2003 TOYOTA TACOMA brake light

’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

’03 Tacoma U (L/O 0209)
1392003 MY TACOMA (OM35800U)
CAUTION
Do not lock the differential until the
wheels have stopped spinning.
Otherwise, the vehicle may move in
an unexpected direction when the
differential lock is engaged, result-
ing in an accident. This may also
lead to possible damage to differen-
tial lock component parts.
Do not drive over 8 km/h (5 mph)
when the differential is locked.
To unlock the differential, push the
switch once again.
Unlock the differential as soon as the ve-
hicle moves out.
For easy unlocking, slightly turn the steer-
ing wheel in either direction while the ve-
hicle is in motion.
When the differential lock is disengaged,
the indicator light will go out.
Except for Pre Runner models⎯
The differential will also unlock if you shift
the front drive control lever out of “L4”.
Never forget to turn off the switch after
using this feature.To check the indicator bulb, turn the igni-
tion key to the “ON” position, but do not
start the engine.
CAUTION
Do not keep driving with the differen-
tial lock switch on.
When parking, firmly apply the parking
brake to avoid inadvertent creeping.
To set: Pull out on the lever. For better
holding power, first depress the brake
pedal and hold it while setting the parking
brake.
To release: Press the lock release button
(1), turn the lever clockwise (2), then
push it in (3).
To remind you that the parking brake is
set, the parking brake reminder light in
the instrument panel remains on until you
release the parking brake.
Parking brake

’03 Tacoma U (L/O 0209)
1402003 MY TACOMA (OM35800U)
CAUTION
Before driving, be sure the parking
brake is fully released and the park-
ing brake reminder light is off.
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 snowcovered) 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 ONOFF” 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.
Cruise control

’03 Tacoma U (L/O 0209)
1422003 MY TACOMA (OM35800U)
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.CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE WARNING
If the “CRUISE” indicator light in the
instrument cluster flashes when using the
cruise control, press the “CRUISE ON
OFF” button to turn the system off and
then press it again to turn it on.
If any of the following conditions then oc-
curs, there is some trouble in the cruise
control system.
The indicator light does not come on.
The indicator light flashes again.
The indicator light goes out after it
comes on.
If this is the case, contact your Toyota
dealer and have your vehicle inspected.
To crank the engine without depressing
the clutch pedal, push the switch with
the ignition on.
The switch stays on as long as the igni-
tion is on. And it will automatically turn off
when the ignition is off. An indicator light
will illuminate to indicate the system is
operating.
This switch cancels the clutch start sys-
tem, which is designed to keep the starter
motor from operating if the clutch pedal is
not depressed all the way down.
The switch allows the vehicle to be driven
out of difficult situations by cranking the
engine with the clutch engaged.
Clutch start cancel switch
(fourwheel drive models with
manual transmission)

’03 Tacoma U (L/O 0209)
1982003 MY TACOMA (OM35800U)
IMPORTANCE OF ENGINE OIL LEVEL
CHECK
One of the most important points in prop-
er vehicle maintenance is to keep the en-
gine oil at the optimum level so that oil
function will not be impaired. Therefore, it
is essential that the oil level be checked
regularly. Toyota recommends that the oil
level be checked every time you refuel
the vehicle.
NOTICE
Failure to check the oil level regularly
could lead to serious engine trouble
due to insufficient oil.
For detailed information on oil level check,
see “Checking the engine oil level” in Sec-
tion 72.
Your engine is fitted with twin ground
electrode spark plugs.
NOTICE
Use only twin ground electrode spark
plugs for your engine performance.
The tandem master cylinder brake system
is a hydraulic system with two separate
subsystems. If either subsystem should
fail, the other will still work. However, the
pedal will be harder to press, and your
stopping distance will be longer. Also, the
brake system warning light may come on.
CAUTION
Do not drive your vehicle with only a
single brake system. Have your
brakes fixed immediately.
BRAKE BOOSTER
The brake booster uses engine vacuum to
powerassist the brakes. If the engine
should quit while you are driving, you can
bring the vehicle to a stop with normal
pedal pressure. There is enough reserved
vacuum for one or two stops—but no
more!
Twin ground electrode spark
plugs (5VZFE engine) Brake system

’03 Tacoma U (L/O 0209)
1992003 MY TACOMA (OM35800U)
CAUTION
Do not pump the brake pedal if the
engine stalls. Each push on the
pedal uses up your reserved vacu-
um.
Even if the power assist is com-
pletely lost, the brakes will still
work. But you will have to push the
pedal hard, much harder than nor-
mal. And your braking distance will
be longer.
ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
(with “ABS” warning light)
The antilock brake system is designed
to help prevent lockup of the wheels
during a sudden braking or braking on
slippery road surfaces. This assists in
providing directional stability and steer-
ing performance of the vehicle under
these circumstances.
Effective way to press the ABS brake
pedal: When the antilock brake system
function is in action, you may feel the
brake pedal pulsating and hear a noise.
In this situation, to let the antilock
brake system work for you, just hold the
brake pedal down more firmly. Do not
pump the brake in a panic stop. This
will result in reduced braking performan-
ce.
The antilock brake system becomes op-
erative after the vehicle has accelerated
to a speed in excess of approximately 10
km/h (6 mph). It stops operating when the
vehicle decelerates to a speed below
approximately 5 km/h (3 mph).
Depressing the brake pedal on slippery
road surfaces such as on the manhole
cover, the steel plate under the construc-
tion, joints in the bridge, etc. on a rainy
day tends to activate the antilock brake
system.
You may hear a click or motor sound in
the engine compartment for a few seconds
when the engine is started or just after
the vehicle is started. This means that the
antilock brake system is in the self
check mode, and does not indicate a mal-
function. When the antilock brake system is ac-
tivated, the following conditions may
occur. They do not indicate a malfunc-
tion of the system:
You may hear the antilock brake sys-
tem operating and feel the brake pedal
pulsating and the vibrations of the ve-
hicle body and steering wheel. You
may also hear the motor sound in the
engine compartment even after the ve-
hicle is stopped.
At the end of the antilock brake sys-
tem activation, the brake pedal may
move a little forward.