2016 TOYOTA TACOMA Owners Manual (in English)

1854-1. Before driving
4
Driving
WARNING
■Hitch
Trailer hitch assemblies have different weight capacities established by the
hitch manufacturer. Even though the vehicle may be physically capable of
towing a higher weight, the operator must determine the maximum weight
rating of the particular hitch assembly and never exceed the maximum
weight rating specified for the trailer-hitch. Exceeding the maximum weight
rating set by the trailer-hitch manufacturer can cause an accident resulting
in death or serious personal injuries.
■When towing a trailer
Toyota recommends trailers with brakes that conform to any applicable fed-
eral and state/provincial regulations.
●If the gross trailer weight exceeds unbraked TWR, trailer brakes are
required. Toyota recommends trailers with brakes that conform to all appli-
cable federal and state/provincial regulations.
●Never tap into your vehicle’s hydraulic system, as this will lower the vehi-
cle’s braking effectiveness.
●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 into another lane.
NOTICE
■When installing a trailer hitch
Use only the position recommended by your Toyota dealer. Do not install
the trailer hitch on the bumper; this may cause body damage.
■Do not directly splice trailer lights
Do not directly splice trailer lights. Directly splicing trailer lights may damage
your vehicle’s electrical system and cause a malfunction.

1864-1. Before driving
Dinghy towing
Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with 4 wheels
on the ground) behind a motor home.
NOTICE
■To avoid serious damage to your vehicle
Do not tow your vehicle with the four wheels on the ground.

1874-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles without a
smart key system)
Automatic transmission
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is set in P.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
Turn the engine switch to the “START” position to start the engine.
Manual transmission
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is set in N.
Firmly depress the clutch pedal.
Turn the engine switch to the “START” position to start the engine.
“LOCK”
The steering wheel is locked and
the key can be removed. (Vehicles
with an automatic transmission:
The key can be removed only
when the shift lever is in P.)
“ACC”
Some electrical components such
as the audio system can be used.
“ON”
All electrical components can be used.
“START”
For starting the engine.
Starting the engine
Changing the engine switch positions
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4

1884-2. Driving procedures
■Turning the key from “ACC” to “LOCK”
Shift the shift lever to P (automatic transmission) or N (manual transmis-
sion).
■If the engine does not start (vehicles with engine immobilizer system)
The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. (P. 69)
Contact your Toyota dealer.
■When the steering lock cannot be released
■Key reminder function
A buzzer sounds if the driver’s door is opened while the engine switch is in
the “ACC” or “LOCK” position to remind you to remove the key.Push in the key and turn it to the
“LOCK” position.
When starting the engine, the engine
switch may seem stuck in the “LOCK”
position. To free it, turn the key while turn-
ing the steering wheel slightly left and
right.
1
2

1894-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
WARNING
■When starting the engine
Always start the engine while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the
accelerator pedal while starting the engine under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■Caution while driving
Do not turn the engine switch to the “LOCK” position while driving. If, in an
emergency, you must turn the engine off while the vehicle is moving, turn
the engine switch only to the “ACC” position to stop the engine. An accident
may result if the engine is stopped while driving. (P. 501)
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the engine switch in the “ACC” or “ON” position for long peri-
ods of time without the engine running.
■When starting the engine
●Do not crank the engine for more than 30 seconds at a time. This may
overheat the starter and wiring system.
●Do not race a cold engine.
●If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have your vehi-
cle checked by your Toyota dealer immediately.

1904-2. Driving procedures
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles with a
smart key system)
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is in P.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
and a message will be dis-
played on the multi-information dis-
play.
If it is not displayed, the engine
cannot be started.
Press the engine switch.
The engine will crank until it starts
or for up to 30 seconds, whichever
is less.
Continue depressing the brake
pedal until the engine is completely
started.
The engine can be started from
any engine switch mode.
Stop the vehicle.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Set the parking brake. (P. 202)
Press the engine switch.
Release the brake pedal and check that the display on the instru-
ment cluster is off.
Performing the following operations when carrying the elec-
tronic key on your person starts the engine or changes engine
switch modes.
Starting the engine
1
2
3
4
Stopping the engine
1
2
3
4
5

1914-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
Modes can be changed by pressing the engine switch with brake
pedal released. (The mode changes each time the switch is pressed.)
Off
*
The emergency flashers can be
used.
ACCESSORY mode
Some electrical components such
as the audio system can be used.
“ACCESSORY” will be displayed
on the multi-information display.
IGNITION ON mode
All electrical components can be
used.
“IGNITION ON” will be displayed
on the multi-information display.
*: If the shift lever is in a position
other than P when turning off the
engine, the engine switch will be
turned to ACCESSORY mode, not
to off.
If the engine is stopped with the shift lever in a position other than P,
the engine switch will not be turned off but instead be turned to
ACCESSORY mode. Perform the following procedure to turn the
switch off:
Check that the parking brake is set.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Check that “Turn Power OFF” is displayed on the multi-information
display and then press the engine switch once.
Check that “Turn Power OFF” on the multi-information display is off.
Changing engine switch modes
1
2
3
When stopping the engine with the shift lever in a position other
than P
1
2
3
4

1924-2. Driving procedures
■Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode for more than 20 minutes or IGNI-
TION ON mode (the engine is not running) for more than an hour with the
shift lever in P, the engine switch will automatically turn off. However, this
function cannot entirely prevent battery discharge. Do not leave the vehicle
with the engine switch in ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode for long peri-
ods of time when the engine is not running.
■Electronic key battery depletion
P. 106
■Conditions affecting operation
P. 124
■Note for the entry function
P. 125
■If the engine does not start
●The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. (P. 69)
Contact your Toyota dealer.
●Check that the shift lever is securely set in P. The engine may not start if the
shift lever is displaced out of P. “Shift to P Position” will be displayed on the
multi-information display.
■Steering lock
After turning the engine switch off and opening and closing the doors, the
steering wheel will be locked due to the steering lock function. Operating the
engine switch again automatically cancels the steering lock.
■When the steering lock cannot be released
■Steering lock motor overheating prevention
To prevent the steering lock motor from overheating, operation of the motor
may be suspended if the engine is turned on and off repeatedly in a short
period of time. In this case, refrain from running the engine. After about
10 seconds, the steering lock motor will resume functioning. A message will be displayed on the multi-
information display.
Check that the shift lever is in P. Press the
engine switch while turning the steering
wheel left and right.