ignition TOYOTA TACOMA 2008 Owners Manual (in English)

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2008 TACOMA from Apr. ’08 Prod. (OM35898U)
Accessories, spare parts andmodification of your Toyota
A wide variety of non −genuine spare parts and accessories
for Toyota vehicles are currently available in the market.
You should know that Toyota does not warrant these prod-
ucts and is not responsible for their performance, repair, or
replacement, or for any damage they may cause to, or
adverse effect they may have on, your Toyota vehicle.
This vehicle should not be modified with non −genuine
Toyota products. Modification with non −genuine Toyota
products could affect its performance, safety or durability,
and may even violate governmental regulations. In addi-
tion, damage or performance problems resulting from the
modification may not be covered under warranty.
Spark ignition system of your To y o t a
The spark ignition system in your Toyota meets all require-
ments of the Canadian Interference −Causing Equipment
Standard.
Installation of a mobile twoway radio system
As the installation of a mobile two −way radio system in
your vehicle could affect the following electronic systems,
be sure to check with your Toyota dealer for precautionary
measures or special instructions regarding installation.
 Multiport fuel injection system/sequential multiport
fuel injection system
 SRS airbag system
 Seat belt pretensioner system

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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
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. . . . . . . . . .
Cruise control 201
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. . . . . . . . . .
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

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2008 TACOMA from Apr. ’08 Prod. (OM35898U)
NOTICE
A large amount of unburned gases
flowing into the threeway catalytic
converter may cause it to overheat
and create a fire hazard. To prevent
this and other damage, observe the
following precautions:
Use only unleaded gasoline.
 Do not drive with an extremely low
fuel level; running out of fuel could
cause the engine to misfire, creat-
ing an excessive load on the three
way catalytic converter.
 Do not allow the engine to run at
idle speed for more than 20 minu-
tes.
 Avoid racing the engine.
 Do not pushstart or pullstart your
vehicle.
 Do not turn off the engine switch
while the vehicle is moving.
Keep your engine in good running
order. Malfunctions in the engine
electrical system, electronic ignition
system/distributor ignition system
or fuel systems could cause an ex-
tremely high threeway catalytic
converter temperature.
 If the engine becomes difficult to
start or stalls frequently, take your
vehicle in for a checkup as soon
as possible. Remember, your Toyota
dealer knows your vehicle and its
threeway catalytic converter sys-
tem best.
 To ensure that the threeway cata-
lytic converter and the entire emis-
sion control system operate proper-
ly, your vehicle must receive the
periodic inspections required by the
Toyota Maintenance Schedule. For
scheduled maintenance information,
refer to the “Scheduled Maintenance
Guide” or “Owner ’s Manual Supple-
ment”.CAUTION
Exhaust gases include harmful car-
bon monoxide (CO) that is colorless
and odorless. Inhaling exhaust
gases may lead to death or a seri-
ous health hazard.
The exhaust should be checked
occasionally. If there is a hole or
crack caused by corrosion, damage
to a joint or abnormal exhaust
noise, be sure to have the vehicle
inspected and repaired by your
Toyota dealer. Failure to do so may
allow exhaust gases to enter the
vehicle, resulting in death or a
serious health hazard.
If the vehicle is in a poorly venti-
lated area, turn the engine off. In a
closed area, such as a garage, ex-
haust gases may collect and enter
the vehicle. This may lead to death
or a serious health hazard.
Do not remain for a long time in a
parked vehicle with the engine run-
ning. If it is unavoidable, however,
do so only in an unconfined area
and adjust the heating or cooling
system to force outside air into the
vehicle.
Engine exhaust cautions

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2008 TACOMA from Apr. ’08 Prod. (OM35898U)
CAUTION
When the engine is running, keep
hands, clothing, and tools away
from the moving fan and engine
drive belts. (Removing rings,
watches, and ties is advisable.)
Right after driving, the engine
compartment—the engine, radiator,
exhaust manifold, power steering
fluid reservoir and spark plug
boots, etc.—will be hot. So be care-
ful not to touch them. Oil, fluids
and spark plugs may also be hot.
If the engine is hot, do not remove
the radiator cap or loosen the drain
plugs to prevent burning yourself.
Do not leave anything that may
burn easily, such as paper or rags,
in the engine compartment.
Do not smoke, cause sparks or al-
low open flames around fuel or the
battery. Their fumes are flammable.
Do not get under your vehicle with
just the body jack supporting it. Al-
ways use automotive jack stands or
other solid supports.
Use eye protection whenever you
work on or under your vehicle
where you may be exposed to flying
or falling material, fluid spray, etc.
Used engine oil contains potentially
harmful contaminants which may
cause skin disorders such as in-
flammation or skin cancer, so care
should be taken to avoid prolonged
and repeated contact with it. To re-
move used engine oil from your
skin, wash thoroughly with soap
and water.
Do not leave used oil within the
reach of children.
Dispose of used oil and filter only
in a safe and acceptable manner.
Do not dispose of used oil and fil-
ter in household trash, in sewers or
onto the ground. Call your dealer or
a service station for information
concerning recycling or disposal.
Be extremely cautious when work-
ing on the battery. It contains poi-
sonous and corrosive sulfuric acid.
NOTICE
Remember that battery and ignition
coil carry high currents or voltages.
Be careful of accidentally causing a
short circuit.
 Add only “Toyota Super Long Life
Coolant” or similar high quality eth-
ylene glycol based nonsilicate,
nonamine, nonnitrite, and nonbo-
rate coolant with longlife hybrid
organic acid technology to fill the
radiator. “Toyota Super Long Life
Coolant” is a mixture of 50% cool-
ant and 50% deionized water (for
the U.S.A.) or 55% coolant and 45%
deionized water (for Canada).
 If you spill some of the coolant, be
sure to wash it off with water to
prevent it from damaging the parts
or paint.
 Do not allow dirt or anything else
to fall through the spark plug holes.
 Use only spark plugs of the speci-
fied type. Using other types will
cause engine damage, loss of per-
formance or radio noise.