Toyota Tacoma Owners Manual: Rear differential lock system

The rear differential lock system is provided for use only when wheel spinning occurs in a ditch or on a slippery or rugged surface.

The rear differential lock system is effective in case one of the rear wheels is spinning.

Press the RR DIFF LOCK switch to lock the rear differential.

At this time, the indicator will blink. Wait a few seconds for the system to complete operation.

After the rear differential is locked, the rear differential lock indicator will stop blinking and remain on.

To unlock the rear differential, push the switch again.

Using the rear differential lock system

Automatic transmission

4WD models: Before using the rear differential lock system.

Stop the vehicle, shift the shift lever to N and put the frontwheel drive control switch in the L4 position to see if this is sufficient. If this has no effect, additionally use the rear differential lock system.

Be sure to stop the wheels.

Press the RR DIFF LOCK switch.

After the rear differential is locked, the indicator will come on.

Gently depress the accelerator pedal.

Unlock the rear differential as soon as the vehicle moves.

To unlock the rear differential, push the switch again.

Manual transmission

4WD models: Before using the rear differential lock system.

Stop the vehicle or reduce your speed to less than 2 mph (3 km/h). Depress the clutch pedal and put the front-wheel drive control switch in the L4 position to see if this is sufficient. If this has no effect, additionally use the rear differential lock system.

Be sure to stop the wheels.

Depress the clutch pedal.

Press the RR DIFF LOCK switch.

After the rear differential is locked, the indicator will come on.

Slowly release the clutch pedal.

Unlock the rear differential as soon as the vehicle moves.

To unlock the rear differential, push the switch again.

■Locking the rear differential

●When the rear differential is locked, VSC is automatically turned off.

(The rear differential lock and VSC OFF indicators come on.) ●The following systems do not operate when the rear differential is locked.

It is normal operation for the ABS warning light and VSC OFF indicator to be on at this time. If the DAC switch turns on, the downhill assist control system indicator light flashes.

• ABS

• Brake assist system

• VSC

• TRAC

• Downhill assist control system

• Hill-start assist control system

■The rear differential lock is disengaged when

Shift the front-wheel drive control switch to H2 or H4 position. (4WD models) Never forget to turn off the switch after using this feature.

■After unlocking the rear differential

To check that the indicator goes off, turn the engine switch to the ON position, but do not start the engine.

CAUTION

■To avoid an accident

●Do not use the rear differential lock system except when wheel spinning occurs in a ditch or on a slippery or ragged surface. Large steering effort and careful cornering control will be required.

●Do not lock the rear differential until the wheels have stopped spinning.

Otherwise, the vehicle may move in an unexpected direction when the differential lock is engaged, resulting in an accident. This may also lead to possible damage to differential lock component parts.

●Do not drive over 5 mph (8 km/h) when the differential is locked.

●Do not keep driving with the RR DIFF LOCK switch on.