1998 TOYOTA TACOMA fuel consumption

'98 Tacoma (U)89
3RZ- FE engine
Upshifting gear km/h (mph)
1 to 2 24 (15)
2 to 3 40 (25)/58 (36) *
3 to 4 64 (40)/72 (45) *
4 to 5 72 (45)/85 (53) *
Downshifting gear km/h (mph)
2 to 1 24 (15)
3 to 2 40 (25)
4 to 3 64 (40)
5 to 4 72 (45)
* : Applicable under heavy acceleration
conditions.
5VZ- FE engine
gear km/h (mph)
1 to 2 or 2 to 1 24 (15)
2 to 3 or 3 to 2 40 (25)
3 to 4 or 4 to 3 64 (40)
4 to 5 or 5 to 4 72 (45)
Downshift to the appropriate gear if accel-
eration is needed when you are cruising
below the above downshifting speeds. Upshifting too soon or downshifting too
late will cause lugging, and possibly ping-
ing. Regularly revving the engine to maxi-
mum speed in each gear will cause ex-
cessive engine wear and high fuel
consumption.
Maximum allowable speeds
To get on a highway or to pass slower
traffic, maximum acceleration may be nec-
essary. Make sure you observe the follow-
ing maximum allowable speeds in each
gear:
Two-wheel drive models
2RZ- FE engine
gear km/h (mph)1 48 (30)
2 88 (55)
3 136 (85)
4 165 (103)
5VZ- FE engine gear km/h (mph)
1 54 (34)
2 101 (63)
3 144 (89)
4 165 (103) Four-wheel drive models
3RZ- FE engine gear km/h(mph)
ºH2º and ºH4º ºL4º
1 46 (29) 17 (11)
2 86 (53) 33 (21)
3 135 (84) 52 (32)
4 165 (103) 66 (41)
5VZ- FE engine
gear km/h (mph)ºH2º and ºH4º ºL4º
1 48 (30) 18 (11)
2 88 (55) 34 (21)
3 128 (80) 49 (30)
4 165 (103) 72 (45)
NOTICE
Do not downshift if you are going
faster than the maximum allowablespeed for the next lower gear.

'98 Tacoma (U)137
Part 2
INFORMATION
BEFORE DRIVING
YOUR TOYOTA
Off- road vehicle precautions
Break- in period
Fuel
Operation in foreign countries
Three- way catalytic converter
Engine exhaust cautions
Facts about engine oil
consumption
Twin ground electrode spark plugs
Brake system
Brake pad wear limit indicators
Luggage stowage precautions
Rear step bumper
Your Toyota's identification
Suspension and chassis
Types of tires
This vehicle is one of the class of ve-
hicles which have higher ground clear-
ance and narrower tread in relation to
the height of their center of gravity to
make them capable of performing in a
wide variety of off-road applications.
Specific design characteristics give it a
higher center of gravity than ordinary
cars. An advantage of the higher
ground clearance is a better view of the
road allowing you to anticipate prob-
lems. It is not designed for cornering
at the same speeds as conventional
two-wheel drive vehicles any more than
low-slung sports cars are designed to
perform satisfactorily under off-road
conditions.
CAUTION
Always observe the following precau-
tions to minimize the risk of serious
personal injury or damage to your ve-
hicle:
Avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneu-
vers, if at all possible. As with oth-
er vehicles of this type, failure to
operate this vehicle correctly may
result in loss of control or vehicle
rollover.
Avoid loading any items on the roof
that will make the center of gravity
even higher.
Always slow down in gusty cross-
winds. Because of its high center of
gravity, your vehicle is more sensi-
tive to side winds than an ordinary
passenger car. Slowing down will
allow you to have much better con-
trol.
Do not drive horizontally across
steep slopes. Driving straight up or
straight down is preferred. Your ve-
hicle (or any similar off-road ve-
hicle) can tip over sideways much
more easily than forward or back-
ward.
Off-road vehicle pr ecautions
(four-wheel drive models only)

'98 Tacoma (U)
156
Depending on where you are driving,
we recommend you carry some emer-
gency equipment.
Some of the things you might put in the
vehicle are tire chains, window scraper,
bag of sand or salt, flares, small shovel,
jumper cables, etc.
Trailer towing
Your vehicle is designed primarily as a
passenger-and-load-carrying vehicle. Tow-
ing a trailer will have an adverse effect on
handling, performance, braking, durab
ility
and driving economy (fuel consumption,
etc.). Your safety and satisfaction depend
on the proper use of correct equipment
and cautious driving habits. For your safe-
ty and the safety of others, you must not
overload your vehicle or trailer. Ask your
local Toyota dealer for further details be-
fore towing.
WEIGHT LIMITS
Before towing, make sure the total trail-
er weight, gross combination weight,
gross vehicle weight, gross axle weight
and trailer tongue load are all within
the limits.
The total trailer weight and tongue load
can be measured with platform scales
found at a highway weighing station, build-
ing supply company, trucking company,
junk yard, etc.
CAUTION
The total trailer weight (trailer
weight plus its cargo load) must
not exceed the following. Exceeding
this weight is dangerous. If towing
a trailer over 907 kg (2000 lb.), it is
necessary to use a sway control
device with a sufficient capacity.
2RZ- FE and 3RZ- FE engines
1587 kg (3500 lb.)
5VZ- FE engine
2267 kg (5000 lb.)
The gross combination weight (sum
of your vehicle weight plus its load
and the total trailer weight) must
not exceed the following.
Two-wheel drive models
2RZ- FE engine
3038 kg (6700 lb.)
5VZ- FE engine 3764 kg (8300 lb.)
Four-wheel drive models 3RZ- FE engine
3355 kg (7400 lb.)
5VZ- FE engine 4081 kg (9000 lb.)

'98 Tacoma (U)161
Getting more kilometers/mileage from a
liter/gallon of fuel is easy±just take it
easy. It will help make your vehicle last
longer, too. Here are some specific tips
on how to save money on both fuel and
repairs:
Keep your tires inflated at the cor-
rect pressure. Underinflation causes
tire wear and wastes fuel. See Chapter
7- 2 for instructions.
Do not carry unneeded weight in
your vehicle. Excess weight puts a
heavier load on the engine, causing
greater fuel consumption.
Avoid lengthy warm-up idling. Once
the engine is running smoothly, begin
drivingÐbut gently. Remember, howev-
er, that on cold winter days this may
take a little longer.
Accelerate slowly and smoothly.
Avoid jackrabbit starts. Get into high
gear as quickly as possible.
Avoid long engine idling. If you have
a long wait and you are not in traffic,
it is better to turn off the engine and
start again later.
Avoid engine lug or overrevving. Use
a gear position suitable for the road on
which you are travelling.
Avoid continuous speeding up and
slowing down. Stop-and-go driving
wastes fuel.
Avoid unnecessary stopping and
braking. Maintain a steady pace. Try
to time the traffic signals so you only
need to stop as little as possible or
take advantage of through streets to
avoid traffic lights. Keep a proper dis-
tance from other vehicles to avoid sud-
den braking. This will also reduce wear
on your brakes.
Avoid heavy traffic or traffic jams
whenever possible.
Do not rest your foot on the clutch
or brake pedal. This causes needless
wear, overheating and poor fuel econo-
my.
Maintain a moderate speed on high-ways. The faster you drive, the greater
the fuel consumption. By reducing your
speed, you will cut down on fuel con-
sumption.
Keep the front wheels in proper
alignment. Avoid hitting the curb and
slow down on rough roads. Improper
alignment not only causes faster tire
wear but also puts an extra load on
the engine, which, in turn, wastes fuel.
Keep the bottom of your vehicle free
from mud, etc. This not only lessens
weight but also helps prevent corro-
sion.
Keep your vehicle tuned-up and in top
shape. A dirty air cleaner, improper
valve clearance, dirty plugs, dirty oil
and grease, brakes not adjusted, etc.
all lower engine performance and
contribute to poor fuel economy. For
longer life of all parts and lower
operating costs, keep all maintenance
work on schedule, and if you often
drive under severe conditions, see that
your vehicle receives more frequent
maintenance (For scheduled mainte-
nance information, please refer to the
separate ºOwner 's Manual Supplement/
Maintenance Scheduleº).
How to save fuel and make
your vehicle last longer, too