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Fuel gauge
15C004
The gauge works when the ignition
switch is on and indicates the approxi-
mate quantity of fuel remaining in the
tank.
Nearly full—Needle at ”F”
Nearly empty—Needle at ”E”
It is a good idea to keep the tank over
1/4 full.
If the fuel level approaches ”E” or the low
fuel level warning light comes on, fill the
fuel tank as soon as possible.
On inclines or curves, due to the move-
ment of fuel in the tank, the fuel gauge
needle may fluctuate or the low fuel level
warning light may come on earlier than
usual.If the fuel tank is completely empty, the
malfunction indicator lamp comes on. Fill
the fuel tank immediately.
The indicator lamp goes off after driving
several times. If the indicator lamp does
not go off, contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible.
It is not a malfunction even if the needle
of the fuel gauge returns to “E” when the
ignition switch is turned to the “START”
position.The gauge indicates the engine coolant
temperature when the ignition switch is
on. The engine operating temperature
will vary with changes in weather and
engine load.
If the needle points to the red zone or
higher, stop your vehicle and allow the
engine to cool.
Your vehicle may overheat during severe
operating conditions, such as:
Driving up a long hill on a hot day.
Reducing speed or stopping after high
speed driving.
Idling for a long period with the air
conditioning on in stop and go traffic.
Towing a trailer.
Engine coolant temperature
gauge
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(e) Parking1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Pull the parking brake lever up fully to securely apply the parking brake.
3. With the brake pedal pressed down, shift the selector lever to the ”P” posi-
tion.
If the four–wheel drive control is in the
”N” position while the selector lever is in
the ”P” position, the transmission will
damage and the wheels will not lock.
CAUTION
While the vehicle is moving, never
attempt to move the selector lever
into ”P” position under any circum-
stances. Serious mechanical damage
and loss of vehicle control may re-
sult.
(f) Good driving practice
If the transmission repeatedly shifts up
and down between fourth gear and ov-
erdrive gears when climbing a gentle
slope, shift the selector lever to the ”4”
position. Be sure to shift the selector
lever to the ”D” position immediately
afterward.
When towing a trailer, in order to main-
tain engine braking efficiency, do not
use overdrive.
CAUTION
Always keep your foot on the brake
pedal while stopped with the engine
running. This prevents the vehicle
from creeping.
NOTICE
Always use the brake pedal or the
parking brake to hold the vehicle on
an upgrade. Do not attempt to hold
the vehicle using the accelerator ped-
al, as this can cause the transmission
to overheat.
(g) Driving in ”PWR” (Power) mode
In the ”PWR” mode, the transmission is
shifted up and down at a higher vehicle
speed than in the Normal mode and a
more powerful acceleration is achieved. To
set the ”PWR” mode, push in the driving
pattern selector button. The ”PWR” mode
indicator light comes on.
For ordinary driving, Toyota recommends
using the Normal mode to improve fuel
economy.
(h) If you cannot shift the selector le- ver out of ”P” position
If you cannot shift the selector lever from
the ”P” position even though the brake
pedal is depressed, use the shift lock
override button. For instructions, see ”If
you cannot shift automatic transmission
selector lever” on page 245.
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Always slow down in gusty cross-
winds. Because of its profile and
higher center of gravity, your ve-
hicle is more sensitive to side
winds than an ordinary passenger
car. Slowing down will allow you
to have better control.
When driving off road or in rugged
terrain, do not drive at excessive
speeds, jump, make sharp turns,
strike objects, etc. This may cause
loss of control or vehicle rollover
causing death or serious injury.
You are also risking expensive dam-
age to your vehicle’s suspension
and chassis.
Do not drive horizontally across
steep slopes. Driving straight up
or straight down is preferred. Your
vehicle (or any similar off road ve-
hicle) can tip over sideways much
more easily than forward or back-
ward.
Break in period
Drive gently and avoid high speeds.
Your vehicle does not need an elaborate
break in. But following a few simple tips
for the first 1600 km (1000 miles) can add
to the future economy and long life of
your vehicle:
Avoid full throttle acceleration when
starting and driving.
Avoid racing the engine.
Try to avoid hard stops during the first
300 km (200 miles).
Do not drive for a long time at any
single speed, either fast or slow.
Do not tow a trailer during the first 800
km (500 miles).
Fuel
FUEL TYPE
Your new vehicle must use only un-
leaded gasoline.
To help prevent gas station mix ups, your
Toyota has a smaller fuel tank opening.
The special nozzle on pumps with un-
leaded fuel will fit it, but the larger stan-
dard nozzle on pumps with leaded gas will
not.
At a minimum, the gasoline you use
should meet the specifications of ASTM
D4814 in the U.S.A. and CGSB 3.5 M93
in Canada.
NOTICE
Do not use leaded gasoline. Use of
leaded gasoline will cause the three
way catalytic converter to lose its ef-
fectiveness, the emission control sys-
tem to function improperly, and dam-
age to the engine. Also, this can in-
crease maintenance costs.
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STARTING AND DRIVING
Before starting the engine210
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How to start the engine 210
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. .
Tips for driving in various conditions 211
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Off road driving precautions 212
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Winter driving tips 214
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. . . . . .
Dinghy towing 215
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. . . . . . . . . .
Trailer towing 215
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. . . . . . . . . .
How to save fuel and make your vehicle last longer, too 223
. . . . . . . . .
SECTION 3
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215
Dinghy towing
Your vehicle is not designed to be
dinghy towed (with four wheels on the
ground) behind a motorhome.
NOTICE
Do not tow your vehicle with four
wheels on the ground. This may
cause serious damage to your vehicle.
Trailer towing
Your vehicle is designed primarily as a
passenger and load carrying vehicle. Tow-
ing a trailer will have an adverse effect on
handling, performance, braking, durability
and driving economy (fuel consumption,
etc.). Your safety and satisfaction depend
on the proper use of correct equipment
and cautious driving habits. For your safe-
ty and the safety of others, you must not
overload your vehicle or trailer. Ask your
local Toyota dealer for further details be-
fore towing.
WEIGHT LIMITS
Before towing, make sure the total trail-
er weight, gross combination weight,
gross vehicle weight, gross axle weight
and trailer tongue load are all within
the limits.
The total trailer weight and tongue load
can be measured with platform scales
found at a highway weighing station, build-
ing supply company, trucking company,
junk yard, etc.CAUTION
The maximum gross trailer weight
(trailer weight plus cargo weight)
must never exceed 2948 kg
(6500 lb.). If towing a trailer and
cargo weighing over 907 kg
(2000 lb.), it is necessary to use a
sway control device with sufficient
capacity. The combination of the
gross trailer weight added to the
total weight of the vehicle, occu-
pants and vehicle cargo must never
exceed a total of 5625 kg
(12400 lb.). Exceeding the maximum
weight of the trailer, the vehicle, or
the vehicle and trailer combination,
can cause an accident resulting in
serious personal injuries.
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Trailer hitch assemblies have differ-
ent weight capacities established by
the hitch manufacturer. Even though
the vehicle may be physically capa-
ble of towing a higher weight, the
operator must determine the maxi-
mum weight rating of the particular
hitch assembly and never exceed
the maximum weight rating speci-
fied for the trailer hitch. Exceeding
the maximum weight rating set by
the trailer hitch manufacturer can
cause an accident resulting in seri-
ous personal injuries.
The gross vehicle weight must not
exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR) indicated on the
Certification Label. The gross ve-
hicle weight is the sum of weights
of the unloaded vehicle, driver, pas-
sengers, luggage, hitch and trailer
tongue load. It also includes the
weight of any special equipment
installed on your vehicle.
The load on either the front or rear
axle resulting from distribution of
the gross vehicle weight on both
axles must not exceed the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) listed
on the Certification Label.
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Total trailer weight Tongue loadTongue load
Total trailer weight
100 = 9 to 11% (
∗1)
or 15% (∗2)
The trailer cargo load should be
distributed so that the tongue load
is 9 to 11% for weight carrying
hitch (
∗1) or 15% for weight distrib-
uting hitch (∗2) of the total trailer
weight, not exceeding the maximum
load of the following
Weight carrying hitch 295 kg (650 lb.)
Weight distributing hitch
442 kg (975 lb.)
Never load the trailer with more
weight in the back than in the
front. About 60% of the trailer load
should be in the front half of the
trailer and the remaining 40% in the
rear.HITCHES
If you wish to install a trailer hitch, you
should consult with your Toyota dealer.
Use only a hitch recommended by the
hitch manufacturer and the one which
conforms to the total trailer weight
requirement.
The hitch must be bolted securely to
the vehicle frame and installed accord-
ing to the hitch manufacturer ’s instruc-
tions.
The hitch ball and king pin should have
a light coat of grease.
Toyota recommends removing the trail-
er hitch whenever you are not towing
a trailer to reduce the possib ility of
additional damage caused by the hitch
if your vehicle is struck from behind.
After removing the hitch, seal any
mounting holes in the vehicle body to
prevent entry of pollutants such as ex-
haust fumes, dirt, water, etc.