Toyota Tacoma (2005–2015) Owners Manual: Driving the vehicle

The following procedures should be observed to ensure safe driving.

■ Starting the engine

■ Driving

Automatic transmission

With the brake pedal depressed, shift the shift lever to D.

Release the parking brake.

Gradually release the brake pedal and gently depress the accelerator pedal to accelerate the vehicle.

  Manual transmission

With the clutch pedal fully depressed, shift the shift lever to 1.

Release the parking brake.

Gradually release the clutch pedal. At the same time, gently depress the accelerator pedal to accelerate the vehicle.

■ Stopping

Automatic transmission

With the shift lever in D, depress the brake pedal.

If necessary, set the parking brake.

When the vehicle is stopped for an extended period of time, shift the shift lever to P or N.

Manual transmission

With the clutch pedal fully depressed, depress the brake pedal.

If necessary, set the parking brake.

When the vehicle is stopped for an extended period of time, shift the shift lever to N.

■ Parking the vehicle

Automatic transmission

With the shift lever in D, depress the brake pedal.

Set the parking brake.

Shift the shift lever to P.

When parking on a hill, if necessary, block the wheels.

Turn the engine switch to the LOCK position to stop the engine.

Lock the door, making sure that you have the key on your person.

Manual transmission

With the clutch pedal fully depressed, depress the brake pedal.

Set the parking brake.

Shift the shift lever to N.

When parking on a hill, shift the shift lever to 1 or R. If necessary, block the wheels.

Turn the engine switch to the LOCK position to stop the engine.

Lock the door, making sure that you have the key on your person.

Starting on a steep uphill

Automatic transmission

With the brake pedal depressed, firmly set the parking brake and shift the shift lever to D.

Gently depress the accelerator pedal.

Release the parking brake.

  Manual transmission

With the parking brake firmly set and the clutch pedal fully depressed, shift the shift lever to 1.

Lightly depress the accelerator pedal at the same time as gradually releasing the clutch pedal.

Release the parking brake.

■Driving in the rain

●Drive carefully when it is raining, because visibility will be reduced, the windows may become fogged-up, and the road will be slippery.

●Drive carefully when it starts to rain, because the road surface will be especially slippery.

●Refrain from high speeds when driving on an expressway in the rain, because there may be a layer of water between the tires and the road surface, preventing the steering and brakes from operating properly.

■Engine speed while driving (vehicles with an automatic transmission)

In the following conditions, the engine speed may become high while driving.

This is due to automatic up-shifting control or down-shifting implementation to meet driving conditions. It does not indicate sudden acceleration.

●The vehicle is judged to be driving uphill or downhill

●When the accelerator pedal is released

■Breaking in your new Toyota

To extend the life of the vehicle, the following precautions are recommended to observe: ●For the first 200 miles (300 km): Avoid sudden stops.

●For the first 500 miles (800 km): Do not tow a trailer.

●For the first 1000 miles (1600 km): • Do not drive at extremely high speeds.

• Avoid sudden acceleration.

• Do not drive continuously in the low gears.

• Do not drive slowly with the manual transmission in a high gear.

• Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods.

■Drum-in-disc type parking brake system

Your vehicle has a drum-in-disc type parking brake system. This type of brake system needs bedding-down of the brake shoes periodically or whenever the parking brake shoes and/or drum are replaced. Have your Toyota dealer perform the bedding down operation.

■Operating your vehicle in a foreign country

Comply with the relevant vehicle registration laws and confirm the availability of the correct fuel.

■When turning off the engine

The emission system operating sounds may continue for a short time after the engine is turned off. This is not a malfunction, and helps to ensure optimal performance of the emission system.

CAUTION

■When starting the vehicle (vehicles with an automatic transmission)

Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped with the engine running.

This prevents the vehicle from creeping.

■When driving the vehicle

●Do not drive if you are unfamiliar with the location of the brake and accelerator pedals to avoid depressing the wrong pedal.

• Accidentally depressing the accelerator pedal instead of the brake pedal will result in sudden acceleration that may lead to an accident that could result in death or serious injury.

• When backing up, you may twist your body around, leading to a difficulty in operating the pedals. Make sure to operate the pedals properly.

• Make sure to keep a correct driving posture even when moving the vehicle only slightly, allowing you to depress the brake and accelerator pedals properly.

• Depress the brake pedal using your right foot. Depressing the brake pedal using your left foot may delay response in an emergency, resulting in an accident.

●Do not drive the vehicle over or stop the vehicle near flammable materials.

The exhaust system and exhaust gases can be extremely hot. This may cause a fire if there is any flammable material nearby.

CAUTION

■When driving the vehicle

●On vehicles with an automatic transmission, do not let the vehicle roll backwards while the shift lever is in a driving position, or roll forward while the shift lever is in R.

Doing so may cause the engine to stall or lead to poor brake and steering performance, resulting in an accident or damage to the vehicle.

●If the smell of exhaust is noticed inside the vehicle, open the windows and check that the back window is closed. Large amounts of exhaust in the vehicle can cause driver drowsiness and an accident, resulting in death or a serious health hazard. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.

●On vehicles with an automatic transmission, do not shift the shift lever to P while the vehicle is moving.

Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle control.

●Do not shift the shift lever to R while the vehicle is moving forward.

Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle control.

●Do not shift the shift lever to D (vehicles with an automatic transmission) or 1 (vehicles with a manual transmission) while the vehicle is moving backward.

Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle control.

●Moving the shift lever to N while the vehicle is moving will disengage the engine from the transmission. Engine braking is not available when N is selected.

●During normal driving, do not turn off the engine. Turning the engine off while driving will not cause loss of steering or braking control, but the power assist to these systems will be lost. This will make it more difficult to steer and brake, so you should pull over and stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.

However, in the event of an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible to stop the vehicle in the normal way: →P. 523

CAUTION

■When driving the vehicle

●Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving down a steep hill.

Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose effectiveness.

●When stopped on an inclined surface, use the brake pedal and parking brake to prevent the vehicle from rolling backward or forward and causing an accident.

●Do not adjust the position of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or outside rear view mirrors while driving.

Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control that can cause accidents that may result in death or serious injury.

●Always check that all passengers’ arms, heads or other parts of their bodies are not outside the vehicle, as this may result in death or serious injury.

●Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit permits it, do not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicle has highspeed capability tires. Driving over 85 mph (140 km/h) may result in tire failure, loss of control and possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer to determine whether the tires on your vehicle are high-speed capability tires or not before driving at such speeds.

■When driving on slippery road surfaces

●Sudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippage and reduce your ability to control the vehicle, resulting in an accident.

●Sudden changes in engine speed, such as engine braking caused by upshifting or down-shifting, may cause the vehicle to skid, resulting in an accident.

●After driving through a puddle, lightly depress the brake pedal to make sure that the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent the brakes from functioning properly. If the brakes on only one side are wet and not functioning properly, steering control may be affected, resulting in an accident.

CAUTION

■When shifting the shift lever

On vehicles with an automatic transmission, be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pedal depressed.

This may lead to unexpected rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may cause an accident and result in death or serious injury.

■When the vehicle is stopped

●Do not race the engine.

If the vehicle is in any gear other than P (automatic transmission only) or N, the vehicle may accelerate suddenly and unexpectedly, and may cause an accident.

●Do not leave the vehicle with the engine running for a long time.

If such a situation cannot be avoided, park the vehicle in an open space and check that exhaust fumes do not enter the vehicle interior.

●On vehicles with an automatic transmission, in order to prevent accidents due to the vehicle rolling away, always keep depressing the brake pedal while the engine is running, and apply the parking brake as necessary.

●If the vehicle is stopped on an incline, in order to prevent accidents caused by the vehicle rolling forward or backward, always depress the brake pedal and securely apply the parking brake as needed.

●Avoid revving or racing the engine.

Running the engine at high speed while the vehicle is stopped may cause the exhaust system to overheat, which could result in a fire if combustible material is nearby.

■When the vehicle is parked

●Do not leave glasses, cigarette lighter, spray cans, or soft drink cans in the vehicle when it is in the sun.

Doing so may result in the following.

• Gas may leak from a cigarette lighter, spray can, and may lead to a fire.

• The temperature inside the vehicle may cause the plastic lenses and plastic material of eye glasses to deform or crack.

• Soft drink cans may rupture, causing the contents to spray over the interior of the vehicle, and may also cause a short circuit in the vehicle’s electrical components.

CAUTION

■When the vehicle is parked

●Always apply the parking brake, shift the shift lever to P (automatic transmission only), stop the engine and lock the vehicle.

Do not leave the vehicle unattended while the engine is running.

●Do not touch the exhaust pipe while the engine is running or immediately after turning the engine off.

Doing so may cause burns.

●Do not leave the engine running in an area with snow build-up, or where it is snowing. If snowbanks build up around the vehicle while the engine is running, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle. This may lead to death or a serious health hazard.

■Exhaust gases

Exhaust gases include harmful carbon monoxide (CO) that is colorless and odorless. Inhaling exhaust gases may lead to death or a serious health hazard.

●If the vehicle is in a poorly ventilated area, stop the engine. In a closed area, such as a garage, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle.

This may lead to death or a serious health hazard.

●The exhaust should be checked occasionally. If there is a hole or crack caused by corrosion, damage to a joint or abnormal exhaust noise, be sure to have the vehicle inspected and repaired by your Toyota dealer.

Failure to do so may allow exhaust gases to enter the vehicle, resulting in death or a serious health hazard.

●Toyota does not recommend occupying the rear cargo area when it is fitted with a slide-in camper, camper shell or other type cover while the engine is running. This caution applies to both driving and stopped or parked situations with the engine running. Particular care should be taken to prevent exhaust gases from entering camper bodies, trailers or other enclosures on or around your vehicle. If exhaust fumes are detected, open all windows and thoroughly ventilate the area.

CAUTION

■When taking a nap in the vehicle

Always turn the engine off. Otherwise, you may accidentally move the shift lever or depress the accelerator pedal, which could cause an accident or fire due to engine overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked in a poorly ventilated area, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle, leading to death or a serious health hazard.

■When braking the vehicle

●When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously.

Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and may cause one side of the vehicle to brake differently than the other side. Also the parking brake may not securely hold the vehicle.

●If the power brake assist function does not operate, do not follow other vehicles closely and avoid hills or sharp turns that require braking.

In this case, braking is still possible, but the brake pedal should be depressed more firmly than usual. Also, the braking distance will increase.

Have your brakes fixed immediately.

●Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls.

Each push on the brake pedal uses up the reserve for the power-assisted brakes.

●The brake system consists of 2 individual hydraulic systems: If one of the systems fails, the other will still operate. In this case, the brake pedal should be depressed more firmly than usual and braking distance becomes longer.

Have your brakes fixed immediately.

NOTICE

■When driving the vehicle

●Do not depress the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time during driving, as this may restrain driving torque.

Vehicles with a manual transmission

●Do not rest your foot on the clutch pedal while driving.

Doing so may cause clutch trouble.

●Do not use any gear other than the first gear when starting off and moving forward.

Doing so may damage the clutch.

●Do not use the clutch to hold the vehicle when stopping on an uphill grade.

Doing so may damage the clutch.

Vehicles with an automatic transmission

●Do not use the accelerator pedal or depress the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time to hold the vehicle on a hill.

■When parking the vehicle

On vehicles with an automatic transmission, always put the shift lever in P.

Failure to do so may cause the vehicle to move or the vehicle may accelerate suddenly if the accelerator pedal is accidentally depressed.

■Avoiding damage to vehicle parts

●Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for a long time.

Doing so may damage the power steering pump.

●When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid damaging the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.

■If you hear a squealing or scraping noise while driving (brake pad wear limit indicators)

Have the brake pads checked and replaced by your Toyota dealer as soon as possible.

The rotor damage can result if the pads are not replaced when needed.

It is dangerous to drive the vehicle when the wear limits of the brake pads and/or that of the brake discs are exceeded.

NOTICE

■If you get a flat tire while driving

A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering wheel firmly and gradually press the brake pedal to slow down the vehicle.

●It may be difficult to control your vehicle.

●The vehicle will make abnormal sounds.

●The vehicle will behave abnormally.

Replace a flat tire with a new one.

■When encountering flooded roads

Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may cause the following serious damage to the vehicle.

●Engine stalling

●Short in electrical components

●Engine damage caused by water immersion

In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be sure to have your Toyota dealer check the following.

●Brake function

●Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, transmission, transfer (4WD models), differentials, etc.

●Lubricant condition for the propeller shaft, bearings and suspension joints (where possible) and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.