Brand new '05 4Runner Sport: Is this normal?

[Fakie]

Hi. First time poster and first time Toyota owner. I love this truck! It is awesome. I got it because I needed more room and I got so much more than that; previously, I owned a 2-door Honda Civic

Anyway, even though the truck is great I've noticed two weird things about it: Whenever I brake to a stop, there's a feeling in the brake pedal similar to the feeling of traction control. In fact, that's exactly what it feels like. But there's no way my tires are slipping. It happens on straight, flat streets. It is fairly consistent, too. Does anybody know if this is normal?

The second concern: Whenever I'm at a stop and I let the brake off just enough to have the car roll forward the tiniest bit, the car/engine begins to shake. This happened on flat, level streets as well. Is this normal?

Oh, and there was one other thing: The front of my steering wheel has some weird creases on it–definitely noticeable. They're not clean, clear lines; I don't think it's for design purposes. Normal?

Thank you everyone in advance for your responses. This forum is going to be a great tool for me and my new baby!

 

[sharp4runr]

Welcome aboard!

I don't have an answer to your first question, but I think some other members have complained that they get a wierd feeling in the brake pedal when stopping. I've had my brake pedal kind of depress a little more than i've pressed it but I don't give it much though. The truck is stopping and thats what matters to me.

2nd question: That definitely isn't normal. Your engine shouldn't be shaking like that.

3rd question: What creases are you talking about? Can you take a pic and point them out? I know on the steering wheel there are controls on the left side for the radio,

 

[Kanab]

Welcome, none of your problems are normal. I suggest you take it back to the dealer you bought it from. Explain your problems and if they don't want to fix them (say they are normal) then ask to go out with the service manager for a test drive with your vehicle and then with another new 4runner (just like your vehicle) off their lot. Let us know what happens.

 

[snomobo]

In regards to your engine stuttering, I have a friend who bought a Rodeo with the Direct Injection... less than a week after he bought it he started experiencing the same problem. Took it to the dealer umteen million times and they could never figure out what it was... finally gave him the cold shoulder and told him to "live with it". He took his case to the BBB and actually won... Isuzu had to pay for his car and all the extra expenses. Hopefully this won't be the case, but if you/the dealer figure out what the problem is, be sure to let us know.

Sno

 

[Cliff s]

The steering wheel cover is leather and sounds like it is defective, the dealer should replace it.

Your brake problem is either a bad brake controller or a warped rotor, again the dealer should repair this.

Don't be surprised if they say they can't reproduce this. This is an old dealer trick, drive it to the back lot
and do nothing, then tell the customer they can't find anything. Be sure to note what the service writer
writes on the order, if it says check brakes then you are in trouble.

Cliff s

 

[Fakie]

Thanks you guys for the responses thus far. I think I'm going to take it back to the dealership this weekend. Hopefully they won't try to screw me over.

As for the steering wheel, I will try to post a picture of it tonight. But so far, it looks like it's not very normal. Nobody else has asymmetrical lines/creases on their steering wheels? It's the cover with the Toyota logo.

 

[slowginjoe]

look at this and you'll see why the lines look the way they do:

 

[Fakie]

Slowginjoe, thanks for clearing that up for me. At least now I don't have to worry about the airbag popping out prematurely while I'm driving. I'm going to try to take it to a dealership later today. I guess I'll have to have them drive it to feel the "brake slip feel." Any advice on complaining/questioning?

 

[Fakie]

So I never got it checked out by Toyota. They wanted me to wait a week. I got it checked by another non-Toyota certified mechanic and he said that there was nothing wrong with it.
There has to be something wrong with it!
Now I've noticed that when stopped (braking) the car kind of pushes forward and my seat also creaks to the side when turning. ARGH!

 

[slowginjoe]

So I never got it checked out by Toyota. They wanted me to wait a week. I got it checked by another non-Toyota certified mechanic and he said that there was nothing wrong with it.
There has to be something wrong with it!
Now I've noticed that when stopped (braking) the car kind of pushes forward and my seat also creaks to the side when turning. ARGH!

you mean the sensation of the brake pedal 'pulsing' right before you come to a stop? that is normal on a lot of modern cars. i think people tend to feel it more because the 4runner is so smooth and quiet. it feels like the master cylinder is electronically building/adjusting fluid pressure. if that's what you mean then it is normal. cars these days have so many electronic assists and gadgets that anyone coming from older cars would be alarmed by all the new 'sensations'.

 

[Sac State]

Your brake problem is either a bad brake controller or a warped rotor, again the dealer should repair this.


Cliff s

Or, the lugnuts are tightened too tight. This will cause brake warping and shuddering.

 

[Kanab]

So I never got it checked out by Toyota. They wanted me to wait a week. I got it checked by another non-Toyota certified mechanic and he said that there was nothing wrong with it.
There has to be something wrong with it!
Now I've noticed that when stopped (braking) the car kind of pushes forward and my seat also creaks to the side when turning. ARGH!

What do you mean they wanted you to wait a week? You mean you called on a Monday and they wanted to set you up with an appt. for the next Monday? Make your list of concerns and set up an appt. Have them checked out and resolved. They are either problems or they aren't, the dealer gets paid by Toyota to cover warranty problems and they are more then happy to do the work versus waste their time checking something out and telling you its normal and not get paid anything. Logic??

 

[Hitman]

Whenever I brake to a stop, there's a feeling in the brake pedal similar to the feeling of traction control. In fact, that's exactly what it feels like. But there's no way my tires are slipping. It happens on straight, flat streets. It is fairly consistent, too. Does anybody know if this is normal?

!

Yes, I think this is normal. I've noticed this in every 4th generation 4Runner that I've driven.

Take a look at this thread for more information:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6348&highlight=brake+pedal