Toyota Tacoma 1996 User manual

Publication No. OM35704U
Part No. 01999-35704
Printed in Japan 15- 9810- 00
Quick index
DIf a service reminder indicator or warning buzzer comes on 49. . . . .
DIf your vehicle will not start 119. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DIf your engine stalls while driving 122. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DIf your vehicle overheats 122. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DIf you have a flat tire 123. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DIf your vehicle needs to be towed 131. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DTips for driving during break- in period 98. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DHow to start the engine 109. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DGeneral maintenance 142. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DComplete index 193. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gas station information
Fuel type:
UNLEADED gasoline, Research Octane Number 91 (Octane Rating 87)
or higher.
See page 98 for detailed information.
Fuel tank capacity:
Two- wheel drive models
57 L (15.1 gal., 12.5 Imp.gal.)
Four- wheel drive models
68 L (18.0 gal., 15.0 Imp. gal.)
Engine oil:
API SH, ’’Energy- Conserving II’’ multigrade engine oil or ILSAC multigrade
engine oil is recommended.
See page 156 for detailed information.
Tire information: See pages 159 through 163.
Tire pressure: See page 183.
T- 8
I

Part 1
1
OPERATION OF
INSTRUMENTS
AND CONTROLS—
Chapter 1-1
Overview of instruments
and controls
SInstrument panel overview
SInstrument cluster overview
SIndicator symbols on the
instrument panel

2
1. Side vent
2. Instrument cluster
3. Automatic transmission selector lever
(column shift)
4. Center vents
5. Personal lights or interior light
6. Glovebox
7. Power door lock switch
8. Power window switches
9. Manual transmission gear shift lever or
automatic transmission selector lever
(floor shift)
10. Front drive control lever
11. Tilt steering lock release lever
12. Power rear view mirror control switch
Instrument panel overview

3
1. Headlight and turn signal switch
2. Wiper and washer switches
3. Driving pattern selector button
4. Emergency flasher switch
5. Clock
6. Cup holder
7. Air conditioning controls
8. Car audio
9. Ashtray
10. Cigarette lighter
11. Parking brake lever
12. Ignition switch
13. Cruise control switch
14. Hook lock release lever
15. Rear differential lock button
16. Instrument panel light control knob
17. Clutch start cancel switch

4
1. Engine coolant temperature gauge
2. Tachometer
3. Service reminder indicators or
indicator lights
4. Odometer
5. Speedometer
6. Fuel gauge
7. Trip meter reset knob
8. Trip meter
Instrument cluster overview
"With tachometer

5
1. Engine coolant temperature gauge
2. Service reminder indicators or
indicator lights
3. Odometer
4. Speedometer 5. Fuel gauge
"Without tachometer

6
Anti-lock brake system warning light*1
Brake system warning light*1
Seat belt reminder light*1
Discharge warning light*1
Low oil pressure warning light*1
Malfunction indicator light*1
Low fuel level warning light*1
SRS airbag warning light*1
Automatic transmission fluid
temperature warning light*1
Turn signal indicator lights
Headlight high beam indicator light
Over-drive indicator light
Unengaged “Park” warning light*1
Low windshield washer fluid level
light*1
Driving pattern (“POWER” mode)
indicator light
Four-wheel drive indicator light
Automatic transmission indicator
lights
Indicator symbols on the instrument panel

7
Rear differential lock indicator
light
Cruise control indicator light *2
*1: For details, see “Service reminder indicators and warn-
ing buzzers” in Chapter 1-5.
*2: If this light flashes, see “Cruise control” in Chapter 1-6.

8

Part 1 Keys
9
OPERATION OF
INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLS—
Chapter 1-2
Keys and Doors
SKeys
SSide doors
SPower windows
SQuarter windows
SRear window
STailgate
SHood
SFuel tank cap
SDetachable moon roof
SDetachable sun shade
KEY PLATE
This key works in every lock.
Since the doors can be locked without a
key, you should always carry a spare key
in case you accidentally lock your key in-
side the vehicle.
KEY NUMBER PLATE
Your key number is shown on the
plate. Keep the plate in a safe place
such as your wallet, not in the vehicle.
If you should lose your keys or if you need
additional keys, duplicates can be made
by a Toyota dealer using the key number.
You should also put a copy of the key
number with your important papers.

10
LOCKING AND UNLOCKING WITH
KEY
Insert the key into the keyhole and turn
it.
To lock: Turn the key forward.
To unlock: Turn the key backward.
Vehicles with power door lock sys-
tem—Both doors lock and unlock simulta-
neously with either door. In the driver’s
door lock, turning the key once will unlock
the driver’s door and twice in succession
will unlock the driver’s door and passen-
ger’s door simultaneously.
LOCKING AND UNLOCKING WITH IN-
SIDE LOCK BUTTON
Move the lock button.
To lock: Push the button downward.
To unlock: Pull the button upward.
Closing the door with the lock button
pushed in will also lock the door. Be care-
ful not to lock your keys in the vehicle.
Vehicles with power door lock system—
The door cannot be locked if you leave the
key in the ignition switch.
Driver’s side
Passenger’s side
Side doors

11
LOCKING AND UNLOCKING WITH
POWER DOOR LOCK SWITCH
Push the switch.
To lock: Push the switch on the front side.
To unlock: Push the switch on the rear
side.
Both doors lock or unlock simultaneously.
CAUTION
!
Before driving, be sure that the
doors are closed and locked, espe-
cially when small children are in the
vehicle. Along with the proper use of
seat belts, locking the doors helps
prevent the driver and passengers
from being thrown out from the ve-
hicle during an accident. It also
helps prevent the doors from being
opened unintentionally.
The windows can be operated with the
switch on each door.
The power windows work when the igni-
tion switch is in the “ON” position. Howev-
er, if both doors are closed, they work for
60 seconds even after the ignition switch
is turned off. They stop working when ei-
ther door is opened.
OPERATING THE DRIVER’S WINDOW
Use the switch on the driver’s door.
Normal operation: The window moves
as long as you hold the switch.
To open: Lightly push down the switch.
To close: Pull up the switch.
Automatic operation (to open only):
Push the switch completely down and
then release it. The window will fully open.
To stop the window partway, lightly pull the
switch up and then release it.
Power windows

12
OPERATING THE PASSENGERS’ WIN-
DOW
Use the switch on the passenger’s
door or the switch on the driver’s door
that controls the passenger’s window.
The window moves as long as you hold
the switch.
To open: Push down the switch.
To close: Pull up the switch.
If you push in the “WINDOW LOCK” but-
ton on the driver’s door, the passenger’s
windows cannot be operated.
CAUTION
!
To avoid serious personal injury, you
must do the following.
SAlways make sure the head, hands
and other parts of the body of all oc-
cupants are kept completely inside
the vehicle before you close the
power windows. If someone’s neck,
head or hands gets caught in a clos-
ing window, it could result in a seri-
ous injury. When anyone closes the
power windows, be sure that they
operate the windows safely.
SWhen small children are in the ve-
hicle, never let them use the power
window switches without supervi-
sion. Use the “WINDOW LOCK”
button to prevent them from mak-
ing unexpected use of the
switches.
SNever leave small children alone in
the vehicle, especially with the igni-
tion key still inserted. They could
use the power window switches
and get trapped in a window. Unat-
tended children can become in-
volved in serious accidents.

13
To open the quarter window, pull the
latch handle toward you and swing it
fully out.
When closing the window, make sure it is
completely closed.
To unlock the rear window, pull the left
end of the latch handle toward you and
disengage the right end from the
catch.
When closing the window, make sure it is
completely closed.
To open the tailgate, pull the handle
up.
The support cables will hold the tailgate
horizontal.
See “Luggage stowage precautions” in
Part 2 for precautions to observe in load-
ing luggage.
After closing the tailgate, try pulling it to-
ward you to make sure it is securely
locked.
Avoid driving with the tailgate open.
NOTICE
Tailgate
Quarter windows
(Xtra-cab models) Rear windows

14
To lower the tailgate fully, release the
support brackets from the lugs as
shown.
Make sure the tailgate is securely
caught by the support brackets
before closing the tailgate.
NOTICE
To open the hood, do the following:
1. Pull the hood lock release lever. The
hood will spring up slightly.
2. In front of the vehicle, press up on
the auxiliary catch lever and lift the
hood .
Hood

15
3. Hold the hood open by inserting the
support rod into the slot.
Before closing the hood, check to see that
you have not forgotten any tools, rags,
etc. and return the support rod to its clip--
this prevents rattles. Then lower the hood
and make sure it locks into place. If nec-
essary, press down gently on the front
edge to lock it.
CAUTION
!
After inserting the support rod into
the slot, make sure the rod supports
the hood securely.
1. To open the fuel filler door, insert the
key and turn it counterclockwise.
CAUTION
!
SDo not smoke, cause sparks or al-
low open flames when refuelling.
The fumes are flammable.
SWhen opening the cap, do not re-
move the cap quickly. In hot weath-
er, fuel under pressure could cause
injury by spraying out of the filler
neck if the cap is suddenly re-
moved.
SDo not fill a fuel container on a
plastic truck bed liner, a rubber
truck bed mat, or any other insulat-
ing material. A static electricity
charge could cause a spark and
fire hazard. The proper procedure
is to place an approved fuel con-
tainer on the ground away from the
truck for filling.
2. To remove the fuel tank cap, turn
the cap slowly counterclockwise, then
pause slightly before removing it. Af-
ter removing the cap, hang it on the
cap hanger.
It is not unusual to hear a slight swoosh
when the cap is opened. When installing,
turn the cap clockwise till you hear a click.
Fuel tank cap

16
Four-wheel drive models-
If the cap is not tightened securely, the
malfunction indicator lamp comes on.
Make sure the cap is tightened securely.
The indicator lamp goes off after driving
several times. If the indicator lamp does
not go off, contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible.
CAUTION
!
SMake sure the cap is tightened se-
curely to prevent fuel spillage in
case of an accident.
SUse only a genuine Toyota fuel
tank cap for replacement. It has a
built in check valve to reduce fuel
tank vacuum.
CAUTION
!
To avoid serious personal injury,
you must do the following.
SWhile the vehicle is moving, al-
ways keep the head, hands and
other parts of the body of all occu-
pants away from the roof opening.
Otherwise, you could be seriously
injured if the vehicle stops sud-
denly or if the vehicle is involved
in anaccident.
SNever sit on top of the vehicle
around the roof opening.
SNever attempt to remove the moon
roof panel while driving. Other-
wise, the panel may become a haz-
ard by falling into or flying off the
vehicle.
SAfter installing the moon roof pan-
el, make sure they are firmly se-
cured by pushing up on the under-
side of the panel.
SNever put your hands between the
moon roof panel and the sur-
rounding roof.
To tilt up the moon roof, first pull down
on the handle while pushing in one of
the lock buttons. Then push up the
moon roof until it locks.
After tilting up the moon roof, make sure
the handle is securely in place.
When closing the moon roof, slowly pull
down the handle while supporting the roof
with your hand. Close and lock the moon
roof by pushing the handle. Be sure to use
your palm to push the handle. After clos-
ing the moon roof, make sure it is securely
locked.
Detachable moon roof-
—Moon roof precautions —Tilting up and closing

17
1. Pull the handle down while pushing
in one of the lock buttons. 2. Push in the retaining spring arms as shown and push up the moon roof. 3. Push back the auxiliary catch to re- lease it from the hook. Then lift the
moon roof panel and pull it out.
—Removing

18
1. Insert the flat hinges of the moon
roof panel into the cutouts on the
body. Then slowly lower it while hold-
ing the roof with your hands.
Make sure both flat hinges are inserted
into the cutouts.
2. Press in the retaining spring arms
and insert them into the holes. Then
push the handle up with the palm of
your hand and lock the roof.
To remove: Support the sun shade
panel with your hand while you unlock
the sun shade by turning the knob
counterclockwise
To install: Hang the two hinges of the
sun shade panel onto the hooks pro-
vided. Then push up the sun shade
panel while turning the knob counter-
clockwise.
CAUTION
!
For safety, do not remove the sun
shade while driving.
—Installing Detachable sun shade

Part 1 Seats Front seats—
—Seat adjustment precautions
19
OPERATION OF
INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLS—
Chapter 1-3
Seats, Seat belts, Steering
wheel and Mirrors
SSeats
SFront seats
SRear seats
SHead restraints
SArmrest
SSeat belts
SSRS airbag
SChild restraint
STilt steering wheel
SOutside rear view mirrors
SAnti-glare inside rear view
mirror
While the vehicle is being driven, all ve-
hicle occupants should have the seatback
upright, sit well back in the seat and prop-
erly wear the seat belts provided.
CAUTION
SDo not drive with the vehicle occu-
pants not properly seated, such as
sitting on top of a folded-down
seatback, or in the luggage
compartment. Persons not proper-
ly seated and restrained by seat
belts can be severely injured in the
event of emergency braking or a
collision.
SDuring driving, do not let passen-
gers stand up or move around be-
tween seats. Balance can be
unsteady and severe injuries can
occur in the event of emergency
braking or a collision.
!
Adjust the driver’s seat so that the foot
pedals, steering wheel and instrument
panel controls are within easy reach of the
driver.
CAUTION
SAdjustments should not be made
while the vehicle is moving, as the
seat may unexpectedly move and
cause the driver to lose control of
the vehicle.
SWhen adjusting the seat, be careful
not to hit the seat against a passen-
ger or luggage.
SAfter adjusting the seat position,
try sliding it forward and backward
to make sure it is locked in position.
SAfter adjusting the seatback, exert
body pressure to make sure it is
locked in position.
SDo not put objects under the seats
as they may interfere with the seat-
lock mechanism or unexpectedly
push up the seat position adjusting
lever; the seat may suddenly move,
causing the driver to lose control of
the vehicle.
SWhile adjusting the seat, do not put
your hands under the seat or near
the moving parts. You may jam your
hands or fingers.
!