lights TOYOTA MATRIX 2012 E140 / 2.G Owner's Manual

140 2-3. Operating the lights and wipers
■Daytime running light system
●To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers, the headlights turn on
automatically whenever the engine is started and the parking brake is
released.
● Compared to turning on the headlights, the daytime running light system
offers greater durability and consumes less electricity, so it can help
improve fuel economy.
■ Light reminder buzzer
A buzzer sounds when the engine switch is turned OFF and the driver's door
is opened with the key removed from the engine switch while the lights are
turned on.
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than necessary when the engine is not run-
ning.

141
2-3. Operating the lights and wipers
2
When driving
Fog light switch
The fog lights improve visibility in difficult driving conditions, such
as in rain or fog. They can be turned on only when the headlights are
on low beam.
Ty p e A
Off
Front fog lights on

: If equipped

142 2-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Ty p e BOff
Front fog lights on

143
2-3. Operating the lights and wipers
2
When driving
Windshield wipers and washer
Wiper can be operated manually.
Ty p e AIntermittent wind-
shield wiper opera-
tion
Low speed wind-
shield wiper opera-
tion
High speed wind-
shield wiper opera-
tion
Temporary operation
Increases the intermittent
windshield wiper frequency*
Decreases the intermittent
windshield wiper frequency*
*:If equipped

144 2-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Wash/wipe operation
Wipers operate automatically.
Ty p e BIntermittent wind-
shield wiper opera-
tion
Low speed wind-
shield wiper opera-
tion
High speed wind-
shield wiper opera-
tion
Temporary operation
Increases the intermittent
windshield wiper frequency*
Decreases the intermittent
windshield wiper frequency*
*:If equipped

145
2-3. Operating the lights and wipers
2
When driving
■
The windshield wipers and w ashers can be operated when
The engine switch is in the “ON” position.
■ If no windshield washer fluid sprays
Check that the washer nozzles are not blocked and if there is washer fluid in
the windshield washer fluid reservoir.
NOTICE
■When the windshield is dry
Do not use the wipers, as they may damage the windshield.
■ When there is no washer fluid spray from the nozzle
Damage to the washer fluid pump may be caused if the lever is pulled
toward you and held continually.
■ When a nozzle becomes blocked
Do not try to clear it with a pin or other object. The nozzle will be damaged.
Wash/wipe operation
Wipers operate automatically.

146
2-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Rear window wiper and washer
: If equipped
Ty p e AIntermittent window
wiper operation
Normal window
wiper operation
Washer/wiper dual
operation
Wiper operates automatically.
Washer/wiper dual
operation
Wiper operates automatically.

147
2-3. Operating the lights and wipers
2
When driving
■
The rear window wiper and washer can be operated when
The engine switch is in “ON”.
NOTICE
■When the rear window is dry
Do not use the wipers, as they may damage the rear window.
■ When there is no washer fluid spray from the nozzle
Damage to the washer fluid pump may be caused if the lever is pulled
toward you and held continually.
■ When a nozzle becomes blocked
Do not try to clear it with a pin or other object. The nozzle will be damaged.
Ty p e B
Intermittent window
wiper operation
Normal window
wiper operation
Washer/wiper dual
operation
Wiper operates automatically.
Washer/wiper dual
operation
Wiper operates automatically.

172 2-5. Driving information
HitchTrailer hitch assemblies have different weight capacities. Toyota rec-
ommends the use of Toyota hitch/brac ket for your vehicle. For details,
contact your Toyota dealer.
● If you wish to install a trailer hitch, contact your Toyota dealer.
● Use only a hitch that c onforms to the gross trailer weight require-
ment of your vehicle.
● Follow the directions supplied by the hitch manufacturer.
● Lubricate the hitch ball with a light coating of grease.
● Remove the trailer hitch whenever you are not towing a trailer.
After removing the hitch, seal any mounting hole in the vehicle
body to prevent entry of any substances into the vehicle.
Positions for towing hitch receiver and hitch ball
Weight carrying ball position:
36.2 in. (920.3 mm)
Hitch receiver pin hole posi-
tion: 29.1 in. (739.4 mm)
Connecting trailer lightsPlease consult your dealer when inst alling trailer lights, as incorrect
installation may cause damage to the vehicle’s lights. Please take
care to comply with your state’ s laws when installing trailer lights.

173
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Trailer towing tips
Your vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. Help to avoid
an accident, death or serious injury, keep the following in mind when
towing:
● Speed limits for towing a trailer vary by state or province. Do not
exceed the posted towing speed limit.
● Toyota recommends that the vehicle-trailer speed limit is 65 mph
(104 km/h) on a flat, straight, dry road. Do not exceed this limit, the
posted towing speed limit or the speed limit for your trailer as set
forth in your trailer owner’s man ual, whichever is lowest. Instability
of the towing vehicle-trailer combin ation (trailer sway) increases as
speed increases. Exceeding speed limits may cause loss of con-
trol.
● Before starting out, check the trailer lights, tires and the vehicle-
trailer connections. Recheck after driving a short distance.
● Practice turning, stopping and reve rsing with the trailer attached in
an area away from traffic until you become accustomed to the feel
of the vehicle-trailer combination.
● 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 the right. (Thi s 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 o ne vehicle and trailer length.
● Avoid sudden braking as you may skid, resulting in the trailer jack-
knifing and a loss of vehicle control. This is especially true on wet
or slippery surfaces.