park assist TOYOTA TACOMA 2012 Owners Manual (in English)

When driving2
131
2-1. Driving proceduresDriving 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 lights and wipers
Headlight switch ............... 164
Fog light switch ................ 167
Windshield wipers and washer ........................... 168 2-4. Using other driving systems
Cruise 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

136 2-1. Driving procedures
CAUTION
■When driving the vehicle
●Do not shift the shift lever to R while the vehicle is moving forward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle\
control.
● Do not shift the shift lever to D (vehicles with an automatic transmission) or
1 (vehicles with a manual transmission) while the vehicle is moving back-
ward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle\
control.
● Moving the shift lever to N while the vehicle is moving will disengage the
engine from the transmission. Engine braking is not available when N is
selected.
● During normal driving, do not turn off the engine. Turning the engine off
while driving will not cause loss of steering or braking control, but the
power assist to these systems will be lost. This will make it more difficult to
steer and brake, so you should pull over and stop the vehicle as soon as it
is safe to do so.
However, in the event of an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible
to stop the vehicle in the normal way: P. 544
● Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving
down a steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose
effectiveness. ( P. 146150)
● When stopped on an inclined surface, use the brake pedal and parking
brake to prevent the vehicle from rolling backward or forward and causing
an accident.
● Do not adjust the position of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or
outside rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control that can cause accidents
that may result in death or serious injury.
● Always check that all passengers’ arms, heads or other parts of their bod-
ies are not outside the vehicle, as this may result in death or serious injury.

139
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
CAUTION
■
Exhaust gases
Exhaust gases include harmful carbon monoxide (CO) that is colorless and
odorless. Inhaling exhaust gases may lead to death or a serious health haz-
ard.
●If the vehicle is in a poorly ventilated area, stop the engine. In a closed
area, such as a garage, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle.
This may lead to death or a serious health hazard.
● The exhaust should be checked occasionally. If there is a hole or crack
caused by corrosion, damage to a joint or abnormal exhaust noise, be
sure to have the vehicle inspected and repaired by your Toyota dealer.
Failure to do so may allow exhaust gases to enter the vehicle, resulting in
death or a serious health hazard.
● Toyota does not recommend occupying the rear cargo area when it is fitted
with a slide-in camper, camper shell or other type cover while the engine is
running. This caution applies to both driving and stopped or parked situa-
tions with the engine running. Particular care should be taken to prevent
exhaust gases from entering camper bodies, trailers or other enclosures
on or around your vehicle. If exhaust fumes are detected, open all win-
dows and thoroughly ventilate the area.
■ When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the engine off. Otherwise, you may accidentally move the shift
lever or depress the accelerator pedal, which could cause an accident or fire
due to engine overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked in a poorly
ventilated area, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle, leadin\
g to
death or a serious health hazard.
■ When braking the vehicle
●When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously.
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and may cause one
side of the vehicle to brake differently than the other side. Also the parking
brake may not securely hold the vehicle.
● If the power brake assist function does not operate, do not follow other
vehicles closely and avoid downhills or sharp turns that require braking.
In this case, braking is still possible, but it will require more force on the
pedal than usual. Braking distance may also increase.

140 2-1. Driving procedures
CAUTION
■When braking the vehicle
●Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls.
Each push on the brake pedal uses up the reserve for the power-assisted
brakes.
● The brake system consists of 2 individual hydraulic systems: If one of the
systems fails, the other will still operate. In this case, the brake pedal
should be depressed more firmly than usual and braking distance
becomes longer.
Do not drive your vehicle with only a single brake system. Have your
brakes fixed immediately.
NOTICE
■When driving the vehicle
●Do not depress the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time during
driving. If the brake pedal is depressed while driving with the accelerator
pedal depressed, driving torque may be restrained.
Vehicles with a manual transmission
● Do not rest your foot on the clutch pedal while driving.
Doing so may cause clutch trouble.
● Do not use any gears other than the first gear when starting off and mov-
ing forward.
Doing so may damage the clutch.
● Do not use the clutch to hold the vehicle when stopping on an uphill grade.
Doing so may damage the clutch.
Vehicles with an automatic transmission
● Do not use the accelerator pedal or depress the accelerator and brake
pedals at the same time to hold the vehicle on a hill.
■ When parking the vehicle
On vehicles with an automatic transmission, always put the shift lever in P.
Failure to do so may cause the vehicle to move or the vehicle may acceler-
ate suddenly if the accelerator pedal is accidentally depressed.

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.

615
Alphabetical index
Bluetooth® audio..................... 309
Bluetooth® phone ................... 326
Bottle holders .................. 365, 369
Brake assist ............................. 200
Brakes Brake system warning buzzer........... 191, 193, 198, 205, 505
Brake system warning
light .................................... 505
Fluid...................................... 444
Parking brake ....................... 154
Break-in tips ............................ 134
Camper information ................ 604
Care Exterior ................................. 418
Interior .................................. 421
Seat belts ............................. 422
Cargo capacity ................ 212, 549
Cargo net hook ................ 391, 399
CD player ................................. 267
Certification label ............ 227, 553
Chains ...................................... 220
Child restraint system Booster seats, definition ....... 108
Booster seats, installation .... 122
Convertible seats, definition............................. 108
Convertible seats, installation .......................... 120
Front passenger occupant
classification system .......... 103
Infant seat, definition ............ 108
Infant seats, installation ........ 119
Installing CRS with LATCH system........................ 116, 118
Installing CRS with seat
belts ................................... 119
Installing CRS with top tether straps ....... 123, 126, 127 Child safety
Airbag precautions ..................97
Battery precautions .......449, 538
Child restraint system............108
Child-protectors .......................41
How your child should wear
the seat belt ..........................65
Installing child restraints ........112
Power window lock switch.......78
Power window precautions .....79
Removed wireless remote
control battery
precautions .........................473
Seat belt extender
precautions ...........................68
Seat belt precautions ..............66
Child-protectors .........................41
Cleaning
Exterior ..................................418
Interior ...................................421
Seat belts ..............................422
Clock ........................................ 375
Clutch start cancel switch.......199
Compass ...................................409
Condenser ................................444
Console box .....................365, 366
Cooling system Engine overheating ...............539
CRS ...........................................108
Cruise control...........................174
Cup holders ......................365, 367
Curtain shield airbags ...............89
Customizable features.............583
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