TOYOTA TACOMA 2021 Owners Manual (in English)

2014-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles without a
smart key system)
Automatic transmission
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is set in P.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
Turn the engine switch to the “S TART” position to start the engine.
Manual transmission
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is set in N.
Firmly depress the clutch pedal.
Turn the engine switch to the “S TART” position to start the engine.
“LOCK”
The steering wheel is locked and
the key can be removed. (Vehicles
with an automatic transmission:
The key can be removed only
when the shift lever is in P.)
“ACC”
Some electrical components such
as the audio system can be used.
“ON”
All electrical components can be used.
“START”
For starting the engine.
Starting the engine
Changing the engine switch positions
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2
3
4
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4
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2024-2. Driving procedures
■Turning the key from “ACC” to “LOCK”
Shift the shift lever to P (automatic transmission) or N (manua l transmis-
sion).
■ If the engine does not start (vehicles with engine immobilizer system)
The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( P. 78)
Contact your Toyota dealer.
■ When the steering lock cannot be released
■ Key reminder function
A buzzer sounds if the driver’s door is opened while the engine switch is in
the “ACC” or “LOCK” position to remind you to remove the key. Push in the key and turn it to the
“LOCK” position.
When starting the engine, the engine
switch may seem stuck in the “LOCK”
position. To free it, turn the key while turn-
ing the steering wheel slightly left and
right.
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2

2034-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
WARNING
■When starting the engine
Always start the engine while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the
accelerator pedal while starting the engine under any circumsta nces.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious in jury.
■ Caution while driving
Do not turn the engine switch to the “LOCK” position while driving. If, in an
emergency, you must turn the engine off while the vehicle is mo ving, turn
the engine switch only to the “ACC” position to stop the engine. An accident
may result if the engine is stopped while driving. ( P. 467)
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the engine switch in the “ACC” or “ON” position fo r long peri-
ods of time without the engine running.
■ When starting the engine
● Do not crank the engine for more than 30 seconds at a time. This may
overheat the starter and wiring system.
● Do not race a cold engine.
● If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have your vehi-
cle checked by your Toyota dealer immediately.

2044-2. Driving procedures
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles with a
smart key system)
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is in P.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
and a message will be dis-
played on the multi-information dis-
play.
If it is not displayed, the engine
cannot be started.
Press the engine switch shortly
and firmly.
When operating the engine switch,
one short, firm press is enough. It
is not necessary to press and hold
the switch.
The engine will crank until it starts
or for up to 30 seconds, whichever
is less.
Continue depressing the brake
pedal until the engine is completely
started.
The engine can be started from
any engine switch mode.
Performing the following opera tions when carrying the elec-
tronic key on your person starts the engine or changes engine
switch modes.
Starting the engine
1
2
3
4

2054-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
Stop the vehicle.
Set the parking brake (P. 218), and shift the shift lever to P.
Press the engine switch.
Release the brake pedal and chec k that the display on the instru-
ment cluster is off.
Modes can be changed by pressing the engine switch with brake
pedal released. (The mode changes each time the switch is pressed.)
Off
*
The emergency flashers can be
used.
ACCESSORY mode
Some electrical components such
as the audio system can be used.
“ACCESSORY” will be displayed
on the multi-information display.
IGNITION ON mode
All electrical components can be
used.
“IGNITION ON” will be displayed
on the multi-information display.
*: If the shift lever is in a position other than P when turning off the
engine, the engine switch will be
turned to ACCESSORY mode, not
to off.
Stopping the engine
Changing engine switch modes
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2
3
4
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2
3

2064-2. Driving procedures
If the engine is stopped with the shift lever in a position other than P,
the engine switch will not be turned off but instead be turned to
ACCESSORY mode. Perform the following procedure to turn the
switch off:
Check that the park ing brake is set.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Check that “Turn Power OFF” is displayed on the multi-informati on
display and then press the engine switch once.
Check that “Turn Power OFF” on the multi-information display is off.
■Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode for more than 20 minut es or IGNI-
TION ON mode (the engine is not running) for more than an hour with the
shift lever in P, the engine switch will automatically turn off. However, this
function cannot entirely prevent battery discharge. Do not leav e the vehicle
with the engine switch in ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode for lon g peri-
ods of time when the engine is not running.
■ Automatic engine shut off feature (except for New Caledonia)
●The vehicle is equipped with a feature that automatically shuts off the
engine when the shift lever is in P with the engine running for an extended
period.
● The engine will automatically shut off after approximately 1 ho ur if it has
been left running while the shift lever is in P.
● The timer for the automatic engine shut off feature will reset if the brake
pedal is depressed or if the shift lever is in a position other than P.
● After the vehicle is parked, if the door is locked with the door lock switch
(P. 121) from the inside or the mechanical key ( P. 522) from the outside,
the automatic engine shut off feature will be disabled. The tim er for the auto-
matic engine shut off feature will be re-enabled if the driver’ s door is
opened.
■ Electronic key battery depletion
P. 116
■ Conditions affecting operation
P. 134
■ Note for the entry function
P. 135
When stopping the engine with the shift lever in a position other
than P
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2074-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■If the engine does not start
●The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( P. 78)
Contact your Toyota dealer.
● Check that the shift lever is securely set in P. The engine may not start if the
shift lever is displaced out of P. “Shift to P Position” will b e displayed on the
multi-information display.
■ Steering lock
After turning the engine switch off and opening and closing the doors, the
steering wheel will be locked due to the steering lock function . Operating the
engine switch again automatically cancels the steering lock.
■ When the steering lock cannot be released
■ Steering lock motor overheating prevention
To prevent the steering lock motor from overheating, operation of the motor
may be suspended if the engine is turned on and off repeatedly in a short
period of time. In this case, refrain from running the engine. After about
10 seconds, the steering lock motor will resume functioning.
■ When “Smart Entry & Start System Check” is displayed on the multi-
information display
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your
Toyota dealer immediately.
■ If the electronic key battery is depleted
P. 445
■ Operation of the engine switch
●If the switch is not pressed shortly and firmly, the engine swi tch mode may
not change or the engine may not start.
● If attempting to restart the engine immediately after turning t he engine
switch off, the engine may not start in some cases. After turni ng the engine
switch off, please wait a few seconds before restarting the eng ine.
■ If the smart key system has been d eactivated by a customized setting
P. 522 A message will be displayed on the multi-
information display.
Check that the shift lever is in P. Press the
engine switch while turning the steering
wheel left and right.

2084-2. Driving procedures
WARNING
■When starting the engine
Always start the engine while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the
accelerator pedal while starting the engine under any circumsta nces.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious in jury.
■ Caution while driving
If engine failure occurs while the vehicle is moving, do not lo ck or open the
doors until the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop. Other wise, the
steering lock function will activate and this may lead to an ac cident, result-
ing in death or serious injury.
■ Stopping the engine in an emergency
If you want to stop the engine in an emergency while driving th e vehicle,
press and hold the engine switch for more than 2 seconds, or pr ess it briefly
3 times or more in succession. ( P. 467)
However, do not touch the engine switch while driving except in an emer-
gency. Turning the engine off while driving will not cause loss of steering or
braking control, however, power assist to the steering will be lost. This will
make it more difficult to steer smoothly, so you should pull ov er and stop the
vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
■ When parking (except for New Caledonia)
Exhaust gases include harmful carbon monoxide (CO), which is colorless
and odorless. Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may cause exhaust gases to enter the vehicle a nd may
lead to an accident caused by light-headedness, or may lead to death or a
serious health hazard.
● If the vehicle is in a poorly ventilated area or a closed area, such as a
garage, stop the engine.
● Do not leave the vehicle with the engine running for a long tim e. If such a
situation cannot be avoided, park the vehicle in an open space and ensure
that exhaust fumes do not enter the vehicle interior.
● Do not leave the engine running in an area with snow build-up, or where it
is snowing. If snowbanks build up around the vehicle while the engine is
running, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle.

2094-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
● Do not leave the engine switch in ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode
for long periods of time without the engine running.
● If “ACCESSORY” or “IGNITION ON” is displayed on the multi-infor mation
display while the engine is not running, the engine switch is n ot off. Exit the
vehicle after turning the engine switch off.
● Do not stop the engine when the shift lever is in a position ot her than P. If
the engine is stopped in another shift lever position, the engi ne switch will
not be turned off but instead be turned to ACCESSORY mode. If t he vehi-
cle is left in ACCESSORY mode, battery discharge may occur.
■ When starting the engine
● Do not race a cold engine.
● If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have your vehi-
cle checked by your Toyota dealer immediately.
■ Symptoms indicating a malfunction with the engine switch
If the engine switch seems to be operating somewhat differently than usual,
such as the switch sticking slightly, there may be a malfunctio n. Contact
your Toyota dealer immediately.

2104-2. Driving procedures
Automatic transmission
Vehicles without a smart key system:While the engine switch is in the “ON” position, move the shiftlever with the brake pedal depressed.
When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that t he vehi-
cle is completely stopped.
Vehicles with a smart key system:
While the engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode, move the shiftlever with the brake pedal depressed.
When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that t he vehi-
cle is completely stopped.
: If equipped
Shifting the shift lever