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Be careful when passing other ve-
hicles. Passing requires considerable
distance. After passing a vehicle, do
not forget the length of your trailer and
be sure you have plenty of room be-
fore changing lanes.
In order to maintain engine braking effi-
ciency, do not use fifth gear (manual
transmission) or overdrive (automatic
transmission).
Because of the added load of the trail-
er, your vehicle’s engine may overheat
on hot days (at temperatures over
30
C [85 F]) when going up a long or
steep grade with a trailer. If the engine
coolant temperature gauge indicates
overheating, immediately turn off the air
conditioning (if in use), pull off the road
and stop in a safe spot. Refer to If
your vehicle overheats" in Section 4 of
this manual.
Always place wheel blocks under both
the vehicle and trailer wheels when
parking. Apply the parking brake firmly.
Put the transmission in P" (automatic)
or in first or reverse (manual). Avoid
parking on a slope with a trailer, but
if it cannot be avoided, do so only
after performing the following:
1. Apply the brakes and hold.
2. Have someone place wheel blocks un- der both the vehicle and trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel blocks are in place, release your brakes slowly until the
blocks absorb the load.
4. Apply the parking brake firmly.
5. Shift into first or reverse (manual) or P" (automatic) and turn off the engine. When restarting out after parking on a
slope:
1. With the transmission in P" position (automatic) or the clutch pedal de-
pressed (manual), start the engine.
(With an automatic transmission, be
sure to keep the brake pedal de-
pressed.)
2. Shift into gear.
3. Release the parking brake (also foot brake on automatic transmission ve-
hicles) and slowly pull or back away
from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply
your brakes.
4. Have someone retrieve the blo cks.
’00 Tacoma(U)
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Do not connect the cable to or near
any part that moves when the engine
is cranked.
CAUTION
When making the connections, to
avoid serious injury, do not lean over
the battery or accidentally let the
jumper cables or clamps touch any-
thing except the correct battery termi-
nals or the ground.
5. Start your engine in the normal way.After starting, run it at about 2000 rpm
for several minutes with the accelerator
pedal lightly depressed.
6. Carefully disconnect the cables in the exact reverse order: the negative cable
and then the positive cable.
7. Carefully dispose of the battery cover clothsthey may now contain sulfuric
acid.
8. If removed, replace all the battery vent plugs.
If the cause of your battery discharging is
not apparent (for example, lights left on),
you should have it checked. If your engine stalls while driving...
1. Reduce your speed gradually, keeping a straight line. Move cautiously off the
road to a safe place.
2. Turn on your emergency flashers.
3. Try starting the engine again.
If the engine will not start, see If your
vehicle will not start".
CAUTION
If the engine is not running, the pow-
er assist for the brakes and steering
will not work so steering and braking
will be much harder than usual.
If your vehicle overheats
If your engine coolant temperature
gauge indicates overheating, if you ex-
perience a loss of power, or if you hear
a loud knocking or pinging noise, the
engine has probably overheated. You
should follow this procedure...
1. Pull safely off the road, stop the ve- hicle and turn on your emergency
flashers. Put the transmission in P"
(automatic) or neutral (manual) and ap-
ply the parking brake. Turn off the air
conditioning if it is being used.
2. If coolant or steam is boiling out of the radiator or reservoir, stop the engine.
Wait until the steam subsides before
opening the hood. If there is no coolant
boiling over or steam, leave the engine
running.
CAUTION
To help avoid personal injury, keep
the hood closed until there is no
steam. Escaping steam or coolant is
a sign of very high pressure.
If your engine stalls while
driving
’00 Tacoma(U)
188
3. Visually check to see if the enginedrive belt (fan belt) is broken or loose.
Look for obvious coolant leaks from the
radiator, hoses, and under the vehicle.
However, note that water draining from
the air conditioning is normal if it has
been used.
CAUTION
When the engine is running, keep
hands and clothing away from the
moving fan and engine drive belts.
4. If the engine drive belt is broken or thecoolant is leaking, stop the engine im-
mediately. Call a Toyota dealer for as-
sistance.
5. If the engine drive belt is O.K. and there are no obvious leaks, you may
help the engine cool down more quickly
by running it at about 1500 rpm for a
few minutes with the accelerator pedal
lightly depressed.
6. Check the coolant reservoir. If it is dry, add coolant to the reservoir while the
engine is running. Fill it about half full.
CAUTION
Do not attempt to remove the radiator
cap when the engine and radiator are
hot. Serious injury could result from
scalding hot fluid and steam blown
out under pressure.
7. After the engine coolant temperaturehas cooled to normal, again check the
coolant level in the reservoir. If neces-
sary, bring it up to half full again. Seri-
ous coolant loss indicates a leak in the
system. You s hould have it checked as
soon as possible at your Toyota dealer.
If you have a flat tire
1. Reduce your speed gradually, keeping a straight line. Move cautiously off the
road to a safe place well away from
the traffic. Avoid stopping on the center
divider of a highway. Park on a level
spot with firm ground.
2. Stop the engine and turn on your emergency flashers.
3. Firmly set the parking brake and put the transmission in P" (automatic) or
reverse (manual).
4. Have everyone get out of the vehicle on the side away from traffic.
5. Read the following instructions thor- oughly.
CAUTION
When jacking, be sure to observe the
following to reduce the possibility of
personal injury:
Follow jacking instructions.
Do not put any part of your body
under the vehicle supported by the
jack. Personal injury may occur.
Do not start or run the engine while
your vehicle is supported by the
jack.
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211
NOTICE
Do not use solvent, thinner, gasoline
or window cleaner on the interior.
Carpets
Use a good foam−type shampoo to
clean the carpets.
Begin by vacuuming thoroughly to remove
as much dirt as possible. Several types of
foam cleaners are available; some are in
aerosol cans and others are powders or
liquids which you mix with water to pro-
duce a foam. To shampoo the carpets,
use a sponge or brush to apply the foam.
Rub in overlapping circles.
Do not apply waterthe best results are
obtained by keeping the carpet as dry as
possible. Read the shampoo instructions
and follow them closely.
Seat belts
The seat belts may be cleaned with
mild soap and water or with lukewarm
water.
Use a cloth or sponge. As you are clean-
ing, check the belts for excessive wear,
fraying, or cuts.
NOTICE
Do not use dye or bleach on the
beltsit may weaken them.
Do not use the belts until they be-
come dry.
Windows
The windows may be cleaned with any
household window cleaner.
Air conditioning control panel, car au-
dio, instrument panel, console panel,
and switches
Use a soft damp cloth for cleaning.
Soak a clean soft cloth in water or luke-
warm water then lightly wipe off dirt.
NOTICE
Do not use organic substances (sol-
vents, kerosene, alcohol, gasoline,
etc.) or alkaline or acidic solutions.
These chemicals can cause discol-
oring, staining or peeling of the
surface.
If you use cleaners or polishing
agents, make sure their ingredients
do not include the substances men-
tioned above.
If you use a liquid car freshener, do
not spill the liquid onto the ve-
hicle’s interior surfaces. It may con-
tain the ingredients mentioned
above. Immediately clean any spill
using the method mentioned above.
Leather Interior
The leather upholstery may be cleaned
with neutral detergent for wool.
Remove dirt using a soft cloth dampened
with 5% solution of neutral detergent for
wool. Then thoroughly wipe off all traces
of detergent with a clean damp cloth.
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217
Brake fluid level
Make sure the brake fluid level is correct.
See Section 7−2 for additional information.
Engine oil level
Check the level on the dipstick with the
engine turned off and the vehicle parked
on a level spot. See Section 7−2 for addi-
tional information.
Power steering fluid level
Check the level on the dipstick. The level
should be in the HOT" or COLD" range
depending on the fluid temperature. See
Section 7−2 for additional information.
Exhaust system
If you notice any change in the sound of
the exhaust or smell exhaust fumes, have
the cause located and corrected immedi-
ately. (See engine exhaust cautions in
Section 2.)Be on the alert for changes in perfor-
mance, sounds, and visual tip−offs that
indicate service is needed. Some impor-
tant clues are as follows:
Engine missing, stumbling, or pinging
Appreciable loss of power
Strange engine noises
A leak under the vehicle (however, wa-
ter dripping from the air conditioning
after use is normal.)
Change in exhaust sound (This may
indicate a dangerous carbon monoxide
leak. Drive with the windows open and
have the exhaust system checked im-
mediately.)
Flat−looking tire; excessive tire squeal
when cornering; uneven tire wear
Vehicle pulls to one side when driving
straight on a level road
Strange noises related to suspension
movement
Loss of brake effectiveness; spongy
feeling brake or clutch pedal; pedal al-
most touches floor; vehicle pulls to one
side when braking
Engine coolant temperature continually
higher than normalIf you notice any of these clues, take your
vehicle to your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible. It probably needs adjustment or
repair.
CAUTION
Do not continue driving with the ve-
hicle unchecked. It could result in se-
rious vehicle damage and possibly
personal injury.
Does your vehicle need
repairing?
’00 Tacoma(U)
250
Fuel
Fuel type:Unleaded gasoline, Octane Rating 87
(Research Octane Number 91) or higher
Fuel tank capacity, L (gal., Imp. gal.): Two−wheel drive models except Pre
Runner57(15.1,12.5)
Four−wheel drive models and Pre
Runner 68(18.0,15.0)
Service specifications
ENGINE
Valve clearance (engine cold), mm (in.):
2RZ−FE and 3RZ−FE enginesIntake 0.150.25(0.0060.010)
Exhaust 0.250.35(0.0100.014)
5VZ−FE engine Intake 0.130.23(0.0060.009)
Exhaust 0.270.37(0.0110.014)
Spark plug type: 2RZ−FE and 3RZ−FE enginesExcept LEV
∗
DENSO K16R−U
NGK BKR5EYA
LEV
∗
DENSO K16R−U11
NGK BKR5EYA−11
5VZ−FE engine DENSO K16TR11
NGK BKR5EKB11
∗: See Exhaust emission label" on
page 159 for details.
Spark plug gap, mm (in.):
2RZ−FE and 3RZ−FE enginesExcept LEV
∗0.8(0.031)
LEV∗1.1(0.043)
5VZ−FE engine 1.1(0.043)
∗: See Exhaust emission label" on
page 159 for details. Drive belt tension measured with Bor-
roughs drive belt tension gauge No.
BT−33−73F (used belt), lbf:
2RZ−FE and 3RZ−FE enginesGenerator belt 115 20
Air conditioning compressor belt
100 20
Power steering pump belt
100
+20
−15
5VZ−FE engineGenerator belt 100 20
Air conditioning compressor belt 100 20
Power steering pump belt
100
+20
−15
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255
Engine compartment (with daytime run-
ning light system)
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,
glove box 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
Instrument panel
9. A.C 10 A: Air conditioning system
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 20 A:
Multiport fuel injection sys-
tem/sequential multiport fuel injection
system
16. HEAD (RH) 10 A: Right−hand headlight
17. 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, seat belt preten-
sioners, multiport fuel injection system/
sequential multiport fuel injection sys-
tem