Page 256 of 744

2564-1. Before driving
HILUX_OM_OM0K321E_(EE)
Manual transmission 
While depressing the clutch pedal, depress the brake pedal. 
Shift the shift lever to N. ( P. 300)
If parking on a hill, shift the shift lever to 1 or R as needed.
Set the parking brake. (P. 307) 
Vehicles without smart entry & start system: 
Turn the engine switch to the “LOCK” position to stop the engine. 
Vehicles with smart entry & start system: 
Press the engine switch to stop the engine. 
Lock the door, making sure that you have the key on your person.
If parking on a hill, block the wheels as needed.
Automatic transmission 
Make sure that the parking brake is set and shift the shift lever to D.  
Gently depress the accelerator pedal.  
Release the parking brake. 
Manual transmission 
With the parking brake firmly set and the clutch pedal fully 
depressed, shift the shift lever to 1.  
Lightly depress the accelerator pedal at the same time as gradually 
releasing the clutch pedal.  
Release the parking brake. 
Starting off on a steep uphill
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
1
2
3 
         
        
        
     
        
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2734-1. Before driving
4
Driving
HILUX_OM_OM0K321E_(EE)
WARNING
Follow all the instructions described in this section. Failure to do so could 
cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury. 
■ Trailer towing precautions 
When towing, make sure that none of the weight limits are exceeded.  
( P.  2 7 4 ) 
■ Vehicle speed in towing 
Observe the legal maximum speeds for trailer towing. 
■ Before descending hills or long declines 
Reduce speed and downshift. However, never downshift suddenly while 
descending steep or long down hill grades. 
■ Operation of the brake pedal 
Do not hold the brake pedal depressed often or for long periods of time.  
Doing so may result in the brake overheating or reduce braking effects. 
■ To avoid accident or injury 
● The gross combination mass (sum of your vehicle mass plus its load and 
the total trailer mass) must not exceed the following:
Single-cab models 
5530 kg (12192 lb.): Pre Runner 
5850 kg (12897 lb.): 4WD models
Smart-cab models 
5850 kg (12897 lb.)
Double-cab models 
5850 kg (12897 lb.): Models for model code destination W* except Pre 
Runner for Israel and Turkey
*: See “Checking your vehicle’s model” if you are not sure of which model 
your vehicle is. ( P.  1 2 ) . 
● Do not use the following systems when trailer towing. 
• Cruise control (if equipped) 
• Dynamic radar cruise control (if equipped) 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 283 of 744
2834-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
HILUX_OM_OM0K321E_(EE)
“LOCK”
The steering wheel is locked and 
the key can be removed. (Vehicles 
with 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.
■ Turning the key from “ACC” to “LOCK” 
Shift the shift lever to P (automatic transmission) or N (manual transmis- 
sion). ( P. 293, 300) 
■ If the engine does not start (vehicles with engine immobilizer system) 
The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( P. 105) 
Contact any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any 
reliable repairer.
Changing the engine switch positions
1
2
Push in the key and turn it to the 
“LOCK” position.
3
4
1
2 
         
        
        
     
        
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2844-2. Driving procedures
HILUX_OM_OM0K321E_(EE) 
■ 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 “LOCK” or “ACC” position to remind you to remove the key. 
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.
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 when 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. 625)
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 any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized
repairer, or any reliable repairer immediately. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 285 of 744

285
4
4-2. Driving procedures
Driving
HILUX_OM_OM0K321E_(EE)
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles with  
smart entry & start system)
Automatic transmission 
Check that the parking brake is set. 
Check that the shift lever is set in P. 
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
A message will be displayed on the 
multi-information display. If it is not 
displayed, the engine cannot be
started.
Press the engine switch shortly 
and firmly.
When operating the engine switch, 
one short, firm press is enough. It 
is not necessary to press and hold 
the 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. 
Diesel engine only: the   indicator turns on. The engine will start after 
the indicator light goes out. 
The engine can be started from any engine switch mode.
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 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 289 of 744

2894-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
HILUX_OM_OM0K321E_(EE)
Check that “TURN OFF VEHICLE”/“Turn off vehicle” on the multi- 
information display is off.
■ Note for the electronic key 
Carry the electronic key on your person, for example in your pocket. 
The smart entry & start system does not operate properly if the electronic key 
is on the floor or the instrument panel, or in the door pockets, cup holders or 
auxiliary boxes. 
■ Auto power off function
Vehicles with automatic transmission 
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.
Vehicles with manual transmission 
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, the engine 
switch will automatically turn off. However, this function cannot entirely pre-
vent battery discharge. Do not leave the vehicle with the engine switch in 
ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode for long periods of time when the 
engine is not running. 
■ Operation of the engine switch 
If the switch is not pressed shortly and firmly, the engine switch mode may 
not change or the engine may not start. 
■ Electronic key battery depletion 
 P. 203 
■ Conditions affecting operation 
 P. 201 
■ Note for the entry function 
 P. 202 
■ If the engine does not start 
The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( P. 105)  
Contact any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any 
reliable repairer.
4 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 290 of 744

2904-2. Driving procedures
HILUX_OM_OM0K321E_(EE) 
■ 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, the motor may be sus- 
pended 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. 
■ If “SMART ENTRY & START SYSTEM MALFUNCTION SEE OWNER’S 
MANUAL”/“Smart Entry & Start System malfunction See owner’s man- 
ual” is shown on the multi-information display (if equipped) 
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by any autho- 
rized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer 
immediately. 
■ If the electronic key battery is depleted 
 P. 599 
■ If the smart entry & start system has been deactivated in a customized 
setting 
 P. 668 
A message will be displayed on the multi- 
information display. 
Check that the shift lever is set in P 
(except manual transmission). Press the 
engine switch while turning the steering
wheel left and right. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 313 of 744

3134-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
HILUX_OM_OM0K321E_(EE) 
■ Automatic light off system (if equipped)
Models for model code destination Blank* (except for Kazakhstan, Armenia 
and Morocco) 
The lights turn off after the engine switch is turned to the “LOCK” position 
(vehicles without smart entry & start system) or off (vehicles with smart entry 
& start system) and the driver’s door is opened. 
To turn the lights on again, turn the engine switch to the “ON” position (vehi- 
cles without smart entry & start system) or to IGNITION ON mode (vehicles 
with smart entry & start system), or turn the light switch to  or  once 
and then back to   or  .
Models for model code destination W*, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Morocco 
When the light switch is in   or  : 
The headlights and front fog lights turn off after the engine switch is turned to
the “LOCK” position (vehicles without smart entry & start system) or off (vehi- 
cles with smart entry & start system). 
When the light switch is in AUTO: 
The lights turn off after the engine switch is turned to the “LOCK” position 
(vehicles without smart entry & start system) or off (vehicles with smart entry 
& start system). 
To turn the lights on again, turn the engine switch to the “ON” position (vehi- 
cles without smart entry & start system) or to IGNITION ON mode (vehicles 
with smart entry & start system), or turn the light switch to  or   once 
and then back to   or  .
*: See “Checking your vehicle’s model” if you are not sure of which model 
your vehicle is. ( P. 12) 
■ Light reminder buzzer (if equipped)
Vehicles without smart entry & start system 
A buzzer sounds when the engine switch is turned to the “LOCK” position, the 
key is removed and the driver’s door is opened while the lights are turned on. 
Vehicles with smart entry & start system 
A buzzer sounds when the engine switch is turned off and the driver’s door is 
opened while the lights are turned on.