2004 TOYOTA TACOMA four wheel drive

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2004 TACOMA from Sep. ’03 Prod. (OM35814U)
CAUTION
Make sure the floor mat is properly
placed on the floor carpet. If the floor
mat slips and interferes with the
movement of the pedals during driv-
ing, it may cause an accident.
Valance panelLonger
tapping screws
Front license plate Shorter
tapping screws
Install the front license plate using the
following procedure:
1. Remove and discard the front license plate frame (if installed on the vehicle
at delivery).
2. Align the holes on the front license plate with the dimples on the valance
panel.
3. Install the two longer tapping screws through the upper holes, and the two
shorter tapping screws through the low-
er holes of the license plate, into the
dimples on the valance panel.
Do not drill holes in the dimples on the
valance panel. The 4 tapping screws are enclosed in a
plastic bag in the glove box. If your ve-
hicle was not equipped with the screws at
delivery, contact your Toyota dealer.
Installing front license plate
(fourwheel drive models and
Pre Runner)

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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.
Avoid loading any items on the roof
that will raise the vehicle’s center
of gravity.
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)

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NOTICE
Do not use gasohol other than
stated above. It will cause fuel sys-
tem damage or vehicle performance
problems.
 If driveab ility problems occur (poor
hot starting, vaporizing, engine
knock, etc.), discontinue the use.
 Take care not to spill gasohol dur-
ing refueling. Gasohol may cause
paint damage.
FUEL TANK CAPACITY
Tw o −wheel drive models except Pre Run-
ner 60 L (16.0 gal., 13.3 Imp. gal.)
Four −wheel drive models and Pre Runner
70 L (18.5 gal., 15.4 Imp. gal.) If you plan to drive your Toyota in
another country...
First,
comply with the vehicle registration
laws.
Second, confirm the availability of the cor-
rect fuel (unleaded and minimum octane
number).The threeway catalytic converter is an
emission control device installed in the
exhaust system.
The purpose is to reduce pollutants in the
exhaust gas.
CAUTION
Keep people and combustible mate-
rials away from the exhaust pipe
while the engine is running. The
exhaust gas is very hot.
Do not idle or park your vehicle
over anything that might burn easi-
ly such as grass, leaves, paper or
rags.
Operation in foreign countries Threeway catalytic converters

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NOTICE
Do not crank for more than 30 se-
conds at a time. This may overheat
the starter and wiring systems.
 Do not race a cold engine.
 If the engine becomes difficult to
start or stalls frequently, have the
engine checked immediately.
Always slow down in gusty crosswinds.
This will allow you much better control.
Drive slowly onto curbs and, if pos-
sible, at a right angle. Avoid driving
onto high, sharp −edged objects and
other road hazards. Failure to do so
can lead to severe tire damage such
as a tire burst.
Drive slowly when passing over bumps
or travelling on a bumpy road. Other-
wise, the impact could cause severe
damage to the tires and/or wheels.
When parking on a hill, turn the front
wheels until they touch the curb so
that the vehicle will not roll. Apply the
parking brake, and place the transmis-
sion in “P” (automatic) or in first or
reverse (manual). If necessary, block
the wheels.
Washing your vehicle or driving through
deep water may get the brakes wet. To
see whether they are wet, check that
there is no traffic near you, and then
press the pedal lightly. If you do not
feel a normal braking force, the brakes
are probably wet. To dry them, drive
the vehicle cautiously while lightly
pressing the brake pedal with the park-
ing brake applied. If they still do not
work safely, pull to the side of the road
and call a Toyota dealer for assistance.
Four −wheel drive models—Toyota rec-
ommends not using four −wheel drive on
dry hard− surfaced roads, because four −
wheel driving will cause unnecessary
noise and wear, and poor fuel econo-
my.
Four −wheel drive models—In cold tem-
peratures, noise may occur when driv-
ing in two −wheel drive before the trans-
fer is warmed up. Therefore, first drive
in four −wheel drive until the transfer is
warmed up.
Tips for driving in various
conditions

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CAUTION
Before driving off, make sure that
the parking brake is fully released
and the parking brake reminder
light is off.
Do not leave your vehicle unat-
tended while the engine is running.
Do not rest your foot on the brake
pedal while driving. It can cause
dangerous overheating, needless
wear, and poor fuel economy.
Be careful when accelerating, up-
shifting, downshifting or braking on
a slippery surface. Sudden accelera-
tion or engine braking, could cause
the vehicle to spin or skid.
To drive down a long or steep hill,
reduce your speed and downshift.
Remember, if you ride the brakes
excessively, they may overheat and
not work properly.
Do not continue normal driving
when the brakes are wet. If they are
wet, your vehicle will require a
longer stopping distance, and it
may pull to one side when the
brakes are applied. Also, the park-
ing brake will not hold the vehicle
securely.
Do not drive in excess of the speed
limit. Even if the legal speed limit
permits it, do not drive over 140
km/h (85 mph) unless your vehicle
has highspeed capability tires.
Driving over 140 km/h (85 mph) may
result in tire failure, loss of control
and possible injury. Be sure to con-
sult a tire dealer to determine
whether the tires on your vehicle
are highspeed capability tires or
not before driving at such speeds.
When driving your vehicle off−road, please
observe the following precautions to en-
sure your driving enjoyment and to help
prevent the closure of areas to off −road
vehicles.
a. Drive your vehicle only in areas where off−road vehicles are permitted to trav-
el.
b. Respect private property. Get owner ’s permission before entering private prop-
erty.
c. Do not enter areas that are closed. Honor gates, barriers and signs that re-
strict travel.
d. Stay on established roads. When condi- tions are wet, driving techniques should
be changed or travel delayed to pre-
vent damage to roads.
For owners in U.S. mainland, Hawaii and
Puerto Rico:
To obtain additional information pertaining
to driving your vehicle off −road, consult
the following organizations.
State and Local Parks and Recreation
Departments
State Motor Vehicle Bureau
Recreational Vehicle Clubs
Offroad driving precautions
(fourwheel drive models and
Pre Runner)

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CAUTION
The maximum gross trailer weight
(trailer weight plus cargo weight)
must never exceed the following.Twowheel drive models except
Pre Runner2RZFE and 5VZFE engines 1587 kg (3500 lb.)
Fourwheel drive models and Pre
Runner 3RZFE engine
1587 kg (3500 lb.)
5VZFE engine Without towing package
∗
1587 kg (3500 lb.)
With towing package∗
2721 kg (6000 lb.)
If towing a trailer and cargo weigh-
ing over 907 kg (2000 lb.), it is
necessary to use a sway control
device with sufficient capacity. The
combination of the gross trailer
weight added to the total weight of
the vehicle, occupants and vehicle
cargo must never exceed a total of
the following.
Twowheel drive models except Pre
Runner 2RZFE engine 3035 kg (6700 lb.)
5VZFE engine 3080 kg (6800 lb.)
Fourwheel drive models and Pre
Runner 3RZFE engine 3355 kg (7400 lb.)
5VZFE engine Without towing package
∗
3401 kg (7500 lb.)
With towing package∗
4535 kg (10000 lb.)
Exceeding the maximum weight of
the trailer, the vehicle, or the ve-
hicle and trailer combination, can
cause an accident resulting in seri-
ous personal injuries.
∗: To distinguish towing package, refer to
the following illustration.
Green −With towing package
Orange− Without towing
package
How to distinguish towing package
Engine compartment
Cooling fan
Front of vehicle

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Do not connect the cable to or near
any part that moves when the engine
is cranked.
CAUTION
When making the connections, to
avoid serious injury, do not lean over
the battery or accidentally let the
jumper cables or clamps touch any-
thing except the correct battery termi-
nals or the ground.
5. Start your engine in the normal way.After starting, run it at about 2000 rpm
for several minutes with the accelerator
pedal lightly depressed.
6. Carefully disconnect the cables in the exact reverse order: the negative cable
and then the positive cable.
7. Carefully dispose of the battery cover cloths—they may now contain sulfuric
acid.
8. If removed, replace all the battery vent plugs.
If the cause of your battery discharging is
not apparent (for example, lights left on),
you should have it checked at your Toyota
dealer. If your engine stalls while driving...
1. Reduce your speed gradually, keeping a straight line. Move cautiously off the
road to a safe place.
2. Turn on your emergency flashers.
3. Try starting the engine again.
If the engine will not start, see “If your
vehicle will not start”.
CAUTION
If the engine is not running, the pow-
er assist for the brakes and steering
will not work so steering and braking
will be much harder than usual.
If the engine speed does not increase with
the accelerator pedal depressed down to
about the middle position, there may be
a problem somewhere in your electronic
throttle control system.
At this time, if you depress the accelera-
tor pedal more firmly and slowly, you can
drive your vehicle at low speeds. Have
your vehicle checked by your Toyota deal-
er as soon as possible.
Even if the abnormality of the electronic
throttle control system is corrected during
low speed driving, the system may not be
recovered until the engine is stopped and
the ignition key is turned to “ACC” or
“LOCK” position.
CAUTION
Be especially careful to prevent erro-
neous pedal operation.
If your engine stalls while
drivingIf you cannot increase the engine
speed (fourwheel drive models and
Pre Runner with 5VZFE engine)

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Rear
Front
Twowheel drive models except
Pre Runner
RearFront
Fourwheel drive models and
Pre Runner 5. Position the jack at the correct
jack point as shown.
Make sure the jack is positioned on
a level and solid place.
JACK POINTS:
Tw o −wheel drive models except Pre
Runner
Front—Under the frame side rail
Rear—Under the rear axle housing
Four −wheel drive models and Pre
Runner
Front—Under the front suspension cross member
Rear—Under the rear axle housing
Specified
jack point
NOTICE
Only put the jack to the speci-
fied jack point; otherwise your
vehicle may be damaged.
—Positioning the jack