The Toyota Tacoma is equipped with a tire pressure warning system that monitors tire inflation pressure through dedicated tire pressure warning valves and transmitters. By detecting an underinflated tire before the condition becomes more serious, the system provides the driver with an early indication that tire pressure requires attention.
The tire pressure warning system used on this vehicle provides 2 different types of warnings, depending on how the loss of tire pressure is detected.
- When "Adjust Pressure" is displayed (Normal Warning)
During a normal warning, the tire pressure warning light illuminates and a buzzer sounds when tire inflation pressure gradually becomes too low, such as from normal air loss over time or a change in outside temperature. Check and adjust the affected tire pressures as appropriate.
- When "Immediately Check tire when Safe" is displayed (Emergency Warning)
During an emergency warning, the tire pressure warning light illuminates and a buzzer sounds when the system detects a rapid drop in tire inflation pressure, such as one associated with a blowout. However, some sudden tire failures, including an abrupt rupture or bursting of the tire, may occur too quickly for the system to detect reliably.
The individual tire pressures detected by the tire pressure warning system can be viewed on the Toyota Tacoma multi-information display, making it possible to check the reported inflation pressure without inspecting each tire manually.
The pressure measurement unit shown on the display can also be changed through the vehicle settings. The procedure differs according to the type of multi-information display installed.
Vehicles with 7-inch display
Vehicles with 12.3-inch display
How to change the unit (with 7-inch display)
1. Stop the vehicle in a safe location, place it securely in a parked condition, and turn the engine switch off before changing the tire pressure display unit.
The pressure unit setting cannot be changed while the vehicle is moving, so complete the entire procedure while the Toyota Tacoma remains stationary.
2. Turn the engine switch to ON.
3. Press
/
on the meter control switch until
is selected.
4. Press
/
to highlight "Vehicle Settings", and then press and hold
to open the corresponding settings menu.
5. Press
/
until "TPWS" is selected, and then press
.
6. Press
/
to select "Pressure unit setting", and then press
.
7. Press
/
to highlight the desired pressure unit, and then press
to save the selection.
How to change the unit (with 12.3-inch display)
1. Park the vehicle in a safe location and turn the engine switch off before attempting to modify the pressure unit setting.
As with the 7-inch display, the pressure measurement unit cannot be changed while the vehicle is moving.
2. Turn the engine switch to ON.
3. Press and hold
until the cursor appears in the center content display area of the multi-information display.
4. Press
/
on the meter control switches to select "
Settings", and then press
.
5. Press
/
on the meter control switches until "Vehicle Settings" is highlighted, and then press and hold
to enter the menu.
6. Press
/
on the meter control switches until "TPWS setting" is highlighted, and then press
to open the menu.
7. Use
/
on the meter control switches to select "Pressure unit setting". After the desired menu item is highlighted, press and hold
to proceed with the setting.
Routine tire inflation pressure checks
The tire pressure warning system is intended to supplement, not replace, regular manual tire pressure inspections. Check the inflation pressure of all tires as part of the normal daily inspection routine for the Toyota Tacoma, even when no tire pressure warning is displayed.
Tire inflation pressure
- After the engine switch is turned to ON, several minutes may pass before the current tire inflation pressures appear on the multi-information display. A similar delay may occur after tire pressure has been adjusted, as the system needs time to receive and update the latest information from the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters.
- Tire inflation pressure varies as tire and ambient temperatures change. Because of these temperature effects and differences in measurement timing, the pressures displayed by the vehicle may not exactly match readings obtained with a separate tire pressure gauge.
Situations in which the tire pressure warning system may not operate properly
- Under the following conditions, the tire pressure warning system may be unable to detect or display tire pressure information correctly:
- If wheels other than genuine Toyota wheels are installed.
- If an original equipment (OE) tire has been replaced with a tire that does not meet the original equipment specification.
- If a replacement tire differs from the specified tire size.
- If tire chains or similar equipment are fitted to the tires.
- If an auxiliary-supported run-flat tire is installed.
- If window tint or another material that interferes with radio wave transmission has been installed on the vehicle.
- If a large amount of snow or ice has accumulated on the Toyota Tacoma, especially around the wheels or inside the wheel housings where it may interfere with signal transmission.
- If tire inflation pressure is considerably higher than the specified pressure.
- If wheels are installed without compatible tire pressure warning valves and transmitters.
- If the identification code for a tire pressure warning valve and transmitter has not been registered in the tire pressure warning computer.
- Radio interference or electrical noise can also reduce system performance in certain surroundings, including the following situations:
- When the vehicle is near a television tower, electric power plant, gas station, radio station, large electronic display, airport, or another location that produces strong radio waves or electrical interference.
- When a portable radio, cellular phone, cordless phone, or another wireless communication device is being carried in or near the vehicle.
If tire position information is temporarily shown incorrectly because of radio wave conditions, normal display operation may return after the vehicle is driven away from the source of interference. A change in location can improve communication between the transmitters and the tire pressure warning system.
- While the Toyota Tacoma is parked, the system may require a longer period before a tire pressure warning appears or before an existing warning is cleared.
- If tire inflation pressure falls extremely rapidly, such as when a tire suddenly bursts, the pressure loss may occur too quickly for the warning system to provide a timely alert.
Warning performance of the tire pressure warning system
The pressure level at which the tire pressure warning system responds depends partly on the conditions present when the system was initialized. As a result, a warning can sometimes appear before tire pressure falls to an unusually low value, or the system may respond differently when the current pressure is higher than the pressure used during initialization.
Installing tire pressure warning valves and transmitters
Whenever tires or wheels are replaced, tire pressure warning valves and transmitters must also be installed as required so that the Toyota Tacoma tire pressure warning system can continue monitoring inflation pressure correctly.
When new tire pressure warning valves and transmitters are installed, their identification codes must be registered in the tire pressure warning computer. After registration, the tire pressure warning system must also be initialized so the newly installed components can operate correctly with the vehicle.
When replacing the tires and wheels
If the ID code for a tire pressure warning valve and transmitter has not been registered, the tire pressure warning system cannot function correctly. After the Toyota Tacoma has been driven for approximately 20 minutes, the tire pressure warning light will blink for about 1 minute and then remain illuminated, indicating a malfunction in the system.
NOTICE
Repairing or replacing tires, wheels, tire pressure warning valves, transmitters and tire valve caps
- When tires, wheels, or tire pressure warning valves and transmitters need to be removed, installed, repaired, or replaced, contact your Toyota dealer. These components require careful handling, and the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters can be damaged if the work is performed incorrectly.
- Always reinstall the tire valve caps after checking or servicing the tires. Without the caps in place, water can enter the tire pressure warning valves, leading to corrosion and potentially causing the valves to seize or become difficult to service.
- When replacing a tire valve cap, use only a cap of the specified type. An unsuitable replacement cap may become stuck on the valve and make later removal difficult.
Initializing the tire pressure warning system
The tire pressure warning system must be initialized in the following circumstances:
- After the tires have been rotated to different wheel positions.
- Whenever the tires are changed or replaced.
- After new tire pressure warning valve and transmitter ID codes have been registered.
- When switching between two wheel sets that have already been registered with the vehicle.
During initialization, the current tire inflation pressures are stored as the benchmark values used by the tire pressure warning system. Correct inflation pressure must therefore be established before the initialization procedure is started.
How to initialize the tire pressure warning system (with 7-inch display)
1. Park the Toyota Tacoma in a safe location and turn the engine switch off. Wait approximately 20 minutes or longer before beginning the initialization procedure.
2. Adjust the inflation pressure of each tire to the specified cold tire inflation pressure.
Make certain that all tires are set accurately to the specified cold inflation pressure before continuing. The tire pressure warning system uses these pressure values as the reference point for subsequent monitoring and warnings.
3. Turn the engine switch to ON.
Initialization cannot be started while the vehicle is moving, so keep the Toyota Tacoma stationary throughout the setup procedure.
4. Press
/
on the meter control switch until
is selected.
5. Press
/
to highlight "Vehicle Settings", and then press and hold
to enter the menu.
6. Press
/
to select "TPWS", and then press
.
7. Press
/
to highlight "Setting Pressure". Then press and hold
until the tire pressure warning light flashes 3 times, confirming that initialization has begun.
A message will then appear on the multi-information display. While initialization is in progress, "--" will be shown instead of the individual tire inflation pressure readings. The pressure values will become available after the system completes the required initialization process.
8. Drive the Toyota Tacoma generally straight, making occasional left and right turns, at approximately 25 mph (40 km/h) or higher for about 10 to 30 minutes. This driving period allows the tire pressure warning system to complete the initialization process.
Once initialization has finished successfully, the inflation pressure for each tire will appear on the multi-information display instead of the temporary initialization indication.
Initialization can still be completed even if the vehicle is not continuously driven at approximately 25 mph (40 km/h) or higher. In that situation, however, a longer period of driving may be required before the system finishes learning the tire pressure information.
If initialization remains incomplete after driving for 1 hour or more, stop the vehicle in a safe location and leave it parked for approximately 20 minutes. Afterward, turn the engine switch to ON as required and drive the vehicle again so the initialization process can continue.
How to initialize the tire pressure warning system (with 12.3-inch display)
1. Park the vehicle in a safe location and turn the engine switch off. Wait approximately 20 minutes or longer before beginning the tire pressure warning system initialization procedure.
2. Adjust the inflation pressure of every tire to the specified cold tire inflation pressure.
Check the pressure carefully while the tires are cold and set each tire to the specified cold inflation value. The tire pressure warning system establishes its operating reference from these pressures, so correct adjustment before initialization is essential.
3. Turn the engine switch to ON.
The initialization procedure cannot be started while the Toyota Tacoma is moving. Complete the menu operations while the vehicle remains safely parked.
4. Press and hold
until the cursor appears in the center content display area of the multi-information display.
5. Press
/
on the meter control switches to select "
Settings", and then press
to enter the menu.
6. Press
/
on the meter control switches until "Vehicle Settings" is highlighted, and then press and hold
.
7. Press
/
on the meter control switches to select "TPWS setting", and then press
.
8. Press
/
on the meter control switches until "Setting Pressure" is selected. Then press and hold
to begin initialization.
A message will then appear on the multi-information display to indicate that initialization is underway. While the tire pressure warning system is being initialized, "--" will be displayed in place of the individual inflation pressure reading for each tire.
9. Drive mainly straight, with occasional left and right turns, at approximately 25 mph (40 km/h) or higher for about 10 to 30 minutes. During this period, the tire pressure warning system gathers the information needed to complete initialization.
If the vehicle cannot be driven continuously at approximately 25 mph (40 km/h) or higher, initialization may still finish after a longer period of driving. The time required can vary according to the driving conditions and environment.
If initialization has still not completed after 1 hour or more of driving, park the vehicle safely for more than 20 minutes. Then drive the Toyota Tacoma again with the engine switch in ON so the system has another opportunity to complete the process.
When initializing
- Initialization is normally performed while driving at approximately 25 mph (40 km/h) or higher. Maintaining suitable driving conditions helps the tire pressure warning system obtain the information required from the wheel transmitters.
- Always adjust the tire inflation pressures before starting initialization. Both pressure adjustment and initialization should be carried out with the tires cold so that the specified cold tire inflation pressures provide the correct reference values.
- The tire pressure warning system can be initialized by the vehicle owner. However, the amount of time required for completion can vary depending on road conditions, vehicle speed, traffic, radio-wave conditions, and the overall driving environment.
The initialization operation
- If the engine switch is accidentally turned off while tire pressure warning system initialization is in progress, there is no need to begin the entire procedure again. Initialization will resume automatically the next time the engine switch is turned to ON, allowing the Toyota Tacoma to continue the process from the appropriate stage.
- If initialization is started by mistake when it was not actually required, first adjust all tire inflation pressures to the specified values while the tires are cold. After the pressures have been corrected, perform the initialization procedure again so the system can establish the proper reference pressure.
- While the system is identifying the position of each tire, individual inflation pressures may temporarily be unavailable on the multi-information display. Even during this period, if the pressure of a tire falls sufficiently, the tire pressure warning light will illuminate to alert the driver.
If the tire pressure warning system is not initialized properly
- Under certain driving conditions, initialization may require more time than usual or may not be completed successfully. In normal circumstances, the process generally finishes within approximately 30 minutes, but the following situations can delay recognition of the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters:
- If the Toyota Tacoma is not driven at approximately 25 mph (40 km/h) or higher for a sufficient period.
- If the vehicle is driven primarily on unpaved roads, where driving conditions may make initialization more difficult.
- If the vehicle is traveling close to other vehicles and the system has difficulty distinguishing the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters installed on your vehicle from those fitted to nearby vehicles.
- Heavy traffic or other situations in which surrounding vehicles remain close for extended periods can also delay initialization because the system may need additional time to identify the transmitters belonging specifically to the Toyota Tacoma.
- If initialization is still incomplete after the vehicle has been driven for 1 hour or longer, stop in a safe location and leave the vehicle parked for approximately 20 minutes. After this waiting period, drive the vehicle again and allow the system another opportunity to complete initialization.
- If the vehicle is driven in reverse while initialization is underway, the data collected up to that point will be cleared. In this situation, perform the initialization procedure again from the beginning rather than continuing from the interrupted process.
- In the following cases, initialization may fail to start or may not be completed correctly, and the tire pressure warning system will not operate as intended.
Repeat the initialization procedure carefully from the beginning after confirming that the tire inflation pressures and vehicle conditions are correct.
- If the tire pressure warning light does not flash 3 times when you attempt to begin initialization, the initialization command has not been accepted correctly.
- If, after the Toyota Tacoma has been driven for approximately 20 minutes following initialization, the tire pressure warning light flashes for about 1 minute and then remains continuously illuminated, the system has detected a condition preventing normal operation.
If initialization still cannot be completed after repeating the procedure and following the conditions described above, contact your Toyota dealer for inspection and assistance.
WARNING
When initializing the tire pressure warning system
Do not initialize the tire pressure warning system until all tire inflation pressures have first been adjusted to the specified values while the tires are cold.
If initialization is performed using incorrect tire pressures, the warning threshold may also be incorrect. As a result, the tire pressure warning light might fail to illuminate when a tire is underinflated, or it could illuminate even though the actual tire inflation pressure is within the normal specified range.
