The parking brake can be applied or released either automatically or manually. When automatic mode is active, parking brake operation is linked to shift lever movement, allowing the system to engage or disengage the brake according to the selected shift position.
Even with automatic mode enabled, the Toyota Tacoma parking brake can still be operated manually whenever the driver needs direct control.
Operating instructions
Using the manual mode
In manual mode, the driver can apply and release the parking brake directly with the parking brake switch.
Vehicles with an Automatic transmission
- U.S.A.
- Canada
Vehicles with a Manual transmission
- U.S.A.
- Canada
- Pull the parking brake switch to apply the parking brake.
The parking brake indicator light will illuminate, confirming that the brake has been engaged.
If an emergency requires parking brake operation while the Toyota Tacoma is moving, pull and continue holding the parking brake switch. This procedure is intended only for situations in which emergency braking is necessary.
- Push the switch to release the parking brake.
- Operate the parking brake switch while depressing the brake pedal or accelerator pedal as required. When releasing the parking brake through accelerator operation, press the accelerator gradually rather than abruptly.
- The parking brake automatic release function can also release the brake when its operating conditions are satisfied.
After releasing the parking brake, verify that the parking brake indicator light has turned off.
If the parking brake indicator light begins flashing instead of turning off normally, operate the switch once more and check the indicator again.
Turning the automatic mode on
Vehicles with an Automatic transmission
With the Toyota Tacoma completely stopped, pull and hold the parking brake switch until a buzzer sounds and a confirmation message appears on the multi-information display.
- "EPB Shift Interlock Function Activated"
Vehicles with a Manual transmission
While the vehicle remains stationary, pull and hold the parking brake switch until the buzzer sounds and the auto EPB OFF indicator A goes out. This indicates that automatic parking brake operation has been enabled.
Once automatic mode is active, parking brake operation changes according to the conditions described below.
Vehicles with an Automatic transmission
- When the shift lever is moved out of P, the parking brake is released automatically and the parking brake indicator light turns off.
- When the shift lever is moved into P, the parking brake is applied automatically and the parking brake indicator light illuminates.
When changing the shift position, keep the Toyota Tacoma stopped and depress the brake pedal before operating the shift lever. This provides the correct conditions for the automatic parking brake function to respond to the selected position.
The automatic parking brake function may not respond as intended if the shift lever is moved extremely quickly or if the brake pedal is not pressed firmly enough. If automatic operation does not occur under these conditions, apply the Toyota Tacoma parking brake manually using the parking brake switch.
Vehicles with a manual transmission
When the engine is switched off, the parking brake is applied automatically. At the same time, the parking brake indicator and parking brake light illuminate to show that the brake has been engaged.
- With the engine off, the parking brake is set and both the parking brake indicator light and the parking brake switch indicator illuminate, providing a visual confirmation of the brake status.
Turning the automatic mode off
Vehicles with an Automatic transmission
With the Toyota Tacoma stopped and the brake pedal firmly depressed, press and hold the parking brake switch. Continue holding it until a buzzer sounds and a confirmation message appears on the multi-information display.
- "EPB Shift Interlock Function Deactivated"
Vehicles with a Manual transmission
While the vehicle is stationary and the brake pedal remains depressed, press and hold the parking brake switch until a buzzer sounds and the auto EPB OFF indicator A illuminates. This confirms that automatic parking brake mode has been switched off.
Parking brake operation
- If the engine switch is not in ON, the parking brake cannot be released by operating the parking brake switch. The engine switch must be in the required mode before manual release is available.
- When the engine switch is outside ON, automatic parking brake operation is also unavailable. In this condition, the system will not automatically apply or release the parking brake.
Parking brake automatic release function
The parking brake can release automatically when the accelerator pedal is pressed gradually, provided that all of the following operating conditions are satisfied:
- The driver's door is fully closed.
- The driver's seat belt is fastened.
- The shift lever is positioned for either forward or reverse travel.
- Neither the malfunction indicator lamp nor the brake system warning light is illuminated.
When using the automatic release function, apply pressure to the accelerator pedal gradually rather than pressing it suddenly. Smooth accelerator input gives the system the opportunity to release the brake in the intended manner.
If the parking brake does not release automatically, do not continue relying on accelerator input. Release the Toyota Tacoma parking brake manually using the switch before proceeding.
Vehicles with an automatic transmission: When the shift lever is moved out of P under the required operating conditions, the parking brake is released automatically without separate switch operation.
Parking brake automatic lock function
The parking brake is applied automatically when the system detects the conditions listed below:
- The driver is not operating the brake pedal.
- The driver's door is not fully closed.
- The driver's seat belt is not fastened.
- The shift lever is in a position other than P or N.
- Neither the malfunction indicator lamp nor the brake system warning light is illuminated.
Under these circumstances, the Toyota Tacoma can engage the parking brake automatically rather than relying solely on manual switch operation.
If "Parking Brake Temporarily Unavailable" is displayed on the multi-information display
If the parking brake is applied and released repeatedly within a short period, the system may temporarily limit further operation to protect the mechanism from overheating. If this protective restriction occurs, stop operating the parking brake and allow the system to cool. Normal Toyota Tacoma parking brake operation should resume after approximately 1 minute.
If "Parking Brake Unavailable" is displayed on the multi-information display
Operate the parking brake switch again. If the message remains on the multi-information display after the switch has been operated several times, the parking brake system may not be functioning correctly.
Have the Toyota Tacoma inspected by your Toyota dealer so the cause of the warning can be diagnosed.
Parking brake operation sound
A motor or whirring sound may be heard while the parking brake is being applied or released. This sound is produced during normal operation of the electric parking brake and, by itself, does not indicate a malfunction.
Parking brake indicator light
- The parking brake indicator light behaves differently depending on the engine switch mode:
ON: The indicator remains illuminated until the parking brake is released.
Not in ON: The indicator stays illuminated for approximately 15 seconds before turning off.
- If the engine switch is turned to OFF while the parking brake is applied, the parking brake indicator light will remain illuminated for approximately 15 seconds.
This temporary illumination is normal and does not indicate a problem with the Toyota Tacoma parking brake system.
When the parking brake switch malfunctions
If the parking brake switch develops a malfunction, automatic mode for applying and releasing the parking brake will be activated automatically.
Parking brake engaged warning buzzer
If the Toyota Tacoma is driven while the parking brake remains engaged, a warning buzzer will sound. When vehicle speed reaches 3 mph [5 km/h], "Parking Brake ON" is displayed on the multi-information display to alert the driver that the parking brake has not been released.
WARNING
When parking the vehicle
Never leave a child alone inside the vehicle. A child could unintentionally release the parking brake, allowing the vehicle to move unexpectedly. Such movement could result in an accident causing death or serious injury.
Parking brake switch
Do not place or store objects near the parking brake switch. An object positioned against or around the switch could interfere with its operation and cause the parking brake to be applied or released unexpectedly.
NOTICE
When parking the vehicle
Before leaving the Toyota Tacoma, move the shift lever to P, apply the parking brake, and confirm that the vehicle remains securely stationary.
When the system malfunctions
If a parking brake system malfunction occurs, stop the vehicle in a safe location and carefully check any warning messages shown on the multi-information display before proceeding.
When the parking brake cannot be released due to a malfunction
Do not continue driving if a malfunction prevents the parking brake from releasing. Operating the vehicle with the parking brake applied can overheat brake components, reduce braking performance, and accelerate brake wear. If this condition occurs, have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.
