2004 TOYOTA TACOMA Owners Manual (in English)

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2004 TACOMA from Sep. ’03 Prod. (OM35814U)
“VSC TRAC” warning light
This light warns that there is a problem
somewhere in the following.
Traction control system
Vehicle stability control system
“AUTO LSD” system
When the system is normal and the igni-
tion key is turned to “ON”, the warning
light will come on and will go off after a
few seconds.
It is not a malfunction that the warning
light may stay on for 60 seconds after the
ignition key is turned to “ON”. Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly
may turn on the light. It is normal if it
goes out after a few seconds.
The brake actuator temperature increases
during continuous operation of the above
mentioned systems such as on slippery
roads. If the brake actuator temperature
becomes too high while any of the sys-
tems is operating, a buzzer will start to
sound intermittently to indicate that the
traction control system can no longer op-
erate. In this case, immediately stop your
vehicle at a safe place.
If the system continues to operate, the
buzzer sound changes from intermittent to
continuous. (The continuous buzzer
sounds for about 3 seconds.)
At the time, the “VSC TRAC” warning light
will come on and the traction control sys-
tem temporarily stops operating in order to
protect the brake actuator. (Although the
traction control system does not operate,
it is no problem to continue driving.) The
system will be automatically restored after
a short time and the “VSC TRAC” warning
light goes off.
If the light comes on while driving, the
traction control system does not work.
However, as the brakes operate normally
when applied, it is no problem to continue
your driving.
In the following cases, contact your Toyota
dealer:
The warning light does not come on
after the ignition key is turned to “ON”.
The warning light remains on after the
ignition key is turned to “ON”.
The warning light comes on while driv-
ing.

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2004 TACOMA from Sep. ’03 Prod. (OM35814U)
The “AUTO LSD” system aids traction
by using the traction control system to
control engine performance and braking
when one of the rear wheels begins to
spin.
This system is used only when wheel
spinning occurs in a ditch or on a slip-
pery or rough surface.
This system is effective in case one of
the rear wheels is spinning.
CAUTION
Do not use the “AUTO LSD” system
in conditions other than the above. A
much greater steering effort and more
careful cornering control will be re-
quired.
To activate the system, push the “AUTO
LSD” switch under the following condi-
tion. At this time, the “AUTO LSD” indi-
cator light will come on.
The driving mode is set in the two−
wheel drive mode (In the four −wheel
drive mode, the system does not
work.)
Driving at a speed under 100 km/h (62
mph)
To cancel the system, push the “AUTO
LSD” switch once again. However, can-
cellation of the system cannot be done
while the traction control system and
“AUTO LSD” system are in operation.
“AUTO LSD” system

’04 Tacoma U (L/O 0309)
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2004 TACOMA from Sep. ’03 Prod. (OM35814U)
Make sure the “AUTO LSD” indicator light
comes on under the above condition when
you use the “AUTO LSD” system.
The slip indicator light blinks when the
system is controlling the spinning of the
rear wheels.
The “AUTO LSD” and slip indicator lights
come on for a few seconds when the
ignition key is turned to “ON”. If the indi-
cator lights does not come on when the
ignition key is turned to “ON”, contact
your Toyota dealer.“VSC TRAC” warning light
This light warns that there is a problem
somewhere in the following.
“AUTO LSD” system
Traction control system
Vehicle stability control system
When the system is normal and the igni-
tion key is turned to “ON”, the warning
light will come on and will go off after a
few seconds.
It is not a malfunction that the warning
light may stay on for 60 seconds after the
ignition key is turned to “ON”. Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly
may turn on the light. It is normal if it
goes out after a few seconds.
The brake actuator temperature increases
during continuous operation of the above
mentioned systems such as on slippery
roads. If the brake actuator temperature
becomes too high while any of the sys-
tems is operating, a buzzer will start to
sound intermittently to indicate that the
“AUTO LSD” system can no longer oper-
ate. In this case, immediately stop your
vehicle at a safe place.
If the system continues to operate, the
buzzer sound changes from intermittent to
continuous. (The continuous buzzer
sounds for about 3 seconds.)
At the time the “VSC TRAC” warning light
will come on and the “AUTO LSD” system
temporarily stops operating in order to
protect the brake actuator. (Although the
“AUTO LSD” system does not operate, it
is no problem to continue driving.) The
system will be automatically restored after
a short time and the “VSC TRAC” warning
light goes off.

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2004 TACOMA from Sep. ’03 Prod. (OM35814U)
If the light comes on while driving, the
“AUTO LSD” system does not work. How-
ever, as the brakes operate normally when
applied, it is no problem to continue your
driving.
In the following cases, contact your Toyota
dealer:
The warning light does not come on
after the ignition key is turned to “ON”.
The warning light remains on after the
ignition key is turned to “ON”.
The warning light comes on while driv-
ing.
CAUTION
Do not drive with the “AUTO LSD”
switch continuously turned on.
The vehicle stability control system
helps provide integrated control of the
systems such as antilock brake sys-
tem, traction control, engine control,
etc. This system automatically controls
the output of the brakes or engine to
help prevent the vehicle from skidding
when cornering on a slippery road sur-
face or operating steering wheel abrupt-
ly.
The vehicle stability control activates
when the vehicle speed is more than 15
km/h (9 mph).
You may hear a sound in the engine
compartment for a few seconds when the
engine is started or just after the vehicle
begins to move. This means that the sys-
tem is in the self−check mode, but does
not indicate a malfunction.CAUTION
Do not rely excessively on the ve-
hicle stability control system. Even
if the vehicle stability control sys-
tem is operating, you must always
drive carefully and attentively to
avoid serious injury. Reckless driv-
ing will result in an unexpected ac-
cident. If the slip indicator light
blinks and an alarm sounds, special
care should be taken while driving.
Only use tires of specified size. The
size, manufacturer, brand and tread
pattern for all 4 tires should be the
same. If you use the tires other
than specified, or different type or
size, the vehicle stability control
system may not function correctly.
When replacing the tires or wheels,
contact your Toyota dealer. (See
“Checking and replacing tires” in
Section 72.)
Vehicle stability control
system

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2004 TACOMA from Sep. ’03 Prod. (OM35814U)
If the vehicle is going to skid during driv-
ing, the slip indicator light blinks and an
alarm sounds intermittently. Special care
should be taken while driving.
The slip indicator light comes on for a few
seconds when the ignition key is turned
to “ON”. If the indicator light does not
come on when the ignition is turned on,
contact your Toyota dealer.Lever type
Lever/button type
Fourwheel drive models only—
Shifting the driving mode into the four
wheel drive mode automatically turns
the vehicle stability control system off.
At this time, the “VSC OFF” indicator
comes on.
“VSC OFF” indicator light comes on for a
few seconds when the ignition key is
turned to “ON”. It will come on again
when you shift the driving mode into the
four−wheel drive mode.
In the following cases, contact your Toyota
dealer:
The indicator light does not come on
when the ignition key is turned to
“ON”.
The indicator light remains on after the
ignition key is turned to “ON”.
The indicator light comes on when the
system is on while driving.

’04 Tacoma U (L/O 0309)
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2004 TACOMA from Sep. ’03 Prod. (OM35814U)
“VSC TRAC” warning light
This light warns that when there is a
problem somewhere in the following.
Vehicle stability control system
Traction control system
“AUTO LSD” system
The light will come on when the ignition
key is turned to “ON”, and will go off after
about a few seconds.
The light may come on for 60 seconds
after the ignition key is turned to “ON”. It
is normal if they go out after a while. Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly
may turn on the light. It is normal if they
go out after a few seconds.
If the light comes on while driving, the
vehicle stability control system does not
work. However, as the brakes operate nor-
mally when applied, it is no problem to
continue your driving.
In the following cases, contact your Toyota
dealer:
The warning light does not come on
after the ignition key is turned to “ON”.
The warning light remains on after the
ignition key is turned to “ON”.
The warning light comes on while driv-
ing.
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.
Rear differential lock system

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2004 TACOMA from Sep. ’03 Prod. (OM35814U)
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 anti−lock 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.
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.

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2004 TACOMA from Sep. ’03 Prod. (OM35814U)
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.
CAUTION
Before driving, be sure the parking
brake is fully released and the park-
ing brake reminder light is off.
Parking brake