2004 TOYOTA TACOMA ECU

’04 Tacoma U (L/O 0309)
125
2004 TACOMA from Sep. ’03 Prod. (OM35814U)
The light may occasionally flicker when
the engine is idling or it may come on
briefly after a hard stop. There is no
cause for concern if it then goes out when
the engine is accelerated slightly.
The light may come on when the oil level
is extremely low. It is not designed to
indicate low oil level, and the oil level
must be checked using the level dipstick.
NOTICE
Do not drive the vehicle with the
warning light on—even for one block.
It may ruin the engine.
(e) Malfunction Indicator Lamp
This lamp comes on when the ignition
key is turned to the “ON” position and
goes off after the engine starts. This
means that the warning light system is
operating properly.
If the lamp remains on, or the lamp
comes on while driving, first check the
followings.
Empty fuel tank
If the fuel tank is empty, refuel immedi-
ately.
Loose fuel tank cap
If the fuel tank cap is loose, securely
tighten it.
These cases are temporary malfunctions.
The malfunction indicator lamp will go off
after taking several driving trips.
If the lamp will not go off even after the
several trips, contact your Toyota dealer
as soon as possible.
If the fuel tank is not empty or the fuel
tank cap is not loose...
There is a problem somewhere in the
engine, emission control system, auto-
matic transmission electrical system or
warning light system itself.
Contact your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible to service the vehicle.
Four −wheel drive models and Pre Runner
with 5VZ −FE engine only—
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.
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
(I/M) programs
Your vehicle may not pass a state
emission inspection if the malfunction
indicator lamp remains on. Contact your
Toyota dealer to check your vehicle’s
emission control system and OBD
(On
−Board Diagnostics) system before
taking your vehicle for the inspection.
For details, see “Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance (I/M) programs” in Section 6.

’04 Tacoma U (L/O 0309)
136
2004 TACOMA from Sep. ’03 Prod. (OM35814U)
NOTICE
Be careful not to overrev the en-
gine. Watch the tachometer to keep
engine rpm from going into the red
zone. The approximate maximum al-
lowable speed for each position is
given below for your reference:
Twowheel drive models except Pre
Runner 2RZFE engine “2” 122 km/h (75 mph) . . . . . . .
“L” 64 km/h (39 mph) . . . . . . . .
Fourwheel drive models Front drive control lever in “H2” or
“H4”—
3RZFE engine“2” 113 km/h (70 mph) . . . . . . .
“L” 62 km/h (38 mph) . . . . . . . .
5VZFE engine “2” 119 km/h (73 mph) . . . . . . .
“L” 65 km/h (40 mph) . . . . . . . .
Front drive control lever in “L4”—
3RZFE engine“2” 44 km/h (27 mph) . . . . . . . .
“L” 24 km/h (14 mph) . . . . . . . .
5VZFE engine “2” 65 km/h (40 mph) . . . . . . . .
“L” 25 km/h (16 mph) . . . . . . . .
Pre Runner models
3RZFE engineRegular cab“2” 119 km/h (73 mph) . . . . .
“L” 65 km/h (40 mph) . . . . . .
Xtracab and double cab “2” 113 km/h (70 mph) . . . . .
“L” 62 km/h (38 mph) . . . . . .
5VZFE engine “2” 119 km/h (73 mph) . . . . . . .
“L” 65 km/h (40 mph) . . . . . . . .
 Do not continue hill climbing for a
long time in the “2” or “L” posi-
tion. This may cause severe auto-
matic transmission damage from
overheating. To prevent such dam-
age, use “D” position for hill climb-
ing or hard towing.(f) Backing up
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. With the brake pedal held down with your foot, shift the selector lever to the
“R” position.
NOTICE
Never shift into reverse while the ve-
hicle is moving.
(g) Parking
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Pull the parking brake lever fully to securely apply the parking brake.
3. With the brake pedal pressed down, shift the selector lever to the “P” posi-
tion.
CAUTION
Never attempt to move the selector
lever into “P” position under any cir-
cumstances while the vehicle is mov-
ing. Serious mechanical damage and
loss of vehicle control may result.

’04 Tacoma U (L/O 0309)
196
2004 TACOMA from Sep. ’03 Prod. (OM35814U)
The cup holder is designed for holding
cups or drinkcans securely.
CAUTION
Do not place anything else other than
cups or drinkcans in the cup holder,
as such items may be thrown about
in the compartment and possibly in-
jure people in the vehicle during sud-
den braking or in an accident.
The cup holder is designed for holding
cups or drinkcans securely.
CAUTION
Do not place anything else other than
cups or drinkcans in the cup holder,
as such items may be thrown about
in the compartment and possibly in-
jure people in the vehicle during sud-
den braking or in an accident.
The cup holder is designed for holding
cups or drinkcans securely.
To use the second cup holder, pull it out.
CAUTION
Do not use the second cup holder
when you sliding the bench seat
(regular cab models) or move pas-
senger ’s seat for rear seat entry
(xtracab models). The seat may in-
terfere with second cup holder and
the drink may spill over the occu-
pants. If the spilled drink is hot, it
may cause burns.
Front cup holder (type A) Front cup holder (type B) Front cup holder (type C)

’04 Tacoma U (L/O 0309)
197
2004 TACOMA from Sep. ’03 Prod. (OM35814U)
Do not place anything else other
than cups or drinkcans in the cup
holder, as such items may be
thrown about in the compartment
and possibly injure people in the
vehicle during sudden braking or in
an accident.
To reduce the chance of injury in
case of an accident or sudden stop
while driving, keep the second cup
holder closed when it is not in use.
NOTICE
Do not use the second cup holder
when you sliding the bench seat (reg-
ular cab models) or move passenger ’s
seat for rear seat entry (xtracab
model s). The seat may interfere with
the second cup holder and the spilled
drink may cause a malfunction on the
electrical components.
The cup holder is designed for holding
cups or drinkcans securely.
The cup holder adjusts to different sized
cups using its separator arms.
CAUTION
Do not use the cup holder when
you sliding the bench seat (regular
cab models) or move passenger ’s
seat for rear seat entry (xtracab
models). The seat may interfere
with the cup holder and the drink
may spill over the occupants. If the
spilled drink is hot, it may cause
burns.
Do not place anything else other
than cups or drinkcans in the cup
holder, as such items may be
thrown about in the compartment
and possibly injure people in the
vehicle during sudden braking or in
an accident.
To reduce the chance of injury in
case of an accident or sudden stop
while driving, keep the cup holder
closed when it is not in use.
NOTICE
Do not use the cup holder when you
sliding the bench seat (regular cab
models) or move passenger ’s seat for
rear seat entry (xtracab models). The
seat may interfere with the cup holder
and the spilled drink may cause a
malfunction on the electrical compo-
nents.
Front cup holder (type D)

’04 Tacoma U (L/O 0309)
198
2004 TACOMA from Sep. ’03 Prod. (OM35814U)
The cup holder is designed for holding
cups fit securely.
To use the cup holder, raise the folding
table under the right−rear seat. Stand the
table by compressing and turning down
the table legs.
CAUTION
Do not place anything else other
than cups in the cup holder, as
such item may be thrown about in
the compartment and possibly in-
jure people in the vehicle during
sudden braking or an accident.
To reduce the chance of injury in
case of an accident or sudden stop
while driving, keep the cup holder
closed when it is not in use.
Rear cup holder
(xtracab models) Rear cup holder
(double cab models)

’04 Tacoma U (L/O 0309)
199
2004 TACOMA from Sep. ’03 Prod. (OM35814U)
The cup holder is designed for holding
cups or drinkcans securely.
To use the cup holder, pull it out.
CAUTION
Do not place anything else other
than cups or drinkcans in the cup
holder, as such items may be
thrown about in the compartment
and possibly injure people in the
vehicle during sudden braking or in
an accident.
To reduce the chance of injury in
case of an accident or sudden stop
while driving, keep the cup holder
closed when it is not in use.You can use the rear seatback as a tem-
porary table only when the vehicle is
stopped.
To use the seatback table, fold the seat-
back down. (For detailed information, see
“Folding rear seatback” in Section 1−3.)
CAUTION
To avoid serious injury:
Do not set up the rear seatback
table while the vehicle is moving.
Do not sit on the seatback table.
NOTICE
To prevent damage to the seat, avoid
putting heavy loads on the temporary
table.
Seatback table

’04 Tacoma U (L/O 0309)
227
2004 TACOMA from Sep. ’03 Prod. (OM35814U)
When stowing cargo and luggage in
the vehicle, observe the following: Put cargo and luggage 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
forward as possible helps maintain
balance.
 For better fuel economy, do not
carry unneeded weight.
CAUTION
To prevent cargo and l uggage
from sliding forward during
braking, do not stack anything
behind the front seats higher
than the seatbacks (xtracab
and double cab models). Keep
cargo and luggage low, as
close to the floor as possible.
 Never allow anyone to ride in
the rear deck. It is not designed
for passengers. They s hould
ride in their seats with their
seat belts properly fastened.
Otherwise, they are much more
likely to suffer serious 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 turning, and im-
pair the driver’s control of the
vehicle. In an accident they
may injure the vehicle occu-
pants.Cargo capacity depends on the to-
tal weight of the occupants.
(Cargo capacity) = (Total load capac-
ity) – (Total weight of occupants)
STEPS FOR DETERMINING
CORRECT LOAD LIMIT
1. Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will
be riding in your vehicle.
2. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from
XXX kilograms or XXX pounds.
3. The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and lug-
gage load capacity. For example,
if the “XXX” am ount equals 1400
lbs. and there will be five 150 lb.
passengers in your vehicle, the
amount of available cargo and lug-
gage load capacity is 650 lbs.
(1400–750 (5x150)=650 lbs).
Cargo and luggage—
—Stowage precautions —Capacity and distribution

’04 Tacoma U (L/O 0309)
234
2004 TACOMA from Sep. ’03 Prod. (OM35814U)
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)