Toyota Tacoma (2023 year). Manual in english - page 12

■

Turning the key from “ACC” to “LOCK”

Shift the shift lever to P (automatic transmission) or N (manual transmis-
sion).

■

If the engine does not start (vehicles with engine immobilizer system)

The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. (



P. 78)

Contact your Toyota dealer.

■

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 “ACC” or “LOCK” position to remind you to remove the key.

Push in the key and turn it to the
“LOCK” position.

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.

204

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 while 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. 473)

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 your Toyota dealer immediately.

205

Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles with a

smart key system)

Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is in P.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.

and a message will be dis-

played on the multi-information dis-
play.
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.
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

206

Stop the vehicle.
Set the parking brake (



P. 219), and shift the shift lever to P.

Press the engine switch.
Release the brake pedal and check that the display on the instru-
ment cluster is off.

Modes can be changed by pressing the engine switch with brake
pedal released. (The mode changes each time the switch is pressed.)

Off

The emergency flashers can be
used.

ACCESSORY mode

Some electrical components such
as the audio system can be used.
“ACCESSORY” will be displayed
on the multi-information display.

IGNITION ON mode

All electrical components can be
used.
“IGNITION ON” will be displayed
on the multi-information display.

: If the shift lever is in a position

other than P when turning off the
engine, the engine switch will be
turned to ACCESSORY mode, not
to off.

Stopping the engine

Changing engine switch modes

207

If the engine is stopped with the shift lever in a position other than P,
the engine switch will not be turned off but instead be turned to
ACCESSORY mode. Perform the following procedure to turn the
switch off:

Check that the parking brake is set.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Check that “Turn Power OFF” is displayed on the multi-information
display and then press the engine switch once.
Check that “Turn Power OFF” on the multi-information display is off.

■

Auto power off function

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.

■

Automatic engine shut off feature (except for New Caledonia)

●

The vehicle is equipped with a feature that automatically shuts off the
engine when the shift lever is in P with the engine running for an extended
period.

●

The engine will automatically shut off after approximately 1 hour if it has
been left running while the shift lever is in P.

●

The timer for the automatic engine shut off feature will reset if the brake
pedal is depressed or if the shift lever is in a position other than P.

●

After the vehicle is parked, if the door is locked with the door lock switch
(

P. 121) from the inside or the mechanical key (



P. 528) from the outside,

the automatic engine shut off feature will be disabled. The timer for the auto-
matic engine shut off feature will be re-enabled if the driver’s door is
opened.

■

Electronic key battery depletion



P. 116

■

Conditions affecting operation



P. 134

■

Note for the entry function



P. 135

When stopping the engine with the shift lever in a position other
than P

208

■

If the engine does not start

●

The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. (

P. 78)

Contact your Toyota dealer.

●

Check that the shift lever is securely set in P. The engine may not start if the
shift lever is displaced out of P. “Shift to P Position” will be displayed on the
multi-information display.

■

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, operation of the motor
may be suspended 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.

■

When “Smart Entry & Start System Check” is displayed on the multi-
information display

The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your
Toyota dealer immediately.

■

If the electronic key battery is depleted



P. 451

■

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.

●

If attempting to restart the engine immediately after turning the engine
switch off, the engine may not start in some cases. After turning the engine
switch off, please wait a few seconds before restarting the engine.

■

If the smart key system has been deactivated by a customized setting



P. 528

A message will be displayed on the multi-
information display.
Check that the shift lever is in P. Press the
engine switch while turning the steering
wheel left and right.

209

WARNING

■

When starting the engine

■

Caution while driving

If engine failure occurs while the vehicle is moving, do not lock or open the
doors until the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop. Otherwise, the
steering lock function will activate and this may lead to an accident, result-
ing in death or serious injury.

■

Stopping the engine in an emergency

If you want to stop the engine in an emergency while driving the vehicle,
press and hold the engine switch for more than 2 seconds, or press it briefly
3 times or more in succession. (

P. 473)

However, do not touch the engine switch while driving except in an emer-
gency. Turning the engine off while driving will not cause loss of steering or
braking control, however, power assist to the steering will be lost. This will
make it more difficult to steer smoothly, so you should pull over and stop the
vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.

■

When parking (except for New Caledonia)

Exhaust gases include harmful carbon monoxide (CO), which is colorless
and odorless. Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may cause exhaust gases to enter the vehicle and may
lead to an accident caused by light-headedness, or may lead to death or a
serious health hazard.

●

If the vehicle is in a poorly ventilated area or a closed area, such as a
garage, stop the engine.

●

Do not leave the vehicle with the engine running for a long time. If such a
situation cannot be avoided, park the vehicle in an open space and ensure
that exhaust fumes do not enter the vehicle interior.

●

Do not leave the engine running in an area with snow build-up, or where it
is snowing. If snowbanks build up around the vehicle while the engine is
running, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle.

210

NOTICE

■

To prevent battery discharge

●

Do not leave the engine switch in ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode
for long periods of time without the engine running.

●

If “ACCESSORY” or “IGNITION ON” is displayed on the multi-information
display while the engine is not running, the engine switch is not off. Exit the
vehicle after turning the engine switch off.

●

Do not stop the engine when the shift lever is in a position other than P. If
the engine is stopped in another shift lever position, the engine switch will
not be turned off but instead be turned to ACCESSORY mode. If the vehi-
cle is left in ACCESSORY mode, battery discharge may occur.

■

When starting the engine

●

Do not race a cold engine.

●

If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have your vehi-
cle checked by your Toyota dealer immediately.

■

Symptoms indicating a malfunction with the engine switch

If the engine switch seems to be operating somewhat differently than usual,
such as the switch sticking slightly, there may be a malfunction. Contact
your Toyota dealer immediately.

211

Automatic transmission



Vehicles without a smart key system:

While the engine switch is in the “ON” position, move the shift

lever with the brake pedal depressed.

When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the vehi-
cle is completely stopped.

Vehicles with a smart key system:

While the engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode, move the shift

lever with the brake pedal depressed.

When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the vehi-
cle is completely stopped.



: If equipped

Shifting the shift lever

212

: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noises, set the shift lever in the D

position for normal driving.

: Selecting shift ranges using S mode restricts the upper limit of the possible

gear ranges, controls engine braking forces, and prevents unnecessary
upshifting.

Use when high levels of response and feeling are desirable, such as
when driving in mountainous regions or when pulling a trailer.
Press the “ECT PWR” button to
select power mode.

The “ECT PWR” indicator comes
on.
Press the button again to cancel
power mode.

Shift position purpose

Shift position

Function

Parking the vehicle/starting the engine

Reversing

Neutral

(Condition in which the power is not transmitted)

Normal driving

S mode driving

(



P. 213)

Selecting power mode

213

When the shift lever is in the S position, the shift lever can be oper-
ated as follows:

Upshifting
Downshifting

The initial shift range in S mode is set automatically to 5 or 4 accord-
ing to vehicle speed. However, the initial shift range may be set to 3 if
the AI-SHIFT has operated while the shift lever was in the D position.
(



P. 213)

■

Shift ranges and their functions

●

You can choose from 6 levels engine braking force.

●

A lower shift range will provide greater engine braking force than
a higher shift range, and the engine speed will also increase.

■

AI-SHIFT

AI-SHIFT automatically selects the suitable gear according to the driver per-
formance and driving conditions.
AI-SHIFT automatically operates when the shift lever is in the D position.
(Shifting the shift lever to the S position cancels the function.)

■

When driving with cruise control activated (if equipped)

Even when performing the following actions with the intent of enabling engine
braking, engine braking will not activate while driving in S mode and down-
shifting to 5 or 4 because cruise control will not be canceled. (

P. 280)

Selecting shift ranges in the S position

214

■

Shift lock system

The shift lock system is a system to prevent accidental operation of the shift
lever in starting.
The shift lever can be shifted from P only when the engine switch is in the
“ON” position (vehicles without a smart key system) or IGNITION ON mode
(vehicles with a smart key system) and the brake pedal is being depressed.

■

If the shift lever cannot be shift from P

First, check whether the brake pedal is being depressed.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted with your foot on the brake pedal, there may
be a problem with the shift lock system. Have the vehicle inspected by your
Toyota dealer immediately.
The following steps may be used as an emergency measure to ensure that
the shift lever can be shifted.
Releasing the shift lock:

Set the parking brake.
Vehicles without a smart key system: Turn the engine switch to the
“LOCK” position.
Vehicles with a smart key system: Turn the engine switch off.
Depress the brake pedal.
Pry the cover up with a flathead
screwdriver or equivalent tool.

To prevent damage to the cover,
cover the tip of the screwdriver with
a rag.

215

Press the shift lock override
button.

The shift lever can be shifted while
the button is pressed.

■

If the “S” indicator does not come on even after shifting the shift lever to S

This may indicate a malfunction in the automatic transmission system. Have
the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer, immediately.

■

Downshifting restrictions warning buzzer (S mode)

To help ensure safety and driving performance, downshifting operation may
sometimes be restricted. In some circumstances, downshifting may not be
possible even when the shift lever is operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.)

■

Transmission protection function

If the tires spin continually when the vehicle becomes stuck in mud, dirt or
snow, or if the accelerator pedal is depressed and released repeatedly while
driving, the automatic transmission temperature may become too high and
the automatic transmission may be damaged.
To avoid damaging the automatic transmission, the system may temporarily
lock the gear.
If the automatic transmission temperature falls, the gear locking is canceled
and the automatic transmission is returned to the normal operation.

WARNING

■

When driving on slippery road surfaces

Do not accelerate or shift gears suddenly.
Sudden changes in engine braking may cause the vehicle to spin or skid,
resulting in an accident.

■

To prevent an accident when releasing the shift lock

Before pressing the shift lock override button, make sure to set the parking
brake and depress the brake pedal.
If the accelerator pedal is accidentally depressed instead of the brake pedal
when the shift lock override button is pressed and the shift lever is shifted
out of P, the vehicle may suddenly start, possibly leading to an accident
resulting in death or serious injury.

216

Manual transmission



Fully depress the clutch pedal before operating the shift lever, and
then release it slowly.



: If equipped

Shifting the shift lever

217