2000 TOYOTA TACOMA Owners Manual (in English)

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(i) Driving in POWER" mode
In the POWER" mode, the transmission
is shifted up and down at a higher vehicle
speed than in the NORMAL" mode and a
more powerful acceleration is achieved. To
set the POWER" mode, push in the driv-
ing pattern selector button. The POWER
mode indicator light comes on.
For ordinary driving, Toyota recommends
using the NORMAL" mode to improve fuel
economy.(j) 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.
NOTICE
If you rock your vehicle, observe the
following precautions to prevent dam-
age to the transmission and other
parts.

Do not depress the accelerator ped-
al while shifting the selector lever
or before the transmission is com-
pletely shifted to forward or reverse
gear.
 Do not race the engine and avoid
spinning the wheels.
 If your vehicle remains stuck after
rocking the vehicle several times,
consider other ways such as tow-
ing.
(k) If you cannot shift the selector le-
ver out of P" position
If you cannot shift the selector lever from
the P" position even though the brake
pedal is depressed, use the shift lock
override lever. For instructions, see If you
cannot shift automatic transmission selec-
tor lever" in Section 4.

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Manual transmission
The shift pattern is as shown above.
Press the clutch pedal down fully while
shifting, and then release it slowly. Do not
rest your foot on the pedal while driving,
because it will cause clutch trouble. And
do not use the clutch to hold the vehicle
when stopped on an uphill grade–use the
parking brake.
Recommended shifting speeds
The transmission is fully synchronized and
upshifting or downshifting is easy.
For the best compromise between fuel
economy and vehicle performance, you
should upshift or downshift at the following
speeds:2RZ−FE engine
Low altitude
1219 m (4000 ft.) or lower 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)
High altitude
Higher than 1219 m (4000 ft.) 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. 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.

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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 models2RZ−FE engine gear km/h(mph)1 \b\b48\b(30)
2 \b\b88\b\b(55)
3 \b136\b\b(85)
4 \b165(103)
5VZ−FE engine gear km/h(mph)
1 \b\b54\b\b(34)
2 \b101\b\b(63)
3 \b144\b\b(89)
4 \b165\b(103) Four−wheel drive models
3RZ−FE engine
gear km/h(mph)
H2" and H4" L4"
1 \b46\b\b(29) 17(11)
2 \b86\b\b(53) 33(21)
3 135\b\b(84) 52(32)
4 165\b(103) 66(41)
5VZ−FE engine gear km/h(mph) H2" and H4" L4"
1 \b48\b\b(30) 18(11)
2 \b88\b\b(55) 34(21)
3 128\b\b(80) 49(30)
4 165\b(103) 72(45)
NOTICE
Do not downshift if you are going
faster than the maximum allowable
speed for the next lower gear.
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.

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Use the front drive control lever to se-
lect the following transfer modes.
H2" (high speed position, two−wheel
drive): Lever at H2"
Use this for normal driving on dry hard−
surfaced roads. This position gives greater
economy, quietest ride and least wear.
H4" (high speed position, four−wheel
drive): Lever at H4"
Use this for normal driving on wet, icy or
snow−covered roads. This position pro-
vides greater traction than two−wheel
drive. N" (neutral position):
Lever at N"
No power is delivered to the wheels. The
vehicle must be stopped.
L4" (low speed position, four−wheel
drive): Lever at L4"
Use this for maximum power and traction.
Use L4" 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 H4", N" or L4" mode is
selected.
See (d) Shifting procedure (lever type)"
for further instructions.Use the front drive control lever and
4WD" button to select the following
transfer modes.
H2" (high speed position, two−wheel
drive): Lever at H", 4WD" button left out
Use this for normal driving on dry hard−
surfaced roads. This position gives greater
economy, quietest ride and least wear.
H4" (high speed position, four−wheel
drive): Lever at H", 4WD" 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.
Four−wheel drive system
(a) Front drive control
(lever type) (a) Front drive control
(lever/button type)

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N" (neutral position): Lever at N"
No power is delivered to the wheels. The
vehicle must be stopped.
L4" (low speed position, four−wheel
drive): Lever at L4"
Use this for maximum power and traction.
Use L4" 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 H4", N" or L4" mode is
selected.
See (d) Shifting procedure (lever/button
type)" for further instructions.
(b) Free−wheeling hubs
To engage the free−wheeling hubs, turn
the hubs to LOCK". To disengage, turn
the hubs to FREE".
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 FREE"
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 LOCK"
for at least 16 km (10 miles) each month.
This will assure that the front drive com-
ponents are lubricated.Steel wheels
Aluminum wheels
(c) A.D.D. (automatic
disconnecting differential)

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The A.D.D. can be engaged or disen-
gaged by the shifting operations de-
scribed in (d) Shifting procedure".
You should drive in four−wheel drive for
at least 16 km (10 miles) each month.
This will assure that the front drive com-
ponents are lubricated.SHIFTING BETWEEN H2" AND H4"
With free−wheeling hubs
To shift from H2" to H4",
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. You
need not depress the clutch pedal. If you
have trouble shifting, depress or release
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 H4" to H2", simply move
the front drive control lever. Also, disen-
gage both the free−wheeling hubs for con-
tinued H2" use.
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 H2", drive
straight ahead while accelerating or decel-
erating, or drive in reverse.
With A.D.D.
To shift from H2" to H4",
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 H4" to H2", 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 H2", drive
straight ahead while accelerating or decel-
erating, or drive in reverse.
(d) Shifting procedure
(lever type with manual
transmission)

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SHIFTING BETWEEN H4" AND L4"
To shift from H4" to L4", 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 L4" to H4", depress the
clutch pedal and move the front drive con-
trol lever.
This can be done at any vehicle speed. SHIFTING BETWEEN H2" AND H4"
With free−wheeling hubs
To shift from H2" to H4",
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 H4" to H2", simply move
the front drive control lever. Also, disen-
gage both the free−wheeling hubs for con-
tinued H2" use.
This can be done at any vehicle speed. If the indicator light does not go off when
you shift the transfer into H2", drive
straight ahead while accelerating or decel-
erating, or drive in reverse.
With A.D.D.
To shift from H2" to H4",
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 H4" to H2", 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 H2", drive
straight ahead while accelerating or decel-
erating, or drive in reverse.
(d) Shifting procedure
(lever type with automatic
transmission)

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SHIFTING BETWEEN H4" AND L4"
To shift between H4" and L4", stop
the vehicle and put the transmission in
N". With your foot holding down the
brake pedal, move the front drive control
lever. SHIFTING BETWEEN H2" AND H4"
To shift from H2" to H4",
reduce your
speed to less than 100 km/h (62 mph)
and push in the 4WD" button. You need
not depress the clutch pedal.
If the indicator light does not come on
when you push in the 4WD" button, drive
straight ahead while accelerating or decel-
erating.
If the indicator light flashes and the buzz-
er sounds when you push in the 4WD"
button, reduce your speed or stop the
vehicle and reset.
CAUTION
Never push the 4WD" button if
wheels are slipping. Stop the slipping
or spinning before shifting.
To shift from H4" to H2", push the
4WD" button again to turn it off.
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 H2", drive
straight ahead while accelerating or decel-
erating, or drive in reverse. SHIFTING BETWEEN H2" OR H4" AND
L4"
To shift from H2" or H4" to L4",
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 pedal and move the front drive con-
trol lever.
To shift from L4" to H2" or H4",
depress the clutch pedal and move the
front drive control lever. When the 4WD"
button is pushed in, the transfer shifts into
H4"; when the button is left out, the
transfer shifts into H2".
This can be done at any vehicle speed.
If the indicator light does not go off when
you shift the transfer into H2", drive
straight ahead while accelerating or decel-
erating, or drive in reverse.
(d) Shifting procedure
(lever/button type with manual
transmission)