1998 TOYOTA TACOMA light

'98 Tacoma (U)
82
NOTICE
Be careful not to overrev the en- gine. Watch the tachometer to keepengine rpm from going into the red zone. The approximate maximum al-
lowable speed for each position isgiven below for your reference:
º2º 136 km/h (85 mph). . .
ºLº 74 km/h (46 mph) . . .
Do not continue hill climbing for a
long time in the º2º or ºLº posi-tion. This may cause severe auto- matic transmission damage from
overheating. To prevent such dam-age, use ºDº position for hill climb-
ing or hard towing.
(d) Backing up
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. With the brake pedal held down with your foot, shift the selector lever to the
ºRº position.
NOTICE
Never shift into reverse while the ve-
hicle is moving.
(e) Parking
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Pull the parking brake lever fully to securely apply the parking brake.
3. With the brake pedal pressed down, shift the selector lever to the ºPº posi-
tion.
CAUTION
While the vehicle is moving, never
attempt to move the selector lever
into ºPº position under any circum-
stances. Serious mechanical damage
and loss of vehicle control may re-
sult.
(f) Good driving practice
If the transmission is repeatedly up-
shifted and downshifted between third
gear and overdrive when climbing a
gentle slope, the overdrive switch
should be turned off. Be sure to turn
the switch on immediately afterward.
When towing a trailer, in order to main-
tain engine braking efficiency, do not
use overdrive.
CAUTION
Always keep your foot on the brake
pedal while stopped with the engine
running. This prevents the vehicle
from creeping.
NOTICE
Do not hold the vehicle on an up-
grade with the accelerator pedal. Itcan cause the transmission to over- heat. Always use the brake pedal or
parking brake.
(g) Driving in ºPOWERº mode
In the ºPOWERº mode, the transmission
is shifted up and down at a higher vehicle
speed than in the ºNORMALº mode and a
more powerful acceleration is achieved. To
set the ºPOWERº mode, push in the driv-
ing pattern selector button. The POWER
mode indicator light comes on.
For ordinary driving, Toyota recommends
using the ºNORMALº mode to improve fuel
economy.

'98 Tacoma (U)
84
Parking, engine starting and
key removal position
Reverse position Neutral position
Normal driving position
Position for engine braking
Position for stronger engine
braking than that in 2º
position
With the brake pedal depressed,
shift while holding the lock release
button in. (The ignition switch must
be in ONº position.)
Shift while holding the lock
release button in Driving pattern selector button
For selecting a driving pattern
suited to existing driving conditions
Overdrive switch
For selecting either a three- speed
or four- speed transmission
OFFº position
(Shifting into overdrive
not possible) ONº position
(Shifting into
overdrive possible)
Lock release button
To prevent misshifting
O/D OFFº indicator light
Shows the overdrive
switch is in OFF position
NORMALº
(Normal) mode
for general driving
conditions
POWERº
(Power) mode
for powerful
acceleration
POWER mode indicator light
on the instrument panel shows
the driving pattern selector
button is the POWERº mode.
Shift normally
Vehicles with cruise controlÐWhen the cruise control is being used, eve n if you downshift the transmission by turning off the overdrive
switch, engine braking will not be applied because the cruise cont rol is not cancelled. For ways to decrease the vehicle speed, see
ºCruise controlº in this chapter. Automatic transmission
(electronically controlled typeÐfour- wheel drive models and Pre Runner
)

'98 Tacoma (U)85
Your automatic transmission has a shift
lock system to minimize the possibility of
incorrect operation. This means you can
only shift out of ºPº position when the
brake pedal is depressed (with the ignition
switch in ºONº position and the lock re-
lease button depressed).
(a) Normal driving
1. Start the engine as instructed in ºHow to start the engineº in Part 3. The
transmission must be in ºPº or ºNº.
When the front drive control lever is in
ºL4º (low-speed position, four-wheel drive),
the driving pattern selector setting has no
effect on gear shift timing. (See ºFour-
wheel drive systemº in this Chapter for
information of the front drive control le-
ver.) 2. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the selector lever to ºDº.
In ºDº position, the automatic transmission
system will select the most suitable gear
for running conditions such as normal
cruising, hill climbing, hard towing, etc. Always turn the overdrive switch on for
better fuel economy and quieter driving. If
the engine coolant temperature is low or
when the front drive control lever is in
ºL4º (low-speed position, four-wheel drive),
the transmission will not shift into the ov-
erdrive gear even with the overdrive
switch on. (See ºFour-wheel drive systemº
in this Chapter for information of the front
drive control lever.)
CAUTION
Never put your foot on the accelera-
tor pedal while shifting.
3. Release the parking brake and brake
pedal. Depress the accelerator pedal
slowly for smooth starting.
(b) Using engine braking
To use engine braking, you can downshift
the transmission as follows: Turn off the overdrive switch. The ºO/D
OFFº indicator light will come on and
the transmission will downshift to the
third gear.
Shift into the º2º position. The trans-
mission will downshift to the second
gear when the vehicle speed drops
down to or lower than the following
speed, and more powerful engine brak-
ing will be obtained.
Front drive control lever
in ºH2º and ºH4º
3RZ- FE engine.....106 km/h (66 mph)
5VZ- FE engine.....114 km/h (71 mph)
Front drive control lever
in ºL4º 3RZ- FE engine.....36 km/h (22 mph)
5VZ- FE engine.....38 km/h (24 mph)
Shift into the ºLº position. The trans-
mission will downshift to the first gear
when the vehicle speed drops down to
or lower than the following speed, and
maximum engine braking will be ap-
plied.
Front drive control lever
in ºH2º and ºH4º
3RZ- FE engine.....51 km/h (32 mph)
5VZ- FE engine.....55 km/h (34 mph)
Front drive control lever
in ºL4º 3RZ- FE engine.....9 km/h (6 mph)
5VZ- FE engine.....10 km/h (6 mph)

'98 Tacoma (U)87
(e) Parking
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Pull the parking brake lever fully to securely apply the parking brake.
3. With the brake pedal pressed down, shift the selector lever to the ºPº posi-
tion.
CAUTION
While the vehicle is moving, never
attempt to move the selector lever
into ºPº position under any circum-
stances. Serious mechanical damage
and loss of vehicle control may re-
sult.
(f) Good driving practice
If the transmission is repeatedly up-
shifted and downshifted between third
gear and overdrive when climbing a
gentle slope, the overdrive switch
should be turned off. Be sure to turn
the switch on immediately afterward.
When towing a trailer, in order to main-
tain engine braking efficiency, do not
use overdrive.
CAUTION
Always keep your foot on the brake
pedal while stopped with the engine
running. This prevents the vehicle
from creeping.
NOTICE
Do not hold the vehicle on an up-
grade with the accelerator pedal. Itcan cause the transmission to over- heat. Always use the brake pedal or
parking brake.
(g) Driving in ºPOWERº mode
In the ºPOWERº mode, the transmission
is shifted up and down at a higher vehicle
speed than in the ºNORMALº mode and a
more powerful acceleration is achieved. To
set the ºPOWERº mode, push in the driv-
ing pattern selector button. The POWER
mode indicator light comes on.
For ordinary driving, Toyota recommends
using the ºNORMALº mode to improve fuel
economy. (h) Rocking your vehicle if stuck
CAUTION
If your vehicle becomes stuck in
snow, mud, sand, etc., then you may
attempt to rock the vehicle free by
moving it forward and backward. Do
not attempt this procedure if people
or objects are anywhere near the ve-
hicle. During the rocking operation
the vehicle may suddenly move for-
ward or backward as it becomes un-
stuck, causing injury or damage to
nearby people or objects.

'98 Tacoma (U)
90
Good driving practice
If it is difficult to shift into reverse, put
the transmission in neutral, release the
clutch pedal momentarily, and then try
again.
When towing a trailer, in order to main-
tain engine braking efficiency, do not
use the fifth gear.
CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a
slippery surface. Abrupt shifting
could cause the vehicle to spin or
skid.
NOTICE
Make sure the vehicle is completely
stopped before shifting into reverse.
Use the front drive control lever to se-
lect the following transfer modes.
ºH2º (high speed position, two-wheel
drive): Lever at ºH2º
Use this for normal driving on dry hard-
surfaced roads. This position gives greater
economy, quietest ride and least wear.
ºH4º (high speed position, four-wheel
drive): Lever at ºH4º
Use this for normal driving on wet, icy or
snow-covered roads. This position pro-
vides greater traction than two-wheel
drive. ºNº (neutral position):
Lever at ºNº
No power is delivered to the wheels. The
vehicle must be stopped.
ºL4º (low speed position, four-wheel
drive): Lever at ºL4º
Use this for maximum power and traction.
Use ºL4º for climbing or descending steep
hills, off-road driving, and hard pulling in
sand, mud or deep snow.
The four-wheel drive indicator light comes
on when the ºH4º, ºNº or ºL4º mode is
selected.
See º(d) Shifting procedure (lever type)º
for further instructions.
Four-wheel drive systemÐ
(a) Front drive control
(lever type)

'98 Tacoma (U)91
Use the front drive control lever and
º4WDº button to select the following
transfer modes.
ºH2º (high speed position, two-wheel
drive): Lever at ºHº, º4WDº button left out
Use this for normal driving on dry hard-
surfaced roads. This position gives greater
economy, quietest ride and least wear.
ºH4º (high speed position, four-wheel
drive): Lever at ºHº, º4WDº button pushed
in.
Use this for normal driving on wet, icy or
snow-covered roads. This position pro-
vides greater traction than two-wheel
drive. ºNº (neutral position):
Lever at ºNº
No power is delivered to the wheels. The
vehicle must be stopped.
ºL4º (low speed position, four-wheel
drive): Lever at ºL4º
Use this for maximum power and traction.
Use ºL4º for climbing or descending steep
hills, off-road driving, and hard pulling in
sand, mud or deep snow.
The four-wheel drive indicator light comes
on when the ºH4º, ºNº or ºL4º mode is
selected.
See º(d) Shifting procedure (lever/button
type)º for further instructions. (b) Free-wheeling hubsTo engage the free-wheeling hubs, turn
the hubs to ºLOCKº. To disengage, turn
the hubs to ºFREEº.
Make sure the triangle mark on the hub
aligns with the other one at the side you
wish to set.
Setting the free-wheeling hubs in ºFREEº
allows you to disengage the front axle and
driveshaft so that they are not revolving.
This reduces noise and wear when the
vehicle is in two-wheel drive.
You should drive with the hubs in ºLOCKº
for at least 16 km (10 miles) each month.
This will assure that the front drive com-
ponents are lubricated.
(a) Front drive control
(lever/button type)

'98 Tacoma (U)93
If the indicator light does not go off when
you shift the transfer into ºH2º, drive
straight ahead while accelerating or decel-
erating, or drive in reverse.
With A.D.D.
To shift from ºH2º to ºH4º,
reduce your
speed to less than 80 km/h (50 mph) and
move the front drive control lever. You
need not depress the clutch pedal.
If you have trouble shifting in cold weath-
er, reduce your speed or stop the vehicle
and reshift.
CAUTION
Never move the front drive control
lever if wheels are slipping. Stop the
slipping or spinning before shifting.
To shift from ºH4º to ºH2º, simply move
the front drive control lever.
This can be done at any vehicle speed.
You need not depress the clutch pedal.
If the indicator light does not go off when
you shift the transfer into ºH2º, drive
straight ahead while accelerating or decel-
erating, or drive in reverse. SHIFTING BETWEEN ºH4º AND ºL4º
To shift from ºH4º to ºL4º,
stop the
vehicle or reduce your speed to less than
8 km/h (5 mph). With your foot off the
accelerator pedal, depress the clutch ped-
al and move the front drive control lever.
To shift from ºL4º to ºH4º, depress the
clutch pedal and move the front drive con-
trol lever.
This can be done at any vehicle speed. SHIFTING BETWEEN ºH2º AND ºH4º
With free-wheeling hubs
To shift from ºH2º to ºH4º,
move the
front drive control lever. Also, engage both
the free-wheeling hubs.
This can be done when the vehicle is
stopped, or moving straight ahead at
speeds of 40 km/h (25 mph) or less. If
you have trouble shifting, depress or re-
lease the accelerator pedal momentarily
while pushing the front drive control lever.
CAUTION
Never move the front drive control
lever if wheels are slipping. Stop
the slipping or spinning before
shifting.
Never drive with only one hub en-gaged.
To shift from ºH4º to ºH2º, simply move
the front drive control lever. Also, disen-
gage both the free-wheeling hubs for con-
tinued ºH2º use.
This can be done at any vehicle speed.
(d) Shifting procedure
(lever type with automatic
transmission)

'98 Tacoma (U)
94
If the indicator light does not go off when
you shift the transfer into ºH2º, drive
straight ahead while accelerating or decel-
erating, or drive in reverse.
With A.D.D.
To shift from ºH2º to ºH4º,
reduce your
speed to less than 80 km/h (50 mph) and
move the front drive control lever.
If you have trouble shifting in cold weath-
er, reduce your speed or stop the vehicle
and reshift.
CAUTION
Never move the front drive control
lever if wheels are slipping. Stop the
slipping or spinning before shifting.
To shift from ºH4º to ºH2º, simply move
the front drive control lever.
This can be done at any vehicle speed.
If the indicator light does not go off when
you shift the transfer into ºH2º, drive
straight ahead while accelerating or decel-
erating, or drive in reverse. SHIFTING BETWEEN ºH4º AND ºL4º
To shift between ºH4º and ºL4º,
stop
the vehicle and put the transmission in
ºNº. With your foot holding down the
brake pedal, move the front drive control
lever. SHIFTING BETWEEN ºH2º AND ºH4º
To shift from ºH2º to ºH4º,
reduce your
speed to less than 100 km/h (62 mph)
and push in the º4WDº button. You need
not depress the clutch pedal.
If the indicator light does not come on
when you push in the º4WDº button, drive
straight ahead while accelerating or decel-
erating.
If the indicator light flashes and the buzz-
er sounds when you push in the º4WDº
button, reduce your speed or stop the
vehicle and reset.
CAUTION
Never push the º4WDº button if
wheels are slipping. Stop the slipping
or spinning before shifting.
(d) Shifting procedure
(lever/button type with manual
transmission)