TOYOTA FJ CRUISER 2009 1.G Owners Manual

191
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Trailer towing tips
Your vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. The three
main causes of vehicle-trailer ac cidents are driver error, excessive
speed and improper trailer loading. Keep these in mind when towing.
● Before starting out, check the trailer’s light and the vehicle-trailer
connections. Recheck after driving a short distance.
● Practice turning, stopping and reve rsing with the trailer attached in
an area away from traffic until you become accustomed to the feel
of the vehicle.
● Reversing with a trailer attached is difficult and requires practice.
Grip the bottom of the steering wheel and move your hand to the
left to move the trailer to the left. Move your hand to the right to
move the trailer to the right. (Thi s is generally opposite to reversing
without a trailer attached.) Avoid sharp or prolonged turning. Have
someone guide you when reversing to reduce the risk of an acci-
dent.
● As stopping distance is increased when towing a trailer, vehicle-to-
vehicle distance should be increased. For each 10 mph (16 km/h)
of speed, allow at least o ne vehicle and trailer length.
● Avoid sudden braking as you may skid, resulting in jackknifing and
loss of control. This is especiall y true on wet or slippery surfaces.
● Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration. Vehicles with a manual
transmission, prevent excessive cl utch slippage by keeping engine
rpm low and not racing the engine. Always start out in first gear.
● Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns, and slow down before mak-
ing a turn.

192 2-5. Driving information
●Note that when making a turn, th e trailer wheels will be closer than
the vehicle wheels to the inside of the turn. Compensate by making
a larger than normal turning radius.
● Crosswinds and rough roads will adversely affect handling of your
vehicle and trailer, causing sway . Periodically check the rear to
prepare for being passed by large trucks or buses, which may
cause your vehicle and trailer to sway. If swaying occurs, firmly grip
the steering wheel, reduce speed immediately but gradually, and
steer straight ahead. Never increase speed. If you make no
extreme correction with the stee ring or brakes, your vehicle and
trailer will stabilize.
● Take care when passing other v ehicles. Passing requires consider-
able distance. After passing a vehi cle, do not forget the length of
your trailer, and be sure you hav e plenty of room before changing
lanes.
● In order to maintain engine braking efficiency, do not use the trans-
mission in D (automatic transmission) or 6 (manual transmission).
● Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle’s engine may
overheat on hot days (at temper atures over 85°F [30°C]) when
driving up a long or steep grade. If the engine coolant temperature
gauge indicates overheating, immediately turn off the air condition-
ing (if in use), pull your vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot.
(  P. 378)

193
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
●
Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and the trailer
wheels when parking. Apply the parking brake firmly, and put the
transmission in P (automatic transmission) or in 1 or R (manual
transmission). Avoid parking on a slope, but if unavoidable, do so
only after performing the following:
Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
Have someone place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and
trailer wheels.
When the wheel blocks are in pl ace, release the brakes slowly
until the blocks absorb the load.
Apply the parking brake firmly.
Shift into 1 or R (manual transmission) or P (automatic trans-
mission) and turn off the engine.
● When restarting after parking on a slope:
With the transmission in P (automatic transmission) or the
clutch pedal (manual transmission) depressed, start the
engine. On vehicles with an au tomatic transmission, be sure
to keep the brake pedal pressed.
Shift into a forward gear. If reversing, shift into R.
Release the parking brake (also brake pedal on vehicles with
an automatic transmission), and slowly pull or back away from
the wheel blocks. Stop and apply the brakes.
Have someone retrieve the blocks.

194 2-5. Driving information
CAUTION
■To avoid an accident
●Do not exceed 45 mph (72 km/h) or posted towing speed limit, whichever
is lower. As instability (swaying) of the towing vehicle-trailer combination
increases as speed increases, exceeding 45 mph (72 km/h) may cause
loss of control.
● Slow down and downshift before descending steep or long downhill
grades. Do not make sudden downshifts.
● Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or too frequently. This could
cause the brakes to overheat and result in reduced braking efficiency.

195
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Dinghy towing
NOTICE
■To avoid serious damage to your vehicle
Do not tow your vehicle with four wheels on the ground.
Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with 4 wheels on
the ground) behind a motor home.

196 2-5. Driving information

Interior features3
197
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
Air conditioning system .... 198
Rear window defogger ..... 204
3-2. Using the audio system Audio system types .......... 205
Using the radio ................. 208
Using the CD player ......... 214
Playing back MP3 and WMA discs ..................... 222
Optimal use of the audio system ........................... 231
Operating the sub woofer ............................ 234
Changing display color (type B only)................... 235
Using the AUX adapter .... 236
Using the steering wheel audio switches ............... 238
3-3. Using the interior lights Interior lights list ............... 240
• Interior lights .................. 241
• Personal lights ............... 242 3-4. Using the storage features
List of storage features .... 243
• Glove box....................... 243
• Cup holders (front) ......... 244
• Cup holders (rear) .......... 247
• Bottle holders ................. 248
• Auxiliary box .................. 249
3-5. Other interior features Sun visors ........................ 250
Vanity mirrors ................... 251
Clock ................................ 252
Outside temperature display............................ 253
Power outlet (12V DC) ..... 254
Power outlet (if 115V AC equipped) ....................... 255
Armrest ............................ 261
Floor mat .......................... 262
Luggage storage box (vehicles without sub
woofer) ........................... 263
Luggage compartment features .......................... 264
Compass .......................... 267

198
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
Air conditioning system
Adjusting the settings■ Adjusting the temperature setting
Turn the temperature control dial clockwise (warm) or counter-
clockwise (cool).
If is not pressed, the system will blow ambient temperature air or
heated air.
For quick cooling, turn the temperature control dial to the
MAX A/C
position. The air conditioning will automatically turn on and the air intake
selector will be set to recirculated air mode.
Outside air or recirculated
air mode switch
Air outlet selection dialAir conditioning
ON/OFF switch
Temperature control dial
Fan speed control dial
A/C

199
3-1. Using the air conditioning system
and defogger
3
Interior features
■Adjusting the fan speed
Turn the fan speed control dial clockwise (increase) or counter-
clockwise (decrease).
Set the dial to OFF to turn the fan off.
■ Selecting the air outlets
Set the air outlet selection di al to an appropriate position.
The positions between the air outlet selections shown below can also be
selected for more detailed adjustment.
When the dial is set to , air
flows to the upper body.
When the dial is set to , air
flows to the upper body and feet.
When the dial is set to , air
flows to the feet.

200 3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
When the dial is set to , air
flows to the feet and the wind-
shield defogger operates.
The air intake selector is automat-
ically set to outside air mode.
To return the recirculated air
mode, press
.
When the dial is set to , air
flows to the windshield and side
windows.
The air intake selector is automat-
ically set to outside air mode.
In this position, the air intake
selector cannot be changed to the
recirculated air mode.
■Switching between outside air and recirculated air modes
Press .
The mode switches between (outside air mode) and
(recirculated air mode) each ti me the switch is pressed.