If a warning light illuminates or begins flashing while driving the Toyota Tacoma, remain calm and respond according to the guidance associated with that warning. A light that briefly comes on or flashes and then turns off does not automatically mean that a system malfunction has occurred. However, if the same warning repeatedly appears, continues flashing, or returns during later driving, have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer to determine the cause and confirm that the affected system is operating correctly.
Actions to take when warning lights illuminate or warning buzzers sound
Brake system warning light (warning buzzer)
Brake system warning light (warning buzzer)
High coolant temperature warning light* (warning buzzer)
*: This warning appears on the multi-information display together with a message providing information about the high coolant temperature condition.
Charging system warning light* (warning buzzer)
*: The charging system warning is shown on the multi-information display together with a corresponding message.
Low engine oil pressure warning light* (warning buzzer)
*: When this warning is activated, the multi-information display also presents a message related to the low engine oil pressure condition.
Malfunction indicator lamp (warning buzzer)
SRS warning light (warning buzzer)
ABS warning light
Electric power steering system warning light (warning buzzer)
PCS warning light (warning buzzer)
LTA indicator (warning buzzer)
LDA indicator (warning buzzer)
PDA indicator (warning buzzer)
Dynamic radar cruise control indicator (warning buzzer)
Cruise control indicator (warning buzzer)
Driving assist information indicator
Stop & Start cancel indicator
Intuitive parking assist OFF indicator (warning buzzer)
Slip indicator light
Inappropriate pedal operation warning light* (warning buzzer)
*: This warning appears on the multi-information display together with a message describing the detected condition.
Brake hold operated indicator (warning buzzer)
Parking brake indicator
Rear differential lock indicator
High speed four-wheel drive indicator
Low speed four-wheel drive indicator
Tire pressure warning light
Low fuel level warning light
Driver's and front passenger's seat belt reminder light (warning buzzer)*
*: Driver's seat belt warning buzzer: The driver's seat belt warning buzzer is designed to alert the driver when the seat belt has not been fastened. After the engine switch of the Toyota Tacoma is turned to ON, the buzzer sounds if the driver's seat belt remains unfastened. If the driver continues without fastening the belt, the warning buzzer sounds intermittently for a certain period once the vehicle reaches a certain speed, providing an additional reminder to secure the seat belt.
Front passenger's seat belt warning buzzer: The front passenger's seat belt warning buzzer alerts the occupant of the front passenger seat when the seat belt has not been fastened. If the belt remains unfastened, the buzzer sounds intermittently for a certain period after the vehicle reaches a certain speed. The warning is intended to draw attention to the unfastened front passenger restraint while the vehicle is being driven.
Rear passengers' seat belt reminder lights (warning buzzer)*
*: Rear passengers' seat belt warning buzzer: The rear passengers' seat belt warning buzzer provides an alert when a rear passenger's seat belt is not fastened. If a rear seat belt is fastened and then unfastened, and the Toyota Tacoma reaches a certain speed, the buzzer sounds intermittently for a certain period of time. This warning draws the driver's attention to a rear occupant whose seat belt is no longer secured.
Trailer brake warning light
Warning buzzer
Under some conditions, a warning buzzer may be difficult to hear, particularly when the Toyota Tacoma is in a noisy environment or when sound from the audio system masks the alert. For this reason, warning lights and messages shown on the instrument panel or multi-information display should also be observed rather than relying on the buzzer alone.
Front passenger detection sensor, seat belt reminder and warning buzzer
- If luggage or another object is placed on the front passenger seat, the front passenger detection sensor may interpret the load in a way that causes the seat belt warning light to flash and the warning buzzer to sound even though no passenger is occupying the seat.
- If a cushion is placed on the front passenger seat, it can affect how the sensor detects an occupant. As a result, a passenger may not be recognized correctly and the associated warning light may not operate as expected.
SRS warning light
The SRS warning light can indicate a problem involving one or more components associated with the supplemental restraint system. The systems and components covered by this warning include the following:
- Airbag sensor assembly and its related monitoring functions
- Front impact sensors used by the restraint system
- Side impact sensors located in the front doors
- Rear side impact sensors
- Front passenger occupant classification sensors that determine the detected seating condition
- Driver's seat position sensor
- Driver's seat belt buckle switch
- Front passenger's seat belt buckle switch
- "AIR BAG ON" indicator light
- "AIR BAG OFF" indicator light
- Driver's seat belt pretensioner, front passenger's seat belt pretensioner, and the associated force limiter
- SRS airbags installed as part of the vehicle's supplemental restraint system
- SRS system-related wiring harnesses and power sources that support operation of the restraint components
If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on while driving
If the malfunction indicator lamp illuminates while driving the Toyota Tacoma, begin by checking the following conditions before assuming that a more serious malfunction has occurred:
- Is the fuel tank empty or has the fuel level dropped to the point where the tank needs to be refilled?
If the fuel tank is empty, refuel the vehicle immediately and then continue to observe the malfunction indicator lamp.
- Is the fuel tank cap loose or not fully secured?
If the cap is loose, tighten it securely so that it is properly installed.
After the condition has been corrected, the malfunction indicator lamp should turn off after several driving trips. It may not disappear immediately after the fuel tank is filled or the cap is tightened.
If the warning light remains illuminated even after the Toyota Tacoma has been driven for several trips, contact your Toyota dealer as soon as possible and have the cause of the warning checked.
Electric power steering system warning light (warning buzzer)
If the battery charge becomes insufficient or battery voltage temporarily drops, the electric power steering system warning light may illuminate and the warning buzzer may sound. This condition can therefore appear in connection with a temporary reduction in the electrical power available to the steering system.
When the tire pressure warning light comes on
If the tire pressure warning light illuminates, inspect all tires carefully and determine whether any tire has been punctured or has gone flat.
If none of the tires are punctured: Turn the engine switch off, and then turn it back to ON. After doing so, observe the tire pressure warning light and determine whether it illuminates continuously or begins blinking.
If the tire pressure warning light blinks for approximately 1 minute then stays on
If the warning light flashes for approximately 1 minute and then remains illuminated, a malfunction may be present in the tire pressure warning system. Have the Toyota Tacoma inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately so the system can be checked.
If the tire pressure warning light comes on
1. Allow the tires to cool sufficiently, then check the inflation pressure of each tire. Adjust the pressure of every tire as necessary so that it matches the specified level.
2. If the warning light remains on after several minutes have passed, check each tire once again to confirm that its inflation pressure is at the specified level, and then perform initialization as required.
The tire pressure warning light may come on due to natural causes
The tire pressure warning light does not always indicate a puncture or system fault. It may illuminate because of natural causes, including gradual air leakage from the tires or changes in inflation pressure that occur as tire temperature changes.
When this is the cause, correctly adjusting the tire inflation pressure should turn the warning light off after a few minutes.
When a tire is replaced with a spare tire
The temporary spare tire is not equipped with a tire pressure warning valve and transmitter. Consequently, if a regular tire becomes flat, the tire pressure warning light will remain illuminated even after the damaged tire has been replaced with the temporary spare tire.
Once the damaged tire has been repaired, replace the temporary spare tire with the repaired regular tire and adjust its inflation pressure to the proper level. After the correct tire is installed and properly inflated, the tire pressure warning light should turn off after several minutes.
WARNING
If both the ABS and the brake system warning lights remain on
If both warning lights remain illuminated, stop the Toyota Tacoma in a safe location immediately and contact your Toyota dealer.
Continuing to drive under these conditions can be dangerous because the vehicle may become extremely unstable during braking and the ABS may fail to operate. This could lead to an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
When the electric power steering system warning light comes on
If the electric power steering system warning light illuminates yellow, the amount of power steering assistance is restricted. If the warning light illuminates red, power steering assistance is lost, making operation of the steering wheel extremely heavy and requiring substantially more effort from the driver.
If steering effort becomes noticeably heavier than normal, hold the steering wheel firmly and apply greater force as necessary to steer the vehicle while maintaining careful control.
If the tire pressure warning light comes on
If the tire pressure warning light illuminates, be sure to follow the precautions below and respond to the condition without unnecessary delay.
Failure to take the required action could result in loss of vehicle control and may lead to an accident causing death or serious injury.
- Move the vehicle to a safe location and stop as soon as it is safe to do so.
Check the tires and adjust the tire inflation pressure immediately to the appropriate level.
- If the tire pressure warning light remains illuminated even after the tire inflation pressure has been adjusted, a flat tire is likely. Inspect all tires carefully. If a tire is flat, replace it with the spare tire and have the damaged tire repaired by the nearest Toyota dealer.
- Avoid sudden steering maneuvers and abrupt braking, as either action can make the vehicle more difficult to control when a tire pressure problem is present.
If the vehicle's tires deteriorate significantly, steering response and braking performance can be affected, increasing the possibility that the driver could lose control of the Toyota Tacoma. Tire condition should therefore be taken seriously whenever abnormal wear, damage, or pressure loss is suspected.
If a blowout or sudden air leakage should occur
A sudden tire blowout or rapid loss of air may develop too quickly for the tire pressure warning system to provide an immediate alert. The warning may therefore appear only after the pressure loss has already begun.
Maintenance of the tires
Check every tire, including the spare tire when one is provided, at least once each month while the tires are cold. Inflate them to the pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer and shown on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, also identified as the tire and load information label. If the Toyota Tacoma is fitted with tires of a size different from the size listed on that placard or label, determine the correct inflation pressure for the tires actually installed and maintain them at that specified value.
As an additional safety measure, the vehicle is equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), also referred to as the tire pressure warning system. The system illuminates the low tire pressure telltale, or tire pressure warning light, when it detects that one or more tires are significantly underinflated.
When the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, stop the Toyota Tacoma and inspect the tires as soon as it is safe to do so. Check their inflation pressures and inflate any underinflated tire to the proper specified pressure before continuing normal driving.
Operating the vehicle with a significantly underinflated tire can cause excessive tire heating and may eventually result in tire failure. Insufficient inflation also reduces fuel efficiency, shortens usable tread life, and can adversely affect handling and braking performance, making correct pressure important for both tire condition and vehicle control.
The TPMS is intended to supplement regular tire inspections, not replace them. Maintaining the correct tire inflation pressure remains the driver's responsibility even when the amount of underinflation is not severe enough to activate the low tire pressure telltale. Tires should therefore be checked routinely rather than relying solely on the warning light to identify a pressure problem.
The Toyota Tacoma is also equipped with a TPMS malfunction indication function that alerts the driver when the tire pressure warning system itself is not operating correctly.
The TPMS malfunction indicator shares the same telltale used for the low tire pressure warning. If the system identifies a malfunction, the telltale flashes for approximately one minute and then remains continuously illuminated, distinguishing this condition from an ordinary low-pressure warning.
As long as the malfunction remains present, the same flashing-and-illumination sequence will occur during subsequent vehicle start-ups. While the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the tire pressure warning system may be unable to detect low tire pressure accurately or provide the intended warning to the driver.
A TPMS malfunction can result from several conditions. One possible cause is the installation of replacement or alternative tires or wheels that interfere with proper operation of the tire pressure warning system. After replacing one or more tires or wheels, always observe the TPMS malfunction telltale and verify that the replacement components allow the system to continue operating correctly. This check is particularly important whenever tire or wheel specifications differ from those previously fitted to the vehicle.
NOTICE
To ensure the tire pressure warning system operates properly
Do not install tires with different specifications or from different manufacturers when those differences could prevent the tire pressure warning system from functioning correctly. Appropriate, compatible tires help preserve proper TPMS operation and reliable pressure monitoring.
