2016 TOYOTA TACOMA automatic transmission

1954-2. Driving procedures
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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

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.

2184-5. Using the driving support systems
■Cruise control can be set when
●Vehicles with an automatic transmission: The shift lever is in D or range 4 or
higher of S has been selected.
●Vehicle speed is above approximately 25 mph (40 km/h).
■Accelerating after setting the vehicle speed
●The vehicle can be accelerated normally. After acceleration, the set speed
resumes.
●Even without canceling the cruise control, the set speed can be increased
by first accelerating the vehicle to the desired speed and then pushing the
lever down to set the new speed.
■Automatic cruise control cancellation
Cruise control will stop maintaining the vehicle speed in any of the following
situations.
●Actual vehicle speed falls more than approximately 10 mph (16 km/h) below
the preset vehicle speed.
At this time, the memorized set speed is not retained.
●Actual vehicle speed is below approximately 25 mph (40 km/h).
●VSC is activated.
●TRAC is activated for a period a time.
●When the VSC or TRAC system is turned off by pressing the VSC off switch.
●4WD models: The operation cannot be switched for 5 seconds or more after
operating the front-wheel drive control switch.
■If the cruise control indicator light comes on in yellow (vehicles without
a multi-information display)
Press the “ON-OFF” button once to deactivate the system, and then press
the button again to reactivate the system.
If the cruise control speed cannot be set or if the cruise control cancels imme-
diately after being activated, there may be a malfunction in the cruise control
system. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer.
■If the warning message for the cruise control is shown on the multi-
information display (vehicles with a multi-information display)
Press the “ON-OFF” button once to deactivate the system, and then press
the button again to reactivate the system.
If the cruise control speed cannot be set or if the cruise control cancels imme-
diately after being activated, there may be a malfunction in the cruise control
system. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer.

2454-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
■Shifting from “2WD” to “4H”
Reduce vehicle speed to less than 62 mph (100 km/h).
Turn the front-wheel drive control switch to “4H”.
The four-wheel drive indicator will come on.
■
Shifting from “4H” to “2WD”
Turn the front-wheel drive control switch to “2WD”.
This can be done at any speed. You need not depress the clutch
pedal. (manual transmission only)
The four-wheel drive indicator will go off.
■
Shifting from “4H” to “4L”
Automatic transmission
Stop the vehicle completely and continue to depress the brake
pedal.
Shift the shift lever to N.
Push and turn the front-wheel drive control switch to “4L”.
The “4LO” indicator will come on.
If the four-wheel drive indicator flashes and the buzzer sounds, try the
above steps again.
Manual transmission
Stop the vehicle or reduce your speed to less than 2 mph (3 km/h).
Depress and hold the clutch pedal.
Push and turn the front-wheel drive control switch to “4L”.
The “4LO” indicator will come on.
If the four-wheel drive indicator flashes and the buzzer sounds, try the
above steps again.
Shifting between “2WD” and “4H”
Shifting between “4H” and “4L”
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2464-5. Using the driving support systems
■Shifting from “4L” to “4H”
Automatic transmission
Stop the vehicle completely and continue to depress the brake
pedal.
Shift the shift lever to N.
Push and turn the front-wheel drive control switch to “4H”.
The “4LO” indicator will go off.
If the four-wheel drive indicator flashes and the buzzer sounds, try the
above steps again.
Manual transmission
Stop the vehicle or reduce your speed to less than 2 mph (3 km/h).
Depress and hold the clutch pedal.
Push and turn the front-wheel drive control switch to “4H”.
The “4LO” indicator will go off.
If the four-wheel drive indicator flashes and the buzzer sounds, try the
above steps again.
■If the four-wheel drive indicator light or the “4LO” indicator light blinks
●Shifting from “2WD” to “4H”
• If the four-wheel drive indicator continues to blink, drive straight ahead
while accelerating or decelerating.
• If the four-wheel drive indicator continues to blink and the buzzer sounds,
stop the vehicle or reduce the vehicle speed to less than 62 mph
(100 km/h). Operate the switch again.
●Shifting from “4H” to “2WD”
If the four-wheel drive indicator continues to blink, drive straight ahead
while accelerating or decelerating, or drive forward or backward in a short
distance.
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2474-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
●Shifting to “4H” or “4L”
Automatic transmission
If the “4LO” indicator continues to blink when you operate the front-wheel
drive control switch to the “4H” or “4L” position, drive forward or backward
in a short distance, then stop the vehicle completely, shift the shift lever
securely to N and operate the switch again.
Manual transmission
If the “4LO” indicator continues to blink when you operate the front-wheel
drive control switch to the “4H” or “4L” position, drive forward or backward
in a short distance, then stop the vehicle completely, depress the clutch
pedal and operate the switch again.
If the indicator light continues to blink even if doing so, contact your Toyota
dealer as soon as possible. There may be a trouble in the four-wheel drive
system.
■Shifting to “4L”
VSC is automatically turned off.
■Four-wheel drive usage frequency
You should drive in four-wheel drive for at least 10 miles (16 km) each month.
This will assure that the front drive components are lubricated.
WARNING
■Caution while driving
●Never shift the front-wheel drive control switch from “2WD” to “4H” if the
wheels are slipping.
Stop the slipping or spinning before shifting.
●For normal driving on dry and hard surface roads, use “2WD” position.
Driving on dry and hard surface roads in “4H” or “4L” position may cause
drive component oil leakage, seizure, or other problems resulting in an
accident. Further, it may cause tire wear and increased fuel consumption.
●Avoid turning suddenly in “4H” or “4L” position. If you do turn suddenly, the
difference in turning speeds between the front and rear wheels may have
a similar effect to braking, thus making driving difficult.
●Do not shift the front-wheel drive control switch when the vehicle is turning
or when its wheels are spinning freely off the ground.

2504-5. Using the driving support systems
Rear differential lock system
The rear differential lock system is effective in case one of the rear
wheels is spinning.
Press the rear differential lock
switch to lock the rear differential.
At this time, the rear differential
lock indicator will blink. Wait a few
seconds for the system to com-
plete operation. After the rear dif-
ferential is locked, the indicator will
stop blinking and remain on.
To unlock the rear differential,
press the switch again.
Automatic transmission
4WD models: Before using the rear differential lock system.
Stop the vehicle, shift the shift lever to N and turn the front-wheel
drive control switch in the “4L” position to see if this is sufficient. If
this has no effect, additionally use the rear differential lock system.
Be sure to stop the wheels.
Press the rear differential 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, press 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 sur-
face.
Using the rear differential lock system
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2514-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
Manual transmission
4WD 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 turn the front-wheel drive control
switch in the “4L” position 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 rear differential 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, press 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.
•ABS
• Multi Terrain ABS (if equipped)
• Brake assist system
•VSC
•TRAC
• Hill-start assist control (if equipped on 4WD models)
■The rear differential lock is disengaged when
●Vehicles without a smart key system: When the engine switch is turned to
the “LOCK” position
●Vehicles with a smart key system: When the engine switch is turned off
●4WD models only: Turn the front-wheel drive control switch to “2WD” or “4H”
position.
Never forget to turn off the switch after using this feature.
■After unlocking the rear differential
Vehicles without a smart key system
To check that the indicator goes off, turn the engine switch to the “ON” posi-
tion, but do not start the engine.
Vehicles with a smart key system
To check that the indicator goes off, turn the engine switch to IGNITION ON
mode, but do not start the engine.
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