trailer TOYOTA MATRIX 2010 E140 / 2.G User Guide

160 2-5. Driving information
●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 right. (This 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 one vehicle and trailer length.
●Avoid sudden braking as you may skid, resulting in jackknifing and
loss of control. This is especially true on wet or slippery surfaces.
●Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.
●Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns, and slow down before mak-
ing turns.
●Note that when making a turn, the 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 steering or brakes, your vehicle and
trailer will stabilize.
●Take care when passing other vehicles. Passing requires consider-
able distance. After passing a vehicle, do not forget the length of
your trailer, and be sure you have plenty of room before changing
lanes.

161 2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
●In order to maintain efficient engine braking and electrical charging
performance, do not use “D” (automatic transmission) or the 5th
gear (manual transmission).
●Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle's engine may
overheat on hot days (at temperatures 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. 391)
●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 place, 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 the P position (automatic transmis-
sion) or the clutch pedal (manual transmission) depressed,
start the engine. On vehicles with an automatic transmission,
be sure to keep the brake pedal pressed.
Shift into a forward gear. If reversing, shift into the R position.
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.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4

162 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 applying the brakes too
frequently. This could cause the brakes to overheat and result in reduced
braking efficiency.

396
6-1. Specifications
Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.)
Dimensions and weights
*1: Vehicles without front and rear bumper spoilers
*2: Vehicles with front and rear bumper spoilers
*3: Vehicles without double wishbone rear suspension
*4: Vehicles with double wishbone rear suspension
Overall length171.9 in. (4365 mm)
*1
173.0 in. (4395 mm)*2
Overall width 69.5 in. (1765 mm)
Overall height61.0 in. (1550 mm)
*3
61.4 in. (1560 mm)*4
Wheelbase 102.4 in. (2600 mm)
TreadFront 59.8 in. (1519 mm)
Rear 59.9 in. (1522 mm)
Vehicle capacity weight
(Occupants + luggage)850 lb. (385 kg)
Towing capacity
(Trailer weight + cargo weight)1500 lb. (680 kg)

444 Alphabetical index
Tachometer............................... 126
Tail lights
Replacing light bulbs ............. 337
Switch.................................... 132
Wattage ................................. 411
Theft deterrent system
Engine immobilizer system .....65
Theft prevention labels..............67
Tie-down belts .......................... 261
Tire inflation pressure ............. 317
Tire information
Glossary ................................ 421
Size ....................................... 418
Tire identification number ...... 417
Uniform tire quality
grading ................................ 419Tires
Chains ................................... 151
Checking ............................... 308
If you have a flat tire.............. 369
Inflation pressure .................. 317
Inflation pressure sensor....... 309
Replacing .............................. 369
Rotating tires ......................... 308
Size ....................................... 407
Snow tires ............................. 151
Spare tire .............................. 369
Tonneau cover ......................... 263
Tools ......................................... 369
Total load capacity .................. 150
Towing
Dinghy towing ............... 163, 164
Trailer towing ........................ 155
TRAC ......................................... 143
Traction control ....................... 143
Trip meter ................................. 126
Turn signal lights
Replacing light bulbs ............. 337
Switch ................................... 123
Wattage................................. 411T