Toyota 4Runner: How to Set Door Lock Settings

The Toyota 4Runner allows you to set the automatic door-locking behavior to your liking. You just have to perform the steps that correspond to the behavior desired using the “Lock / Unlock” buttons and the shift lever.

2009 – 2023 Models

Option 1

1. Close all doors and switch the ignition to the “ON” position. Do not start the engine.
2. Within 20 seconds of turning the electronics on, do one of the following, depending on how you want the auto lock system to function:
   • To make the doors automatically lock when shifting: Shift the gear to “P” (you’re probably on “P” already), then press and hold button “Lock” button on the door.
   • To make the doors automatically unlock when shifting: Shift the gear to “P,” then press and hold the “Unlock” button on the door.
   • To make the doors automatically lock when the vehicle reaches 12mph: Shift the gear to “N,” then press and hold the “Lock” button on the door.
   • To make the doors automatically unlock when the driver’s door is opened: Shift the gear to “N“, then press and hold the “Unlock” button on the door.

To disable any of the door lock settings, simply repeat the procedure.

Option 2

1. Make sure the vehicle is parked and turned off.
2. Press and hold the Lock and Unlock buttons on the remote keyless entry transmitter simultaneously for approximately 5 seconds.
3. The lights on the transmitter will flash twice to indicate that the mode has been entered.
4. Within 30 seconds, press the Lock or Unlock button once to select the desired mode.
5. The lights on the transmitter will flash once to indicate the mode has been selected. The following modes are available:
   • Mode 1: All doors will lock when the vehicle reaches a speed of 15 mph.
   • Mode 2: All doors will lock when the vehicle is shifted out of Park.
   • Mode 3: All doors will lock when the vehicle is turned on.
   • Mode 4: All doors will lock when the driver’s door is opened and closed.
6. Once the desired mode has been selected, press and hold the Lock and Unlock buttons on the transmitter simultaneously for about 5 seconds until the lights on the transmitter flash twice.
7. The mode has now been set, and the doors will lock according to the selected mode.

Note: If the mode is not selected within 30 seconds, the procedure will need to be repeated from step 2.

2002 – 2008 Models

1. Sit inside the vehicle and close all the doors.
2. Insert the key into the ignition and turn it to the “On” position.
3. Locate the power door lock switch on the driver’s side door panel. Press and hold the “Lock” button for five seconds.
4. While holding the “Lock” button, press and hold the “Unlock” button for two seconds, then release both buttons.
5. Listen for the sound of the door locks cycling, indicating that the programming mode has been activated.
6. Within 30 seconds, use the power door lock switch to set the desired door lock settings. For example, if you want all the doors to lock automatically when the vehicle reaches a certain speed, press the “Lock” button the corresponding number of times (usually two or three times).
7. After you have set the desired door lock settings, turn the ignition key to the “Off” position to exit programming mode.

1995 – 2001 Models

1. Insert the key into the ignition and turn it to the “On” position, but do not start the engine.
2. Using the power door lock switch, lock all the doors from the inside.
3. Unlock the driver’s side door from the outside using the key.
4. Within 5 seconds of unlocking the driver’s side door, open and close the driver’s side door twice.
5. Insert the key into the ignition and turn it to the “Off” position.
6. Within 40 seconds of turning the key off, open and close the driver’s side door once.
7. The door lock settings should now be set according to the following chart:
   • To unlock all doors with one press of the remote or driver’s side door lock button, press the button twice within 3 seconds.
   • To unlock only the driver’s side door with one press of the remote or driver’s side door lock button, press the button once and wait a few seconds before pressing it again.
   • To change the lock mode to “automatic,” where the doors lock automatically when the vehicle speed reaches about 12 mph, repeat steps 1-6, and then within 3 seconds of opening and closing the driver’s side door in step 6, press and hold the lock button on the remote for 2 seconds, then release.

I hope this guide has helped you figure out how to set the auto door lock behavior on your Toyota 4Runner to your liking. If you have problems, leave me a comment below.

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