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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/power control unit 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 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.
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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
■
Tire types
1 Summer tires
Summer tires are high-speed performance tires best suited to highway
driving under dry conditions. Since summer tires do not have the same
traction performance as snow tires, summer tires are inadequate for driv-
ing on snow-covered or icy roads. Fo r driving on snow-covered roads or
icy roads, the use of snow tires is recommended. When installing snow
tires, be sure to replace all four tires.
2 All season tires All season tires are designed to provide better traction in snow and to be
adequate for driving in most winter conditions, as well as for use year
round. All season tires, however, do not have adequate traction perfor-
mance compared with snow tires in heavy or loose snow. Also, all season
tires fall short in acceleration and handling performance compared with
summer tires in highway driving.
3 Snow tires
For driving on snow-covered roads or icy roads, we recommend using
snow tires. If you need snow tires, select tires of the same size, construc-
tion and load capacity as the originally installed tires. Since your vehicle
has radial tires as original equipment, make sure your snow tires also
have radial construction. Do not install studded tires without first checking
local regulations for possible restrictions. Snow tires should be installed on
all wheels. ( P. 166)
■ Initializing the tire pressure warning system
Initialize the tires with the tire inflation pressure adjusted to the specified
level.
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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
CAUTION
■
When inspecting or replacing tires
Observe the following precautions to prevent accidents.
Failure to do so may cause damage to parts of the drive train, as well as
dangerous handling characteristics, which may lead to fatal accidents or
injury.
●Do not mix tires of different makes, models, tread patterns or treadwear.
● Do not use tire sizes other than those recommended by Toyota.
● Do not mix radial, bias-belted, or bias-ply tires.
● Do not mix summer, all season and winter tires.
● Do not use tires that have been used on another vehicle.
Do not use tires if you do not know how they were used previously.
■ When initializing the tire pressure warning system
Do not press the tire pressure warning reset switch without first adjusting the
tire inflation pressure to the specified level. Otherwise, the tire pressure
warning light may not come on even if the tire inflation pressure is low, or it
may come on when the tire inflation pressure is actually normal.