1998 TOYOTA TACOMA warning

'98 Tacoma (U)97
CAUTION
Do not use the rear differential lock
in the conditions other than above.
Large steering effort and careful cor-
nering control will be required.
Lock
Unlock
To lock the rear differential, push the
switch.
Be sure to stop the wheels before locking
the differential.
For easy locking, depress the clutch ped-
al, push the lock switch and slowly re-
lease the clutch pedal.
The indicator light will blink when the
switch is turned on. Wait a few seconds
for the system to complete operation. Af-
ter the differential is locked, the light will
stop blinking and remain on.
The anti-lock brake system does not oper-
ate when the rear differential is locked. It
is normal operation for the ºABSº warning
light to be on at this time.
CAUTION
Do not lock the differential until the
wheels have stopped spinning.
Otherwise, the vehicle may move in
an unexpected direction when the
differential lock is engaged, result-
ing in an accident. This may also
lead to possible damage to differen-
tial lock component parts.
Do not drive over 8 km/h (5 mph)
when the differential is locked.
To unlock the differential, push the
switch once again.
Unlock the differential as soon as the ve-
hicle moves out.
For easy unlocking, slightly turn the steer-
ing wheel in either direction while the ve-
hicle is in motion.
When the differential lock is disengaged,
the indicator light will go out.
Except for Pre Runner models '
The differential will also unlock if you shift
the front drive control lever out of ºL4º.
Never forget to turn off the switch after
using this feature.

'98 Tacoma (U)101
CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE WARNING
If the ºCRUISEº indicator light in the
instrument cluster flashes when using the
cruise control, press the ºCRUISE ON-
OFFº button to turn the system off and
then press it again to turn it on.
If any of the following conditions then oc-
curs, there is some trouble in the cruise
control system.
The indicator light does not come on.
The indicator light flashes again.
The indicator light goes out after it
comes on.
If this is the case, contact your Toyota
dealer and have your vehicle inspected.
To crank the engine without depressing
the clutch pedal, push the switch with
the ignition on.
The switch stays on as long as the igni-
tion is on. And it will automatically turn off
when the ignition is off. An indicator light
will illuminate to indicate the system is
operating.
This switch cancels the clutch start sys-
tem, which is designed to keep the starter
motor from operating if the clutch pedal is
not depressed all the way down.
The switch allows the vehicle to be driven
out of difficult situations by cranking the
engine with the clutch engaged. Never use the switch for normal engine
starting. Be sure to follow the starting
procedure instructed in ºHow to start the
engineº in Part 3.
Clutch start cancel switch
(four-wheel drive models with
manual transmission)

'98 Tacoma (U)
144
Brake system
TANDEM MASTER CYLINDER BRAKE SYSTEM
The tandem master cylinder brake system
is a hydraulic system with two separate
sub-systems. If either sub-system s
hould
fail, the other will still work. However, the
pedal will be harder to press, and your
stopping distance will be longer. Also, the
brake system warning light may come on.
CAUTION
Do not drive your vehicle with only a
single brake system. Have your
brakes fixed immediately.
BRAKE BOOSTER
The brake booster uses engine vacuum to
power-assist the brakes. If the engine
should quit while you are driving, you can
bring the vehicle to a stop with normal
pedal pressure. There is enough reserve
vacuum for one or two stops±but no more!
CAUTION
Do not pump the brake pedal if the
engine stalls. Each push on the
pedal uses up your vacuum reserve.
Even if the power assist is com-
pletely lost, the brakes will still
work. But you will have to push the
pedal hardÐmuch harder than nor-
mal. And your braking distance will
be longer.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
(with ºABSº warning light)
The anti-lock brake system is designed to
automatically help prevent lock- up of the
wheels during sudden braking or braking
on slippery road surfaces. This assists in
providing directional stab ility and steering
performance of the vehicle under these
circumstances.
The anti-lock brake system becomes op-
erative after the vehicle has accelerated
to a speed in excess of approximately 10
km/h (6 mph). It stops operating when the
vehicle decelerates to a speed below
approximately 5 km/h (3 mph).
You may hear a sound in the engine
compartment for a few seconds when the
engine is started or just after the vehicle
is started. This means that the anti-lock
brake system is in the self check mode,
and does not indicate a malfunction.
Effective way to press the ºABSº brake
pedal: When the anti- lock brake system
function is in action, you may feel the
brake pedal pulsating and hear a noise.
In this situation, to let the anti- lock
brake system work for you, just hold the
brake pedal down more firmly. Do not
pump the brake. This will result in re-
duced braking performance.
The brake pedal pulsation caused by the
anti-lock brake system may indicate haz-
ardous road surface conditions. Although
the anti-lock brake system assists in pro-
viding vehicle control, it is still important
to drive with all due care, because the
anti-lock brake system cannot overcome
the laws of physics that act on your ve-
hicle: Braking capab ility is dependent on tire
friction with the road surface.
Even though the anti-lock brake system
is operating, a driver cannot maintain
full control on certain slippery road sur-
faces, when cornering at high speeds,
or in violent maneuvers.
Avoid high speeds on wet roads. The
anti-lock brake system cannot eliminate
the risk of hydroplaning and loss of tire
friction.

'98 Tacoma (U)145
Always maintain a safe distance from the
vehicle in front of you. Compared with
vehicles not fitted with an anti-lock brake
system, your vehicle may r
equire a longer
stopping distance in the following cases:
Driving on rough, gravel or snow-cov-
ered roads.
Driving with tire chains installed.
Driving on roads where the road sur-
face is pitted or has other differences
in surface height.
CAUTION
Do not use tires other than the
manufacturer 's designated tires, and
do not mix tires or wheels of differ-
ent sizes. You may prevent the anti-
lock brake system from operating at
full effectiveness.
Vehicles with rear differential lock
systemÐ
The anti-lock brake system does not oper-
ate when the rear differential is locked. It
is normal operation for the ºABSº warning
light to be on at this time.
Ty p e A
Ty p e B ºABSº warning light
This light comes on when the ignition key
is turned to the ºONº position. After a few
seconds, the light will go off.
If any of the following conditions occurs,
this indicates a malfunction somewhere in
the parts monitored by the warning light
system. Contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible to service the vehicle.
The light does not come on as de-
scribed above, or remains on.
The light comes on while driving.
Vehicles with rear differential lock
systemÐ The light comes on while driving with
the rear differential unlocked.
The light does not comes on with the
rear differential locked.
The system comes into operation with
the rear differential locked.

'98 Tacoma (U)
146
Even if the anti-lock brake system should
fail, the brake system will still operate
conventionally. However, when the ºABSº
warning light is on (and the brake system
warning light is off), the anti- lock brake
system is not assisting brake performance
so that the wheels can lock- up during
sudden braking or braking on slippery
road surfaces. Have your vehicle checked
by your Toyota dealer as soon as pos-
sible.
Brake pad wear limit indicators
The brake pad wear limit indicators on
your disc brakes give a warning noise
when the brake pads are worn to where
replacement is required.
If you hear a squealing or scraping noise
while driving, have the brake pads
checked and replaced by your Toyota
dealer as soon as possible. Expensive ro-
tor damage can result if the pads are not
replaced when necessary.Luggage stowage pr
ecautions
When stowing luggage or cargo in the
vehicle, observe the following: Put luggage or cargo in the rear deck
when at all possible. Be sure all items
are secured in place.
Be careful to keep the vehicle bal-
anced. Locating the weight as far for-
ward as possible helps maintain bal-
ance.
For better fuel economy, do not carry
unneeded weight.CAUTION
To prevent luggage or packages
from sliding forward during braking,
do not stack anything behind the
front seats higher than the seat-
backs (Xtra-cab models). Keep lug-
gage or packages low, as close to
the floor as possible.
Never allow anyone to ride in the
rear deck. It is not designed for
passengers. They should ride in
their seats with their seat belts
properly fastened. Otherwise, they
are much more likely to suffer seri-
ous bodily injury, in the event of
sudden braking or a co llision.

'98 Tacoma (U)
194
Tire surface and wheel nuts
Check the tires carefully for cuts, damage
or excessive wear. See Chapter 7- 2 for
additional information. When checking the
tires, make sure no nuts are missing, and
check the nuts for looseness. Tighten
them if necessary.
Tire rotation
Rotate the tires every 12000 km (7500
miles). See Chapter 7- 2 for additional in-
formation.
Fluid leaks
Check underneath for leaking fuel, oil, wa-
ter or other fluid after the vehicle has
been parked for a while. If you smell fuel
fumes or notice any leak, have the cause
found and corrected immediately.
Doors and engine hood
Check that all doors including tailgate op-
erate smoothly and all latches lock se-
curely. Make sure the engine hood sec-
ondary latch secures the hood from
opening when the primary latch is re-
leased.
INSIDE THE VEHICLE
Items listed below should be checked
regularly, e.g. while performing periodic
services, cleaning the vehicle, etc.
Lights
Make sure the headlights, stop lights, tail
lights, turn signal lights, and other lights
are all working. Check headlight aim.
Service reminder indicators and warning
buzzers
Check that all service reminder indicators
and warning buzzers function properly.
Steering wheel
Be alert for changes in steering condition,
such as hard steering or strange noise.
Seats
Check that all seat controls such as seat
adjusters, seatback recliner, etc. operate
smoothly and that all latches lock securely
in any position. Check that the head re-
straints move up and down smoothly and
that the locks hold securely in any latched
position. For folding-down seatback (bench
seat), check that the latches lock secure-
ly.Seat belts
Check that the seat belt system such as
buckles, retractors and anchors operate
properly and smoothly. Make sure the belt
webbing is not cut, frayed, worn or dam-aged.
Accelerator pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and
uneven pedal effort or catching.
Clutch pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation.
Brake pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and
that the pedal has the proper clearance.
Check the brake booster function.
Brakes
At a safe place, check that the brakes do
not pull to one side when applied.
Parking brake
Check that the lever has the proper travel
and that, on a safe incline, your vehicle
is held securely with only the parking
brake applied.

'98 Tacoma (U)
214
Replacement with used wheels is not rec-
ommended as they may have been sub-
jected to rough treatment or high mileage
and could fail without warning. Also, bent
wheels which have been straightened may
have structural damage and therefore
should not be used. Never use an inner
tube in a leaking wheel which is designed
for a tubeless tire.
Aluminum wheel precautions
After driving your vehicle the first 1600
km (1000 miles), check that the wheel
nuts are tight.
If you have rotated, repaired, or
changed your tires, check that the
wheel nuts are still tight after driving
1600 km (1000 miles).
When using tire chains, be careful not
to damage the aluminum wheels.
Use only the Toyota wheel nuts and
wrench designed for your aluminum
wheels.
When balancing your wheels, use only
Toyota balance weights or equivalent
and a plastic or rubber hammer.
As with any wheel, periodically check
your aluminum wheels for damage. If
damaged, replace immediately.

'98 Tacoma (U)233
Engine compartment (Canada)
6. HEAD (LO LH) 10 A: Left-hand head-
light (low beam)
7. TAIL 10 A: Tail lights, licence plate
lights
8. PANEL 10 A: Emergency flashers,
heater control system, air conditioning
system, g auges and meters, clock, car
audio system, overdrive indicator light,
glovebox light, cigarette lighter, instru-
ment panel lights, rear differential lock
system, Multiport fuel injection system/
sequential multiport fuel injection sys-
tem, electronically controlled automatic
transmission system
9. A.C 10 A: Air conditioning systemInstrument panel
10. STOP 15 A: Stop lights, high-mounted
stoplight, cruise control system
11. ALT-S 7.5 A: Charging system
12. DOME 15 A: Car audio system, power
antenna, interior light, clock, ignition
switch light, personal lights, door cour-
tesy lights
13. OBD 10 A: On-board diagnosis system
14. HORN 15 A: Emergency flashers,
horns
15. EFI 15 A: Multiport fuel injection sys-
tem/sequential multiport fuel injection
system
16. HEAD (RH) 10 A: Right-hand headlight17. HEAD (LH) 10 A:
Left-hand headlight
18. STA 7.5 A: Clutch start cancel system,
starting system, gauges and meters
19. 4WD 20 A: A.D.D. control system,
four-wheel drive control system, rear
differential lock system
20. GAUGE 10 A: Gauges and meters,
back-up lights, cruise control system,
power antenna, power door lock control
system, electronically controlled auto-
matic transmission system, starting
system, charging system, air c ondition-
ing system
21. TURN 10 A: Turn signal lights, emer-
gency flashers
22. ECU-IG 15 A: Cruise control system,
anti-lock brake system, automatic
transmission shift lock system
23. WIPER 20 A: Windshield wipers and
washer
24. IGN 7.5 A: Discharge warning light,
SRS airbag system, Multiport fuel injec-
tion system/sequential multiport fuel in-
jection system
25. RADIO 7.5 A: Car audio system, pow-
er antenna