For safe driving, adjust the seat, head restraint, seat belt, and mirrors to appropriate positions before setting off. A properly adjusted driving position helps you operate the Toyota Tacoma controls comfortably while maintaining a clear view of the road and surrounding traffic.
Correct driving posture
Before driving, take enough time to establish a comfortable and stable seating position. The driver should be able to reach the steering wheel and pedals naturally without stretching, leaning forward, or sitting in a position that restricts normal vehicle control.
- Adjust the angle of the seatback so that you can sit upright with your back supported by the seatback and do not have to lean forward to steer. Maintain a natural seating position that allows you to control the steering wheel comfortably.
- Adjust the seat position so that you can depress each pedal fully while remaining properly seated and so that your arms are bent slightly at the elbows when gripping the steering wheel. This helps maintain comfortable and controlled operation of the Toyota Tacoma while driving.
- Adjust and lock the head restraint in place so that the center of the head restraint is positioned closest to the top of your ears. Confirm that the restraint is securely locked after adjustment.
- Wear the seat belt correctly and make sure it is positioned properly before the vehicle begins moving.
WARNING
For safe driving
Observe the following precautions whenever preparing to drive or operating the vehicle.
Failure to follow these precautions may result in death or serious injury.
- Do not adjust the position of the
driver's seat while driving.
Adjusting the seat while the Toyota Tacoma is moving could distract the driver or cause an unexpected change in driving position, which may result in loss of control of the vehicle.
- Do not place a cushion between
the driver or passenger and the
seatback.
A cushion may prevent the occupant from maintaining the correct posture and may reduce the effectiveness of the seat belt and head restraint. Sit directly against the seatback so that the vehicle's restraint systems can be used as intended.
- Do not place anything under the
front seats.
Objects placed under the front seats may become trapped in the seat tracks and prevent the seat from locking securely in place. This may contribute to an accident, and the seat adjustment mechanism may also be damaged. Keep the area beneath the front seats clear of objects that could interfere with seat movement or locking.
- Always observe the applicable legal speed limit when driving on public roads and adjust your driving appropriately for the circumstances.
- When driving over long distances,
take regular breaks
before you begin to feel excessively tired.
If you feel tired or sleepy while driving, do not force yourself to continue. Stop in a safe and appropriate place and take a break immediately before resuming the journey.
Correct use of the seat belts
Make sure that all occupants are wearing their seat belts correctly before driving the vehicle. Each occupant should use the seat belt provided for their seating position and keep it properly fastened while the Toyota Tacoma is in motion.
Use a child restraint system appropriate for the child until the child becomes large enough to properly wear the vehicle's seat belt. The restraint system should be suitable for the child and used in accordance with the applicable installation and safety instructions.
Adjusting the mirrors
Before driving, adjust the mirrors so that you can clearly see the area to the rear of the vehicle without having to adopt an unnatural seating position. Properly adjust the inside rear view mirror (if equipped), Digital Rear-view Mirror (if equipped), and outside rear view mirrors. Check the mirror positions after adjusting the driver's seat so that the rearward view corresponds to your normal driving posture.
