TOYOTA YARIS HATCHBACK 2009 Owners Manual

158 2-5. Driving information
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how
this reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your
vehicle.
Except Canada:
Toyota does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle. Your
vehicle is not desig
ned for trailer towing.
Example on your vehicle
Cargo capacity
Total load capacity
When 2 people with the combined weight of 366 lb. (166 kg) are
riding
in your vehicle, which has a total load capacity of 845 lb. (383
kg), the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity will be
as follows:
845 lb. − 366 lb.
= 479 lb. (383 kg − 166 kg = 217 kg)
In this condition, if 3 more pass engers with the combined weight of
388 lb. (176 kg) get on , the available cargo and luggage load will be
reduced as follows:
479 lb. − 388 lb. = 91 lb. (217 kg − 176 kg = 41 kg)
As shown in the above example, if th
e number of occupants
increases, the cargo and luggage lo ad will be reduced by an amount
that equals the increased weight du e to the additional occupants. In
other words, if an increase in the number of occupants causes an
excess of the total load capacity (combined weight of occupants plus
cargo and luggage load), you must reduce the cargo and luggage on
your vehicle.

159
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
CAUTION
nThings that must not be carried in the luggage compartment
The following things may cause a fire if loaded in the luggage compart-
ment.
lReceptacles containing gasoline
lAerosol cans
nStorage precautions
lDo not place anything on the luggage cover, and do not stack anything
in the luggage compartment higher than the seatbacks.

Such items may be thrown about and possibly injure people in the
vehicle during sudden braking or in an accident.
lDo not drive with objects on top of the instrument panel.
They may interfere with the driver’s field of view or move during sharp
acceleration or turning, thus impairing the driver’s control of the vehi-
cle. In an accident they may injure the vehicle occupants.
lSecure all items in the occupant compartment, as they may shift and
injure someone during an accident or sudden braking.
lNever allow anyone to ride in the luggage compartment. It is not
designed for passengers. They should ride in their seats with their seat
belts properly fastened. Otherwise, th ey are much more likely to suffer
serious bodily injury, in the even t of sudden braking or a collision.
nCapacity and distribution
lDo not exceed the maximum axle weight rating or the total vehicle
weight rating.
lEven if the total load of occupant’s weight and the cargo load is less
than the total load capacity, do no t apply the load unevenly. Improper
loading may cause deterioration of st eering or braking control which
may cause death or serious injury.

160
2-5. Driving information
Vehicle load limits
nTotal load capacity and seating capacity
These details are also described on the tire and loading information
label.(→P. 2 6 4
)
CAUTION
nOverloading the vehicle
Do not overload the vehicle.
It may not only cause damage to the ti res, but also degrade steering and
braking ability, resulting in an accident.
Vehicle load limits include total load capacity, seating capacity,
towing capacity and cargo capacity.
n Total load capacity: 845 lb. (383 kg)
Total load capacity means the combined weight of occupants,
car

go and luggage.
n Se
ating capacity: 5 occupants (Front 2, Rear 3)
Seating capacity means the ma ximum n
umber of occupants
whose estimated average weight is 150 lb. (68 kg) per person.
Even if the number of occupants are within the seating capacity,
do no

t exceed the total load capacity.
n T
owing capacity (Canada): 700 lb. (318 kg)
Towing capacity means the maximum gross trailer weight (trailer
weigh
t plus its cargo weight) that your vehicle is able to tow.
n T
owing capacity (except Canada)
Toyota does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle.
n Cargo cap
acity
Cargo capacity may increase or decrease depending on the
weigh
t and the number of occupants.

161
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before driving
the vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a manner appropri
-
ate to the prevailing weather conditions.
n Pre-winter preparations
lUse
fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside tem -
peratures.
• Engine oil
• Engine coolant
• Washer fluid
l Have a se
rvice technician inspect the level and specific grav -
ity of battery electrolyte.
l Have the veh
icle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set
of tire chains for the front tires.
Ensure that all tires are the same size and brand, and that chains
match the size of the tires.
n Before driving the vehicle
Perform the following according to the driving conditions.
lDo
not try to forcibly open a window, scrape an outside rear
view mirror surface or move a wiper or outside rear view mir -
ror that is frozen. Pour warm water over the frozen area to
me
lt the ice. Wipe away the water immediately to prevent it
from freezing.
l T
o ensure proper operation of th e climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents
in front of the windshield.
l Remove a
ny ice that has accumu lated on the vehicle chassis.
l Pe
riodically check for and remove any excess ice or snow
that may have accumulated in the wheel well or on the
brakes.

162 2-5. Driving information
Regulations on the use of snow chains
lRegulations regarding the use of tire chains vary according to loca-
tion and type of road. Alwa
ys check local regulations before install -
ing chains.
l Use SAE Class “
S” type radial tire chains, with the exception of
radial cable chains or V-bar type chains.
• Install the chains on the front tires.
• Refer to the explanation that co
mes with the tire chains for
installation instructions.
l Re
tighten the chains after drivi ng 1/4 - 1/2 mile (0.5 - 1.0 km).
nSnow chain installation
Observe the following precautions when installing and removing chains.
l Inst
all and remove tire chains in a safe location.
lInst
all tire chains on the front tires only. Do not install tire chains on the
rear tires.
l Inst
all the tire chains on front tires as tightly as possible.
lInst
all tire chains following the instructions provided in the accompanying
instructions.
l If
wheel ornaments are used, they will be scratched by the chain band,
so remove the ornaments before putting on the chains. ( →P. 320)
nWhen driving the vehicle
Accelerate the vehicle slowly and drive at a reduced speed suit -
able to road conditions.
n When
parking the vehicle
Park the vehicle and move the shift lever to P (automatic trans -
mission) or to 1 or R (manual transmission) without setting the
p

arking brake. The parking brak e may freeze up, preventing it
from being released.

163
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
CAUTION
n
Driving with snow tires
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failing to do so may result in a loss of vehicle control and cause death or
serious injury.
l Use tires of the size specified for your vehicle.
l Maintain the recommended level of air pressure.
l Do not drive in excess of 75 mph (120 km/h) regardless of the type of
snow tires being used.
l Snow tires should be installed on all wheels.
n Driving with snow chains
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failing to do so may result in the vehicle being unable to be driven safely,
and may cause death or serious injury.
l Do not drive in excess of the speed limit specified for the tire chains being
used or 30 mph (50 km/h), whichever is lower.
l Avoid driving on bumpy road surfaces or over potholes.
l Avoid sudden turns and braking.
l Slow down sufficiently before entering a curve to ensure that vehicle con-
trol is maintained.
NOTICE
nRepairing or replacing snow tires
Request repairs of and obtain replacement snow tires from Toyota dealers or
legitimate tire retailers.
This is because the removal and attachment of snow tires affects the opera-
tion of the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters.
n Fitting tire chains
The tire pressure warning valves and transmitters may not function correctly
when tire chains are fitted.

164
2-5. Driving information
Trailer towing (except Canada)
Toyota does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle. Toy-
ota also does not recommend the installation of a tow hitch or the
use of
a tow hitch carrier of a wheelchair, scooter, bicycle, etc. Your
Toyota is not designed for trailer towing or for the use of tow hitch
mounted carriers.

165
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Trailer towing (Canada)
Your vehicle is designed primarily as a passenger-carrying vehicle,
thus towing a trailer will have an adverse effect on handling, perfor
-
mance, braking, durability, and fu el consumption. For your
safety
and the safety of others , do not overload the vehicle or trailer.
Toyota warranties do not apply to damage or
malfunction caused by
towing a trailer for commercial purposes.
n Weight limits
Confirm the total trailer weight, gross vehicle weight, gross axle
weigh

t and trailer tongue load are all within the limits.
n Gross ve
hicle weight
The gross vehicle weight must not exce
ed the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) indicated on the Certification Label. The
gross vehicle weight is the sum of weights of the unloaded vehi -
cle, driver, passengers, luggage,
hitch, and the trailer tongue
load. It also includes the weight of any special equipment
installed on your vehicle.
n Gross ax
le weight
The load on either the front or re
ar axle resulting from distribu-
tion of the gross vehicle weight on b
oth axles must not exceed
the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) listed on the Certification
Label.
Certification label

166 2-5. Driving information
Towing a trailer
Consult your Toyota dealer for further information about additional
requirements such as a towing kits, etc.
nTrailer tongue load
The trailer cargo load should be distributed so that the tongue
load is 9 to 11% of the total trailer weight, not exceeding the
maximum 70 lb. (32 kg) (Tongue load / Total trailer weight × 100
= 9 to 11%)
The total trailer weight and tongue load can be measured with
plat
form scales found at a highway weighing station, building
supply company, trucking company, junk yard, etc.
Total trailer weight
Tongue load

167
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
n
Before towing
Check that the following conditions are met:
lEnsure that your vehicle’
s tires are properly inflated. ( →P. 351)
l T
railer tires should be inflated according to the trailer manufacturer’s rec -
ommendation.
l All trailer light
s work to be legal.
l Confirm all light
s work each time you connect them.
l Check
that your vehicle remains level when a loaded or unloaded trailer
is hitched. Do not drive if the vehicle is not level, and check for improper
tongue load, overloading, worn suspension, or other possible causes.
l Make s
ure the trailer cargo is securely loaded.
lCheck
that your rear view mirrors c onform to any federal, state/provincial
or local regulations. If they do not, inst all rear view mirrors appropriate for
towing purposes.
n Break-in schedule
l T
oyota recommends that you do not use a new vehicle or a vehicle with
any new power train components (engine, transmission, differential,
wheel bearings, etc.) to tow a trailer for the first 500 miles (800 km) of
driving.
n Main
tenance
lIf you tow a trailer
, your vehicle will require more frequent maintenance
due to the additional load. (See “Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or
“Owner’s Manual Supplement”.)
l Retighten the fixing
bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approxi -
mately 600 miles (1000 km).