDED as it says. Mine runs just fine on 87 and I love the savings. Spend your money as you see fit!!!!!!
because I cannot understand what you saying. It looks like english but there is not one real sentence in it.
Here in the real world, owners want clarification on a simple gas issue for their 4Runner. If you need to read about something else, there are 479 other pages you can go through.
We can all do without the sniping.
tidester, host
Long time reader, infrequent poster here. I do have a 2 questions tho. First, what is a fair price for the recommended 60000 mile service from Toyota for my 2000 4Runner? Second, one dealer mentioned replacing my timing belt every 60000 miles, but I can not find information to verify which mileage interval is recommended for changing it. Any and all help will be appreciated.
tidester, host
but I will give you a credit “you are the best”
For example, for one of my cars it has oil changes every 3000 miles, when the owners manual recommends every 7500 miles under normal driving. (I'm not trying to start another oil change thread, just using as an example) ;-)
Perhaps the Edmunds schedule is based on severe driving? Do the hosts have any idea on where these schedules come from?
tidester, host
Remember that snafu with the timing belts? Edmunds schedule said the V6 needed to be changed when in actuality the V6 has a timing chain that never needs replacing. The V8 is the one that needs a belt change.
I think the factory manual is a good indicator of the requirements. In the factory manual, regular gas is perfectly acceptable. 91 is only required if you experience knocking, such as at high altitudes.