2016 TOYOTA TACOMA Owners Manual (in English)

1934-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■When “Smart Entry & Start System Check” is displayed on the multi-
information display
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toy-
ota dealer immediately.
■If the electronic key battery is depleted
P. 481
■Operation of the engine switch
●When operating the engine switch, one short, firm press is enough. If the
switch is pressed improperly, the engine may not start or the engine switch
mode may not change. It is not necessary to press and hold the switch.
●If attempting to restart the engine immediately after turning the engine
switch off, the engine may not start in some cases. After turning the engine
switch off, please wait a few seconds before restarting the engine.
■If the smart key system has been deactivated by a customized setting
P. 555
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
If engine failure occurs while the vehicle is moving, do not lock or open the
doors until the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop. Otherwise, the
steering lock function will activate and this may lead to an accident, result-
ing in death or serious injury.
■Stopping the engine in an emergency
If you want to stop the engine in an emergency while driving the vehicle,
press and hold the engine switch for more than 2 seconds, or press it briefly
3 times or more in succession. (P. 501)
However, do not touch the engine switch while driving except in an emer-
gency. Turning the engine off while driving will not cause loss of steering or
braking control, however, power assist to the steering will be lost. This will
make it more difficult to steer smoothly, so you should pull over and stop the
vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.

1944-2. Driving procedures
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
●Do not leave the engine switch in ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode
for long periods of time without the engine running.
●If “ACCESSORY” or “IGNITION ON” is displayed on the multi-information
display while the engine is not running, the engine switch is not off. Exit the
vehicle after turning the engine switch off.
●Do not stop the engine when the shift lever is in a position other than P. If
the engine is stopped in another shift lever position, the engine switch will
not be turned off but instead be turned to ACCESSORY mode. If the vehi-
cle is left in ACCESSORY mode, battery discharge may occur.
■When starting the engine
●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.
■Symptoms indicating a malfunction with the engine switch
If the engine switch seems to be operating somewhat differently than usual,
such as the switch sticking slightly, there may be a malfunction. Contact
your Toyota dealer immediately.

1954-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
Automatic transmission
Vehicles without a smart key system:
While the engine switch is in the “ON” position, move the shift
lever with the brake pedal depressed.
When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the vehi-
cle is completely stopped.
Vehicles with a smart key system:
While the engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode, move the shift
lever with the brake pedal depressed.
When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the vehi-
cle is completely stopped.
: If equipped
Shifting the shift lever

1964-2. Driving procedures

*1: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noises, set the shift lever in the D
position for normal driving.
*2: Selecting shift ranges using S mode restricts the upper limit of the possible
gear ranges, controls engine braking forces, and prevents unnecessary
upshifting.
Use when high levels of response and feeling are desirable, such as
when driving in mountainous regions or when pulling a trailer.
Press the “ECT PWR” button to select power mode.
The “ECT PWR” indicator comes on.
Press the button again to cancel power mode.
Shift position purpose
Shift positionFunction
PParking the vehicle/starting the engine
RReversing
NNeutral
(Condition in which the power is not transmitted)
DNormal driving*1
SS mode driving*2 (P. 197)
Selecting power mode
Ty p e AType B

1974-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
When the shift lever is in the S position, the shift lever can be oper-
ated as follows:
Upshifting
Downshifting
The initial shift range in S mode is set automatically to 5 or 4 accord-
ing to vehicle speed. However, the initial shift range may be set to 3 if
the AI-SHIFT has operated while the shift lever was in the D position.
(P. 198)
■Shift ranges and their functions
●You can choose from 6 levels engine braking force.
●A lower shift range will provide greater engine braking force than
a higher shift range, and the engine speed will also increase.
Selecting shift ranges in the S position
1
2

1984-2. Driving procedures
■AI-SHIFT
AI-SHIFT automatically selects the suitable gear according to the driver per-
formance and driving conditions.
AI-SHIFT automatically operates when the shift lever is in the D position.
(Shifting the shift lever to the S position cancels the function.)
■When driving with cruise control activated (if equipped)
Even when performing the following actions with the intent of enabling engine
braking, engine braking will not activate while driving in S mode and down-
shifting to 5 or 4 because cruise control will not be canceled. (P. 215)
■If the shift lever cannot be shift from P
P. 553
■If the “S” indicator does not come on even after shifting the shift lever to S
This may indicate a malfunction in the automatic transmission system. Have
the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer, immediately.
■Downshifting restrictions warning buzzer (S mode)
To help ensure safety and driving performance, downshifting operation may
sometimes be restricted. In some circumstances, downshifting may not be
possible even when the shift lever is operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.)
■Transmission protection function
If the tires spin continually when the vehicle becomes stuck in mud, dirt or
snow, or if the accelerator pedal is depressed and released repeatedly while
driving, the automatic transmission temperature may become too high and
the automatic transmission may be damaged.
To avoid damaging the automatic transmission, the system may temporarily
lock the gear.
If the automatic transmission temperature falls, the gear locking is canceled
and the automatic transmission is returned to the normal operation.
WARNING
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
Do not accelerate or shift gears suddenly.
Sudden changes in engine braking may cause the vehicle to spin or skid,
resulting in an accident.

1994-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
Manual transmission
5-speed models
Fully depress the clutch pedal before operating the shift lever, and
then release it slowly.
6-speed models
Fully depress the clutch pedal before operating the shift lever, and
then release it slowly.
: If equipped
Shifting the shift lever

2004-2. Driving procedures
■Maximum allowable speed
Observe the following maximum allowable speeds in each gear when maxi-
mum acceleration is necessary.
mph (km/h)
■Reverse warning buzzer (6-speed models only)
A buzzer will sound to inform the driver if the shift lever is shifted to the R
position.
Shift positionTransfer positionMaximum speed
5-speed models6-speed models
1“2WD” and “4H”29 (48)32 (52)
“4L”12 (20)12 (20)
2“2WD” and “4H”54 (87)64 (103)
“4L”22 (34)25 (39)
3“2WD” and “4H”88 (138)97 (157)
“4L”34 (55)37 (60)
4“2WD” and “4H”110 (176)107 (173)
“4L”49 (79)49 (80)
5“2WD” and “4H”—107 (173)
“4L”—58 (94)