
210
2008 TUNDRA from Apr. ’08 Prod. (OM 34477U)
XS17001a
“START”—Starter motor on. The key
will return to the “ON” position when
released.
For starting tips, see page 474 in Section
3.
“ON”—Engine on and all accessories
on.
This is the normal driving position.
“ACC”—Accessories such as the radio
operate, but the engine is off.
If you leave the engine switch in the
“ACC” or “LOCK” position and open the
driver ’s door, a buzzer will remind you to
remove the key. “LOCK”—Engine is off and the steering
wheel is locked. The key can be re-
moved only at this position.
You must push in the key to turn the
engine switch from “ACC” to the “LOCK”
position. The selector lever must be put
in the “P” position before pushing the key.
Vehicles with engine immobilizer system—
Once you remove the key, the engine im-
mobilizer system is automatically set. (See
“Engine immobilizer system” on page 21
in Section 1−
2.)
When starting the engine, the engine
switch may seem stuck at the “LOCK”
position. To free it, first be sure the key
is pushed all the way in, and then rock
the steering wheel slightly while turning
the key gently.
Approximately five hours after the engine
is turned off, you may hear sound coming
from underneath the deck for several min-
utes. This is normal operation and does
not indicate a malfunction. (See “Leak
detection pump” on page x.)
It is not a malfunction if the needles on
all meters and gauges move slightly when
the engine switch is turned to the “ACC”,
“ON” or “START” position.
NOTICE
Do not leave the engine switch in the
“ON” position if the engine is not
running. The battery will discharge
and the ignition could be damaged.
Engine (ignition) switch

211
2008 TUNDRA from Apr. ’08 Prod. (OM 34477U)
Your automatic transmission has a shift
lock system to minimize the possibility of
incorrect operation. This means you can
only shift out of “P” position when the
brake pedal is depressed (with the engine
switch in “ON” position).
(a) Selector lever
The shift position is also displayed on the
instrument cluster.
P:Parking, engine starting and key re-
moval
R: Reverse
N: Neutral
D: Normal driving
S: “S” mode driving
+: Upshift range
: Downshift range
Automatic transmission (floor shift type)
5 speed models
XS17002a
Shift with the brake pedal
depressed. (The engine switch
must be in “ON” position.)
Shift normally.
To select “S” or “D”, lean the
selector lever leftward or rightward.
Selector lever

212
2008 TUNDRA from Apr. ’08 Prod. (OM 34477U)
(b) Normal driving
1. Start the engine as instructed in “How to start the engine” on page 474 in
Section 3. The transmission must be in
“P” or “N”.
When the front drive control switch knob
is in “4L” (low −speed position, four −wheel
drive), the driving pattern selector setting
has no effect on gear shift timing. (See
“Four −wheel drive system” on page 240 in
this Section for information of the front
drive control lever.)
2. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the selector lever to “D”.
When the lever is in the “D” position, the
automatic transmission system will select
the most suitable gear for running condi-
tions such as normal cruising, hill climb-
ing, hard towing, etc.
Always use the “D” position for better fuel
economy and quieter driving. If the engine
coolant temperature is low or when the
front drive control switch knob is in “4L”
(low −speed position, four −wheel drive), the
transmission will not shift into the over-
drive gear even in the “D” position. (See
“Four −wheel drive system” on page 240 in
this Section for information of the front
drive control.)CAUTION
Never put your foot on the accelera-
tor pedal while shifting.
3. Release the parking brake and brake pedal. Depress the accelerator pedal
slowly for smooth starting.
AI (Artificial Intelligence) shifting con-
trol—
AI shifting control selects the most
suitable shift range automatically ac-
cording to the driver’s operation and
driving condition.
AI shifting control operates automatical-
ly with the selector lever in the “D”
position. When the lever is moved to
the “S” position, this function will be
cancelled.
Shifting control on the slope:
On inclines, you can drive smoothly
with reduced shifting quantity. On de-
clines, the vehicle will shift down auto-
matically to obtain optimum engine
braking and reduce the driver ’s foot
braking load.
Automatic shifting point change con-
trol:
The most suitable shift range is se-
lected depending on the driver ’s accel-
erator pedal operation and vehicle con-
dition.
(c) Driving in “S” mode
The shift range position can be
changed in “S” mode. When the selec-
tor lever is in the “S” position, the
shift range position can be switched
between “5” (fifth range) and “1” (first
range) by shifting the selector lever to
the “+” (up) or “ ” (down) position. By
shifting the lever to the “+” (up) posi-
tion and holding it for at least 1 sec-
ond, the highest shift range position
can be obtained. However, it cannot be
changed while cruise control is acti-
vated. When the selector lever is
shifted to the “S” position, shift range
position “4” (fourth range) is selected
automatically.
However, if the selector lever is shifted
to the “S” position when AI shifting
control is being performed, the initial
shift range position may be “3” (third
range). This is because the suitable
shift range is selected depending on
the driving condition.

218
2008 TUNDRA from Apr. ’08 Prod. (OM 34477U)
Your automatic transmission has a shift
lock system to minimize the possibility of
incorrect operation. This means you can
only shift out of “P” position when the
brake pedal is depressed (with the engine
switch in “ON” position).
(a) Selector lever
The shift position is also displayed on the
instrument cluster.
P:Parking, engine starting and key re-
moval
R: Reverse
N: Neutral
D: Normal driving
S: “S” mode driving
+: Upshift range
: Downshift range
6 speed models
XS17002a
Shift with the brake pedal
depressed. (The engine switch
must be in “ON” position)
Shift normally.
To select “S” or “D”, lean the
selector lever leftward or
rightward.
Selector lever

219
2008 TUNDRA from Apr. ’08 Prod. (OM 34477U)
(b) Normal driving
1. Start the engine as instructed in “How to start the engine” on page 474 in
Section 3. The transmission must be in
“P” or “N”.
When the front drive control switch knob
is in “4L” (low −speed position, four −wheel
drive), the driving pattern selector setting
has no effect on gear shift timing. (See
“Four −wheel drive system” on page 240 in
this Section for information of the front
drive control lever.)
2. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the selector lever to “D”.
When the lever is in the “D” position, the
automatic transmission system will select
the most suitable gear for running condi-
tions such as normal cruising, hill climb-
ing, hard towing, etc.
Always use the “D” position for better fuel
economy and quieter driving. If the engine
coolant temperature is low or when the
front drive control switch knob is in “4L”
(low −speed position, four −wheel drive), the
transmission will not shift into the over-
drive gear even in the “D” position. (See
“Four −wheel drive system” on page 240 in
this Section for information of the front
drive control.)CAUTION
Never put your foot on the accelera-
tor pedal while shifting.
3. Release the parking brake and brake pedal. Depress the accelerator pedal
slowly for smooth starting.
AI (Artificial Intelligence) shifting con-
trol—
AI shifting control selects the most
suitable shift range automatically ac-
cording to the driver’s operation and
driving condition.
AI shifting control operates automatical-
ly with the selector lever in the “D”
position. When the lever is moved to
the “S” position, this function will be
cancelled.
Shifting control on the slope:
On inclines, you can drive smoothly
with reduced shifting quantity. On de-
clines, the vehicle will shift down auto-
matically to obtain optimum engine
braking and reduce the driver ’s foot
braking load.
Automatic shifting point change con-
trol:
The most suitable shift range is se-
lected depending on the driver ’s accel-
erator pedal operation and vehicle con-
dition.
(c) Driving in “S” mode
The shift range position can be
changed in “S” mode. When the selec-
tor lever is in the “S” position, the
shift range position can be switched
between “6” (sixth range) and “1” (first
range) by shifting the selector lever to
the “+” (up) or “ ” (down) position. By
shifting the lever to the “+” (up) posi-
tion and holding it for at least 1 sec-
ond, the highest shift range position
can be obtained. However, it cannot be
changed while cruise control is acti-
vated. When the selector lever is
shifted to the “S” position, shift range
position “4” (fourth range) or “5” (fifth
range) is selected depending on the ve-
hicle speed.

226
2008 TUNDRA from Apr. ’08 Prod. (OM 34477U)
Your automatic transmission has a shift
lock system to minimize the possibility of
incorrect operation. This means you can
only shift out of “P” position when the
brake pedal is depressed (with the engine
switch in “ON” position).
(a) Selector lever
The shift position is also displayed on the
instrument cluster.
P:Parking, engine starting and key re-
moval
R: Reverse
N: Neutral
D: Normal driving
S: “S” mode driving
+: Upshift range
: Downshift range
Automatic transmission (column shift type)
5 speed models
XS17026a
Shift with the brake pedal
depressed. (The engine switch
must be in “ON” position.)
Shift normally.
To select “S” or “D”, pull the
lever toward you and shift
down. Shift the lever up and
push outward.
Selector lever

227
2008 TUNDRA from Apr. ’08 Prod. (OM 34477U)
(b) Normal driving
1. Start the engine as instructed in “How to start the engine” on page 474 in
Section 3. The transmission must be in
“P” or “N”.
When the front drive control switch knob
is in “4L” (low −speed position, four −wheel
drive), the driving pattern selector setting
has no effect on gear shift timing. (See
“Four −wheel drive system” on page 240 in
this Section for information of the front
drive control lever.)
2. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the selector lever to “D”.
When the lever is in the “D” position, the
automatic transmission system will select
the most suitable gear for running condi-
tions such as normal cruising, hill climb-
ing, hard towing, etc.
Always use the “D” position for better fuel
economy and quieter driving. If the engine
coolant temperature is low or when the
front drive control switch knob is in “4L”
(low −speed position, four −wheel drive), the
transmission will not shift into the over-
drive gear even in the “D” position. (See
“Four −wheel drive system” on page 240 in
this Section for information of the front
drive control.)CAUTION
Never put your foot on the accelera-
tor pedal while shifting.
3. Release the parking brake and brake pedal. Depress the accelerator pedal
slowly for smooth starting.
AI (Artificial Intelligence) shifting con-
trol—
AI shifting control selects the most
suitable shift range automatically ac-
cording to the driver’s operation and
driving condition.
AI shifting control operates automatical-
ly with the selector lever in the “D”
position. When the lever is moved to
the “S” position, this function will be
cancelled.
Shifting control on the slope:
On inclines, you can drive smoothly
with reduced shifting quantity. On de-
clines, the vehicle will shift down auto-
matically to obtain optimum engine
braking and reduce the driver ’s foot
braking load.
Automatic shifting point change con-
trol:
The most suitable shift range is se-
lected depending on the driver ’s accel-
erator pedal operation and vehicle con-
dition.
(c) Driving in “S” mode
The shift range position can be
changed in “S” mode. When the selec-
tor lever is in the “S” position, the
shift range position can be switched
between “5” (fifth range) and “1” (first
range) by turning the “S” mode switch
of the selector lever to the “+” (up) or
“ ” (down) direction. By turning the
“S” mode switch to the “+” (up) direc-
tion and holding it for at least 1 sec-
ond, the highest shift range position
can be obtained. However, it cannot be
changed while cruise control is acti-
vated. When the selector lever is
shifted to the “S” position, shift range
position “4” (fourth range) is selected
automatically.
However, if the selector lever is shifted
to the “S” position when AI shifting
control is being performed, the initial
shift range position may be “3” (third
range). This is because the suitable
shift range is selected depending on
the driving condition.

233
2008 TUNDRA from Apr. ’08 Prod. (OM 34477U)
Your automatic transmission has a shift
lock system to minimize the possibility of
incorrect operation. This means you can
only shift out of “P” position when the
brake pedal is depressed (with the engine
switch in “ON” position).
(a) Selector lever
The shift position is also displayed on the
instrument cluster.
P:Parking, engine starting and key re-
moval
R: Reverse
N: Neutral
D: Normal driving
S: “S” mode driving
+: Upshift range
: Downshift range
6 speed models
XS17026a
Shift with the brake pedal
depressed. (The engine switch
must be in “ON” position)
Shift normally. To select “S” or “D”, pull the
lever toward you and shift
down. Shift the lever up and
push outward.
Selector lever