TOYOTA TACOMA 2009 Owners Manual (in English)

181
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
Downhill Assist Control system (if equipped)
The downhill assist control system helps to prevent excessive speed
on steep downhill descents.
■System operation
The system will operate when the vehicle is traveling under 15
mph (25 km/h) and the front-wheel drive control switch is in the
L4 position.
Press the DAC switch. The
indicator will come on, and the
system will operate.
With the vehicle traveling at a
speed of 15 mph (25 km/h) or
less, release your foot from
the accelerator or brake pedal
to activate the system.
When the system is in opera-
tion, the slip indicator light will
flash, and the stop lights/high
mounted stop light will come
on. A sound may also occur
during the operation. This does
not indicate a malfunction.
■Turning off the system
Press the DAC switch while the syst em is in operation. The indi-
cator will flash as the system gradually ceases operation, and
will turn off when the system is fully off.
Pressing the DAC switch while the indicator is flashing will start
the system again.

182 2-4. Using other driving systems
■Operating tips
The system will operate when the shift lever is in a position other than P.
However, to make effective use of the system it is recommended that the
shift lever be shifted to 2 or L.
■ The system will not operate when
●The front-wheel drive control switch is in the H2 or H4 position.
● The rear differential is locked.
■ The downhill assist control system indicator light flashes when
● The selector lever is in the N position.
● The front-wheel drive control switch is in the H2 or H4 position.
● The rear differential is locked.
■ If the brake system overheats
The system will cease operation and a buzzer will sound to alert the driver.
Stop the vehicle in a safe place. (There is no problem with continuing normal
driving.)
■ System malfunction
●The downhill assist control system indicator does not come on when the
engine switch is turned to the ON position.
● The downhill assist control system indicator does not come on when the
DAC switch is pressed.
In the above cases have your vehicle checked by your Toyota dealer.
CAUTION
■Do not rely excessively on the downhill assist control system.
It may not be able to maintain a low speed over road surfaces on which slid-
ing can easily occur, such as extremely steep slopes or icy or muddy roads.

183
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
Clutch star t cancel switch (if equipped)
■Clutch start system
The system is designed to keep the starter motor from operating if the clutch
pedal is not depressed all the way down.
The switch allows the vehicle to be driven out of difficult situations
by cranking the engine with the clutch engaged.
Never use the switch for normal engine starting. Be sure to follow the
starting procedure. ( P. 138)
Press the CLUTCH START
CANCEL switch to cancel the
clutch start system when the
engine switch is turned to the
ON position.
The indicator comes on when
the clutch start system is can-
celed.
The clutch start cancel switch
is automatically turned off
when the engine switch is
turned off.

184
2-4. Using other driving systems
Driving assist systems
To help enhance driving safety and performance, the following sys-
tems operate automatically in res ponse to various driving situations.
Be aware, however, that these systems are supplementary and
should not be relied upon too h eavily when operating the vehicle.
■ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenly, or if
the brakes are applied while driving on a slippery road surface.
■Brake Assist
Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake pedal is
depressed, while the system detects a panic stop situation.
■VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to control skidding when swerving suddenly or turning
on slippery road surfaces.
■TRAC (Traction Control)
Maintains drive power and prevents the rear wheels (2WD models) or
four wheels (4WD models) from sp inning when starting the vehicle or
accelerating on slippery roads.
■ Hill-start assist control (if equipped)
Helps prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards when starting on an
incline or slippery slope. It operates for approximately 5 seconds at
maximum.

185
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
When the VSC/TRAC/hill-start assist control systems are operating
If the vehicle is in danger of slip-
ping, the rear wheels (2WD mod-
els) or four wheels (4WD
models) spin, the vehicle starts
to roll backwards when starting
on an incline, this indicator
flashes to indicate that the VSC/
TRAC/hill-start assist control
systems have been engaged.
A buzzer (intermittent) sounds to
indicate that VSC is operating.
The stop lights and high mounted
stoplight turn on when the hill-
start assist control system is
operating.
To disable TRAC and/or VSC
If the vehicle gets stuck in fresh snow or mud, TRAC and VSC may
reduce power from the engine to the wheels. You may need to turn
the system off to enable you to rock the vehicle in order to free it.
■Turning off TRAC (2WD models and 2WD mode on 4WD models)
Quickly push and release the
button to turn off TRAC.
The AUTO LSD indicator light
should come on.
Push the button again to turn the
system back on.

186 2-4. Using other driving systems
■Turning off TRAC and VSC
Push and hold the button for
more than 3 seconds while the
vehicle is stopped to turn off both
TRAC and VSC.
The VSC OFF indicator light
should come on.
Push the button again to turn both
systems back on.
■Automatic reactivation of TRAC and VSC
Turning the engine switch off after turning off the TRAC and VSC systems
will automatically re-enable them.
■ Automatic TRAC reactivation (AUTO LSD mode)
With AUTO LSD mode, VSC OFF and AUTO LSD indicator lights turn on.
The TRAC system will turn on when the vehicle speed increases.
■ Automatic TRAC and VSC reactivation
If the TRAC and VSC systems are turned off, the systems will not turn on
even when vehicle speed increases.
■ Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, TRAC, VSC, brake assist
and hill-start assist control system
● A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the engine is
started or just after the vehicle begins to move. This sound does not indi-
cate that a malfunction has occurred in any of these systems.
● Any of the following conditions may occur when the above systems are
operating. None of these indicates that a malfunction has occurred.
• Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
• A motor sound may be heard after the vehicle comes to a stop.
• The brake pedal may pulsate slightly when the ABS is activated.
• The brake pedal may move down slightly after the ABS is activated.

187
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
■Hill-start assist control is operational when (if equipped)
●The shift lever is in the D, 4, 3, 2 (5-speed automatic transmission), D, 3,
2 (4-speed automatic transmission) or L positions.
● The brake pedal is not depressed.
■ Hill-start assist control will not operate when (if equipped)
●The shift lever is in the P, R or N positions.
● The rear differential is locked.
■ If the brake system overheats
TRAC and hill-start control will cease operation and a buzzer will sound to
alert the driver. Stop the vehicle in a safe place. (There is no problem with
continuing normal driving.)

188 2-4. Using other driving systems
CAUTION
■The ABS does not operate effectively when
●The limits of the gripping performance have been exceeded.
● The vehicle hydroplanes while driving at high speed on the wet or slick
road.
■ Stopping distance when the ABS is operating will exceed that of nor-
mal conditions
The ABS is not designed to shorten the vehicle’s stopping distance. Always
maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you in the following situ-
ations.
● When driving on dirt, gravel or snow-covered roads
● When driving with tire chains
● When driving over bumps in the road
● When driving over roads with pothol es or roads with uneven roads
■ When VSC is activated
The slip indicator flashes and a warning buzzer sounds. Always drive care-
fully. Reckless driving may cause an accident. Exercise particular care when
the indicator flashes and a buzzer sounds.
■ TRAC may not operate effectively when
Directional control and power may not be achievable while driving on slip-
pery road surfaces, even if TRAC is operating.
Do not drive the vehicle in conditions where stability and power may be lost.
■ If the hill-start assist contro l does not operate effectively
The hill start assist control may not operate effectively on steep inclines and
roads covered in ice.
■ Replacing tires
Make sure that all tires are of the same size, brand, tread pattern and total
load capacity. In addition, make sure that the tires are inflated to the appro-
priate tire pressure level.
The ABS and VSC will not function correctly if different tires are fitted on the
vehicle.
Contact your Toyota dealer for further information when replacing tires or
wheels.

189
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
CAUTION
■Handling of tires and suspension
Using tires with any kind of problem or modifying the suspension will affect
the driving assist systems, and may cause the system to malfunction.

190
2-5. Driving information
Off-road precautions (4WD models and PreRunner)
Off-road vehicle feature
● Specific design characteristics give it a higher center of gravity
than ordinary passenger cars. This vehicle design feature causes
this type of vehicle to be more likely to rollover. And, it has a signif-
icantly higher rollover rate than other types of vehicles.
● An advantage of the higher ground clearance is a better view of the
road allowing you to anticipate problems.
● It is not designed for cornering at the same speeds as ordinary
passenger cars any more than low-slung sports cars are designed
to perform satisfactorily under of f-road conditions. Therefore, sharp
turns at excessive speeds may cause rollover.
This vehicle has higher ground cl earance and narrower tread in rela-
tion to the height of its center of gravity to make it capable of per-
forming in a wide variety of off-road applications.