wheel TOYOTA YARIS HATCHBACK 2012 Service Manual

166 2-4. Using other driving systems
CAUTION
■TRAC may not operate effectively when
Directional control and power may not be achievable while driving on slip-
pery road surfaces, even if the TRAC system is operating.
Be especially careful and drive the vehicle in conditions where stability and
power may be lost.
■ When the VSC is activated
The slip indicator flashes. Always drive carefully. Reckless driving may
cause an accident. Exercise particular care when the indicator light flashes.
■ When the TRAC/VSC syst ems are turned off
Be especially careful and drive at a speed appropriate to the road condi-
tions. Do not turn the TRAC/VSC systems off unless necessary, as these are
the systems to ensure vehicle stability and driving force by automatically
controlling braking and engine outputs.
■ Replacing tires
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may cause the ABS, VSC and TRAC systems not to function
correctly.
●Make sure that all tires are of the specified size, brand, tread pattern and
total load capacity.
● Do not use tires of noticeably different wear level.
● Make sure that the tires are inflated to the recommended tire inflation
pressure level. ( →P. 351)
Contact your Toyota dealer for further information when replacing tires or
wheels.
■ Handling of tires and the suspension
Using tires with any kind of problem or modifying the suspension will affect
the driving assist systems, and may cause a system to malfunction.

172
2-5. Driving information
Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before driving
the vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a manner appropri-
ate to the prevailing weather conditions.
■ Pre-winter preparations
●Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside tem-
peratures.
• Engine oil
• Engine coolant
• Washer fluid
● Have a service technician inspect the level and specific grav-
ity of battery electrolyte.
● Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set
of tire chains for the front tires.
Ensure that all tires are the same size and brand and that their wear
level is not noticeably different with each other. Also make sure that
chains match the size of the tires.
■Before driving the vehicle
Perform the following according to the driving conditions:
●Do not try to forcibly open a window or move a wiper that is
frozen. Pour warm water over the frozen area to melt the ice.
Wipe away the water immediately to prevent it from freezing.
● To ensure proper operation of th e climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents
in front of the windshield.
● Remove any ice that has accumu lated on the vehicle chassis.
● Periodically check for and remove any excess ice or snow
that may have accumulated in the wheel well or on the
brakes.

173
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Selecting tire chains
Use the correct tire chain size when mounting the tire chains.
Chain size is regulated for each tire size. Side chain
3 mm (0.12 in.) in diameter
Cross chain
4 mm (0.16 in.) in diameter
Regulations on the use of tire chains
Regulations regarding the use of ti re chains vary depending on loca-
tion and type of road. Always chec k local regulations before installing
chains.
■ When driving the vehicle
Accelerate the vehicle slowly and drive at a reduced speed suit-
able to the road conditions.
■ When parking the vehicle (in the winter time or in the cold
latitudes)
Park the vehicle and move the shift lever to P (vehicles with an
automatic transmission) or 1 or R (vehicles with a manual trans-
mission) without setting the parking brake. The parking brake
may freeze up, preventing it from being released. If necessary,
block the wheels to prevent in advertent sliding or creeping.

174 2-5. Driving information
■Tire chain installation
Observe the following precautions when installing and removing chains:
●Install and remove tire chains in a safe location.
● Install tire chains on the front tires only. Do not install tire chains on the
rear tires.
● Install tire chains on front tires as tightly as possible. Retighten chains
after driving 1/4 - 1/2 mile (0.5 - 1.0 km).
● Install tire chains following the instructions provided with the tire chains.
● If wheel ornaments are used, they will be scratched by the chain band,
so remove the ornaments before putting on the chains. ( →P. 317)
CAUTION
■Driving with snow tires
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in a loss of vehicle control and cause death or
serious injury.
●Use tires of the size specified.
● Maintain the recommended level of air pressure.
● Do not drive in excess of 75 mph (120 km/h), regardless of the type of
snow tires being used.
● Use snow tires on all, not just some wheels.
● Do not use tires of noticeably different wear level.

176
2-5. Driving information
Trailer towing (except 3-door models for Canada)
Toyota does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle.
Toyota also does not recommend the installation of a tow hitch or
the use of a tow hitch carrier for a wheelchair, scooter, bicycle, etc.
Your vehicle is not designed for trai ler towing or for the use of tow
hitch mounted carriers.

180 2-5. Driving information
Trailer towing tipsYour vehicle will handle differently w hen towing a trailer. In order to
avoid accident, death or serious in jury, keep the following in mind
when towing:
● Before starting out, check the trailer lights 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.
● 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. (This 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 jackknifing and
loss of control. This is especiall y true on wet or slippery surfaces.
● Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration. Vehicles with a manual
transmission, prevent excessive cl utch slippage by keeping engine
rpm low and not racing the engine. Always start out in first gear.
● Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns, and slow down before mak-
ing turn.
● Note that when making a turn, th e trailer wheels will be closer than
the vehicle wheels to the inside of the turn. Compensate by making
a larger than normal turning radius.

181
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
●
Crosswinds and rough roads will adversely affect handling of your
vehicle and trailer, causing sway . Periodically check the rear to
prepare for being passed by large trucks or buses, which may
cause your vehicle and trailer to sway. If swaying occurs, firmly grip
the steering wheel, reduce speed immediately but gradually, and
steer straight ahead. Never increase speed. If you make no
extreme correction with the stee ring or brakes, your vehicle and
trailer will stabilize.
● Take care when passing other vehicles. Passing requires consider-
able distance. After passing a vehicle, do not forget the length of
your trailer, and be sure you hav e plenty of room before changing
lanes.
● To maintain engine braking efficiency and charging system perfor-
mance when using engine braking, do not use the transmission in
D (vehicles with an automatic transmission) or 5 (vehicles with a
manual 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 high engine coolant temper-
ature warning light flashes or co mes on overheating, immediately
turn off the air conditioning (if in use), pull your vehicle off the road
and stop in a safe place. ( →P. 334)

182 2-5. Driving information
●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 (vehicles with an automatic transmission) or in 1
or R (vehicles with a 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 bloc ks 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 P (vehicles with an automatic transmission) or 1 or R
(vehicles with a manual transmission) and turn off the engine.
● When restarting after parking on a slope:
With the transmission in P (vehi cles with an automatic trans-
mission) or the clutch pedal (vehicles with a manual transmis-
sion) depressed, start the e ngine. On vehicles with an
automatic transmission, be su re to keep the brake pedal
pressed.
Shift into a forward gear. If reversing, shift into R.
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.

183
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
■
Before towing
Check that the following conditions are met:
●Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. ( →P. 351)
● Trailer tires should be inflated according to the trailer manufacturer’s rec-
ommendation.
● 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 trai\
ler.
● The 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.
● The trailer cargo is securely loaded.
● The rear view mirrors conform to any federal, state/provincial or local
regulations. If they do not, install 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 and wheel bearing), Toyota
recommends that you do not tow a trailer until it has been driven for over 500
miles (800 km).
However, avoid full throttle acceleration.
■ 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.

186 2-5. Driving information
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 use axle-mounted hitches, as they can cause damage to the axle
housing, wheel bearings, wheels or tires.
■ 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.
■ Do not directly splice trailer lights
Directly splicing trailer lights may damage your vehicle’s electrical system
and cause a malfunction.