2008 TOYOTA SEQUOIA trailer

240 2-5. Driving information
4 pin connector
Trailer towing tipsYour vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. The three
main causes of vehicle-trailer ac cidents are driver error, excessive
speed and improper trailer loading. Keep the following in mind when
towing.
● Speed limits for towing a trailer vary by state or province. Do not
exceed the posted towing speed limit.
● Before starting out, check the trailer’s light 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.

241
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
●
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.
● Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns, and slow down before mak-
ing a 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.
● 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.
● In order to maintain engine braking efficiency when driving on a
long steep downgrade, do not use the transmission in D.
Transmission shift range position must be in 5 in the S mode (6-
speed models) or in 4 in the S mode (5-speed models).
● 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 engine coolant temperature
gauge indicates overheating, immedi ately turn off the air condition-
ing (if in use), pull your vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot.
(  P. 536)

242 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. 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 and turn off the engine.
● When restarting after parking on a slope:
With the transmission in P, start the engine. Be sure to keep
the brake pedal pressed.
Shift into D or R (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.

243
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. 553)
● Trailer tires should be inflated according to the trailer manufacturer’s rec-
ommendation.
● All trailer lights work to be legal.
● All lights work each time you connect them.
● The trailer ball is set up at the proper height for the coupler on the t\
railer.
● 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 all applicable federal, state/provincial or
local regulations. If they do not, instal l rear view mirrors appropriate for
towing purposes.
● Depress TOW/HAUL button (if equipped)
■ When connecting and disconnecting a trailer
Set the electronically modulated air suspension system to MAN., or turn off
the engine, when the system is in N mode. (if equipped)
■ AVS (adaptive variable suspension system) (if equipped)
The suspension can be switched for improvement in driveability. ( P. 207)
■ Break-in schedule
●Toyota recommends that you do not use a new vehicle or a vehicle with
any new power train components (engine, transmission, differential,
wheel bearings, etc.) to tow a trailer for the first 500 miles (800 km) of
driving.
● Drive the vehicle at a speed of less than 50 mph (80 km/h) when towing a
trailer for another 500 miles (800 km/h).
● 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”.)

244 2-5. Driving information
●Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approxi-
mately 600 miles (1000 km).
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, GCWR or GAWR can cause an
accident resulting in death or serious injuries.
● To tow a trailer safely, use extreme care and drive the vehicle in accor-
dance with the trailer’s characteristics and operating conditions.
● The vehicle stability and braking performance are affected by trailer stabil-
ity, brake setting and performance, and the hitch.
■ To avoid accident or injury
●Speed limit for towing a trailer vary by state or province. Do not exceed the
posted towing speed limit.
● 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.
● 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 temporary spare tire installed.
■ Hitches
●If you wish to install a trailer hitch, contact your Toyota dealer.
● Use only a hitch that conforms to the gross trailer weight requirement.
● Follow the directions supplied by the hitch manufacturer.
● Lubricate the hitch ball with a light coat of grease.

245
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
CAUTION
■
Hitches
●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
●If the gross trailer weight exceeds 1000 lb. (453 kg), trailer brakes are
required. Toyota recommends trailers wi th brakes that conform to all appli-
cable federal and state/provincial regulations.
● 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 occurs to the coupling unit or hitch
ball, there is danger of the trailer wandering into another lane.
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 bearing, 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.

475
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Fuse layout and amperage ratings
■ Engine compartment
FuseAmpereCircuit
1 A/F 15 A Multiport fuel injection system/
sequential multiport fuel injection
system
2 HORN 10 A Horn
3 EFI NO.1 25 A Multiport fuel injection system/
sequential multiport fuel injection
system
4 IG2 MAIN 30 A INJ, MET, IGN fuses
5 L2 RR2 SEAT 30 A Power third seat
6 L1 RR2 SEAT 30 A Power third seat
7 CDS FAN 25 A Electric cooling fans
8 DEICER 20 A Windshield wiper de-icer
9 TOW TAIL 30 A Trailer lights (tail lights)
10 R2 RR2 SEAT 30 A Power third seat 11 R1 RR2 SEAT 30 A Power third seat
12 POWER NO.4 25 A Power windows

476 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
13 FOG15 A Front fog lights
14 STOP 15 AStop lights, high mounted stop-
light, vehicle stability control sys-
tem, anti-lock brake system, shift
lock system, multiport fuel injection
system/sequential multiport fuel
injection system, towing converter
15 TOW BRK 30 A Trailer brake controller
16 IMB 7.5 A Engine immobilizer system
17 AM2 7.5 A Starting system
18 TOWING 30 A Towing converter
19 ALT-S 5 A Charging system
20 TURN-HAZ 15 A Turn signal lights, emergency
flashers, towing converter
21 F/PMP 15 A No circuit
22 ETCS 10 AMultiport fuel injection system/
sequential multiport fuel injection
system, electric throttle control sys-
tem
23 MET-B 5 A Gauges and meters
24 AMP 30 AAudio system, rear view monitor,
navigation system, rear seat enter-
tainment system
25 RAD NO.1 15 A Audio system, rear view monitor,
navigation system, rear seat enter-
tainment system
26 ECU-B1 7.5 AMultiplex communication system,
Multiport fuel injection system/
sequential multiport fuel injection
system, auto anti-glare inside rear
view mirror, power outlets, power
front driver’s seat, power tilt and
power telescopic, power back door
FuseAmpereCircuit