automatic transmission TOYOTA TACOMA 2009 Owners Manual (in English)

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
2
1-1. Key information .................. 30Keys ..................................... 30
1-2. Opening, closing and
locking the doors ............. 32
Wireless remote control ....... 32
Side doors ............................ 35
Access doors (Access Cab models only) ....................... 39
Tailgate ................................ 40
1-3. Adjustable components
(seats, mirrors, steering
wheel) ................................ 45
Front seats ........................... 45
Rear seats (Access Cab and Double Cab models) .......... 50
Head restraints ..................... 54
Seat belts ............................. 56
Steering wheel ..................... 62
Anti-glare inside rear view mirror .................................. 63
Outside rear view mirrors ..... 66
1-4. Opening a nd closing the
window s ............................ 69
Power windows .................... 69
Back window (vehicles with sliding type) ........................ 71
1-5. Refueling ............................. 72 Opening the fuel tank cap .... 72 1-6. Theft deterrent system ....... 76
Engine immobilizer system ... 76
Theft prevention labels (U.S.A.)............................... 78
1-7. Safety information .............. 79 Correct driving posture ......... 79
SRS airbags ......................... 81
Front passenger occupant classification system ........... 97
Child restraint systems ....... 104
Installing child restraints ..... 109
2-1. Driving procedures........... 128 Driving the vehicle .............. 128
Engine (ignition) switch....... 138
Automatic
Transmission...... 141
Manual Transmission ......... 144
Turn signal lever ................. 147
Parking brake ..................... 148
2-2. Gauges and meters .......... 150 Gauges and meters ............ 150
Indicators and warning lights ................................. 153
Accessory meter ................. 156
2-3. Operating the lights and wipers .............................. 157
Headlight switch ................. 157
Fog light switch ................... 159
Windshield wipers and washer .............................. 160
1Before driving
2When driving

15
Bench type front seat
Separated type front seats with an automatic transmission
Shift lever P. 141, 144Cup holders P. 298
Shift lever P. 141
Cup holders

P. 298
1: If equipped
Shift lock override button P. 450
Cup holders

P. 298
Shift lock override button2 P. 450
2: Vehicles with an automatic transmission

19
Pictorial indexInstrument panel
Auxiliary box P. 302
Gauges and meters P. 150
Hood lock release lever P. 353
Tilt and telescopic steering
lock release lever
P. 62
Bottle holders P. 300
Parking brake pedal P. 148
Tire pressure warning
reset switch
P. 373
: Vehicles with an automatic transmission

When driving2
127
2-1. Driving procedures ........ 128Driving the vehicle............ 128
Engine (ignition) switch .... 138
Automatic
Transmission.... 141
Manual Transmission ....... 144
Turn signal lever .............. 147
Parking brake ................... 148
2-2. Gauges and meters........ 150 Gauges and meters ......... 150
Indicators and warning lights ............................. 153
Accessory meter .............. 156
2-3. Operating the lights and wipers ............................ 157
Headlight switch ............... 157
Fog light switch ................ 159
Windshield wipers and washer ........................... 160 2-4. Using other driving
systems ......................... 163
Cruise control ................... 163
Rear view monitor system (vehicles with auto
anti-glare inside rear
view mirror) .................... 166
Four-wheel drive system ........................... 170
Active traction control system .......................... 174
AUTO LSD system........... 176
Rear differential lock system ........................... 178
Downhill Assist Control system .......................... 181
Clutch start cancel switch ............................. 183
Driving assist systems ..... 184
2-5. Driving information ........ 190 Off-road precautions (4WD models and
PreRunner) .................... 190
Cargo and luggage .......... 195
Vehicle load limits ............ 199
Winter driving tips ............ 201
Trailer towing ................... 205
Dinghy towing .................. 218

128
2-1. Driving procedures
Driving the vehicle
The following procedures should be observed to ensure safe driv-
ing.
■ Starting the engine
P. 138
■ Driving
Automatic transmission
With the brake pedal depressed, shift the shift lever to D. ( P. 141)
Release the parking brake. ( P. 148)
Gradually release the brake pedal and gently depress the
accelerator pedal to accelerate the vehicle.
Manual transmission With the clutch pedal fully depressed, shift the shift lever to
1. ( P. 144)
Release the parking brake. ( P. 148)
Gradually release the clutch pedal. At the same time, gently
depress the accelerator pedal to accelerate the vehicle.
■ Stopping
Automatic transmission
With the shift lever in D, depress the brake pedal.
If necessary, set the parking brake.
When the vehicle is stopped for an extended period of time, shift
the shift lever to P or N. ( 
P. 1 4 1)
Manual transmission
With the clutch pedal fully depressed, depress the brake
pedal.
If necessary, set the parking brake.
When the vehicle is stopped for an extended period of time, shift
the shift lever to N. ( P. 144)

129
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
Starting on a steep uphill
Automatic transmission With the brake pedal depressed, firmly set the parking brake
and shift the shift lever to D.
Gently depress the accelerator pedal.
Release the parking brake.
Manual transmission
With the parking brake firmly set and the clutch pedal fully
depressed, shift the shift lever to 1.
■Parking the vehicle
Automatic transmission
With the shift lever in D, depress the brake pedal.
Set the parking brake. ( P. 148)
Shift the shift lever to P. ( P. 141)
When parking on a hill, if necessary, block the wheels.
Turn the engine switch off to stop the engine.
Lock the door, making sure that you have the key on your
person.
Manual transmission
With the clutch pedal fully depressed, depress the brake
pedal.
Set the parking brake. ( P. 148)
Shift the shift lever to N. ( P. 144)
When parking on a hill, shift the shift lever to 1 or R. If necessary,
block the wheels.
Turn the engine switch off to stop the engine.
Lock the door, making sure that you have the key on your
person.

131
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
CAUTION
■
When starting the vehicle
Vehicles with an automatic transmission, always keep your foot on the brake
pedal while stopped with the engine running. This prevents the vehicle from
creeping.
■ When driving the vehicle
●Do not drive if you are unfamiliar with the location of the brake and accel-
erator pedals to avoid depressing the wrong pedal.
• Accidentally depressing the accelerator pedal instead of the brake
pedal will result in sudden acceleration that may lead to an accident
that could result in death or serious injury.
• When backing up, you may twist your body around, leading to a diffi- culty in operating the pedals. Make sure to operate the pedals properly.
• Make sure to keep a correct driving posture even when moving the vehicle only slightly, allowing you to depress the brake and accelerator
pedals properly.
• Depress the brake pedal using your right foot. Depressing the brake pedal using your left foot may delay response in an emergency, result-
ing in an accident.
● Do not drive the vehicle over or st op the vehicle near flammable materials.
The exhaust system and exhaust gases can be extremely hot. This may
cause a fire if there is any flammable material nearby.
● Vehicles with an automatic transmission, do not let the vehicle roll back-
wards while the shift lever is in a driving position, or roll forward while the
shift lever is in R.
Doing so may cause the engine to stall or lead to poor brake and steering
performance, resulting in an accident or damage to the vehicle.
● If the smell of exhaust is noticed inside the vehicle, open the windows and
check that the back window is closed. Large amounts of exhaust in the
vehicle can cause driver drowsiness and an accident, resulting in death or
a serious health hazard. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
● Do not under any circumstances shift the shift lever to P, R or N (automatic
transmission) or R (manual transmission) while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so can cause significant damage to the transmission system and
may result in a loss of vehicle control.

133
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
CAUTION
■
When driving on slippery road surfaces
●After driving through a puddle, lightly depress the brake pedal to make
sure that the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent
the brakes from functioning properly. If the brakes on only one side are wet
and not functioning properly, steering control may be affected, resulting in
an accident.
■ When shifting the shift lever
●Vehicles with an automatic transmission, be careful not to shift the shift
lever with the accelerator pedal depressed.
This may lead to unexpected rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may
cause an accident and result in death or serious injury.
■ When the vehicle is stopped
●Do not race the engine.
If the vehicle is in any gear other than P (automatic transmission only) or
N, the vehicle may accelerate suddenly and unexpectedly, and may cause
an accident.
● Do not leave the vehicle with the engine running for a long time.
If such a situation cannot be avoided, park the vehicle in an open space
and check that exhaust fumes do not enter the vehicle interior.
● Vehicles with an automatic transmission, always keep a foot on the brake
pedal while the engine is running to prevent an accident caused by the
vehicle moving.
■ When the vehicle is parked
●Do not leave glasses, cigarette lighters, spray cans, or soft drink cans in
the vehicle when it is in the sun.
Doing so may result in the following.
• Gas may leak from a cigarette lighter or spray can, and may lead to a
fire.
• The temperature inside the vehicle may cause the plastic lenses and plastic material of eye glasses to deform or crack.
• Soft drink cans may fracture, causing the contents to spray over the interior of the vehicle, and may also cause a short circuit in the vehi-
cle’s electrical components.

136 2-1. Driving procedures
NOTICE
■When driving the vehicle
Vehicles with a manual transmission
● Do not rest your foot on the clutch pedal while driving.
Doing so may cause clutch trouble.
● Do not use any gears other than the first gear when starting off and mov-
ing forward.
Doing so may damage the clutch.
● Do not use the clutch to hold the vehicle when stopping on an uphill grade.
Doing so may damage the clutch.
Vehicles with an automatic transmission
● Do not use the accelerator pedal or depress accelerator and brake pedals
together to hold the vehicle on a hill.
■ When parking the vehicle
Vehicles with an automatic transmission: Always put the shift lever in P.
Failure to do so may cause the vehicle to move or the vehicle may acceler-
ate suddenly if the accelerator pedal is accidentally depressed.
■ Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
●Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for a
long time.
Doing so may damage the power steering pump.
● When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid
damaging the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.
■ If you hear a squealing or scrapin g noise while driving (brake pad wear
limit indicators)
Have the brake pads checked and replaced by your Toyota dealer as soon
as possible.
The rotor damage can result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
It is dangerous to drive the vehicle when the wear limits of the brake pads
and/or that of the brake discs are exceeded.

138
2-1. Driving procedures
Engine (ignition) switch
■Engine switch
LOCK
The steering wheel is locked
and the key can be removed.
ACC
Some electrical components
such as the audio system can
be used.
ON
All electrical components can
be used.
START
For starting the engine.
■Starting the engine
Automatic transmission
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is set in P.
Sit in the driver’s seat and firmly depress the brake pedal.
Turn the engine switch to the START position and start the
engine.
Manual transmission Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is set in N.
Firmly depress the brake pedal and clutch pedal.
Turn the engine switch to the START position and start the
engine.