Toyota Tacoma 2012 User manual

24
For your information
Main Owners Manual
Please note that this manual applies to all models explains and all equip-
ment, including options. Therefore, you may find some explanations for
equipment not installed on your vehicle.
All specifications provided in this manual are current at the time of printing.
However, because of the Toyota policy of continual product improvement, we
reserve the right to make changes at any time without notice.
Depending on specifications, the vehicle shown in the illustrations may differ
from your vehicle in terms of equipment.
Noise from under vehicle after turning off the engine
Approximately five hours after the engine is turned off, you may hear sound
coming from under the vehicle for several minutes. This is the sound of a fuel
evaporation leakage check and, it does not indicate a malfunction.
Accessories, spare parts and modification of your Toyota
A wide variety of non-genuine spare parts and accessories for Toyota
vehicles are currently available in the market. You should know that Toyota
does not warrant these products and is not responsible for their
performance, repair, or replacement, or for any damage they may cause to,
or adverse effect they may have on, your Toyota vehicle.
This vehicle should not be modified with non-genuine Toyota products.
Modification with non-genuine Toyota products could affect its performance,
safety or durability, and may even violate governmental regulations. In
addition, damage or performance problems resulting from the modification
may not be covered under warranty.

25
Installation of a mobile two-way radio system
As the installation of a mobile two-way radio system in your vehicle could
affect electronic systems such as the multiport fuel injection system/sequen-
tial multiport fuel injection system, cruise control system, anti-lock brake sys-
tem, SRS airbag system and seat belt pretensioner system, be sure to check
with your Toyota dealer for precautionary measures or special instructions
regarding installation.
Scrapping your Toyota
The SRS airbag and seat belt pretensioner devices in your Toyota contain
explosive chemicals. If the vehicle is scrapped with the airbags and seat belt
pretensioners left as they are, this may cause an accident such as fire. Be
sure to have the systems of the SRS airbag and seat belt pretensioner
removed and disposed of by a qualified service shop or by your Toyota
dealer before you scrap your vehicle.
Perchlorate Material
Special handling may apply,
See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.
Your vehicle has components that may contain perchlorate. These compo-
nents may include airbag, seat belt pretensioners, and wireless remote con-
trol batteries.

26
CAUTION
■General precautions while driving
Driving under the influence: Never drive your vehicle when under the influ-
ence of alcohol or drugs that have impaired your ability to operate your vehi-
cle. Alcohol and certain drugs delay reaction time, impair judgment and
reduce coordination, which could lead to an accident that could result in
death or serious injury.
Defensive driving: Always drive defensively. Anticipate mistakes that other
drivers or pedestrians might make and be ready to avoid accidents.
Driver distraction: Always give your full attention to driving. Anything that dis-
tracts the driver, such as adjusting controls, talking on a cellular phone or
reading can result in a collision with resulting death or serious injury to you,
your occupants or others.
■General precaution regarding children’s safety
Never leave children unattended in the vehicle, and never allow children to
have or use the key.
Children may be able to start the vehicle or shift the vehicle into neutral.
There is also a danger that children may injure themselves by playing with
the cigarette lighter, the windows, or other features of the vehicle. In addi-
tion, heat build-up or extremely cold temperatures inside the vehicle can be
fatal to children.

27
Symbols used throughout this manual
Cautions & Notices
Symbols used in illustrations
CAUTION
This is a warning against anything which may cause injury to people if the
warning is ignored. You are informed about what you must or must not do in
order to reduce the risk of injury to yourself and others.
NOTICE
This is a warning against anything which may cause damage to the vehicle or
its equipment if the warning is ignored. You are informed about what you must
or must not do in order to avoid or reduce the risk of damage to your Toyota
and its equipment.
The symbol of a circle with a slash through it means “Do not”, “Do
not do this”, or “Do not let this happen”.
Arrows indicating operations
Indicates the action (pushing, turning,
etc.) used to operate switches and
other devices.
Indicates the outcome of an operation
(e.g. a lid opens).

28

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
1Before driving Adjusting and operating features such as door locks,
mirrors, and steering column.
2When driving Driving, stopping and safe-driving information.
3
Interior and
exterior features
Air conditioning and audio systems, as well as other in-
terior features for a comfortable driving experience.
4Maintenance
and care Cleaning and protecting your vehicle, performing do-it-
yourself maintenance, and maintenance information.
5When trouble
arises What to do if the vehicle needs to be towed, gets a flat
tire, or is involved in an accident.
6Vehicle 
specifications Detailed vehicle information.
7For owners Reporting safety defects for U.S. owners, seat belt in-
structions for Canadian owners and camper informa-
tion.
Index Alphabetical listing of information contained in this
manual.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Index
2
1-1. Key information
Keys..................................... 30
1-2. Opening, closing and locking
the doors
Wireless remote control ....... 32
Side doors............................ 35
Access doors (Access Cab 
models only)....................... 39
Tailgate ................................ 40
1-3. Adjustable components
(seats, mirrors, steering
wheel)
Front seats........................... 45
Rear seats (Access Cab and
Double Cab models) .......... 50
Head restraints..................... 54
Seat belts............................. 58
Steering wheel ..................... 64
Anti-glare inside rear view 
mirror.................................. 65
Outside rear view mirrors..... 68
1-4. Opening and closing 
the windows
Power windows .................... 71
Back window (vehicles with 
sliding type)........................ 73
1-5. Refueling
Opening the fuel tank cap.... 74
1-6. Theft deterrent system
Engine immobilizer system... 78
1-7. Safety information
Correct driving posture......... 80
SRS airbags ......................... 82
Front passenger occupant 
classification system........... 99
Child restraint systems ....... 106
Installing child restraints ..... 111
2-1. Driving procedures
Driving the vehicle.............. 134
Engine (ignition) switch....... 144
Automatic
transmission ........ 147
Manual transmission........... 150
Turn signal lever................. 153
Parking brake ..................... 154
Horn.................................... 156
2-2. Gauges and meters
Gauges and meters............ 157
Indicators and warning 
lights................................. 160
Accessory meter................. 163
2-3. Operating the lights and 
wipers
Headlight switch ................. 164
Fog light switch................... 166
Windshield wipers and 
washer.............................. 167
1Before driving
2When driving

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
3
2-4. Using other driving systems
Cruise control...................... 170
Rear view monitor system 
(vehicles with auto 
anti-glare inside rear view 
mirror)............................... 173
Four-wheel drive system..... 177
Active traction control 
system .............................. 181
AUTO LSD system.............. 183
Rear differential lock 
system .............................. 185
Downhill Assist Control 
system .............................. 188
Clutch start cancel switch ... 190
Driving assist systems ........ 191
2-5. Driving information
Off-road precautions 
(4WD models and 
PreRunner)....................... 197
Cargo and luggage ............. 202
Vehicle load limits............... 207
Winter driving tips ............... 209
Trailer towing ...................... 213
Dinghy towing ..................... 233
3-1. Using the air conditioning 
system and defogger
Air conditioning system ...... 236
3-2. Using the audio system
Audio system types............ 244
Using the radio................... 247
Using the CD player........... 253
Playing back MP3 and 
WMA discs....................... 259
Optimal use of the audio 
system.............................. 267
Operating the sub woofer 
(on some Access Cab 
models) ............................ 270
Using the AUX port............. 271
Using the steering wheel 
audio switches.................. 273
3-3. Using the hands-free phone
system (for cellular phone)
Hands-free phone system 
(for cellular phone)........... 276
Using the hands-free 
phone system................... 280
Making a phone call ........... 288
Setting a cellular phone...... 293
Security and system 
setup ................................ 298
Using the phone book ........ 301
3Interior and exterior 
features

TABLE OF CONTENTS Index
4
3-4. Using the interior lights
Interior lights list ................. 308
• Interior light ....................... 309
• Personal lights ................. 309
3-5. Using the storage features
List of storage features....... 310
• Glove box ........................ 311
• Console boxes ................. 311
• Cup holders...................... 312
• Bottle holders................... 314
• Auxiliary boxes................. 316
• Overhead console............ 318
3-6. Other interior features
Sun visors .......................... 319
Vanity mirrors..................... 320
Clock.................................. 321
Outside temperature display 
(vehicles with accessory 
meter)............................... 322
Cigarette lighter.................. 323
Power outlet (12V DC) ....... 324
Power outlet (115V AC) ..... 325
Seatback table ................... 331
Floor mat............................ 332
Luggage compartment 
features............................ 334
Garage door opener box.... 343
Compass (vehicles with 
accessory meter).............. 347
4-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting 
the vehicle exterior ........... 354
Cleaning and protecting 
the vehicle interior ............ 357
4-2. Maintenance
Maintenance 
requirements .................... 360
General maintenance......... 362
Emission inspection and 
maintenance (I/M) 
programs .......................... 365
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service 
precautions....................... 366
Hood................................... 370
Engine compartment .......... 372
Tires.................................... 388
Tire inflation pressure......... 396
Wheels................................ 401
Air conditioning filter........... 403
Wireless remote control 
battery .............................. 406
Checking and replacing 
fuses................................. 408
Light bulbs.......................... 418
4Maintenance and care

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
5
5-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers............ 430
If your vehicle needs to 
be towed........................... 431
If you think something 
is wrong ............................ 437
Fuel pump shut off 
system .............................. 438
Event data recorder ............ 439
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If a warning light turns on 
or a warning buzzer 
sounds.............................. 441
If you have a flat tire............ 450
If the engine will not start.... 468
If the shift lever cannot be 
shifted from P.................... 469
If you lose your keys........... 470
If the vehicle battery is 
discharged........................ 471
If your vehicle overheats..... 475
If the vehicle becomes 
stuck ................................. 478
If your vehicle has to 
be stopped in 
an emergency................... 480
6-1. Specifications
Maintenance data 
(fuel, oil level, etc.)........... 484
Fuel information.................. 504
Tire information .................. 507
6-2. Customization
Customizable features........ 518
Items to initialize................. 519
Reporting safety defects 
for U.S. owners ................ 522
Seat belt instructions 
for Canadian owners 
(in French)........................ 523
Camper information............ 525
Abbreviation list........................ 532
Alphabetical index.................... 534
What to do if.............................. 544
5When trouble arises 6Vehicle specifications
7For owners
Index

6
Headlights
P. 164
Pictorial index Exterior
Hood
P. 370
Windshield wipers
P. 167
Parking and front side marker
lights
P. 164
Outside rear view mirrors
P. 68
Regular Cab models
Front turn signal lights and daytime
running lights
P. 153, 165

7
Tires
●Rotation
●Replacement
●Inflation pressure
●Information
P. 388
P. 450
P. 396
P. 507
Fuel filler door
P. 74
Rear turn signal lights
P. 153
Rear side marker lights
P. 164
Side doors
P. 35
Stop/tail lights
P. 164
Tailgate
P. 40
License plate lights
P. 164
Back window
P. 73
: If equipped

8
Pictorial index Exterior
Access Cab models
Headlights
P. 164
Hood
P. 370
Windshield wipers
P. 167
Parking and front side marker
lights
P. 164
Outside rear view mirrors
P. 68
Front turn signal lights and daytime
running lights
P. 153, 165
Fog lights
P. 166

9
Tires
●Rotation
●Replacement
●Inflation pressure
●Information
P. 388
P. 450
P. 396
P. 507
Fuel filler door
P. 74
Rear turn signal 
lights
P. 153
Rear side marker lights
P. 164
Side doors
P. 35
: If equipped
Stop/tail lights
P. 164
Tailgate
P. 40
License plate lights
P. 164
Access doors
P. 39
Back window
P. 73

10
Pictorial index Exterior
Double Cab models
Headlights
P. 164
Hood
P. 370
Windshield wipers
P. 167
Parking and front side marker
lights
P. 164
Outside rear view mirrors
P. 68
Front turn signal lights and daytime
running lights
P. 153, 165
Fog lights
P. 166

11
Tires
●Rotation
●Replacement
●Inflation pressure
●Information
P. 388
P. 450
P. 396
P. 507
Fuel filler door
P. 74
Rear turn signal 
lights
P. 153
Rear side marker lights
P. 164
Side doors
P. 35
: If equipped
Stop/tail lights
P. 164
Tailgate
P. 40
License plate lights
P. 164
Back window
P. 73

12
Pictorial index Interior
Seat belts
P. 58
Head restraints
P. 54
Bottle holders1
P. 314
Seatback table1
P. 331
SRS side airbags
P. 82
Floor mats
P. 332
SRS front 
passenger
airbag
P. 82
Rear seats2
P. 50
Front seats
P. 45
Glove box
P. 311
Front console box1
P. 311
Horn
SRS driver airbag
P. 156
P. 82

13
Anti-glare inside rear view mirror
P. 65
Sun visors
P. 319
SRS curtain shield 
airbags
P. 82
Vanity mirrors
P. 320
Interior light
P. 309
Rear view monitor system3
P. 173
Overhead console2
P. 318
Garagedooropenerbox 1
P. 343
Compass 1
P. 347
Personallights2
P. 309
Outsidetemperaturedisplay1
P. 322
Accessorymeter1
P. 163
3: Vehicles with auto anti-glare inside
rear view mirror
1: If equipped
2: Access Cab and Double Cab models

14
Pictorial index Interior
Door lock switch1
P. 36
Power window switches1
P. 71
Window lock switch1
P. 71
Inside door lock button
P. 36

15
Bench type front seat
Separated type front seats with an automatic transmission
Shift lever
P. 147, 150
Cup holders
P. 312
Shift lever
P. 147
Cup holders
P. 312
1: If equipped
Shift lock override button
P. 469
Cup holders
P. 312
Shift lock override button2
P. 469
2: Vehicles with an automatic transmission