2015 TOYOTA TACOMA Owners Manual (in English)

185
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
Rear differential lock system
Using the rear differential lock systemAutomatic transmission 4WD models: Before using the rear differential lock system.
Stop the vehicle, shift the shift lever to N and put the front-
wheel drive control switch in th e L4 position to see if this is
sufficient. If this has no effect, additionally use the rear differ-
ential lock system.
Be sure to stop the wheels.
Press the RR DIFF LOCK switch.
After the rear differential is locked, the indicator will come on.
Gently depress the accelerator pedal.
Unlock the rear differential as soon as the vehicle moves.
To unlock the rear differential, push the switch again.
: If equipped
The rear differential lock system is provided for use only when wheel
spinning occurs in a ditch or on a slippery or rugged surface.
The rear differential lock system is effective in case one of the rear
wheels is spinning.
Press the RR DIFF LOCK
switch to lock the rear differen-
tial.
At this time, the indicator will
blink. Wait a few seconds for
the system to complete opera-
tion. After the rear differential is
locked, the rear differential lock
indicator will stop blinking and
remain on.
To unlock the rear differential,
push the switch again.

186 2-4. Using other driving systems
Manual transmission4WD models: Before using the rear differential lock system.
Stop the vehicle or reduce your speed to less than 2 mph
(3 km/h). Depress the clutch pedal and put the front-wheel
drive control switch in the L4 positi on to see if this is sufficient.
If this has no effect, additionally use the rear differential lock
system.
Be sure to stop the wheels.
Depress the clutch pedal.
Press the RR DIFF LOCK switch.
After the rear differential is locked, the indicator will come on.
Slowly release the clutch pedal.
Unlock the rear differential as soon as the vehicle moves.
To unlock the rear differential, push the switch again.
■ Locking the rear differential
●When the rear differential is locked, VSC is automatically turned off.
(The rear differential lock and VSC OFF indicators come on.)
● The following systems do not operate when the rear differential is locked.
It is normal operation for the ABS warning light and VSC OFF indicator to
be on at this time. If the DAC switch turns on, the downhill assist cont\
rol
system indicator light flashes.
•ABS
• Brake assist system
•VSC
•TRAC
• Downhill assist control system
• Hill-start assist control system
■ The rear differential lock is disengaged when
Shift the front-wheel drive control switch to H2 or H4 position. (4WD models)
Never forget to turn off the switch after using this feature.

187
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
■After unlocking the rear differential
To check that the indicator goes off, turn the engine switch to the ON posi-
tion, but do not start the engine.
CAUTION
■To avoid an accident
●Do not use the rear differential lock system except when wheel spinning
occurs in a ditch or on a slippery or ragged surface. Large steering effort
and careful cornering control will be required.
● Do not lock the rear differential until the wheels have stopped spinning.
Otherwise, the vehicle may move in an unexpected direction when the dif-
ferential lock is engaged, resulting in an accident. This may also lead to
possible damage to differential lock component parts.
● Do not drive over 5 mph (8 km/h) when the differential is locked.
● Do not keep driving with the RR DIFF LOCK switch on.

188
2-4. Using other driving systems
Downhill Assist Control system
: If equipped
The downhill assist control system helps to prevent excessive speed
on steep downhill descents.
■System operation
The system will operate when the vehicle is traveling under
15 mph (25 km/h) and the front-wheel drive control switch is in
the L4 position.
Press the DAC switch. The
indicator will come on, and the
system will operate.
With the vehicle traveling at a
speed of 15 mph (25 km/h) or
less, release your foot from
the accelerator or brake pedal
to activate the system.
When the system is in opera-
tion, the slip indicator will flash,
and the stop lights/high
mounted stop light will come
on. A sound may also occur
during the operation. This does
not indicate a malfunction.
■Turning off the system
Press the DAC switch while the syst em is in operation. The indi-
cator will flash as the system gradually ceases operation, and
will turn off when the system is fully off.
Pressing the DAC switch while the indicator is flashing will start
the system again.

189
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
■Operating tips
The system will operate when the shift lever is in a position other than P.
However, to make effective use of the system it is recommended that the
shift lever be shifted to 2 or L.
■ The system will not operate when
●The front-wheel drive control switch is in the H2 or H4 position.
● The rear differential is locked.
■ The downhill assist control system indicator light flashes when
● The shift lever is in the N position.
● The front-wheel drive control switch is in the H2 or H4 position.
● The rear differential is locked.
■ If the brake system overheats
The system will cease operation and a buzzer will sound to alert the driver.
Stop the vehicle in a safe place. (Ther e is no problem with continuing normal
driving.)
■ System malfunction
●The downhill assist control system indicator does not come on when the
engine switch is turned to the ON position.
● The downhill assist control system indicator does not come on when the
DAC switch is pressed.
In the above cases have your vehicle checked by your Toyota dealer.
CAUTION
■Do not rely excessively on the downhill assist control system
It may not be able to maintain a low speed over road surfaces on which slid-
ing can easily occur, such as extremely steep slopes or icy or muddy roads.

190
2-4. Using other driving systems
Clutch start cancel switch
: If equipped
■Clutch start system
The system is designed to keep the starter motor from operating if the clutch
pedal is not depressed all the way down.
The switch allows the vehicle to be driven out of difficult situations
by cranking the engine with the clutch engaged.
Never use the switch for normal engine starting. Be sure to follow the
starting procedure. ( P. 131)
Press the CLUTCH START
CANCEL switch to cancel the
clutch start system when the
engine switch is turned to the
ON position.
The indicator comes on when
the clutch start system is can-
celed.
The clutch start cancel switch
is automatically turned off
when the engine switch is
turned off.

191
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
Driving assist systems
To help enhance driving safety and performance, the following sys-
tems operate automatically in res ponse to various driving situations.
Be aware, however, that these systems are supplementary and
should not be relied upon too heavi ly when operating the vehicle.
■ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenly, or if
the brakes are applied while driving on a slippery road surface.
■Brake assist
Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake pedal is
depressed, while the system detects a panic stop situation.
■VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to control skidding when swerving suddenly or turning
on slippery road surfaces.
■Trailer Sway Control (vehicl es with towing hitch and 7 pin
connector)
Helps the driver to control trailer sway by selectively applying brake
pressure for individual wheels and reducing engine torque when trailer
sway is detected.
Trailer Sway Control is part of the VSC system and will not operate if
VSC is turned off or experiences a malfunction.
■ TRAC (Traction Control)
Helps to maintains drive power and prevent the drive wheels from spin-
ning when starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads.
■Hill-start assist control (if equipped)
Helps prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards when starting on an
incline or slippery slope. It operates for approximately 5 seconds at
maximum.

192 2-4. Using other driving systems
When the VSC/Trailer Sway Control/TRAC/hill-start assist control
systems are operatingThe slip indicator will flash while
the VSC/Trailer Sway Con-
trol/TRAC/hill-start assist control
systems are operating.
The stop lights and high mounted
stoplight turn on when the
hill-start assist control system or
Trailer Sway Control is operating.
To disable VSC, Trailer Sway Control and TRAC (2WD models
and 2WD mode on 4WD models)
If the vehicle gets stuck in fresh snow or mud, VSC, Trailer Sway
Control and TRAC may reduce power from the engine to the wheels.
You may need to turn the system off to enable you to rock the vehicle
in order to free it.
■ Turning off TRAC, VSC and Trailer Sway Control
Press and hold the VSC OFF
switch for more than 3 seconds
while the vehicle is stopped to
turn off TRAC, VSC and Trailer
Sway Control.
The VSC OFF and TRAC OFF
indicators will come on.
Push the switch again to turn both
systems back on.