1998 Toyota Tacoma Owners Manual - Page 85

'98 Tacoma (U) Your automatic transmission has a shift lock system to minimize the possibility of incorrect operation. This means you can only shift out of "P" position when the brake pedal is depressed (with the ignition switch in "ON" position and the lock release button depressed). (a) Normal driving 1. Start the engine as instructed in "How to start the engine" in Part 3. The transmission must be in "P" or "N". When the front drive control lever is in "L4" (low-speed position, four-wheel drive), the driving pattern selector setting has no effect on gear shift timing. (See "Fourwheel drive system" in this Chapter for information of the front drive control lever.) 2. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the selector lever to "D". In "D" position, the automatic transmission system will select the most suitable gear for running conditions such as normal cruising, hill climbing, hard towing, etc. Always turn the overdrive switch on for better fuel economy and quieter driving. If the engine coolant temperature is low or when the front drive control lever is in "L4" (low-speed position, four-wheel drive), the transmission will not shift into the overdrive gear even with the overdrive switch on. (See "Four-wheel drive system" in this Chapter for information of the front drive control lever.) D Shift into the "2" position. The transmission will downshift to the second gear when the vehicle speed drops down to or lower than the following speed, and more powerful engine braking will be obtained. Front drive control lever in "H2" and "H4" 3RZ- FE engine...106 km/h (66 mph) 5VZ- FE engine...114 km/h (71 mph) Front drive control lever in "L4" 3RZ- FE engine...36 km/h (22 mph) 5VZ- FE engine...38 km/h (24 mph) CAUTION Never put your foot on the accelerator pedal while shifting. 3. Release the parking brake and brake pedal. Depress the accelerator pedal slowly for smooth starting. (b) Using engine braking To use engine braking, you can downshift the transmission as follows: D Shift into the "L" position. The transmission will downshift to the first gear when the vehicle speed drops down to or lower than the following speed, and maximum engine braking will be applied. Front drive control lever in "H2" and "H4" 3RZ- FE engine...51 km/h (32 mph) 5VZ- FE engine...55 km/h (34 mph) Front drive control lever in "L4" 3RZ- FE engine...9 km/h (6 mph) 5VZ- FE engine...10 km/h (6 mph) D Turn off the overdrive switch. The "O/D OFF" indicator light will come on and the transmission will downshift to the third gear. 85