Page 105 of 297

'01 TUNDRA_U (L/O 0008)
982001 TUNDRA (OM 34416U)
(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 ªO/D OFFº indicator light should come
on. To turn the overdrive on again, push
the switch again. The ªO/D OFFº 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 automatically be on. Vehicles with cruise controlÐWhen 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 ªCruise controlº in this section.
(c) Normal driving
1. Start the engine as instructed in ªHow to start the engineº in Section 3. The
transmission must be in ªPº or ªNº.
2. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the selector lever to ªDº.
When the lever is in the ªDº 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 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 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.
(d) Using engine braking
To use engine braking, you can downshift
the transmission as follows:
Push the overdrive switch. The ªO/D
OFFº indicator light will come on and
the transmission will downshift to third
gear.
Shift into the ª2º 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
5VZ±FE engine 115 km/h (71 mph)
2UZ±FE engine 120 km/h (75 mph)
ProCarManuals.com
Page 106 of 297

'01 TUNDRA_U (L/O 0008)
992001 TUNDRA (OM 34416U)
Four±wheel drive models
5VZ±FE engine Front drive control lever in ªH2º or
ªH4º 109 km/h (68 mph)
Front drive control lever in ªL4º
37 km/h (23 mph)
2UZ±FE engine ª2WDº or ª4HIº mode is selected 120 km/h (75 mph)
ª4LOº mode is selected
41 km/h (25 mph)
Shift into the ªLº 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
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 ªH2º or
ªH4º 52 km/h (32 mph)
Front drive control lever in ªL4º
10 km/h (6 mph)
2UZ±FE engine ª2WDº or ª4HIº mode is selected 58 km/h (36 mph)
ª4LOº mode is selected
11 km/h (7 mph)
Vehicles with cruise controlÐWhen 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 ªCruise controlº in this section.
CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a
slippery surface. Abrupt shifting
could cause the vehicle to spin or
skid.
(e) Using ª2º and ªLº positions
The ª2º and ªLº positions are used for
strong engine braking as described pre-
viously.
With the selector lever in ª2º or ªLº, you
can start the vehicle in motion as with the
lever in ªDº.
With the selector lever in ª2º, the vehicle
will start in first gear and automatically
shift to second gear.
With the selector lever in ªLº, the trans-
mission is engaged in first gear.
NOTICE
Be careful not to over±rev 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 engineЪ2º 115 km/h (71 mph) . . . . . . . . .
ªLº 60 km/h (37 mph) . . . . . . . . . .
2UZ±FE engineÐ ª2º 120 km/h (75 mph) . . . . . . . . .
ªLº 65 km/h (40 mph) . . . . . . . . . .
ProCarManuals.com
Page 107 of 297

'01 TUNDRA_U (L/O 0008)
1002001 TUNDRA (OM 34416U)
Four±wheel drive models
5VZ±FE engineÐFront control lever in ªH2º orªH4º
ª2º 110 km/h (68 mph) . . . . . . . . .
ªLº 60 km/h (37 mph)
. . . . . . . . . .
Front control lever in ªL4º
ª2º 40 km/h (25 mph)
. . . . . . . . . .
ªLº 20 km/h (12 mph)
. . . . . . . . . .
2UZ±FE engineÐ ª2WDº or ª4HIº mode is selected ª2º 120 km/h (75 mph)
. . . . . . . . .
ªLº 65 km/h (40 mph)
. . . . . . . . . .
ª4LOº mode is selected ª2º 45 km/h (28 mph)
. . . . . . . . . .
ªLº 25 km/h (16 mph)
. . . . . . . . . .
Do not continue hill climbing or
hard towing for a long time in theª2º or ªLº position. This may causesevere automatic transmission dam-
age from overheating. To preventsuch damage, ªDº position shouldbe used in hill climbing or hard
towing.
(f) 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
ªRº position.
NOTICE
Never shift into reverse while the ve-
hicle is moving.
(g) Parking
1. 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 ªPº posi-
tion.
CAUTION
Never attempt to move the selector
lever into ªPº position under any cir-
cumstances while the vehicle is mov-
ing. Serious mechanical damage and
loss of vehicle control may result.
(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. Itcan cause the transmission to over-heat. Always use the brake pedal or
parking brake.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 108 of 297

'01 TUNDRA_U (L/O 0008)
1012001 TUNDRA (OM 34416U)
(i) 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 the
following 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.
Do not race the engine and avoid
spinning the wheels.
If your vehicle remains stuck afterrocking the vehicle several times,
consider other ways such as tow-ing.
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 gradeÐuse the
parking brake.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 109 of 297

'01 TUNDRA_U (L/O 0008)
1022001 TUNDRA (OM 34416U)
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:
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)
Downshift to the appropriate gear if accel-
eration is needed when you are cruising
below the above downshifting speeds.
Upshifting too soon or downshifting too
late will cause lugging, and possibly ping-
ing. Regularly revving the engine to maxi-
mum speed in each gear will cause ex-
cessive engine wear and high fuel
consumption. 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 models
gear km/h (mph)
1 45 (28)
2 85 (53)
3 125 (78)
4 165 (112)
Four±wheel drive models gear km/h (mph) ªH2º or ªH4º ªL4º
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 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.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 110 of 297

'01 TUNDRA_U (L/O 0008)
1032001 TUNDRA (OM 34416U)
Use the front drive control lever to se-
lect the following transfer modes.
ªH2º (high speed position, two±wheel
drive): Lever at ªH2º
Use this for normal driving on dry, hard±
surfaced roads. This position gives greater
economy, the quietest ride and least wear.
ªH4º (high speed position, four±wheel
drive): Lever at ªH4º
Use this for normal driving on wet, icy or
snow±covered roads. This position pro-
vides greater traction than two±wheel
drive. ªNº (neutral position):
Lever at ªNº
No power is delivered to the wheels. The
vehicle must be stopped.
ªL4º (low speed position, four±wheel
drive): Lever at ªL4º
Use this for maximum power and traction.
Use ªL4º for climbing or descending steep
hills, off±road driving, and hard pulling in
sand, mud or deep snow.
The ª4WDº (four±wheel drive) indicator
light comes on when the ªH4º, ªNº or ªL4º
mode is selected.
See ª(c) Shifting procedure (lever type)º
for further instructions.
Four±wheel drive systemÐ
(a) Front drive control
(lever type) (a) Front drive control
(button type)
ProCarManuals.com
Page 111 of 297

'01 TUNDRA_U (L/O 0008)
1042001 TUNDRA (OM 34416U)
Use the ª2WD/4HIº and ª4LOº buttons
to select the following transfer modes.
1. ª2WDº (high speed position, two± wheel drive): ª2WD/4HIº and ª4LOº
buttons left out
Use this for normal driving on dry,
hard±surfaced roads. This position
gives greater economy, the quietest
ride and least wear.
2. ª4HIº (high speed position, four± wheel drive): ª2WD/4HIº button pushed
in
The ª4HIº (high speed four±wheel
drive) indicator light comes on when
the ª4HIº mode is selected.
Use this for normal driving on wet, icy
or snow±covered roads. This position
provides greater traction than two±
wheel drive.
3. ª4LOº (low speed position, four± wheel drive): With the ª2WD/4HIº
button pressed in, push the ª4LOº
button
The ª4LOº (low speed four±wheel drive)
indicator light comes on when the
ª4LOº mode is selected.
Use this for maximum power and trac-
tion. Use ª4LOº mode for climbing or
descending steep h ills, off±road driving,
and hard pulling in s and, mud or deep
snow. See ª(c) Shifting procedure (button type)º
for further instructions.
Ty p e A
Ty p e B
(b) A.D.D.
(automatic disconnecting
differential)
ProCarManuals.com
Page 112 of 297

'01 TUNDRA_U (L/O 0008)
1052001 TUNDRA (OM 34416U)
The A.D.D. can be engaged or disen-
gaged by the shifting operations de-
scribed in ª(c) Shifting procedureº.
You should drive in four±wheel drive for
at least 16 km (10 miles) each month.
This will assure that the front drive com-
ponents are lubricated. SHIFTING BETWEEN ªH2º AND ªH4º
To shift from ªH2º to ªH4º,
reduce the
vehicle speed to less than 80 km/h (50
mph) and move the front drive control
lever. If the indicator light does not come
on when you shift the transfer into ªH4º,
drive straight ahead while accelerating or
decelerating, or drive forward or backward
in a short distance. You need not depress
the clutch pedal.
If you have trouble shifting in cold weath-
er, reduce the vehicle 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 ªH4º to ªH2º, simply move
the front drive control lever.
This can be done at any speed. You need
not depress the clutch pedal.
If the indicator light does not go off when
you shift the transfer into ªH2º, drive
straight ahead while accelerating or decel-
erating, or drive forward or backward in a
short distance. SHIFTING BETWEEN ªH4º AND ªL4º
To shift from ªH4º to ªL4º,
stop the
vehicle or reduce the vehicle 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 ªL4º to ªH4º, depress the
clutch pedal and move the front drive con-
trol lever.
This can be done at any speed.
(c) Shifting procedure
(lever type with manual
transmission)
ProCarManuals.com