TOYOTA TACOMA 2009 Owners Manual (in English)

331
3-6. Other interior features
3
Interior and exterior features
CAUTION
■
Caution while driving
Keep the garage door opener box closed.
Injuries may result in the event of an accident or sudden braking.
■ To prevent an accident
Keep the remaining spacers away from the children.

332
3-6. Other interior features
Compass (vehicles with accessor y meter)
The compass on the accessory meter indicates the direction in
which the vehicle is heading.
■Operation
To turn the compass on or off,
press the switch.
■ Displays and directions
DisplayDirection
NNorth
NE Northeast EEast
SE Southeast
S South
SW Southwest WWest
NW Northwest

333
3-6. Other interior features
3
Interior and exterior features
Calibrating the compass
The direction display deviates fr om the true direction determined by
the earth’s magnetic field. The amoun t of deviation varies according
to the geographic position of the vehicle.
If you cross over a map boundary shown in illustration, the compass will
deviate.
To obtain higher precision or perfect calibration, refer to the following.
■ Deviation calibration
Stop the vehicle where it is safe to drive in a circle.
Press the switch until VAR
appears on the display.
Press the switch, and referring to the map above, select the
number of the zone where you are.
If the direction is displayed several seconds after adjustment, the
calibration is complete.
Samoa: 5 Guam: 8 Saipan: 8

334 3-6. Other interior features
■Circling calibration
Stop the vehicle where it is safe to drive in a circle.
Press the switch until CAL
appears on the display.
At this time, the compass display
is locked in N.
Drive the vehicle at 5
mph (8 km/h) or less in a
circle until the direction is
displayed.
If there is not enough space
to drive in a circle, drive
around the block until the
direction is displayed.
When CAL goes off and the
compass display returns to
the normal mode, calibration
is complete.

335
3-6. Other interior features
3
Interior and exterior features
■
Conditions unfavorable to correct operation
The compass may not show the correct direction in the following conditions:
●The vehicle is stopped immediately after turning.
The compass does not adjust while the vehicle is stopped.
● The engine switch is turned off immediately after turning.
● The vehicle is on an inclined surface.
● The vehicle is in a place where the earth’s magnetic field is subject to
interference by artificial magnetic fields (underground car park/parking
lot, under a steel tower, between buildings, roof car park/parking lot, near
an intersection, near a large vehicle, etc.).
● The vehicle has become magnetized.
(There is a magnet or metal object on or near the roof.)
● The battery has been disconnected.
CAUTION
■While driving the vehicle
Do not adjust the display. Be sure to adjust the display only when the vehicle
is stopped.
■ When doing the circling calibration
Be sure to secure a wide space, and watch out for people and vehicles in the
neighborhood. Do not violate any local traffic rules while performing circling
calibration.

336 3-6. Other interior features
NOTICE
■To avoid the compass malfunctions
Do not place magnets or any metal objects on or near the roof.
Doing this may cause a malfunction of the compass sensor.
■ To ensure normal operation of the compass
●Do not perform circling calibration of the compass in a place where the
earth’s magnetic field is subject to inte rference by artificial magnetic fields.
● During calibration, do not operate electric systems (power windows, etc.)
as they may interfere with the calibration.

Maintenance and care4
337
4-1. Maintenance and care ... 338Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior ......... 338
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior .......... 340
4-2. Maintenance ................... 343 Maintenance requirements .................. 343
General maintenance....... 345
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs........................ 348
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance ................. 349
Do-it-yourself service precautions .................... 349
Hood ................................ 353
Engine compartment ........ 355
Tires ................................. 373
Tire inflation pressure ...... 381
Wheels ............................. 386
Air conditioning filter......... 388
Wireless remote control battery ........................... 391
Checking and replacing fuses .............................. 393
Light bulbs........................ 403

338
4-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior
■Automatic car washes
●Before washing the vehicle, do the following.
• Fold the mirrors back.
• Remove the antenna.
● Brushes used in automatic car washes may scratch the vehicle surface
and harm your vehicle’s paint.
■ High pressure car washes
Do not allow the nozzles of the car wash to come within close proximity \
of
the windows. Before entering an automatic car wash, check that the fuel filler
door on your vehicle is closed properly.
■ Aluminum wheels (if equipped)
Remove any dirt immediately by using a neutral detergent. Do not use har\
d
brushes or abrasive cleaners. Do not use strong or harsh chemical cleaners.
Use the same mild detergent and wax as used on the paint.
■ Bumpers and side moldings
Do not scrub with abrasive cleaners.
Perform the following to protect the vehicle and maintain it in prime
condition.
● Working from top to bottom, liber ally apply water to the vehicle
body, wheel wells and underside of the vehicle to remove any
dirt and dust.
Wash the vehicle body using a sponge or soft cloth, such as a
chamois.
● For hard-to-remove marks, use car wash soap and rinse thor-
oughly with water.
● Wipe away any water.
● Wax the vehicle when the waterproof coating deteriorates.
If water does not bead on a clean surface, apply wax when the vehicle
body is cool.

339
4-1. Maintenance and care
4
Maintenance and care
■
To prevent deteriorati on and body corrosion
● Wash the vehicle immediately in the following cases:
• After driving near the sea coast
• After driving on salted roads
• If you see coal tar or tree sap on the paint surface
• If you see dead insects or insect droppings on the paint
• After driving in an area contaminated with soot, oily smoke, mine dust,
iron powder or chemical substances
• If the vehicle becomes heavily soiled in dust or mud
• If liquids such as benzene and gasoline are spilled on the paint surface
● If the paint is chipped or scratched, have it repaired immediately.
CAUTION
■Caution about the exhaust pipe
Exhaust gasses cause the exhaust pipe to become quite hot.
When washing the vehicle, be careful not to touch the pipe until it has cooled
sufficiently, as touching a hot exhaust pipe can cause burns.
NOTICE
■To protect your vehicle’s painted surfaces
Do not use organic cleaners such as benzene or gasoline.
■ Cleaning the exterior lights
●Wash carefully. Do not use organic substances or scrub with a hard brush.
This may damage the surfaces of the lights.
● Do not apply wax on the surfaces of the lights.
Wax may cause damage to the lenses.

340
4-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior
■Caring for leather areas
Toyota recommends cleaning the interior of the vehicle at least twice a year
to maintain the quality of the vehicle’s interior.
The following procedures will help pr otect your vehicle’s interior and
keep it in top condition:
■ Protecting the vehicle interior
Remove dirt and dust using a vacuum cleaner. Wipe dirty sur-
faces with a cloth dampened with lukewarm water.
■ Cleaning the leather areas
●Remove dirt and dust using a vacuum cleaner.
● Wipe any excess dirt and dust with a soft cloth dampened with
diluted detergent.
Use a diluted water solution of approximately 5% neutral wool deter-
gent.
●Wring out any excess water from the cloth and thoroughly
wipe off all remaining traces of detergent.
● Wipe the surface with a dry, soft cloth to remove any remain-
ing moisture. Allow the leather to dry in a shaded and venti-
lated area.
■ Synthetic leather areas
●Remove loose dirt using a vacuum cleaner.
● Apply a mild soap solution to the synthetic leather using a
sponge or soft cloth.
● Allow the solution to soak in for a few minutes. Remove the
dirt and wipe off the solution with a clean, damp cloth.