2000 TOYOTA TACOMA warning

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Important information about this manual
Safety and vehicle damage warnings
In this manual, you will see CAUTION and NOTICE warn-
ings. These are used in the following ways:
CAUTION
This is a warning against something which may cause
injury to people if the warning is ignored. You are
informed what you must or must not do in order to
avoid or reduce the risk to yourself and other people.
NOTICE
This is a warning against something which may cause
damage to the vehicle or its equipment if the warning
is ignored. You are informed what you must or must
not do in order to avoid or reduce the risk of damage
to your vehicle and its equipment.
Safety symbol
In this manual, you will also see a circle
with a slash through it. This means Do
not", Do not do this", or Do not let this
happen".

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Indicator symbols on the instrument panel
Seat belt reminder light∗1
Low oil pressure warning light∗1
Low fuel level warning light∗1
Brake system warning light∗1
Discharge warning light∗1
Malfunction indicator lamp∗1
Anti−lock brake system warning light∗1
SRS warning light∗1
(type A)
(type B)
Automatic transmission fluid temperature warning
light∗1
Unengaged Park" warning light∗1
Low windshield washer fluid level warning
light∗1
Headlight high beam indicator light
Overdrive−off indicator light Turn signal indicator lights
Driving pattern (POWER mode) indicator light
Automatic transmission indicator lights
Four−wheel drive indicator light

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∗1: For details, see Service reminder indicators and warning
buzzers" in Section 1−5.
∗2: If this light flashes, see Cruise control" in Section 1−6. Cruise control indicator light
∗
2
Rear differential lock indicator light

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Front seat belt pretensioners
The driver and front passenger’s seat
belt pretensioners are designed to be
activated in response to a severe fron-
tal impact.
When the airbag sensor detects the shock
of a severe frontal impact, the front seat
belt is quickly drawn back in by the re-
tractor so that the belt snugly restrains
the front seat occupants.
The seat belt pretensioners are activated
even with no passenger in the front seat.
Collisions occurring at certain speeds and
angles may cause the seat belt preten-
sioners and SRS airbags not to operate
all together.This indicator comes on when the igni-
tion key is turned to the ACC" or
ON" position. It goes off after about
6 seconds. This means the front seat
belt pretensioners are operating proper-
ly.
This warning light system monitors the
airbag sensor assembly, front airbag sen-
sors, seat belt pretensioner assemblies,
warning light, interconnecting wiring and
power sources. (For details, see Service
reminder indicators and warning buzzers"
in Section 1−5.)The seat belt pretensioner system mainly
consists of the following components and
their locations are shown in the illustra-
tion.
1. Front airbag sensors
2. SRS warning light
3. Seat belt pretensioner assemblies
4. Airbag sensor assembly
The seat belt pretensioner is controlled by
the airbag sensor assembly. The airbag
sensor assembly consists of a safing sen-
sor and airbag sensor.

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This indicator comes on when the igni-
tion key is turned to the ACC" or
ON" position. It goes off after about
6 seconds. This means the SRS airbags
are operating properly.
This warning light system monitors the
airbag sensor assembly, front airbag sen-
sors inflators, warning light, interconnect-
ing wiring and power sources. (For details,
see Service remainder indicators and
warning buzzers" in Section 1−5.)
TABLE 1: A PASSENGER RISK GROUP
Infant. An infant (less than 1 year old) who must ride in the front seat because:
Vehicle has no rear seat;
Vehicle has a rear seat too small to accommodate a rear−facing infant seat;
or
The infant has a medical condition which, according to the infant’s physician,
makes it necessary for the infant to ride in the front seat so that the driver
can constantly monitor the child’s condition.
Child age 1 to 12. A child age 1 to 12 must ride in the front seat because:
Vehicle has no rear seat:
Although children ages 1 to 12 ride in the rear seat(s) whenever possible,
children ages 1 to 12 sometimes must ride in the front because no space is
available in the rear seat(s) of vehicle; or
The child has a medical condition which, according to the child’s physician,
makes it necessary for the child to ride in the front seat so that the driver can
constantly monitor the child’s condition.
Medical condition. A passenger has a medical condition which according to his
or her physician:
Causes the passenger airbag to pose a special risk for the passenger: and
Makes the potential harm from the passenger airbag in a crash greater than the
potential harm from turning off the airbag and allowing the passenger, even if
belted, to hit the dashboard, or windshield in a crash.
For more detailed information concerning about the passenger risk group, please
contact NHTSA at 1−800−424−9393 or Transport Canada at 1−800−333−0371.

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Hitting a curb,
edge of pavement
or hard materialLanding hard or vehicle falling Falling into or
jumping over a
deep hole
The SRS airbags may deploy if a seri-
ous impact occurs to the underside of
your vehicle. Some examples are shown
in the illustration.The SRS airbag system consists mainly of
the following components, and their loca-
tions are shown in the illustration.
1. Front airbag sensors
2. Airbag module for driver (airbag and inflator)
3. Passenger airbag manual on−off switch
4. Airbag module for passenger (airbag and inflator)
5. Airbag sensor assembly
6. SRS warning light
The airbag sensor assembly consists of a
safing sensor and airbag sensor. In a severe frontal impact, sensors detect
deceleration and the system triggers the
airbag inflators. Then a chemical reaction
in the inflators quickly fills the air
bags
with non−toxic gas to help restrain the
forward motion of the occupants.
When the airbags inflate, they produce a
fairly loud noise and release some smoke
and residue along with non−toxic gas. This
does not indicate a fire. This gas is nor-
mally harmless; however, for those who
have delicate skin, it may cause a minor
skin irritation. Be sure to wash off any
residue as soon as possible to prevent
any potential skin irritation.
Deployment of the airbags happens in a
fraction of a second, so the airbags must
inflate with considerable force. While the
system is desi gned to reduce serious inju-
ries, it may also cause minor burns or
abrasions and swelling.
Parts of the airbag module (steering wheel
hub, dashboard) may be hot for several
minutes, but the airbags themselves will
not be hot. The airbags are designed to
inflate only once.

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OPERATION OF INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLS
Gauges, Meters and Service reminder indicators
Fuel gauge76
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine coolant temperature gauge 76
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tachometer 77
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Odometer and two trip meters 78
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Service reminder indicators and warning buzzers 78
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 1− 5

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Fuel gauge
∗
With tachometer∗: On some models
Without tachometer
The gauge works when the ignition
switch is on and indicates the approxi-
mate quantity of fuel remaining in the
tank.
Nearly fullNeedle at F"
Nearly emptyNeedle at E"
It is a good idea to keep the tank over
1/4 full.
This fuel gauge has a non−return type
needle which remains at the last indicated
position when the ignition switch is turned
off.
If the fuel level approaches E" or the low
fuel level warning light comes on, fill the
fuel tank as soon as possible.
On inclines or curves, due to the move-
ment of fuel in the tank, the fuel gauge
needle may fluctuate or the low fuel level
warning light may come on earlier than
usual.
If the fuel tank is completely empty, the
malfunction indicator lamp comes on. Fill
the fuel tank immediately.
The indicator lamp goes off after driving
several times. If the indicator lamp does
not go off, contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible.
With tachometer
Without tachometer
Engine coolant temperature
gauge