2003 TOYOTA TACOMA differential

’03 Tacoma U (L/O 0209)
32003 MY TACOMA (OM35800U)
1. Headlight and turn signal switch
2. Wiper and washer switches
3. Emergency flasher switch
4. Passenger airbag manual onoff switch
5. Air conditioning controls
6. Car audio
7. Ashtray
8. Cigarette lighter
9. Power outlets
10. Clock
11. Parking brake lever
12. Ignition switch
13. Cruise control switch
14. Rear differential lock switch
15. Instrument panel light control knob
16. Clutch start cancel switch (manual transmission) or driving pattern selector
button (automatic transmission)

’03 Tacoma U (L/O 0209)
72003 MY TACOMA (OM35800U)
∗1: For details, see “Service reminder indicators and warning
buzzers” in Section 15.
∗2: If this light flashes, see “Cruise control” in Section 16. Cruise control indicator light
∗
2
Rear differential lock indicator light
Fourwheel drive indicator light

’03 Tacoma U (L/O 0209)
1232003 MY TACOMA (OM35800U)
(g) “ABS” Warning Light
The light comes on when the ignition key
is turned to the “ON” position. If the anti
lock brake system works properly, the
light turns off after a few seconds. There-
after, if the system malfunctions, the light
comes on again.
When the “ABS” warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
antilock brake system does not operate,
but the brake system still operates con-
ventionally.
When the “ABS” warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
antilock brake system does not operate
so that the wheels could lock up during
a sudden braking or braking on slippery
road surfaces.
If either of the following conditions
occurs, this indicates a malfunction
somewhere in the parts monitored by
the warning light system. Contact your
Toyota dealer as soon as possible to
service the vehicle.
The light does not come on when the
ignition key is turned to the “ON” posi-
tion, or the light remains on.
The light comes on while you are driv-
ing.A warning light turning on briefly during
operation does not indicate a problem.
With rear differential lock: However, it is
a normal operation for the light to be on
with rear differential locked. At this time,
the antilock brake system does not oper-
ate.
(h) SRS Warning Light
This light will come on when the igni-
tion key is turned to the “ON” position.
After about 6 seconds, the light will go
off. This means the system of the air-
bag and front seat belt pretensioners
are operating properly.
This warning light system monitors the
airbag sensor assembly, front airbag sen-
sors, front seat belt pretensioner assem-
blies, inflators, warning light, interconnect-
ing wiring and power sources.
If either of the following conditions occurs,
this indicates a malfunction somewhere in
the parts monitored by the warning light
system. Contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible to service the vehicle.
The light does not come on when the
ignition key is turned to the “ON” posi-
tion or remains on.
The light comes on or flashes while
driving.(i) Unengaged “Park” Warning Light
(vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion)
This light warns that the transmission
“Park” mechanism is not engaged. If the
front drive control lever is in the “N” posi-
tion while the selector lever is in the “P”
position, the transmission will disengage
and the wheels will not lock.
CAUTION
To restore the park function, shift the
front drive control lever out of “N”,
or the vehicle can move.

’03 Tacoma U (L/O 0209)
1252003 MY TACOMA (OM35800U)
OPERATION OF INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLS
Ignition switch, Transmission and Parking brake
Ignition switch with steering lock126
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic transmission 127
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
.
Manual transmission 132
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . .
Fourwheel drive system 134
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
Rear differential lock system 138
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking brake 139
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . .
Cruise control 140
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . .
Clutch start cancel switch 142
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
SECTION 1 6

’03 Tacoma U (L/O 0209)
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)
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)
2012003 MY TACOMA (OM35800U)
“ABS” warning light
The light comes on when the ignition key
is turned to the “ON” position. If the anti
lock brake system works properly, the
light turns off after a few seconds. There-
after, if the system malfunctions, the light
comes on again.
When the “ABS” warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
antilock brake system does not operate,
but the brake system still operates con-
ventionally.
When the “ABS” warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
antilock brake system does not operate
so that the wheels could lock up during
a sudden braking or braking on slippery
road surfaces.
If either of the following conditions
occurs, this indicates a malfunction
somewhere in the parts monitored by
the warning light system. Contact your
Toyota dealer as soon as possible to
service the vehicle.
The light does not come on when the
ignition key is turned to the “ON” posi-
tion, or the light remains on.
The light comes on while you are driv-
ing.A warning light turning on briefly during
operation does not indicate a problem.
With rear differential lock: However, it is
a normal operation for the light to be on
with rear differential locked. At this time,
the antilock brake system does not oper-
ate.
The brake pad wear limit indicators on
your disc brakes give a warning noise
when the brake pads are worn to where
replacement is required.
If you hear a squealing or scraping noise
while driving, have the brake pads
checked and replaced by your Toyota
dealer as soon as possible. Expensive ro-
tor damage can result if the pads are not
replaced when necessary.
Brake pad wear limit
indicators