automatic transmission TOYOTA TACOMA 2008 Owners Manual (in English)

viii
2008 TACOMA from Apr. ’08 Prod. (OM35898U)
Traction control system
 “AUTO LSD” system
 Vehicle stability control system
 Downhill assist control system
 Hill −start assist control system
(automatic transmission only)
 Cruise control system
 Anti −lock brake system
 Electronic throttle control system
 Tire pressure warning systemTires and loading on your
To y o t a
Underinflated or overinflated tire inflation pressure
and the excess load may result in the deterioration
of steering ability and braking ability, leading to
an accident. Check the tire inflation pressure
periodically and be sure to keep the load limits
given in this Owner ’s Manual. For details about
tire inflation pressure and load limits, see
“Checking tire inflation pressure” on page 376 in
Section 7 −2 and “Vehicle load limits” on page 299
in Section 2.

2
2008 TACOMA from Apr. ’08 Prod. (OM35898U)
1. Side vents
2. Instrument cluster
3. Center vents
4. Glove box
5. Automatic transmission selector leveror manual transmission gear shift lever
6. Cup holders
7. Tire pressure warning reset switch
8. Auxiliary box
9. Hood lock release lever
10. Parking brake pedal (automatic transmission)
Instrument panel overview
Bench seat
LS11001b

3
2008 TACOMA from Apr. ’08 Prod. (OM35898U)
1. Side vents
2. Instrument cluster
3. Center vents
4. Garage door opener box or accessorymeter
5. Personal lights
6. Auxiliary boxes
7. Power door lock switches
8. Power window switches
9. Glove box
10. Automatic transmission selector lever
11. Rear console box
12. Bottle holders
13. Cup holders
14. Tire pressure warning reset switch
15. Hood lock release lever
16. Parking brake pedal
17. Window lock switch

Separate seats with automatic transmission
LS11002c

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2008 TACOMA from Apr. ’08 Prod. (OM35898U)
LS11005b
1. Tachometer
2. Speedometer
3. Odometer and two trip meters4. Service reminder indicators and
indicator lights
5. Engine coolant temperature gauge
6. Fuel gauge 7. Trip meter reset knob
8. Shift position indicator lights (automatic
transmission)
Instrument cluster overview

8
2008 TACOMA from Apr. ’08 Prod. (OM35898U)
Driver ’s seat belt reminder light∗1
Low engine oil pressure warning light∗1
Brake system warning light∗1
Charging system warning light∗1
Malfunction indicator lamp∗1
Anti −lock brake system warning light∗
1
SRS warning light∗1
or
Front passenger ’s seat belt reminder light∗1
Front passenger occupant classification
indicator light or passenger airbag on −off
indicator light
Engine oil replacement reminder light∗ 1
(for vehicles sold in U.S.A.)
Open door warning light∗ 1
Tire pressure warning light∗1
Automatic transmission fluid temperature
warning light∗1
(four −wheel drive models only)
Engine immobilizer system indicator light
∗ 1
Roll sensing of curtain shield airbags off
indicator light∗5
Indicator symbols on the instrument panel

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2008 TACOMA from Apr. ’08 Prod. (OM35898U)
∗1: For details, see “Service reminder indicators and warning
buzzers” on page 153 in Section 1 −6.
∗
2: If this light flashes, see “Cruise control” on page 201 in
Section 1 −7.
∗
3: If this light flashes, see “Four −wheel drive system” on page
175 in Section 1− 7.
∗
4: If this light flashes, see “Rear differential lock system” on
page 192 in Section 1 −7.
∗
5: For details, see “Roll sensing of curtain shield airbags off
switch” on page 92 in Section 1 −3.
Cruise control indicator light
∗
2
Rear differential lock indicator light∗4
Four −wheel drive indicator light∗
3
Slip indicator light
Vehicle stability control system off
indicator/warning light
∗ 1
“AUTO LSD” indicator light
Headlight high beam indicator light
Turn signal indicator lights
Tail light indicator light
Automatic transmission indicator lights
(5 −speed)
Automatic transmission indicator lights
(4 −speed)
Low speed four −wheel drive indicator light∗
3
Downhill assist control system indicator light
Headlight low beam indicator light

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2008 TACOMA from Apr. ’08 Prod. (OM35898U)
However, Toyota recommends that the
seat belt reminder buzzer be operational
to alert the driver and front passenger that
the seat belts are not fastened.
(d) Charging System Warning Light
This warning light comes on when the
engine switch is turned to the “ON” posi-
tion, and goes off when the engine is
started.
When there are problems in the charging
system while the engine is running, the
warning light comes on.
NOTICE
When the charging system warning
light comes on while the engine is
running, malfunctions such as the en-
gine drive belt being broken may have
occurred. If the warning light comes
on, immediately stop the vehicle in a
safe place and contact your Toyota
dealer.
(e) Low Engine 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
briefly after a hard stop. There is no
cause for concern if it then goes out when
the engine is accelerated slightly.
The light may come on when the oil level
is extremely low. It is not designed to
indicate low oil level, and the oil level
must be checked using the level dipstick.
NOTICE
Do not drive the vehicle with the
warning light on—even for one block.
It may ruin the engine.
(f) Malfunction Indicator Lamp
This lamp comes on when the engine
switch is turned to the “ON” position
and goes off after the engine starts.
This means that the warning light sys-
tem is operating properly.
If the lamp remains on, or the lamp
comes on while driving, first check the
followings.
Empty fuel tank
If the fuel tank is empty, refuel immedi-
ately.
Loose fuel tank cap
If the fuel tank cap is loose, securely
tighten it.
These cases are temporary malfunctions.
The malfunction indicator lamp will go off
after taking several driving trips.
If the lamp does not go off even after
several trips, contact your Toyota dealer
as soon as possible.
If the fuel tank is not empty or the fuel
tank cap is not loose...
There is a problem somewhere in the
engine, emission control system, elec-
tronic throttle control system, automatic
transmission electrical system or warn-
ing light system itself.

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2008 TACOMA from Apr. ’08 Prod. (OM35898U)
(n) Automatic Transmission Fluid Tem-perature Warning Light (fourwheel
drive models only)
This light warns that the automatic trans-
mission fluid temperature is too high.
If this light comes on while you are driv-
ing, slow down and pull off the road. Stop
the vehicle at a safe place and put the
selector lever in “P”. With the engine id-
ling, 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.
NOTICE
Continued driving with the warning
light on may damage the automatic
transmission.
(o) Key Reminder Buzzer
This buzzer acts as a reminder to remove
the key when you open the driver’s door
with the engine switch in the “ACC” or
“LOCK” position. (p) Parking Brake Reminder Buzzer
The buzzer acts once when the parking
brake is not completely released at the
vehicle speed of 5 km/h (3 mph) or more.
Stop the vehicle and release the parking
brake fully.
CHECKING SERVICE REMINDER
INDICATORS (except the low fuel level
warning light)
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Open one of the doors. The open door warning light should
come on.
3. Close the door. The open door warning light should go
off.
4. Turn the engine switch to “ON”, but do not start the engine.
All the service reminder indicators ex-
cept the open door warning light should
come on.
The following service reminder indica-
tors go off after a few seconds:
Engine oil replacement reminder light
“ABS” warning light
“RSCA OFF” indicator light
“VSC OFF” indicator/warning light
“AUTO LSD” indicator light
Tire pressure warning light
Slip indicator light
Downhill assist control system indicator
light

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2008 TACOMA from Apr. ’08 Prod. (OM35898U)
OPERATION OF INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLS
Engine (ignition) switch, Transmission and Parking
brake
Engine (ignition) switch166
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
.
Automatic transmission 167
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
.
Manual transmission 174
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . .
Four −wheel drive system 175
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
Traction control system 179
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. .
“AUTO LSD” system 182
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . .
Vehicle stability control system 185
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Downhill assist control system 187
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hill −start assist control system 190
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear differential lock system 192
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire pressure warning system 194
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking brake 200
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . .
Cruise control 201
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . .
Clutch start cancel switch 204
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
SECTION 1 7

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2008 TACOMA from Apr. ’08 Prod. (OM35898U)
LS17001a
“START”—Starter motor on. The engine
switch will return to the “ON” position
when released.
For starting tips, see page 303 in Section
3.
“ON”—Engine on and all accessories
on.
This is the normal driving position.
“ACC”—Accessories such as the radio
operate, but the engine is off.
If you leave the engine switch in the
“ACC” or “LOCK” position and open the
driver ’s door, a buzzer will remind you to
remove the key.“LOCK”—Engine is off and the steering
wheel is locked. The key can be re-
moved only at this position.
You must push in the key to turn the key
from “ACC” to the “LOCK” position. On
vehicles with an automatic transmission,
the selector lever must be put in the “P”
position before pushing the key.
Vehicles with engine immobilizer system—
Once you remove the key, the engine im-
mobilizer system is automatically set. (See
“Engine immobilizer system” on page 15
in Section 1−
2.)
When starting the engine, the engine
switch may seem stuck at the “LOCK”
position. To free it, first be sure the key
is pushed all the way in, and then rock
the steering wheel slightly while turning
the key gently.
Approximately five hours after the engine
is turned off, you may hear sound coming
from underneath the deck for several min-
utes. This is normal operation and does
not indicate a malfunction. (See “Leak
detection pump” on page x.)
It is not a malfunction if the needles on
all meters and gauges move slightly when
the engine switch is turned to the “ACC”,
“ON” or “START” position.
CAUTION
For manual transmission:
Never remove the key when the ve-
hicle is moving, as this will lock the
steering wheel and result in loss of
steering control.
NOTICE
Do not leave the engine switch in the
“ON” position if the engine is not
running. The battery will discharge
and the ignition could be damaged.
Engine (ignition) switch