light TOYOTA TACOMA 1996 Owner's Guide

61
Your automatic transmission has a shift
lock system to minimize the possibility of
incorrect operation. This means you can
only shift out of Pº position when the brake
pedal is depressed (with the ignition
switch in ONº position and the lock re-
lease button depressed).
(a) Normal driving
1. Start the engine as instructed in How
to start the engineº in Part 3. The trans- mission must be in Pº or Nº.
When the front drive control lever is in L4º
(low-speed position, four-wheel drive),
the driving pattern selector setting has no
effect on gear shift timing. (See Four-
wheel drive systemº in this Chapter for in-
formation of the front drive control lever.)
2. With your foot holding down the brake
pedal, shift the selector lever to Dº.
In Dº position, the automatic transmis-
sion system will select the most suitable
gear for running conditions such as nor-
mal cruising, hill climbing, hard towing, etc. Always turn the overdrive switch on for
better
fuel economy and quieter driving. If
the engine coolant temperature is low or
when the front drive control lever is in L4º
(low-speed position, four-wheel drive),
the transmission will not shift into the
overdrive gear even with the overdrive
switch on. (See Four-wheel drive sys-
temº in this Chapter for information of the
front drive control lever.)
Never put your foot on the accelera-
tor pedal while shifting. CAUTION
!
3. Release the parking brake and brake
pedal. Depress the accelerator pedal
slowly for smooth starting.
(b) Using engine braking
To use engine braking, you can downshift the transmission as follows: Turn off the overdrive switch. The O/D
OFFº indicator light will come on andthe transmission will downshift to the
third gear.
Shift into the 2º position. The trans-
mission will downshift to the second
gear when the vehicle speed drops
down to or lower than the maximum
allowable speed for second gear, and more powerful engine braking will be obtained.
Shift into the Lº position. The trans- mission will downshift to the first gear
when the vehicle speed drops down to
or lower than the maximum allowable
speed for Lº position and maximum
engine braking will be applied.
Vehicles with cruise controlÐWhen the
cruise control is being used, even if you
downshift the transmission by turning off the overdrive switch, engine braking will
not be applied because the cruise control
is not cancelled. For ways to decrease the
vehicle speed, see Cruise controlº in this
chapter.
MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE SPEEDS
Front drive control lever in H2º or H4º
3RZ-FE engine
2º 109 km/h (68 mph) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lº 60 km/h (37 mph) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5VZ-FE engine
2º 120 km/h (75 mph) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lº 66 km/h (41 mph) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front drive control lever in L4º 3RZ-FE engine
2º 43 km/h (27 mph) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lº 22 km/h (14 mph) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5VZ-FE engine
2º 46 km/h (29 mph) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lº 25 km/h (16 mph) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

62
Be careful when downshifting on a
slippery surface. Abrupt shifting
could cause the vehicle to spin orskid.CAUTION
!
NOTICE
Be careful not to overrev the en-
gine. Watch the tachometer to
keep engine rpm from going intothe red zone. The maximum allow-able speed (approximate) for each
position is given above for yourreference.
Do not continue hill climbing for a
long time in the 2º or Lº posi-tion. This may cause severe auto-matic transmission damage from
overheating. To prevent such damage, use Dº position for hillclimbing or hard towing.
(c) Backing up
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. With the brake pedal held down with your foot, shift the selector lever to the Rº
position.
NOTICE
Never shift into reverse while the vehicle is moving.
(d) Parking
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Pull the parking brake lever fully to se- curely apply the parking brake.
3. With the brake pedal pressed down,
shift the selector lever to the Pº position.
While the vehicle is moving, never
attempt to move the selector lever
into Pº position under any circum-
stances. Serious mechanical dam-
age and loss of vehicle control mayresult. CAUTION
!
(e) Good driving practice If the transmission is repeatedly up-
shifted and downshifted between third
gear and overdrive when climbing a
gentle slope, the overdrive switch
should be turned off. Be sure to turn the switch on immediately afterward.
When towing a trailer, in order to main-
tain engine braking efficiency, do notuse overdrive.
Always keep your foot on the brake
pedal while stopped with the engine
running. This prevents the vehicle
from creeping. CAUTION
!
NOTICE
Do not hold the vehicle on an upgrade with the accelerator pedal.
It can cause the transmission tooverheat. Always use the brake pedal or parking brake.
(f) Driving in POWERº mode In the POWERº mode, the transmission
is shifted up and down at a higher vehicle
speed than in the NORMALº mode and a
more powerful acceleration is achieved.
To set the POWERº mode, push in the
driving pattern selector button. The
POWERº mode indicator light comes on.
For ordinary driving, Toyota recommends
using the NORMALº mode to improve
fuel economy.
(g) If you cannot shift the selector le-
ver out of Pº position
If you cannot shift the selector lever from the Pº position even though the brake
pedal is depressed, use the shift lock
override lever. For instructions, see If you
cannot shift automatic transmission se-lector leverº in Part 4.

65
Nº (neutral position):
Lever at Nº
No power is delivered to the wheels. The vehicle must be stopped.
L4º (low speed position, four-wheel
drive): Lever at L4º
Use this for maximum power and traction. Use L4º for climbing or descending steep
hills, off-road driving, and hard pulling in
sand, mud or deep snow.
The four-wheel drive indicator light
comes on when the H4º, Nº or L4º mode is selected.
See (d) Shifting procedure (lever type)º
for further instructions.
Use the front drive control lever and
4WDº button to select the following transfer modes. H2º (high speed position, two-wheel
drive): Lever at Hº, 4WDº button left out
Use this for normal driving on dry
hard-surfaced roads. This position gives
greater economy, quietest ride and least
wear.
H4º (high speed position, four-wheel drive): Lever at Hº, 4WDº button
pushed in Use this for normal driving on wet, icy or
snow-covered roads. This position pro-
vides greater traction than two-wheeldrive. Nº (neutral position):
Lever at Nº
No power is delivered to the wheels. Thevehicle must be stopped.
L4º (low speed position, four-wheel
drive): Lever at L4º
Use this for maximum power and traction. Use L4º for climbing or descending steep
hills, off-road driving, and hard pulling in
sand, mud or deep snow.
The four-wheel drive indicator light
comes on when the H4º, Nº or L4º mode
is selected.
See (d) Shifting procedure (lever/button
type)º for further instructions.
(a) Front drive control
(lever/button type)

67
SHIFTING BETWEEN H2º AND H4º With free-wheeling hubs
To shift from H2º to H4º,
move the
front drive control lever. Also, engage both the free-wheeling hubs.
This can be done when the vehicle is stopped, or moving straight ahead at
speeds of 40 km/h (25 mph) or less. You need not depress the clutch pedal. If you
have trouble shifting, depress or releasethe accelerator pedal momentarily while
pushing the front drive control lever.
Never move the front drive control
lever if wheels are slipping. Stop
the slipping or spinning before shifting.
Never drive with only one hub en- gaged. CAUTION
!
To shift from H4º to H2º, simply move
the front drive control lever. Also, disen-
gage both the free-wheeling hubs for con-
tinued H2º use.
This can be done at any vehicle speed.
You need not depress the clutch pedal.
If the indicator light does not go off when you shift the transfer into H2º, drive
straight ahead while accelerating or de-celerating, or drive in reverse. With A.D.D.
To shift from H2º to H4º,
reduce your
speed to less than 80 km/h (50 mph) and
move the front drive control lever. You
need not depress the clutch pedal.
If you have trouble shifting in cold
weather, reduce your speed or stop the
vehicle and reshift.
Never move the front drive control
lever if wh eels are slipping. Stop the
slipping or spinning before shifting. CAUTION
!
To shift from H4º to H2º, simply move
the front drive control lever.
This can be done at any vehicle speed.
You need not depress the clutch pedal.
If the indicator light does not go off when you shift the transfer into H2º, drive
straight ahead while accelerating or de-celerating, or drive in reverse. SHIFTING BETWEEN H4º AND L4º
To shift from H4º to L4º,
stop the ve-
hicle or reduce your speed to less than 8
km/h (5 mph). With your foot off the accel- erator pedal, depress the clutch pedal and
move the front drive control lever.
To shift from L4º to H4º, depress the
clutch pedal and move the front drive con-
trol lever.This can be done at any vehicle speed.
(d) Shifting procedure (lever type with manualtransmission)

68SHIFTING BETWEEN H2º AND H4º With free-wheeling hubs
To shift from H2º to H4º,
move the
front drive control lever. Also, engage both the free-wheeling hubs.
This can be done when the vehicle is stopped, or moving straight ahead at
speeds of 40 km/h (25 mph) or less. If you
have trouble shifting, depress or releasethe accelerator pedal momentarily while
pushing the front drive control lever.
Never move the front drive control
lever if wheels are slipping. Stop
the slipping or spinning before shifting.
Never drive with only one hub en- gaged. CAUTION
!
To shift from H4º to H2º, simply move
the front drive control lever. Also, disen-
gage both the free-wheeling hubs for con-
tinued H2º use. This can be done at any vehicle speed.
If the indicator light does not go off when you shift the transfer into H2º, drive
straight ahead while accelerating or de- celerating, or drive in reverse. With A.D.D.
To shift from H2º to H4º,
reduce your
speed to less than 80 km/h (50 mph) and
move the front drive control lever.
If you have trouble shifting in cold weath-
er, reduce your speed or stop the vehicleand reshift.
Never move the front drive control
lever if wheels are slipping. Stop the
slipping or spinning before shifting. CAUTION
!
To shift from H4º to H2º, simply move
the front drive control lever. This can be done at any vehicle speed.
If the indicator light does not go off when you shift the transfer into H2º, drive
straight ahead while accelerating or de- celerating, or drive in reverse. SHIFTING BETWEEN H4º AND L4º
To shift between H4º and L4º,
stop
the vehicle and put the transmission in
Nº. With your foot holding down the brake
pedal, move the front drive control lever.
(d) Shifting procedure (lever type with automatictransmission)

69
SHIFTING BETWEEN H2º AND H4º
To shift from H2º to H4º,
reduce your
speed to less than 100 km/h (62 mph) and
push in the 4WDº button. You need not depress the clutch pedal.
If the indicator light does not come on
when you push in the 4WDº button, drive
straight ahead while accelerating or de-celerating.
If the indicator light flashes and the buzzer
sounds when you push in the 4WDº but-
ton, reduce your speed or stop the vehicle
and reset.
Never push the 4WDº button if
wheels are slipping. Stop the slip-
ping or spinning before shifting. CAUTION
! To shift from H4º to H2º,
push the
4WDº button again to turn it off.
This can be done at any vehicle speed.
You need not depress the clutch pedal.
If the indicator light does not go off when you shift the transfer into H2º, drive
straight ahead while accelerating or de- celerating, or drive in reverse. SHIFTING BETWEEN H2º OR H4º
AND L4º
To shift from H2º or H4º to L4º,
stop
the vehicle or reduce your speed to less
than 8 km/h (5 mph). With your foot off the
accelerator pedal, depress the clutch
pedal and move the front drive control le-
ver.
To shift from L4º to H2º or H4º, de-
press the clutch pedal and move the front
drive control lever. When the 4WDº but- ton is pushed in, the transfer shifts into
H4º; when the button is left out, the trans-
fer shifts into H2º. This can be done at any vehicle speed.
If the indicator light does not go off when you shift the transfer into H2º, drive
straight ahead while accelerating or de- celerating, or drive in reverse.
(d) Shifting procedure (lever/button type withmanual transmission)

70SHIFTING BETWEEN H2º and H4º
To shift from H2º to H4º,
reduce your
speed to less than 100 km/h (62 mph) and
push in the 4WDº button.
If the indicator light does not come on
when you push in the 4WDº button, drive
straight ahead while accelerating or de- celerating.
If the indicator light flashes and the buzzer
sounds when you push in the 4WDº but-
ton, reduce your speed or stop the vehicle
and reset.
Never push the 4WDº button if
wheels are slipping. Stop the slip-
ping or spinning before shifting. CAUTION
! To shift from H4º to H2º,
push the
4WDº button again to turn it off. This can be done at any vehicle speed.
If the indicator light does not go off when you shift the transfer into H2º, drive
straight ahead while accelerating or de-celerating, or drive in reverse. SHIFTING BETWEEN H2º OR H4º
AND L4º
To shift from H2º or H4º to L4º,
stop
the vehicle and put the transmission in
Nº. With your foot holding down the brake
pedal, move the front drive control lever.
To shift from L4º to H2º or H4º, stop
the vehicle and put the transmission in
Nº. With your foot holding down the brake
pedal, move the front drive control lever.
When the 4WDº button is pushed in, the
transfer shifts into H4º; when the button is left out, the transfer shifts into H2º.
If the indicator light does not go off when you shift the transfer into H2º, drive
straight ahead while accelerating or de-celerating, or drive in reverse.
(d) Shifting procedure (lever/button type withautomatic transmission)

71
The rear differential lock system is
provided for use only when wheel
spinning occurs in a ditch or on a slip-
pery or ragged surface.
This differential lock system is effective in case one of the rear wheels is spinning.
Before using the rear differential lock sys-
tem, first shift the front drive control into L4º with the free-wheeling hubs engaged
to see if it works. If this has no ef fect, addi-
tionally use the rear differential lock sys-tem.
Do not use the rear differential lock
in the conditions other than above.
Large steering effort and careful
cornering control will be required. CAUTION
!
To lock the rear differential, push the switch.
Be sure to stop the wheels before locking
the differential.
For easy locking, depress the clutch ped- al,
push the lock switch and slowly release
the clutch pedal.
The indicator light will blink when the
switch is turned on. Wait a few seconds for
the system to complete operation. After
the differential is locked, the light will stop
blinking and remain on.
The anti-lock brake system does not op-
erate when the rear differential is locked.
It is normal operation for the ABSº warn-
ing light to be on at this time.
Rear differential lock system

72
Do not lock the differential until
the wheels have stopped spin-
ning. Otherwise, the vehicle may
move in an unexpected direction
when the differential lock is en-
gaged, resulting in an accident.
This may also lead to possible
damage to differential lock com-
ponent parts.
Do not drive over 8 km/h (5 mph)
when the differential is locked. CAUTION
!
To unlock the differential, push the
switch once again.
Unlock the differential as soon as the ve- hicle moves out.
For easy unlocking, slightly turn the steer-
ing wheel in either direction while the ve- hicle is in motion.
When the differential lock is disengaged, the indicator light will go out.
The differential will also unlock if you shift
the front drive control lever out of L4º. Never f orget to turn off the switch after us-
ing this feature. To check the indicator bulb, turn the igni-
tion key to the ONº position, but do not
start the engine.
Do not keep driving with the differ- ential lock switch on.
CAUTION
!
When parking, firmly apply the parking
brake to avoid inadvertent creeping.
To set: Pull out on the lever.
To release: Press the lock release button,
turn the lever, and push it in.
For better holding power, first depress the brake pedal and hold it while setting the
parking brake.
To remind you that the parking brake is
set,
the parking brake reminder light in the
instrument panel remains on until you re- lease the parking brake. Parking brake

73
Before driving, be sure the parking brake is fully released and the park-
ing brake reminder light is off.CAUTION
!
The cruise control allows you to cruise
the vehicle at a desired speed over 40 km/h (25 mph) even with your foot offthe accelerator pedal.
Your cruising speed can be maintained up
or down grades within the limits of engine
performance, although a slight speed
change may occur when driving up or
down the grades. On steeper hills, a greater speed change will occur so it is
better to drive without the cruise control.

To help maintain maximum con-
trol of your vehicle, do not use the
cruise control when driving in heavy or varying traffic, or on slip-
pery (rainy, icy or snow-covered)
or winding roads.
Avoid vehicle speed increases
when driving downhill. If the ve-
hicle speed is too fast in relation to
the cruise control set speed, can-
cel the cruise control then down-
shift the transmission to use en-
gine braking to slow down. CAUTION
!TURNING ON THE SYSTEM
To operate the cruise control, press the
CRUISE ON-OFFº button. This turns thesystem on. The indicator light in the instru-
ment panel shows that you can now set
the vehicle at a desired cruising speed.
Another press will turn the system com-
pletely off.
To avoid accidental cruise control
engagement, keep the CRUISE
ON-OFFº
switch off when not using
the cruise control. CAUTION
!
Cruise control