2012 TOYOTA TUNDRA engine

288 2-5. Driving information
●To maintain engine braking efficiency and charging system perfor-
mance when using engine braking, do not use the transmission in
D.
Transmission shift range position must be in 4 in the S mode.
● Instability happens more frequently when descending steep or long
downhill grades. Before descending, slow down and downshift. Do
not make sudden downshifts while descending steep or long down-
hill grades.
● Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or applying the
brakes too frequently. This could cause the brakes to overheat and
result in reduced braking efficiency.
● Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle’s engine may
overheat on hot days (at temper atures over 85°F [30°C]) when
driving up a long or steep grade. If the engine coolant temperature
gauge indicates overheating, immediately turn off the air condition-
ing (if in use), pull your vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot.
(  P. 651)
● Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle’s and the
trailer’s wheels when parking. Ap ply the parking brake firmly, and
put the transmission in P. Avoid parking on a slope, but if unavoid-
able, do so only after performing the following:
Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
Have someone place wheel blo cks under both the vehicle’s
and trailer’s wheels.
When the wheel blocks are in place, release the brakes slowly
until the blocks absorb the load.
Apply the parking brake firmly.
Shift into P and turn off the engine.

289
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
●
When restarting after parking on a slope:
With the transmission in P, start the engine. Be sure to keep
the brake pedal pressed.
Shift into D or R (if reversing).
Release the parking brake and brake pedal, and slowly pull or
back away from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply the brakes.
Have someone retrieve the blocks.
■ Matching trailer ball height to trailer coupler height
■ Before towing
Check that the following conditions are met:
●Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. ( P. 678)
● Trailer tires are inflated according to the trailer manufacturer’s recom-
mendation.
● All trailer lights work as required by law.
● All lights work each time you connect them.
● The trailer ball is set at the proper height for the coupler on the trai\
ler.
No matter which class of tow hitch
applies, for a more safe trailer hookup,
the trailer ball setup must be the proper
height for the coupler on the trailer.
Coupler
Trailer ball

290 2-5. Driving information
●The vehicle remains level when a loaded or unloaded trailer is hitched.
Do not drive if the vehicle is not level, and check for improper tongue
weight, overloading, worn suspension, or other possible causes.
● The trailer cargo is securely loaded.
● The rear view mirrors conform to all applicable federal, state/provincial or
local regulations. If they do not, install rear view mirrors appropriate for
towing purposes.
● Depress TOW/HAUL button (if equipped)
■ Break-in schedule
If your vehicle is new or equipped with any new power train components
(such as an engine, transmission, differential or wheel bearing), Toyota rec-
ommends that you do not tow a trailer until the vehicle has been driven \
for
over 500 miles (800 km).
After the vehicle has been driven for over 500 miles (800 km), you can s\
tart
towing. However, for the next 500 miles (800 km), drive the vehicle at a
speed of less than 50 mph (80 km/h) when towing a trailer, and avoid full
throttle acceleration.
■ Maintenance
●If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent maintenance
due to the additional load. (See “Owner’s Warranty Information Booklet”
or “Scheduled Maintenance Guide” /“Owner’s Manual Supplement”.)
● Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approxi-
mately 600 miles (1000 km) of trailer towing.
■ If trailer sway occurs
One or more factors (crosswinds, passing vehicles, rough roads, etc.) can
adversely affect handling of your vehicle and trailer, causing instability.
●If trailer swaying occurs:
• Firmly grip the steering wheel. Steer straight ahead.
Do not try to control trailer swaying by turning the steering wheel.
• Begin releasing the accelerator pedal immediately but very gradually to reduce speed.
Do not increase speed. Do not apply vehicle brakes.
If you make no extreme correction with the steering or brakes, your vehicle
and trailer should stabilize. (if enabled, Trailer Sway Control can also help to
stabilize the vehicle and trailer.)

306 3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
• The start timing of the blower may be delayed for a short period of time
immediately after the air conditioning system is started in automatic
mode.
CAUTION
■ To prevent the windshield from fogging up
Do not use during cool air operation in extremely humid weather. The
difference between the temperature of the outside air and that of the wind-
shield can cause the outer surface of the windshield to fog up, blocking your
vision.
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the air conditioning system on longer than necessary when the
engine is stopped.

311
3-1. Using the air conditioning system
and defogger
3
Interior and exterior features
■If the ambient temperature drops while using the recirculated
air mode
The air intake mode automatically changes from recirculated air
mode to outside air mode after a few minutes.
To cancel this function:
Press and hold for longer than 2 seconds.
To reactivate this function:
Turn the engine switch to the LOCK or ACC position.
Adjusting the position and openi ng and closing the air outlets
Driver side outlets Direct air flow to the left or
right, up or down.
Turn the knob to open or close
the vent.

314 3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
CAUTION
■To prevent the windshield from fogging up
Do not set the air outlet selection dial to during cool air operation in
extremely humid weather. The difference between the temperature of the
outside air and that of the windshield can cause the outer surface of the
windshield to fog up, blocking your vision.
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the air conditioning system on longer than necessary when the
engine is stopped.

316 3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
■The defogger can be operated when
The engine switch is in the ON position.
■ The front windshield wiper de-icer (if equipped)
Turning the outside rear view mirror defoggers on will turn the front wind-
shield wiper de-icer on.
CAUTION
■Outside rear view mirror defoggers
The surfaces of the outside rear view mirrors become hot. Do not touch
them to prevent from burning yourself.
■ When the front windshield wiper de-icer is on (if equipped)
Do not touch the glass at the lower part of the windshield or to the side of the
front pillars as the surfaces can become very hot and burn you.
Vehicles with a manual air conditioning system
On/off
Press the button to turn on the
outside rear view mirror defog-
gers. The indicator will come
on. The defoggers will auto-
matically turn off after about
15 minutes. Pressing the but-
ton again also turns the defog-
gers off.

318 3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
■The defogger can be operated when
The engine switch is in the ON position.
■ Outside rear view mirror defoggers (if equipped)
Turning the back window defogger on will turn outside rear view mirror
defoggers on.
■ The front windshield wiper de-icer (if equipped)
Turning the back window defogger on will turn the front windshield wiper de-
icer on.
Vehicles with a manual air conditioning system
On/off
Press the button to turn on the
back window defogger. The
indicator will come on. The
defoggers will automatically
turn off after about 15 minutes.
Pressing the button again also
turns the defogger off.