trailer TOYOTA VENZA 2016 Owner's Manual

2952-5. Driving information
2
When driving
VENZA_OM_OM73030U_(U) ● 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.
● Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle’s engine may
overheat on hot days (at temper atures over 85°F [30°C]) when
driving up a long or steep grade. If the Engine coolant temperature
gauge indicates overheating, immedi ately turn off the air condition-
ing (if in use), pull your vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot.
(  P. 603)
● Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle’s and the
trailer’s wheels when parking. Ap ply the parking brake firmly, and
put the transmission in P. Avoid pa rking on a slope, but if unavoid-
able, do so only after performing the following:
Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
Have someone place wheel blo cks under both the vehicle’s
and trailer’s wheels.
When the wheel blocks are in pl ace, release the brakes slowly
until the blocks absorb the load.
Apply the parking brake firmly.
Shift into P and turn off the engine. STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 5

2962-5. Driving information
VENZA_OM_OM73030U_(U) ● When restarting after parking on a slope:
With the transmission in P, start the engine. Be sure to keep
the brake pedal pressed.
Shift into a forward gear. If reversing, shift into R.
Release the parking brake and brake pedal, and slowly pull or
back away from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply the brakes.
Have someone retrieve the blocks.■ Matching trailer ball height to trailer coupler heightSTEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
No matter which class of tow hitch
applies, for a more safe trailer hookup,
the trailer ball setup must be proper
height for the coupler on the trailer.
Coupler
Trailer ball

2972-5. Driving information
2
When driving
VENZA_OM_OM73030U_(U) ■ Before towing
Check that the following conditions are met:
● Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. (  P. 622)
● Trailer tires are inflated according to the trailer manufacturer’s recom-
mendation.
● All trailer lights work as required by law.
● All lights work each time you connect them.
● The trailer ball is set at the proper height for the coupler on the trailer.
● The trailer is level when it is hitched.
Do not drive if the trailer is not level, and check for improper tongue
weight, overloading, worn suspension, or other possible causes.
● The trailer cargo is securely loaded.
● The rear view mirrors conform to all applicable federal, state/provincial or
local regulations. If they do not, instal l rear view mirrors appropriate for
towing purposes.
■ Break-in schedule
If your vehicle is new or equipped with any new power train components
(such as an engine, transmission, differential or wheel bearing), Toyota rec-
ommends that you do not tow a trailer until the vehicle has been driven for
over 500 miles (800 km).
After the vehicle has been driven for over 500 miles (800 km), you can start
towing. However, for the next 500 miles (800 km), drive the vehicle at a
speed of less than 50 mph (80 km/h) when towing a trailer, and avoid full
throttle acceleration.

2982-5. Driving information
VENZA_OM_OM73030U_(U) ■ 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.
■ If trailer sway occurs
One or more factors (crosswinds, passing vehicles, rough roads, etc.) can
adversely affect handling of your vehicle and trailer, causing instability.
● If trailer swaying occurs:
• Firmly grip the steering wheel. Steer straight ahead.
Do not try to control trailer swaying by turning the steering wheel.
• Begin releasing the accelerator pedal immediately but very gradually to
reduce speed.
Do not increase speed. Do not apply vehicle brakes.
If you make no extreme correction with the steering or brakes, your vehicle
and trailer should stabilize.
● After the trailer swaying has stopped:
• Stop in a safe place. Get all occupants out of the vehicle.
• Check the tires of the vehicle and the trailer.
• Check the load in the trailer.
Make sure the load has not shifted.
Make sure the tongue weight is appropriate, if possible.
• Check the load in the vehicle.
Make sure the vehicle is not overloaded after occupants get in.
If you cannot find any problems, the speed at which trailer swaying occurred
is beyond the limit of your particul ar vehicle-trailer combination.
Drive at a lower speed to prevent instability. Remember that swaying of the
towing vehicle-trailer increases as speed increases.

2992-5. Driving information
2
When driving
VENZA_OM_OM73030U_(U) CAUTION■ Trailer towing precautions
To tow a trailer safely, use extreme care and drive the vehicle in accordance
with the trailer’s characteristics and operating conditions. Failure to do so
could cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury. Vehicle stability
and braking performance are affected by trailer stability, brake setting and
performance, and the hitch. Your vehicle will handle differently when towing
a trailer.
■ To avoid accident or injury
● Do not exceed the TWR, unbraked TWR, GCWR, GVWR or GAWR.
● Vehicles with a towing package: If the gross trailer weight is over 2000 lb.
(907 kg), a sway control device with sufficient capacity is required.
● Adjust the tongue weight within the appropriate range. Place heavier loads
as close to the trailer axle as possible.
● Do not exceed 65 mph (104 km/h), the posted towing speed limit or the
speed limit for your trailer as set forth in your trailer owner’s manual,
whichever is lowest. Slow down sufficiently before making a turn, in cross-
winds, on wet or slippery surface, etc. to help avoid an accident. If you
experience a vehicle-trailer instabilit y from reducing a certain speed, slow
down and make sure you keep your vehicle speed under the speed of
which you experience the instability.
● Do not make jerky, abrupt or sharp turns.
● Do not apply the brakes suddenly as you may skid, resulting in jackknifing
and loss of vehicle control. This is especially true on wet or slippery sur-
faces.
● Do not exceed the trailer hitch assembly weight, gross vehicle weight,
gross axle weight and trailer tongue weight capacities.

3002-5. Driving information
VENZA_OM_OM73030U_(U) 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.

3012-5. Driving information
2
When driving
VENZA_OM_OM73030U_(U) 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.

612
VENZA_OM_OM73030U_(U) 6-1. Specifications
Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.) Dimensions and weights
* 1
: Unladen vehicle
* 2
: 2WD models
* 3
: AWD models
* 4
: 2GR-FE engine
* 5
: 1AR-FE engineOverall length 189.0 in. (4800 mm)
Overall width 75.0 in. (1905 mm)
Overall height
* 1
63.4 in. (1610 mm)
Wheelbase 109.3 in. (2775 mm)
Tread Front 64.2 in. (1630 mm)
Rear 64.4 in. (1635 mm)
* 2
64.2 in. (1630 mm)
* 3
Vehicle capacity weight
(Occupants + luggage) 895 lb. (405 kg)
Trailer
Weight
Rating
(TWR) Without towing
package 1000 lb. (450 kg)
With towing
package 3500 lb. (1585 kg)
* 4
2500 lb. (1135 kg)
* 5

683Alphabetical index
VENZA_OM_OM73030U_(U) Switch
Driving position memory
switches ............................... 73
Emergency flasher switch .... 554
Engine switch ............... 173, 177
Fog light switch..................... 223
Ignition switch ............... 173, 177
Intuitive parking assist
switch ................................. 235
Light switches ....................... 212
Power back door .................... 56
Power door lock switch........... 51
Power window switch ............. 96
Rear window wiper and
washer switch .................... 229
Steering wheel
switches ..................... 323, 396
Talk switch
* ......................... 426
Telephone switches.............. 396
Window lock switch ................ 96
Wipers and washer switch.... 225
Tachometer .............................. 188
Tail lights
Replacing light bulbs ............ 547
Switch ................................... 212
Wattage ................................ 624
Talk switch
* ............................. 426
Telephone switches ................ 396
Theft deterrent system
Alarm .................................... 112
Engine immobilizer system... 109
Theft prevention labels ........... 116
Tire inflation pressure ............ 513
Tire pressure warning
system ................................... 507 Tire information
Glossary ................................637
Size .......................................633
Tire identification number ......632
Uniform tire quality grading ...635
Tires
Chains ...................................278
Checking ...............................506
If you have a flat tire ..............579
Inflation pressure...................513
Information ............................630
Pressure warning system ......507
Replacing ..............................579
Rotating tires .........................506
Size .......................................622
Snow tires .............................276
Spare tire...............................579
Tonneau cover .........................456
Tools .........................................579
Total load capacity...................274
Towing
Dinghy towing........................302
Emergency towing.................555
Trailer towing.........................281
TRAC .........................................256
Traction control........................256
Trailer towing ...........................281
Trip information
display ............................194, 206
Trip meter .................................188
Turn signal lights
Replacing light bulbs .....544, 547
Switch....................................185
Wattage .................................624
USB port ...................................325
Utility vehicle precautions ......264T
U
* : Refer to “NAVIGATION AND MULTIMEDIA SYSTEM OWNER’S MANUAL”.