TOYOTA TACOMA 2012 Owners Manual (in English)

181
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
■Driving precautions
When the grade behind the vehicle
slopes up sharply, objects appear to be
farther away than they actually are.
When the grade behind the vehicle
slopes down sharply, objects appear to
be closer than they actually are.

182 2-4. Using other driving systems
The distance that appears on the screen
between three-dimensional objects (such
as vehicles) and flat surfaces (such as
the road) and the actual distance differ as
follows.
In reality, C = A < B (C and A are equally
far away; B is farther than C and A). How-
ever, on the screen, the situation appears
to be A < B < C.
On the screen, it appears that a truck is
parking about 1.5 ft. (0.5 m) away. How-
ever, in reality if you back up to point A,
you will hit the truck.Approx. 1.5 ft. (0.5 m)

183
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
■Rear view monitor system camera
■ Smear effect
The rear view monitor system camera is
located on the tailgate as shown in the
illustration.
In the following cases, it may become dif-
ficult to see the images on the screen,
even when the system is functioning cor-
rectly.
●The vehicle is in a dark area, such as at
night.
● The temperature near the lens is
extremely high or low.
● Water droplets are on the camera lens
or humidity is high, such as when it
rains.
● Foreign matter, such as snow or mud,
adheres to the camera lens.
● A bright object such as a white wall is
reflected in the mirror surface over the
monitor.
● The camera has scratches or dirt on it.
● The sun or headlights are shining
directly into the camera lens.
If a bright light, such as sunlight
reflected off the vehicle body, is picked
up by the camera, a smear effect* char-
acteristic to the camera may occur.
*: Smear effect A phenomenon that
occurs when a bright light is picked
up by the camera; when transmitted
by the camera, the light source
appears to have a vertical streak
above and below it.

184 2-4. Using other driving systems
■Flicker effect
When the camera is used under fluorescent lights, sodium lights, mercury
lights etc., the lights and the illuminated areas may appear to flicker.
CAUTION
■When using the rear view monitor system
Observe the following precautions to avoid an accident that could result in
death or serious injuries.
● Never depend solely on the monitor system when reversing.
● Always check visually and with the mirrors to confirm your intended path is
clear.
● Always check the vehicle surrounding area before proceeding, when back-
ing up.
● Ancillary rear view monitor guide lines may not indicate precise position or
distance, and do not change to show the direction of the vehicle when the
steering wheel is turned.
● Depicted distances between objects and flat surfaces differ from actual
distances.
● Do not use the system if the tailgate open.
● Never back up while looking only at the screen. The image on the screen
is different from actual conditions. Depicted distances between objects
and flat surfaces will differ from actual distance. If you back up while look-
ing only at the screen, you may hit a vehicle, a person or an object. When
backing up, be sure to check behind and all around the vehicle visually
and with mirrors before proceeding.
■ Conditions which may affect the rear view monitor system
● If the back of the vehicle has been hit, the camera’s position and mounting
angle may have changed. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota
dealer.
● Rapid temperature changes, such as when hot water is poured on the
vehicle in cold weather, may cause the system to function abnormally.
● The displayed image may be darker and moving images may be slightly
distorted when the system is cold.

185
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
NOTICE
■Handling of the camera
●As the camera has a water proof construction, do not detach, disassemble
or modify it. This may cause incorrect operation.
● If the camera lens becomes dirty, it cannot transmit a clear image. If water
droplets, snow, or mud adhere to the lens, rinse with water and wipe with a
soft cloth. If the lens is extremely dirty, wash it with a mild cleanser and
rinse.
● Do not allow organic solvent, car wax, window cleaner or glass coat to
adhere to the camera. If this happens, wipe it off as soon as possible.
● When washing the vehicle, do not apply intensive bursts of water to the
camera or camera area. Doing so may result in the camera malfunction-
ing.
● Do not scrub the camera lens roughly or clean it with a hard brush or abra-
sive cleaner. Doing so may damage the lens and adversely affect the
image.

186
2-4. Using other driving systems
Four-wheel drive system
: If equipped
Use the front-wheel drive control switch to select the following
transfer modes.
H2 (high speed position,
two-wheel drive)
Use this for normal driving
on dry hard-surfaced roads.
This position gives greater
economy, quietest ride and
least wear.
H4 (high speed position,
four-wheel drive)
Use this for driving only on
tracks that permit the tires
slide, like off-road, icy or
snow-covered roads. This
position provides greater
traction than two-wheel
drive.
The four-wheel drive indica-
tor comes on.
L4 (low speed position,
four-wheel drive)
Use this for maximum
power and traction. Use L4
for climbing or descending
steep hills, off-road driving,
and hard pulling in sand,
mud or deep snow.
The four-wheel drive and
4LO indicators come on.

187
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
Shifting between H4 and L4
■ Shifting from H4 to L4
Automatic transmission
Stop the vehicle completely with brake pedal help down.
Shift the shift lever to N.
Push and turn the front-wheel drive control switch fully clock-
wise.
If the four-wheel drive in dicator flashes and the buzzer
sounds, try the above steps again.
Manual transmission Stop the vehicle or reduce your speed to less than 2 mph (3
km/h).
Depress and hold the clutch pedal.
Push and turn the front-wheel drive control switch fully clock-
wise.
If the four-wheel drive in dicator flashes and the buzzer
sounds, try the above steps again.
■ Shifting from L4 to H4
Automatic transmission
Stop the vehicle completely with brake pedal help down.
Shift the shift lever to N.
Turn the front-wheel drive control switch counterclockwise.
If the four-wheel drive in dicator flashes and the buzzer
sounds, try the above steps again.
Manual transmission Stop the vehicle or reduce your speed to less than 2 mph (3
km/h).
Depress and hold the clutch pedal.
Turn the front-wheel drive control switch counterclockwise.
If the four-wheel drive in dicator flashes and the buzzer
sounds, try the above steps again.

188 2-4. Using other driving systems
■Shifting between H2 and H4
●Shifting from H2 to H4
Reduce the vehicle speed to less than 62 mph (100 km/h) and turn the
front-wheel drive control switch fully clockwise.
● Shifting from H4 to H2
Turn the front-wheel drive control switch fully counterclockwise.
This can be done at any speed. You need not depress the clutch pedal.
(manual transmission)
■ If the four-wheel drive indicator lig ht or the 4LO indicator light blinks
● Shifting from H2 to H4
• If the four-wheel drive indicator continues to blink, drive straight ahead
while accelerating or decelerating.
• If the four-wheel drive indicator continues to blink and the buzzer sounds, stop the vehicle or reduce the vehicle speed to less than 62
mph (100 km/h). Operate the switch again.
● Shifting from H4 to H2
If the four-wheel drive indicator continues to blink, drive straight ahead
while accelerating or decelerating, or drive forward or backward in a short
distance.
● Shifting to H4 or L4
Automatic transmission
If the 4LO indicator continues to blink when you operate the front-wheel
drive control switch to the H4 or L4 position, drive forward or backward in a
short distance, then stop the vehicle completely, shift the shift lever
securely to N and operate the switch again. Manual transmission
If the 4LO indicator continues to blink when you operate the front-wheel
drive control switch to the H4 or L4 position, drive forward or backward in a
short distance, then stop the vehicle completely, depress the clutch pedal
and operate the switch again.
If the indicator light continues to blink even if doing so, contact your Toyota
dealer as soon as possible. There may be a trouble in the four-wheel drive
system.

189
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
■Shifting to L4
VSC is automatically turned off.
■ Four-wheel drive usage frequency
You should drive in four-wheel drive for at least 10 miles (16 km) each
month.
This will assure that the front-drive components are lubricated.
CAUTION
■Caution while driving
●Never shift the front-wheel drive control switch from H2 to H4 if the wheels
are slipping.
Stop the slipping or spinning before shifting.
● For normal driving on dry and hard surface roads, use H2 position. Driving
on dry and hard surface roads in H4 or L4 position may cause drive com-
ponent oil leakage, seizure, or other problems resulting in an accident.
Further, it may cause tire wear and increased fuel consumption.
● Avoid turning suddenly in H4 or L4 position. If you do turn suddenly, the
difference in turning speeds between the front and rear wheels may have
a similar effect to braking, thus making driving difficult.

190
2-4. Using other driving systems
Active traction control system
When the active traction control system is operatingIf four wheels spin, the slip indi-
cator flashes to indicate that the
active traction control system
has been engaged.
: If equipped
The active traction control system automatically helps prevent the
spinning of 4 wheels when the vehicle is started or accelerated on
slippery road surfaces.
■ System operation
Vehicles with an automatic transmission:
Stop the vehicle, shift the shift lever to N and put the front-
wheel drive control switch in the L4 position.
Vehicles with a manual transmission:
Stop the vehicle or reduce your speed to less than 2 mph (3
km/h). Depress the clutch pedal and put the front-wheel
drive control switch in the L4 position.
Press the A-TRAC switch to
activate the system.
At this time, the active traction
control system indicator will
come on.
To cancel the system, push the
switch again.