Toyota Tacoma (2023 year). Manual in english

316

4-5. Using the driving support systems

Operate  the  Multi-terrain  Select
mode  selector  dial  during  Multi-
terrain  Select  control  to  select  a
mode.

■

The Multi-terrain Select can be operated when

●

The four-wheel drive control switch is in “4L” position.

●

The Crawl Control is off.

■

When using the Multi-terrain Select

The VSC system cannot be switched on or off.
A message will be shown on the multi-information display stating that this
function cannot be switched using the VSC off switch.

■

When it is difficult to generate traction

“MUD & SAND” mode provides the largest amount of tire slippage, followed
by “LOOSE ROCK”, “MOGUL”, “ROCK & DIRT” and “ROCK” mode.
If the current tires slip is too large, driveability can be improved by selecting a
mode with a smaller slip amount. Conversely, selecting a mode with a larger
slip can improve driveability, if the current tire slip is too small.

■

When the vehicle is stuck

Switching the transfer and differentials
For the operation of following function, refer to the following pages.

●

Four-wheel drive system (



P. 303)

●

Rear differential lock (



P. 309)

Selecting modes

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4-5. Using the driving support systems

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■

When the active traction control operates continuously



P. 313

■

When the four-wheel drive control switch is in “4L” position

If the Multi-terrain Select system is not operating and the four-wheel drive
control switch is in “4L”, the “TRAC OFF” indicator will come on.

■

When there is a malfunction in the system

The slip indicator light will come on. Have the vehicle inspected by your
Toyota dealer immediately.

WARNING

■

When using Multi-terrain Select

Observe the following precautions to avoid an accident that could result in
death or serious injuries:

●

There is a chance that the selected mode may not be the most appropriate
in terms of road conditions such as pitch, slipperiness, undulation, etc.
(



P. 315)

●

Multi-terrain Select is not intended to expand the limits of the vehicle.
Check the road conditions thoroughly beforehand, and drive safely and
carefully.

NOTICE

■

Precaution for use

The Multi-terrain Select is intended for use during off-road driving. Do not
use the system at any other time.

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4-5. Using the driving support systems

Crawl Control



Speed selector dial

Turn the dial clockwise to increase the speed and counterclockwise to
decrease the speed.

Crawl Control on/off switch

The Crawl Control indicator comes on and the slip indicator flashes when
operating.

Crawl Control indicator
Slip indicator
Multi-information display

The operating status and speed select status of the Crawl Control are
shown on the multi-information display.



: If equipped

Allows travel on extremely rough off-road surfaces at a fixed low
speed without pressing the accelerator or brake pedal. Mini-
mizes loss of traction or vehicle slip when driving on slippery
road surfaces, allowing for stable driving.

Crawl Control switch

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4-5. Using the driving support systems

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The following table shows some
typical terrains and the recom-
mended speed modes.

Press the Crawl Control on/off switch while Crawl Control is operating.
If the switch is turned off, the slip indicator will turn off, the Crawl Con-
trol indicator will flash until the system has turned off completely, and
a message stating that Crawl Control has been turned off will be dis-
played on the multi-information display for several seconds.
When turning off Crawl Control while driving, stop the vehicle before
the Crawl Control indicator turns off, or drive extremely carefully.

■

Crawl Control can be operated when

●

The engine is running.

●

The shift lever is in any position other than P or N.

●

The front-wheel drive control switch is turned to “4L”.

●

The driver’s door is closed.

Speed modes

Position

Speed mode

Road conditions

Low

Rock, mogul (downhill) and gravel
(downhill)

Between low and medium

Mogul (uphill)

Medium

Snow, mud, gravel (uphill), sand,
dirt, mogul (uphill) and grass

Between medium and high

High

When the system is turned off

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4-5. Using the driving support systems

■

Automatic system cancelation

In the following situations, the buzzer will sound intermittently and Crawl Con-
trol will be canceled automatically. In this event, the Crawl Control indicator
will flash and then goes off, and a message stating that Crawl Control has
been turned off will be displayed on the multi-information display for several
seconds.

●

When the shift lever is shifted to P or N

●

When the front-wheel drive control switch is turned to “4H”

●

When the driver’s door is opened

■

Function limitations

When the vehicle speed exceeds approximately 15 mph (25 km), engine con-
trol and brake control will stop temporarily. In this event, the Crawl Control
indicator will flash.

■

When the Crawl Control system is operated continuously

●

If Crawl Control is used continuously for a long time, the buzzer will sound, a
malfunction notification will be displayed on the multi-information display,
the Crawl Control indicator goes off, and Crawl Control will be temporarily
inoperable as a result of the brake system overheating. In this event, stop
the vehicle immediately in a safe place, and allow the brake system to cool
down sufficiently until the “TRAC OFF” indicator will goes off. (In the mean-
time, normal driving is possible.)

●

If Crawl Control is used continuously for a long time, the buzzer will sound,
the system will be temporarily canceled, and a malfunction notification will
be displayed on the multi-information display as a result of the automatic
transmission system overheating. Stop the vehicle in a safe place until the
display goes off.

■

Sounds and vibrations caused by the Crawl Control system

●

A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the engine is
started or just after the vehicle begins to move. This sound does not indicate
that a malfunction has occurred in Crawl Control system.

●

Either of the following conditions may occur when the Crawl Control system
is operating. None of these indicates that a malfunction has occurred.
• Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
• A motor sound may be heard after the vehicle comes to a stop.

■

When there is a malfunction in the system

Warning lights and/or warning messages will turn on. (



P. 489)

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4-5. Using the driving support systems

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WARNING

■

When using Crawl Control

Do not rely solely on Crawl Control. This function does not extend the vehi-
cle’s performance limitations. Always check the terrain thoroughly and drive
safely.

■

These conditions may cause the system may not operate correctly

When driving on the following surfaces, the system may not be able to
maintain a fixed low speed, which may result in an accident:

●

Extremely steep inclines

●

Extremely uneven surfaces

●

Snow-covered roads, or other slippery surfaces

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4-5. Using the driving support systems

Clutch start cancel switch



Never use the switch for normal engine starting. Be sure to follow the
starting procedure. (



P. 202)

Press the “CLUTCH START CAN-
CEL” switch to cancel the clutch
start system when the engine
switch is turned to the “ON” posi-
tion.

The  indicator  comes  on  when  the
clutch start system is canceled.
The  clutch  start  cancel  switch  is
automatically  turned  off  when  the
engine switch is turned off.

■

Clutch start system

The system is designed to keep the starter motor from operating if the clutch
pedal is not depressed all the way down.



: If equipped

The switch allows the vehicle to be driven out of difficult situa-
tions by cranking the engine with the clutch engaged.

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4-5. Using the driving support systems

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Driving assist systems

◆

ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)

Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenly,
or if the brakes are applied while driving on a slippery road surface

◆

Multi Terrain ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) (if equipped)

Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenly,
or if the brakes are applied while driving on a slippery road surface,
or in off-road conditions (such as rough roads, sand and mud)

◆

Brake assist

Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake pedal
is depressed when the system detects a panic stop situation

◆

VSC (Vehicle Stability)

Helps the driver to control skidding when swerving suddenly or
turning on slippery road surfaces

◆

Trailer Sway Control (if equipped)

Helps the driver to control trailer sway by selectively applying brake
pressure for individual wheels and reducing engine torque when
trailer sway is detected.

Trailer Sway Control is part of the VSC system and will not operate if
VSC system is turned off or experiences a malfunction.

◆

TRAC (Traction Control)

Helps to maintain drive power and prevent the drive wheels from
spinning when starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads

To help enhance driving safety and performance, the following
systems operate automatically in response to various driving
situations. Be aware, however, that these systems are supple-
mentary and should not be relied upon too heavily when operat-
ing the vehicle.

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4-5. Using the driving support systems

◆

Hill-start assist control (if equipped)

Helps to prevent the vehicle from rolling backward when starting on
an incline or slippery slope

The slip indicator light will flash
while the TRAC/VSC/Trailer Sway
Control/hill-start assist control

systems are operating.

: If equipped with Multi-terrain Select/

Crawl Control.

If the vehicle gets stuck in fresh snow or mud, TRAC/VSC/Trailer
Sway Control systems may reduce power from the engine to the
wheels. You may need to turn the system off to enable you to rock the
vehicle in order to free it.

■

Turning off TRAC (turn on the AUTO LSD system)



P. 307

■

Turning off TRAC, VSC and Trailer Sway Control

Press and hold the VSC off
switch for more than 3 seconds
while the vehicle is stopped to
turn off TRAC, VSC and Trailer
Sway Control.

The VSC off and “TRAC OFF”
indicators will come on.
Press the switch again to turn
the system back on.

When the TRAC/VSC/Trailer Sway Control/hill-start assist control
systems are operating

Disabling the TRAC/VSC/Trailer Sway Control systems (2WD
models and 2WD mode on 4WD models)

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4-5. Using the driving support systems

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■

Turning off TRAC

Quickly press and release the
VSC off switch to turn off
TRAC.

The “TRAC OFF” indicator will
come on.
Press the switch again to turn
the system back on.

■

Turning off TRAC, VSC and Trailer Sway Control

Press and hold the VSC off
switch for more than 3 seconds
while the vehicle is stopped to
turn off TRAC, VSC and Trailer
Sway Control.

The VSC off and “TRAC OFF”
indicators will come on.
Press the switch again to turn
the system back on.

■

When the “TRAC OFF” indicator light comes on even if the VSC off
switch has not been pressed

TRAC and hill-start assist control cannot be operated. Contact your Toyota
dealer.

Disabling the TRAC/VSC/Trailer Sway Control systems (4WD
mode on 4WD models)

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4-5. Using the driving support systems

■

Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, Multi Terrain ABS, brake
assist, VSC, TRAC and Trailer Sway Control systems

●

A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the brake pedal
is depressed repeatedly, when the engine is started or just after the vehicle
begins to move. This sound does not indicate that a malfunction has
occurred in any of these systems.

●

Any of the following conditions may occur when the above systems are
operating. None of these indicates that a malfunction has occurred.
• Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
• A motor sound may be heard after the vehicle comes to a stop.
• The brake pedal may pulsate slightly after the ABS is activated.
• The brake pedal may move down slightly after the ABS is activated.

■

Automatic reactivation of TRAC, VSC and Trailer Sway Control systems
after turning off the engine

Turning off the engine after turning off the TRAC, VSC and Trailer Sway Con-
trol systems will automatically reactivate them.

■

Automatic reactivation of TRAC system (AUTO LSD mode)

With AUTO LSD mode, VSC off and “AUTO LSD” indicator lights turn on.
The VSC and TRAC systems will turn on when the vehicle speed increases.

■

Automatic reactivation of TRAC, VSC and Trailer Sway Control systems

If the TRAC, VSC and Trailer Sway Control systems are turned off, automatic
reactivation will not occur when vehicle speed increases

■

If the brake system overheats

TRAC will cease operation and a buzzer will sound to alert the driver. Stop
the vehicle in a safe place. (There is no problem with continuing normal driv-
ing.)

■

When the VSC or TRAC system is turned off by pressing the VSC off
switch

On vehicles with pre-collision system, pre-collision brake assist and pre-colli-
sion braking will also be disabled. The PCS warning light will come on and
the message will be shown on the multi-information display. (→P. 501)

■

Operating conditions of hill-start assist control

When the following four conditions are met, the hill-start assist control will
operate:

●

The shift lever is in a position other than P or N (when starting off forward/
backward on an upward incline).

●

The vehicle is stopped.

●

The accelerator pedal is not depressed.

●

The parking brake is not engaged.

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4-5. Using the driving support systems

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■

Automatic system cancelation of hill-start assist control

The hill-start assist control will turn off in any of the following situations:

●

The shift lever is moved to P or N.

●

The accelerator pedal is depressed.

●

The parking brake is engaged.

●

Approximately 2 seconds elapse after the brake pedal is released.

WARNING

■

The ABS does not operate effectively when

●

The limits of tire gripping performance have been exceeded (such as
excessively worn tires on a snow covered road).

●

The vehicle hydroplanes while driving at high speed on wet or slick roads.

■

Stopping distance when the ABS or Multi Terrain ABS is operating may
exceed that of normal conditions

The ABS and Multi Terrain ABS are not designed to shorten the vehicle’s
stopping distance. Always maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front
of you, especially in the following situations:

●

When driving on dirt, gravel or snow-covered roads

●

When driving with tire chains

●

When driving over bumps in the road

●

When driving over roads with potholes or uneven surfaces

■

TRAC may not operate effectively when

Directional control and power may not be achievable while driving on slip-
pery road surfaces, even if the TRAC system is operating.
Drive the vehicle carefully in conditions where stability and power may be
lost.

■

Hill-start assist control does not operate effectively when

●

Do not overly rely on hill-start assist control. Hill-start assist control may
not operate effectively on steep inclines and roads covered with ice.

●

Unlike the parking brake, hill-start assist control is not intended to hold the
vehicle stationary for an extended period of time. Do not attempt to use
hill-start assist control to hold the vehicle on an incline, as doing so may
lead to an accident.

■

When the VSC and Trailer Sway Control are activated

The slip indicator light flashes. Always drive carefully. Reckless driving may
cause an accident. Exercise particular care when the indicator light flashes.

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4-5. Using the driving support systems

WARNING

■

When the TRAC/VSC/Trailer Sway Control systems are turned off

Be especially careful and drive at a speed appropriate to the road condi-
tions. As these are the systems to help ensure vehicle stability and driving
force, do not turn the TRAC/VSC/Trailer Sway Control systems off unless
necessary.

■

Replacing tires

Make sure that all tires are of the specified size, brand, tread pattern and
total load capacity. In addition, make sure that the tires are inflated to the
recommended tire inflation pressure level.
The ABS, Multi Terrain ABS, TRAC, VSC and Trailer Sway Control systems
will not function correctly if different tires are installed on the vehicle.
Contact your Toyota dealer for further information when replacing tires or
wheels.

■

Handling of tires and the suspension

Using tires with any kind of problem or modifying the suspension will affect
the driving assist systems, and may cause a system to malfunction.

■

Trailer Sway Control precaution

The Trailer Sway Control system is not able to reduce trailer sway in all situ-
ations. Depending on many factors such as the conditions of the vehicle,
trailer, road surface, and driving environment, the Trailer Sway Control sys-
tem may not be effective. Refer to your trailer owner’s manual for informa-
tion on how to tow your trailer properly.

■

If trailer sway occurs

Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may cause death or serious injury.

●

Firmly grip the steering wheel. Steer straight ahead.
Do not try to control trailer swaying by turning the steering wheel.

●

Begin releasing the accelerator pedal immediately but very gradually to
reduce speed.
Do not increase speed. Do not apply vehicle brakes.

If you make no extreme correction with the steering or brakes, your vehicle
and trailer should stabilize. (

329

Winter driving tips

●

Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside tempera-
tures.

• Engine oil
• Engine coolant
• Washer fluid

●

Have a service technician inspect the condition of the battery.

●

Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set of tire
chains for the rear tires.

Ensure that all tires are the same size and brand, and that chains match
the size of the tires.

Perform the following according to the driving conditions:

●

Do not try to forcibly open a window or move a wiper that is frozen.
Pour warm water over the frozen area to melt the ice. Wipe away
the water immediately to prevent it from freezing.

●

To ensure proper operation of the climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents in
front of the windshield.

●

Check for and remove any excess ice or snow that may have accu-
mulated on the exterior lights, vehicle’s roof, chassis, around the
tires or on the brakes.

●

Remove any snow or mud from the bottom of your shoes before
getting in the vehicle.

Accelerate the vehicle slowly, keep a safe distance between you and
the vehicle ahead, and drive at a reduced speed suitable to road con-
ditions.

Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before
driving the vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a man-
ner appropriate to the prevailing weather conditions.

Preparation for winter

Before driving the vehicle

When driving the vehicle

330

4-6. Driving tips

●

Park the vehicle and move the shift lever to P (automatic transmis-
sion) or 1 or R (manual transmission) without setting the parking
brake. The parking brake may freeze up, preventing it from being
released. If the vehicle is parked without setting the parking brake,
make sure to block the wheels.
Failure to do so may be dangerous because it may cause the vehi-
cle to move unexpectedly, possibly leading to an accident.

●

On vehicles with an automatic transmission, if the vehicle is parked
without setting the parking brake, confirm that the shift lever cannot
be moved out of P.
The shift lever will be locked if it is attempted to be shifted from P to
any other position without depressing the brake pedal. If the shift
lever can be shifted from P, there may be a problem with the shift
lock system. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.

Use the correct tire chain size when mounting the tire chains.
Chain size is regulated for each tire size.

Side chain
(0.2 in. [5 mm] in diameter)
Cross chain
(0.25 in. [6.3 mm] in diameter)

Regulations regarding the use of tire chains vary depending on loca-
tion and type of road. Always check local regulations before installing
chains.

When parking the vehicle

Selecting tire chains

Regulations on the use of tire chains

331

4-6. Driving tips

ivi

■

Tire chain installation

Observe the following precautions when installing and removing chains:

●

Install and remove tire chains in a safe location.

●

Install tire chains on the rear tires. Do not install tire chains on the front tires.

●

Install tire chains on rear tires as tightly as possible. Retighten chains after
driving 1/4



1/2 mile (0.5



1.0 km).

●

Install tire chains following the instructions provided with the tire chains.

WARNING

■

Driving with snow tires

Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in a loss of vehicle control and cause death or
serious injury.

●

Use tires of the specified size.

●

Maintain the recommended level of air pressure.

●

Do not drive in excess of 75 mph (120 km/h), regardless of the type of
snow tires being used.

●

Use snow tires on all, not just some wheels.

●

4WD models: Do not mix tires of different makes, models, tread patterns
or treadwear.

■

Driving with tire chains

Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in the vehicle being unable to be driven safely,
and may cause death or serious injury.

●

Do not drive in excess of the speed limit specified for the tire chains being
used, or 30 mph (50 km/h), whichever is lower.

●

Avoid driving on bumpy road surfaces or over potholes.

●

Avoid sudden acceleration, abrupt steering, sudden braking and shifting
operations that cause sudden engine braking.

●

Slow down sufficiently before entering a curve to ensure that vehicle con-
trol is maintained.

Toyota Tacoma (2023 year). Manual in english - page 19