TOYOTA TACOMA 2011 Owners Manual (in English)

5
When trouble arises
441
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If a war ning light turns on or a war ning buzzer sounds...
Stop the vehicle immediately. Continuing to drive the vehicle may be dangerous.
The following warning indicates a possible problem in the brake sys-
tem. Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your
Toyota dealer.
*: Parking brake engaged warning buzzer:
The buzzer sounds to indicate that parking brake is still engaged (with the
vehicle having reached a speed of 3 mph [5 km/h])
Warning lightWarning light/Details
Brake system warning li ght (warning buzzer)*
• Low brake fluid
• Malfunction in the brake system This light also comes on when the parking brake is
not released. If the light turns off after the parking
brake is fully released, the system is operating nor-
mally.
Calmly perform the following actions if any of the warning lights turn
on or flash. If a light turns on or flashes, but then turns off, this does
not necessarily indicate a malfunction in the system.

442 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Stop the vehicle immediately.The following warnings indicate the possibility of damage to the vehi-
cle that may lead to an accident. Immediately stop the vehicle in a
safe place and contact your Toyota dealer.
*: The light may come on when the oil level is extremely low. It is not designed to indicate low oil level, and the oil level must be checked using the engine
oil level dipstick.
Have the vehicle inspected immediately.
Failing to investigate the cause of the following warnings may lead to
the system operating abnormally and possibly cause an accident.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.
Warning lightWarning light/Details
Charging system warning light Indicates a malfunction in the vehicle’s charging sys-
tem.
Low engine oil pressure warning light Indicates that the engine oil pressure is too low*.
Warning lightWarning light/Details
Malfunction indicator lamp Indicates a malfunction in:
• The electronic engine control system;
• The electronic throttle control system;
• The electronic automatic transmission control sys-tem; or
• Emission control system.

5
When trouble arises
443
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
SRS warning light
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The SRS airbag system;
• The front passenger occupant classification system;
• The passenger airbag off switch (Access Cab mod-els); or
• The seat belt pretensioner system.
(U.S.A.)
(Canada) ABS warning light
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The ABS; or
• The brake assist system.
Slip indicator The indicator comes on to indicate a malfunction in:
• The VSC;
• The TRAC;
• The active traction control system (if equipped);
• The AUTO LSD system;
• The downhill assist control system (if equipped); or
• The hill-start assist control system (if equipped).
(if equipped) Automatic transmission
fluid temperature warn-
ing light Indicates that the automatic transmission fluid tem-
perature is too high.
Warning lightWarning light/Details

444 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Follow the correction procedures.After taking the specified steps to correct the suspected problem,
check that the warning light turns off.
Warning lightWarning light/DetailsCorrection procedure
Open door warning light Indicates that a door is
not fully closed. Check that all doors
are closed.
(On the instrument cluster) Driver’s seat belt
reminder light
(warning buzzer)
*1
Warns the driver to fas-
ten his/her seat belt.
Fasten the seat belt.
(On the center panel) Front passenger’s seat
belt reminder light
(warning buzzer)
*2
Warns the front passen-
ger to fasten his/her seat
belt.
Fasten the seat belt.
Tire pressure warning
light
• When the light comes on:
Low tire inflation pres-
sure. Adjust the tire
inflation pressure.
• When the light stays on after blinking for 1
minute: Malfunction in
the tire pressure warning
system. Have the system
checked by your
Toyota dealer.
Low fuel level warning
light
Low level of fuel. Refuel the vehicle.

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When trouble arises
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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
*1: Driver’s seat belt reminder:
The driver’s seat belt reminder sounds to alert the driver that his or her seat
belt is not fastened. Once the engine switch is turned to the ON or START
position, the buzzer sounds for 6 seconds. If the vehicle has reached a
speed of at least 12 mph (20 km/h), the buzzer sounds intermittently for 10
seconds. Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened, the buzzer will sound in a
different tone for 20 more seconds.
*2: Front passenger’s seat belt reminder:
The front passenger’s seat belt reminder sounds to alert the front passenger
that his or her seat belt is not fastened. The buzzer sounds intermittently for
10 seconds after the vehicle has reached a speed of at least 12 mph (20 km/
h). Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened, the buzzer will sound in a different
tone for 20 more seconds.
(U.S.A.) Engine oil replacement
reminder light
• Illuminates for about 3
seconds and then flashes
for about 12 seconds: Indi-
cates that the engine oil is
scheduled to be changed. Check the engine oil,
and change if neces-
sary.
• Comes on and remains: Indicates that the engine
oil should be changed. Check and change the
engine oil.
■ 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.
Warning lightWarning light/DetailsCorrection procedure

446 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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 detect ion 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 ma y 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.
■If the tire pressure warning system is inoperative
The tire pressure warning system will be disabled in the following condi-
tions:
(When the condition becomes normal, the system will work properly.)
●If tires not equipped with tire pressure warning valves and transmit-
ters are used.
●If the ID code on the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters is
not registered in the tire pressure warning computer.
●If the tire inflation pressure is 73 psi (500 kPa, 5.1 kgf/cm2 or bar) or
higher.

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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
The tire pressure warning system may be disabled in the following condi-
tions:
(When the condition be
comes normal, the system will work properly.)
●If electronic devices or facilities using similar radio wave frequencies
are nearby.
●If a radio set at similar frequencies is in use in the vehicle.
●If a window tint that affects the radio wave signals is installed.
●If there is a lot of snow or ice on the vehicle, in particular around the
wheels or wheel housings.
●If non-genuine Toyota wheels are used. (Even if you use Toyota
wheels, the tire pressu re warning system may not work properly with
some types of tires.)
●If tire chains are used.
■If the tire pressure warning light comes on after blinking for 1
minute frequently
If the tire pressure warning light comes on after blinking for 1 minute fre-
quently when the engine switch is turned to the ON position, have it
checked by your Toyota dealer.
■ After changing the engine oil (U.S.A. only)
Make sure to reset the oil maintenance data. ( P. 377)
■ Customization that can be co nfigured at Toyota dealer
The vehicle speed linked seat belt reminder buzzer can be disabled.
(Customizable features P. 518)

448 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 re sult 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 pressu re telltale (tire pressure 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
449
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CAUTION
■Maintenance of the tire
Please note that the TPMS (tire pressure warning system) is not a sub-
stitute for proper tire ma
intenance, and it is the driver’s responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has not reached the
level to trigger illu mination of the TPMS low ti re pressure telltale (tire
pressure warning light).
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS (tire pressure warning
system) malfunction indicator to indi cate when the system is not operat-
ing properly. The TPMS (tire pressure warning system) malfunction indi-
cator is combined with the low tire pressure telltale (tire pressure
warning light). When the system det ects a malfunction, the telltale will
flash for approximately one minute an d then remain continuously illumi-
nated. This sequence will continue upon subsequent vehicle start-ups as
long as the malfunction exists. When the malfunction indi cator is illumi-
nated, the system may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure
as intended.
TPMS (tire pressure warning system) malfunctions may occur for a vari-
ety of reasons, including the installati on of replacement or alternate tires
or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS (tire pressure warning
system) from functioning properly. Always check the TPMS (tire pres-
sure warning system) malfunction te lltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the replacement or alter-
nate tires and wheels allow the TPMS (tire pressure warning system) to
continue to function properly.
NOTICE
■Precaution when installing a different tire
When a tire of a different specification or maker is installed, the tire pres-
sure warning system may not operate properly.

450
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