TOYOTA TACOMA 2009 Owners Manual (in English)

211
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Connecting trailer lights
Use the wire harness stored in
the rear end under body.
■Before towing
Check that the following conditions are met:
●Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. ( P. 475)
● Trailer tires should be inflated according to the trailer manufacturer’s rec-
ommendation.
● All trailer lights work to be legal.
● Confirm all lights work each time you connect them.
● The trailer ball is set up at the proper height for the coupler on the t\
railer.
● Check that your vehicle remains level when a loaded or unloaded trailer
is hitched. Do not drive if the vehicle is not level, and check for improper
tongue load, overloading, worn suspension, or other possible causes.
● Make sure the trailer cargo is securely loaded.
● Check that your rear view mirrors c onform to any federal, state/provincial
or local regulations. If they do not, inst all rear view mirrors appropriate for
towing purposes.
■ Break-in schedule
●Toyota recommends that you do not use a new vehicle or a vehicle with
any new power train components (engine, transmission, differential,
wheel bearings, etc.) to tow a trailer for the first 500 miles (800 km) of
driving.

212 2-5. Driving information
■Maintenance
●If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent maintenance
due to the additional load. (See “Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or
“Owner’s Manual Supplement”.)
● Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approxi-
mately 600 miles (1000 km).
CAUTION
■To avoid accident or injury
●The gross trailer weight (trailer weight plus the weight of cargo) mus\
t not
exceed the following.
Without towing package 3500 lb. (1587 kg)
With towing package 6500 lb. (2948 kg)
● The gross trailer weight (trailer weight plus cargo weight) when towing with
the bumper must not exceed 3500 lb. (1587 kg).
● If the trailer and cargo weight is over 2000 lb. (907 kg), use a sway control
device with sufficient capacity.
● The combination of the gross trailer weight added to the total weight of the
vehicle, occupants and vehicle cargo must not exceed a total of the follow-
ing.
2WD models except PreRunner 7500 lb. (3402 kg)
4WD models and PreRunner 2.7 L 4-cylinder (2TR-FE) engine: 8000 lb. (3628 kg)
4.0 L V6 (1GR-FE) engine:
• Without towing package 8100 lb. (3674 kg)
• With towing package 11100 lb. (5034 kg)

213
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
CAUTION
■
To avoid accident or injury
●Do not exceed the trailer hitch assembly weight, gross vehicle weight,
gross axle weight and trailer tongue load capacities.
● The tow hitch receiver installed on your vehicle must never be used on
another vehicle.
■ Hitches
●If you wish to install a trailer hitch, your Toyota dealer should be consulted.
● Use only a hitch that conforms to the total trailer weight requirement.
● Follow the directions supplied by the hitch manufacturer.
● Lubricate the hitch ball with a light coat of grease.
● Remove the trailer hitch whenever you are not towing a trailer to reduce
the possibility of additional damage caused by the hitch if your vehicle is
struck from behind.
■ When towing a trailer
●If the total trailer weight exceeds 1000 lb. (453 kg), trailer brakes are
required.
● Never tap into your vehicle’s hydraulic system, as this will lower the vehi-
cle’s braking effectiveness.
● Never tow a trailer without using a safety chain securely attached to both
the trailer and the vehicle. If damage occurs to the coupling unit or hitch
ball, there is danger of the trailer wandering into another lane.

214 2-5. Driving information
NOTICE
■When installing a trailer hitch
Use only the position recommended by your Toyota dealer. Do not install the
trailer hitch on the bumper; this may cause body damage.
■ Brakes
Toyota recommends trailers with brakes that conform to any applicable fed-
eral and state/provincial regulations.
■ Safety chain
A safety chain must always be used between the towing vehicle and the
trailer. Leave sufficient slack in the chain for turns. The chain should cross
under the trailer tongue to prevent the tongue from dropping to the ground in
the case that it becomes damaged or separated. For the correct safety chain
installation procedure, ask your Toyota dealer.
■ Do not directly splice trailer lights
Directly splicing trailer lights may damage your vehicle’s electrical system
and cause a malfunction.

215
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Trailer towing tips
Your vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. The three
main causes of vehicle-trailer ac cidents are driver error, excessive
speed and improper trailer loading. Keep these in mind when towing.
● Before starting out, check the trailer’s light and the vehicle-trailer
connections. Recheck after driving a short distance.
● Practice turning, stopping and reve rsing with the trailer attached in
an area away from traffic until you become accustomed to the feel
of the vehicle.
● Reversing with a trailer attached is difficult and requires practice.
Grip the bottom of the steering wheel and move your hand to the
left to move the trailer to the left. Move your hand to the right to
move the trailer to the right. (Thi s is generally opposite to reversing
without a trailer attached.) Avoid sharp or prolonged turning. Have
someone guide you when reversing to reduce the risk of an acci-
dent.
● As stopping distance is increased when towing a trailer, vehicle-to-
vehicle distance should be increased. For each 10 mph (16 km/h)
of speed, allow at least o ne vehicle and trailer length.
● Avoid sudden braking as you may skid, resulting in jackknifing and
loss of control. This is especiall y true on wet or slippery surfaces.
● Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration. For vehicles with a man-
ual transmission, prevent excessive clutch slippage by keeping
engine rpm low and not racing the engine. Always start out in first
gear.
● Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns, and slow down before mak-
ing a turn.

216 2-5. Driving information
●Note that when making a turn, th e trailer wheels will be closer than
the vehicle wheels to the inside of the turn. Compensate by making
a larger than normal turning radius.
● Crosswinds and rough roads will adversely affect handling of your
vehicle and trailer, causing sway . Periodically check the rear to
prepare for being passed by large trucks or buses, which may
cause your vehicle and trailer to sway. If swaying occurs, firmly grip
the steering wheel, reduce speed immediately but gradually, and
steer straight ahead. Never increase speed. If you make no
extreme correction with the stee ring or brakes, your vehicle and
trailer will stabilize.
● Take care when passing other v ehicles. Passing requires consider-
able distance. After passing a vehi cle, do not forget the length of
your trailer, and be sure you hav e plenty of room before changing
lanes.
● In order to maintain engine braking efficiency, do not use fifth gear
(5-speed manual transmission) or sixth gear (6-speed manual
transmission), or do not put the transmission in “D” (automatic
transmission).
● Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle’s engine may
overheat on hot days (at temper atures over 85°F [30°C]) when
driving up a long or steep grade. If the engine coolant temperature
gauge indicates overheating, immediately turn off the air condition-
ing (if in use), pull your vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot.
(  P. 456)
● Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and the trailer
wheels when parking. Apply the parking brake firmly, and put the
transmission in P (automatic transmission) or in 1 or R (manual
transmission). Avoid parking on a slope, but if unavoidable, do so
only after performing the following:
Apply the brakes and keep them applied.

217
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Have someone place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and
trailer wheels.
When the wheel blocks are in pl
ace, release the brakes slowly
until the blocks absorb the load.
Apply the parking brake firmly.
Shift into 1 or R (manual transmission) or P (automatic trans-
mission) and turn off the engine.
● When restarting after parking on a slope:
With the transmission in P (automatic transmission) or the
clutch pedal (manual transmission) depressed, start the
engine. On vehicles with an au tomatic transmission, be sure
to keep the brake pedal pressed.
Shift into a forward gear. If reversing, shift into R.
Release the parking brake (also brake pedal on vehicles with
an automatic transmission), and slowly pull or back away from
the wheel blocks. Stop and apply the brakes.
Have someone retrieve the blocks.
CAUTION
■ To avoid an accident
●Do not exceed 45 mph (72 km/h) or posted towing speed limit, whichever
is lower. As instability (swaying) of the towing vehicle-trailer combination
increases as speed increases, exceeding 45 mph (72 km/h) may cause
loss of control.
● Slow down and downshift before descending steep or long downhill
grades. Do not make sudden downshifts.
● Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or too frequently. This could
cause the brakes to overheat and result in reduced braking efficiency.

218
2-5. Driving information
Dinghy towing
NOTICE
■To avoid serious damage to your vehicle
Do not tow your vehicle with four wheels on the ground.
Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with 4 wheels on
the ground) behind a motor home.

Interior and exterior features3
219
3-1. Using the air conditioning
system and
defogger ....................... 220
Air conditioning system .... 220
3-2. Using the audio system .......................... 228
Audio system types .......... 228
Using the radio ................. 231
Using the CD player ......... 237
Playing back MP3 and WMA discs ..................... 244
Optimal use of the audio system ........................... 253
Operating the sub woofer (on some Access Cab
models) .......................... 256
Using the AUX adapter .... 257
Using the steering wheel audio switches ............... 259
3-3. Using the hands-free phone system (for
cellular phone) ............. 262
Hands-free phone system (for cellular phone) ......... 262
Using the hands-free phone system ................ 266
Making a phone call ......... 274
Setting a cellular phone ... 279
Security and system setup .............................. 284
Using the phone book ...... 287 3-4. Using the interior
lights ............................. 294
Interior lights list ............... 294
• Interior light .................... 295
• Personal lights ............... 295
3-5. Using the storage features ......................... 296
List of storage features .... 296
• Glove box....................... 296
• Console boxes ............... 297
• Cup holders ................... 298
• Bottle holders ................. 300
• Auxiliary boxes ............... 302
• Overhead console .......... 304
3-6. Other interior features ......................... 305
Sun visors ........................ 305
Vanity mirrors ................... 306
Clock ................................ 307
Outside temperature display (vehicles with
accessory meter) ........... 308
Cigarette lighter................ 309
Power outlet (12V DC) ..... 310
Power outlet (if 115V AC equipped) ....................... 311
Seatback table ................. 317
Floor mat .......................... 318
Luggage compartment features .......................... 319
Garage door opener box ................................. 328
Compass (vehicles with accessory meter) ........... 332

220
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
Air conditioning system
Ty p e A
Ty p e B
Outside air or recirculated
air mode switchAir outlet selection dial
Temperature control dial
Fan speed control dial
Outside air or recirculated
air mode switch Air outlet selection dialAir conditioning
ON/OFF switch Temperature control dial
Fan speed control dial