warning TOYOTA TACOMA 1996 Owners Manual

Publication No. OM35704U
Part No. 01999-35704
Printed in Japan 15- 9810- 00
Quick index If a service reminder indicator or warning buzzer comes on 49 . . . . .
If your vehicle will not start 119
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If your engine stalls while driving 122 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If your vehicle overheats 122
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If you have a flat tire 123
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If your vehicle needs to be towed 131 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tips for driving during break- in period 98 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How to start the engine 109
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General maintenance 142
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Complete index 193
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Gas station information
Fuel type: UNLEADED gasoline, Research Octane Number 91 (Octane Rating 87)
or higher.
See page 98 for detailed information.
Fuel tank capacity: Two- wheel drive models
57 L (15.1 gal., 12.5 Imp.gal.)
Four- wheel drive models
68 L (18.0 gal., 15.0 Imp. gal.)
Engine oil: API SH, ''Energy- Conserving II'' multigrade engine oil or ILSAC mult igrade
engine oil is recommended.
See page 156 for detailed information.
Tire information: See pages 159 through 163.
Tire pressure: See page 183. T-
8
I

6
Anti-lock brake system warning light* 1
Brake system warning light* 1
Seat belt reminder light* 1
Discharge warning light* 1
Low oil pressure warning light* 1
Malfunction indicator light* 1
Low fuel level warning light* 1
SRS airbag warning light* 1 Automatic transmission fluid temperature warning light*
1
Turn signal indicator lights
Headlight high beam indicator light
Over-drive indicator light
Unengaged Parkº warning light* 1
Low windshield washer fluid level light*1
Driving pattern (POWERº mode) indicator light
Four-wheel drive indicator light
Automatic transmission indicator lights
Indicator symbols on the instrument panel

23
Small-framed person or youth in a
3-point type seat belt.
On models with
a bench seat, have a small-framed per-
son or youth sit slightly closer to the center
of the vehicle (so the shoulder belt does
not cross over the neck). On models withseparate seats, move the seat fully back- ward.
Pregnant woman. Toyota recommends
the use of a seat belt. Ask your doctor for
specific recommendations. The lap belt
should be worn securely and as low as
possible over the hips and not on the waist.
Injured person. Toyota recommends the
use of a seat belt. Depending on the injury,
however, first check with your doctor.
CAUTION!
Persons should ride in their seats
properly wearing their seat belts whenever the vehicle is moving.
Otherwise, they are much more like-
ly to suffer serious bodily injury in
the event of sudden braking or acollision.
When using the seat belts, observe the following: Use the belt for only one person at
a time. Do not use a single belt for
two or more peopleÐeven children.
Avoid reclining the seatbacks too
much. The seat belts provide max-
imum protection when the seat-
backs are in the upright position. (See the seat adjustment instruc-tions.)
Be careful not to damage the belt
webbing or hardware. Take care
that they do not get caught or
pinched in the seat or side doors.
Inspect the belt system periodical-
ly. Check for cuts, fraying, and
loose parts. Damaged parts
should be replaced. Do not disas- semble or modify the system.
Keep the belts clean and dry. If
they need cleaning, use a mild
soap solution or lukewarm water.
Never use bleach, dye, or abrasive
cleanersÐthey may severely
weaken the belts.
Replace the belt assembly (includ-
ing bolts) If it has been used in a
severe impact. The entire assem-
bly should be replaced even if
damage is not obvious.
Right passenger's seat (normal
cab models) or right-front passen-
ger 's seat (Xtra-cab models)
onlyÐReplace the belt if the warn-
ing label under the sleeve can be
seen. The warning label, RE-
PLACE BELTº, will appear if the
belt receives a severe impact or
other force.

29
This indicator comes on when the
ignition key is turned to the ACCº or
ONº position. It goes off after about 6
seconds. This means the SRS airbag
is operating properly.
The SRS airbag warning light system
monitors the airbag sensor assembly,
inflator, warning light, interconnecting wir-
ing and power sources.The SRS airbag system is designed to
activate in response to a severe frontal
impact within the shaded area be-
tween the arrows in the illustration.
The SRS airbags will deploy if the severity
of the impact is above the designed
threshold level, comparable to an approxi-
mate 20 km/h (14 mph) collision when im-
pacting straight into a fixed barrier that
does not move or deform.
If the severity of the impact is below the
above threshold level, the SRS airbag
may not deploy. However, this threshold velocity will be
considerably higher if the vehicle strikes
an object, such as a parked vehicle or sign
pole, which can move or deform on im-
pact, or if it is
involved in an underride col-
lision (a collision in which the nose of the
vehicle underridesº, or goes under, the
bed of a truck).
For your safety, be sure to always wear your seat belt.

30
The SRS airbag is not designed to in-
flate if the vehicle is subjected to a side
or rear impact, if it rolls over, or if it is in-
volved in a low- speed frontal collision.The SRS airbag system mainly consists
of the following components and their
locations are shown in the illustration.
1. SRS airbag warning light
2. Steering wheel pad (airbag and inflator)
3. Airbag sensor assembly
The airbag sensor assembly consists of a
safing sensor and airbag sensor.In a severe frontal impact, sensor detects
deceleration and the system triggers the
airbag inflator. Then a chemical reaction
in the inflator momentarily fills the airbag
with non-toxic nitrogen gas to help re-
strain the forward motion of the driver. When the airbag inflates, it produces a fairly loud noise and releases some
smoke along with the nitrogen gas. This isnot harmful and does not indicate a fire.
Be sure to wash off any residue as soon
as possible to prevent minor skin irritation.
Deployment of the airbag happens in a
fraction of a
second, so the airbag must in-
flate with considerable force. While the
system is designed to reduce serious inju-
ries, it may also cause minor burns or
abrasions and swellings.
The steering wheel hub may be hot for
several m inutes, but the airbag will not be
hot. The airbag is designed to inflate only once.

Part 1Fuel gauge
47
OPERATION OF INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLSÐ
Chapter 1-5 Gauges, Meters and Service reminder indicators
Fuel gauge
Engine coolant temperature gauge
Tachometer
Odometer and trip meter
Service reminder indicators and warning buzzers
The gauge works when the ignition
switch is on
and indicates the approxi-
mate quantity of fuel remaining in the tank. Nearly fullÐNeedle at Fº Nearly emptyÐNeedle at Eº
It is a good idea to keep the tank over 1/4 full.
This fuel gauge has a non-return type
needle wh ich remains at the last indicated
position when the ignition switch is turned
off.
If the level approaches Eº or the low fuel
level warning light (on some models)
comes on, fill the fuel tank as soon as pos- sible. If the fuel tank is completely empty, the malfunction indicator lamp comes on. Fill
the fuel tank immediately.
The indicator lamp goes off after driving several times. If the indicator lamp does
not go off, contact your Toyota dealer assoon as possible.

49
These meters show the running dis- tance.
1 OdometerÐIt shows the total distance
the vehicle has been driven.
2 Trip meterÐIt shows the distance
driven since the last time it was set to zero.
The black digits on white indicate tenths of kilometers or miles.
3 Trip meter reset knobÐIt resets the trip meter to zero.
To reset the trip meter, push the knob.
Odometer and trip meter Service reminder indicators and warning buzzers

50
(a) Brake System Warning Light This light has the following functions: Parking brake reminder
If this light is on, make sure the parking
brake is fully released. The light should go
off.
Low brake fluid level warning
If this light comes on and stays on while
you are driving, slow down and pull off the
road. Then stop the vehicle carefully.There may be a problem somewhere in
the brake system. Check the fluid level of
the see-through reservoir.
To make sure the parking brake has not
caused the warning light to come on,
check to see that the parking brake is fully
released.
If the brake fluid level is low...
At a safe place, test your brakes by start-
ing and stopping. If you judge that the brakes still work
adequately, drive cautiously to yournearest dealer or shop for repairs.
If the brakes are not working, have the
vehicle towed in for repairs. (For tow- ing information, see Part 4.)
It is dangerous to continue driving
normally when the brake fluid level
is low. CAUTION
! If the brake fluid level is correct...
Have the warning system checked by
your Toyota dealer.
(b) Seat Belt Reminder Light and
Buzzer
Once the ignition key is turned to ONº or
STARTº, the reminder light and buzzer
come on if the driver's seat belt is not fas-
tened. Unless the driver fastens the belt, the light stays on and the buzzer sounds for about 4 to 8 seconds.
(c) Discharge Warning Light
This light warns that the battery is being discharged.
If it comes on while you are driving, there
is a problem somewhere in the charging system.
The engine ignition will continue to oper-
ate, however, until the battery is dischar-
ged. Turn off the air conditioning, blower,
radio, etc., and drive directly to the near-
est Toyota dealer or repair shop.
NOTICE
Do not continue driving if the engine drive belt is broken or loose.

51
(d) Low Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light warns that the engine oil pres-
sure is too low.
If it flickers or stays on while you are driving,
pull off the road to a safe place and stop the
engine immediately. Call a Toyota dealer or
qualified repair shop for assistance.
The light may occasionally flicker when
the engine is idling or it may come on brief-
ly after a hard stop. There is no cause for concern if it then goes out when the en-
gine is accelerated slightly.
The light may come on when the oil level
is extremely low. It is not designed to indi- cate low oil level, and the oil level must bechecked using the level dipstick.
NOTICE
Do not drive the vehicle with the warning light onÐeven for one
block. It may ruin the engine.
(e) Low Fuel Level Warning Light
This light comes on when the fuel level in
the tank becomes nearly empty. Fill up the
tank as soon as possible. (f) Malfunction Indicator Lamp
This lamp comes on in the following cases.
a. The fuel tank is completely empty. (See Fuel gaugeº in Chapter 1-5 for instruc- tions.)
b. The fuel tank cap is not tightened se-
curely. (See Fuel tank capº in Chapter
1-2 for instructions.)
c. There is a problem somewhere in your
engine or automatic transmission electri- cal system.
If it comes on while you are driving in case
c, have your vehicle checked/repaired by
your Toyota dealer as soon as possible.
(g) ABSº Warning Light
This light warns that there is a problem
somewhere in your anti-lock brake sys-tem.
If the light comes on while you are driving,
have your vehicle checked by your T
oyota
dealer as soon as possible.
The light will come on when the ignition key is turned to the ONº position. After
about 3 seconds, the light will go off. When the ABSº warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), thebrake system operates conventionally but
without anti-lock function. Vehicles with rear differential lock systemÐ
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.
(h) SRS Airbag Warning Light
This light will come on when the igni-
tion
key is turned to the ACCº or ONº
position. After about 6 seconds, the
light will go off. This means the airbag
system is operating properly.
The warning light system monitors the air-
bag sensor assembly, inflator, warning light, interconnecting wiring and powersources.
If either of the following conditions occurs, this indicates a malfunction somewhere inthe parts monitored by the warning light
system. Contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible to service the vehicle. The light does not come on when the
ignition key is turned to the ACCº or
ONº position or remains on.
The light comes on while driving.
(i) Light Reminder Buzzer
This buzzer will sound if the driver's door is opened while the ignition switch is turned to the LOCKº position with the
headlight switch on. Removing the key will
not stop the buzzer as long as the head-light switch is on.

52(j) Key Reminder Buzzer
This buzzer reminds you to remove the
key when you open the driver's door withthe ignition key in the ACCº or LOCKº position.
(k) Unengaged Parkº Warning Light
(vehicles with automatic transmis-sion)
This light warns that the transmission
Parkº mechanism is not engaged. If the
front drive control lever is in the Nº posi-
tion while the selector lever is in the Pº
position, the transmission will disengage
and the wheels will not lock.
To restore the park function, shift
the front drive control lever out of Nº.
CAUTION
!
(l) Automatic Transmission Fluid
Temperature Warning Light
This light warns that the automatic trans- mission fluid temperature is too high.
If this light comes on while you are driving,
slow down and pull off the road. Stop the
vehicle at a safe place and put the selector
lever in Pº. With the engine idling, wait
until the light goes off. If the light goes off,
you may start the vehicle again. If the light
does not go off, call a Toyota dealer or
qualified repair shop for assistance. (m) Low Windshield Washer Fluid
Level Warning Light (Canada)
The light warns that the windshield wash-
er fluid level is too low. Add washer fluid at
your earliest opportunity. (For instruc-
tions, see Adding washer fluidº in Chap- ter 7-3.)
CHECKING SERVICE REMINDER
INDI-
CATORS (except the low fuel level
warning light)
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Turn ignition key to ACCº.
The SRS airbag warning light should
come on. It goes off after about 6 sec- onds.
3. Turn the ignition key to ONº, but do not
start the engine.
All the service reminder indicators except
the SRS airbag warning light should come
on. The ABSº warning light goes off after
about 3 seconds.
If any service reminder indicator or warn-
ing buzzer does not function as described above, either the bulb is burned out or the
circuit is in need of repair. Have it checked
by your Toyota dealer as soon as pos- sible.