New member Bought a 2022 SR 9000 miles question.

New member today. I bought a 2022 Tacoma SR Access cab ( 2 1/2 ) doors with 2 little jump seats behind the driver. 4 cyl 6 ft bed with 9000 miles on it yesterday. Nice truck.
Couple questions. I am a Production Mgr for a Toyota fork lift plant.
Last night I came out of plant at 10:30 pm to drive home and my steering wheel Locked on me. Key in it and steering wheel Locked. I parked truck with wheels straight.
Question 1…. Does it matter when you put the key in ignition switch if the Toyota logo on key needs to face inwards toward the ignition switch or should logo on key be facing away from ignition switch like facing towards passenger side window ? Some cars it does make a difference? Key has same tooth pattern on both sides of key.
I notice thou when I was walking to truck I accidentally hit the key fob snd the little orange lights blinked couple times. Not sure if that could have caused steering wheel locked.
Seems odd that steering wheel was locked hard. I fooled with it for 3 minutes in a panic state and it unlocked finally and it started.
So was wondering if I might have done something wrong in starting process ?
Question 2…. I love my truck but it rides a little rough. I know it’s not much of a truck when I bought it and I test drove it on highway and felt good. But driving in town I feel every bump in rd. So I was wondering if I buy a truck topper if that would help giving me enough weight to give me a smoother ride ?
Question 3 …. On sandbag placement for winter would you place sand bags vertical over the heel wells in truck or just place them in middle of truck bed horizontally? Maybe 2 sand bags that weigh 50 pounds each or will
More weight needed ?
Question 4….I still have the factory tires only 9000 miles on them but truck is 2 years old now. I use to have Faulkner tires medium aggressive tread on my 1/2 ton dodge that I sold and those were a soft tire. Best riding tire I ever owned. I love those tires. the tires I have on tacoma our original tires so to get a softer ride what tire would you recommend on this little 4 cyl with 6 foot bed ? I my buy some this coming winter if it could give me a smoother ride. Would you go with a 17 or 18 inch tire ? I bet 17 inch would be max size for this truck ? I want to go with medium tread tire. I am Going to try to drive truck hunting and fishing too. I know it’s not 4 wheel drive.
Question 5…Do you think
I should invest in some seat covers that might be able to give me less of a rough ride ? I don’t want to get a ton of money in them. Maybe $75.00
Each at most that would give me and my passenger a more comfortable ride ? Look forward to your thoughts. Thanks. Marty

 

1: No, doesnt matter.
2: Check and lower pressures, 30psi cold makes a big difference.
3: Favor the right rear, the fuel tank is on the left, and in the winter should be kept over half to provide weight. The right rear tire will always spin first, so the more weight over the right the better.
4: Stick with 16" tires, more rubber means better ride, cheaper, and typically handles terrain better (talking stock sizes)
5: Dont buy cheap seat covers, its a nice truck. Most go Katskinz or Clazzio

 

Ok. I found the answer to steering wheel lock on You tube. Common problem with the Toyotas. If you touch the steering wheel after you remove the key and steering wheel moves even just 1/8 of a inch your steering wheel will lock tight tight tight. Every time. Anti thrift device. You have to turn Key and steering wheel left and right just a little at same time and it will release every time. Go figure. Marty