steering TOYOTA TACOMA 2009 Owners Manual (in English)

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
1Before drivingAdjusting and operating features such as door locks,
mirrors, and steering column.
2When drivingDriving, stopping and safe-driving information.
3Interior and
exterior featuresAir conditioning and audio systems, as well as other in-
terior features for a comfortable driving experience.
4Maintenance
and careCleaning and protecting your vehicle, performing do-it-
yourself maintenance, and maintenance information.
5When trouble
arisesWhat to do if the vehicle needs to be towed, gets a flat
tire, or is involved in an accident.
6Vehicle
specificationsDetailed vehicle information.
7For owners
Reporting safety defects for U.S. owners, seat belt in-
structions for Canadian owners and camper informa-
tion.
IndexAlphabetical listing of information contained in this
manual.

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

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
3
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
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
3Interior and exterior
features

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

Before driving1
29
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 and closing the windows.......................... 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

45
1
Before driving
1-3. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
Front seats
Bench type seat
Seat position adjustment
lever
Separated type seats Seat position adjustment
lever
Driver’s seat lumbar sup-
port adjustment knob
(if equipped)
Seatback angle adjustment
lever

46 1-3. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
Moving passenger’s seat for rear seat entry (if equipped)
Lift the seatback angle adjusting
lever or press the pedal behind
the seatback. The seat will slide
forward.
Move the seat to the front-most
position.
■ After passengers are in the vehicle
Lift the seatback and retu rn the seat until it locks.
Folding seatback (Bench type seat)
Pull the seatback lock release
lever and fold down the seat-
back.
Hold the lever until you have
swung the seatback forward
slightly.

47
1-3. Adjustable components (s
eats, mirrors, steering wheel)
1
Before driving
Folding passenger’s seat (vehicles with seatback table)
Pull the seatback angle adjusting
lever and raise the seatback to
its upright position.
Pull the seatback folding lever
and fold the seatback down.

48 1-3. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
Active head restraints (Access Ca b and Double Cab models only)
When the occupant’s back
presses against the seatback
during a rear-end collision, the
head restraint moves slightly for-
ward to help reduce the risk of
whiplash on the seat occupant.
■Active head restraints
Even small forces applied to the seatback may cause the head restraint to
move. Pushing up a locked head restraint forcibly may show the head
restraint inner structure. These do not indicate problems.
Inner
structure
During
rear-end
collision

49
1-3. Adjustable components (s
eats, mirrors, steering wheel)
1
Before driving
CAUTION
■Seat adjustment
●Be careful that the seat does not hit passengers or luggage.
● Do not recline the seat more than necessary when the vehicle is in motion
to reduce the risk of sliding under the lap belt.
If the seat is too reclined, the lap belt may slide past the hips and apply
restraint forces directly to the abdomen or your neck may contact the
shoulder belt, increasing the risk of death or serious injury in the event of
an accident.
● After adjusting the seat, make sure that the seat is locked in position.
■ After returning the seatback to the upright position
Observe the following precautions. Failure to do so may result in death or
serious injury.
●Make sure the seatback is securely locked.
● Check that the seat belts are not twisted or caught in the seatback.
● Arrange the seat belts in the proper positions for ready use.
■ Caution while driving
●Vehicles with seatback table: Do not sit on or place anything on the folded
seatback.
● Access Cab models only: Do not rest your foot on the press pedal behind
the passenger seat.