spare tire TOYOTA TACOMA 2009 Owners Manual (in English)

373
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Tires
Replace or rotate tires in accordance with maintenance sched-
ules and treadwear.
■Checking tires
New tread
Treadwear indicator
Worn tread
The location of treadwear
indicators is shown by the
“TWI” or “ ” marks, etc.,
molded on the sidewall of
each tire.
Check spare tire condition
and inflation pressure if not
rotated.
■Tire rotation
Rotate the tires in the order
shown.
To equalize tire wear and
extend tire life, Toyota recom-
mends that tire rotation is
carried out at the same inter-
val as tire inspection.
Do not fail to initialize the tire
pressure warning system
after tire rotation.
■The tire pressure warning system
Your Toyota is equipped with a tire pressure warning system that
uses tire pressure warning valves and transmitters to detect low
tire inflation pressure before serious problems arise. (P. 427)
Front

384 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■Tire inflation pressure check interval
You should check tire pressure every two weeks, or at least once a
month.
Do not forget to check the spare.
■Effects of incorrect tire inflation pressure
Driving with incorrect tire inflation pressure ma y result in the following:
●Reduced fuel efficiency
●Reduced driving comfort and tire life
●Reduced safety
●Damage to the drive train
If a tire needs frequent re filling, have it checked by your Toyota dealer.
■Instructions for checking tire inflation pressure
When checking tire inflation pressure, observe the following:
●Check only when the tires are cold.
If your vehicle has been parked for at least 3 hours and has not been
driven for more than 1 mile or 1.5 km, you will get an accurate cold
tire inflation pressure reading.
●Always use a tire pressure gauge.
The appearance of the tire can be mi sleading. In addition, tire infla-
tion pressures that are even just a few pounds off can degrade ride
and handling.
●Do not bleed or reduce tire inflation pressure after driving. It is normal
for the tire inflation pressure to be higher after driving.
●Never exceed the vehicle capacity weight.
Passengers and luggage weight should be placed so that the vehicle
is balanced.

386
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Wheels
■When replacing wheels
The wheels of your Toyota are equipped with tire pressure warning
valves and transmitters (except for spare tire) that allow the tire pressure
warning system to provide advanced warn ing in the event of a loss in tire
inflation pressure. Whenever wheels are replaced, the tire pressure
warning valves and transmitte rs must be installed. (P. 374)
If a wheel is bent, cracked or heavily corroded, it should be
replaced.
Otherwise, the tire may separate from the wheel or cause loss of
handling control.
■ Wheel selection
When replacing wheels, care should be taken to ensure that
they are equivalent to those removed in load capacity, diameter,
rim width, and offset.
Replacement wheels are available at your Toyota dealer.
Toyota does not recommend using:
●Wheels of different sizes or types
● Used wheels
● Bent wheels that have been straightened
■ Wheel precautions
●Use only Toyota wheel nuts and wrench designed for use with
your aluminum wheels.
● When rotating, repairing or changing your tires, check that the
wheel nuts are still tight after driving 100 miles (160 km).
● Be careful not to damage the aluminum wheels when using
tire chains.
● Use only Toyota genuine balance weights or equivalent and a
plastic or rubber hammer when balancing your wheels.

5
When trouble arises
429
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
■
Key reminder buzzer
The buzzer indicates that the key has not been removed (with the engine
switch in the ACC or LOCK position and the driver’s door opened).
■ If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on while driving
First check the following:
● Is your vehicle low on gas?
If it is, refuel the vehicle immediately.
● Is the fuel tank cap loose?
If it is, tighten it securely.
The light will go off after taking several driving trips.
If the light does not go off even after several trips, contact your Toyota dealer
as soon as possible.
■ Front passenger detection sensor and passenger seat belt reminder
If luggage or other load is placed on the front passenger seat, depending on
its weight, the reminder light to flash and buzzer to sound.
■
When the tire pressure warning light comes on
Check the tire inflation pressure and adjust to the appropriate level.
Pushing the tire pressure warning reset switch does not turn off the tire
pressure warning light.
■The tire pressure warning light may turn on due to natural causes
The tire pressure warning light may turn on due to natural causes such
as natural air leaks or tire inflation pressure changes caused by temper-
ature. In this case, adjusting the ti re inflation pressure will turn off the
warning light (after a few minutes).
■When a tire is replaced with a spare tire
The temporary spare tire is not equipped with the tire pressure warning
valve and transmitter. If a tire goes flat, the tire pressure warning light will
not turn off even though the flat tire is replaced with the temporary spare
tire. Replace the temporary spare tire with the repaired tire and adjust
the proper tire inflatio n pressure. The tire pres sure warning light will turn
off after a few minutes.

5
When trouble arises
431
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CAUTION
■If the tire pressure warning light comes on
Be sure to observe the following precautions. Failure to do so could
cause loss of vehicle control and result in death or serious injury.
●Stop your vehicle in a safe place as
soon as possible. Adjust the tire
inflation pressure immediately.
●If the tire pressure warning light comes on even after tire inflation pres-
sure adjustment, it is pr obable that you have a flat tire. Check the tires.
If the tire is flat, change to the spare tire and have the flat tire repaired
by the nearest Toyota dealer.
●Avoid abrupt maneuvering and braking. If the vehicle tires deteriorate,
you could lose control of the steering wheel or the brakes.
■If a blowout or sudden air leakage should occur
The tire pressure warning syste m may not activate immediately.
■Maintenance of the tire
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked monthly
when cold and inflated to the inflation pressure recommended by the
vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure
label (tire and load information label). (If your vehicle has tires of a differ-
ent size than the size indicated on the vehicle placard or tire inflation
pressure label [tire and load information label], you should determine the
proper tire inflation pr essure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS-ti re pressure warning system) that
illuminates a low tire pressure telltal e (tire pressure warning light) when
one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated. Accordingly,
when the low tire pressure telltale (tire pre ssure warning light) illumi-
nates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and
inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving on a significantly under-
inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inflation also reduces fuel effi ciency and tire tread life, and may
affect the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.

5
When trouble arises
433
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If you have a flat tire
Remove the flat tire and replace it with the spare provided.
■Before jacking up the vehicle
●Stop the vehicle on a hard, flat surface.
● Set the parking brake.
● Shift the shift lever to P (automatic transmission) or R (manual
transmission).
● Stop the engine.
● Turn on the emergency flashers.
■ Location of the spare tire
■ Location of the jack and tools
Regular Cab models
Tool bag
Jack

438 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Assemble the jack handle (in the tool bag)Assemble the jack handle exten-
sion as shown. Be sure to tighten
each screw securely.
Taking out the spare tireInsert the end of the jack handle
extension into the lowering
screw and turn it counterclock-
wise.
After the tire is lowered com-
pletely to the ground, remove
the holding bracket.

444 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
4WD models and PreRunner
Stowing the flat tire, jack and all toolsLay down the tire with the outer side facing up, and install the
holding bracket.
Then secure the tire, taking care that the tire goes straight up
without catching on any other part, to prevent it from flying for-
ward during a collisi on or sudden braking.
Keep winding until three clicks are heard.
Stow the tools and jack securely.
■After completing the tire change
The tire pressure warnin g system must be reset. ( P. 374)
■When using the temporary spare tire
As the temporary spare tire is not equipped with the tire pressure warn-
ing valve and transmitter, low inflation pressure of the spare tire will not
be warned. Also, if you replace the temporary spare tire after the tire
pressure warning light comes on, the light remains on.

5
When trouble arises
445
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CAUTION
■Using the jack
Improper use of the jack may lead to death or injuries due to the vehicle
suddenly falling off the jack.
●Do not use the jack for any purpose other than replacing tires or install-
ing and removing tire chains.
●Only use the jack that comes with this vehicle for replacing a flat tire.
Do not use it on other vehicles, an
d do not use other jacks for replac-
ing tires on this vehicle.
●Always check that the jack is securely set to the jack point.
●Do not put any part of your body under the vehicle supported by a jack.
●Do not start or run the engine while your vehicle is supported by the
jack.
●Do not raise the vehicle while someone is in it.
●When raising the vehicle, do not put an object on or under the jack.
●Do not raise the vehicle to a hei ght greater than that required to
replace the tire.
●Use a jack stand if it is necessary to get under the vehicle.
Take particular care when lowering the vehicle to ensure that no one
working on or near the vehicle will be injured.
■Using the jack handle
Tighten all the screws securely to prevent the extension parts from com-
ing apart unexpectedly.
■Replacing a flat tire
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of death or serious
injury.
●Lower the spare tire completely to the ground before removing it from
under the vehicle.
●Do not try to remove the wheel ornament by hand. Take due care in
handling the ornament to avoid unexpected personal injury.

446 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CAUTION
■Replacing a flat tire
●Never use oil or grease on the wheel bolts or wheel nuts.
The oil or grease can cause the wheel nuts to loosen, causing a seri-
ous accident. Remove any oil or grease on the wheel bolts or wheel
nuts.
●Have the wheel nuts tightened with a torque wrench to 85 ft·lbf (113
N·m, 11.5 kgf·m) as soon as possible after changing wheels.
Failure to follow these precautions could cause the nuts to loosen and
the wheels may fall off, which could lead to an accident causing death
or serious injury.
●Do not attach a heavily damaged wheel ornament, as it may fly off the
wheel while the vehicle is moving.
■When using the temporary spare tire
●Remember that your temporary spare tire is specifically designed for
use with your vehicle. Do not use your temporary spare tire on another
vehicle.
●Do not use two temporary spare tires simultaneously.
●Replace the temporary spare tire with a standard tire as soon as possi-
ble.
●Avoid sudden acceleration, deceleration and braking, as well as sharp
cornering.
■Speed limit when using the temporary spare tire
Do not drive at speeds in excess of 50 mph (80 km/h) when a temporary
spare tire is installed on the vehicle.
The temporary spare tire is not designed for driving at high speeds. Fail-
ing to observe this precaution may lead to an accident causing death or
serious injury.
■Driving with tire chains and the temporary spare tire
Do not fit tire chains to the temporary spare tire.
Tire chains may damage the vehicle body and adversely affect driving
performance.