So I've been searching for 4Runner owners' experiences with their break-in periods, for points of reference to my own.
I've found some pretty good basic info, but thought that this is one subject which tends to fall behind, or get buried beneath other topics pretty easily. Since this is such a crucial component of new vehicle ownership, I felt the need to resurrect this thread, in the hopes of attracting users that can chime in with anything they noticed that my be of interest to those of us new to the 5th gens (or 6th and beyond, eventually).
For my part, I have noticed very few quirks while getting used to my 4R, and so far almost everything has shown to be A-OK.
Plastic smell from exhaust: Normal, eventually goes away (not bad in mine at all, only seldom occurs).
Air blowing from under truck, near exhaust crossover: Not a leak! The engine cooling fan is apparently belt driven from the engine, so is always on- this is the cause of that hot air, and explains the lack of exhaust smell in that spot.
Rear Window switch: Must have window control lock OFF, or hatch will be locked too. Also, window can be just *barely* down from bumping the switch, and this can make the rear wiper not function (mostly covered in previous threads, but hey- here it is again).
Bluetooth device audio: If streaming from your phone, be sure to have your phone's media volume up all the way, or the 4R speakers will sound unnaturally low.
Various drivetrain vibrations to transfer case shifter, gas pedal: As far as I know, this is normal. I have experienced this in other vehicles which had no signs of defect. Of course, I am talking about minor vibration- if yours is violently shaking... shop time.
So far, I have a difficult time getting my engine to run through the proper paces for break-in. There are simply no roads anywhere near me (CT) that:
[A] Are fairly untraveled by commuters
Are long enough to be useful
[C] Are wise to travel down under any circumstances
I've kept it under 4k RPMs, but that's the easy part. **I can easily get up to highway speeds faster than the majority of sedans out here, and never go over 3200 RPMs**. My main issue is other drivers, being all over the place at all times day and night, and them driving frankly like idiots. They love to stay on your butt, and aggressively pass to show how upset they are to be forced to use their steering wheel to go around. People also seem to enjoy pulling out in front of new vehicles here. I tried the suburbs around multiple towns surrounding Hartford tonight... horrible idea.
Wherever you are, I hope that you have the ability to drive somewhere less congested, and with more considerate/intelligent drivers. I do not advise trying to break in your engine on busy streets, if you have any choice. I had white knuckles going 15 mph...
