2000 TOYOTA TUNDRA towing

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To o h i g h
Adjust to a
snug fit
Keep as low on hips as possible
Remove excess length of the belt and
adjust the belt position.
To shorten the belt, pull the free end of
the belt.
Position the lap belt as low as possible
on your hipsÐnot on your waist, then ad-
just it to a snug fit.
CAUTION
High- positioned and loose- fitting lap
belts could cause serious injuries due
to sliding under the lap belt during a
collision or other unintended result.
Keep the lap belt positioned as low
on hips as possible.
To release the belt, press the buckle- re-
lease button.The rear seat belt and buckles can be
stowed when not in use.
Seat belt and buckles must be stowed
before you swing up the bottom cushion.
(See Swing- up rear seatsº in this chap-
ter.)
ÐStowing the rear seat belt
and buckles
(access cab models)
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With tachometer
Without tachometer
The gauge indicates the engine coolant
temperature when the ignition switch is
on. The engine operating temperature
will vary with changes in weather and
engine load.
If the needle moves into the red zone,
your engine is too hot. If your vehicle
overheats, stop your vehicle and allow the
engine to cool.
Your vehicle may overheat during severe
operating conditions, such as:

Driving up a long hill on a hot day.

Reducing speed or stopping after high
speed driving.

Idling for a long period with the air
conditioning on in stop- and- go traffic.

Towing a trailer.
NOTICE

Do not remove the thermostat inthe engine cooling system as thismay cause the engine to overheat.The thermostat is designed to con-
trol the flow of coolant to keep thetemperature of the engine withinthe specified operating range.

Do not continue driving with anoverheated engine. See If your ve-hicle overheatsº in Part 4.
Engine coolant temperature
gauge
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Your automatic transmission has a shift
lock system to minimize the possibility of
incorrect operation. This means you can
only shift out of Pº position when the
brake pedal is depressed (with the ignition
switch in ONº or ACCº position and the
selector lever pulled toward you).
(a) Normal driving1. Start the engine as instructed in How to start the engineº in Part 3. The
transmission must be in Pº or Nº.
2. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the selector lever to Dº.
When the lever is in Dº position, the
automatic transmission system will select
the most suitable gear for running condi-
tions such as normal cruising, hill climb-
ing, hard towing, etc.
Always turn the overdrive switch on for
better fuel economy and quieter driving. If
the engine coolant temperature is low, the
transmission will not shift into the over-
drive gear even with the overdrive switch
on.
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 O/D
OFFº indicator light will come on and
the transmission will downshift to the
third gear.

Shift into the 2º 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.
Two- wheel drive models 5VZ- FE engine 115 km/h (71 mph)
2UZ- FE engine 120 km/h (75 mph)
Four- wheel drive models
5VZ- FE engine Front drive control lever in H2º or
H4º
109 km/h (68 mph)
Front drive control lever in L4º 37 km/h (23 mph) 2UZ- FE engine
2WDº or 4HIº mode is selected 120 km/h (75 mph)
4LOº mode is selected 41 km/h (25 mph)

Shift into the Lº 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.
Two- wheel drive models
5VZ- FE engine 55 km/h (34 mph)
2UZ- FE engine 58 km/h (36 mph)
Four- wheel drive models 5VZ- FE engine Front drive control lever in H2º or
H4º
52 km/h (32 mph)
Front drive control lever in L4º 10 km/h ( 6 mph)
2UZ- FE engine 2WDº or 4HIº mode is selected 58 km/h (36 mph)
4LOº mode is selected 11 km/h ( 7 mph)
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Vehicles with cruise controlÐWhen the
cruise control is being used, even if you
downshift the transmission by turning off
the overdrive switch, engine braking will
not be applied because the cruise control
is not cancelled. For ways to decrease
the vehicle speed, see Cruise controlº in
this chapter.
CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a
slippery surface. Abrupt shifting
could cause the vehicle to spin or
skid.
(c) Using 2º and Lº positions
The 2º and Lº positions are used for
strong engine braking as described pre-
viously.
With the selector lever in 2º or Lº, you
can start the vehicle in motion as with the
lever in Dº.
With the selector lever in 2º, the vehicle
will start in the first gear and automatical-
ly shift to the second gear.
With the selector lever in Lº, the trans-
mission is engaged in the first gear.
NOTICE

Be careful not to overrev the en-gine. Watch the tachometer to keepengine rpm from going into the redzone. The approximate maximum al-
lowable speed for each position isgiven below for your reference:
Two- wheel drive models
5VZ- FE engineÐ2º 115 km/h (71 mph) . . . . . . . . .
Lº 60 km/h (37 mph)
. . . . . . . . . .
2UZ- FE engineÐ 2º 120 km/h (75 mph)
. . . . . . . . .
Lº 65 km/h (40 mph)
. . . . . . . . . .
Four- wheel drive models
5VZ- FE engineÐFront control lever in H2º or
H4º 2º 110 km/h (68 mph)
. . . . . . . . .
Lº 60 km/h (37 mph)
. . . . . . . . . .
Front control lever in L4º 2º 40 km/h (25 mph)
. . . . . . . . . .
Lº 20 km/h (12 mph)
. . . . . . . . . .
2UZ- FE engineÐ
2WDº or 4HIº mode is selected 2º 120 km/h (75 mph) . . . . . . . . .
Lº 65 km/h (40 mph)
. . . . . . . . . .
4LOº mode is selected 2º 45 km/h (28 mph)
. . . . . . . . . .
Lº 25 km/h (16 mph)
. . . . . . . . . .

Do not continue hill climbing for a
long time in the 2º or Lº posi-tion. This may cause severe auto-
matic transmission damage fromoverheating. To prevent such dam-age, use Dº 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
Rº position.
NOTICE
Never shift into reverse while the ve-hicle is moving.
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(e) Parking1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. With the brake pedal pressed down, fully depress the parking brake pedal
to apply the parking brake securely.
3. With the brake pedal pressed down, shift the selector lever to the Pº posi-
tion.
CAUTION
While the vehicle is moving, never
attempt to move the selector lever
into Pº position under any circum-
stances. Serious mechanical damage
and loss of vehicle control may re-
sult.
(f) Good driving practice

If the transmission repeatedly shifts up
and down between third gear and over-
drive when climbing a gentle slope, the
overdrive switch should be turned off.
Be sure to turn the switch on immedi-
ately 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) 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 thefollowing precautions to prevent dam-age to the transmission and otherparts.

Do not depress the accelerator ped-al while shifting the selector leveror before the transmission is com-
pletely shifted to forward or reversegear.
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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 modelsgear km/h (mph)
1 45 (28)
2 85 (53)
3 125 (78)
4 165 (112)
Four- wheel drive models gear km/h (mph)
H2º or H4º L4º
1 45 (28) 15 ( 9)
2 85 (53) 30 (18)
3 125 (78) 45 (28)
4 165 (103) 70 (43)
NOTICE
Do not downshift if you are going
faster than the maximum allowablespeed 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.
Use the front drive control lever to se-
lect the following transfer modes.
H2º (high speed position, two- wheel
drive): Lever at H2º
Use this for normal driving on dry, hard-
surfaced roads. This position gives greater
economy, the quietest ride and least wear.
H4º (high speed position, four- wheel
drive): Lever at H4º
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 systemÐ
(a) Front drive control
(lever type)
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Brake pad wear limit indicators
The brake pad wear limit indicators on
your disc brakes give a warning noise
when the brake pads are worn to where
replacement is required.
If you hear a squealing or scraping noise
while driving, have the brake pads
checked and replaced by your Toyota
dealer as soon as possible. Expensive ro-
tor damage can result if the pads are not
replaced when necessary.
Luggage stowage precautions
When stowing luggage or cargo in the
vehicle, observe the following:

Put luggage or cargo in the rear deck
when at all possible. Be sure all items
are secured in place.

Be careful to keep the vehicle bal-
anced. Locating the weight as far for-
ward as possible helps maintain bal-
ance.

For better fuel economy, do not carry
unneeded weight.
CAUTION

To prevent luggage or packages
from sliding forward during braking,
do not stack anything behind the
front seats higher than the seat-
backs (access cab models). Keep
luggage or packages low, as close
to the floor as possible.

Never allow anyone to ride in the
rear deck. It is not designed for
passengers. They should ride in
their seats with their seat belts
properly fastened. Otherwise, they
are much more likely to suffer seri-
ous bodily injury, in the event of
sudden braking or a collision.

Do not drive with objects left on
top of the instrument panel. They
may interfere with the driver's field
of view. Or they may move during
sharp vehicle acceleration or turn-
ing, and impair the driver's control
of the vehicle. In an accident they
may injure the vehicle occupants.
NOTICE
Do not load the vehicle beyond the
cargo weight specified in Part 8.
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Part 3
STARTING AND DRIV-
ING

Before starting the engine

How to start the engine

Tips for driving in various
conditions

Off- road driving precautions

Winter driving tips

Tr ailer towing

How to save fuel and make your
vehicle last longer, too
Before starting the engine
1. Check the area around the vehicle be-
fore entering it.
2. Adjust seat position, seatback angle, seat cushion angle, head restraint
height and steering wheel angle.
3. Adjust inside and outside rear view mirrors.
4. Lock all doors.
5. Fasten seat belts. 1. Apply the parking brake firmly.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and acces-
sories.
3. Manual transmission: Press the clutch
pedal to the floor and shift the trans-
mission into neutral. Hold the clutch
pedal to the floor until the engine is
started. A starter safety device will pre-
vent the starter from operating if the
clutch pedal is not fully depressed.
Automatic transmission: Put the se-
lector lever in Pº. If you need to re-
start the engine while the vehicle is
moving, put the selector lever in Nº.
A starter safety device will prevent the
starter from operating if the selector
lever is in any drive position.
4. Automatic transmission only:
De-
press the brake pedal and hold it to
the floor until driving off.
How to start the engineÐ
(a) Before cranking
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