TOYOTA TACOMA 2003 Owners Manual (in English)

’03 Tacoma U (L/O 0209)
1852003 MY TACOMA (OM35800U)
Do not place anything else other
than cups or drinkcans in the cup
holder, as such items may be
thrown about in the compartment
and possibly injure people in the
vehicle during sudden braking or in
an accident.
To reduce the chance of injury in
case of an accident or sudden stop
while driving, keep the second cup
holder closed when it is not in use.
NOTICE
Do not use the second cup holder
when you sliding the bench seat (reg-
ular cab models) or move passenger ’s
seat for rear seat entry (xtracab
model s). The seat may interfere with
the second cup holder and the spilled
drink may cause a malfunction on the
electrical components.
The cup holder is designed for holding
cups or drinkcans securely.
The cup holder adjusts to different sized
cups using its separator arms.
CAUTION
Do not use the cup holder when
you sliding the bench seat (regular
cab models) or move passenger ’s
seat for rear seat entry (xtracab
models). The seat may interfere
with the cup holder and the drink
may spill over the occupants. If the
spilled drink is hot, it may cause
burns.
Do not place anything else other
than cups or drinkcans in the cup
holder, as such items may be
thrown about in the compartment
and possibly injure people in the
vehicle during sudden braking or in
an accident.
To reduce the chance of injury in
case of an accident or sudden stop
while driving, keep the cup holder
closed when it is not in use.
NOTICE
Do not use the cup holder when you
sliding the bench seat (regular cab
models) or move passenger ’s seat for
rear seat entry (xtracab models). The
seat may interfere with the cup holder
and the spilled drink may cause a
malfunction on the electrical compo-
nents.
Front cup holder (type D)

’03 Tacoma U (L/O 0209)
1862003 MY TACOMA (OM35800U)
The cup holder is designed for holding
cups fit securely.
To use the cup holder, raise the folding
table under the rightrear seat. Stand the
table by compressing and turning down
the table legs.
CAUTION
Do not place anything else other
than cups in the cup holder, as
such item may be thrown about in
the compartment and possibly in-
jure people in the vehicle during
sudden braking or an accident.
To reduce the chance of injury in
case of an accident or sudden stop
while driving, keep the cup holder
closed when it is not in use.
Rear cup holder
(xtracab models)Rear cup holder
(double cab models)

’03 Tacoma U (L/O 0209)
1872003 MY TACOMA (OM35800U)
The cup holder is designed for holding
cups or drinkcans securely.
To use the cup holder, pull it out.
CAUTION
Do not place anything else other
than cups or drinkcans in the cup
holder, as such items may be
thrown about in the compartment
and possibly injure people in the
vehicle during sudden braking or in
an accident.
To reduce the chance of injury in
case of an accident or sudden stop
while driving, keep the cup holder
closed when it is not in use.You can use the rear seatback as a tem-
porary table only when the vehicle is
stopped.
To use the seatback table, fold the seat-
back down. (For detailed information, see
“Folding rear seatback” in Section 13.)
CAUTION
To avoid serious injury:
Do not set up the rear seatback
table while the vehicle is moving.
Do not sit on the seatback table.
NOTICE
To prevent the seat from damaging,
avoid putting heavy loads on the tem-
porary table.
Seatback table

’03 Tacoma U (L/O 0209)
1882003 MY TACOMA (OM35800U)
Use grocery bags
Use cargo net
The hooks are designed to hang things
like grocery bags and cargo nets, as
shown in the illustration.
Although the cargo net itself is not in-
cluded as an original equipment, these
cargo net hooks can be used to hang the
cargo net.
NOTICE
To prevent damage to the hook, avoid
hanging heavy loads on it.
The roof luggage carrier consists of
roof rails (1) attached to the roof and
sliding cross rails (2).
To adjust the positions of cross rails, do
this.1. Turn the knobs counterclockwise to loosen the cross rails.
2. Slide the cross rails to the desired position for loading the luggages of
various sizes.
3. After adjusting, be sure to tighten the crossrails by turning knobs clockwise.
Follow the manufacturer ’s instructions and
precautions when installing the attach-
ments or their equivalent.
Grocery bag and cargo net
hooks (double cab models) Roof luggage carrier

’03 Tacoma U (L/O 0209)
1892003 MY TACOMA (OM35800U)
CAUTION
When you load cargo on the roof lug-
gage carrier, observe the following:
Place the cargo on the center of
the cross rails so that its weight
can be distributed evenly between
the front and rear axles.
If loading long or wide cargo, never
exceed the vehicle overall length or
width. (See “Dimensions and
weight” in Section 8 for information
on your vehicle overall length and
width.)
Before driving, make sure the cargo
is securely fastened on the roof
luggage carrier.
Loading cargo on the roof luggage
carrier will make the center of the
vehicle gravity higher. Avoid high
speeds, sudden starts, sharp turns,
sudden braking or abrupt maneu-
vers, otherwise it may result in loss
of control or vehicle rollover due to
failure to operate this vehicle cor-
rectly.
If driving for a long distance, on
rough roads, or at high speeds,
stop the vehicle now and then dur-
ing the trip to make sure the cargo
remains in its place.
Do not exceed 45 kg (100 lb.) cargo
weight on the roof luggage carrier.
NOTICE
When loading the luggages, be careful
not to scratch the surface of the
moon roof.
Use a floor mat of the correct size.
If the floor carpet and floor mat have a
hole, then it is designed for use with a
locking clip. Fix the floor mat with locking
clip into the hole in the floor carpet.
Floor mat

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CAUTION
Make sure the floor mat is properly
placed on the floor carpet. If the floor
mat slips and interferes with the
movement of the pedals during driv-
ing, it may cause an accident.
Valance panelLonger
tapping screws
Front license plate Shorter
tapping screws
Install the front license plate using the
following procedure:
1. Remove and discard the front license plate frame (if installed on the vehicle
at delivery).
2. Align the holes on the front license plate with the dimples on the valance
panel.
3. Install the two longer tapping screws through the upper holes, and the two
shorter tapping screws through the low-
er holes of the license plate, into the
dimples on the valance panel.
Do not drill holes in the dimples on the
valance panel. The 4 tapping screws are enclosed in a
plastic bag in the glove box. If your ve-
hicle was not equipped with the screws at
delivery, contact your Toyota dealer.
Installing front license plate
(fourwheel drive models and
Pre Runner)

’03 Tacoma U (L/O 0209)
1912003 MY TACOMA (OM35800U)
INFORMATION BEFORE DRIVING YOUR
TOYOTA
Offroad vehicle precautions192
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Breakin period 193
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Fuel 193
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Operation in foreign countries 195
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Threeway catalytic converters 195
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Engine exhaust cautions 196
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Facts about engine oil consumption 197
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Twin ground electrode spark plugs 198
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Brake system 198
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Brake pad wear limit indicators 201
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Luggage stowage precautions 202
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Rear step bumper 202
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Step side bed 203
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Your Toyota’s identification 203
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Suspension and chassis 204
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Types of tires 205
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SECTION 2

’03 Tacoma U (L/O 0209)
1922003 MY TACOMA (OM35800U)
This vehicle has higher ground clear-
ance and narrower tread in relation to
the height of its center of gravity to
make it capable of performing in a wide
variety of offroad applications. Specific
design characteristics give it a higher
center of gravity than ordinary passen-
ger cars. This vehicle design feature
causes this type of vehicle to be more
likely to rollover. And, it has a signifi-
cantly higher rollover rate than other
types of vehicles. An advantage of the
higher ground clearance is a better
view of the road allowing you to antici-
pate problems. It is not designed for
cornering at the same speeds as ordi-
nary passenger cars any more than
lowslung sports cars are designed to
perform satisfactorily under offroad
conditions. Therefore, sharp turns at
excessive speeds may cause rollover.
CAUTION
Always observe the following precau-
tions to minimize the risk of serious
personal injury or damage to your ve-
hicle:
In a rollover crash, an unbelted per-
son is significantly more likely to
die than a person wearing a seat
belt. Therefore, the driver and all
passengers should fasten their seat
belts whenever the vehicle is mov-
ing.
Avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneu-
vers, if at all possible. Failure to
operate this vehicle correctly may
result in loss of control or vehicle
rollover causing death or serious
injury.
Loading cargo on the roof luggage
carrier will make the center of the
vehicle gravity higher. Avoid high
speeds, sudden starts, sharp turns,
sudden braking or abrupt maneu-
vers, otherwise it may result in loss
of control or vehicle rollover due to
failure to operate this vehicle cor-
rectly.
Always slow down in gusty cross-
winds. Because of its profile and
higher center of gravity, your ve-
hicle is more sensitive to side
winds than an ordinary passenger
car. Slowing down will allow you to
have much better control.
Offroad vehicle precautions
(fourwheel drive models and
Pre Runner)

’03 Tacoma U (L/O 0209)
1932003 MY TACOMA (OM35800U)
When driving offroad or in rugged
terrain, do not drive at excessive
speeds, jump, make sharp turns,
strike objects, etc. This may cause
loss of control or vehicle rollover
causing death or serious injury. You
are also risking expensive damage
to your vehicle’s suspension and
chassis.
Do not drive horizontally across
steep slopes. Driving straight up or
straight down is preferred. Your ve-
hicle (or any similar offroad ve-
hicle) can tip over sideways much
more easily than forward or back-
ward.
Drive gently and avoid high speeds.
Your vehicle does not need an elaborate
breakin. But following a few simple tips
for the first 1600 km (1000 miles) can add
to the future economy and long life of
your vehicle:
Avoid full throttle acceleration when
starting and driving.
Avoid racing the engine.
Try to avoid hard stops during the first
300 km (200 miles).
Do not drive slowly with the manual
transmission in a high gear.
Do not drive for a long time at any
single speed, either fast or slow.
Do not tow a trailer during the first 800
km (500 miles).FUEL TYPE
Your new vehicle must use only un-
leaded gasoline.
To help prevent gas station mixups, your
Toyota has a smaller fuel tank opening.
The special nozzle on pumps with un-
leaded fuel will fit it, but the larger stan-
dard nozzle on pumps with leaded gas will
not.
At a minimum, the gasoline you use
should meet specifications of ASTM
D4814 in the U.S.A. and CGSB 3.5M93
in Canada.
NOTICE
Do not use leaded gasoline. Use of
leaded gasoline will cause the three
way catalytic converter to lose its ef-
fectiveness and the emission control
system to function improperly. Also,
this can increase maintenance costs.
Breakin period
Fuel

’03 Tacoma U (L/O 0209)
1942003 MY TACOMA (OM35800U)
OCTANE RATING
Select Octane Rating 87 (Research Oc-
tane Number 91) or higher.
Use of unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating or research octane number lower
than stated above will cause persistent
heavy knocking. If it is severe, this will
lead to engine damage.
If your engine knocks...
If you detect heavy knocking even when
using the recommended fuel, or if you
hear steady knocking while holding a
steady speed on level roads, consult your
Toyota dealer.
However, occasionally, you may notice
light knocking for a short time while accel-
erating or driving up hills. This is normal
and there is no need for concern.
GASOLINE CONTAINING DETERGENT
ADDITIVES
Toyota recommends the use of gasoline
that contains detergent additives to
avoid buildup of engine deposits.
However, all gasoline sold in the U.S.
contains detergent additives to keep clean
and/or clean intake systems.QUALITY GASOLINE
Automotive manufacturers in the U.S.,
Europe and Japan have developed a
specification for quality fuel named
WorldWide Fuel Charter (WWFC) that
is expected to be applied world wide.
The WWFC consists of three categories
that depend on required emission lev-
els. In the U.S., category 3 has been
adopted. The WWFC improves air quali-
ty by providing for better emissions in
vehicle fleets, and customer satisfaction
through better vehicle performance.
CLEANER BURNING GASOLINE
Cleaner burning gasoline, including re-
formulated gasoline that contains oxy-
genates such as ethanol or MTBE is
available in many areas.
Toyota recommends the use of cleaner
burning gasoline and appropriately blended
reformulated gasoline. These types of gas-
oline provide excellent vehicle perfor-
mance, reduce vehicle emissions, and im-
prove air quality.
OXYGENATES IN GASOLINE
Toyota allows the use of oxygenate
blended gasoline where the oxygenate
content is up to 10% ethanol or 15%
MTBE. If you use gasohol in your
Toyota, be sure that it has an octane
rating no lower than 87.
Toyota does not recommend the use of
gasoline containing methanol.
GASOLINE CONTAINING MMT
Some gasoline contain an octane en-
hancing additive called MMT (Methylcy-
clopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl).
Toyota does not recommend the use of
gasoline that contains MMT. If fuel con-
taining MMT is used, your emission con-
trol system may be adversely affected.
The Malfunction Indicator Lamp on the in-
strument cluster may come on. If this hap-
pens, contact your Toyota dealer for ser-
vice.
GASOLINE QUALITY
In a very few cases, you may experience
driveability problems caused by the partic-
ular gasoline that you are using. If you
continue to have unacceptable driveability,
try changing gasoline brands. If this does
not rectify your problem, then consult your
Toyota dealer.