Owner guide · Peoria Toyota · Peoria, IL
Toyota Tacoma Battery Guide
Which replacement battery a Tacoma needs, where the Tacoma Hybrid's 12-volt battery is, how to jump start either one and how to check the voltage, from Toyota's Tacoma and Tacoma Hybrid owner's manuals, read November 10, 2026.
What battery does a Toyota Tacoma use?
Toyota's Tacoma owner's manual lists three replacement types, each matching the case size of the battery already fitted: Type A (LN3, 70Ah or greater, 603A or greater CCA), Type B (LN4, 80Ah, 689A) and Type C (LN4, 75Ah, 776A). The Tacoma Hybrid manual calls for an LN3 battery with 70Ah or greater and 603A or greater CCA, located in the left-hand side under the rear seat.
Gas Tacoma replacement battery types
| Type | Case size | 20-hour rate capacity (20HR) | Performance rating (CCA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type A | LN3 (same as the previous battery) | Equivalent (70Ah) or greater | Equivalent (603A) or greater |
| Type B | LN4 (same as the previous battery) | Equivalent (80Ah) or greater | Equivalent (689A) or greater |
| Type C | LN4 (same as the previous battery) | Equivalent (75Ah) or greater | Equivalent (776A) or greater |
From Toyota's Tacoma Owner's Manual (OM04057U), page 611, read November 10, 2026. The manual does not say which trims use which type and does not print a model year; match the battery in your truck and check the manual that came with it. It also says to use a battery that conforms to European regulations and, on vehicles with the Stop & Start system, a genuine battery designed for Stop & Start or one with equivalent specifications.
Tacoma Hybrid 12-volt battery specifications
| Item | Owner's manual says |
|---|---|
| Location | Left-hand side under the rear seat (remove the clips, then raise the bottom cushion) |
| Replacement case size | Same as the previous battery (LN3) |
| 20-hour rate capacity (20HR) | Equivalent (70Ah) or greater |
| Performance rating (CCA) | Equivalent (603A) or greater |
| Battery type | Ventilation type calcium battery that conforms to European regulations, with a handle |
| Open voltage at 68°F (20°C) | 12.0 V or more (checked 20 minutes after the engine and all lights are turned off) |
| Charging rate | 5 A max. |
| Jump starting point | Exclusive jump starting terminal under the hood (open the fuse box cover, then the terminal cover) |
From Toyota's Tacoma Hybrid Owner's Manual (OM04058U), pages 516-518, 588-590 and 603, read November 10, 2026. The manual does not print a model year; check the manual that came with your vehicle.
How to jump start a Tacoma
If the battery is discharged, both manuals say you can jump start the truck with jumper (or booster) cables and a second vehicle with a battery, or call your Toyota dealer or a qualified repair shop. The gas Tacoma steps, in short:
- Confirm that the electronic key is being carried. Depending on the situation, the alarm may activate and the doors may lock when the cables are connected.
- Open the hood.
- Open the positive (+) battery terminal cover.
- Connect a positive cable clamp to the positive (+) battery terminal on your vehicle and the other end to the positive (+) terminal on the second vehicle. Connect a negative cable clamp to the negative (-) terminal on the second vehicle and the other end to the metallic point shown in the manual.
- Start the engine of the second vehicle, increase its engine speed slightly and hold it there for about 5 minutes to recharge your battery.
- Open and close any of the doors of your vehicle with the engine switch OFF.
- Keeping the second vehicle's engine speed up, start your engine by turning the engine switch to ON.
- Once the engine has started, remove the cables in the exact reverse order from which they were connected.
On the Tacoma Hybrid the steps are the same, except that you open the hood and the fuse box cover, open the exclusive jump starting terminal cover and connect the positive cable to that terminal, start the hybrid system by turning the power switch to ON, and finish by closing the terminal cover and reinstalling the fuse box cover. The Hybrid manual says to have the vehicle inspected at your Toyota dealer as soon as possible once it starts. Neither truck can be started by push-starting, and the manuals say to make sure the cables do not become entangled in the cooling fan. To avoid igniting gas from the battery, the manuals say to make sure each cable is on the correct terminal, keep the other end of the cable on the + terminal away from other parts and metal surfaces such as brackets or unpainted metal, never let the + and - clamps touch, and keep smoking, matches, lighters and open flame away from the battery. When removing the battery terminals, always remove the negative (-) terminal first.
Checking and charging the battery
From the Tacoma and Tacoma Hybrid owner's manuals:
Look at the exterior
Make sure the terminals are not corroded and that there are no loose connections, cracks or loose clamps.
Check the voltage
Gas Tacoma: 12.3 V or higher at 68°F (20°C) after turning the engine switch off and the high beams on for 30 seconds. Tacoma Hybrid: 12.0 V or more, checked 20 minutes after the engine and all lights are turned off.
Slow charge, in the open
Both manuals list 5 A max. Recharging produces flammable, explosive hydrogen gas, so charge in an open area, not a garage or closed room without enough ventilation. Never recharge while the engine or hybrid system is running, and turn off all accessories.
If the battery stays in the truck
Disconnect the ground cable, and keep the charger's power switch off while connecting and disconnecting its cables.
After reconnecting
Gas Tacoma: if the engine will not start, shift to P (or N with the brake pedal down on a manual transmission), open and close any door and restart. The smart key may not unlock the doors right away, so use the wireless remote control or the mechanical key. Information stored in the ECU is cleared and some systems may need initialization.
From Toyota's Tacoma Owner's Manual (OM04057U) pages 535-537, 610 and 625 and Tacoma Hybrid Owner's Manual (OM04058U) pages 516-518, 589 and 603, read November 10, 2026. The manuals also say to wear safety glasses, avoid sparks from tools touching the terminals and keep children away from the battery.
Replacing a Tacoma battery
Use a battery with the same case size as the one fitted. The manuals say that if the sizes differ, the battery cannot be properly secured, and if the 20-hour rate capacity is low, the battery may discharge even when the truck sits for only a short time, and the engine or hybrid system may not be able to start.
On gas trucks with the Stop & Start system, the manual calls for a genuine battery designed for Stop & Start or one with equivalent specifications; with an unsupported battery, Stop & Start functions may be restricted, battery performance may decrease and the engine may not be able to restart. For the Tacoma Hybrid, the manual says to use a 12-volt battery designed for the vehicle, because otherwise hydrogen gas may enter the passenger compartment and cause a fire or explosion, and to reuse the exhaust hose and fit the exhaust hole plug to the new battery.
Removing the battery terminals clears information stored in the ECU, so the manuals say to contact your Toyota dealer before removing them, and to always remove the negative (-) terminal first. The gas manual also warns not to disconnect the negative (-) terminal on the body side, because it may touch the positive (+) terminal and cause a short.
Peoria Toyota service hours
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Mon-Fri | 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. |
| Sat | 7 a.m.-12 p.m. |
| Sun | closed |
From Peoria Toyota's website, November 11, 2026. Holiday hours can differ.
Toyota Tacoma battery FAQ
What size battery does a gas Tacoma need?
Toyota's Tacoma owner's manual lists three replacement types, each with the same case size as the previous battery: Type A, LN3 with 70Ah or greater (20HR) and 603A or greater (CCA); Type B, LN4 with 80Ah or greater and 689A or greater; Type C, LN4 with 75Ah or greater and 776A or greater. The manual does not say which trims use which type, so match the battery that is in your truck or ask our service team.
What battery does the Tacoma Hybrid use?
The Tacoma Hybrid owner's manual calls for a 12-volt battery with the same case size as the previous one (LN3), 70Ah or greater (20HR) and 603A or greater (CCA): a ventilation type calcium battery with a handle that conforms to European regulations.
Where is the 12-volt battery on a Tacoma Hybrid?
The manual says it is located in the left-hand side under the rear seat. After removing the clips, raise the bottom cushion to reach it. For jump starting, the manual uses an exclusive jump starting terminal under the hood, inside the fuse box cover.
How do I jump start a gas Tacoma?
With jumper cables and a second vehicle with a battery: confirm the electronic key is being carried, open the hood and the positive (+) battery terminal cover, and connect the cables to your positive terminal, the second vehicle's terminals and the metallic point the manual shows. Run the second vehicle's engine slightly faster for about 5 minutes, open and close any door with the engine switch OFF, then start your engine and remove the cables in the exact reverse order.
What voltage should a Tacoma battery have?
The gas Tacoma manual lists an open voltage of 12.3 V or higher at 68°F (20°C), checked after turning the engine switch off and turning on the high beam headlights for 30 seconds, with a slow charge rate of 5 A max. The Tacoma Hybrid manual lists 12.0 V or more at 68°F, checked 20 minutes after the engine and all lights are turned off, and a 5 A max. charging rate.
Can a Tacoma be push-started?
No. The gas Tacoma manual says the engine cannot be started by push-starting, and the Tacoma Hybrid manual says the same of the hybrid system.
Can Peoria Toyota replace my Tacoma battery?
Yes. Both manuals point owners to a Toyota dealer for battery replacement details. Our service team at 7401 N Allen Rd in Peoria can test the battery and fit the right one for your Tacoma. See the service hours above or schedule online.
Tacoma battery weak or flat?
Bring it to Peoria Toyota, 7401 N Allen Rd in Peoria. Our service team can test the battery and replace it with the right one for your Tacoma.
Sources
Battery types, location, jump start steps, charging and voltage figures are from Toyota's Tacoma and Tacoma Hybrid owner's manuals, read November 10, 2026. Your own owner's manual is the final word for your vehicle. Address and hours are from Peoria Toyota's own website. Photo is illustrative.
- Tacoma Owner's Manual (OM04057U): checking and charging the battery (pp. 535-537), jump starting, discharge and replacement types (pp. 608-611), electrical system specifications (p. 625), Toyota, read November 10, 2026
- Tacoma Hybrid Owner's Manual (OM04058U): 12-volt battery location and charging (pp. 516-518), jump starting and replacement requirements (pp. 587-592), electrical system specifications (p. 603), Toyota, read November 10, 2026
- Address and service hours, Peoria Toyota, November 11, 2026
