trailer TOYOTA YARIS HATCHBACK 2009 Owners Manual

118 2-1. Driving procedures
Manual transmissionWith the parking brake firmly set and the clutch pedal fully
depressed, shift the shift lever to 1.
Lightly depress the accelerator pedal at the same time as
gradually releasing the clutch pedal.
Release the parking brake.
nDriving in the rain
lDrive carefully when it is raining, because visibility will be reduced, the
windows may become fogged-up, and the road will be slippery.
l Drive
carefully when it starts to rain, because the road surface will be
especially slippery.
l Refra
in from high speeds when driving on an expressway in the rain,
because there may be a layer of water between the tires and the road
surface, preventing the steering and brakes from operating properly.
n Breaking in your new T
oyota
To extend the life of the vehicle, the following precautions are recommended
to observ
e:
l For the first 200
miles (300 km):
Avoid sudden stops.
l For the first 500
miles (800 km):
Do not tow a trailer.
l For the first 100
0 miles (1600 km):
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive continuously in the low gears.
• Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods.
n Operating your vehicle in a foreign country
Comply with the relevant vehicle registration laws and confirm the availability
of the correct fuel. ( →P. 346)
n Normal characteristics a
fter turning off the engine
Approximately five hours after the engine is turned off, you may hear sound
coming from under the
vehicle for several minutes. This is the sound of a
fuel evaporation leakage check and, it does not indicate a malfunction.

154 2-4. Using other driving systems
nCruise control can be set when
lThe shift lever is in D or 3 (vehicles with an automatic transmission).
l V
ehicle speed is above approximately 25 mph (40 km/h).
n Accelerating
The vehicle can be accelerated normally. After acceleration, the set speed
resumes.
n Automatic cruise control cancellation
The set speed is automatically canceled in any of the following situations.
l Actual
vehicle speed falls more than 10 mph (16 km/h) below the preset
vehicle speed.
At this time, the memorized set speed is not retained.
l Actual vehicle spee
d is below 25 mph (40 km/h).
n If the cruise control mai
n indicator flashes
Press the ON-OFF button to turn the cruise control off, and then reactivate
the system.
If the cruise control speed cannot be set or if the cruise control cancels
immediately after being activated, there may be a malfunction in the cruise
control system. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer.
CAUTION
n To avoid operating the cruise control by mistake
Keep the ON-OFF button off when not in use.
n Situations unsuitable for cruise control
Do not use cruise control in any of the following situations.
Doing so may result in control of the vehicle being lost and could cause seri-
ous or fatal accident.
l In heavy traffic
l On roads with sharp bends
l On winding roads
l On slippery roads, such as those covered with rain, ice or snow
l On steep hills
l When towing a trailer

158 2-5. Driving information
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how
this reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your
vehicle.
Except Canada:
Toyota does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle. Your
vehicle is not desig
ned for trailer towing.
Example on your vehicle
Cargo capacity
Total load capacity
When 2 people with the combined weight of 366 lb. (166 kg) are
riding
in your vehicle, which has a total load capacity of 845 lb. (383
kg), the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity will be
as follows:
845 lb. − 366 lb.
= 479 lb. (383 kg − 166 kg = 217 kg)
In this condition, if 3 more pass engers with the combined weight of
388 lb. (176 kg) get on , the available cargo and luggage load will be
reduced as follows:
479 lb. − 388 lb. = 91 lb. (217 kg − 176 kg = 41 kg)
As shown in the above example, if th
e number of occupants
increases, the cargo and luggage lo ad will be reduced by an amount
that equals the increased weight du e to the additional occupants. In
other words, if an increase in the number of occupants causes an
excess of the total load capacity (combined weight of occupants plus
cargo and luggage load), you must reduce the cargo and luggage on
your vehicle.

160
2-5. Driving information
Vehicle load limits
nTotal load capacity and seating capacity
These details are also described on the tire and loading information
label.(→P. 2 6 4
)
CAUTION
nOverloading the vehicle
Do not overload the vehicle.
It may not only cause damage to the ti res, but also degrade steering and
braking ability, resulting in an accident.
Vehicle load limits include total load capacity, seating capacity,
towing capacity and cargo capacity.
n Total load capacity: 845 lb. (383 kg)
Total load capacity means the combined weight of occupants,
car

go and luggage.
n Se
ating capacity: 5 occupants (Front 2, Rear 3)
Seating capacity means the ma ximum n
umber of occupants
whose estimated average weight is 150 lb. (68 kg) per person.
Even if the number of occupants are within the seating capacity,
do no

t exceed the total load capacity.
n T
owing capacity (Canada): 700 lb. (318 kg)
Towing capacity means the maximum gross trailer weight (trailer
weigh
t plus its cargo weight) that your vehicle is able to tow.
n T
owing capacity (except Canada)
Toyota does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle.
n Cargo cap
acity
Cargo capacity may increase or decrease depending on the
weigh
t and the number of occupants.

164
2-5. Driving information
Trailer towing (except Canada)
Toyota does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle. Toy-
ota also does not recommend the installation of a tow hitch or the
use of
a tow hitch carrier of a wheelchair, scooter, bicycle, etc. Your
Toyota is not designed for trailer towing or for the use of tow hitch
mounted carriers.

165
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Trailer towing (Canada)
Your vehicle is designed primarily as a passenger-carrying vehicle,
thus towing a trailer will have an adverse effect on handling, perfor
-
mance, braking, durability, and fu el consumption. For your
safety
and the safety of others , do not overload the vehicle or trailer.
Toyota warranties do not apply to damage or
malfunction caused by
towing a trailer for commercial purposes.
n Weight limits
Confirm the total trailer weight, gross vehicle weight, gross axle
weigh

t and trailer tongue load are all within the limits.
n Gross ve
hicle weight
The gross vehicle weight must not exce
ed the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) indicated on the Certification Label. The
gross vehicle weight is the sum of weights of the unloaded vehi -
cle, driver, passengers, luggage,
hitch, and the trailer tongue
load. It also includes the weight of any special equipment
installed on your vehicle.
n Gross ax
le weight
The load on either the front or re
ar axle resulting from distribu-
tion of the gross vehicle weight on b
oth axles must not exceed
the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) listed on the Certification
Label.
Certification label

166 2-5. Driving information
Towing a trailer
Consult your Toyota dealer for further information about additional
requirements such as a towing kits, etc.
nTrailer tongue load
The trailer cargo load should be distributed so that the tongue
load is 9 to 11% of the total trailer weight, not exceeding the
maximum 70 lb. (32 kg) (Tongue load / Total trailer weight × 100
= 9 to 11%)
The total trailer weight and tongue load can be measured with
plat
form scales found at a highway weighing station, building
supply company, trucking company, junk yard, etc.
Total trailer weight
Tongue load

167
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
n
Before towing
Check that the following conditions are met:
lEnsure that your vehicle’
s tires are properly inflated. ( →P. 351)
l T
railer tires should be inflated according to the trailer manufacturer’s rec -
ommendation.
l All trailer light
s work to be legal.
l Confirm all light
s work each time you connect them.
l Check
that your vehicle remains level when a loaded or unloaded trailer
is hitched. Do not drive if the vehicle is not level, and check for improper
tongue load, overloading, worn suspension, or other possible causes.
l Make s
ure the trailer cargo is securely loaded.
lCheck
that your rear view mirrors c onform to any federal, state/provincial
or local regulations. If they do not, inst all rear view mirrors appropriate for
towing purposes.
n Break-in schedule
l T
oyota recommends that you do not use a new vehicle or a vehicle with
any new power train components (engine, transmission, differential,
wheel bearings, etc.) to tow a trailer for the first 500 miles (800 km) of
driving.
n Main
tenance
lIf 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”.)
l Retighten the fixing
bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approxi -
mately 600 miles (1000 km).

168 2-5. Driving information
CAUTION
nTo avoid accident or injury
lThe total trailer weight (trailer weight plus the weight of cargo) must not
exceed 700 lb. (318 kg)
l Do not exceed the trailer hitch assembly weight, gross vehicle weight,
gross axle weight and trailer tongue load capacities.
n Hitches
Trailer hitch assemblies have different weight capacities established by the
hitch manufacturer. Even though the vehicle may be rated for towing a
higher weight, the operator must never exceed the maximum weight rating
specified for the trailer hitch.
lIf you wish to install a trailer hitch, your Toyota dealer should be consulted.
l Use only a hitch that conforms to the total trailer weight requirement.
l Follow the directions supplied by the hitch manufacturer.
l Lubricate the hitch ball with a light coat of grease.
l Remove the trailer hitch whenever y ou are not towing a trailer to reduce
the possibility of additional damage caused by the hitch if your vehicle is
struck from behind.
n When towing a trailer
lNever tap into your vehicle’s hydraulic system, as this will lower the vehi-
cle’s braking effectiveness.
l 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.

169
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Trailer towing tips
Your vehicle will handle differently
when towing a trailer. The three
main causes of vehicle-trailer ac cidents are driver error, excessive
speed and improper trailer loading. Keep these in mind when towing.
l Before st
arting out, check the trailer’s light and the vehicle-trailer
connections. Recheck after driving a short distance.
l Practice tu
rning, stopping and revers ing with the trailer attached in
an area away from traffic until y ou become accustomed to the feel
of the vehicle.
NOTICE
n 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.
n Brakes
Toyota recommends trailers with brakes that conform to any applicable fed-
eral and state/provincial regulations.
n Safety chain
A safety chain must always be used between the towing vehicle and the
trailer. Leave sufficient slack in the chain for turns. The chain should cross
under the trailer tongue to prevent the tongue from dropping to the ground in
the case that it becomes damaged or separated. For the correct safety chain
installation procedure, ask your Toyota dealer.
n Do not directly splice trailer lights
Directly splicing may damage your vehicle’s electrical system and cause a
malfunction.