TOYOTA TACOMA 2009 Owners Manual (in English)

141
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
Automatic Transmission (if equipped)
Select a shift position appropriate for the driving conditions.
■Shifting the shift lever
5-speed models
While the engine switch is on, depress the brake pedal and
move the shift lever.
4-speed models
While the engine switch is on, depress the brake pedal and
move the shift lever.

142 2-1. Driving procedures
■Downshifting restrictions
The shift lever cannot be downshifted if the following speeds are exceeded.
2WD models mph (km/h)
■Shift position uses
*: To improve fuel consumption and reduce noises, set the shift lever in
D for normal driving.
Shift positionFunction
5-speed models4-speed models
PParking the vehicle or starting the engine
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*
4Position for engine brak- ing—
3Position for more powerful engine brakingPosition for engine brak- ing
2Position for more powerful engine braking
LPosition for maximum engine braking
DownshiftingMaximum speed
5-speed models4-speed models
4  3 82 (133) —
3  2 54 (88) 74 (119)
2  L 24 (39) 35 (57)

143
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
4WD models
mph (km/h)
■ When driving with the cruise control system (if equipped)
The engine brake will not operate when downshifting from D to 4 (5-speed
models) or 3 (4-speed models). ( P. 163)
■ If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
P. 450
DownshiftingTransfer positionMaximum speed
4  3 H2 and H4
82 (133)
L4 31 (51)
3  2 H2 and H4
54 (88)
L4 21 (34)
2  L H2 and H4
24 (39)
L4 9 (15)

144
2-1. Driving procedures
Manual Transmission (if equipped)
■Shifting the shift lever
6-speed models
Fully depress the clutch pedal before operating the shift lever, and
then release it slowly. 5-speed models
Fully depress the clutch pedal before operating the shift lever, and
then release it slowly.

145
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
■
Maximum allowable speed
Observe the following maximum allowable speeds in each gear when maxi-
mum acceleration is necessary.
2WD models except PreRunner mph (km/h)
PreRunner mph (km/h)
Shift positionMaximum speed
6-speed models5-speed models
1 32 (52) 33 (53)
2 61 (99) 63 (101)
3 91 (146) 90 (146)
4 113 (182) 130 (209)
Shift positionMaximum speed
6-speed models5-speed models
1 30 (49) 30 (48)
2 58 (93) 57 (92)
3 85 (137) 82 (133)
4 106 (171) 118 (190)
5 127 (204) —

146 2-1. Driving procedures
4WD modelsmph (km/h)
■ Reverse warning buzzer (6-speed models only)
When shifting into R, a buzzer will sound to inform the driver that the shift
lever is in R.
Shift positionTransfer positionMaximum speed
6-speed models5-speed models
1 H2 and H4 30 (49) 30 (48)
L4 11 (19) 11 (18)
2 H2 and H4 58 (93)
57 (92)
L4 22 (36) 22 (36)
3 H2 and H4 85 (137) 82 (133)
L4 33 (53) 32 (51)
4 H2 and H4 106 (171) 118 (190)
L4 41 (66) 46 (74)
5 H2 and H4 127 (204)
—
L4 49 (79) —

147
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
Tur n signal lever
■Turn signals can be operated when
The engine switch is in the ON position.
■ If the indicators flash faster than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or rear turn signal lights has not burned
out.
Right turn
Left turn
Move and hold the lever
partway to signal a lane
change.
The right hand signal will flash
until you release the lever.
Move and hold the lever
partway to signal a lane
change.
The left hand signal will flash
until you release the lever.

148
2-1. Driving procedures
Parking brake
Lever type●Sets the parking brake
Fully set the parking brake
while depressing the brake
pedal.
At this time, the indicator will
come on.
●Release the parking brake
Press the button
Turn the lever clockwise
Press it in completely
Pedal type Sets the parking brake*.
(Depressing the pedal again
releases the parking brake.)
At this time, the indicator will
come on.
*: Fully depress the parkingbrake pedal with your left
foot while depressing the
brake pedal with your right
foot.

149
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
■
Parking brake engaged warning buzzer
The buzzer sounds to indicate that parking brake is still engaged (with the
vehicle having reach a speed of 3 mph [5 km/h]).
NOTICE
■Before driving
Fully release the parking brake.
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to brake components
overheating, which may affect braking performance and increase brake
wear.

150
2-2. Gauges and meters
Gauges and meters
The following gauges, meters and displays illuminate when the
engine switch is in the ON position.Tachometer
Displays the engine speed in revolutions per minute.
Speedometer
Displays the vehicle speed.
Engine coolant temperature gauge
Displays the engine coolant temperature.
Fuel gauge
Displays the quantity of fuel remaining in the tank.
ODO/TRIP button
Switches between odometer and trip meter displays. Pushing and hold-
ing the button will reset the trip meter when the trip meter is being dis-
played.