2001 TOYOTA TACOMA automatic transmission

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1232001 TACOMA (OM35766U)
Automatic transmission
Your automatic transmission has a shift
lock system to minimize the possibility of
incorrect operation. This means you can
only shift out of P" position when the
brake pedal is depressed (with the ignition
switch in ON" position and the lock re-
lease button depressed).
(a) Selector lever
P:Parking, engine starting and
key removal
R: Reverse
N: Neutral
D: Normal driving (with overdrive on)
2: Stronger engine braking
L: Maximum engine braking
Overdrive
switch Selector lever
Lock release button
With the brake pedal depressed,
shift while holding the lock
release button in. (The ignition
switch must be in ON" position.) Shift while holding the
lock release button in.
Shift normally.
To prevent misshifting

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(b) Overdrive switch
You can select either third gear (with
overdrive off) or fourth gear (with over-
drive on) by pushing this switch.
To turn the overdrive off, push the switch.
The O/D OFF" indicator light should come
on. To turn the overdrive on again, push
the switch again. The O/D OFF" indicator
light should go off.
Always drive your vehicle with the over-
drive on for better fuel economy and
quieter driving.
If the engine is turned off when the over-
drive is off and restarted, the overdrive
will be on automatically.Vehicles with cruise controlWhen the
cruise control is being used, even if you
downshift the transmission by pushing and
releasing the overdrive switch, engine
braking will not be enabled because the
cruise control is not cancelled.
For ways to decrease the vehicle speed,
see Cruise control" in this section.
(c) Normal driving
1. Start the engine as instructed in How to start the engine" in Section 3. The
transmission must be in P" or N".
When the front drive control lever is in
L4" (low−speed position, four−wheel
drive), the driving pattern selector setting
has no effect on gear shift timing. (See
Four−wheel drive system" in this section
for information of the front drive control
lever.)
2. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the selector lever to D".
When the lever is in the D" 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 or
when the front drive control lever is in
L4" (low−speed position, four−wheel
drive), the transmission will not shift into
the overdrive gear even with the overdrive
on. (See Four−wheel drive system" in this
section for information of the front drive
control lever.)
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.
(d) Using engine braking
To use engine braking, you can downshift
the transmission as follows:
Push the overdrive switch. The O/D
OFF" indicator light will come on and
the transmission will downshift to third
gear.

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Shift into the 2" position. The trans-
mission will downshift to second gear
when the vehicle speed drops down to
or lower than the following speed, and
stronger engine braking will be en-
abled.
Two−wheel drive models except Pre
Runner2RZ−FE engine 105 km/h (65 mph)
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Four−wheel drive models and Pre Run-
ner Front drive control lever in H2" and
H4"3RZ−FE engine 106 km/h (66 mph)
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
5VZ−FE engine
114 km/h (71 mph)
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front drive control lever in L4" 3RZ−FE engine 36 km/h (22 mph)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5VZ−FE engine 38 km/h (24 mph)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shift into the L" position. The trans-
mission will downshift to first gear
when the vehicle speed drops down to
or lower than the following speed, and
maximum engine braking will be en-
abled.
Two−wheel drive models except Pre
Runner
2RZ−FE engine 55 km/h (34 mph)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Four−wheel drive models and Pre Run-
ner Front drive control lever in H2" and
H4"3RZ−FE engine 51 km/h (32 mph)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5VZ−FE engine
55 km/h (34 mph)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front drive control lever in L4" 3RZ−FE engine 9 km/h (6 mph)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5VZ−FE engine 10 km/h (6 mph)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicles with cruise controlWhen the
cruise control is being used, even if you
downshift the transmission by pushing and
releasing the overdrive switch, engine
braking is not enabled because the cruise
control is not cancelled. For ways to decrease the vehicle speed,
see Cruise control" in this section.
CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a
slippery surface. Abrupt shifting
could cause the vehicle to spin or
skid.
(e) Using 2" and L" positions
The 2" and L" positions are used for
strong engine braking as described pre-
viously.
With the selector lever in 2" or L", you
can start the vehicle in motion as with the
lever in D".
With the selector lever in 2", the vehicle
will start in first gear and automatically
shift to the second gear.
With the selector lever in L", the trans-
mission is engaged in first gear.

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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.
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.

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SHIFTING BETWEEN H2" AND H4"
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.
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.
(c) Shifting procedure
(lever type with automatic
transmission)
(c) Shifting procedure
(lever/button type with manual
transmission)

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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.
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.
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 and put the transmission
in N". With your foot holding down the
brake pedal, move the front drive control
lever.
To shift from L4" to H2" or H4",
stop the vehicle and put the transmission
in N". With your foot holding down the
brake pedal, 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".
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.
Rear differential lock system
The rear differential lock system is pro-
vided for use only when wheel spinning
occurs in a ditch or on a slippery or
ragged surface.
This differential lock system is effective in
case one of the rear wheels is spinning.
Except for Pre Runner models
⎯
Before using the rear differential lock sys-
tem, first shift the front drive control into
L4" to see if it works. If this has no
effect, additionally use the rear differential
lock system.
(c) Shifting procedure
(lever/button type with
automatic transmission)

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Cruise control
The cruise control allows you to cruise
the vehicle at a desired speed over 40
km/h (25 mph) even with your foot off
the accelerator pedal.
Your cruising speed can be maintained up
or down grades within the limits of engine
performance, although a slight speed
change may occur when driving up or
down the grades. On steeper hills, a
greater speed change will occur so it is
better to drive without the cruise control.
CAUTION
To help maintain maximum control
of your vehicle, do not use the
cruise control when driving in
heavy or varying traffic, or on slip-
pery (rainy, icy or snow−covered) or
winding roads.
Avoid vehicle speed increases when
driving downhill. If the vehicle
speed is too fast in relation to the
cruise control set speed, cancel the
cruise control then downshift the
transmission to use engine braking
to slow down.
TURNING ON THE SYSTEM
To operate the cruise control, press the
CRUISE ON−OFF" button. This turns the
system on. The indicator light in the
instrument panel shows that you can now
set the vehicle at a desired cruising
speed. Another press will turn the system
completely off.
CAUTION
To avoid accidental cruise control en-
gagement, keep the CRUISE ON−
OFF" switch off when not using the
cruise control.
SETTING AT A DESIRED SPEED
On vehicles with automatic transmission,
the transmission must be in D" before
you set the cruise control speed.
Bring your vehicle to the desired speed,
push the lever down in the SET/COAST"
direction and release it. This sets the ve-
hicle at that speed. If the speed is not
satisfactory, tap the lever up for a faster
speed, or tap it down for a slower speed.
Each tap changes the set speed by 1.6
km/h (1.0 mph). You can now take your
foot off the accelerator pedal.

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If you need accelerationfor example,
when passingdepress the accelerator
pedal enough for the vehicle to exceed
the set speed. When you release it, the
vehicle will return to the speed set prior
to the acceleration.
CAUTION
For manual transmission:
While driving with the cruise control
on, do not shift to neutral without
depressing the clutch pedal, as this
may cause engine racing or over−rev-
ving.
CANCELLING THE PRESET SPEED
You can cancel the preset speed by:
a. Pulling the lever in the CANCEL"direction and releasing it
b. Depressing the brake pedal
c. Depressing the clutch pedal (manual
transmission)
If the vehicle speed falls below about 40
km/h (25 mph), the preset speed will auto-
matically cancel out.
If the vehicle speed drops 16 km/h (10
mph) below the preset speed, the preset
speed will also automatically cancel out. If the preset speed automatically cancels
out other than for the above cases, have
your vehicle checked by your Toyota deal-
er at the earliest opportunity.
RESETTING TO A FASTER SPEED
Push the lever up in the RES/ACC" direc-
tion and hold it. Release the lever when
the desired speed is attained. While the
lever is held up, the vehicle will gradually
gain speed.
However, a faster way to reset is to ac-
celerate the vehicle and then push the
lever down in the SET/COAST" direction.
RESETTING TO A SLOWER SPEED
Push the lever down in the SET/COAST"
direction and hold it. Release the lever
when the desired speed is attained. While
the lever is held down, the vehicle speed
will gradually decrease.
However, a faster way to reset is to de-
press the brake pedal and then push the
lever down in the SET/COAST" direction.
On vehicles with automatic transmission,
even if you turn off the overdrive switch
with the cruise control on, engine braking
will not be applied because the cruise
control is not cancelled. To decrease the
vehicle speed, reset to a slower speed
with the cruise control lever or depress
the brake pedal. If you use the brake
pedal, cruise control is cancelled.
RESUMING THE PRESET SPEED
If the preset speed is cancelled by pulling
the control lever or by depressing the
brake pedal or clutch pedal, pushing the
lever up in the RES/ACC" direction will
restore the speed set prior to cancellation.
However, once the vehicle speed falls be-
low about 40 km/h (25 mph), the preset
speed will not be resumed.