TOYOTA MATRIX 2009 E140 / 2.G Owners Manual

141 2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
(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. (→P. 148)
Example on your vehicle
Cargo capacity
Total load capacity
When 2 people with the combined weight of 366 lb. (166 kg) are rid-
ing in your vehicle, which has a total load capacity of 850 lb. (385 kg),
the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity will be as
follows:
850 lb. - 366 lb. = 484 lb. (385 kg -166 kg = 219 kg)
In this condition, if 3 more passengers with the combined weight of
388 lb. (176 kg) get on, the available cargo and luggage load will be
reduced as follows:
484 lb. - 388 lb. = 96 lb. (219 kg - 176 kg = 43 kg)
As shown in the above example, if the number of occupants
increases, the cargo and luggage load will be reduced by an amount
that equals the increased weight due 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.

142 2-5. Driving information
CAUTION
■Storage precautions
●To prevent cargo and luggage from sliding forward during braking, do
not stack anything in the luggage compartment. Keep cargo and lug-
gage low, as close to the floor as possible.
●Never 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, they are much more likely to suffer
death or serious bodily injury, in the event of sudden braking or a colli-
sion.
●Vehicles with the tonneau cover: Do not place anything on the tonneau
cover behind the rear seatback.
Such items may be thrown about and possibly injure people in the
vehicle during sudden braking or in an accident.
●Do 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.
●Secure all items in the occupant compartment, as they may shift and
injure someone during an accident or sudden braking.
■Capacity and distribution
●Do not exceed the maximum axle weight rating or the total vehicle
weight rating.
●Even if the total load of occupant's weight and the cargo load is less
than the total load capacity, do not apply the load unevenly.
Improper loading may cause deterioration of steering or braking con-
trol which may cause death or serious injury.

143
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Vehicle load limits
■Total load capacity and seating capacity
These details are also described on the tire and loading information
label. (→P. 312)
CAUTION
■Overloading the vehicle
Do not overload the vehicle.
It may not only cause damage to the tires, 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.
■Total load capacity: 850 lb. (385 kg)
Total load capacity means the combined weight of occupants, cargo
and luggage.
■Seating capacity: 5 occupants (Front 2, Rear 3)
Seating capacity means the maximum number of occupants whose
estimated average weight is 150 lb. (68 kg) per person.
■Towing capacity: 1500 lb. (680 kg)
■Cargo capacity
Cargo capacity may increase or decrease depending on the weight
and the number of occupants.

144
2-5. Driving information
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.
■Pre-winter preparations
●Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside tem-
peratures.
• Engine oil
• Engine coolant
• Washer fluid
●Have a service technician inspect the level and specific grav-
ity of battery electrolyte.
●Have the vehicle 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.
■Before driving the vehicle
Perform the following according to the driving conditions.
●Do not try to forcibly open a window or move a wiper that is
frozen. Pour warm water over the frozen area to melt the ice.
Wipe away the water immediately to prevent it from freezing.
●To ensure proper operation of the climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents
in front of the windshield.
●Remove any ice that has accumulated on the vehicle chassis.
●Periodically check for and remove any excess ice or snow
that may have accumulated in the wheel well or on the
brakes.

145 2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Selecting tire chains
Snow chains can be mounted on 16- and 17-inch tires. They cannot
be mounted on 18-inch tires. Use the correct snow chain size when
mounting the snow chains. Chain size is regulated for each tire size.
Side chain:
0.12 in. (3 mm) in diameter
0.39 in. (10 mm) in width
1.18 in. (30 mm) in length
Cross chain:
0.16 in. (4 mm) in diameter
0.55 in. (14 mm) in width
0.98 in. (25 mm) in length
Regulations on the use of snow chains
●Regulations regarding the use of tire chains vary according to loca-
tion and type of road. Always check local regulations before install-
ing chains.
●Install the chains on the front tires.
●Retighten the chains after driving 1/4 - 1/2 mile (0.5 - 1.0 km).
■When driving the vehicle
Accelerate the vehicle slowly and drive at a reduced speed suit-
able to road conditions.
■When parking the vehicle
Park the vehicle and move the shift lever to P (automatic trans-
mission), 1 or R (manual transmission) without setting the park-
ing brake. The parking brake may freeze up, preventing it from
being released.

146 2-5. Driving information
■Snow chain installation (vehicles with 16-inch and 17-inch tires)
Observe the following precautions when installing and removing chains.
●Install and remove tire chains in a safe location.
●Install tire chains on the front tires only. Do not install tire chains on rear
tires.
●Install tire chains following the instructions provided in the accompanying
manual.
CAUTION
■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.
●Use tires of the size specified for your vehicle.
●Maintain the recommended level of air pressure.
●Do not drive in excess of 75 mph (120 km/h), regardless of the type of
snow tires being used.
●Use snow tires on all, not just some wheels.
■Driving with tire 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.
●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.
●Avoid driving on bumpy road surfaces or over potholes.
●Avoid sudden turns and braking, as use of chains may adversely affect
vehicle handling.
●Slow down sufficiently before entering a curve to ensure that vehicle con-
trol is maintained.

147 2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
NOTICE
■Repairing 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.
■Fitting tire chains
The tire pressure warning valves and transmitters may not function correctly
when tire chains are fitted.

148
2-5. Driving information
Trailer towing
Your vehicle is designed primarily as a passenger-carrying vehicle.
Towing a trailer will have an adverse effect on handling, perfor-
mance, braking, durability, and fuel 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.
■Weight limits
Confirm that the total trailer weight, gross vehicle weight, gross
axle weight and trailer tongue load are all within the limits.
■Gross vehicle weight
The gross vehicle weight must not exceed the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) indicated on the Certification Label. The
gross vehicle weight is the sum weight of the unloaded vehicle,
driver, passengers, luggage, hitch and trailer tongue load. Also
included is the weight of any special equipment installed on your
vehicle.
■Gross axle weight
The load on either the front or rear axle resulting from distribu-
tion of the gross vehicle weight on both axles must not exceed
the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) listed on the Certification
Label.
Certification label

149 2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Towing a trailer
Contact your Toyota dealer for further information about additional
requirements such as a towing kit, etc.
Hitch
Trailer hitch assemblies have different weight capacities established
by the hitch manufacturer. Even though the vehicle may be rated for
towing a higher weight, the operator must never exceed the maxi-
mum weight rating specified for the trailer hitch.
■Trailer 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 150 lb. (68 kg). (Tongue load / Total trailer weight x
100 = 9 to 11%)
The total trailer weight and tongue load can be measured with
platform scales found at highway weighing stations, building
supply companies, trucking companies, junk yards, etc.
Total trailer weight
Tongue load

150 2-5. Driving information
■Before towing
●Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. (→P. 312)
●Trailer tires should be inflated according to the trailer manufacturer's rec-
ommendation.
●All trailer lights must work in order to be legal.
●Confirm all lights work each time you connect them.
●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.
●Make sure the trailer cargo is securely loaded.
●Check that your rear view mirrors conform to any federal, state/provincial
or local regulations. If they do not, install rear view mirrors appropriate for
towing purposes.
■Break-in schedule
Toyota recommends that you do not use a new vehicle or a vehicle with any
new power train components (engine, transmission, differential, wheel bear-
ings, etc.) to tow a trailer for the first 500 miles (800 km) of driving.
■Maintenance
●If 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”.)
●Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approxi-
mately 600 miles (1000 km) of trailer towing.