2004 TOYOTA TACOMA ECU

’04 Tacoma U (L/O 0309)
240
2004 TACOMA from Sep. ’03 Prod. (OM35814U)
However, if towing with a fifth
wheel trailer, the cargo load must
be distributed so that the tongue
load is 19 to 21% of the total trailer
weight. Never load the trailer with
more weight in the back than in the
front. About 60% of the trailer load
should be in the front half of the
trailer and the remaining 40% in the
rear.
HITCHES
Use only a weight carrying hitch
designed for the total trailer weight.
Toyota does not recommend using a
weight distribution (load equalizing)
hitch.
The hitch must be bolted securely to
the vehicle frame and installed accord-
ing to the hitch manufacturer ’s instruc-
tions.
If using a fifth wheel hitch, the center
of the king pin must be forward of the
axis of the vehicle’s rear wheels, and
installed according to the manufactur-
er ’s instructions.
The hitch ball and king pin should have
a light coat of grease.
Toyota recommends that the trailer
hitch, except fifth wheel hitch, be re-
moved when not towing to prevent inju-
ry and/or damage by the hitch in event
of a rear end collision. After removing
the hitch, the installation area should
be sealed to prevent entry of exhaust
fumes and mud.
NOTICE
Do not use an axlemounting hitch as
it may cause damage to the axle
housing, wheel bearings, wheels and/
or tires.
BRAKES AND SAFETY CHAINS
Toyota recommends trailers with
brakes that conform to any applica-
ble federal and state/provincial regu-
lations.
A safety chain must always be used
between the towing vehicle and the
trailer. Leave sufficient slack in the
chain for turns. The chain should
cross under the trailer tongue to
prevent the tongue from dropping to
the ground in case it becomes dam-
aged or separated. For correct safety
chain procedures, follow the hitch or
trailer manufacturer ’s recommenda-
tions.
CAUTION
If the total trailer weight exceeds
453 kg (1000 lb.), trailer brakes are
required.
Never tap into your vehicle’s hy-
draulic system as it would lower its
braking effectiveness.

’04 Tacoma U (L/O 0309)
241
2004 TACOMA from Sep. ’03 Prod. (OM35814U)
Never tow a trailer without using a
safety chain securely attached to
both the trailer and the vehicle. If
damage occurs to the coupling unit
or hitch ball, there is danger of the
trailer wandering over into another
lane.
TIRES
Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are
properly inflated. See Section 7−2 and
Section 8 for instructions.
The trailer tires should be inflated to
the pressure recommended by the trail-
er manufacturer in respect to the total
trailer weight.
TRAILER LIGHTS
Trailer lights must comply with federal,
state/provincial and local regulations.
See your local recreational vehicle
dealer or rental agency for the correct
type of wiring and relays for your trail-
er. Check for correct operation of the
turn signals and stop lights each time
you hitch up. Direct splicing may dam-
age your vehicle’s electrical system
and cause a malfunction of your lights. BREAKIN SCHEDULE
Toyota recommends that you do not
tow a trailer with a new vehicle or a
vehicle with any new power train com-
ponent (engine, transmission, differen-
tial, wheel bearing, etc.) for the first
800 km (500 miles) of driving.
MAINTENANCE
If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will
require more frequent maintenance due
to the additional load. For this informa-
tion, please refer to the scheduled
maintenance information in the “Sched-
uled Maintenance Guide” or “Owner ’s
Manual Supplement”.
Retighten all fixing bolts of the towing
ball and bracket after approximately
1000 km (600 miles) of trailer driving.
PRETOWING SAFETY CHECK
Check that your vehicle remains level
when a loaded or unloaded trailer is
hitched. Do not drive if the vehicle has
an abnormal nose −up or nose −down
condition, and check for improper
tongue load, overload, worn suspension
or other possible causes.
Make sure the trailer cargo is securely
loaded so that it cannot shift.
Check that your rear view mirrors con-
form to any applicable federal state/
provincial or local regulations. If not,
install the rear view mirrors required
for towing purpose.
TRAILER TOWING TIPS
When towing a trailer, your vehicle will
handle differently than when not tow-
ing. The three main causes of vehicle
trailer accidents are driver error, exces-
sive speed and improper trailer loading.
Keep these in mind when towing:
Before starting out, check operation of
the lights and all vehicle −trailer connec-
tions. After driving a short distance,
stop and recheck the lights and con-
nections. Before actually towing a trail-
er, practice turning, stopping and back-
ing with a trailer in an area away from
traffic until you learn the feel.

’04 Tacoma U (L/O 0309)
252
2004 TACOMA from Sep. ’03 Prod. (OM35814U)
NOTICE
Do not continue driving with a
deflated tire. Driving even a
short distance can damage a
tire and wheel beyond repair.
1. Get the required tools andspare tire.
1 Wheel nut wrench
2 Jack handle
3Jack
To prepare yourself for an emergency,
you should familiarize yourself with
the use of the jack, each of the tools
and their storage locations.Turn the jack joint by hand.
To rem ov e: Tur n the joint in direction
1 until the jack is free.
To store: Turn the joint in direction 2
until the jack is fi rmly secured to pre-
vent it flying forward during a collision
or sudden braking.
—Required tools and spare tire
(regular cab models)

’04 Tacoma U (L/O 0309)
253
2004 TACOMA from Sep. ’03 Prod. (OM35814U)
To remove the spare tire:1. Insert the end of the jack handle into the lowering screw and turn
it counterclockwise.
2. After the tire is lowered completely to the ground, remove the holding
bracket.
When storing the spare tire, put it in
place with the outer side of the wheel
facing up. Then secure the tire, taking
care that the tire goes straight up
without catching on any other part, to
prevent it from flying forward during
a collision or sudden braking.Xtracab models
Double cab models 1. Get the required tools and
spare tire.
1 Tool bag
2Jack
To prepare yourself for an emergency,
you should familiarize yourself with
the use of the jack, each of the tools
and their storage locations.
—Required tools and spare tire
(xtracab and double cab
models)

’04 Tacoma U (L/O 0309)
254
2004 TACOMA from Sep. ’03 Prod. (OM35814U)
Turn the jack joint by hand.
To rem ov e: Tur n the joint in direction
1 until the jack is free.
To store: Turn the joint in direction 2
until the jack is fi rmly secured to pre-
vent it flying forward during a collision
or sudden braking.To remove the spare tire:
1. Put a jack handle, jack handle ex- tension and jack handle end to-
gether as shown in the illustration.
1 Jack handle end
2 Jack handle extension
3 Jack handle
NOTICE
Tighten all joints securely.
Otherwise, the extension may
come off and it may damage
the paint or vehicle body.
2. Insert the end of the jack handle
end into the lowering screw and
turn it counterclockwise with the
handle.
3. After the tire is lowered completely to the ground, remove the holding
bracket.
When storing the spare tire, put it in
place with the outer side of the wheel
facing up. Then secure the tire, taking
care that the tire goes straight up
without catching on any other part, to
prevent it from flying forward during
a collision or sudden braking.

’04 Tacoma U (L/O 0309)
258
2004 TACOMA from Sep. ’03 Prod. (OM35814U)
Xtra−cab and double cab models—
Put a jack handle, jack handle exten-
sion and jack handle end together as
shown in the illustration.
1 Jack handle end
2 Jack handle extension
3 Jack handle
NOTICE
Tighten all joints securely.
Otherwise, the extension may
come off and it may damage
the paint or vehicle body.
6. After making sure that no oneis in the vehicle, raise it high
enough so that the spare tire
can be installed.
Remember you will need more ground
clearance when putting on the spare
tire than when removing the flat tire.
Regular cab models—To raise the ve-
hicle, insert the jack handle into the
jack (it is a loose fit) and turn it clock-
wise. As the jack touches the vehicle
and begins to lift, double− check that
it is properly positioned. Xtra
−cab and double cab models—To
raise the vehicle, in sert the jack han-
dle end with the extension into the
jack (it is a loose fit) and turn it clock-
wise with the handle. As the jack
touches the vehicle and begins to lift,
double −check that it is properly posi-
tioned.
CAUTION
Never get under the vehicle when
the vehicle is supported by the
jack alone.
—Raising your vehicle

’04 Tacoma U (L/O 0309)
260
2004 TACOMA from Sep. ’03 Prod. (OM35814U)
CAUTION
Never use oil or grease on the
bolts or nuts. Doing so may lead
to overtightening the nuts and
damaging the bolts. The nuts
may loose and the wheels may
fall off, which could cause a seri-
ous accident. If there is oil or
grease on any bolt or nut, clean
it.
Twowheel drive models except
Pre Runner
Fourwheel drive models and
Pre Runner9. Lower the vehicle completely
and tighten the wheel nuts.
Regular cab models—Turn the jack
handle counterclockwise to lower the
vehicle.
Xtra −cab and double cab models—
Turn the jack handle end with the ex-
tension counterclockwise with handle
to lower the vehicle, making sure the
handle remains firmly fitted onto the
jack handle extension.
Use only the wheel nut wrench and
turn it clockwise to tighten the nuts.
Do not use other tools or any addition-
al leverage other than your hands,
such as a hammer, pipe or your foot.
Make sure the wrench is securely en-
gaged over the nut.
Tighten each nut a little at a time in
the order shown. Repeat the process
until all the nuts are tight.
—Lowering your vehicle

’04 Tacoma U (L/O 0309)
261
2004 TACOMA from Sep. ’03 Prod. (OM35814U)
CAUTION
When lowering the vehicle,
make sure all portions of your
body and all other persons
around will not be injured as
the vehicle is lowered to the
ground.
 Have the wheel nuts tightened
with torque wrench to 110 N·m
(11.5 kgf·m, 83 ft·lbf), as soon
as possible after changing
wheels. Otherwise, the nuts
may loosen and the wheels
may fall off, which could cause
a serious accident.
10.Reinstall the wheel ornament.
Put the wheel ornament into position
and then tap it firmly with the side or
heel of your hand to snap it into place.
CAUTION
Take due care in handling the or-
nament to avoid unexpected per-
sonal injury.
11. Check the air pressure of the re-
placed tire.
Adjust the air pressu re to the specifi-
cation designated in Section 8. If the
pressure is lower, drive slowly to the
nearest service station and fill to the
correct pressure.
Do not forget to reinstall the tire infla-
tion valve cap as dirt and moisture
could get into th e valve core and
possibly cause air leakage. If the cap
is missing, have a new one put on as
soon as possible.
12.Restow all the tools, jack and flat tire securely.
As soon after changing wheels as
possible, tighten the wheel nuts to the
torque specified in Section 8 with a
torque wrench. Have a technician re-
pair the flat tire.
—Reinstalling wheel ornament —After changing wheels