Toyota Tacoma 2009 Owner's Manual

2009 Quick Reference Guide

MN 00505-QRG09-TAC

Printed in the USA 5/08

2009

Tacoma

This Quick Reference Guide is a summary of basic vehicle
operations. It contains brief descriptions of fundamental
operations so you can locate and use the vehicle’s main
equipment quickly and easily.

The Quick Reference Guide is not intended as a substitute for
the Owner’s Manual located in your vehicle’s glove box. We
strongly encourage you to review the Owner’s Manual and
supplementary manuals so you will have a better understanding
of your vehicle’s capabilities and limitations.

Your dealership and the entire staff of Toyota Motor Sales,
U.S.A., Inc. wish you many years of satisfied driving in your
new Tacoma.

A word about safe vehicle operations

!

This Quick Reference Guide is not a full description of Tacoma
operations. Every Tacoma owner should review the Owner’s
Manual that accompanies this vehicle.

Pay special attention to the boxed information highlighted in
color throughout the Owner’s Manual. Each box contains safe
operating instructions to help you avoid injury or equipment
malfunction.

All information in this Quick Reference Guide is current at
the time of printing. Toyota reserves the right to make
changes at any time without notice.

Doors-Child safety locks (double cab only)

Rear door

Moving the lever to “LOCK” will allow the door to be opened only from
the outside.

Spare tire & tools

Tool location

Regular cab models

-behind the seatback

Jack

Tool bag

Access cab models

-under the rear seat

Removing the spare tire

(1)

(1) Assemble the jack handle.
(2) Insert the jack handle end into the lowering screw.
(3) Turn the jack handle counterclockwise.

Refer to the Owner’s Manual for tire changing and jack positioning
procedures.

Double cab models

-under the rear seat

Tool bag

Front

Jack

Tool bag

Front

Jack

(2)

(3)

OVERVIEW FEATURES/OPERATIONS SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES

21

INDEX

OVERVIEW

FEATURES/OPERATIONS

Engine maintenance 7
Fuel tank door and cap 6
Hood release 6
Indicator symbols 4-5

OVERVIEW FEATURES/OPERATIONS SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES

Instrument cluster 4
Instrument panel 2-3
Keyless entry 6

Accessory meter 15
Air Conditioning/Heating 16
Audio 14-15
Automatic Transmission 8
Clock 10
Cruise control 19
Door locks-Power 18
Four-wheel drive 9
Lights & turn signals 17
Light control-Instrument panel 8
Parking brake 13
Power outlets 13
Rear differential lock 16
Seat adjustments-Front 10
Seats-Folding rear 11
Seats-Head restraints 10
Telephone controls (Bluetooth®)18
Tilt and telescopic steering wheel 9
“VSC OFF” button 19
Windows-Power 12
Windshield wipers & washers 12

SAFETY AND

EMERGENCY FEATURES

Doors-Child safety locks 21
Seat belts 20
Seat belts-Shoulder belt anchor 20
Spare tire & tools 21
Tire Pressure Monitoring (warning) System 20

1

OVERVIEW

Instrument panel

Steering wheel controls (if equipped)

Volume control buttons (for audio)

>

>

“ ” buttons (for audio)
“MODE” button (for audio)
Front fog light switch
Rear differential lock switch
115V AC Power outlet ON/OFF switch

1

1

1

Instrument panel light control
Headlight and turn signal controls
Windshield wiper and washer controls
Two-wheel/Four-wheel drive selector

1

Audio system
Clock
Theft deterrent system/Engine immobilizer indicator
Front passenger seat belt reminder
Front passenger occupant classification indicator
airbag ON/OFF indicator

1

1

or front passenger

2

1

Parking brake lever

OVERVIEW FEATURES/OPERATIONS SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES

Front passenger airbag manual ON/OFF switch

1

Air Conditioning controls
12V DC Power outlet
Emergency flasher button
12V DC Power outlet/Cigarette lighter
Parking brake lever (stick type)
Cruise control

1

2

Engine ignition switch
Parking brake pedal

3

“RSCA OFF” (Roll Sensing Curtain shield Airbags OFF) switch
“DAC” (Downhill Assist Control) button
“VSC OFF” (Vehicle Stability Control OFF) switch
Power rearview mirror control switches

1

If equipped

2

Manual Transmission only

3

Automatic Transmission only

1

or clutch start cancel switch

1

1

3

1

OVERVIEW

Instrument cluster

Tachometer
Speedometer
Odometer and two trip meters
Service indicator and reminder
Engine coolant temperature
Fuel gauge
Trip meter reset knob
Gear shift position indicator (if equipped)

Indicator symbols

Brake system warning

Driver/Front passenger seat belt reminder

Charging system warning

Front passenger occupant classification indicator/
Front passenger airbag ON/OFF indicator

Low engine oil pressure warning

Malfunction/Check Engine indicator

Engine oil replacement reminder

Open door warning

1

For details, refer to “Indicators and warning lights,” Section 2-2, 2009

Owner’s Manual.

2

If this light flashes, refer to “SRS airbag,” Section 1-7-, 2009 Owner’s Manual.

3

If this light flashes, refer to “Four-wheel drive system,” Section 2-4, 2009 Owner’s Manual.

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

4

Airbag SRS warning

1

Automatic Transmission fluid temperature warning

Low Tire Pressure Warning

1

1

Theft deterrent/Engine immobilizer system indicator

Roll Sensing Curtain shield Airbags OFF indicator

2

Headlight low beam indicator

Headlight high beam indicator

Turn signal indicator

Automatic Transmission indicator (5-speed)/(4-speed)

Four-wheel drive indicator

Low speed four-wheel drive indicator

Rear differential lock indicator

3

3

4

Slip indicator

Vehicle Stability Control “OFF” indicator warning

1

Downhill assist control system indicator

OVERVIEW FEATURES/OPERATIONS SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES

AUTO Limited Slip Differential indicator

Cruise control indicator

Anti-lock Brake System warning

4

If this light flashes, refer to “Rear differential lock system,” Section 2-4, 2009 Owner’s
Manual.

5

If this light flashes, refer to “Cruise control,” Section 2-4, 2009 Owner’s Manual.

5

1

5

OVERVIEW

Keyless entry (if equipped)

Locking operation Unlocking operation

Push ONCE: Driver door

TWICE: All doors

NOTE: If a door is not opened within

Push

60 seconds of unlocking, all doors will
relock for safety.

Panic button

Push and hold

Fuel tank door and cap

Tu rn

Pull

NOTE: Tighten until one click is heard. If the cap is not tightened
enough, Check Engine “ ” indicator may illuminate.

Hood release

Pull

Pull up latch and raise hood

6

Engine maintenance

4 cylinder (2TR-FE) engine

6 cylinder (1GR-FE) engine

Windshield washer fluid tank
Engine coolant reservoir
Engine oil filler cap
Power steering fluid reservoir
Engine oil level dipstick

OVERVIEW FEATURES/OPERATIONS SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES

Note: Regularly scheduled maintenance, including oil changes, will

help extend the life of your vehicle and maintain performance.
Please refer to the “Owner’s Warranty Information Booklet,”
“Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or “Owner’s Manual
Supplement.”

7

FEATURES/OPERATIONS

Automatic Transmission (if equipped)

5-speed models

1

Park

Park*

Reverse

Reverse

Neutral

Neutral

Drive

Drive

Fourth gear

Fourth gear

Third gear

Third gear

Second gear

Second gear

First gear

First gear

4-speed models

Park*

Reverse

Neutral

Drive

Third gear

Second gear

First gear

* The engine switch must be “ON” and the brake pedal depressed to shift

from Park.

Downshifting increases power going uphill, or provides engine braking
downhill. For best fuel economy during normal driving conditions, always
drive with the shift lever in the “D” position.

Light control-Instrument panel

+

Brightness
control

-

8

Four-wheel drive (if equipped)

OVERVIEW FEATURES/OPERATIONS SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES

Tu rn

Push and
turn

Tu rn

High speed (2WD)

High speed (4WD)
Shift when speed is below 62 mph.

Low speed (4WD)
Shift into neutral while stopped, or depress clutch pedal at speeds
below 2 mph.

For best fuel economy and performance under normal driving conditions,
keep in “H2” position.

Tilt and telescopic steering wheel

Angle

Length

Lock release lever

Hold wheel, push lever down, set angle and length, and return lever.

Note: Do not attempt to adjust while the vehicle is in motion.

9

FEATURES/OPERATIONS

Seat adjustments-Front

Separate seat

Position
Driver’s seat lumbar support (if equipped)
Seatback angle

Seats-Head restraints

Bench seat

Bench seat-FrontSeparate seats-Front

Clock

(1)

Lock release button

(2)

10

Lock release button

H- Hour set
M- Minute set

3

Seats-Folding rear

Access cab

(1)

(3)

Pull

Double cab

(1)

(2)

(1) Stow the seat belt buckles.
(2) Raise the bottom cushion up while

pulling the lever until it locks.

(3) Push the bottom cushion down.

(2)

OVERVIEW FEATURES/OPERATIONS SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES

(3)

(5)

(4)

(1) Stow the seat belt buckles.
(2) Pass the seat belt through the seat

belt hangers.

(3) Remove the head restraint and

swing the bottom cushion.
(4) Attach the head restraints.
(5) Fold down the seatback.

11

FEATURES/OPERATIONS

Windshield wipers & washers

With intermittent wiper

Adjust interval*

* Intermittent windshield

wiper interval adjustment

Rotate up to increase
interval, down to decrease

Pull to wash and wipe

interval.

Without intermittent wiper

Pull to wash and wipe

Windows-Power (if equipped)

Access cab models

Driver side

Single wipe

Interval wipe

Slow

Fast

Single wipe

Slow

Fast

Window lock switch

Up

Down

Up

Down

Double cab models

Driver side

Up

Down

Automatic down operation (driver side only)

Push the switch completely down and release to fully open. To stop
window midway, lightly pull up on the switch.

Window lock switch Deactivates all passenger windows. Driver’s window
remains operable.

12

Window lock switch

Up

Down

Parking brake

3

Automatic Transmission

Manual Transmission

Set Release

(1) Push button

Power outlets

12V DC

OVERVIEW FEATURES/OPERATIONS SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES

Set: Depress
Release: Depress again

(2) Turn and

push in lever

Key must be in the “ACC” or “ON” position to be used.

115V AC (if equipped)

ON/OFF switch

Green
indicator

Yellow
indicator

The engine must be running for use.

Yellow Light Only Max Capacity 115V AC/100W
Green & Yellow Lights Max Capacity 115V AC/400W

Refer to the Owner’s Manual for more details.

Push

13

Right side
of bed

FEATURES/OPERATIONS

Audio

Typ e 1

Eject CD

Push to turn
ON/OFF

Station/
Search playback

Seek station/
CD track select

Type 2 additional functions

Preset buttons - functions in other
modes indicated below number

Mode

Playback

Push to adjust
tone & balance

View text

Load CD(s)

CD PLAYER

To scan tracks on a disc Push and hold “SCAN.” Push again to hold

selection.

CD changer (Type 2 only)

-To load one disc Push “LOAD” and insert one disc.

-To load multiple discs Push and hold “LOAD” until you hear a beep.

Insert one disc. Shutter will close and then re-open for next disc.

RADIO

To preset stations Tune in the desired station and hold down a preset

button (1-6) until you hear a beep. Push desired preset button (1-6)
to select.
To scan stations Push and hold “SCAN” to scan preset stations. Push again
to hold selection.

14

Steering wheel switches (if equipped)

Volume control

>

“ ”

>

-In radio mode

Push to select a preset station; push and hold to seek the next
strong station.

-In CD mode

Push to skip up or down to the next/previous track.

“MODE”

Push to turn audio ON and select an audio mode. Push and hold to turn
the audio system OFF.

AUX audio jack

Push “DISK/AUX” button after
inserting a mini plug into the
AUX audio jack to listen to
music from a portable audio
device through the vehicle’s
speaker system.

OVERVIEW FEATURES/OPERATIONS SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES

Accessory meter (if equipped)

Display button
Outside temperature
Compass

15

FEATURES/OPERATIONS

Air Conditioning (if equipped)/Heating

Fan speed
Temperature
Airflow vent
In “ ” or “ ” mode, use fresh air (“ ” indicator OFF) to
reduce window fogging.
Fresh or recirculated cabin air
Air Conditioning ON/OFF (if equipped)
Use fresh air to quickly cool interior, then change to recirculate for
cooler air.

Rear differential lock (if equipped)

Rear differential
Lock/Unlock

Use ONLY when wheel spinning occurs in a ditch, or on slippery or
unpaved surfaces. DO NOT USE THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL LOCK IN

CONDITIONS OTHER THAN SPECIFIED IN THE OWNER’S MANUAL.
UNLOCK THE DIFFERENTIAL ONCE THE VEHICLE MOVES OUT OF THE
TROUBLE SPOT.

Refer to your Owner’s Manual for complete details on this system
before attempting to use it.

16

Lights & turn signals

Headlights

Headlights

OVERVIEW FEATURES/OPERATIONS SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES

Low beam

High beam
flasher

Parking lights

High beam

-Daytime Running Light system (if equipped) Automatically turns on

the turn signal lights at a reduced intensity.

-Automatic light cutoff system Automatically turns lights off when

driver’s door is opened with the engine switch in the “ACC” or
“LOCK” position.

Front fog lights (if equipped)

Front fog lights come on only when the headlights are on low beam.

Turn signals

Right turn

Lane change

Lane change

Left turn

17

FEATURES/OPERATIONS

Telephone controls (Bluetooth®)
(if equipped)

Audio unit

Steering wheel telephone switches

Microphone

Vol ume

Bluetooth®technology allows you to place or receive calls without taking
your hands from the steering wheel or using a cable to connect the
telephone and the system.

Refer to “Using the hands-free phone system (for cellular phone),” Section
3-3 in the Owner’s Manual for more details.

OFF/Ends a call

ON/Starts a call

Voice command system

Door locks-Power (if equipped)

Unlock

Lock

18

“VSC OFF” button

VSC OFF

The “VSC OFF” button is used to switch between modes related to the
TRAC, VSC and Auto LSD functions.

Refer to the Owner’s Manual for more information.

Cruise control (if equipped)

Turning system ON/OFF

System ON/OFF

OVERVIEW FEATURES/OPERATIONS SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES

Functions

1

Cancel

Set/Decrease speed

1

The set speed may also be cancelled by depressing the brake pedal.

2

The set speed may be resumed once vehicle speed exceeds 25 mph.

19

Resu me

2

/Increase speed

SAFETY AND
EMERGENCY FEATURES

Seat belts

Take up slack

Too high

Keep as low on
hips as possible

If belt is fully extended, then retracted even slightly, it cannot be
re-extended beyond that point, unless fully retracted again. This feature
is used to help hold child restraint systems securely.

To find more information about seat belts, and how to install a child
restraint system, refer to the Owner's Manual.

Seat belts-Shoulder belt anchor

Push up, or squeeze lock
release to lower

Tire Pressure Monitoring (warning)
System

If tire pressure indicator
light is on, check/adjust
each tire.

After adjusting tire pressures, or after tires have been rotated or
replaced, turn the ignition switch to “ON” and press and hold the
“ SET” button until indicator blinks three times. Let the vehicle sit for a
few minutes to allow initialization to complete.

Refer to the load label on the door jamb or the Owner’s Manual for tire
inflation specifications.

If the tire pressure indicator flashes for more than 60 seconds and then
remains on, take the vehicle to your local Toyota dealer.

20

Abbreviation list

Abbreviation/Acronym list

ABBREVIATIONS MEANING

2WD Two Wheel Drive
4WD Four Wheel Drive

ABS Anti-Lock Brake System

ACC Accessory

ALR Automatic Locking Retractor

A-TRAC Active Traction Control

AUTO LSD Automatic Limited Slip Differential

CRS Child Restraint System
DAC Downhill assist control
ECU Electronic Control Unit
EDR Event Data Recorder

ELR Emergency Locking Retractor
GAWR Gross Axle Weight Rating
GVWR Gross Vehicle Weight Rating

I/M Emission inspection and maintenance

INT Intermittent

LED Light Emitting Diode

LT Light truck

M + S Mud + Snow

MMT Methylcy clopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl

MTBE Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether

OBD On Board Diagnostics

RES Resume

RR DIFF LOCK Rear differential lock

RSCA Roll sensing of curtain shield airbag

SRS Supplemental Restraint System

TIN Tire Identification Number

506

ABBREVIATIONS MEANING

TPMS Tire Pressure Warning System
TRAC Traction Control

TWI Treadwear indicators

VIN Vehicle Identification Number

VSC Vehicle Stability Control

507

For your information

Main Owners Manual

Please note that this manual applies to all models explains and all equip­ment, 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.

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.

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/sequen­tial multiport fuel injection system, cruise control system, anti-lock brake sys­tem, SRS airbag system and seat belt pretensioner system, be sure to check
with your Toyota dealer for precautionary measures or special instructions
regarding installation.

24

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 compo­nents may include airbag, seat belt pretensioners, and wireless remote con­trol batteries.

CAUTION

n General precautions while driving

Driving under the influence: Never drive your vehicle when under the influ­ence of alcohol or drugs that have impaired your ability to operate your vehi­cle. Alcohol and certain drugs delay reaction time, impair judgment and
reduce coordination, which could lead to an accident that will hurt or kill you,
your occupants or others.

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 dis­tracts 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.

25

CAUTION

n 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 addi­tion, heat build-up or extremely cold temperatures inside the vehicle can be
fatal to children.

26

Symbols used throughout this manual

Cautions & Notices

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.

Safety symbol

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).

27

28

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1

Before driving

2

When driving

Interior and

3

exterior features

Maintenance

4

and care

When trouble

5

arises

Vehicle

6

specifications

Adjusting and operating features such as door locks,
mirrors, and steering column.

Driving, stopping and safe-driving information.

Air conditioning and audio systems, as well as other in­terior features for a comfortable driving experience.

Cleaning and protecting your vehicle, performing do-it­yourself maintenance, and maintenance information.

What to do if the vehicle needs to be towed, gets a flat
tire, or is involved in an accident.

Detailed vehicle information.

7

For owners

Index

Reporting safety defects for U.S. owners, seat belt in­structions for Canadian owners and camper informa­tion.

Alphabetical listing of information contained in this
manual.

1