TOYOTA TACOMA 2013 Owners Manual (in English)

5
When trouble arises
431
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P (vehicles with an automatic transmission)
If the shift lever cannot be shifted with your foot on the brake, there
may be a problem with the shift lock system (a system to prevent
accidental operation of the shift lever). Have the vehicle inspected by
your Toyota dealer immediately.
The following steps may be used as an emergency measure to
ensure that the shift lever can be shifted.
Set the parking brake.
Turn the engine switch to the ACC or ON position.
Depress the brake pedal.
Pry the cover up with a flat-
head screwdriver or equiva-
lent.
Press the shift lock override
button.
The shift lever can be shifted
while the button is pressed.

432
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If you lose your keys
New genuine Toyota keys can be made by your Toyota dealer using
the other key and the key number stamped on your key number
plate.

5
When trouble arises
433
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If the vehicle batter y is discharged
The following procedures may be used to start the engine if the
vehicle’s battery is discharged.
You can call your Toyota dealer or qualified repair shop.
If you have a set of jumper (or boo ster) cables and a second vehi-
cle with a 12-volt battery, you can jump start your Toyota following
the steps below.
Connect the jumper cables.
2.7 L 4-cylinder (2TR-FE) engine

434 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
4.0 L V6 (1GR-FE) engine
Positive (+) battery terminal on your vehicle
Positive (+) battery terminal on the second vehicle
Negative (-) battery terminal on the second vehicle
Connect the jumper cable to ground on your vehicle as shown in
the illustration.Start the engine of the second vehicle. Increase the engine
speed slightly and maintain at that level for approximately 5
minutes to recharge the battery of your vehicle.
Maintain the engine speed of the second vehicle and start
the vehicle’s engine.
Once the vehicle’s engine has started, remove the jumper
cables in the exact reverse order in which they were con-
nected.
Once the engine starts, have the vehicle checked at your Toyota
dealer as soon as possible.

5
When trouble arises
435
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
■
Starting the engine when the battery is discharged (vehicles with an
automatic transmission)
The engine cannot be started by push-starting.
■ Avoiding a discharged battery
●Turn off the headlights and the audio system while the engine is turned
off.
● Turn off any unnecessary electrical components when the vehicle is run-
ning at a low speed for an extended period, such as in heavy traffic, etc.
■ Charging the battery
The electricity stored in the battery will discharge gradually even when the
vehicle is not in use, due to natural discharge and the draining effects of cer-
tain electrical appliances. If the vehicle is left for a long time, the battery may
discharge, and the engine may be unable to start. (The battery recharges
automatically during driving.)
CAUTION
■Avoiding battery fires or explosions
Observe the following precautions to prevent accidentally igniting the flam-
mable gas that may be emitted from the battery.
●Make sure the jumper cable is connected to the correct terminal and that it
is not unintentionally in contact with any part other than the intended termi-
nal.
● Do not allow the jumper cables to come into contact with the “+” and “-” ter-
minals.
● Do not smoke, use matches, cigarette lighters or allow open flame near
the battery.

436 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CAUTION
■Battery precautions
The battery contains poisonous and corrosive acidic electrolyte, while
related parts contain lead and lead compounds. Observe the following pre-
cautions when handling the battery.
●When working with the battery, always wear safety glasses and take care
not to allow any battery fluids (acid) to come into contact with skin, clothing
or the vehicle body.
● Do not lean over the battery.
● In the event that battery fluid comes into contact with the skin or eyes,
immediately wash the affected area with water and seek medical attention.
Place a wet sponge or cloth over the affected area until medical attention
can be received.
● Always wash your hands after handling the battery support, terminals, and
other battery-related parts.
● Do not allow children near the battery.
NOTICE
■To prevent damaging the vehicle ( vehicles with a manual transmission)
Do not pull- or push-start the vehicle, because the three-way catalytic con-
verter may overheat and become a fire hazard.
■ When handling jumper cables
Be careful that the jumper cables do not become tangled in the cooling fan
or any of the belts when connecting or disconnecting them.

5
When trouble arises
437
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle overheats
In the following cases, the vehicle may be overheating.
●Engine coolant temperature gauge needle ( P. 155) reaches
the upper end, and engine output falls (There is no speed).
● Steam is coming out from the engine compartment.
Perform the following steps.
Stop the vehicle in a safe place, turn off the air conditioning
system, and stop the engine.
If steam is coming out:
When no more steam is coming out has been confirmed,
carefully open the hood.
If there is no steam coming out:
Carefully open the hood. After the engine has cooled
down sufficiently, inspect the
radiator core (radiator), hoses,
etc. for any leaks.
If there is a large quantity of
engine coolant leaking, imme-
diately contact your Toyota
dealer.
Inspect the amount of engine
coolant by checking if the res-
ervoir level is between “FULL”
and “LOW” lines.
Engine coolant reservoir
“FULL” line
“LOW” line

438 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CAUTION
■To prevent an accident or injury when inspecting under the hood of
your vehicle
● If steam is seen coming from under the hood, do not open the hood until
the steam has subsided. The engine compartment may be very hot, caus-
ing serious injury such as burns.
● Keep hands and clothing away from the fan and other belts while the
engine is running.
● Do not loosen the radiator cap while the engine and radiator are hot.
Serious injury, such as burns, may result from hot coolant and steam
released under pressure.
Add engine coolant if neces-
sary.
Water can be used in an emer-
gency if engine coolant is
unavailable. ( P. 457)
Start the engine and check that the cooling fan is operating,
as well as double c heck that there are no leaks at the radia-
tor core and hoses.
If the fan does not operate:
Stop the engine immediately and contact your Toyota
dealer.
If the fan operates:
Have the vehicle inspected at the nearest Toyota dealer.

5
When trouble arises
439
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
NOTICE
■
When adding engine coolant
Wait until the engine has cooled down before adding engine coolant.
When adding coolant, do so slowly. Adding cool coolant to a hot engine too
quickly can cause damage to the engine.

440
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If the vehicle becomes stuck
CAUTION
■When attempting to free a stuck vehicle
If you choose to rock the vehicle back and forth to free it, make sure the sur-
rounding area is clear, to avoid striki ng other vehicles, objects or persons.
The vehicle may also lunge forward or lunge back suddenly as it becomes
free. Use extreme caution.
■ When shifting the shift lever
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.
Carry out the following procedures if the tires spin or the vehicle
becomes stuck in mud, dirt, or snow.
Stop the engine. Set the parking brake and put the shift
lever in P (vehicles with an automatic transmission) or N
(vehicles with a manual transmission).
Remove the mud, snow, or sand from around the stuck tire.
Place wood, stones or some other material to help provide
traction under the tires.
Restart the engine.
Turn off the VSC. ( P. 200, 201)
Shift the shift lever to D or R (automatic transmission) or 1
or R (manual transmission) and carefully apply the acceler-
ator to free the vehicle.