Question on towing and break-in period

[RyanE]

Got my Black/Black Limited w/Nav & 3rd row ordered last week...should be at the dealership in about 2 weeks. I can't wait to pick it up.

Since the dealership I ended up buying from is about 4 hours away and I'm not trading my other car in, I'm considering the option of using the 4Runner to trailer my car back. My car weighs ~ 3300 lbs, so I'm within the towing limit, but I'm having a hard time believing it's a good idea to use my 4Runner for towing before it goes through some kind of break-in period.

That said, is there a defined or recommended break-in period or procedure for the T4R? If not, is there a general opinion on whether or not towing right away is a good idea? Common sense tells me 'no', but I'd like some more educated opinions than my own.

Thanks.

 

[Lee T4R]

Got my Black/Black Limited w/Nav & 3rd row ordered last week...should be at the dealership in about 2 weeks. I can't wait to pick it up.

Since the dealership I ended up buying from is about 4 hours away and I'm not trading my other car in, I'm considering the option of using the 4Runner to trailer my car back. My car weighs ~ 3300 lbs, so I'm within the towing limit, but I'm having a hard time believing it's a good idea to use my 4Runner for towing before it goes through some kind of break-in period.

That said, is there a defined or recommended break-in period or procedure for the T4R? If not, is there a general opinion on whether or not towing right away is a good idea? Common sense tells me 'no', but I'd like some more educated opinions than my own.

Thanks.

According to the manual:

Tips for breaking in your new Toyota

For the first 200 mi avoid sudden stops
For the first 500 mi Do not tow a trailer
For the first 1000 mi:
Do not drive at extremely high speeds
Avoid sudden acceleration
Do not drive continuously in low gears
Do not drive at constant speed for extended periods.

Being 4 hrs away, you are going to have a hard time with the constant speed.

The tips are almost impossible to follow, I had to tow a trailer with 300 mi on my 4R and broke the constant speed tip as well.

 

[RyanE]

According to the manual:

Tips for breaking in your new Toyota

For the first 200 mi avoid sudden stops
For the first 500 mi Do not tow a trailer
For the first 1000 mi:
Do not drive at extremely high speeds
Avoid sudden acceleration
Do not drive continuously in low gears
Do not drive at constant speed for extended periods.

Being 4 hrs away, you are going to have a hard time with the constant speed.

The tips are almost impossible to follow, I had to tow a trailer with 300 mi on my 4R and broke the constant speed tip as well.

Perfect response, thanks. For some reason I hadn't considered trying to find the owner's manual online.

Looks like I'm going to have to bribe a family-member to spend a day on the road with me. Shouldn't be a problem, I just don't like other people driving my cars.... :driving:

I should be able to break up the speed a little instead of just setting the cruise and running with it.

Thanks again for the quick, helpful response.

 

[Lee T4R]

Good Luck!

 

[RyanE]

Congrats on the black/black Limited!

Thanks...I'm psyched to get it home. I'm selling one of the best cars I've ever owned to make room for it, so expectations are high, but I think I chose well.

 

[Titanpat57]

Good luck on the new Runner...how about taking a bus or train?