Toyota Tacoma (2005–2015) Owners Manual: Driving assist systems

To help enhance driving safety and performance, the following systems operate automatically in response to various driving situations.

Be aware, however, that these systems are supplementary and should not be relied upon too heavily when operating the vehicle.

■ ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)

Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenly, or if the brakes are applied while driving on a slippery road surface.

■ Brake assist

Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake pedal is depressed, while the system detects a panic stop situation.

■ VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)

Helps the driver to control skidding when swerving suddenly or turning on slippery road surfaces.

■ Trailer Sway Control (vehicles with towing hitch and 7 pin connector)

Helps the driver to control trailer sway by selectively applying brake pressure for individual wheels and reducing engine torque when trailer sway is detected.

Trailer Sway Control is part of the VSC system and will not operate if VSC is turned off or experiences a malfunction.

■ TRAC (Traction Control)

Helps to maintains drive power and prevent the drive wheels from spinning when starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads.

■ Hill-start assist control (if equipped)

Helps prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards when starting on an incline or slippery slope. It operates for approximately 5 seconds at maximum.

When the VSC/Trailer Sway Control/TRAC/hill-start assist control systems are operating

The slip indicator will flash while the VSC/Trailer Sway Control/ TRAC/hill-start assist control systems are operating.

The stop lights and high mounted stoplight turn on when the hill-start assist control system or Trailer Sway Control is operating.

To disable VSC, Trailer Sway Control and TRAC (2WD models and 2WD mode on 4WD models)

If the vehicle gets stuck in fresh snow or mud, VSC, Trailer Sway Control and TRAC may reduce power from the engine to the wheels.

You may need to turn the system off to enable you to rock the vehicle in order to free it.

■ Turning off TRAC, VSC and Trailer Sway Control

Press and hold the VSC OFF switch for more than 3 seconds while the vehicle is stopped to turn off TRAC, VSC and Trailer Sway Control.

The VSC OFF and TRAC OFF indicators will come on.

Push the switch again to turn both systems back on.

To disable VSC, Trailer Sway Control and/or TRAC (4WD mode on 4WD models)

If the vehicle gets stuck in fresh snow or mud, VSC, Trailer Sway Control and TRAC may reduce power from the engine to the wheels.

You may need to turn the system off to enable you to rock the vehicle in order to free it.

■ Turning off TRAC

Quickly push and release the VSC OFF switch to turn off TRAC.

The TRAC OFF indicator will come on.

Push the switch again to turn the system back on.

■ Turning off TRAC, VSC and Trailer Sway Control

Press and hold the VSC OFF switch for more than 3 seconds while the vehicle is stopped to turn off TRAC, VSC and Trailer Sway Control.

The VSC OFF and TRAC OFF indicators will come on.

Push the switch again to turn both systems back on.

■When the TRAC OFF indicator light comes on even if the VSC OFF switch has not been pressed

TRAC, hill-start assist control, downhill assist control system cannot be operated.

Contact your Toyota dealer.

■Reactivation of the TRAC, VSC and Trailer Sway Control systems after turning off the engine

Turning off the engine after turning off the TRAC, VSC and Trailer Sway Control systems will automatically reactivate them.

■Automatic TRAC reactivation (AUTO LSD mode)

With AUTO LSD mode, VSC OFF and AUTO LSD indicator lights turn on.

The TRAC system will turn on when the vehicle speed increases.

■Automatic TRAC, VSC and Trailer Sway Control reactivation

If the TRAC, VSC and Trailer Sway Control systems are turned off, the systems will not turn on even when vehicle speed increases.

■Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, TRAC, VSC, Trailer Sway Control, brake assist and hill-start assist control system

●A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the engine is started or just after the vehicle begins to move. This sound does not indicate that a malfunction has occurred in any of these systems.

●Any of the following conditions may occur when the above systems are operating. None of these indicates that a malfunction has occurred.

• Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.

• A motor sound may be heard after the vehicle comes to a stop.

• The brake pedal may pulsate slightly when the ABS is activated.

• The brake pedal may move down slightly after the ABS is activated.

■Hill-start assist control is operational when (if equipped)

●The shift lever is in the D, 4, 3, 2 (5-speed automatic transmission), D, 3, 2 (4-speed automatic transmission) or L positions.

●The brake pedal is not depressed.

■Hill-start assist control will not operate when (if equipped)

●The shift lever is in the P, R or N positions.

●The rear differential is locked.

■If the brake system overheats

TRAC and hill-start control will cease operation and a buzzer will sound to alert the driver. Stop the vehicle in a safe place. (There is no problem with continuing normal driving.)

CAUTION

■The ABS does not operate effectively when

●The limits of tire gripping performance have been exceeded.

●The vehicle hydroplanes while driving at high speed on the wet or slick road.

■Stopping distance when the ABS is operating may exceed that of normal conditions

The ABS is not designed to shorten the vehicle’s stopping distance. Always maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you, especially in the following situations.

●When driving on dirt, gravel or snow-covered roads

●When driving with tire chains

●When driving over bumps in the road

●When driving over roads with potholes or roads with uneven roads

■When VSC and Trailer Sway Control are activated

The slip indicator flashes. Always drive carefully. Reckless driving may cause an accident. Exercise particular care when the indicator flashes.

■TRAC may not operate effectively when

Directional control and power may not be achievable while driving on slippery road surfaces, even if TRAC is operating.

Do not drive the vehicle in conditions where stability and power may be lost.

■If the hill-start assist control does not operate effectively

Do not overly rely on the hill-start assist control. The hill start assist control may not operate effectively on steep inclines and roads covered in ice.

CAUTION

■Replacing tires

Make sure that all tires are of the same size, brand, tread pattern and total load capacity. In addition, make sure that the tires are inflated to the appropriate tire pressure level.

The ABS, VSC, TRAC and Trailer Sway Control will not function correctly if different tires are fitted on the vehicle.

Contact your Toyota dealer for further information when replacing tires or wheels.

■Handling of tires and suspension

Using tires with any kind of problem or modifying the suspension will affect the driving assist systems, and may cause the system to malfunction.

■Trailer Sway Control precaution

The Trailer Sway Control system is not able to reduce trailer sway in all situations.

Depending on many factors such as the conditions of the vehicle, trailer, road surface, and driving environment, the Trailer Sway Control system may not be effective. Refer to your trailer owner’s manual for information on how to tow your trailer properly.

■If trailer sway occurs

Observe the following precautions.

Failing to do so may cause death or serious injury.

●Firmly grip the steering wheel. Steer straight ahead.

Do not try to control trailer swaying by turning the steering wheel.

●Begin releasing the accelerator pedal immediately but very gradually to reduce speed.

Do not increase speed. Do not apply vehicle brakes.

If you make no extreme correction with the steering or brakes, your vehicle and trailer should stabilize.