TOYOTA TACOMA 2012 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 and
SRS airbag instructions for Canadian owners and
camper information.
IndexAlphabetical listing of information contained in this
manual.

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
2
1-1. Key informationKeys ..................................... 34
1-2. Opening, closing and locking
the doors
Wireless remote control ....... 36
Side doors ............................ 39
Access doors (Access Cab models only) ....................... 43
Tailgate ................................ 44
1-3. Adjustable components
(seats, mirrors, steering
wheel)
Front seats ........................... 49
Rear seats (Access Cab and Double Cab models) .......... 54
Head restraints ..................... 58
Seat belts ............................. 63
Steering wheel ..................... 69
Anti-glare inside rear view mirror .................................. 70
Outside rear view mirrors ..... 75
1-4. Opening and clos ing
the windows
Pow er windows .................... 78
Back window (vehicles with sliding type) ........................ 80
1-5. Refueling Opening the fuel tank cap .... 81 1-6. Theft deterrent system
Engine immobilizer system ... 84
1-7. Safety information Correct driving posture ......... 87
SRS airbags ......................... 89
Front passenger occupant classification system ......... 103
Child restraint systems ....... 108
Installing child restraints ..... 112
2-1. Driving procedures Driving the vehicle .............. 132
Engine (ignition) switch....... 143
Automatic transmission ...... 146
Manual transmission........... 150
Turn signal lever ................. 153
Parking brake ..................... 154
Horn .................................... 156
2-2. Gauges and meters Gauges and meters ............ 157
Indicators and warning lights ................................. 160
2-3. Operating the li ghts and
wipers
Headlight switch ................. 164
Fog light switch ................... 167
Windshield wipers and washer .............................. 168
1Before driving
2When driving

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
3
2-4. Using other driving systemsCruise control ...................... 174
Rear view monitor system (vehicles with auto
anti-glare inside rear
view mirror) ....................... 178
Four-wheel drive system ..... 186
Active traction control system .............................. 190
AUTO LSD system.............. 192
Rear differential lock system .............................. 194
Downhill Assist Control system .............................. 197
Clutch start cancel switch ... 199
Driving assist systems ........ 200
2-5. Driving information Off-road precautions (4WD models and
PreRunner) ....................... 207
Cargo and luggage ............. 212
Vehicle load limits ............... 217
Winter driving tips ............... 219
Trailer towing ...................... 223
Dinghy towing ..................... 244 3-1. Using the air conditioning
system and defogger
Air conditioning system ...... 248
3-2. Using the audio system Audio system types ............ 255
Using the radio ................... 260
Using the CD player ........... 267
Playing MP3 and WMA discs ................................. 273
Operating an iPod .............. 280
Operating a USB memory ............................ 288
Optimal use of the audio system .............................. 295
Operating the sub woofer (on some Access Cab
models) ............................ 300
Using the AUX port............. 301
Using the steering wheel audio switches.................. 303
Detachable pole antenna ... 306
3-3. Using the Bluetooth
® audio
system
Bluetooth
® audio system .... 309
Using the Bluetooth®
audio system .................... 312
Operating a Bluetooth
®
enabled portable player.... 318
Setting up a Bluetooth
®
enabled portable player.... 320
Bluetooth
® audio system
setup ................................ 325
3Interior and exterior
features

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
4
3-4. Using the hands-free phonesystem (for cellula r phone)
Hands-free phone system features ............................ 326
Using the hands-free phone system ................... 330
Making a phone call ........... 339
Setting a cellular phone...... 344
Security and system setup ................................ 350
Using the phone book ........ 355
3-5. Using the interior lights Interior lights list ................. 363
• Interior light ...................... 364
• Personal lights ................. 364
3-6. Using the storage features List of storage features....... 365
• Glove box .......................... 366
• Front console box ............ 366
• Cup holders ...................... 367
• Bottle holders ................... 369
• Auxiliary boxes ................. 370
• Overhead console ............ 372 3-7. Other interior features
Sun visors ........................... 373
Vanity mirrors ..................... 374
Clock................................... 375
Outside temperature display (vehicles with
auto anti-glare inside rear
view mirror) ....................... 376
Power outlets (12V DC) ...... 381
Power outlet (120V AC) ...... 382
Seatback table .................... 388
Floor mat ............................ 389
Luggage compartment features ............................ 391
Garage door opener ........... 400
Compass (vehicles with auto anti-glare inside rear
view mirror) ....................... 409
4-1. Maintenance and care Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior ........... 418
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior ............ 421
4-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements .................... 424
General maintenance ......... 426
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs .......................... 429
4Maintenance and care

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
5
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenanceDo-it-yourself service precautions ....................... 430
Hood ................................... 434
Engine compartment ........... 436
Tires .................................... 452
Tire inflation pressure ......... 461
Wheels ................................ 466
Air conditioning filter............ 469
Wireless remote control battery ............................... 472
Checking and replacing fuses ................................. 474
Light bulbs........................... 484
5-1. Essential information Emergency flashers ............ 496
If your vehicle needs to be towed ........................... 497
If you think something is wrong ................................ 503
Fuel pump shut off system .............................. 504 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds... .......................... 505
If you have a flat tire ........... 515
If the engine will not start.... 532
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P (vehicles
with an automatic
transmission) .................... 533
If you lose your keys........... 534
If the vehicle battery is discharged........................ 535
If your vehicle overheats .... 539
If the vehicle becomes stuck ................................. 542
If your vehicle has to be stopped in
an emergency .................. 544
6-1. Specifications Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.) ........... 548
Fuel information.................. 569
Tire information .................. 572
6-2. Customization Customizable features........ 583
Items to initialize ................. 587
5When trouble arises
6Vehicle specifications

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
6
Reporting safety defects for U.S. owners ................ 590
Seat belt instructions for Canadian owners
(in French) ........................ 591
SRS airbag instructions for Canadian owners
(in French) ........................ 593
Camper information............ 604
Abbreviation list........................ 612
Alphabetical index .................... 614
What to do if... ............................ 624
7For owners
Index

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
7

8
Headlights P. 164
Pictorial indexExterior
Hood P. 434
Windshield wipers P. 168
Front side marker lights P. 164
Outside rear view mirrors P. 75
Regular Cab models
Front turn signal lights/parking lights/
daytime running lights
 P. 153, 164, 166
Detachable pole
antenna
P. 306

9
Tires
●Rotation
● Replacement
● Inflation pressure
● Information
P. 452
P. 515
P. 461
P. 572
Fuel filler door P. 81
Rear turn signal lights P. 153
Rear side marker lightsP. 164
Side doors P. 39
Stop/tail lightsP. 164
TailgateP. 44
License plate lights P. 164
: If equipped

10
Pictorial indexExterior
Access Cab models
Headlights P. 164
Hood P. 434
Windshield wipers P. 168
Front side marker lights P. 164
Outside rear view mirrors P. 75
Front turn signal lights/parking lights/
daytime running lights
 P. 153, 164, 166
Fog lights P. 167
Outside rear view mirrors P. 75
Side turn signal lights
P. 153
Detachable pole
antenna
P. 306