Toyota TACOMA 2012 Reference Guide

TACOMA

2 0 1 2

QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE

2012

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.

INDEX

OVERVIEW

FEATURES/OPERATIONS

Engine maintenance 7
Fuel tank door and cap 6
Hood release 6
Indicator symbols 4-5
Instrument cluster 4
Instrument panel 2-3

Keyless entry

1

6

Air Conditioning/Heating 16
Audio 14-15
Automatic Transmission 8
Clock 9
Cruise control 13
Four-wheel drive 9
Lights & turn signals 12
Light control-Instrument panel 8
Parking brake 10
Power outlets 17
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 switch 17
Windows-Power 12
Windshield wipers & washers 13

OVERVIEW

FEATURES/OPERATIONS

SAFETY AND
EMERGENCY FEATURES

Door locks-Power 19
Doors-Child safety locks 20
Floor mat installation 23
Seat belts 19
Seat belts-Shoulder belt anchor 19
Spare tire & tools 21
Star Safety System

TM

Tire Pressure Monitoring (warning) System 20

1

Visit your Toyota dealer for information on this and other customizable options.

1

22-23

SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES

OVERVIEW

Instrument panel

Steering wheel controls (if equipped)

Volume control buttons (for audio)
Telephone controls
Voice command button
“MODE” button (for audio)

>

>

“ ” buttons (for audio)
Two-wheel/Four-wheel drive selector

1,4

1,4

1

Emergency flasher button
Audio system
Clock
Theft deterrent system/Engine immobilizer indicator

1

Front passenger seat belt reminder
Front passenger occupant classification indicator or front passenger airbag
ON/OFF indicator
Parking brake lever

1

2

Ignition switch
Windshield wiper and washer controls
Air Conditioning controls
12V DC Power outlets
AUX or AUX/USB
“A-TRAC” (Active traction control system) switch
Cruise control

1

port

1

1

2

Tilt and telescopic steering lock release lever
Tire Pressure Monitoring (warning) System reset
Parking brake pedal
Front fog light switch
Rear differential lock switch
120V AC Power outlet ON/OFF switch

3

1

1

1

Instrument panel light control
Headlight and turn signal controls
“RSCA OFF” (Roll Sensing Curtain shield Airbags OFF) switch

1

“DAC” (Downhill Assist Control) button1or clutch start cancel switch
Vehicle Stability Control OFF switch
Power rearview mirror control switches

1

OVERVIEW

FEATURES/OPERATIONS

1

SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES

1

If equipped

2

Manual Transmission only

3

Automatic Transmission only

4

For vehicles with a Display Audio system, refer to “Display Audio System
Owner’s Manual.”

NOTE: For vehicles equipped with Entune, please consult the “Navigation System
With Entune Quick Reference Guide” or www.toyota.com/entune.

3

OVERVIEW

Instrument cluster

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

Indicator symbols

For details, refer to “Indicators and warning lights,” Section 2-2, 2012 Owner’s
Manual.

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

1

If indicator does not turn off within a few seconds of starting engine, there may be a

malfunction. Have vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer.

2

If this light flashes, refer to “SRS airbag,” Section 1-7-, 2012 Owner’s Manual.

1

1

1

1

1

4

Open door warning

Airbag SRS warning

Automatic Transmission fluid temperature warning

Low Tire Pressure Warning

1

1

1

Theft deterrent/Engine immobilizer system indicator

Roll Sensing Curtain shield Airbags OFF indicator

1,2

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

Slip indicator

1

Vehicle Stability Control OFF indicator

3

3

1,4

1

OVERVIEW

FEATURES/OPERATIONS

Active traction control system indicator

Traction control OFF indicator

Downhill assist control system indicator

AUTO Limited Slip Differential indicator

Cruise control indicator

1

1

1

5

Low fuel level warning

Anti-lock Brake System warning

3

If this light flashes, refer to “Four-wheel drive system,” Section 2-4, 2012 Owner’s Manual.

4

If this light flashes, refer to “Rear differential lock system,” Section 2-4, 2012 Owner’s Manual.

5

If this light flashes, refer to “Cruise control,” Section 2-4, 2012 Owner’s Manual.

1

5

SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES

OVERVIEW

Keyless entry (if equipped)

Locking operation Unlocking operation

Push ONCE: Driver door

TWICE: All doors

NOTE: If a door is not opened within 30

Push

Panic button

seconds of unlocking, all doors will relock
for safety.

Push and hold

Fuel tank door and cap

Turn to open

Pull

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

Hood release

Pull up latch and
raise hood

Pull

6

Engine maintenance

4 cylinder (2TR-FE) engine

OVERVIEW

6 cylinder (1GR-FE) engine

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

NOTE: Regularly scheduled maintenance, including oil changes, will help

extend the life of your vehicle and maintain performance. Please refer
to the “Warranty Maintenance Guide.”

FEATURES/OPERATIONS

SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES

7

FEATURES/OPERATIONS

Automatic Transmission (if equipped)

5-speed models

4-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

Park*
Reverse
Neutral
Drive
Third gear
Second gear
First gear

* The ignition 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)

Turn

Turn

Push and turn

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

OVERVIEW

FEATURES/OPERATIONS

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.

Clock

9

SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES

H- Hour set
M- Minute set

FEATURES/OPERATIONS

Parking brake

Automatic Transmission

Manual Transmission

Set Release

(1) Push button

Seats-Head restraints

Set: Depress
Release: Depress again

(2) Turn and

push in lever

Bench seat-FrontSeparate seats-Front

(2)

(1)

Lock release button

Seat adjustments-Front

Separate seat

Seat position (forward/backward)
Driver’s seat lumbar support (if equipped)
Seatback angle

Lock release button

Bench seat

10

Seats-Folding rear

Access cab

(1)

(1) Stow the seat belt buckles.
(2) Raise the bottom cushion up while pulling the lever until it locks.

Double cab

(1)

(2)

(2)

OVERVIEW

FEATURES/OPERATIONS

(3)

(5)

(4)

SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES

(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

Lights & turn signals

Headlights

Type A

Headlights

Parking lights

Type B

Headlights

Parking lights

Low beam

High beam

High beam flasher

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

turn signal lights upon starting engine and releasing parking brake.

-Automatic light cutoff system Automatically turns lights off when driver’s door

is opened with the ignition switch in the “ACC” or “LOCK” position.

Front fog lights (if equipped)

Turn signals

Right turn

Lane change

Lane change

Left turn

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

Windows-Power (if equipped)

Driver side

Up

Window lock switch

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

Windshield wipers & washers

With intermittent wiper

Type A

Adjust frequency*

Single wipe

Type B

Adjust frequency*

OVERVIEW

Single wipe

Interval wipe

Pull to wash and wipe

Slow

Fast

Pull to wash and wipe

* Intermittent windshield wiper frequency adjustment

Rotate to increase/decrease wipe frequency.

Without intermittent wiper

Type A

Pull to wash and wipe

Single wipe

Slow

Fast

Type B

Pull to wash and wipe

Cruise control (if equipped)

Turning system ON/OFF

Interval wipe

Slow

Fast

Single wipe

FEATURES/OPERATIONS

Slow

Fast

System ON/OFF

Functions

Resume2/Increase speed

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.

13

SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES

FEATURES/OPERATIONS

Audio

Type A

Power

Fast-forward and
reverse/Select a
track/Seek station

Type B

Power

Volume

Eject CD

Seek station/
Search playback

Volume

Selector buttons

Mode

Playback

Push to adjust
tone & balance

Select a
track/Change
channel

View text

Fast-forward and
reverse/Select a
track/Seek station

Seek station/
Search playback

Eject CD

Select preset
station pages

Selector buttons

Mode

Playback

14

Mute

Push to adjust
tone & balance

Change channel

View text

CD player

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

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.

Steering wheel switches (if equipped)

Volume control

>

“ ”

>

Use to search within the selected audio medium (radio, CD, iPod

®

, etc.).

“MODE”

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

AUX audio port

OVERVIEW

FEATURES/OPERATIONS

Type A

Type B

Push “CD • AUX” or “AUX” button after inserting a mini plug into the AUX audio
port to listen to music from a portable audio device through the vehicle’s speaker
system while in AUX mode.

15

SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES

FEATURES/OPERATIONS

Air Conditioning/Heating

Fan speed
Temperature selector
Airflow vent
In “ ” or “ ” mode, use fresh air (“ ” indicator OFF) to reduce
window fogging.
Recirculate cabin air (fresh air when OFF)
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 THOSE 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

Power outlets

12V DC

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

120V AC (if equipped)

Green light

ON/OFF switch

Push

OVERVIEW

FEATURES/OPERATIONS

Right side
of bed

Yellow light

The engine must be running for use.

Yellow Light Only Max Capacity 120V AC/100W
Green & Yellow Lights Max Capacity 120V AC/400W

Refer to the Owner’s Manual for more details.

VSC OFF switch

VSC OFF

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

Refer to the Owner’s Manual for more information.

17

SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES

FEATURES/OPERATIONS

Telephone controls (Bluetooth®)
(if equipped)

Audio unit

Steering wheel telephone switches

Microphone

ON/Starts a call

Volume

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 3-4 in
the Owner’s Manual, for more details.

18

OFF/Ends a call

Voice command system

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

OVERVIEW

FEATURES/OPERATIONS

Push up, or squeeze lock
release to lower

Door locks-Power (if equipped)

Unlock

Lock

SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES

19

SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES

Tire Pressure Monitoring (warning)
System

If tire pressure indicator 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.

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.

20

Spare tire & tools

Tool location

Regular cab models

-behind the seatback

Double cab models

OVERVIEW

-under the rear seat

Jack

Tool bag

Jack

Tool bag

Access cab models

-under the rear seat

Tool bag

Jack

Removing the spare tire

(1)

(3)

(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.

(2)

FEATURES/OPERATIONS

SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES

21

SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES

Star Safety System

All new Toyota vehicles come standard with the Star Safety System
combines Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Braking
System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) and Smart
Stop Technology (SST).

TM

TM

, which

Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)

VSC helps prevent loss of traction during cornering by reducing engine power and
applying brake force to selected wheels.

Toyota’s VSC monitors steering angle and the direction your vehicle is traveling.
When it senses that the front or rear wheels begin to lose traction, VSC reduces
engine power and applies braking to selected wheels. This helps restore traction
and vehicle control.

Traction Control (TRAC)

VSC helps prevent loss of traction during cornering by reducing engine power, and
Traction Control helps maintain traction on loose gravel and wet, icy, or uneven
surfaces by applying brake force to the spinning wheel(s).

Toyota’s TRAC sensors are activated when one of the drive wheels starts to slip.
TRAC limits engine output and applies the brakes to the spinning wheel. This
transfers power to the wheels that still have traction to help you drive safely.

Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)

ABS helps prevent brakes from locking up by "pulsing" brake pressure to each
wheel. This limits brake lockup and provides the maximum brake effectiveness for
the current road conditions.

Toyota's ABS sensors detect which wheels are locking up and limits wheel lockup by
"pulsing" each wheel's brakes independently. Pulsing releases brake pressure
repeatedly for fractions of a second. This helps the tires attain the maximum
traction that the current road conditions will allow, helping you stay in control.

Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD)

Toyota’s ABS technology has Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) to help
maintain stability and balance when braking. Abrupt stops cause the vehicle to tilt
forward, reducing the braking power of the rear wheels. EBD responds to sudden
stops by redistributing brake force to maximize the braking effectiveness of all
four wheels.

Brake Assist (BA)

Brake Assist is designed to detect sudden or “panic” braking, and then add braking
pressure to decrease the vehicle’s stopping distance. When there’s only a split
second to react, Brake Assist can add additional brake pressure more quickly than
just the driver alone can.

22

Smart Stop Technology (SST)

Smart Stop Technology automatically reduces engine power when the accelerator
and brake pedals are pressed simultaneously under certain conditions.

SST engages when the accelerator is depressed first and the brakes are applied
firmly for longer than one-half second at speeds greater than five miles per hour.

SST doesn’t engage if the brake pedal is depressed before the accelerator pedal,
allowing vehicles to start on a steep hill and safely accelerate without rolling
backward.

Floor mat installation

There are two types of Toyota floor mats: carpeted and all-weather. Each vehicle
has model-specific floor mats. Installation is easy.

For safety, follow these steps:

• Only use floor mats designed for your specific model.

• Use only one floor mat at a time, using the retaining hooks to keep the mat in
place.

• Install floor mats right side up.

OVERVIEW

FEATURES/OPERATIONS

23

SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES

NOTES

24

OVERVIEW

FEATURES/OPERATIONS

25

SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES

CUSTOMER E XPERIENCE CENTER

1-80 0 -331- 4 331

Printed in U.S.A. 9 /11

11- TCS-0499 0

00505-QRG12-TAC