2018 TOYOTA TACOMA Owners Manual (in English)

3054-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
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 us ing the rear differential lock system.
Stop the vehicle, shift the shi ft 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 different ial, 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 diffe rential lock system
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3064-5. Using the driving support systems
Manual transmission
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 th is has no
effect, additionally use the re ar 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 th e clutch pedal.
Unlock the rear differential as soon as the vehicle moves.
To unlock the rear different ial, press the switch again.
■Locking the rear differential
●When the rear differential is locked, VSC is automatically turn ed 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 indic ator to be on
at this time.
•ABS
• Multi Terrain ABS (if equipped)
• Brake assist system
•VSC
•TRAC
• Pre-Collision System (if equipped)
• Dynamic radar cruise control system (if equipped)
• Cruise control system (if equipped)
• 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 tur ned 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.
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3074-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
■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.
WARNING
■ 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 rear differential lock switch on.

3084-5. Using the driving support systems
Active traction control 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.
Press the “A-TRAC” switch to
activate the system.
At this time, the “A-TRAC” indicator
will come on.
To cancel the system, press the
switch again.
If four wheels spin, the slip indica-
tor flashes to indicate that the
active traction control system has
been engaged.
: If equipped
The active traction control syst em automatically helps prevent
the spinning of 4 wheels when the vehicle is started or acceler -
ated on slippery road surfaces.
System operation
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When the active traction co ntrol system is operating

3094-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
■When the rear differential is l ocked (vehicles with the rear di fferential
lock system)
The active traction control system is activated only when the v ehicle speed is
less than 3 mph (6 km/h).
■ Sounds and vibrations caused by the active traction control sys tem
● A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the engin e is
started or just after the vehicle begins to move. This sound do es not indicate
that a malfunction has occurred in the system.
● Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering. It may occur
when the system is operating.
■ If the brake system overheats
The system will cease operation, a buzzer will sound to alert t he driver. Stop
the vehicle in a safe place. (There is no problem with continuing normal driv-
ing.)
The system will be automatically restored after a short time.
WARNING
■ The active traction control system may not operate effectively when
Directional control and power may not be achievable while drivi ng on slip-
pery road surfaces, even if the active traction control system is operating.
Do not drive the vehicle in conditions where stability and powe r may be lost.

3104-5. Using the driving support systems
Multi-terrain Select
Select a mode that most closely matches the type of terrain on which
you are driving from among 5 modes.
Brake control can be optimized i n accordance with the selected mode.
Multi-terrain Select on/off switch
Mode selector dial
Multi-terrain Select indicator
Multi-terrain Select indicator comes on when operating.
Mode indicator
Multi-information display
Displays status information including operating status and road type selec-
tion.
: If equipped
Multi-terrain Select is a system that improves driveability in off-
road situations.
Multi-terrain Select switch/indicators
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3114-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
A mode which matches the road
conditions can be selected from
among the following 5 modes.
Selectable modes
PositionSymbolModeRoad conditions
“Mud & Sand” Suitable for muddy roads, sandy
roads, snow-covered roads, dirt
trails and other slippery or dirty
conditions
“Loose Rock” Suitable for slippery conditions
consisting of mixtures of earth and
loose rock
“Mogul” Suitable for very bumpy road con-
ditions, such as mogul roads
“Rock & Dirt” Suitable for very bumpy road con-
ditions, such as mogul or rocky
roads
“Rock” Suitable for rocky terrain
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3124-5. Using the driving support systems
Operate the Multi-terrain Select
mode selector dial during Multi-
terrain Select control to select a
mode.
■The Multi-terrain Select can be operated when
●The four-wheel drive control switch is in “4L” position.
● The Crawl Control is off.
■ When using the Multi-terrain Select
The VSC system cannot be switched on or off.
A message will be shown on the multi-information display statin g that this
function cannot be switched using the VSC off switch.
■ When it is difficult to generate traction
“MUD & SAND” mode provides the largest amount of tire slippage, followed
by “LOOSE ROCK”, “MOGUL”, “ROCK & DIRT” and “ROCK” mode.
If the current tires slip is too large, driveability can be imp roved by selecting a
mode with a smaller slip amount. Conversely, selecting a mode with a larger
slip can improve driveability, if the current tire slip is too small.
■ When the vehicle is stuck
Switching the transfer and differentials
For the operation of following function, refer to the following pages.
● Four-wheel drive system ( P. 299)
● Rear differential lock ( P. 305)
Selecting modes