Toyota TACOMA 2013 Owners Manual

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 and
SRS airbag instructions for Canadian owners and
camper information.

Alphabetical listing of information contained in this
manual.

1

TABLE OF CONTENTS Index

1

Before driving

1-6. Theft deterrent system

Engine immobilizer system... 82

1-1. Key information

Keys..................................... 32

1-2. Opening, closing and locking

the doors

Wireless remote control ....... 34

Side doors............................ 37

Access doors (Access Cab

models only)....................... 41

Tailgate ................................ 42

1-3. Adjustable components

(seats, mirrors, steering
wheel)

Front seats........................... 47

Rear seats (Access Cab and

Double Cab models) .......... 52

Head restraints..................... 56

Seat belts............................. 61

Steering wheel ..................... 67

Anti-glare inside rear view

mirror.................................. 68

Outside rear view mirrors..... 73

1-4. Opening and closing

the windows

Power windows .................... 76

Back window (vehicles with

sliding type)........................ 78

1-5. Refueling

Opening the fuel tank cap.... 79

1-7. Safety information

Correct driving posture......... 85

SRS airbags ......................... 87

Front passenger occupant

classification system......... 101

Child restraint systems ....... 106

Installing child restraints ..... 110

2

When driving

2-1. Driving procedures

Driving the vehicle.............. 130

Engine (ignition) switch....... 141

Automatic transmission ...... 144

Manual transmission........... 148

Turn signal lever................. 151

Parking brake ..................... 152

Horn.................................... 154

2-2. Gauges and meters

Gauges and meters............ 155

Indicators and warning

lights................................. 158

2-3. Operating the lights

and wipers

Headlight switch ................. 162

Fog light switch................... 165

Windshield wipers and

washer.............................. 166

2

2-4. Using other driving systems

Cruise control...................... 172

Rear view monitor system

(vehicles with auto
anti-glare inside rear

view mirror)....................... 176

Four-wheel drive system..... 184

Active traction control

system .............................. 188

AUTO LSD system.............. 190

Rear differential lock

system .............................. 192

Downhill Assist Control

system .............................. 195

Clutch start cancel switch ... 197

Driving assist systems ........ 198

Interior and exterior

3

features

3-1. Using the air conditioning

system and defogger

Air conditioning system ...... 244

3-2. Using the audio system

Audio system types............ 251

Operating the sub woofer

(on some Access Cab

models) ............................ 254

Using the AUX port/USB

port................................... 255

Detachable pole antenna ... 256

1

2

3

2-5. Driving information

Off-road precautions

(4WD models and

PreRunner)....................... 205

Cargo and luggage ............. 210

Vehicle load limits............... 215

Winter driving tips ............... 217

Trailer towing ...................... 221

Dinghy towing ..................... 242

3-3. Using the interior lights

Interior lights list ................. 259

• Interior light ..................... 260

• Personal lights................... 260

3-4. Using the storage features

List of storage features....... 261

• Glove box..........................262

• Front console box............. 262

• Cup holders...................... 263

• Bottle holders ................... 265

• Auxiliary boxes................. 266

• Overhead console............ 268

4

5

6

7

3

TABLE OF CONTENTS Index

3-5. Other interior features

Sun visors .......................... 269

Vanity mirrors..................... 270

Clock.................................. 271

Outside temperature

display (vehicles with
auto anti-glare inside

rear view mirror)............... 272

Power outlets (12V DC) ..... 277

Power outlet (120V AC) ..... 278

Seat heaters....................... 284

Seatback table ................... 286

Floor mat............................ 287

Luggage compartment

features............................ 289

Garage door opener........... 298

Compass (vehicles with

auto anti-glare inside rear

view mirror) ...................... 307

4

Maintenance and care

4-1. Maintenance and care

Cleaning and protecting

the vehicle exterior........... 316

Cleaning and protecting

the vehicle interior............ 319

4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

Do-it-yourself service

precautions....................... 328

Hood................................... 332

Engine compartment .......... 334

Tires.................................... 350

Tire inflation pressure......... 359

Wheels................................ 364

Air conditioning filter........... 367

Wireless remote control

battery .............................. 370

Checking and replacing

fuses................................. 372

Light bulbs.......................... 382

5

When trouble arises

5-1. Essential information

Emergency flashers............ 394

If your vehicle needs to

be towed........................... 395

If you think something is

wrong................................ 401

Fuel pump shut off

system.............................. 402

4-2. Maintenance

Maintenance

requirements.................... 322

General maintenance......... 324

Emission inspection and

maintenance (I/M)

programs.......................... 327

4

5-2. Steps to take in an emergency

If a warning light turns on

or a warning buzzer

sounds.............................. 403

If you have a flat tire............ 413

If the engine will not start.... 430

If the shift lever cannot be

shifted from P (vehicles

with an automatic

transmission) .................... 431

If you lose your keys........... 432

If the vehicle battery is

discharged........................ 433

If your vehicle overheats..... 437

If the vehicle becomes

stuck ................................. 440

If your vehicle has to

be stopped in an

emergency........................ 442

6

Vehicle specifications

6-1. Specifications

Maintenance data

(fuel, oil level, etc.)............ 446

Fuel information.................. 467

Tire information................... 470

7

For owners

Reporting safety defects

for U.S. owners ................ 488

Seat belt instructions

for Canadian owners

(in French)........................ 489

SRS airbag instructions

for Canadian owners

(in French)........................ 491

Camper information............ 502

Index

Abbreviation list......................... 510

Alphabetical index.....................512

What to do if... ...........................521

1

2

3

4

5

6

6-2. Customization

Customizable features........ 481

Items to initialize ................. 485

7

5

P. 162

Pictorial index

P. 332

P. 166

P. 162

P. 73

P. 151, 162, 164

P. 256

Regular Cab models

Windshield wipers

Hood

Detachable pole

antenna

Exterior

Outside rear view mirrors

6

Front side marker lights

Headlights

Front turn signal lights/parking lights/
daytime running lights

P. 350

P. 413

P. 359

P. 470

P. 79

Rear turn signal lights

P. 151

P. 162

P. 37

P. 162

P. 42

P. 162

Fuel filler door

Side doors

Stop/tail lights

Tailgate

Tires

●Rotation

●Replacement

●Inflation pressure

●Information

License plate lights

Rear side marker lights

7

Pictorial index

P. 162

P. 332

P. 166

P. 162

P. 73

P. 151, 162, 164

P. 165

P. 73

P. 151

P. 256

Access Cab models

Windshield wipers

Hood

Detachable pole

antenna

Exterior

Outside rear view mirrors

Outside rear view mirrors

8

Side turn signal lights

Front side marker lights

Headlights

Fog lights

Front turn signal lights/parking lights/
daytime running lights

P. 350

P. 413

P. 359

P. 470

Fuel filler door

P. 79

P. 151

P. 162

P. 37

P. 162

P. 42

P. 162

P. 41

Rear turn signal
lights

Access doors

Side doors

Stop/tail lights

Tailgate

License plate lights

Tires

●Rotation

●Replacement

●Inflation pressure

●Information

Rear side marker lights

: If equipped

9

Pictorial index

P. 162

P. 332

P. 166

P. 162

P. 73

P. 151, 162, 164

P. 165

P. 151

P. 256

Double Cab models

Windshield wipers

Hood

Detachable pole

antenna

Exterior

Outside rear view mirrors

10

Side turn signal lights

Front side marker lights

Headlights

Fog lights

Front turn signal lights/parking lights/
daytime running lights

P. 350

P. 413

P. 359

P. 470

Fuel filler door

P. 79

P. 151

P. 162

P. 37

P. 162

P. 42

P. 162

Rear turn signal
lights

Side doors

Tires

●Rotation

●Replacement

●Inflation pressure

●Information

Stop/tail lights

Tailgate

License plate lights

Rear side marker lights

: If equipped

11

Pictorial index

P. 61

P. 56

P. 265

P. 286

P. 87

P. 287

P. 87

P. 52

P. 47

P. 262

P. 262

P. 154

P. 87

Interior

Seat belts

Head restraints

Bottle holders1

Front console box1

Horn
SRS driver airbag

SRS front
passenger
airbag

Rear seats2

Seatback table1

12

Glove box

Floor mats

Front seats

SRS side airbags

P. 68

P. 87

Vanity mirrors

P. 270

P. 260

P. 176

P. 268

P. 298

P. 307

P. 260

P. 272

P. 269

Overhead consoles2

Interior light

SRS curtain shield

airbags

Anti-glare inside rear view mirror

Rear view monitor system3

Outside temperature display3

Microphone

Personal lights2

1,

*

Sun visors

Garage door opener3

1



: If equipped

2



: Access Cab and Double Cab models*:

Compass3

3



: Vehicles with auto anti-glare inside rear view mirror
Refer to “Display Audio System Owner’s Manual”.

13

Pictorial index

P. 76

P. 76

P. 38

P. 38

Window lock switch1

Inside door lock button

Interior

Power window switches1

Door lock switch1

14

Bench type front seat

P. 144, 148

P. 263

P. 144

P. 263

P. 431

P. 263

P. 431

Shift lever

Cup holders

Shift lock override button2

Separated type front seats with an automatic transmission

Shift lever

Cup holders

Cup holders

Shift lock override button

1



: If equipped

2



: Vehicles with an au to ma ti c tran sm ission

15

P. 148

P. 263

Pictorial index

Separated type front seats with a manual transmission

Interior

Shift lever

Cup holders

16

P. 266

Access Cab models

P. 78

P. 254

Sub woofer

Back window
lock release lever



Auxiliary boxes

: If equipped

17

P. 297

P. 265

Pictorial index

P. 296

P. 78

P. 295

P. 294

Double Cab models

Interior

Grocery bag hooks

Bottle holders

Back window lock
release lever1

Flashlight holder

Storage boxes

18

Cargo net hooks2

1



: If equipped

2



: Vehicles with sub woofer

Pictorial index

P. 266

P. 155

P. 332

P. 67

P. 265

P. 152

P. 351

Gauges and meters

Instrument panel

Tilt and telescopic steering
lock release lever

Tire pressure warning
reset switch

Hood lock release lever

Parking brake pedal

Auxiliary box

Bottle holders

: Vehicles with an automatic transmission

19

P. 394

P. 244

P. 188

P. 255

P. 277

P. 184

Pictorial index

P. 284

Display Audio system*

Instrument panel

Front-wheel drive
control switch

A-TRAC switch2

1



Seat heater switches2

Air conditioning system

Emergency flasher switch

AUX port/USB port

Power outlets

20

P. 141

Windshield wipers and

P. 166

P. 152

P. 172

washer switch

Engine (ignition) switch

Parking brake lever3

Audio remote control switches

Cruise control switch2

1



: 4WD models only

2



: If equipped

3



: Vehicles with a manual transmission

2,

*

Talk switch

Telephone switches

2,

*

*: Refer to “Display Audio System Owner’s

Manual”.

2,

*

21

P. 156

P. 73

P. 100

P. 165

P. 192

P. 278

P. 162

P. 151

P. 195

P. 190, 200, 201

Pictorial index

P. 197

Instrument panel

Fog light switch1

RR DIFF LOCK switch1

Instrument panel light
control dial

Power outlet main
switch1

22

Headlight switch
Turn signal lever

RSCA OFF switch2

CLUTCH START CANCEL switch1

DAC switch1
VSC OFF switch

Outside rear view mirror switches1

1



: If equipped

2



: 4WD models only

Pictorial index

P. 78

Luggage compartment

Back window

: If equipped

23

Pictorial index

P. 210

P. 292

P. 291

P. 290

P. 291

P. 291

P. 292

P. 210

P. 290

P. 291

P. 278

Luggage compartment

Deck rails

Deck hooks

Deck hooks

Tie-down cleats

Auxiliary boxes

Tie-down cleats

Deck hooks

Deck rails

24

Auxiliary boxes

Power outlet

Deck hooks

: If equipped

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.

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

The installation of a mobile two-way radio system in your vehicle could affect
electronic systems such as:

● Multiport fuel injection system/sequential multiport fuel injection system

● Cruise control system

● Anti-lock brake system

● SRS airbag system

● Seat belt pretensioner system

Be sure to check with your Toyota dealer for precautionary measures or spe­cial instructions regarding installation of a mobile two-way radio system.

Vehicle data recordings

Your Toyota is equipped with several sophisticated computers that will record
certain data, such as:

• Engine speed

• Accelerator status

• Brake status

• Vehicle speed

• Shift position (except manual transmission)
The recorded data varies according to the vehicle grade level and options
with which it is equipped. Furthermore, these computers do not record con-

versations, sounds or pictures.

● Data usage
Toyota may use the data recorded in these computers to diagnose malfunc-

tions, conduct research and development, and improve quality.
Toyota will not disclose the recorded data to a third party except:

• With the consent of the vehicle owner or with the consent of the lessee if
the vehicle is leased

• In response to an official request by the police, a court of law or a govern­ment agency

• For research purposes where the data is not tied to a specific vehicle or
vehicle owner

26

Event data recorder

This vehicle is equipped with an event data recorder (EDR). The main pur­pose of an EDR is to record, in certain crash or near crash-like situations,
such as an air bag deployment or hitting a road obstacle, data that will assist
in understanding how a vehicle’s systems performed. The EDR is designed
to record data related to vehicle dynamics and safety systems for a short
period of time, typically 30 seconds or less.

The EDR in this vehicle is designed to record such data as:

• How various systems in your vehicle were operating;

• Whether or not the driver and passenger safety belts were buckled/fas-

tened;

• How far (if at all) the driver was depressing the accelerator and/or brake

pedal; and,

• How fast the vehicle was traveling.
These data can help provide a better understanding of the circumstances in
which crashes and injuries occur.

NOTE: EDR data are recorded by your vehicle only if a non-trivial crash situ­ation occurs; no data are recorded by the EDR under normal driving condi­tions and no personal data (e.g., name, gender, age, and crash location) are
recorded. However, other parties, such as law enforcement, could combine
the EDR data with the type of personally identifying data routinely acquired
during a crash investigation.
To read data recorded by an EDR, special equipment is required, and access
to the vehicle or the EDR is needed. In addition to the vehicle manufacturer,
other parties, such as law enforcement, that have the special equipment, can
read the information if they have access to the vehicle or the EDR.

27

● Disclosure of the EDR data

Toyota will not disclose the data recorded in an EDR to a third party except
when:

• An agreement from the vehicle’s owner (or the lessee for a leased vehicle)
is obtained

• In response to an official request by the police, a court of law or a govern­ment agency

• For use by Toyota in a lawsuit

However, if necessary, Toyota may:

• Use the data for research on vehicle safety performance

• Disclose the data to a third party for research purposes without disclosing
information about the specific vehicle or vehicle owner

Scrapping of 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.

28

CAUTION

■ 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 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 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.

■ 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 windows, or other features of the vehicle. In addition, heat build-up or
extremely cold temperatures inside the vehicle can be fatal to children.

29

Symbols used throughout this manual

CAUTION

NOTICE

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).

Cautions & Notices

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.

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.

Symbols used in illustrations

The symbol of a circle with a slash through it means “Do not”, “Do
not do this”, or “Do not let this happen”.

30