2001 TOYOTA TUNDRA towing

'01 TUNDRA_U (L/O 0008)
322001 TUNDRA (OM 34416U)
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 ªSwing±up rear seatsº in this sec-
tion.)
ÐSeat belt extender
If your seat belt cannot be fastened se-
curely because it is not long enough, a
personalized seat belt extender is avail-
able from your Toyota dealer free of
charge.
Please contact your local Toyota dealer so
that the dealer can order the proper re-
quired length for the extender. Bring the
heaviest coat you expect to wear for prop-
er measurement and selection of length.
Additional ordering information is available
at your Toyota dealer.
CAUTION
When using the seat belt extender,
observe the following. Failure to fol-
low these instructions could result in
less effectiveness of the seat belt re-
straint system in case of vehicle acci-
dent, increasing the chance of per-
sonal injury.

Never use the seat belt extender if
you can fasten the seat belt without
it.
ÐStowing the rear seat belt
and buckles
(access cab models)
ProCarManuals.com

'01 TUNDRA_U (L/O 0008)
872001 TUNDRA (OM 34416U)
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 in
the 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 ªIf your ve-hicle overheatsº in Section 4.
Oil pressure gauge
Idling Normal
driving
The oil pressure gauge indicates engine
oil pressure when the ignition switch is
on. Check it while driving to make sure
that the needle is in the proper range.
If the oil pressure should stay below the
normal range, pull off the road to a safe
place and stop the engine immediately.
Call a Toyota dealer or qualified repair
shop for assistance.
Oil pressure may not build up when the
oil level is too low. The oil pressure
gauge is not designed to indicate oil level,
and the oil level must be checked using
the level dipstick.
ProCarManuals.com

'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

'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

'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

'01 TUNDRA_U (L/O 0008)
1812001 TUNDRA (OM 34416U)
Luggage stowage pr ecautions
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 Section 8.
Rear step bumper
The rear step bumper is for rear end
protection and easier step±up loading.
CAUTION

Do not allow more than one person
to get on the rear step bumper at
a time. It is designed for only one
person.

Never drive the vehicle with anyone
on the rear step bumper.
ProCarManuals.com

'01 TUNDRA_U (L/O 0008)
1852001 TUNDRA (OM 34416U)
STARTING AND DRIVING
Before starting the engine 186
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How to start the engine 186
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. .
Tips for driving in various conditions 187
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Off±road driving precautions 188
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Winter driving tips 190
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . .
Trailer towing 191
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . .
How to save fuel and make your vehicle last longer, too 201
. . . . . . . . .
SECTION 3
ProCarManuals.com

'01 TUNDRA_U (L/O 0008)
1912001 TUNDRA (OM 34416U)
Do not use your parking brake when
there is a possibility it could freeze.
When parking, put the transmission into
ªPº (automatic) or into first or reverse
(manual) and block the front wheels. Do
not use the parking brake, or snow or
water accumulated in and around the
parking brake mechanism may freeze,
making it hard to release.
Keep ice and snow from accumulating
under the fenders.
Ice and snow built up under your fenders
can make steering difficult. During bad
winter driving, stop and check under the
fenders occasionally.
Depending on where you are driving,
we recommend you carry some emer-
gency equipment.
Some of the things you might put in the
vehicle are tire chains, window scraper,
bag of sand or salt, flares, small shovel,
jumper cables, etc.
Trailer towing
Your vehicle is designed primarily as a
passenger±and±load±carrying vehicle. Tow-
ing a trailer will have an adverse effect on
handling, performance, braking, durab ility
and driving economy (fuel consumption,
etc.). Your safety and satisfaction depend
on the proper use of correct equipment
and cautious driving habits. For your safe-
ty and the safety of others, you must not
overload your vehicle or trailer. Ask your
local Toyota dealer for further details be-
fore towing.
We recommend you use a weight distribut-
ing hitch when towing to keep your ve-
hicle level with the ground.
NOTICE
When towing a trailer, be sure to con-
sult your Toyota dealer for further in-formation on additional requirementssuch as a towing kit, etc.
WEIGHT LIMITS
Before towing, make sure the total trail-
er weight, gross combination weight,
gross vehicle weight, gross axle weight
and trailer tongue load are all within
the limits. The total trailer weight and tongue load
can be measured with platform scales
found at highway weighing stations, build-
ing supply companies, trucking companies,
junk yards, etc.
CAUTION

The maximum gross trailer weight
(trailer weight plus cargo weight)
must never exceed the following.
Standard cab models for U. S. A.
5VZ±FE engine Manual transmission 2381 kg (5250 lb.)
Automatic transmission 2358 kg (5200 lb.)
2UZ±FE engine
3265 kg (7200 lb.)
Access cab models for U. S. A. 5VZ±FE engine
Two±wheel drive models Manual transmission
2245 kg (4950 lb.)
Automatic transmission SR5 grade
2222 kg (4900 lb.)
Limited grade 2154 kg (4750 lb.)
ProCarManuals.com