If communication between the electronic key and the Toyota Tacoma is interrupted, or if the key cannot be used because its battery is depleted, the smart key system and wireless remote control functions may become unavailable. When this occurs, access to the vehicle and engine starting can still be performed by using the alternative procedures described below.
When the electronic key does not work properly
- Check the customization settings to make sure the smart key system has not been disabled. If the function is turned off, enable it before attempting to use the electronic key again.
- Determine whether the electronic key has been placed in battery-saving mode. If battery-saving mode is active, cancel it and then check whether normal key operation is restored.
NOTICE
In case of a smart key system malfunction or other key-related problems
If the smart key system malfunctions or another problem involving the electronic keys occurs, take the Toyota Tacoma to your Toyota dealer together with every electronic key supplied with the vehicle, including the card key if equipped. Having all available keys present will allow the key-related system to be checked properly.
Locking and unlocking the doors
If the electronic key functions are unavailable, use the mechanical key to lock or unlock the Toyota Tacoma doors as described below:
- Locks all of the doors using the mechanical key
- Unlocks all of the doors using the mechanical key
Turning the mechanical key once in the unlocking direction unlocks the driver's door. Turn the key again to unlock the remaining doors.
Key linked functions
- Closes the power windows and the moon roof*, when the key is turned and held in the appropriate direction
- Opens the power windows and the moon roof*, when the key is turned and held in the appropriate direction
These mechanical-key-linked functions are available only when the corresponding settings have been customized by your Toyota dealer.
*: If equipped
WARNING
When using the mechanical key and operating the power windows and the moon roof (if equipped)
Before operating the power windows or moon roof with the mechanical key, carefully check that no passenger has a hand, arm, head, or any other part of the body positioned where it could become trapped as the window or moon roof closes.
Do not allow children to operate the mechanical key or control these functions unsupervised. A child or another passenger could become caught by a moving power window or moon roof, creating a risk of serious injury.
Starting the engine
Vehicles with an automatic transmission
1. Confirm that the shift lever is securely positioned in P, then press and hold the brake pedal firmly before proceeding with the starting procedure.
Vehicles with a manual transmission
1. Make sure the shift lever is in N and fully depress the clutch pedal before attempting to start the Toyota Tacoma.
2. Bring the Toyota-emblem side of the electronic key into direct contact with the engine switch so the vehicle can recognize the key even when normal wireless communication is unavailable.
Once the electronic key is successfully detected, a buzzer will sound and the engine switch will change to ON.
If the smart key system has been disabled through the customization settings and ACC customization is enabled, touching the electronic key to the engine switch will cause the switch mode to change to ACC instead.
3. Firmly depress the brake pedal on a vehicle with an automatic transmission, or the clutch pedal on a vehicle with a manual transmission, and confirm that
appears on the multi-information
display before continuing.
4. Press the engine switch once with a short, firm motion to start the engine.
If the Toyota Tacoma engine still does not start after this procedure has been carried out correctly, contact your Toyota dealer for inspection and assistance.
Stopping the engine
To stop the engine, move the shift lever to P on vehicles with an automatic transmission or N on vehicles with a manual transmission, apply the parking brake, and then press the engine switch in the same manner used during normal engine shutdown.
Electronic key battery
The procedure described above is intended only as a temporary method for operating the vehicle when the electronic key battery is depleted. Replace the electronic key battery as soon as possible so normal smart key and wireless remote functions can be restored.
Alarm (if equipped)
Locking the Toyota Tacoma doors with the mechanical key does not activate the alarm system.
However, if the alarm system is already set and a door is subsequently unlocked with the mechanical key, the alarm may be triggered.
Changing engine switch modes
To change the engine switch mode without starting the engine, release the brake pedal and press the engine switch as described in step 3 above.
Because the brake or clutch pedal is not being depressed for engine starting, the engine will remain stopped and the available switch modes will change each time the engine switch is pressed.
