2018 TOYOTA TACOMA Owners Manual (in English)

5618-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
If a tow truck is not available in an emergency, your vehicle may be
temporarily towed using cables or chains secured to the emergen cy
towing hook(s). This should only be attempted on hard surfaced roads
for at most 50 miles (80 km) at under 18 mph (30 km/h).
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer and operate the brakes . The
vehicle’s wheels, drivetrain, axles, steering and brakes must b e in
good condition.
Securely attach a cables or chains to the towing hook(s).
Take care not to damage the vehicle body.
Vehicles without a smart key system:
Enter the vehicle being towed and start the engine.
If the engine does not start, turn the engine switch to the “ON ” position.
Vehicles with a smart key system:
Enter the vehicle being towed and start the engine.
If the engine does not start, turn the engine switch to IGNITIO N ON mode.
4WD models: Put the front-wheel drive control switch in “2WD”.
Shift the shift lever to N and release the parking brake.
Vehicles with an automatic trans mission: When the shift lever can-
not be shifted. ( P. 205)
■While towing
If the engine is not running, the power assist for the brakes a nd steering will
not function, making steering and braking more difficult.
Emergency towing
Emergency towing procedure
1
Ty p e AType B
2
3
4

5628-2. Steps to take in an emergency
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When towing the vehicle
2WD models: Be sure to transport the
vehicle with all four wheels raised off the
ground. If the vehicle is towed with the
tires contacting the ground, the drivetrain
and related parts may be damaged or an
accident may occur due to a change in
direction of the vehicle.
4WD models: Be sure to transport the
vehicle with all four wheels raised off the
ground. If the vehicle is towed with the
tires contacting the ground, the drivetrain
or related parts may be damaged, the
vehicle may fly off the truck.
■ While towing
● When towing using cables or chains, avoid sudden starts, etc., which
place excessive stress on the towing hook(s), cables or chains. The tow-
ing hook(s), cables or chains may become damaged, broken debris may
hit people, and cause serious damage.
● Do not turn the engine switch to the “LOCK” position (vehicles without a
smart key system) or off (vehicles with a smart key system).
There is a possibility that the steering wheel is locked and ca nnot be
operated.

5638-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the vehicle when towing using a wheel-lift type
truck
● Vehicles without a smart key system:
Do not tow the vehicle from the rear when the engine switch is in the
“LOCK” position or the key is removed.
The steering lock mechanism is not strong enough to hold the front wheels
straight.
● Vehicles with a smart key system:
Do not tow the vehicle from the rear when the engine switch is off.
The steering lock mechanism is not strong enough to hold the front wheels
straight.
● When raising the vehicle, ensure adequate ground clearance for towing at
the opposite end of the raised vehicle. Without adequate clearance, the
vehicle could be damaged while being towed.
■ To prevent damage to the vehicle when towing with a sling-type truck
Do not tow with a sling-type truck, either from the front or re ar.
■ To prevent damage to the vehic le during emergency towing
Do not secure cables or chains to the suspension components.

5648-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If you think something is wrong
●Fluid leaks un der the vehicle.
(Water dripping from the air conditioning a fter use is normal.)
● Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
● Engine coolant temperature gauge needle continually points high er
than normal.
● Changes in exhaust sound
● Excessive tire squeal when cornering
● Strange noises related to the suspension system
● Pinging or other noises related to the engine
● Engine misses, stumbli ng or running roughly
● Appreciable loss of power
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one s ide when driving on a level road
● Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy feeling, pedal almost touch es
the floor
If you notice any of the followi ng symptoms, your vehicle proba -
bly needs adjustment or repair. Contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible.
Visible symptoms
Audible symptoms
Operational symptoms

565
8
When trouble arises
8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Fuel pump shut off system
Follow the procedure below to restart the engine after the system is
activated.
Vehicles without a smart key system:
Turn the engine switch to the “ACC” or “LOCK” position.
Vehicles with a smart key system:
Turn the engine switch to ACCESSORY or turn it off.
Restart the engine.
To minimize the risk of fuel leakage when the engine stalls or
when an airbag inflates upon collision, the fuel pump shut off
system stops supply of fuel to the engine.
NOTICE
■Before starting the engine
Inspect the ground under the vehicle.
If you find that fuel has leaked onto the ground, the fuel system has been
damaged and is in need of repair. Do not restart the engine.
1
2

5668-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If a warning light turns on or a war ning
buzzer sounds
Calmly perform the following actions if any of the warning ligh ts
comes on or flashes. If a light comes on or flashes, but then
goes off, this does not necessarily indicate a malfunction in the
system. However, if this continues to occur, have the vehicle
inspected by your Toyota dealer.
Warning light and w arning buzzer list
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Brake system warning light • Low brake fluid
• Malfunction in the brake system
*1
 Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and con-
tact your Toyota dealer.
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Malfunction indicator lamp Indicates a malfunction in:
• The emission control system;
• The electronic engine control system;
• The electronic throttle control system; or
• The electronic automatic transmission control system.
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
SRS warning light
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The SRS airbag system;
• The front passenger occupant classification system; or
• The seat belt pretensioner system
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
ABS warning light Indicates a malfunction in:
• The ABS; or
• The brake assist system
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.

5678-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
Slip indicator lightIndicates a malfunction in:
• The VSC system;
• Trailer Sway Control system (if equipped);
• The TRAC system;
• The hill-start assist control system (if equipped);
• The active traction control system (if equipped);
• The AUTO LSD system; or
• The Crawl Control system (if equipped)
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
(Flashes rapidly)
Rear differential lock indicator light*2
Indicates a malfunction in the rear differential lock system
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
(Flashes)
Low speed four-wheel drive indicator light*2
Indicates a malfunction in the four-wheel drive system
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
Low fuel level warning light
Indicates remaining fuel is approximately 3.2 gal. (12.0 L,
2.6 Imp.gal.) or less
 Refuel the vehicle.
Seat belt reminder light (warning buzzer)*3
Warns the driver and/or front passenger to fasten their
seat belts
 Fasten the seat belt.
If the front passenger’s seat is occupied, the front
passenger’s seat belt also needs to be fastened to
make the warning light (warning buzzer) turn off.
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)Parking brake indicator (warning buzzer)*4
Warns the driver to release parking brake.
 Release the parking brake.
Master warning light (warning buzzer)
A buzzer sounds and the warning light comes on and
flashes to indicate that the master warning system has
detected a malfunction.
 P. 573
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions

5688-2. Steps to take in an emergency
*1: The buzzer sounds when Multi-terrain Select or active traction control is
equipped.
*2: 4WD models only
Tire pressure warning light*5
When the light comes on:
Low tire inflation pressure such as • Natural causes ( P. 5 7 0 )
• Flat tire ( P. 594)
 Adjust the tire inflation pressure to the specified
level.
The light will turn off after a few minutes. In case
the light does not turn off even if the tire inflation
pressure is adjusted, have the system checked by
your Toyota dealer.
When the light comes on af ter blinking for 1 minute:
Malfunction in the tire p ressure warning system.
 Have the system checked by your Toyota dealer.
(Flashes or illumi-
nates)
PCS warning light*5
Indicates a malfunction in the PCS (Pre-Collision System)
or that the system is temporarily unavailable due to the
vehicle being extremely hot/cold, or dirt around a front
sensor, etc. (→P. 248, 573)
 Follow the instructions displayed on the multi-infor-
mation display. (→P. 248, 573)
If the PCS (Pre-Collision System) or VSC (Vehicle Stability
Control) system is disabled, the PCS warning light will illu-
minate.
 P. 248
(Yellow)
LDA (Lane Departur e Alert) indicator*5
The indicator comes on and a warning message is dis-
played to indicate that the LDA (Lane Departure Alert)
system is not available temporarily or has detected a mal-
function.
 P. 583, 584, 585
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions