automatic transmission TOYOTA MATRIX 2011 E140 / 2.G Owner's Manual

165 2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
●To maintain engine braking efficiency and charging system perfor-
mance when using engine braking, do not use 5th gear (manual
transmission), or do not put the transmission in “D” (automatic
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. 433)
●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.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5

166 2-5. Driving information
●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.
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 while descending steep or long
downhill grades.
●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.
●Do not tow the vehicle with the compact spare tire installed.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4

167
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Dinghy towing (automatic transmission)
NOTICE
■To avoid serious damage to your vehicle
■To prevent causing serious damage to the transmission and Active
Torque Control 4WD system (AWD models)
Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with 4 wheels on
the ground) behind a motor home.
Do not tow your vehicle with 4 wheels on
the ground.
2WD models: Never tow this vehicle from
the rear with the front wheels on the
ground. This may cause serious damage
to the transmission.
AWD models: Never tow this vehicle with
any of the wheels on the ground. This
may cause serious damage to the trans-
mission and Active Torque Control 4WD
system.

303
3-7. Other interior features
3
Interior features
Floor mat
CAUTION
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may cause the driver's floor mat to slip, possibly interfering
with the pedals while driving. An unexpectedly high speed may result or it may
become difficult to stop the vehicle, leading to a serious accident.
■When installing the driver's floor mat
●Do not use floor mats designed for other models or different model year
vehicles, even if they are Toyota Genuine floor mats.
●Only use floor mats designed for the driver's seat.
●Always install the floor mat securely using the retaining hooks (clips) pro-
vided.
●Do not use two or more floor mats on top of each other.
●Do not place the floor mat bottom-side up or upside-down.
■Before driving
Use only floor mats designed specifically for vehicles of the same
model and model year as your vehicle. Fix them securely in place
onto the carpet.
Fix the floor mat in place using
the retaining hooks (clips) pro-
vided.
The shape of the retaining
hooks (clips) and the fixing
procedure of the floor mat for
your vehicle may differ from
those shown in the illustration.
For details, refer to the floor
mat retention clip installation
instructions supplied with the
clips.
●Check that the floor mat is securely
fixed in the right place with all the pro-
vided retaining hooks (clips). Be espe-
cially careful to perform this check after
cleaning the floor.
●With the engine stopped and the shift
lever in P (automatic transmission) or N
(manual transmission), fully depress
each pedal to the floor to make sure it
does not interfere with the floor mat.

326 4-2. Maintenance
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator pedal• Moves smoothly (without uneven
pedal effort or catching)?
Automatic transmission “Park”
mechanism• Can the vehicle be held securely
on an incline with the shift lever in
P?
Brake pedal• Moves smoothly?
• Does it have appropriate clear-
ance and correct amount of free
play?
Brakes• Not pull to one side when
applied?
• Loss of brake effectiveness?
• Spongy feeling brake pedal?
• Pedal almost touches floor?
Clutch pedal • Moves smoothly?
Head restraints• Move smoothly and lock
securely?
Indicators/buzzers • Function properly?
Lights • Do all the lights come on?
Parking brake• Moves smoothly?
• Can hold the vehicle securely on
an incline?
Seat belts• Does the seat belt system oper-
ate smoothly?
• Are the belts undamaged?
Seats• Do the seat controls operate
properly?
Steering wheel• Moves smoothly?
• Has correct free play?
• No strange noises?

336 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
CAUTION
■When raising your vehicle
Make sure to observe the following to reduce the possibility of death or seri-
ous injury.
●When using a floor jack, follow the instructions of the manual provided with
the jack.
●Do not use the jack that was supplied with your vehicle.
●Do not put any part of your body or get underneath the vehicle supported
only by the floor jack.
●Always use floor jack and/or automotive jack stands on a solid, flat, level
surface.
●Do not start the engine while the vehicle is supported by the floor jack.
●Stop the vehicle on level firm ground, firmly set the parking brake and put
the shift lever in P (automatic transmission) or R (manual transmission).
●Make sure to set the floor jack properly at the jack point.
Raising the vehicle with an improperly positioned floor jack will damage
the vehicle and may cause the vehicle to fall off the floor jack.
●Do not raise the vehicle while someone is in the vehicle.
●When raising the vehicle, do not place any objects on top of or underneath
the floor jack.
●Lift up the vehicle using a floor jack
such as the one shown in the illustra-
tion.

394 5-1. Essential information
From the rear
Automatic transmission: Use a
towing dolly under the front
wheels.
Manual transmission: We recom-
mend to use a towing dolly under
the front wheels.
When not using a towing dolly,
turn the engine switch to the
“ACC” position and shift the shift
lever to N.
Using a flat bed truck
If you use chains or cables to tie
down your vehicle, the angles
shaded in black must be 45.
Do not overly tighten the tie
downs or the vehicle may be
damaged.
■Emergency towing procedure
Release the parking brake.
Shift the shift lever to N.
Turn the engine switch to the “ACC” (engine off) or “ON” (engine
running) position.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

396 5-1. Essential information
NOTICE
■To prevent body damage when towing with a sling-type truck
Do not tow with a sling-type truck, either from the front or rear.
■To prevent causing serious damage to the transmission and Active
Torque Control 4WD system (AWD models) when towing using a
wheel-lift type truck (vehicles with an automatic transmission)
■To prevent damaging the vehicle when towing using a wheel-lift type
truck
●When raising the vehicle, ensure adequate ground clearance for towing at
the opposite end of the raised vehicle. Without adequate clearance, the
vehicle could be damaged while being towed.
●Vehicles with a manual transmission: Do not tow the vehicle when the
engine switch is in the “LOCK” position or the key is removed.
The steering lock mechanism is not strong enough to hold the front wheels
straight.
■Recreational towing (behind motor home, etc.)
Vehicles with an automatic transmission: Never dinghy tow your vehicle to
prevent causing serious damage to the Active Torque Control 4WD system
(AWD models) and transmission. (P. 167)
2WD models: Never tow this vehicle from
the rear with the front wheels on the
ground. This may cause serious damage
to the transmission. If towing from the
rear, use a towing dolly.
AWD models: Never tow this vehicle with
any of the wheels on the ground. This
may cause serious damage to the trans-
mission and Active Torque Control 4WD
system. Use a towing dolly.

402 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Stop the vehicle immediately.
The following warning indicates the possibility of damage to the vehi-
cle that may lead to an accident. Immediately stop the vehicle in a
safe place and contact your Toyota dealer.
Have the vehicle inspected immediately.
Failing to investigate the cause of the following warnings may lead to
the system operating abnormally and possibly cause an accident.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.
Warning lightWarning light/Details
Charging system warning light
Indicates a malfunction in the vehicle’s charging system.
Low engine oil pressure warning light
Indicates that the engine oil pressure is too low.
Warning lightWarning light/Details
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)Malfunction indicator lamp
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The electronic engine control system;
• The electronic throttle control system; or
• The electronic automatic transmission control system
(if equipped).
SRS warning light
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The SRS airbag system;
• The front passenger occupant classification system; or
• The seat belt pretensioner system.

5
When trouble arises
411
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If you have a flat tire
Remove the flat tire and replace it with the spare provided.
■Before jacking up the vehicle
●Stop the vehicle on a hard, flat surface.
●Set the parking brake.
●Shift the shift lever to P (automatic transmission) or R (manual
transmission).
●Stop the engine.
●Turn on the emergency flashers.
■Location of the spare tire, jack and tools
Spare tireJack
Wheel
nut
wrench
Jack
handle