2003 TOYOTA TACOMA height

’03 Tacoma U (L/O 0209)
612003 MY TACOMA (OM35800U)
Same angle
Move seat
fully back
Same
height
Move seat
fully back
CAUTION
Split bench seat only: When instal-
ling a child restraint system in the
center position, adjust both seat
cushions to the same position and
align both seatbacks at the same
angle. Otherwise, the child restraint
system cannot be securely re-
strained and this may cause death
or serious injuries in a collision.
If the driver ’s seat position does
not allow sufficient space for safe
installation, install the child re-
straint system at another position.
CAUTION
Never install a rearfacing child re-
straint system on the front passenger
seat with the passenger airbag manu-
al onoff switch in the “ON” position.
In the event of an accident, the force
of the rapid inflation of the front pas-
senger airbag can cause death or se-
rious injury to the child.
When you install a rearfacing child re-
straint system on the front passenger
seat, turn the passenger airbag manual
onoff switch counterclockwise to the
“OFF” position. (For details, see “SRS
driver and front passenger airbags (ve-
hicles with passenger airbag manual
onoff switch)” in this section.)
The indicator light comes on when the
system is off.

’03 Tacoma U (L/O 0209)
642003 MY TACOMA (OM35800U)
(B) CONVERTIBLE SEAT INSTALLATION
A convertible seat is used in forward
facing and rearfacing position depend-
ing on the child’s age and size. When
installing, follow the manufacturer’s
instructions about the applicable child’s
age and size as well as directions for
installing a child restraint system.
Same angle
Move seat
fully back
Same
height
Move seat
fully back
CAUTION
Split bench seat only: When instal-
ling a child restraint system in the
center position, adjust both seat
cushions to the same position and
align both seatbacks at the same
angle. Otherwise, the child restraint
system cannot be securely re-
strained and this may cause death
or serious injuries in a collision.
If the driver ’s seat position does
not allow sufficient space for safe
installation, install the child re-
straint system at another position.
CAUTION
Rearfacing child restraint system:
Never install a rearfacing child re-
straint system on the front passenger
seat with the passenger airbag manu-
al onoff switch in the “ON” position.
In the event of an accident, the force
of the rapid inflation of the front pas-
senger airbag can cause death or se-
rious injury to the child.

’03 Tacoma U (L/O 0209)
1922003 MY TACOMA (OM35800U)
This vehicle has higher ground clear-
ance and narrower tread in relation to
the height of its center of gravity to
make it capable of performing in a wide
variety of offroad applications. Specific
design characteristics give it a higher
center of gravity than ordinary passen-
ger cars. This vehicle design feature
causes this type of vehicle to be more
likely to rollover. And, it has a signifi-
cantly higher rollover rate than other
types of vehicles. An advantage of the
higher ground clearance is a better
view of the road allowing you to antici-
pate problems. It is not designed for
cornering at the same speeds as ordi-
nary passenger cars any more than
lowslung sports cars are designed to
perform satisfactorily under offroad
conditions. Therefore, sharp turns at
excessive speeds may cause rollover.
CAUTION
Always observe the following precau-
tions to minimize the risk of serious
personal injury or damage to your ve-
hicle:
In a rollover crash, an unbelted per-
son is significantly more likely to
die than a person wearing a seat
belt. Therefore, the driver and all
passengers should fasten their seat
belts whenever the vehicle is mov-
ing.
Avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneu-
vers, if at all possible. Failure to
operate this vehicle correctly may
result in loss of control or vehicle
rollover causing death or serious
injury.
Loading cargo on the roof luggage
carrier will make the center of the
vehicle gravity higher. Avoid high
speeds, sudden starts, sharp turns,
sudden braking or abrupt maneu-
vers, otherwise it may result in loss
of control or vehicle rollover due to
failure to operate this vehicle cor-
rectly.
Always slow down in gusty cross-
winds. Because of its profile and
higher center of gravity, your ve-
hicle is more sensitive to side
winds than an ordinary passenger
car. Slowing down will allow you to
have much better control.
Offroad vehicle precautions
(fourwheel drive models and
Pre Runner)

’03 Tacoma U (L/O 0209)
2002003 MY TACOMA (OM35800U)
CAUTION
Do not overestimate the antilock
brake system: Although the antilock
brake system assists in providing ve-
hicle control, it is still important to
drive with all due care and maintain
a moderate speed and safe distance
from the vehicle in front of you, be-
cause there are limits to the vehicle
stability and effectiveness of steering
wheel operation even with the anti
lock brake system on.
If tires grip performance exceeds its
capability, or if hydroplaning occurs
during high speed driving in the rain,
the antilock brake system does not
provide vehicle control.
Antilock brake system is not de-
signed to shorten the stopping dis-
tance: Always drive at the moderate
speed and maintain a safe distance
from the vehicle in front of you.
Compared with vehicles without an
antilock brake system, your vehicle
may require a longer stopping dis-
tance in the following cases:
Driving on rough, gravel or snow
covered roads.
Driving with tire chains installed.
Driving over the steps such as the
joints on the road.
Driving on roads where the road
surface is pitted or has other differ-
ences in surface height.
Install all 4 tires of specified size at
appropriate pressure: The antilock
brake system detects vehicle speeds
using the speed sensors for respec-
tive wheels’ turning speeds. The use
of tires other than specified may fail
to detect the accurate turning speed
resulting in a longer stopping dis-
tance.
Ty p e A
Ty p e B

’03 Tacoma U (L/O 0209)
2082003 MY TACOMA (OM35800U)
1. Check the area around the vehicle be-fore entering it.
2. Adjust seat position, seatback angle, seat cushion angle, head restraint
height and angle and steering wheel
angle.
3. Adjust the inside and outside rear view mirrors.
4. Lock all doors.
5. Fasten seat belts. 1. Apply the parking brake firmly.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and acces-
sories.
3. Manual transmission: Press the clutch
pedal to the floor and shift the trans-
mission into neutral. Hold the clutch
pedal to the floor until the engine is
started. A starter safety device will pre-
vent the starter from operating if the
clutch pedal is not fully depressed.
Automatic transmission: Put the se-
lector lever in “P”. If you need to re-
start the engine while the vehicle is
moving, put the selector lever in “N”.
A starter safety device will prevent the
starter from operating if the selector
lever is in any drive position.
4. Automatic transmission only:
De-
press the brake pedal and hold it to
the floor until driving off. Before starting the engine, be sure to fol-
low the instructions in “(a) Before crank-
ing”.
Normal starting procedure
The multiport fuel injection system/sequen-
tial multiport fuel injection system in your
engine automatically controls the proper
airfuel mixture for starting. You can start
a cold or hot engine as follows:
1. With your foot off the accelerator ped- al, crank the engine by turning the key
to “START”. Release it when the en-
gine starts.
2. After the engine runs for about 10 se- conds, you are ready to drive.
If the weather is below freezing, let the
engine warm up for a few minutes before
driving.
If the engine stalls...
Simply restart it, using the correct proce-
dure given in normal starting.
If the engine will not start...
See “If your vehicle will not start” in Sec-
tion 4.
Before starting the engine H o w to st art th e en g in e—
(a) Before cranking
(b) Starting the engine

’03 Tacoma U (L/O 0209)
2762003 MY TACOMA (OM35800U)
WHEN TO REPLACE YOUR WHEELS
If you have wheel damage such as
bending, cracks or heavy corrosion, the
wheel should be replaced.
If you fail to replace damaged wheels, the
tire may slip off the wheel or cause loss
of handling control.
WHEEL SELECTION
When replacing wheels, care should be
taken to ensure that the wheels are re-
placed by ones with the same load ca-
pacity, diameter, rim width, and offset.
Correct replacement wheels are available
at your Toyota dealer.
A wheel of a different size or type may
adversely affect handling, wheel and bear-
ing life, brake cooling, speedometer/odom-
eter calibration, stopping ability, headlight
aim, bumper height, vehicle ground clear-
ance, and tire or snow chain clearance to
the body and chassis. Replacement with used wheels is not rec-
ommended as they may have been sub-
jected to rough treatment or high mileage
and could fail without warning. Also, bent
wheels which have been straightened may
have structural damage and therefore
should not be used. Never use an inner
tube in a leaking wheel which is designed
for a tubeless tire.
CAUTION
Observe the following instructions.
Otherwise, an accident may occur re-
sulting in death or serious injuries.
Do not use wheels other than the
manufacturer ’s recommended size,
as this may cause dangerous han-
dling characteristics resulting in
loss of control.
Fourwheel drive models:
Do not use wheels of different
brands, sizes and types, as this
may cause dangerous handling
characteristics resulting in loss of
control.
When installing aluminum w
heels,
check that the wheel nuts are tight
after driving your vehicle the first 1600
km (1000 miles).
If you have rotated, repaired, or
changed your tires, check that the
wheel nuts are still tight after driving
1600 km (1000 miles).
When using tire chains, be careful not
to damage the aluminum wheels.
Use only the Toyota wheel nuts and
wrench designed for your aluminum
wheels.
When balancing your wheels, use only
Toyota balance weights or equivalent
and a plastic or rubber hammer.
As with any wheel, periodically check
your aluminum wheels for damage. If
damaged, replace immediately.
Replacing wheels Aluminum wheel precautions

’03 Tacoma U (L/O 0209)
2882003 MY TACOMA (OM35800U)
Dimensions
Regular cab models Xtracab models
Overall length
Overall height
∗ 8
Front tread
Rear tread Overall width
Wheelbase 4540 (178.7)
∗
1
4685 (184.4)∗25010 (197.2)∗1
5155 (203.0)∗2
1690 (66.5)
1765 (69.5)∗3, 41690 (66.5)
1625 (64.0)
∗4, 6
1615 (63.6)∗5, 6
1620 (63.8)∗4, 7
1630 (64.2)∗5, 7
3095 (121.9)
1450 (57.1)
1455 (57.3)
1455 (57.3) 1450 (57.1)
2625 (103.3) 1590 (62.5)
∗
3, 4
1605 (63.2)∗4
1615 (63.6)∗5
∗ 1
: Without rear step bumper∗2: With rear step bumper∗3: With 5VZFE engine∗4: With P235/55R16 tires∗5: With P205/75R15 tires∗6: With automatic transmission∗7: With manual transmission∗8: Unladen vehicle
TWOWHEEL DRIVE MODELS EXCEPT PRE RUNNER mm (in.)

’03 Tacoma U (L/O 0209)
2892003 MY TACOMA (OM35800U)
FOURWHEEL DRIVE MODELS AND PRE RUNNERmm (in.)
Regular cab modelsXtracab modelsDouble cab models
Overall length4685 (184.4)5155 (203.0)5155 (203.0)
Overall width1690 (66.5)∗
1
1785 (70.3)∗21690 (66.5)∗1
1785 (70.3)∗21785 (70.3)
Overall height∗41720 (67.7)∗1
1750 (68.9)∗21715 (67.5)∗1
1745 (68.7)∗2
1715 (67.5)∗1
1745 (68.7)∗2
1780 (70.1)∗1, 3
1810 (71.3)∗2, 3
Wheelbase2625 (103.3)3095 (121.9)3095 (121.9)
Front tread1460 (57.5)∗1
1500 (59.1)∗21460 (57.5)∗1
1500 (59.1)∗21460 (57.5)∗1
1500 (59.1)∗2
Rear tread1455 (57.3)∗1
1495 (58.9)∗21455 (57.3)∗1
1495 (58.9)∗21455 (57.3)∗1
1495 (58.9)∗2
∗1: With P225/75R15 tires∗2: With P265/70R16 tires∗3: With roof rails∗4: Unladen vehicle