2003 TOYOTA TACOMA Owners Manual (in English)

’03 Tacoma U (L/O 0209)
1312003 MY TACOMA (OM35800U)
(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
Always use the brake pedal or the
parking brake to hold the vehicle on
an upgrade. Do not attempt to hold
the vehicle using the accelerator ped-
al, as this can cause the transmission
to overheat.
(i) Driving in “POWER” mode (fourwheel 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) 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.

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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:2RZFE 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)/88 (55)∗
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. 3RZFE engine
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)/88 (55)∗
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.
5VZFE engine
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.
Manual transmission

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1332003 MY TACOMA (OM35800U)
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:
Twowheel drive models2RZFE engine gear km/h (mph)1 48 (29)
2 89 (55)
3 137 (85)
4 165 (103)
5VZFE engine gear km/h (mph)
1 54 (33)
2 101 (62)
3 146 (90)
4 180 (111) Fourwheel drive models
3RZFE engine
gear km/h (mph)
“H2” and “H4” “L4”
1 46 (28) 17 (10)
2 85 (52) 33 (20)
3 132 (81) 51 (31)
4 165 (102) 70 (43)
5VZFE engine gear km/h (mph) “H2” and “H4” “L4”
1 47 (29) 18 (11)
2 88 (54) 34 (21)
3 127 (78) 49 (30)
4 165 (102) 70 (44)
NOTICE
Do not downshift if you are going
faster than the maximum allowable
speed 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.

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Use the front drive control lever to se-
lect the following transfer modes.
“H2” (high speed position, twowheel
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, fourwheel
drive): Lever at “H4”
Use this for normal driving on wet, icy or
snowcovered roads. This position pro-
vides greater traction than twowheel
drive. “N” (neutral position): Lever at “N”
No power is delivered to the wheels. The
vehicle must be stopped.
“L4” (low speed position, fourwheel
drive):
Lever at “L4”
Use this for maximum power and traction.
Use “L4” for climbing or descending steep
hills, offroad driving, and hard pulling in
sand, mud or deep snow.
The fourwheel drive indicator light comes
on when the “H4”, “N” or “L4” mode is
selected.
See “(c) Shifting procedure (lever type)”
for further instructions.Use the front drive control lever and
“4WD” button to select the following
transfer modes.
“H2” (high speed position, twowheel
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, fourwheel
drive): Lever at “H”, “4WD” button pushed
in
Use this for normal driving on wet, icy or
snowcovered roads. This position pro-
vides greater traction than twowheel
drive.
Fourwheel drive system—
(a) Front drive control
(lever type) (a) Front drive control
(lever/button type)

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1352003 MY TACOMA (OM35800U)
“N” (neutral position): Lever at “N”
No power is delivered to the wheels. The
vehicle must be stopped.
“L4” (low speed position, fourwheel
drive): Lever at “L4”
Use this for maximum power and traction.
Use “L4” for climbing or descending steep
hills, offroad driving, and hard pulling in
sand, mud or deep snow.
The fourwheel drive indicator light comes
on when the “H4”, “N” or “L4” mode is
selected.
See “(c) Shifting procedure (lever/button
type)” for further instructions. The A.D.D. can be engaged or disen-
gaged by the shifting operations de-
scribed in “(c) Shifting procedure”.
You should drive in fourwheel drive for
at least 16 km (10 miles) each month.
This will assure that the front drive com-
ponents are lubricated.
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. You
need not depress the clutch pedal.
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.
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.
(b) A.D.D. (automatic
disconnecting differential) (c) Shifting procedure (lever
type with manual transmission)

’03 Tacoma U (L/O 0209)
1362003 MY TACOMA (OM35800U)
SHIFTING BETWEEN “H4” AND “L4”
To shift from “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 ped-
al and move the front drive control lever.
To shift from “L4” to “H4”, depress the
clutch pedal and move the front drive con-
trol lever.
This can be done at any vehicle speed. 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.
(c) Shifting procedure
(lever type with automatic
transmission) (c) Shifting procedure
(lever/button type with manual
transmission)

’03 Tacoma U (L/O 0209)
1372003 MY TACOMA (OM35800U)
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.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.
(c) Shifting procedure
(lever/button type with
automatic transmission)

’03 Tacoma U (L/O 0209)
1382003 MY TACOMA (OM35800U)
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.
CAUTION
Do not use the rear differential lock
in the conditions other than above.
Large steering effort and careful cor-
nering control will be required.
To lock the rear differential, push the
switch.
Be sure to stop the wheels before locking
the differential.
For easy locking, depress the clutch ped-
al, push the lock switch and slowly re-
lease the clutch pedal.
The indicator light will blink when the
switch is turned on. Wait a few seconds
for the system to complete operation. Af-
ter the differential is locked, the light will
stop blinking and remain on.
The antilock brake system does not oper-
ate when the rear differential is locked. It
is normal operation for the “ABS” warning
light to be on at this time.
Rear differential lock system