differential TOYOTA TACOMA 2008 Owners Manual (in English)

5
2008 TACOMA from Apr. ’08 Prod. (OM35898U)
1. Front fog light switch
2. Rear differential lock switch
3. Power outlet main switch
4. Instrument panel light control dial
5. Headlight and turn signal switches
6. Audio remote control switches
7. Wiper and washer switches
8. Front drive control switch knob
9. Audio system
10. Clock
11. Engine immobilizer system indicator light
12. Front passenger ’s seat belt reminder light
13. Front passenger occupant classification indicator lights or passenger airbag on −
off indicator lights
14. Passenger airbag off switch
15. Air conditioning controls
16. Power outlet
17. Emergency flasher switch
18. Cigarette lighter
19. Parking brake lever (manual transmission)
LS11004b

9
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

160
2008 TACOMA from Apr. ’08 Prod. (OM35898U)
(i) “ABS” Warning Light
Without the vehicle stability control
system—
The light comes on when the engine
switch is turned to the “ON” position. If
the anti−lock brake system works properly,
the light turns off after a few seconds.
Thereafter, if the system malfunctions, the
light comes on again.
When the “ABS” warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
anti −lock brake system does not operate,
but the brake system still operates con-
ventionally.
When the “ABS” warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
anti −lock brake system does not operate
but the brake assist system still operates.
In this case, the wheels could lock up
during a sudden braking or braking on
slippery road surfaces.
If either of the following conditions
occurs, this indicates a malfunction
somewhere in the 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
engine switch is turned to the “ON”
position, or the light remains on.
The light comes on while you are driv-
ing.
A warning light turning on briefly during
operation does not indicate a problem.
CAUTION
If the “ABS” warning light remains on
together with the brake system warn-
ing light, immediately stop your ve-
hicle at a safe place and contact your
Toyota dealer.
In this case, not only the antilock
brake system will fail but also the
vehicle will become extremely unsta-
ble during braking.
With rear differential lock: However, it is
a normal operation for the light to be on
with rear differential locked. At this time,
the anti −lock brake system does not oper-
ate. With the vehicle stability control sys-
tem—
The light comes on when the engine
switch is turned to the “ON” position. If
the anti
−lock brake system and the brake
assist system work properly, the light
turns off after a few seconds. Thereafter,
if either of the systems malfunctions, the
light comes on again.
When the “ABS” warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
following systems do not operate, but the
brake system still operates conventionally.
Anti −lock brake system
Brake assist system
Traction control system
“AUTO LSD” system
Vehicle stability control system
Downhill assist control system
Hill −start assist control system

161
2008 TACOMA from Apr. ’08 Prod. (OM35898U)
When the “ABS” warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
anti−lock brake system does not operate,
so that the wheels will lock up during a
sudden braking or braking on slippery
road surfaces.
If either of the following conditions oc-
curs, this indicates a malfunction some-
where in the components 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
engine switch is turned to the “ON”
position, or remains on.
The light comes on while you are dri-
ving.
A warning light turning on briefly during
operation does not indicate a problem.
CAUTION
If the “ABS” warning light remains on
together with the brake system warn-
ing light, immediately stop your ve-
hicle at a safe place and contact your
Toyota dealer.
In this case, not only the antilock
brake system will fail but also the
vehicle will become extremely unsta-
ble during braking.
Any of the following conditions may oc-
cur, but do not indicate a malfunction:
The light may stay on for about 60
seconds after the engine switch is
turned to the “ON” position. It is nor-
mal if it turns off after a while.
Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly
may turn on the light. It is normal if it
turns off after a few seconds.
With rear differential lock: The light
comes on with rear differential locked.
At this time, the anti −lock brake sys-
tem, the brake assist system, the ve-
hicle stability control system, the trac-
tion control system, the downhill assist
control system and the hill −start assist
control system do not operate.
(j) “VSC OFF” warning light
The light flashing warns that there is a
problem somewhere in the following.
Vehicle stability control system
Traction control system
“AUTO LSD” system
Downhill assist control system
Hill −start assist control system
The light will come on when the engine
switch turned to “ON”, and will go off after
a few seconds.
It is not a malfunction that the light may
stay on for 60 seconds after the engine
switch is turned to the “ON” position.
Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly
may turn on the lights. It is normal if they
go out after a few seconds.

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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)
Use the front drive control switch knob
to select the following transfer modes.
“H2” (high speed position, twowheel
drive): Front drive control switch knob at
“H2”
Use this for normal driving on dry hard −
surfaced roads. This position gives greater
economy, quietest ride, least wear and
better vehicle control.
“H4” (high speed position, fourwheel
drive): Front drive control switch knob at
“H4”
The four −wheel drive indicator light comes
on when the “H4” mode is selected.
Use this for greater traction than two −
wheel drive. (When you experience a loss
of power, such as wheel slipping.) This
position provides greater traction than
two −wheel drive.
With the vehicle stability control
system—In this m ode, the vehicle stability
control system is off. (See “Vehicle
stability control system” on page 185 in
this Section)
“L4” (low speed position, fourwheel
drive): Front drive control switch knob at
“L4” The four
−wheel drive and “4LO” (low
speed four −wheel drive) indicator lights
come on when the “L4” mode is selected.
Use this for maximum power and traction.
Use “L4” position for climbing or descend-
ing steep hills, off −road driving, and hard
pulling in sand, mud or deep snow.
See “(c) Shifting procedure” for further in-
structions.
With the vehicle stability control
system—In this m ode, the vehicle stability
control system is off. (See “Vehicle
stability control system” on page 185 in
this Section.) The A.D.D. can be engaged or disen-
gaged by the shifting operations de-
scribed in “(c) Shifting procedure”.
You should drive in four
−wheel drive for
at least 16 km (10 miles) each month.
This will assure that the front drive com-
ponents are lubricated.
(b) A.D.D. (automatic
disconnecting differential)

180
2008 TACOMA from Apr. ’08 Prod. (OM35898U)
LS17007b
NORMAL MODE
Leave the system on during the ordi-
nary driving so that it can operate
when needed.
You may hear a sound in the engine
compartment for a few seconds when the
engine is started or just after the vehicle
begins to move. This means that the trac-
tion control system is in the self−check
mode, but does not indicate a malfunction. When the traction control system is oper-
ating, the following conditions occur:
The system controls the spinning of the
rear wheels (two
−wheel drive models)
or 4 wheels (four −wheel drive models).
At this time, the slip indicator light
blinks.
You may feel vibration or noise in your
vehicle, caused by operation of the
brakes. This indicates the system is
functioning properly.
The slip indicator light comes on for a few
seconds when the engine switch is turned
to “ON”. If the indicator light does not
come on when the engine switch is turned
on, contact your Toyota dealer.
The brake actuator temperature increases
during continuous operation of the follow-
ing systems under conditions such as on
slippery roads.
Traction control system
“AUTO LSD” system
Downhill assist control system
Hill− start assist control system If the brake actuator temperature becomes
too high while any of the systems is oper-
ating, a buzzer will start to sound intermit-
tently to indicate that the traction control
system can no l
onger operate. In this
case, immediately stop your vehicle at a
safe place.
If the system continues to operate, the
buzzer sound changes from intermittent to
continuous. (The continuous buzzer
sounds for about 3 seconds.)
At the time, the slip indicator light will
come on and the traction control system
temporarily stops operating in order to
protect the brake actuator. (Although the
traction control system does not operate,
it is no problem to continue driving.) The
system will be automatically restored after
a short time and the slip indicator light
goes off.
With rear differential lock: However, it is
a normal operation for the light to be on
with rear differential locked. At this time,
the traction control system does not oper-
ate.

186
2008 TACOMA from Apr. ’08 Prod. (OM35898U)
LS17010
The vehicle stability control system au-
tomatically turns off, and the “VSC
OFF” indicator light is illuminated,
when either one of the following condi-
tions applies:
Four−wheel drive mode is set. (on
four −wheel drive models)
The rear differential is locked. (on mod-
els equipped with the rear differential
lock system)
The “VSC OFF” indicator light comes on
for a few seconds when the engine switch
is turned to “ON”, and then turns off. If
either one of the above conditions applies,
the indicator light is illuminated again.
LS17028a
When getting the vehicle out of mud or
newly fallen snow, etc., turn off the
vehicle stability control system. This
system that controls engine perfor-
mance interferes with the process of
freeing rear wheels (twowheel drive
models) or 4 wheels (fourwheel drive
models).
To turn off: First, push the “VSC OFF”
switch to turn off the traction control
system and check that the “AUTO LSD”
and slip indicator lights come on. Then,
push and hold the “VSC OFF” switch
for 3 seconds or more with the vehicle
stopped.
The “VSC OFF” and slip indicator lights
will come on. To turn on: Briefly push the “VSC OFF”
switch once again.
The “VSC OFF” and slip indicator lights
will go off.
If the engine is turned off while the “VSC
OFF” and slip indicator lights are on and
then restarted, the indicator lights will turn
off automatically.
When you briefly push the “VSC OFF”
switch, turn off the vehicle stability control
system. See “Traction control system” on
page 179 in this Section.
The “VSC OFF” and slip indicator lights
come on for a few seconds when the
engine switch is turned to “ON”. If the
indicator lights do not come on when the
engine switch is turned to “ON”, contact
your Toyota dealer.
CAUTION
Do not drive with the vehicle stability
control system continuously turned
off.

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2008 TACOMA from Apr. ’08 Prod. (OM35898U)
TO ACTIVATE THE DOWNHILL ASSIST
CONTROL SYSTEM1. Turn the front drive control switch knob to the “L4” position.
The system does not operate when the
front drive control switch knob is in the
“H2” or “H4” position, or the rear differen-
tial is locked.
2. In order to make full use of the en- gine brake, putting the transmission
in “L” or “2” is recommended.
The system will operate even if the trans-
mission selector lever is in “D”, “4”, “3”
or “N”. However, when it is in “L” or “2”
the engine brake can also be utilized en-
abling the system to operate more effec-
tively.
LS17016a
3. Push the “DAC” switch to turn the system on. The downhill assist con-
trol system indicator light on the in-
strument panel will come on.
If the downhill assist control system indi-
cator light flashes, one of the following
may be the cause:
The selector lever is in the “N” posi-
tion.
The front drive control switch knob is
in the “H2” or “H4” position.
The rear differential is locked.
If the indicator light does not come on
when the switch is pushed, contact your
Toyota dealer.
LS17007b
With the vehicle traveling at a speed of
25 km/h (15 mph) or less, release your
foot from the accelerator or brake pedal
to activate the system. The vehicle will
descend the hill at a low speed. While the
system is operating, the slip indicator light
on the instrument panel will flash and the
stop lights and high mounted stoplight will
be lit.
If you push the “DAC” switch to turn the
system off while it is in operation, the
system will stop operating gra dually. The
downhill assist control system indicator
light will flash to alert the driver. To con-
tinue driving at a low speed, push the
“DAC” switch to turn the system on.

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2008 TACOMA from Apr. ’08 Prod. (OM35898U)
“VSC OFF” warning light
When the system is normal and the en-
gine switch is turned to “ON”, the warning
light will come on and will go off after a
few seconds.
It is not a malfunction that the warning
light may stay on for 60 seconds after the
engine switch is turned to the “ON” posi-
tion.
Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly
may turn on the light. It is normal if it
goes out after a few seconds.
If the warning light flashes while driving,
the system does not work. However, if the
brakes operate normally when applied, it
is no problem to continue your driving.
In the following cases, contact your Toyota
dealer:
The warning light does not come on
after the engine switch is turned to
“ON”.
The warning light remains on after the
engine switch is turned to “ON”.
The warning light flashes while driving.The hillstart assist control system as-
sists you in starting to move up a
steep or slippery hill. When you start
to move up the hill slope, the system
helps to prevent the vehicle from roll-
ing backward in the interval while you
move your foot from the brake pedal to
the accelerator pedal.
CAUTION
Do not rely excessively on the h
ill
start assist control system. The ve-
hicle may not be able to start
smoothly on road surfaces or off
road surfaces such as extremely
steep slopes or icy roads, on which
sliding can occur very easily.
Do not use the hillstart assist con-
trol system to stop the vehicle. This
system is not designed as a func-
tion for stopping the vehicle on a
uphill slope.
The hillstart assist control system will
operate for 5 seconds maximally when
all of the following conditions apply.
5speed automatic transmission—
When the transmission is in any of
positions “D”, “4”, “3”, “2” or “L”
4speed automatic transmission—
When the transmission is in any of
positions “D”, “3”, “2” or “L”
When the brake pedal is not de-
pressed
The system is designed to operate when
the vehicle is starting on an uphill slope;
therefore, if the transmission is in “P” or
“N” it will not operate. It will not operate
either if the vehicle starts to move in
reverse on a slope with the transmission
in the “R” or the rear differential is locked.
(with the rear differential lock)
Hillstart assist control
system (automatic
transmission only)