maintenance TOYOTA TACOMA 2008 Owners Manual (in English)

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2008 TACOMA from Apr. ’08 Prod. (OM35898U)
Foreword
Welcome to the growing group of value−conscious people who drive Toyotas. We are proud of the advanced engineering and
quality construction of each vehicle we build.
This Owner ’s Manual explains the operation of your new Toyota. Please read it thoroughly and have all the occupants
follow the instructions carefully. Doing so will help you enjoy many years of safe and troublefree motoring. For
important information about this manual and your Toyota, read the following pages carefully.
When it comes to service, remember that your Toyota dealer knows your vehicle very well and is interested in your complete
satisfaction. Your Toyota dealer will provide quality maintenance and any other assistance you may require.
If there is not a Toyota dealer near you, please call the following number:
U.S. OWNERS
:When traveling in the U.S. mainland or Canada:
Toyota Customer Experience Center Tollfree:18003314331
Hawaii:
Servco Automotive Customer Services Tollfree:18882725515
CANADIAN OWNERS:
When traveling in Canada or the U.S. mainland: Toyota Canada Customer Interaction Centre Tollfree:1888TOYOTA8 or 18888696828
Please leave this Owner ’s Manual in this vehicle at the time of resale. The next owner will need this information also.
All information and specifications in this manual are current at the time of printing. However, because of Toyota’s policy of
continual product improvement, we reserve the right to make changes at any time without notice.
Please note that this manual applies to all models and explains all equipment, including options. Therefore, you may
find some explanations for equipment not installed on your vehicle.
Please access our websites for further information.
The U.S. mainland www.toyota.com
Hawaiiwww.toyotahawaii.com
Canada www.toyota.ca
©2008 TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION
All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or copied, in whole or in part, without the written permission of Toyo ta
Motor Corporation.

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2008 TACOMA from Apr. ’08 Prod. (OM35898U)
New vehicle warranty
Your new vehicle is covered by the following Toyota limited
warranties: New vehicle warranty
 Emission control systems warranty
 Others
For further information, please refer to the “Owner’s
Warranty Information Booklet” or “Owner ’s Manual
Supplement”.
Your responsibility for maintenance
It is the owner ’s responsibility to make sure that the speci-
fied maintenance is performed. Section 6 gives details of
these maintenance requirements. Also included in Section
6 is general maintenance. For scheduled maintenance in-
formation, please refer to the “Scheduled Maintenance
Guide” or “Owner ’s Manual Supplement”.
Important health and safety
information about your Toyota
CAUTION
WARNING: Engine exhaust, some of its constitu- ents, and a wide variety of automobile compo-
nents contain or emit chemicals known to the
State of California to cause cancer and birth de-
fects and other reproductive harm. In addition,
oils, fuels and fluids contained in vehicles as
well as waste produced by component wear con-
tain or emit chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer and birth defects or
other reproductive harm.
Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead compounds. Wash your
hands after handling. Used engine oil contains
chemicals that have caused cancer in laboratory
animals. Always protect your skin by washing
thoroughly with soap and water.

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2008 TACOMA from Apr. ’08 Prod. (OM35898U)
LS12044
The engine immobilizer system is a
theft prevention system. When you in-
sert the key in the engine switch, the
transponder chip in the key’s head
transmits an electronic code to the ve-
hicle. The engine will start only when
the electronic code in the chip corre-
sponds to the registered ID code for
the vehicle.
Never leave the keys inside the vehicle
when you leave the vehicle.
LS12003a
The system is automatically set when the
key is removed from the engine switch.
The indicator light will start flashing to
show the system is set.
If any of the following indicator conditions
occurs, contact your Toyota dealer.
The indicator light stays on.
The indicator light does not start flash-
ing when the key is removed from the
engine switch.
The indicator light flashes inconsistent-
ly.Inserting the registered key in the engine
switch automatically cancels the system,
which enables the engine to start. The
indicator light will go off.
The system is maintenance−
free.
For your Toyota dealer to make you a
new key with built −in transponder chip,
your dealer will need your key number
and master key. However, there is a limit
to the number of additional keys your
Toyota dealer can make for you.
If you make your own duplicate key,
you will not be able to cancel the sys-
tem or start the engine.
NOTICE
Do not modify, remove or disas-
semble the engine immobilizer sys-
tem. If any unauthorized changes or
modifications are made, proper opera-
tion of the system cannot be guaran-
teed.
Engine immobilizer system

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2008 TACOMA from Apr. ’08 Prod. (OM35898U)
Contact your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible to service the vehicle.
If engine speed does not increase when
the accelerator pedal is depressed, there
may be a problem somewhere in the elec-
tronic throttle control system.
At this time, vibration may occur. Howev-
er, if you depress the accelerator pedal
more firmly and slowly, you can drive your
vehicle at low speeds. Have your vehicle
checked by your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible.
Even if the abnormality of the electronic
throttle control system is corrected during
low speed driving, the system may not be
recovered until the engine is stopped and
the engine switch is turned to “ACC” or
“LOCK” position.
CAUTION
Be especially careful to prevent erro-
neous pedal operation.
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
(I/M) programs
Your vehicle may not pass a state
emission inspection if the malfunction
indicator lamp remains on. Contact your
Toyota dealer to check your vehicle’s
emission control system and OBD
(On−Board Diagnostics) system before
taking your vehicle for the inspection.
For details, see “Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance (I/M) programs” in Section 6.
(g) Engine Oil Replacement Reminder Light (for vehicles sold in U.S.A.)
This light acts as a reminder to replace
the engine oil.
This light will come on when the engine
switch is turned to “ON” and will go off
after about a few seconds.
When you drive for about 7200 km (4500
miles) after the engine oil replacement,
this light illuminates for about 3 seconds
and then flashes for about 12 seconds
with the engine switch turned to the “ON”
position. If you continue driving without
replacing the engine oil, and if the
distance driven exceeds 8000 km (5000
miles), the light will come on after the
engine switch is turned to “ON” position.
The light will remain on thereafter. If the light is flashing, we recommend that
you replace the engine oil at an early
opportunity depending on the driving and
road conditions. If the light comes on,
replace it as soon as possible.
The system must be reset after the
engine oil replacement. Reset the system
by the following procedure:
1. Turn the engine switch to the “OFF” position with the odometer reading
shown. (For details, see “Odometer and
two trip meters” on page 151 in this
Section.)
2. Turn the engine switch to the “ON” position while holding down the trip
meter reset knob.
Hold down the knob for at least 5
seconds. The odometer indicates “000000”
and the light goes off.
If the system fails to reset, the light will
continue flashing.
(h) 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.
On inclines or curves, due to the move-
ment of fuel in the tank, the low fuel level
warning light may come on earlier than
usual.

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2008 TACOMA from Apr. ’08 Prod. (OM35898U)
CAUTION
Each tire, including the spare (if pro-
vided), should be checked monthly
when cold and inflated to the inflation
pressure recommended by the vehicle
manufacturer on the vehicle placard
or tire inflation pressure label (tire
and load information label). (If your
vehicle has tires of a different size
than the size indicated on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label
(tire and load information label), you
should determine the proper tire infla-
tion pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your ve-
hicle has been equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS
tire pressure warning system) that il-
luminates a low tire pressure telltale
(tire pressure warning light) when one
or more of your tires is significantly
underinflated. Accordingly, when the
low tire pressure telltale (tire pres-
sure warning light) illuminates, you
should stop and check your tires as
soon as possible, and inflate them to
the proper pressure. Driving on a sig-
nificantly underinflated tire causes
the tire to overheat and can lead to
tire failure. Underinflation also re-
duces fuel efficiency and tire tread
life, and may affect the vehicle’s han-
dling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS (tire pres-
sure warning system) is not a substi-
tute for proper tire maintenance, and
it is the driver ’s responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if
underinflation has not reached the
level to trigger illumination of the
TPMS low tire pressure telltale (tire
pressure warning light).Your vehicle has also been equipped
with a TPMS (tire pressure warning
system) malfunction indicator to indi-
cate when the system is not operat-
ing properly. The TPMS (tire pressure
warning system) malfunction indicator
is combined with the low tire pres-
sure telltale (tire pressure warning
light). When the system detects a
malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then
remain continuously illuminated. This
sequence will continue upon subse-
quent vehicle startups as long as
the malfunction exists. When the mal-
function indicator is illuminated, the
system may not be able to detect or
signal low tire pressure as intended.

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2008 TACOMA from Apr. ’08 Prod. (OM35898U)
LS19008b
The air conditioning filter is behind the
glove box.The air conditioning filter may clog af-
ter long use. The filter may need to be
replaced if the air flow of the air condi-
tioning and heater experiences extreme
reductions in operating efficiency, or if
the windows begin to fog up easily.
To maintain the air conditioning efficiency,
inspect and replace the air conditioning
filter according to the maintenance
schedule. In dusty areas or areas with
heavy traffic flow, such as inner city or
desert areas, early replacement may be
required. (For scheduled maintenance
information, please refer to the “Scheduled
Maintenance Guide” or “Owner ’s Manual
Supplement.”)
LS19009
1. Open the glove box, and slide off
the damper as shown.
—Checking and replacing the
air conditioning filter

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2008 TACOMA from Apr. ’08 Prod. (OM35898U)
When driving offroad or in rugged
terrain, do not drive at excessive
speeds, jump, make sharp turns,
strike objects, etc. This may cause
loss of control or vehicle rollover
causing death or serious injury. You
are also risking expensive damage
to your vehicle’s suspension and
chassis.
Do not drive horizontally across
steep slopes. Driving straight up or
straight down is preferred. Your ve-
hicle (or any similar offroad ve-
hicle) can tip over sideways much
more easily than forward or back-
ward.
Drive gently and avoid high speeds.
Your vehicle does not need an elaborate
break−in. But following a few simple tips
for the first 1600 km (1000 miles) can add
to the future economy and long life of
your vehicle:
Avoid full throttle acceleration when
starting and driving.
Avoid racing the engine.
Try to avoid hard stops during the first
300 km (200 miles).
Do not drive slowly with the manual
transmission in a high gear.
Do not drive for a long time at any
single speed, either fast or slow.
Do not tow a trailer during the first 800
km (500 miles). FUEL TYPE
Your new vehicle must use only un-
leaded gasoline.
To help prevent gas station mix
−ups, your
Toyota has a smaller fuel tank opening.
The special nozzle on pumps with un-
leaded fuel will fit it, but the larger stan-
dard nozzle on pumps with leaded gas will
not.
At a minimum, the gasoline you use
should meet specifications of ASTM
D4814 in the U.S.A. and CGSB 3.5 −M93
in Canada.
NOTICE
Do not use leaded gasoline. Use of
leaded gasoline will cause the three
way catalytic converter to lose its ef-
fectiveness and the emission control
system to function improperly. Also,
this can increase maintenance costs.
Breakin period Fuel

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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)
The amount of engine oil consumed de-
pends on the viscosity of the oil, the
quality of the oil and the conditions the
vehicle is driven under.
More oil is consumed by high−speed driv-
ing and frequent acceleration and decel-
eration.
A new engine consumes more oil, since
its pistons, piston rings and cylinder walls
have not become conditioned.
Oil consumption: Max. 1.0 L per 1000
km (1.1 qt./600 miles, 0.9 lmp. qt./600
miles)
When judging the amount of oil con-
sumption, note that the oil may become
diluted and make it difficult to judge
the true level accurately.
As an example, if a vehicle is used for
repeated short trips, and consumes a nor-
mal amount of oil, the dipstick may not
show any drop in the oil level at all, even
after 1000 km (600 miles) or more. This
is because the oil is gradually becoming
diluted with fuel or moisture, making it
appear that the oil level has not changed.
The diluting ingredients evaporate out
when the vehicle is then driven at high
speeds, as on an expressway, making it
appear that oil is excessively consumed
after driving at high speeds. IMPORTANCE OF ENGINE OIL LEVEL
CHECK
One of the most important points in prop-
er vehicle maintenance is to keep the en-
gine oil at the optimum level so that oil
function will not be impaired. Therefore, it
is essential that the oil level be checked
regularly. Toyota recommends that the oil
level be checked every time you refuel
the vehicle.
NOTICE
Failure to check the oil level regularly
could lead to serious engine trouble
due to insufficient oil.
For detailed information on oil level check,
see “Checking the engine oil level” on
page 370 in Section 7
−2. Your engine is fitted with iridiumtipped
spark plugs.
NOTICE
Use only iridiumtipped spark plugs.
Do not adjust gaps for engine perfor-
mance smooth driveability.
Iridiumtipped spark plugs (2.7
L 4cylinder [2TRFE] engine)

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2008 TACOMA from Apr. ’08 Prod. (OM35898U)
Sand and mud that has accumulated
in brake drums and around brake
discs may affect braking efficiency
and may damage brake system com-
ponents.
 Always perform a maintenance in-
spection after each day of offroad
driving that has taken you through
rough terrain, sand, mud, or water.
For scheduled maintenance in-
formation, refer to the “Scheduled
Maintenance Guide” or “Owner’s
Manual Supplement”.Make sure your coolant is properly pro-
tected against freezing.
Only use “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”
or similar high quality ethylene glycol
based non −silicate, non −amine, non −nitrite,
and non −borate coolant with long −life hy-
brid organic acid technology. (Coolant with
long− life hybrid organic acid technology is
a combination of low phosphates and or-
ganic acids.)
See “Checking the engine coolant level”
on page 372 in Section 7 −2 for details of
coolant type selection.
For the U.S.A.—“Toyota Super Long Life
Coolant” is a mixture of 50% coolant and
50% deionized water. This coolant pro-
vides protection down to about −35 C
( − 31 F).
For Canada—“Toyota Super Long Life
Coolant” is a mixture of 55% coolant and
45% deionized water. This coolant pro-
vides protection down to about −42 C
( − 44 F).
NOTICE
Do not use plain water alone.
Check the condition of the battery and
cables. Cold temperatures reduce the capacity of
any battery, so it must be in top shape
to provide enough power for winter start-
ing. Section 7−
3 tells you how to visually
inspect the battery. Your Toyota dealer
and most service stations will be pleased
to check the level of charge.
Make sure the engine oil viscosity is
suitable for the cold weather.
See page 370 in Section 7 −2 for recom-
mended viscosity. Leaving a heavy sum-
mer oil in your vehicle during winter
months may cause harder starting. If you
are not sure about which oil to use, call
your Toyota dealer—they will be pleased
to help.
Keep the door locks from freezing.
Squirt lock de −icer or glycerine into the
locks to keep them from freezing.
Use a washer fluid containing an anti
freeze solution.
This product is available at your Toyota
dealer and most auto parts stores. Follow
the manufacturer ’s directions for how
much to mix with water.
Winter driving tips