TOYOTA MATRIX 2003 E130 / 1.G Owners Manual

’03 MATRIX_U (L/O 0201)
1772003 MY COROLLA MATRIX_U (OM12767U)
If either of the following conditions
occurs, this indicates a malfunction
somewhere in the parts monitored by
the warning light system. Contact your
Toyota dealer as soon as possible to
service the vehicle.
The light does not come on when the
ignition key is turned to the “ON” posi-
tion, or remains on.
The light comes on while you are driv-
ing.
A warning light turning on briefly during
operation does not indicate a problem.
CAUTION
If the “ABS” warning light remains on
together with the brake system warn-
ing light, immediately stop your ve-
hicle at a safe place and contact your
Toyota dealer.
In this case, not only the antilock
brake system will fail but also the
vehicle will become extremely unsta-
ble during braking.
DRUMINDISC TYPE PARKING BRAKE
SYSTEM (with 2ZZGE engine)
Your vehicle has a drumindisc type
parking brake system. This type of brake
system n eeds beddingdown of the brake
shoes periodically or whenever the parking
brake shoes and/or drums are replaced.
Have your Toyota dealer perform the bed-
dingdown.
The brake pad wear limit indicators on
your disc brakes give a warning noise
when the brake pads are worn to where
replacement is required.
If you hear a squealing or scraping noise
while driving, have the brake pads
checked and replaced by your Toyota
dealer as soon as possible. Expensive ro-
tor damage can result if the pads are not
replaced when necessary.
Brake pad wear limit
indicators

’03 MATRIX_U (L/O 0201)
1782003 MY COROLLA MATRIX_U (OM12767U)
When stowing luggage or cargo in the
vehicle, observe the following:
Put luggage or cargo in the luggage
compartment when at all possible. Be
sure all items are secured in place.
Be careful to keep the vehicle bal-
anced. Locating the weight as far for-
ward as possible helps maintain bal-
ance.
For better fuel economy, do not carry
unneeded weight.
CAUTION
When the rear seatbacks are in the
upright position—
To prevent luggage or packages
from sliding forward during braking,
do not stack anything in the lug-
gage compartment higher than the
seatbacks. Keep luggage or pack-
ages low, as close to the floor as
possible.
When the rear seatbacks are folded
down—
To prevent luggage or packages
from sliding forward during braking,
do not stack anything in the en-
larged luggage compartment. Keep
luggage or packages low, as close
to the floor as possible.
Never allow anyone to ride in the
luggage compartment. It is not de-
signed for passengers. They should
ride in their seats with their seat
belts properly fastened. Otherwise,
they are much more likely suffer
serious bodily injury, in the event
of sudden braking or a collision.
Do not place anything on the lug-
gage cover. Such items may be
thrown about and possibly injure
people in the vehicle during sudden
braking or an accident. Secure all
items in a safe place.
Do not drive with objects left on
top of the instrument panel. They
may interfere with the driver’s field
of view. Or they may move during
sharp vehicle acceleration or turn-
ing, and impair the driver’s control
of the vehicle. In an accident they
may injure the vehicle occupants.
NOTICE
Do not load the vehicle beyond the
vehicle capacity weight specified on
page 268 in Section 8.
Luggage stowage precautions

’03 MATRIX_U (L/O 0201)
1792003 MY COROLLA MATRIX_U (OM12767U)
The vehicle identification number (VIN)
is the legal identifier for your vehicle.
This number is on the left top of the
instrument panel, and can be seen
through the windshield from the out-
side.
This is the primary identification number
for your Toyota. It is used in registering
the ownership of your vehicle.The vehicle identification number (VIN) is
also on the Certification Regulation Label.1ZZFE engine
2ZZGE engine
Your Toyota’s identification—
—Vehicle identification
number—Engine number

’03 MATRIX_U (L/O 0201)
1802003 MY COROLLA MATRIX_U (OM12767U)
The engine number is stamped on the
engine block as shown.Your new vehicle carries theft preven-
tion labels which are approximately 56
mm (2.20 in.) by 16 mm (0.63 in.).
The purpose of these labels is to reduce
the incidence of vehicle thefts by fac
ilitat-
ing the tracing and recovery of parts from
stolen vehicles. The label is designed so
that once it is applied to a surface, any
attempt to remove it will result in destroy-
ing the integrity of the label. Transferring
these labels intact from one part to anoth-
er, will be impossible.
NOTICE
You should not attempt to remove the
theft prevention labels as it may vio-
late certain state or federal laws.
CAUTION
Do not modify the suspension/chassis
with lift kits, spacers, springs, etc. It
can cause dangerous handling charac-
teristics, resulting in loss of control.
Theft prevention labels
(except for Canada) Suspension and chassis

’03 MATRIX_U (L/O 0201)
1812003 MY COROLLA MATRIX_U (OM12767U)
Determine what kind of tires your ve-
hicle is originally equipped with.1. Summer tires
Summer tires are highspeed capab ility
tires best suited to highway driving under
dry conditions.
Since summer tires do not have the same
traction performance as snow tires, sum-
mer tires are inadequate for driving on
snowcovered or icy roads. For driving on
snowcovered or icy roads, we recom-
mend using snow tires. If installing snow
tires, be sure to replace all four tires.
2. All season tires
All season tires are designed to provide
better traction in snow and to be adequate
for driving in most winter conditions, as
well as for use all year round.
All season tires, however, do not have
adequate traction performance compared
with snow tires in heavy or loose snow.
Also, all season tires fall short in accel-
eration and handling performance
compared with summer tires in highway
driving.CAUTION
Do not mix summer and all season
tires on your vehicle as this can
cause dangerous handling charac-
teristics, resulting in loss of con-
trol.
Do not use tire other than the
manufacturer ’s designated tires, and
never mix tires or wheels of the
sizes different from the originals.
Types of tires

’03 MATRIX_U (L/O 0201)
1822003 MY COROLLA MATRIX_U (OM12767U)

’03 MATRIX_U (L/O 0201)
1832003 MY COROLLA MATRIX_U (OM12767U)
STARTING AND DRIVING
Before starting the engine184
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How to start the engine 184
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. .
Tips for driving in various conditions 185
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fourwheel driving tips 186
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. .
Winter driving tips 187
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . .
Dinghy towing 188
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . .
Trailer towing 189
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . .
How to save fuel and make your vehicle last longer 194
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 3

’03 MATRIX_U (L/O 0201)
1842003 MY COROLLA MATRIX_U (OM12767U)
1. Check the area around the vehicle be-fore entering it.
2. Adjust seat position, seatback angle, seat cushion height, head restraint
height and steering wheel angle.
3. Adjust the inside and outside rear view mirrors.
4. Lock all the side doors and back door. Close the glass hatch.
5. Fasten seat belts. 1. Apply the parking brake firmly.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and acces-
sories.
3. Manual transmission: Press the clutch
pedal to the floor and shift the trans-
mission into neutral. Hold the clutch
pedal to the floor until the engine is
started. A starter safety device will pre-
vent the starter from operating if the
clutch pedal is not fully depressed.
Automatic transmission: Put the se-
lector lever in “P”. If you need to re-
start the engine while the vehicle is
moving, put the selector lever in “N”.
A starter safety device will prevent the
starter from operating if the selector
lever is in any drive position.
4. Automatic transmission only: De-
press the brake pedal and hold it to
the floor until driving off. Before starting the engine, be sure to fol-
low the instructions in “(a) Before crank-
ing”.
Normal starting procedure
The multiport fuel injection system/sequen-
tial multiport fuel injection system in your
engine automatically controls the proper
airfuel mixture for starting. You can start
a cold or hot engine as follows:
1. With your foot off the accelerator ped- al, crank the engine by turning the key
to “START”. Release it when the en-
gine starts.
2. After the engine runs for about 10 se- conds, you are ready to drive.
If the weather is below freezing, let the
engine warm up for a few minutes before
driving.
If the engine stalls...
Simply restart it, using the correct proce-
dure given in normal starting.
If the engine will not start...
See “If your vehicle will not start” on page
198 in Section 4.
Before starting the engine How to start the engine—
(a) Before cranking
(b) Starting the engine

’03 MATRIX_U (L/O 0201)
1852003 MY COROLLA MATRIX_U (OM12767U)
NOTICE
Do not crank for more than 30 se-
conds at a time. This may overheat
the starter and wiring systems.
 Do not race a cold engine.
 If the engine becomes difficult to
start or stalls frequently, have the
engine checked immediately.
Always slow down in gusty crosswinds.
This will allow you much better control.
Drive slowly onto curbs and, if pos-
sible, at a right angle. Avoid driving
onto high, sharpedged objects and
other road hazards. Failure to do so
can lead to severe tire damage result-
ing in tire bursts.
Drive slowly when passing over bumps
or travelling on a bumpy r oad. Other-
wise the impact could cause severe
damage to the tires and/or wheels.
When parking on a hill, turn the front
wheels until they touch the curb so
that the vehicle will not roll. Apply the
parking brake, and place the transmis-
sion in “P” (automatic) or in first or
reverse (manual). If necessary, block
the wheels.
Washing your vehicle or driving through
deep water may get the brakes wet. To
see whether they are wet, check that
there is no traffic near you, and then
press the pedal lightly. If you do not
feel a normal braking force, the brakes
are probably wet. To dry them, drive
the vehicle cautiously while lightly
pressing the brake pedal with the park-
ing brake applied. If they still do not
work safely, pull to the side of the road
and call a Toyota dealer for assistance.
CAUTION
Before driving off, make sure that
the parking brake is fully released
and the parking brake reminder
light is off.
Do not leave your vehicle unat-
tended while the engine is running.
Do not rest your foot on the brake
pedal while driving. It can cause
dangerous overheating, needless
wear, and poor fuel economy.
To drive down a long or steep hill,
reduce your speed and downshift.
Remember, if you ride the brakes
excessively, they may overheat and
not work properly.
Tips for driving in various
conditions

’03 MATRIX_U (L/O 0201)
1862003 MY COROLLA MATRIX_U (OM12767U)
Be careful when accelerating, up-
shifting, downshifting or braking on
a slippery surface. Sudden accelera-
tion or engine braking, could cause
the vehicle to spin or skid.
Do not drive in excess of the speed
limit. Even if the legal speed limit
permits it, do not drive over 140
km/h (85 mph) unless your vehicle
has highspeed capability tires.
Driving over 140 km/h (85 mph) may
result in tire failure, loss of control
and possible injury. Be sure to con-
sult a tire dealer to determine
whether the tires on your vehicle
are highspeed capability tires or
not before driving at such speeds.
Do not continue normal driving
when the brakes are wet. If they are
wet, your vehicle will require a
longer stopping distance, and it
may pull to one side when the
brakes are applied. Also, the park-
ing brake will not hold the vehicle
securely.
If you need greater traction while driv-
ing on sand, mud or snow covered
roadways, use tire chains on the front
wheels.
Always check your brakes for effective-
ness immediately after driving across
sand, mud, or water.
If operating in adverse conditions
frequently, vehicle maintenance should
be increased. (See the separate
“Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or
“Owner ’s Manual Supplement”.)
CAUTION
Observe the following tire instruc-
tions. Otherwise, an accident may oc-
cur resulting in death or serious inju-
ries.
Keep your tire pressure at the prop-
er level. (See “—Checking tire pres-
sure” on page 247 in Section 72.)
Do not use tires (including snow
tires) of different brands, sizes,
construction or tread patterns. (See
“—Checking and replacing tires” on
page 248 and “—Installing snow
tires and chains” on page 250 in
Section 72.)
Do not use tires with different tread
wear. To equalize the tire wear, ro-
tate tires at the appropriate interval.
(See “—Rotating tires” on page 249
in Section 72.)
Use the manufacturer ’s recom-
mended wheels. Do not use wheels
of different sizes and types. (See
“—Replacing wheels” on page 252
in Section 72.)
NOTICE
Do not attempt to go offroad in your
Toyota. It is not designed for offroad
use.
Fourwheel driving tips
(4WD models)