cruise control TOYOTA TACOMA 2008 Owners Manual (in English)

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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.

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2008 TACOMA from Apr. ’08 Prod. (OM35898U)
20. Cruise control switch
21. Engine switch
22. Roll sensing of curtain shield airbagsoff switch
23. “DAC” switch or clutch start cancel switch
24. “VSC OFF” switch
25. Power rear view mirror control switches

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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)
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)
Shift into the “L” position. The trans-
mission will downshift to first gear
when the vehicle speed drops down to
or lower than the following speed, and
maximum engine braking will be en-
abled.
PreRunner 42 km/h (26 mph). . . . . . . . .
Four −wheel drive models
Front drive control switch knob at
“H2” or “H4” 42 km/h (26 mph)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front drive control switch knob at
“L4” 16 km/h (9 mph)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicles with cruise control—When the
cruise control is being used, even if you
downshift from “D” to “4”, engine braking
will not be enabled because the cruise
control is not cancelled.
For ways to decrease the vehicle speed,
see “Cruise control” on page 201 in this
Section.CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a
slippery surface. Abrupt shifting
could cause the vehicle to skid or
spin.
(d) Using “3”, “2” and “L” positions
The “3”, “2” and “L” positions are used for
strong engine braking as described pre-
viously.
With the selector lever in “3”, “2” or “L”,
you can start the vehicle in motion as
with the lever in “D”.
With the selector lever in “3” or “2”, the
vehicle will start in first gear and automat-
ically shift to third gear or second gear.
With the selector lever in “L”, the trans-
mission is engaged in first gear.
NOTICE
 Be careful not to overrev the en-
gine. Watch the tachometer to keep
engine rpm from going into the red
zone. The approximate maximum al-
lowable speed for each position is
given below for your reference:
PreRunner
“3” 138 km/h (86 mph). . . . . . .
“2” 95 km/h (59 mph) . . . . . . . .
“L” 55 km/h (34 mph) . . . . . . . .
Fourwheel drive models Front drive control switch knob at
“H2” or “H4”—
“3” 138 km/h (86 mph) . . . . . . .
“2” 95 km/h (59 mph) . . . . . . . .
“L” 55 km/h (34 mph) . . . . . . . .
Front drive control switch knob at
“L4”— “3” 54 km/h (33 mph) . . . . . . . .
“2” 37 km/h (23 mph) . . . . . . . .
“L” 21 km/h (13 mph) . . . . . . . .

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2008 TACOMA from Apr. ’08 Prod. (OM35898U)
(b) Normal driving1. Start the engine as instructed in “How to start the engine” on page 304 in
Section 3. The transmission must be in
“P” or “N”.
2. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the selector lever to “D”.
When the lever is in the “D” position, the
automatic transmission system will select
the most suitable gear for running condi-
tions such as normal cruising, hill climb-
ing, hard towing, etc.
Always use the “D” position for better fuel
economy and quieter driving. If the engine
coolant temperature is low, the transmis-
sion will not shift into the overdrive gear
even in the “D” position.
CAUTION
Never put your foot on the accelera-
tor pedal while shifting.
3. Release the parking brake and brake pedal. Depress the accelerator pedal
slowly for smooth starting.
(c) Using engine braking
To use engine braking, you can downshift
the transmission as follows:
Shift into the “3” position. The trans-
mission will downshift to third gear.
Shift into the “2” position. The trans-
mission will downshift to second gear
when the vehicle speed drops down to
or lower than 119 km/h (74 mph), and
stronger engine braking will be en-
abled.
Shift into the “L” position. The trans-
mission will downshift to first gear
when the vehicle speed drops down to
or lower than 57 km/h (35 mph), and
maximum engine braking will be en-
abled.
When the cruise control is being used,
even if you downshift from “D” to “3”,
engine braking will not be enabled be-
cause the cruise control is not cancelled.
For ways to decrease the vehicle speed,
see “Cruise control” on page 201 in this
Section.
CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a
slippery surface. Abrupt shifting
could cause the vehicle to skid or
spin.
(d) Using “2” and “L” positions
The “2” and “L” positions are used for
strong engine braking as described pre-
viously.
With the selector lever in “2” or “L”, you
can start the vehicle in motion as with the
lever in “D”.
With the selector lever in “2”, the vehicle
will start in first gear and automatically
shift to second gear.
With the selector lever in “L”, the trans-
mission is engaged in first gear.
NOTICE
 Be careful not to overrev the en-
gine. Watch the tachometer to keep
engine rpm from going into the red
zone. The approximate maximum al-
lowable speed for each position is
given below for your reference:
“2” 120 km/h (74 mph) . . . . . . . . . . .
“L” 65 km/h (40 mph)
. . . . . . . . . . . .

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2008 TACOMA from Apr. ’08 Prod. (OM35898U)
When parking, firmly apply the parking
brake to avoid inadvertent creeping.
Pedal type—
To set: Fully depress the parking brake
pedal. For better holding power, first de-
press the brake pedal and hold it while
setting the parking brake.
To release: Depress the parking brake
pedal once again.
Lever type—
To set: Pull out on the lever. For better
holding power, first depress the brake
pedal and hold it while setting the parking
brake.
To release: Press the lock release button
(1), turn the lever clockwise (2), then
push it in (3).
To remind you that the parking brake is
set, the parking brake reminder light in
the instrument panel remains on until you
release the parking brake.
CAUTION
Before driving, be sure the parking
brake is fully released and the park-
ing brake reminder light is off.
The cruise control is designed to main-
tain a set cruising speed without requir-
ing the driver to operate the accelera-
tor. Cruising speed can be set to any
speed above 40 km/h (25 mph).
Within the limits of the engine’s capabili-
ties, cruising speed can be maintained up
or down grades. However, changes in ve-
hicle speed may occur on steeper grades.
CAUTION
To help maintain maximum control
of your vehicle, do not use the
cruise control when driving in
heavy or varying traffic, or on slip-
pery (rainy, icy or snowcovered) or
winding roads.
Avoid vehicle speed increases when
driving downhill. If the vehicle
speed is too fast in relation to the
cruise control set speed, cancel the
cruise control then downshift the
transmission to use engine braking
to slow down.
LS17020b
TURNING THE SYSTEM ON AND OFF
To turn the cruise control on, press the
“ON−OFF” button. The “CRUISE” indicator
light on the instrument panel will come on
to indicate that the cruise control is opera-
tional. Pressing the “ON −OFF” button
again turns the system off.
When the system is turned off, cruising
speed must be reset when the cruise con-
trol is turned on again.
When the engine switch is turned off, the
system is also automatically turned off. To
use the cruise control again, press the
“ON −OFF” button again to turn it on.
Cruise control

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2008 TACOMA from Apr. ’08 Prod. (OM35898U)
CAUTION
To avoid accidentally engaging the
cruise control, turn the system off
when it is not in use. Make sure the
“CRUISE” indicator light is off.
LS17021b
SETTING THE CRUISING SPEED
On vehicles with automatic transmission,
the transmission must be in “D”, “4”
(5−speed automatic transmission) or “3”
(4 −speed automatic transmission) before
you set the cruising speed.
Bring your vehicle to the desired speed,
push the lever down in the “ −SET” direc-
tion and release it. This sets the vehicle
at that speed. If the speed is not satisfac-
tory, tap the lever up for a faster speed,
or tap it down for a slower speed. Each
tap changes the set speed by 1.6 km/h
(1.0 mph). You can now take your foot off
the accelerator pedal. If you need acceleration—for example,
when passing—depress the accelerator
pedal enough for the vehicle to exceed
the set speed. When you release it, the
vehicle will return to the speed set prior
to the acceleration.
CAUTION
For manual transmission:
While driving with the cruise control
on, do not shift to neutral without
depressing the clutch pedal, as this
may cause engine racing or overrev-
ving.
CANCELLING THE CRUISE CONTROL
The cruise control may be temporarily
cancelled by the driver or by the system
itself under certain circumstances. Tempo-
rary cancellation allows the set cruising
speed to remain in memory.
The cruise control can be temporarily can-
celled by doing the following:
Pulling the lever in the “CANCEL” di-
rection and releasing it
Depressing the brake pedal
Depressing the clutch pedal

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2008 TACOMA from Apr. ’08 Prod. (OM35898U)
Under certain circumstances, the cruise
control is temporarily cancelled:
When vehicle speed falls below 40
km/h (25 mph)
When vehicle stability control is acti-
vated
When vehicle speed drops 16 km/h (10
mph) below the set speed, the cruise con-
trol is cancelled and the set speed is
erased from memory.
The “CRUISE” indicator light remains on
to indicate that the system is still in op-
eration.
To turn the cruise control off, press the
“ON −OFF” button. Make sure the
“CRUISE” indicator light is off.
If the cruise control automatically cancels
out other than for the above cases, have
your vehicle checked by your Toyota deal-
er at the earliest opportunity.
RESUMING THE CRUISE CONTROL
If the cruise control is temporarily can-
celled, the cruising speed can be resumed
by pushing the lever up in the “+ RES”
direction.
Vehicle speed must be above 40 km/h (25
mph). RESETTING TO A FASTER SPEED
Push the lever up in the “+RES” direction
and hold it. Release the lever when the
desired speed is attained. While the lever
is held up, the vehicle will gradually gain
speed.
However, a faster way to reset is to ac-
celerate the vehicle and then push the
lever down in the “−
SET” direction.
RESETTING TO A SLOWER SPEED
Push the lever down in the “ −SET” direc-
tion and hold it. Release the lever when
the desired speed is attained. While the
lever is held down, the vehicle speed will
gradually decrease.
However, a faster way to reset is to de-
press the brake pedal and then push the
lever down in the “− SET” direction.
On vehicles with automatic transmission,
even if you downshift from “D” to “4”
(5 −speed automatic transmission) or “3”
(4 −speed automatic transmission), with the
cruise control on, engine braking will not
be enabled because the cruise control is
not cancelled. To decrease the vehicle
speed, reset to a slower speed with the
cruise control lever or depress the brake
pedal. If you use the brake pedal, cruise
control is cancelled. CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE WARNING
If the “CRUISE” indicator light flashes
when using the cruise control, press the
“ON
−OFF” button to turn the system off
and then press it again to turn it on.
If any of the following conditions then oc-
curs, there is some trouble in the cruise
control system.
The indicator light does not come on.
The indicator light flashes again.
The indicator light goes out after it
comes on.
If this is the case, contact your Toyota
dealer and have your vehicle inspected.