engine TOYOTA TACOMA 2009 (in English) Owner's Guide

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)

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.

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.

152 2-2. Gauges and meters
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the engine and its components
●Do not let the indicator needle of the tachometer enter the red zone, which
indicates the maximum engine speed.
● The engine may be overheating if the engine coolant temperature gauge is
in the red zone (H). In this case, immediately stop the vehicle in a safe
place, and check the engine after it has cooled completely. (
P. 456)

155
2-2. Gauges and meters
2
When driving
CAUTION
■
If a safety system warning light does not come on
Should a safety system light such as ABS and the SRS airbag warning light
not come on when you start the engine, this could mean that these systems
are not available to help protect you in an accident, which could result in
death or serious injury. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately if this occurs.
■ Warning lights
Warning lights inform the driver of malfunctions in any of the
vehicle’s systems. ( P. 424)
*1:These lights turn on when the engine switch is turned to the ON
position to indicate that a system check is being performed. They will
turn off after the engine is started, or after a few seconds. There may
be a malfunction in a system if a light does not come on, or if the
lights do not turn off. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota
dealer.
*2:The indicator flashes to indicate that the system is operating.
*3:The indicator light comes on to indicate a malfunction.
*1AIR BAG OFF indicator
( P. 97)
(Canada)(U.S.A.)
(U.S.A.)
(if equipped)
*1*1*1*1*1*1*1
*1*1*1*1,3

156
2-2. Gauges and meters
Accessor y meter (if equipped)
■The accessory meter can be operated when
The engine switch must be in the ON position.
Outside temperature
Displays the outside air
temperature. ( P. 308)
Compass
Displays the direction that
the vehicle is heading.
(  P. 332)
Display button
Every time you press this
button, the display toggles
through the following infor-
mation.
Compass and outside
temperature (°F)
Compass and outside
temperature (°C) Display off
(no compass)

158 2-3. Operating the lights and wipers
■Daytime running light system (if equipped)
To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers, the front turn signal lights
turn on automatically whenever the engine is started and the parking brake
is released. Daytime running lights are not designed for use at night.
■ Automatic light off system
Opening the driver’s door with the engine switch in the ACC or LOCK posi-
tion will turn the headlights and tail lights off.
To turn the lights on again, turn the engine switch to the ON position, or turn
the headlight switch off once and then back to the or position.
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than necessary when the engine is not run-
ning.

162 2-3. Operating the lights and wipers
■The windshield wiper and washer can be operated when
The engine switch must be in the ON position.
■ If no windshield washer fluid sprays
Check that the washer nozzles are not blocked and if there is washer fluid in
the windshield washer fluid reservoir.
NOTICE
■When the windshield is dry
Do not use the wipers, as they may damage the windshield.
■ When there is no washer fluid spray from the nozzle
Damage to the washer fluid pump may be caused if the lever is pulled
toward you and held continually.
■ When a nozzle becomes block
Do not try to clear it with a pin or other object. The nozzle will be damaged.
Washer/wiper dual opera-
tion
Wipers will automatically oper-
ate a couple of times after the
washer squirts.

166
2-4. Using other driving systems
Rear view monitor system (vehicles with auto anti-glare inside rear view mirror)
■The rear view monitor system can be operated when
The shift lever is in R and engine switch is ON.
The rear view monitor system assists the driver by displaying an
image of the area behind the veh icle. The image is displayed in
reverse on the screen. This reversed im age is a similar image to the
one on the inside rear view mirror.
The rear view image is dis-
played on the inside rear view
mirror.
If the shift lever is shifted out of
R, the screen is turned off.
Automatic transmission
Manual transmission
Screen