If the car battery on your 4th generation Toyota 4Runner was ever replaced, you might have experienced your automatic driver’s side window, moonroof, and rear hatch window no longer opens or closes automatically with the single full press of your controls. This is common when the battery has been disconnected; it requires you to perform a “normalizing” procedure to re-activate the auto open and close feature of your 4Runner.
The oil change on an Acura CL Type-S is straight forward. The car has a low clearance already, so a pair of car ramps and/or jack and jackstands will be needed to gain access from underneath. Besides that, the oil and oil filter replacement is pretty standard procedure. My 2nd Generation Acura CL Type-S (2001-2003 model years) takes 4.6 quarts of motor oil, specifying either a 5W-20 or a 5W-30 weight oil depending on the year of your car. Either weight motor oil will suffice with the 5W-20 improving cold engine starting and slightly better fuel economy. Whether you have a 2001 through 2003 model year, an Acura CL or an Acura CL Type-S (2nd gen), or an automatic or a manual, there is an oil capacity of 4.6 quarts.
The Maintenance Required Indicator comes on when it is time for your regularly scheduled maintenance. Whenever this light is reset, it will come on for two seconds when you turn the key to ignition for the first 6,000 miles. Between 6,000 and 7,500 miles, the light will turn on for two seconds and then flash for ten seconds when you turn the key to ignition. And then after 7,500 miles without having the scheduled maintenance performed, the indicator will remain on as a constant reminder.
It boggles my mind when vehicle owners change out their car’s air filter regularly, yet neglect the cabin air filter which filters the air that the people inside breath. When outside air comes into the vehicle, it passes through the cabin air filter before it enters the cabin. So in the interest of your health, you should change the cabin air filter out on a regular basis.
During the COVID Pandemic, my Acura CL-S has been sitting a lot more than usual without the opportunity for me to take it out for a long commute to work to get the battery properly re-charged. There was a long stretch of time where the car sat a little too long and the battery depleted completely. After I fully charged my battery with a battery tender, I tried starting up the car again and it would not start. It would crank, but it just wouldn’t turn over. After doing a quick search online, I found a common issue with many Acuras, Hondas, and other makes that use a relay called the PGM-FI relay.
A common issue on these 4th generation Toyota 4Runners is the deterioration of the window moldings or weatherstripping over time. These are the rubber molding pieces that sit atop each of the doors (and liftgate) and between the door and window. Replacing these moldings is an easy job, however the cost of these parts can be a bit costly.
The 4th generation Toyota 4runner has a rear wiper blade that is easily replaceable. It sits on a support at the bottom of the rear hatch window when not in use, but uses a spring to press the arm against the window when it operates. The front windshield wipers get the attention usually, but if you use the rear wiper at all, you’ll realize after some time that it will need to be replaced eventually too.
If you own a 4th generation Toyota 4Runner, you should have received a number of key fobs and keyless entry remotes with the car. I look at a variety of aftermarket key fobs and keyless entry remotes that I’ve purchased over the years to compare the quality of their build and operation.
For years, my 4th generation Toyota 4Runner only wipe a portion of the rear hatch window when it should be wiping an entire half circle. It turns out that fixing this problem is very simple, and requires only a slight cut to the plastic rear arm to fix the issue of the rear wiper arm not making full contact with the window.
