2001 TOYOTA TACOMA light

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CAUTION
If the light does not turn off even
after the parking brake is released
while the engine is running, immedi-
ately stop your vehicle at a safe
place and contact your Toyota dealer.
In this case, the brakes may not work
properly and your stopping distance
will become longer. Depress the brake
pedal firmly and bring the vehicle to
an immediate stop.
(b) Seat Belt Reminder Light and Buzz-er
This light and buzzer remind you to
buckle up the driver’s seat belt.
Once the ignition key is turned to ON" or
START", the reminder light flashes and
buzzer comes on if the driver’s seat belt
is not fastened. Unless the driver fastens
the belt, the light stays on and the buzzer
sounds for about 4 to 8 seconds.
(c) Discharge Warning Light
This light warns that the battery is being
discharged.
If it comes on while you are driving, there
is a problem somewhere in the charging
system. The engine ignition will continue to oper-
ate, however, until the battery is dis-
charged. Turn off the air conditioning,
blower, radio, etc., and drive directly to
the nearest Toyota dealer or repair shop.
NOTICE
Do not continue driving if the engine
drive belt is broken or loose.
(d) Low Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light warns that the engine oil pres-
sure is too low.
If it flickers or stays on while you are
driving, pull off the road to a safe place
and stop the engine immediately. Call a
Toyota dealer or qualified repair shop for
assistance.
The light may occasionally flicker when
the engine is idling or it may come on
briefly after a hard stop. There is no
cause for concern if it then goes out when
the engine is accelerated slightly.
The light may come on when the oil level
is extremely low. It is not designed to
indicate low oil level, and the oil level
must be checked using the level dipstick.
NOTICE
Do not drive the vehicle with the
warning light oneven for one block.
It may ruin the engine.
(e) Malfunction indicator lamp
This lamp comes on in the following
cases.
a. The fuel tank is completely empty. (See Fuel gauge" in this section for
instructions.)
b. The fuel tank cap is not tightened se- curely. (See Fuel tank cap" in Section
1−2 for instructions.)
c. There is a problem somewhere in your engine or automatic transmission elec-
trical system.
If it comes on while you are driving in
case c, have your vehicle checked/re-
paired by your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible.
(f) Low Fuel Level Warning Light
This light comes on when the fuel level
in the tank becomes nearly empty. Fill up
the tank as soon as possible.

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On inclines or curves, due to the move-
ment of fuel in the tank, the low fuel level
warning light may come on earlier than
usual.
(g) ABS" Warning Light
The light comes on when the ignition key
is turned to the ON" position. If the anti−
lock brake system works properly, the
light turns off after a few seconds. There-
after, if the system malfunctions, the light
comes on again.
When the ABS" warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
anti−lock brake system does not operate,
but the brake system still operates con-
ventionally.
When the ABS" warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
anti−lock brake system does not operate
so that the wheels could lock up during
a sudden braking or braking on slippery
road surfaces.
If either of the following conditions
occurs, this indicates a malfunction
somewhere in the parts monitored by
the warning light system. Contact your
Toyota dealer as soon as possible to
service the vehicle.The light does not come on when the
ignition key is turned to the ON" posi-
tion, or the light remains on.
The light comes on while you are driv-
ing.
A warning light turning on briefly during
operation does not indicate a problem.
With rear differential lock: However, it is
a normal operation for the light to be on
with rear differential locked. At this time,
the anti−lock brake system does not oper-
ate.
(h) SRS Warning Light
This light will come on when the igni-
tion key is turned to the ACC" or
ON" position. After about 6 seconds,
the light will go off. This means the
system of the airbag and front seat belt
pretensioners are operating properly.
This warning light system monitors the
airbag sensor assembly, front airbag sen-
sors, front seat belt pretensioner assem-
blies, inflators, warning light, interconnect-
ing wiring and power sources.
If either of the following conditions occurs,
this indicates a malfunction somewhere in
the parts monitored by the warning light
system. Contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible to service the vehicle.
The light does not come on when the
ignition key is turned to the ACC" or
ON" position or remains on.
The light comes on or flashes while
driving.
(i) Unengaged Park" Warning Light (vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion)
This light warns that the transmission
Park" mechanism is not engaged. If the
front drive control lever is in the N" posi-
tion while the selector lever is in the P"
position, the transmission will disengage
and the wheels will not lock.
CAUTION
To restore the park function, shift the
front drive control lever out of N",
or the vehicle can move.

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(j) Automatic Transmission Fluid Tem-perature Warning Light
This light warns that the automatic trans-
mission fluid temperature is too high.
If this light comes on while you are driv-
ing, slow down and pull off the road. Stop
the vehicle at a safe place and put the
selector lever in P". With the engine id-
ling, wait until the light goes off. If the
light goes off, you may start the vehicle
again. If the light does not go off, call a
Toyota dealer or qualified repair shop for
assistance.
(k) Low Windshield Washer Fluid Level Warning Light (on some models)
The light warns that the windshield washer
fluid level is too low. Add washer fluid at
your earliest opportunity. (For instructions,
see Adding washer fluid" in Section 7−3.)
(l) Key Reminder Buzzer
This buzzer reminds you to remove the
key when you open the driver ’s door with
the ignition key in the ACC" or LOCK"
position. CHECKING SERVICE REMINDER
INDICATORS (except the low fuel level
warning light and low windshield
washer fluid level warning light)
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Turn the ignition key to ACC". The SRS warning light should come on.
It goes off after about 6 seconds.
3. Turn the ignition key to ON", but do not start the engine.
All the service reminder indicators ex-
cept the SRS warning light should
come on. The ABS" warning light goes
off after a few seconds.
If any service reminder indicator or warn-
ing buzzer does not function as described
above, have it checked by your Toyota
dealer as soon as possible.

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START"Starter motor on. The key
will return to the ON" position when
released.
For starting tips, see Section 3.
ON"Engine on and all accessories
on.
This is the normal driving position.
ACC"Accessories such as the radio
operate, but the engine is off.
If you leave the key in the ACC" or
LOCK" position and open the driver’s
door, a buzzer will remind you to remove
the key.
LOCK"Engine is off and the steering
wheel is locked. The key can be re-
moved only at this position.You must push in the key to turn the key
from ACC" to the LOCK" position. On
vehicles with an automatic transmission,
the selector lever must be in the P" posi-
tion before pushing the key.
When starting the engine, the key may
seem stuck at the LOCK" position. To
free it, first be sure the key is pushed all
the way in, and then rock the steering
wheel slightly while turning the key gently.
CAUTION
For manual transmission:
Never remove the key when the ve-
hicle is moving, as this will lock the
steering wheel and result in loss of
steering control.
NOTICE
Do not leave the key in the ON"
position if the engine is not running.
The battery will discharge and the
ignition could be damaged.
Ignition switch with steering
lock

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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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(h) Good driving practice
If the transmission repeatedly shifts up
and down between third gear and over-
drive when climbing a gentle slope, the
overdrive should be turned off. Be sure
to turn the switch on immediately after-
ward.
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. It
can cause the transmission to over-
heat. Always use the brake pedal or
parking brake.
(i) Driving in POWER" mode (four−wheel drive models and Pre
Runner)
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.

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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 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.
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 (c) Shifting procedure (lever type)"
for further instructions.
Four−wheel drive system
(a) Front drive control
(lever type)

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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. 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 (c) Shifting procedure (lever/button
type)" for further instructions.Ty p e A
Ty p e B
(a) Front drive control
(lever/button type) (b) A.D.D. (automatic
disconnecting differential)