2008 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER Brake

227
2−5. Driving information
2
When driving
Trailer towing
Your vehicle is designed primarily as a passengerandload car
rying vehicle. Towing a trailer will have an adverse effect on han
dling, performance, braking, durability, and fuel consumption.
For your safety and the safety of others, do not overload the vehi
cle or trailer.
To tow a trailer safely, use extreme care and drive the vehicle in
accordance with the trailer ’s characteristics and operating condi
tions.
The vehicle stability and braking performance are affected by
trailer stability, brake setting and performance, and the hitch.
Toyota warranties do not apply to damage or malfunction caused
by towing a trailer for commercial purposes.
Contact your Toyota dealer for fu rther information about additional
requirements such as a towing kits, etc.

234 2−5. Driving information
lNote 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.
lCrosswinds 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.
lTake care when passing other vehicles. Passing requires consider−
able distance. After passing a vehi
cle, do not forget the length of
your trailer, and be sure you hav e plenty of room before changing
lanes.
lIn order to maintain engine braking efficiency when driving on a
long steep downgrade, do not use overdrive. Transmission shift
range position must be in “4”, in “S” mode.
lDue to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle’s engine may
overheat on hot days (at temperatur
es over 85°F [30°C] when driv−
ing up a long or steep grade. If the engine coolant temperature
gauge indicates overheating, immediately turn off the air condition−
ing (if in use), pull your vehicle off
the road and stop in a safe spot.
( P. 488)

235
2−5. Driving information
2
When driving
lAlways place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and the trailer
wheels when parking. Apply the parking brake firmly, and put the
transmission in “P”. 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 pl
ace, release the brakes slowly
until the blocks absorb the load.
Apply the parking brake firmly.
Shift into “P” and turn off the engine.
lWhen restarting after parking on a slope:
With the transmission in the “P ” position, start the engine. Be
sure to keep the brake pedal pressed.
Shift into “3”, “2”, “1”, or “R” position (if reversing).
Release the parking brake and
brake pedal, and slowly pull or
back away from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply the brakes.
Have someone retrieve the blocks.
STEP1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 5
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4

237
2−5. Driving information
2
When driving
CAUTION
nTrailer towing precautions
lFollow all the instructions described in this section. Failure to do so could
cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
lExceeding the towing capacity, GVWR, GCWR and GAWR can cause an
accident resulting in death or serious personal injuries.
nTo avoid accident or injury
lDo 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.
lSlow down and downshift before descending steep or long downhill
grades. Do not make sudden downshifts.
lAvoid 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.
lDo not exceed the trailer hitch assembly weight, gross vehicle weight,
gross axle weight and trailer tongue load capacities.
lNever 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.
l
Do not use cruise control when you are towing.

238 2−5. Driving information
CAUTION
nHitches
lLubricate the hitch ball with a light coat of grease.
lIf using a weight distributing hitch when towing, keep your vehicle level
with the ground.
nWhen towing a trailer
lIf the gross trailer weight exceeds 1000 lb. (453 kg), trailer brakes are
required. Toyota recommends trailers with brakes that conform to all appli−
cable federal and state/provincial regulations.
lNever tap into your vehicle’s hydraulic system, as this will lower the vehi−
cle’s braking effectiveness.
lNever 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.
NOTICE
nWhen installing a trailer hitch
lUse only the position recommended by your Toyota dealer. Do not install
the trailer hitch on the bumper; this may cause body damage.
lDo not use axle−mounted hitches, as they can cause damage to the axle
housing, wheel bearings, wheels or tires.
nSafety 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.
nDo not directly splice trailer lights
Directly splicing trailer lights may damage your vehicle’s electrical system
and cause a malfunction.

367
4−2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
General maintenance
Engine compartment
Items Check points
BatteryMaintenance−free (
P. 387)
Brake fluidAt the correct level? (
P. 384)
Engine coolantAt the correct level? (
P. 382)
Engine oilAt the correct level? (
P. 377)
Exhaust systemNo fumes or strange sounds?
Power steering fluidAt the correct level? (
P. 386)
Radiator/condenser/hosesNot blocked with foreign matter?
( P. 383)
Washer fluidAt the correct level? (
P. 338)
Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be per
formed at the intervals specified
in the “Owner ’s Warranty Informa
tion Booklet”, “Owner ’s Manual Supplement”. It is recommended
that any problem you notice should be brought to the attention of
your Toyota dealer or qualified service shop for advice.

368 4−2. Maintenance
Vehicle interior
Items Check points
Accelerator pedalMoves smoothly (without uneven
pedal effort or catching)?
Automatic transmission “Park”
mechanismCan the vehicle be hold securely
on an incline with the shift lever in
“P”?
Brake pedalMoves smoothly?
Does it have appropriate clear−
ance and correct amount of free
play?
BrakesPulls to one side when applied?
Loss of brake effectiveness?
Spongy feeling brake pedal?
Pedal almost touches floor?
Head restraintsMove smoothly and lock
securely?
Indicators/buzzersFunction properly?
LightsDo all the lights come on?
Headlights aimed correctly?
Parking brakeMoves smoothly?
Can hold the vehicle securely on
an incline?
Seat beltsDoes the seat belt system oper−
ate smoothly?
Are the belts undamaged?
SeatsDo the seat controls operate
properly?
Steering wheel
Moves smoothly?
Has correct free play?
No strange noises?

371
4
Maintenance and care
4−3. Do−it−yourself maintenance
Do−it−yourself ser vice precautions
If you perform maintenance yourself, be sure to follow the correct
procedure given in these sections.
ItemsParts and tools
Battery condition (
P. 3 8 7)Warm water
Baking soda
Grease
Conventional wrench
(for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level (
P. 384)FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE
J1703 brake fluid
Rag or paper towel
Funnel (used only for adding
brake fluid)
Engine coolant level (
P. 382)“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”
or similar high quality ethylene
glycol based non−silicate, non−
amine, non−nitrite and non−borate
coolant with long−life hybrid
organic acid technology.
“Toyota Super Long Life Cool−
ant” is pre−mixed with 50% cool−
ant and 50% deionized water.
Funnel (used only for adding cool−
ant)
Engine oil level (
P. 377)“Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or
equivalent
Rag or paper towel
Funnel (used only for adding
engine oil)
Fuses (
P. 413)Fuse with same amperage ratingas original