To support safe, stable, and predictable Toyota Tacoma performance, the following driving assist systems operate automatically in response to specific road and driving conditions. These functions are designed to supplement the driver's actions rather than replace careful judgment, so they should never be relied upon as the sole means of maintaining vehicle control.
Summary of the driving assist systems
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
ABS helps prevent the wheels from locking when the brakes are applied suddenly or when braking on slippery surfaces. It can also assist during braking in off-road conditions such as rough terrain, sand, or mud. On Toyota Tacoma models equipped with Multi-terrain Select, ABS operation is coordinated with the selected Multi-terrain Select mode to better suit the current terrain conditions.
Brake assist
Brake assist increases braking force when the system detects an emergency or panic-stop situation after the driver presses the brake pedal. The additional assistance helps the braking system respond more effectively when rapid deceleration is required.
VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
VSC helps the driver maintain control if the Toyota Tacoma begins to skid during a sudden steering maneuver or while cornering on a slippery road surface. The system intervenes as necessary to help preserve the intended direction of travel.
Enhanced VSC (Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control)
Enhanced VSC coordinates the operation of ABS, TRAC, VSC, and EPS so these systems can work together rather than independently.
By coordinating braking, traction, stability, and steering assistance, the system helps maintain directional stability during sudden maneuvers, particularly when the road surface is slippery and available tire grip is reduced.
Trailer Sway Control
Trailer Sway Control helps reduce trailer oscillation when sway is detected. The system can selectively apply braking force to individual wheels and reduce drive torque to help stabilize the trailer and Toyota Tacoma combination.
TRAC (Traction Control)
TRAC helps maintain usable drive force and limits excessive drive-wheel spin when starting from a stop or accelerating on slippery surfaces. This can improve traction when available grip between the tires and road is limited.
Hill-start assist control
Hill-start assist control helps limit backward movement when starting the vehicle on an uphill grade, giving the driver additional support while transitioning from a stopped position to forward movement.
AVS (Adaptive Variable Suspension System) (if equipped)
AVS independently controls the damping force of the shock absorbers at all 4 wheels according to factors such as road surface conditions and driver inputs. By continuously adjusting suspension response, the system contributes to smoother ride comfort, improved stability, and better control of vehicle body movement.
Suspension damping characteristics can also be changed through the applicable drive mode selected with the driving mode select system. In addition, when the front-wheel drive control switch is set to "4L", the system can adjust its operation to help maintain suitable Toyota Tacoma ride comfort during off-road driving.
EPS (Electric Power Steering)
EPS uses an electric motor to provide steering assistance, reducing the physical effort required to turn the steering wheel while maintaining appropriate steering response for current driving conditions.
The Secondary Collision Brake
If the SRS airbag sensor detects a collision and the Secondary Collision Brake system activates, the brakes and brake lights are controlled automatically. The system reduces vehicle speed to help lower the risk and potential severity of additional damage resulting from a secondary collision.
When the TRAC/VSC/ABS/Trailer Sway Control systems are operating
The slip indicator light flashes while TRAC, VSC, ABS, or Trailer Sway Control is actively intervening. This indication informs the driver that one or more of these Toyota Tacoma stability or traction systems are currently operating.
Disabling the TRAC system
If the vehicle becomes stuck in mud, loose dirt, or snow, TRAC may reduce engine power delivered to the drive wheels in an attempt to control wheel spin. In some situations, this can make it more difficult to rock the vehicle free. Pressing
to turn TRAC off may allow additional wheel spin and make it easier to move the vehicle back and forth until it can escape the stuck condition.
To turn the TRAC system off, quickly press and release
. This temporarily disables traction control when additional wheel spin may be needed under specific driving conditions.
"Traction Control Turned OFF" is displayed on the multi-information display to confirm that TRAC has been deactivated.
Press
again to reactivate the TRAC system and restore normal traction control operation.
Turning off the TRAC/VSC/Trailer Sway Control systems
To disable TRAC, VSC, and Trailer Sway Control together, bring the Toyota Tacoma to a complete stop, then press and hold
for more than 3 seconds.
"Traction Control Turned OFF" is displayed on the multi-information display, and the VSC OFF indicator light illuminates to show that the applicable stability and traction functions have been disabled.*
Press
again to turn the systems back on and return to their normal operating state.
*: On Toyota Tacoma models equipped with emergency steering assist, emergency steering assist is also disabled when these systems are turned off.
The PCS warning light will illuminate while the applicable assistance functions are disabled.
When the message is displayed
on the multi-information
display showing that TRAC has
been disabled even if
has
not been pressed
- TRAC may have been deactivated temporarily by the vehicle control system. If the message remains displayed or repeatedly returns, contact your Toyota dealer for inspection.
- When Multi-terrain Select is being used, the "VSC OFF" indicator may illuminate automatically depending on the selected terrain mode, even though the VSC OFF switch has not been pressed manually.
Operating conditions of hill-start assist control
Hill-start assist control operates when the required vehicle and driving conditions below are satisfied:
- Vehicles with an automatic transmission: The shift lever is in a position other than P or N when starting forward or backward on an uphill incline.
- Vehicles with a manual transmission: When starting forward on an uphill incline, the shift lever is in a position other than N or R. When starting backward on an uphill incline, the shift lever is in R.
- The Toyota Tacoma is completely stopped.
- The accelerator pedal is not depressed.
- The parking brake is not engaged.
- The engine switch is turned to ON.
Automatic system cancelation of hill-start assist control
Hill-start assist control automatically stops operating when any of the following conditions occurs:
- Vehicles with an automatic transmission: The shift lever is moved to P or N.
- Vehicles with a manual transmission: The shift lever is moved to R while starting forward on an uphill incline, or it is moved to a position other than N or R while starting backward on an uphill incline.
- The accelerator pedal is depressed as the driver begins to move the vehicle.
- The parking brake is engaged.
- A maximum of 2 seconds has elapsed since the brake pedal was released.
- The engine switch is turned to OFF.
Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, brake assist, VSC, Trailer Sway Control, TRAC and hill-start assist control systems
- An operating sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the brake pedal is pressed repeatedly, when the engine is started, or shortly after the Toyota Tacoma begins moving. These sounds are associated with normal system checks or operation and do not by themselves indicate a malfunction.
- The following characteristics may also occur while ABS, brake assist, VSC, Trailer Sway Control, TRAC, or hill-start assist control is actively operating. These conditions are normal results of system intervention and are not necessarily signs of a fault.
- Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body or steering wheel while braking, traction, or stability control is being applied.
- A motor operating sound may continue briefly even after the vehicle has come to a complete stop.
Automatic reactivation of TRAC, Trailer Sway Control and VSC systems
After the TRAC, Trailer Sway Control and VSC systems have been switched off, they will be automatically re-enabled under specific operating conditions. On the Toyota Tacoma, this automatic reactivation helps restore the vehicle's normal traction and stability support when the conditions described below are met:
- When the engine switch is turned off, the systems return to their normal enabled state for the next operating cycle.
- If only the TRAC system has been turned off, TRAC will automatically reactivate as vehicle speed increases. If both TRAC and VSC have been turned off, however, increasing vehicle speed will not automatically re-enable these systems.
Reduced effectiveness of the EPS system
The effectiveness of the EPS system may be temporarily reduced to protect it from overheating when frequent or continuous steering input occurs over an extended period. In this condition, the Toyota Tacoma steering wheel may feel noticeably heavier than usual because power assistance has been limited. If this occurs, avoid unnecessary steering operation, or stop the vehicle in a safe location and turn the engine off. After the system has had sufficient time to cool, normal EPS assistance should return within 10 minutes.
Secondary Collision Brake operating conditions
The Secondary Collision Brake system operates when the SRS airbag sensor detects a collision while the vehicle is moving. Its purpose is to provide braking assistance following the detected impact. However, the system may not operate if components required for its function have been damaged in the collision.
Secondary Collision Brake automatic cancelation
The Secondary Collision Brake system is automatically canceled when any of the following conditions occurs during operation:
- The vehicle speed decreases to approximately 0 mph (0 km/h).
- A certain amount of time has elapsed after the system begins operating.
- The accelerator pedal is depressed by a large amount, indicating substantial accelerator input.
WARNING
The ABS does not operate effectively when
- The limits of tire gripping performance have been exceeded, such as when excessively worn tires are used on a snow-covered road. ABS cannot restore traction once available tire grip has been exceeded.
- The vehicle hydroplanes while traveling at high speed on wet or otherwise slick roads, reducing effective contact between the tires and the road surface.
Stopping distance when the ABS is operating may exceed that of normal conditions
The ABS is not designed to shorten the vehicle's stopping distance in every situation. Its primary function is to help maintain braking control under conditions in which wheel lock may otherwise occur.
Always maintain a safe following distance from the vehicle ahead and allow additional room for braking when road or traction conditions require it. This is especially important when driving the Toyota Tacoma in the following situations:
- When driving on dirt, gravel or snow-covered roads, where loose or low-grip surfaces can increase stopping distance.
- When driving with tire chains installed.
- When driving over bumps or other pronounced irregularities in the road surface.
- When driving on roads with potholes, broken pavement or uneven surfaces.
TRAC/VSC may not operate effectively when
Directional control and sufficient drive power may not always be achievable on slippery road surfaces, even while the TRAC/VSC system is operating. These systems can assist the driver, but they cannot overcome the physical limits of available tire traction.
Drive the vehicle carefully whenever road or surface conditions may cause stability, directional control or drive power to be lost. Reduce demands on the vehicle as conditions become more slippery or unpredictable.
Hill-start assist control does not operate effectively when
- Do not rely excessively on hill-start assist control. The system may not operate effectively on steep inclines or on roads covered with ice, where available tire grip may be insufficient to keep the Toyota Tacoma stationary as expected.
- Unlike the parking brake, hill-start assist control is not intended to hold the vehicle stationary for an extended period. Do not attempt to use hill-start assist control as a substitute for the parking brake when stopped on an incline, as the vehicle may move unexpectedly and an accident could result.
When the TRAC/VSC/Trailer Sway Control is activated
The slip indicator light will flash while the system is actively intervening to help maintain traction or vehicle stability.
Continue to drive with care whenever this occurs. Aggressive or reckless driving can exceed the available grip and may lead to an accident even while the driving assist systems are operating.
Use particular caution when the slip indicator is flashing, and adjust your driving to the road surface and surrounding conditions.
When the TRAC/VSC/Trailer Sway Control systems are turned off
Drive with increased caution and keep the Toyota Tacoma at a speed suitable for the current road conditions. TRAC, VSC and Trailer Sway Control are designed to support vehicle stability and driving force, so these systems should not be switched off unless the situation specifically requires it.
Trailer Sway Control operates as part of the VSC system. If VSC has been turned off or cannot function because of a malfunction, Trailer Sway Control will also be unavailable.
Replacing tires
Confirm that every tire fitted to the Toyota Tacoma meets the specified requirements for size, brand, tread pattern and total load capacity. Tire inflation pressure must also be maintained at the recommended level so the vehicle's control systems can respond as intended.
The ABS, TRAC, Trailer Sway Control and VSC systems may not function correctly when different or unsuitable tires are installed on the vehicle. Matching tires are therefore important not only for normal handling, but also for proper operation of these driving assist functions.
When replacing tires or wheels, contact your Toyota dealer for additional information about the correct specifications and installation requirements.
Handling of tires and the suspension
Tires with defects, damage or other problems can interfere with the operation of the driving assist systems. Suspension modifications can have a similar effect by changing vehicle behavior from the conditions for which these systems were designed, potentially causing improper operation or a malfunction.
Trailer Sway Control precaution
Trailer Sway Control cannot eliminate or reduce trailer sway under every possible condition. Its effectiveness varies with numerous factors, including the condition of the Toyota Tacoma, the trailer, the road surface and the overall driving environment. Because these factors can change quickly, the system should be treated as an aid rather than a substitute for correct towing technique. Refer to the trailer owner's manual for guidance on proper towing procedures and safe trailer handling.
If trailer sway occurs
Follow the precautions below immediately and remain calm while bringing the vehicle and trailer back to a stable condition.
Failure to follow these precautions may result in loss of control, causing death or serious injury.
- Hold the steering wheel firmly and keep the Toyota Tacoma pointed straight ahead.
Do not attempt to counter trailer sway with repeated or abrupt steering corrections. Keeping the steering direction steady helps avoid adding further instability to the vehicle-trailer combination.
- Immediately begin easing off the accelerator pedal, but reduce accelerator input gradually so vehicle speed decreases smoothly.
Do not accelerate in an attempt to pull out of the sway, and do not apply the vehicle brakes while the trailer is swaying.
If extreme steering or braking corrections are avoided, the Toyota Tacoma and trailer should progressively settle and return to a more stable path as speed decreases.
Secondary Collision Brake
Do not depend solely on the Secondary Collision Brake. It is intended to help reduce the possibility of additional damage following a secondary collision, but the amount of assistance it can provide varies according to the circumstances of the impact and surrounding conditions. Treating the system as a guarantee of collision avoidance or damage reduction can create unnecessary risk and may result in death or serious injury.
