emergency towing TOYOTA TACOMA 2012 Owners Manual (in English)

177
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
CAUTION
■To avoid operating the cruise control by mistake
Switch the cruise control off using the ON-OFF button when not in use.
■ Situations unsuitable for cruise control
Do not use cruise control in any of the following situations.
Doing so may result in loss of control and could cause an accident resulting
in death or serious injury.
●In heavy traffic
● On roads with sharp bends
● On winding roads
● On slippery roads, such as those covered with rain, ice or snow
● On steep hills
Vehicle speed may exceed the set speed when driving down a steep hill.
● When your vehicle is towing a trailer or during emergency towing

478 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
FuseAmpereCircuit
1 A/C 10 A Air conditioning system
2 TOWING TAIL 30 A Trailer lights (tail lights)
3 FR FOG 15 A Front fog lights
4 STOP 10 A Stop lights, high mounted stop-
light, vehicle stability control sys-
tem, anti-lock brake system, shift
lock system, multiport fuel injection
system/sequential multiport fuel
injection system, towing lights
5 TOWING BRK 30 A Trailer brake controller
6 EFI NO.2 10 A Multiport fuel injection system/
sequential multiport fuel injection
system
7 OBD 7.5 A On-board diagnosis system
8 BATT CHG 30 A Trailer sub battery
9 AI VALVE 10 A AI system
10 TOWING 30 A Towing lights
11 TRN-HAZ 15 A Turn signal lights, emergency
flashers, meter and gauge
12 RADIO NO.2 30 A Audio system
13 HEAD (LO RH) 10 A Right-hand headlight (low beam),
front fog lights
14 HEAD (LO LH) 10 A Left-hand headlight (low beam)
15 HEAD (HI RH) 10 A Right-hand headlight (high beam)
16 HEAD (HI LH) 10 A Left-hand headlight (high beam),
meter and gauge
17 ETCS 10 A Multiport fuel injection system/
sequential multiport fuel injection
system, electronic throttle control
system
18 ALT-S 7.5 A Charging system

5
When trouble arises
497
5-1. Essential information
If your vehicle needs to be towed
Before towingThe following may indicate a problem with your transmission. Contact
your Toyota dealer before towing.
● The engine is running, but the vehicle will not move.
● The vehicle makes an abnormal sound.
Emergency towing (4WD models and PreRunner only)
If a tow truck is not available, in an emergency your vehicle may be
temporarily towed using a cable or chain secured to the emergency
towing eyelet/hook. This should only attempted on hard, surfaced
roads for short distances at low speeds.
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer and operate the brakes. The
vehicle’s wheels, drive train, axles, steering and brakes must be in
good condition.
Type A Towing eyelet
If towing is necessary, we recommend having your vehicle towed by
your Toyota dealer or a commerci al towing service, using a lift-type
truck or a flat bed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all to wing, and abide by all state/pro-
vincial and local laws.
The wheels and axle on the groun d must be in good condition.
If they are damaged, use a towing dolly or flat bed truck.

498 5-1. Essential information
Type BTowing hook
■Emergency towin g procedure
The engine switch must be in the ACC (engine off) or the ON
(engine running) position.
4WD models: Put the front-wheel drive control switch in H2.
Put the shift lever in N.
Release the parking brake.
CAUTION
■ Caution while towing
●Use extreme caution when towing the vehicle.
Avoid sudden starts or erratic driving maneuvers which place excessive
stress on the emergency towing eyelet/hook and the cables or chains.
Always be cautious of the surroundings and other vehicles while towing.
● If the engine is not running, the power assist for the brakes and steering
will not function, making steering and braking more difficult.

5
When trouble arises
499
5-1. Essential information
Towing with a sling-type truck
NOTICE
■
Emergency towing eyelet/hook precautions
●Before emergency towing, check that the eyelet/hook is not broken or
damaged.
● Fasten the towing cable or chain securely to the eyelet/hook.
● Do not jerk the eyelet/hook. Apply steady and even force.
● To avoid damaging the eyelet/hook, do not pull from the side or at a verti-
cal angle. Always pull straight ahead.
NOTICE
■ To prevent body damage
Do not tow with a sling-type truck, either from the front or rear.

526 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Firmly tighten each nut two or three times in the order shown
in the illustration.
Tightening torque:
83 ft·lbf (113 N·m, 11.5 kgf·m)
2WD models except PreRunner
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.

5
When trouble arises
531
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
NOTICE
■Do not drive the vehicle with a flat tire
Do not continue driving with a flat tire.
Driving even a short distance with a flat tire can damage the tire and the
wheel beyond repair.
■When stowing the flat tire
Ensure that there is no object cau
ght between the tire and the vehicle
underbody.
■When replacing the tires
●When removing or fitting the wheels, tires or the tire pressure warning
valve and transmitter, contact your Toyota dealer as the tire pressure
warning valve and transmitter may be damaged if not handled cor-
rectly.
●Replace the grommets for the tire pressure warning valves and trans-
mitters as well.
■To avoid damage to the tire pressure warning valves and transmit-
ters
When a tire is repaired with liquid sealants, the tire pressure warning
valve and transmitter may not operate properly. If a liquid sealant is
used, contact your Toyota dealer or other qualified service shop as soon
as possible. Make sure to replace the tire pressure warning valve and
transmitter when replacing the tire. ( P. 453)

5
When trouble arises
543
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
NOTICE
■
To avoid damaging the transmission and other components
●Avoid spinning the wheels and do not rev the engine.
● If the vehicle remains stuck after trying these procedures, the vehicle may
require towing to be freed.

616 Alphabetical index
Daytime running light system .................................... 166
Deck Auxiliary boxes ...................... 392
Deck ...................................... 391
Deck hooks ........................... 393
Deck rails .............................. 212
Tie-down cleats ..................... 394
Detachable pole antenna......... 306
Dimension................................. 548
Dinghy towing .......................... 244
Do-it-yourself main tenance..... 430
Doors Access doors...........................43
Door glasses ...........................78
Door lock ...........................36, 39
Open door warning light ........ 508
Side doors ...............................39
Side mirrors .............................75
Downhill Assist Control
System .................................... 197
Driver’s seat belt reminder light ......................................... 508
Driver’s seat belt reminder warning buzzer ...................... 508
Driving
Break-in tips .......................... 134
Correct posture .......................87
Driving assist systems........... 200
Procedures ............................ 132
Winter driving tips.................. 219 Emergency, in case of
Blown fuse ............................ 474
If the engine will not start ...... 532
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P ..................... 533
If the vehicle battery is discharged .......................... 535
If the warning buzzer
sounds ................................ 505
If the warning light turns on ... 505
If you have a flat tire ............. 515
If you lose your keys ............. 534
If you think something is wrong .................................. 503
If the vehicle becomes stuck ................................... 542
If your vehicle has to be
stopped in an emergency ... 544
If your vehicle needs to be towed .................................. 497
If your vehicle overheats ....... 539
Emergency flashers Switch ................................... 496
Engine Compartment ........................ 436
Engine switch ........................ 143
Exhaust gas .......................... 139
Hood ..................................... 434
How to start the engine ......... 143
Identification number............. 553
If the engine will not start ...... 532
Ignition switch ....................... 143
Immobilizer system ................. 84
Overheating .......................... 539
Warning light ......................... 506DE

622 Alphabetical index
Tachometer............................... 157
TailgateRemoving the tailgate .............44
Tailgate ...................................44
Tail lights
Replacing light bulbs ..... 490, 493
Switch.................................... 164
Wattage ................................. 568
Talk switch................................ 331
Telephone switch ..................... 331
Theft deterrent system Engine immobilizer system .....84
Tire inflation pressure ............. 564
Tire information Glossary ................................ 577
Size ....................................... 574
Tire identification number ...... 573
Uniform tire quality grading ... 575
Tires Chains ................................... 220
Checking ............................... 452
If you have a flat tire .............. 515
Identification number ............. 573
Inflation pressure................... 564
Inflation pressure sensor ....... 453
Information ............................ 572
Replacing .............................. 515
Rotating tires ......................... 452
Size ....................................... 564
Snow tires ............................. 456
Spare tire............................... 515
Tire pressure warning
reset switch ......................... 453
Tire pressure warning system ........................ 452, 511
Warning light ......................... 508 Tools ......................................... 515
Total load capacity .................. 217
Towing
Bumper towing ...................... 233
Dinghy towing ....................... 244
Emergency towing ................ 497
Fifth wheel trailer................... 231
Trailer towing ........................ 223
Traction control system .......... 200
TRAC ......................................... 200
Trip meter ................................. 158
Turn signal lights Lever ..................................... 153
Replacing light bulbs ........................... 489, 490
Switch ................................... 153
Wattage................................. 568
Vanity mirrors .......................... 374
Vehicle identification number ................................... 553
Vehicle stability control .......... 200
VSC ........................................... 200T
V