2003 TOYOTA TACOMA seats

’03 Tacoma U (L/O 0209)
1002003 MY TACOMA (OM35800U)
The lower anchorages for the child re-
straint system interfaced with the
FMVSS225 specification are installed in
the right side of the front seats (sepa-
rate and split bench) or right position
of the front seat (nonsplit bench seat).
The anchorages are installed in the clear-
ance between the seat cushion and seat-
back on the right side of the front seats
(separate and split bench seat) or right
position of the front seat (nonsplit bench
seat).
Child restraint system interfaced with the
FMVSS225 specification can be fixed with
these anchorages. In this case, it is not
necessary to fix the child restraint system
with a seat belt on the vehicle.
Ty p e ATy p e B

’03 Tacoma U (L/O 0209)
1032003 MY TACOMA (OM35800U)
CAUTION
When using the lower anchorages
for the child restraint system, be
sure that there are no irregular ob-
jects around the anchorages or that
the seat belt is not caught.
Push and pull the child restraint
system in different directions to be
sure it is secure. Follow all the
installation instructions provided by
its manufacturer.
After securing the child restraint
system, never recline the seat.
Do not install a child restraint sys-
tem on the rear seat if it interferes
with the lock mechanism of the
front seats. This can cause death or
serious injury to the child and front
passenger in case of sudden brak-
ing or a collision.
To change the steering wheel angle:
Hold the steering wheel, pull the lock
release lever toward you, tilt the steer-
ing wheel to the desired angle and re-
lease the lever.
When the steering wheel is in a low posi-
tion, it will spring up as you release the
lock release lever.
CAUTION
Do not adjust the steering wheel
while the vehicle is moving. Doing
so may cause the driver to mishan-
dle the vehicle and an accident may
occur resulting in death or serious
injuries.
After adjusting the steering wheel,
try moving it up and down to make
sure it is locked in position.
Tilt steering wheel

’03 Tacoma U (L/O 0209)
1752003 MY TACOMA (OM35800U)
To cool off your Toyota after it has
been parked in the hot sun, drive with
the windows open for a few minutes.
This vents the hot air, allowing the air
conditioning to cool the interior more
quickly.
Make sure the air intake grilles in front
of the windshield are not blocked (by
leaves or snow, for example).
On humid days, do not blow cold air
on the windshield. The windshield could
fog up because of the difference in air
temperature on the inside and outside
of the windshield.
Keep the area under the front seats
clear to allow air to circulate through-
out the vehicle.
On cold days, set the fan speed to
high for a minute to help clear the
intake ducts of snow or moisture. This
can reduce the amount of fogging on
the windows.
When driving on dusty roads, close all
windows. If dust thrown up by the ve-
hicle is still drawn into the vehicle after
closing the windows, it is recommended
that the air intake selector be set to
FRESH and the fan speed selector to
any setting except “OFF”.
Air flow selector settings
Double cab models
Operating tips

’03 Tacoma U (L/O 0209)
2022003 MY TACOMA (OM35800U)
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 (xtracab and double cab
models). Keep luggage or packages
low, as close to the floor as pos-
sible.
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.
The rear step bumper is for rear end
protection and easier stepup 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.
Do not stand on the rear step
bumper while the vehicle is moving.
Luggage stowage precautions Rear step bumper

’03 Tacoma U (L/O 0209)
2542003 MY TACOMA (OM35800U)
INSIDE THE VEHICLE
Items listed below should be checked
regularly, e.g. while performing periodic
services, cleaning the vehicle, etc.
Lights
Make sure the headlights, stop lights, tail
lights, turn signal lights, and other lights
are all working. Check headlight aim.
Service reminder indicators and warning
buzzers
Check that all service reminder indicators
and warning buzzers function properly.
Steering wheel
Be alert for changes in steering condition,
such as hard steering or strange noise.
Seats
Check that all seat controls such as seat
adjusters, seatback recliner, etc. operate
smoothly and that all latches lock securely
in any position. Check that the head re-
straints move up and down smoothly and
that the locks hold securely in any latched
position. For foldingdown seatback
(bench seat) and rear seatback (rear split
bench seat), check that the latches lock
securely.Seat belts
Check that the seat belt system such as
buckles, retractors and anchors operate
properly and smoothly. Make sure the belt
webbing is not cut, frayed, worn or dam-
aged.
Accelerator pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and
uneven pedal effort or catching.
Clutch pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation.
Brake pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and
that the pedal has the proper clearance.
Check the brake booster function.
Brakes
At a safe place, check that the brakes do
not pull to one side when applied.
Parking brake
Check that the lever has the proper travel
and that, on a safe incline, your vehicle
is held securely with only the parking
brake applied.
Automatic transmission “Park” mecha-
nism
Check the lock release button of the se-
lector lever (floor shift type) for proper
and smooth operation. On a safe incline,
check that your vehicle is held securely
with the selector lever in “P” position and
all brakes released.
IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT
Items listed below should be checked
from time to time, e.g. each time when
refueling.
Washer fluid
Make sure there is sufficient fluid in the
tank. See Section 73 for additional in-
formation.
Engine coolant level
Make sure the coolant level is between
the “F” and “L” lines on the seethrough
reservoir when the engine is cold. See
Section 72 for additional information.
Radiator, condenser and hoses
Check that the front of the radiator and
condenser are clean and not blocked with
leaves, dirt, or insects. See in Section
72 for additional information.

’03 Tacoma U (L/O 0209)
3032003 MY TACOMA (OM35800U)
Xtracab models with full options’
weight of 85 kg (195 lb.)With 2 occupants in the front
seats and no occupants in the
rear seats 365 kg (815 lb.)
With 3 occupants in the front
seats and no occupants in the
rear seats 365 kg (810 lb.)
With 3 occupants in the front
seats and 2 occupants in the rear
seats 265 kg (590 lb.)
Fourwheel drive models
and Pre Runner Regular cab models with full options’
weight of 120 kg (265 lb.)
With 2 occupants 500 kg (1100 lb.)
With 3 occupants 465 kg (1025 lb.) Xtracab models with full options’
weight of 125 kg (280 lb.)
Vehicles with off road package
With 2 occupants in the front
seats and no occupants in the
rear seats 340 kg (750 lb.)
With 2 occupants in the front
seats and 2 occupants in the rear
seats 135 kg (300 lb.)
Vehicles without off road package With 2 occupants in the front
seats and no occupants in the
rear seats 440 kg (975 lb.)
With 3 occupants in the front
seats and no occupants in the
rear seats 370 kg (825 lb.)
With 3 occupants in the front
seats and 2 occupants in the rear
seats 235 kg (525 lb.) When the truck is used to carry a slidein
camper, the total cargo load of the truck
consists of the manufacturer ’s camper
weight figure, the weight of installed addi-
tional camper equipment not included in
the manufacturer ’s camper weight figure,
the weight of camper cargo, and the
weight of passengers in the camper.
The total cargo load should not exceed
the truck’s cargo weight rating and the
camper ’s center of gravity should fall with-
in the truck’s recommended center of
gravity zone when installed.
CAUTION
Be careful—overloading can cause
dangerous braking and handling prob-
lems, and can damage your vehicle
and its tires.