towing TOYOTA VENZA 2015 (in English) Owner's Manual

300 2-5. Driving information
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CAUTION
■To avoid accident or injury
●Do not use cruise control when towing.
● Slow down and downshift before descending steep or long downhill
grades. Do not make sudden downshifts while descending steep or long
downhill grades.
● Vehicle-trailer instability is more likely on steep long downhills. Before
descending steep or long downhill grades, slow down and downshift. Do
not make sudden downshifts when 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 a trailer when the compact spare tire is installed on your vehi-
cle.
■ Hitch
Trailer hitch assemblies have different weight capacities established by the
hitch manufacturer. Even though the vehicle may be physically capable of
towing a higher weight, the operator must determine the maximum weight
rating of the particular hitch assembly and never exceed the maximum
weight rating specified for the trailer-hitch. Exceeding the maximum weight
rating set by the trailer-hitch manufacturer can cause an accident resulting in
death or serious personal injuries.

301
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
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CAUTION
■
When towing a trailer
Toyota recommends trailers with brak es that conform to any applicable fed-
eral and state/provincial regulations.
● If the gross trailer weight exceeds unbraked TWR, trailer brakes are
required. Toyota recommends trailers wit h brakes that conform to all appli-
cable federal and state/provincial regulations.
● Never tap into your vehicle’s hydraulic system, as this will lower the vehi-
cle’s braking effectiveness.
● Never tow a trailer without using a safety chain securely attached to both
the trailer and the vehicle. If damage occurs to the coupling unit or hitch
ball, there is danger of the trailer wandering into another lane.
NOTICE
■When installing a trailer hitch
Use only the position recommended by your Toyota dealer. Do not install the
trailer hitch on the bumper; this may cause body damage.
■ Do not directly splice trailer lights
Do not directly splice trailer lights. Directly splicing trailer lights may damage
your vehicle’s electrical system and cause a malfunction.

302
2-5. Driving information
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Dinghy towing
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 four
wheels on the ground) behind a motor home.
Do not tow your vehicle with four 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.

441
3-4. Using the
storage features
3
Interior features
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Bottle holders
For front seats
For rear seats
NOTICE
■Items that should not be stowed in the bottle holders
Put the cap on before stowing a bottle. Do not place open bottles in the bot-
tle holders, or glasses and paper cups containing liquid. The contents may
spill and glasses may break.
Bottle holders

496 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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■Engine oil consumption
A certain amount of engine oil will be consumed while driving. In the follow-
ing situations, oil consumption may increase, and engine oil may need to be
refilled in between oil maintenance intervals.
●When the engine is new, for example directly after purchasing the vehicle
or after replacing the engine
● If low quality oil or oil of an inappropriate viscosity is used
● When driving at high engine speeds or with a heavy load, when towing,
or when driving while accelerating or decelerating frequently
● When leaving the engine idling for a long time, or when driving frequently
through heavy traffic
CAUTION
■Used engine oil
●Used engine oil contains potentially harmful contaminants which may
cause skin disorders such as inflammation or skin cancer, so care should
be taken to avoid prolonged and repeated contact. To remove used engine
oil from your skin, wash thoroughly with soap and water.
● Dispose of used oil and filters only in a safe and acceptable manner. Do
not dispose of used oil and filters in household trash, in sewers or onto the
ground.
Call your Toyota dealer, service station or auto parts store for information
concerning recycling or disposal.
● Do not leave used engine oil within the reach of children.

5
When trouble arises
555
5-1. Essential information
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If your vehicle needs to be towed
Situations needs to contact dealers before towingThe following may indicate a problem with your transmission. Contact
your Toyota dealer or commercial towing service before towing.
● The engine is running, but the vehicle will not move.
● The vehicle makes an abnormal sound.
If towing is necessary, we recommend having your vehicle towed by
your Toyota dealer or commerci al towing service, using a lift-type
truck or a flatbed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all to wing, and abide by all state/pro-
vincial and local laws.
2WD models
If towing your vehicle with a wheel-lift type truck from the front,
the vehicle’s rear wheels and ax les must be in good conditions.
(  P. 556, 558)
If they are damaged, use a towing dolly or flatbed truck.
AWD models
If towing your vehicle with a wheel-lift type truck, use a towing
dolly. ( P. 556, 558)

556 5-1. Essential information
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Towing with a sling-type truckDo not tow with a sling-type truck
to prevent body damage.
Towing with a wheel lift-type truckFrom the front (2WD models) Release the parking brake.
From the front (AWD models) Use a towing dolly under the rear
wheels.

5
When trouble arises
557
5-1. Essential information
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From the rear
Use a towing dolly under the
front wheels.
Using a flatbed 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.
■ While towing
If the engine is not running, the power assist for the brakes and steering will
not function, making steering and braking more difficult.
■ Wheel nut wrench
Wheel nut wrench is installed in your luggage compartment. ( P. 579)

558 5-1. Essential information
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CAUTION
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When towing the vehicle
2WD models
AWD models
Be sure to transport the vehicle with the
front wheels raised or with all four wheels
raised off the ground. If the vehicle is
towed with the front wheels contacting the
ground, the drivetrain and related parts
may be damaged.
Be sure to transport the vehicle with all
four wheels raised off the ground. If the
vehicle is towed with the tires contacting
the ground, the drivetrain or related parts
may be damaged, the vehicle may fly off
the truck.

5
When trouble arises
559
5-1. Essential information
VENZA_OM_OM73023U_(U)
CAUTION
■
While towing
●When towing using cables or chains, avoid sudden starts, etc. which place
excessive stress on the towing eyelets, cables or chains. The towing eye-
lets, cables or chains may become damaged, broken debris may hit peo-
ple and cause serious damage.
● Vehicles with smart key system:
Do not turn the “ENGINE START STOP” switch off.
There is a possibility that the steering wheel is locked and cannot be oper-
ated.
Vehicles without smart key system:
Do not turn the engine switch to the “LOCK” position.
There is a possibility that the steering wheel is locked and cannot be oper-
ated.