trailer TOYOTA YARIS HATCHBACK 2013 User Guide

180 2-5. Driving information
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Trailer towing tipsYour vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. In order to
avoid accident, death or serious injury, 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 reversing 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 one vehicle and trailer length.
● Avoid sudden braking as you may skid, resulting in jackknifing and
loss of control. This is especially true on wet or slippery surfaces.
● Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration. Vehicles with a manual
transmission, prevent excessive clutch 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, the trailer wheels will be closer than
the vehicle wheels to the inside of the turn. Compensate by making
a larger than normal turning radius.

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●
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 steering 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 have 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 comes 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)

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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 blocks 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 (vehicles with an automatic trans-
mission) or the clutch pedal (vehicles with a manual transmis-
sion) depressed, start the engine. On vehicles with an
automatic transmission, be sure 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.

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■
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 accordin g 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 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 any federal, state/provincial or local
regulations. If they do not, install r ear 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.

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CAUTION
■Trailer towing precautions
● Follow all the instructions described in this section. Failure to do so could
cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
● Exceeding the towing capacity, GVWR or GAWR can cause an accident
resulting in death or serious personal injuries.
■ To avoid accident or injury
● Do not exceed 45 mph (72 km/h) or the posted towing speed limit, which-
ever is lower. As instability (swaying) of the towing vehicle-trailer combina-
tion increases as speed increases, exceeding 45 mph (72 km/h) may
cause loss of control.
● Do not exceed the trailer hitch assembly weight, gross vehicle weight,
gross axle weight and trailer tongue load capacities.
● Never load more weight in the back than in the front of the trailer. About
60% of the load should be in the front half of the trailer, and the remaining
40% in the rear.
● Do not use cruise control when you are towing.
● Slow down and downshift before descending steep or long downhill
grades. Do not make sudden downshifts while 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 the vehicle with the compact spare tire installed.

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CAUTION
■
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.
●If you wish to install a trailer hitch, contact your Toyota dealer.
● Use only a hitch that conforms to the gross trailer weight requirement.
● The towing capacity of 700 lb. (315 kg) can only be guaranteed when
using a genuine Toyota hitch assembly or equivalent.
● Follow the directions supplied by the hitch manufacturer.
● Lubricate the hitch ball with a light coat 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.
■ When towing a trailer
●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 oc curs to the coupling unit or hitch
ball, there is danger of the trailer wandering into another lane.

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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.

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6-1. Specifications
Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.)
Dimensions and weights
*1: Unladen vehicles
*2: P175/65R15 tires
*3: P195/50R16 tires
*4: Canada only
Overall length153.5 in. (3900 mm)*2
154.7 in. (3930 mm)*3
Overall width
66.7 in. (1695 mm)
Overall height*159.4 in. (1510 mm)
Wheelbase98.8 in. (2510 mm)
Tread
Front58.5 in. (1485 mm)*2
57.5 in. (1460 mm)*3
Rear57.9 in. (1470 mm)*2
56.9 in. (1445 mm)*3
Vehicle capacity weight
(Occupants + luggage) 845 lb. (380 kg)
Towing capacity*4
(Trailer weight + cargo)700 lb. (315 kg)

394 Alphabetical index
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TiresChains ...................................172
Checking ............................... 254
If you have a flat tire..............315
Identification number .............356
Inflation pressure...........262, 351
Inflation pressure sensor .......255
Information ............................ 356
Replacing ......................254, 315
Rotating tires .........................254
Size .......................................351
Snow tires .............................172
Spare tire............................... 315
Tire pressure warning system ........................255, 307
Warning light .........................307
Tools ......................................... 315
Total load capacity...................171
Towing Dinghy towing................ 187, 188
Emergency towing.................297
Trailer towing.................176, 177
Trip meter .................................141
Turn signal lights Indicator ................................136
Lever ..................................... 130
Replacing light bulbs .............287
Switch....................................130
Wattage .................................352
Vanity mirrors........................... 209
Vehicle data recordings ............21
Vehicle identification number ...................................343
Vehicle stability control........... 162
VSC............................................ 162 Warning buzzers
Brake system ........................ 305
Seat belt reminder................. 307
Warning lights ABS ....................................... 306
Airbag system ....................... 306
Anti-lock brake system .......... 306
Brake system ........................ 305
Charging system ................... 306
Cruise control ........................ 306
Driver’s seat belt ................... 307
Electric power steering system ................................ 306
Electronic engine control system ................................ 306
Engine oil replacement ......... 307
EPS system .......................... 306
Front passenger occupant classification system ........... 306
Front passenger’s seat belt ...................................... 307
High engine coolant temperature ........................ 306
Low brake fluid ...................... 305
Low engine oil pressure ........ 306
Low tire inflation pressure ..... 307
Low washer fluid ................... 307
Malfunction............................ 306
Open door ............................. 307
Seat belt ................................ 307
Seat belt pretensioner system ................................ 306
Slip ........................................ 306
SRS....................................... 306
SRS airbag system ............... 306
Tire pressure ......................... 307
Tire pressure warning system ................................ 307
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