2015 TOYOTA TACOMA automatic transmission

210 2-5. Driving information
Selecting tire chainsUse the correct tire chain size when mounting the snow chains.
Chain size is regulated for each tire size.
Side chain
0.2 in. (5 mm) in diameter
Cross chain
0.25 in. (6.3 mm) in diameter
Regulations on the use of snow chains
● Regulations regarding the use of tire chains vary according to loca-
tion and type of road. Always check local regu lations before install-
ing chains.
● Install the chains on the rear tires.
● Retighten the chains after drivi ng 1/4 - 1/2 mile (0.5 - 1.0 km).
■When driving the vehicle
Accelerate the vehicle slowly and drive at a reduced speed suit-
able to road conditions.
■ When parking the vehicle
Park the vehicle and move the shift lever to P (automatic trans-
mission) or 1 or R (manual transmission) without setting the
parking brake. The parking brak e may freeze up, preventing it
from being released. If necessary , block the wheels to prevent
inadvertent sliding or creeping.

226 2-5. Driving information
●Reversing with a trailer attached is difficult and requires practice.
Grip the bottom of the steering wheel and move your hand to the
left to move the trailer to the left. Move your hand to the right to
move the trailer to the right. (This is generally opposite to reversing
without a trailer attached.) Avoid sharp or prolonged turning. Have
someone guide you when reversing to reduce the risk of an acci-
dent.
● As stopping distance is increased when towing a trailer, vehicle-to-
vehicle distance should be increased. For each 10 mph (16 km/h)
of speed, allow at least o ne vehicle and trailer length.
● Avoid sudden braking as you may skid, resulting in the trailer jack-
knifing and a loss of vehicle control. This is especially true on wet
or slippery surfaces.
● Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.
● Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns, and slow down before mak-
ing a turn.
● Note that when making a turn, th e trailer wheels will be closer than
the vehicle wheels to the inside of the turn. Compensate by making
a wider than normal turning radius.
● Slow down before making a turn, in cross winds, on wet or slippery
surfaces, etc.
Increasing vehicle speed c an destabilize the trailer.
● Take care when passing other v ehicles. Passing requires consider-
able distance. After passing a vehi cle, do not forget the length of
your trailer, and be sure you hav e plenty of room before changing
lanes.
● To maintain engine braking efficiency and charging system perfor-
mance when using engine braking, do not use fifth gear (5-speed
manual transmission), sixth gear (6-speed manual transmission),
or do not put the transmission in D (automatic transmission).

227
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
●
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 temperatures over 85°F [30°C]) when
driving up a long or steep grade. If the engine coolant temperature
gauge indicates overheating, immedi ately turn off the air condition-
ing (if in use), pull your vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot.
(  P. 508)
● 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 (automatic transmission) or in 1 or R
(manual transmission). Avoid park ing 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 pl ace, release the brakes slowly
until the blocks absorb the load.
Apply the parking brake firmly.
Shift into P (automatic transmission) or 1 or R (manual trans-
mission) and turn off the engine.
● When restarting after parking on a slope:
With the transmission in P (automatic transmission) or the
clutch pedal (manual transmission) depressed, start the
engine. On vehicles with an au tomatic transmission, be sure
to keep the brake pedal depressed.
Shift into a forward gear. If reversing, shift into R.

228 2-5. Driving information
Release the parking brake (and also the brake pedal on vehi-
cles with an automatic transmission), 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. 532)
● 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.
● The trailer is level when it is hitched.
Do not drive if the trailer is not level, and check for improper tongue
weight, overloading, worn suspension, or other possible causes.
● The trailer cargo is securely loaded.
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

342 3-4. Using the storage features
Cup holdersVehicles with an automatic transmission
Vehicles with a manual transmission
Cup holders

343
3-4. Using the
storage features
3
Interior and exterior features
■Removing the cup holder (vehicles with an automatic transmission)
CAUTION
■Items unsuitable for the cup holder
Do not place anything other than cups or aluminum cans in the cup holders.
Other items may be thrown out of the holders in the event of an accident or
sudden braking and cause injury. If possible, cover hot drinks to prevent
burns.
Pull the cup holder up.
Cup holders

353
3-5. Other interior features
3
Interior and exterior features
Power outlet (120 VAC)
Maximum available capacity of the power outlet■ While the vehicle is being driven
The maximum capacity of the power outlet is always
120 VAC/100 W.
■ When the vehicle is stationary
The maximum capacity of the power outlet varies depending on
the following conditions.
●The maximum capacity is 120 VAC/400 W when the following
condition applies:
• The shift lever is in P or N. (automatic transmission)
: If equipped
The power outlet can be used for electrical appliances.
Main switch
To use the power outlet, turn on the main switch.
The power supply starts a few seconds after the main switch is
pressed.
Power outlet socket

354 3-5. Other interior features
• The shift lever is in N and the clutch pedal is not depressed.(manual transmission)
A maximum capacity of 400W can only be restored by turning
the power outlet main switch off and then on again under condi-
tion described above.
● The maximum capacity is 120 VAC/100 W when the following
condition applies:
• The shift lever is moved to any positions other than P and N.
(automatic transmission)
• The clutch pedal is depressed. (manual transmission)
■ The power outlet can be used when
The engine is started.
■ The indicator light changes accord ing the maximum available capacity,
as follows:
■ When the power outlet is in operation
The sound of the cooling fan may be heard from the front console box. This
is normal and does not indicate a malfunction.
■ If the engine is started with th e power outlet main switch on
The maximum capacity of the power supply may decrease to below the stan-
dard, or may be cut off completely, even when the vehicle is stationary.
Indicates 120 VAC/400 W
Indicates 120 VAC/100 W