TOYOTA TACOMA 2020 Owners Manual (in English)

4717-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When towing the vehicle
2WD models: Be sure to transport the
vehicle with all four wheels raised off the
ground. If the vehicle is towed with the
tires contacting the ground, the drivetrain
and related parts may be damaged or an
accident may occur due to a change in
direction of the vehicle.
4WD models: Be sure to transport the
vehicle with all four wheels raised off the
ground. If the vehicle is towed with the
tires contacting the ground, the drivetrain
or related parts may be damaged, the
vehicle may fly off the truck.
■While towing
● When towing using cables or chains, avoid sudden starts, etc., which
place excessive stress on the towing hook(s), cables or chains. The tow-
ing hook(s), cables or chains may become damaged, broken debris may
hit people, and cause serious damage.
● Do not turn the engine switch to the “LOCK” position (vehicles without a
smart key system) or off (vehicles with a smart key system).
There is a possibility that the steering wheel is locked and ca nnot be
operated.

4727-2. Steps to take in an emergency
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the vehicle when towing using a wheel-lift type
truck
● Vehicles without a smart key system:
Do not tow the vehicle from the rear when the engine switch is in the
“LOCK” position or the key is removed.
The steering lock mechanism is not strong enough to hold the front wheels
straight.
● Vehicles with a smart key system:
Do not tow the vehicle from the rear when the engine switch is off.
The steering lock mechanism is not strong enough to hold the front wheels
straight.
● When raising the vehicle, ensure adequate ground clearance for towing at
the opposite end of the raised vehicle. Without adequate clearance, the
vehicle could be damaged while being towed.
■ To prevent damage to the vehicle when towing with a sling-type truck
Do not tow with a sling-type truck, either from the front or re a r.
■ To prevent damage to the vehicle during emergency towing
Do not secure cables or chains to the suspension components.

473
7
When trouble arises
7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If you think something is wrong
●Fluid leaks un der the vehicle.
(Water dripping from the air conditioning a fter use is normal.)
● Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
● Engine coolant temperature gauge needle continually points high er
than normal.
● Changes in exhaust sound
● Excessive tire squeal when cornering
● Strange noises related to the suspension system
● Pinging or other noises related to the engine
● Engine misses, stumbli ng or running roughly
● Appreciable loss of power
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one s ide when driving on a level road
● Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy feeling, pedal almost touch es
the floor
If you notice any of the followi ng symptoms, your vehicle proba -
bly needs adjustment or repair. Contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible.
Visible symptoms
Audible symptoms
Operational symptoms

4747-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Fuel pump shut off system
Follow the procedure below to restart the engine after the system is
activated.
Vehicles without a smart key system:
Turn the engine switch to the “ACC” or “LOCK” position.
Vehicles with a smart key system:
Turn the engine switch to ACCESSORY or turn it off.
Restart the engine.
To minimize the risk of fuel leakage when the engine stalls or
when an airbag inflates upon collision, the fuel pump shut off
system stops supply of fuel to the engine.
NOTICE
■ Before starting the engine
Inspect the ground under the vehicle.
If you find that fuel has leaked onto the ground, the fuel system has been
damaged and is in need of repair. Do not restart the engine.
1
2

475
7
When trouble arises
7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If a warning light turns on or a war ning
buzzer sounds
Calmly perform the following actions if any of the warning ligh ts
comes on or flashes. If a light comes on or flashes, but then
goes off, this does not necessarily indicate a malfunction in the
system. However, if this continues to occur, have the vehicle
inspected by your Toyota dealer.
Warning light and w arning buzzer list
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Brake system warning light • Low brake fluid
• Malfunction in the brake system
*1
 Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and con-
tact your Toyota dealer.
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Malfunction indicator lamp Indicates a malfunction in:
• The emission control system;
• The electronic engine control system;
• The electronic throttle control system; or
• The electronic automatic transmission control system.
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
SRS warning light
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The SRS airbag system;
• The front passenger occupant classification system; or
• The seat belt pretensioner system
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
ABS warning light Indicates a malfunction in:
• The ABS; or
• The brake assist system
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.

4767-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Slip indicator lightIndicates a malfunction in:
• The VSC system;
• Trailer Sway Control system (if equipped);
• The TRAC system;
• The hill-start assist control system (if equipped);
• The active traction control system (if equipped);
• The AUTO LSD system; or
• The Crawl Control system (if equipped)
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
(Flashes rapidly)
Rear differential lock indicator light*2
Indicates a malfunction in the rear differential lock system
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
(Flashes)
Low speed four-wheel drive indicator light*2
Indicates a malfunction in the four-wheel drive system
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
Low fuel level warning light
Indicates remaining fuel is approximately 3.2 gal. (12.0 L,
2.6 Imp.gal.) or less
 Refuel the vehicle.
Seat belt reminder light (warning buzzer)*3
Warns the driver and/or front passenger to fasten their
seat belts
 Fasten the seat belt.
If the front passenger’s seat is occupied, the front
passenger’s seat belt also needs to be fastened to
make the warning light (warning buzzer) turn off.
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)Parking brake indicator (warning buzzer)*4
Warns the driver to release parking brake.
 Release the parking brake.
Master warning light (warning buzzer)
A buzzer sounds and the warning light comes on and
flashes to indicate that the master warning system has
detected a malfunction.
 P. 482
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions

4777-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
*1: The buzzer sounds when Multi-terrain Select or active traction control is
equipped.
*2: 4WD models only
Tire pressure warning light*5
When the light comes on:
Low tire inflation pressure such as • Natural causes ( P. 4 7 9 )
• Flat tire ( P. 504)
 Adjust the tire inflation pressure to the specified
level.
The light will turn off after a few minutes. In case
the light does not turn off even if the tire inflation
pressure is adjusted, have the system checked by
your Toyota dealer.
When the light comes on af ter blinking for 1 minute:
Malfunction in the tire p ressure warning system.
 Have the system checked by your Toyota dealer.
(Flashes or illumi-
nates)
PCS warning light*5
Indicates a malfunction in the PCS (Pre-Collision System)
or that the system is temporarily unavailable due to the
vehicle being extremely hot/cold, or dirt around a front
sensor, etc. (→P. 256, 482)
 Follow the instructions displayed on the multi-infor-
mation display. (→P. 256, 482)
If the PCS (Pre-Collision System) or VSC (Vehicle Stability
Control) system is disabled, the PCS warning light will illu-
minate.
 P. 256
(Yellow)
LDA (Lane Departur e Alert) indicator*5
The indicator comes on and a warning message is dis-
played to indicate that the LDA (Lane Departure Alert)
system is not available temporarily or has detected a mal-
function.
 P. 492, 493, 494
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions

4787-2. Steps to take in an emergency
*3: Driver’s seat belt buzzer:The driver’s seat belt buzzer sounds to alert the driver that h is or her seat
belt is not fastened. Once the engine switch is turned to the “ON” position
(vehicles without a smart key system) or IGNITION ON mode (vehi cles
with a smart key system), the buzzer sounds for 6 seconds. If t he vehicle
reaches a speed of 12 mph (20 km/h), the buzzer sounds once. If the seat
belt is still unfastened after 24 seconds, the buzzer will soun d intermittently
for 10 seconds. Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened, the buzzer will
sound in a different tone for 20 more seconds.
Front passenger’s seat belt buzzer:
The front passenger’s seat belt buzzer sounds to alert the fron t passenger
that his or her seat belt is not fastened. The buzzer sounds on ce if the
vehicle reaches a speed of 12 mph (20 km/h). If the seat belt is sill unfas-
tened after 24 seconds, the buzzer will sound intermittently fo r 10 seconds.
Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened, the buzzer will sou nd in a different
tone for 20 more seconds.
*4: Parking brake engaged warning buzzer:
A buzzer will sound if the vehicle is driven at a speed of approximately
3 mph (5 km/h) or more.
*5: If equipped
■ SRS warning light
This warning light system monitors the airbag sensor assembly, front impact
sensors, side impact sensors (front), side impact sensors (rear ), driver’s seat
position sensor, driver’s seat belt buckle switch, front passen ger occupant
classification system (ECU and sensors), “AIR BAG ON” indicator light, “AIR
BAG OFF” indicator light, front passenger’s seat belt buckle switch, seat belt
pretensioners assemblies, airbags, interconnecting wiring and power
sources. ( P. 38)
■ Front passenger detection sensor, seat belt reminder and warnin g
buzzer
● If luggage is placed on the front passenger seat, the front pas senger detec-
tion sensor may cause the warning light to flash and the warnin g buzzer to
sound even if a passenger is not sitting in the seat.
● If a cushion is placed on the seat, the sensor may not detect a passenger,
and the warning light may not operate properly.

4797-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
■If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on while driving
First check the following:
●Is the fuel tank empty?
If it is, fill the fuel tank immediately.
● Is the fuel tank cap loose?
If it is, tighten it securely.
The light will go off after several driving trips.
If the light does not go off even after several trips, contact your Toyota dealer
as soon as possible.
■
When the tire pressure warning light comes on (if equipped)
Check the tire inflation pressure and adjust to the appropriate level. Push-
ing the tire pressur e warning reset switch will not turn off the tire pressure
warning light.
■The tire pressure warning light may come on due to natural caus es
(if equipped)
The tire pressure warning light may come on due to natural caus es such
as natural air leaks and tire inflation pressure changes caused by tem-
perature. In this case, adjusting the tire inflation pressure w ill turn off the
warning light (after several minutes).
■When a tire is replaced with a spare tire (vehicles with the ti re pres-
sure warning system)
The temporary spare tire is not equipped with a tire pressure w arning
valve and transmitter. If a tire goes flat, the tire pressure w arning light will
not turn off even though the flat tire has been replaced with t he temporary
spare tire. Replace the temporary spare tire with the repaired tire and
adjust the tire inflation pressu re. The tire pressure warning l ight will go off
after several minutes.
■Conditions that the tire pressure warning system may not functi on
properly (if equipped)
 P. 4 3 0
■If the tire pressure warning light frequently comes on after bl inking
for 1 minute (if equipped)
If the tire pressure warning light frequently comes on after bl inking for 1
minute when the engine switch is turned to “ON” position (vehic les with-
out a smart key system) or IGNITION ON mode (vehicles with a sm art
key system), have it checked by your Toyota dealer.
■Warning buzzer
In some cases, the buzzer may not be heard because of noisy pla ce or an
audio sound.

4807-2. Steps to take in an emergency
WARNING
■If both the ABS and the brake system warning lights remain on
Stop your vehicle in a safe place immediately and contact your Toyota
dealer. The vehicle will become extremely unstable during braki ng, and the
ABS system may fail, which could cause an accident resulting in death or
serious injury.
■ If the tire pressure warning light comes on (if equipped)
Be sure to observe the following precautions. Failure to do so could cause a
loss of vehicle control and result in death or serious injury.
● Stop your vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible. Adjust the tire infla-
tion pressure immediately.
● If the tire pressure warning light comes on even after tire inf lation pressure
adjustment, it is probable that you have a flat tire. Check the tires. If a tire
is flat, change it with the spare tire and have the flat tire repaired by the
nearest Toyota dealer.
● Avoid abrupt maneuvering and braking. If the vehicle tires dete riorate, you
could lose control of the steering wheel or the brakes.
■ If a blowout or sudden air leakage should occur (vehicles with the tire
pressure warning system)
The tire pressure warning system may not activate immediately.
■
Maintenance of the tires (vehicles with the tire pressure warning
system)
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked monthly
when cold and inflated to the inflation pressure recommended by the
vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire inflation p ressure
label (tire and load information label). (If your vehicle has t ires of a dif-
ferent size than the size indicated on the vehicle placard or t ire inflation
pressure label [tire and load information label], you should de termine
the proper tire inflation p ressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS-tire pressure warning system) that
illuminates a low tire pressure telltale (tire pressure warning light)
when one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated. Accord-
ingly, when the low tire pressure telltale (tire pressure warni ng light)
illuminates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as po ssible,
and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving on a significa ntly
under-inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire fail-
ure. Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and
may affect the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.