2008 TOYOTA YARIS HATCHBACK manual transmission

158 2-5. Driving information
Towing a trailerConsult your Toyota dealer for further information about additional
requirements such as a towing kits, etc.
n Before towing
Check that the following conditions are met:
lEnsure that your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. ( →P. 345)
l Trailer tires should be inflated according to the trailer manufacturer’s rec-
ommendation.
l All trailer lights work to be legal.
l Confirm all lights work each time you connect them.
l Check that your 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.
l Make sure the trailer cargo is securely loaded.
l Check that your rear view mirrors conform to any federal, state/provincial
or local regulations. If they do not, install rear view mirrors appropriate for
towing purposes.
n Break-in schedule
lToyota 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.
n Maintenance
lIf 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”.)
l Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approxi-
mately 600 miles (1000 km).

161
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
l
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. (Thi s 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.
l 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.
l Avoid sudden braking as you may skid, resulting in jackknifing and
loss of control. This is especiall y true on wet or slippery surfaces.
l Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration. Vehicles with a manual
transmission, prevent excessive cl utch slippage by keeping engine
rpm low and not racing the engine. Always start out in first gear.
l Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns, and slow down before mak-
ing a turn.
l 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.
l 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.
l 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.

162 2-5. Driving information
lIn order to maintain engine braking efficiency, do not use the trans-
mission in D (automatic transmission) or 5 (manual transmission).
l Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle’s engine may
overheat on hot days (at temper atures over 85°F [30°C]) when
driving 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. 332)
l 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 (automatic transmission) or in 1 or R (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 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 1 or R (manual transmission) or P (automatic trans-
mission) and turn off the engine.
l When restarting after parking on a slope:
With the transmission in P (automatic transmission) or the
clutch pedal (manual transmission) depressed, start the
engine. On vehicles with an au tomatic 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.

165
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Dinghy towing (vehicles with a manual transmission)
Towing your vehicle with 4 wheels on the groundTo prevent damage to your vehicle, perform the following procedures
before towing.
Shift the shift lever to N.
Turn the engine switch to the ACC position.
Ensure that the audio system and other powered devices have been
turned off.
Release the parking brake.
After towing, leave the engine in idle for at least 3 minutes before
driving the vehicle.
nNecessary equipment and accessories
Specialized equipment and accessories are required for dinghy towing. Con-
tact the service branch of the motor home manufacturer regarding recom-
mended equipment.
Your vehicle can be dinghy towed in a forward direction (with 4
wheels on the ground) behind a motor home.
Dinghy towing does not elimi-
nate the possibility of damage
to your vehicle.

238 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
CAUTION
nWhen raising your vehicle
Make sure to observe the following to reduce the possibility of death or\
seri-
ous injury.
lDo not use the jack that was supplied with your vehicle.
l Do not put any part of your body or get underneath the vehicle supported
only by the floor jack.
Always use automotive jack stands or a solid, level surface.
l Do not start the engine while the vehicle is supported by the floor jack.
l Stop the vehicle on level firm ground, firmly set the parking brake and put
the shift lever in P (automatic transmission) or R (manual transmission).
l Make sure to set the floor jack properly at the jack point.
Raising the vehicle with an improperly positioned floor jack will damage
the vehicle and may cause the vehicle to fall off the floor jack.
l Do not raise the vehicle while someone is in the vehicle.
l When raising the vehicle, do not place any objects on top of or underneath
the floor jack.
lLift up the vehicle using a floor jack
such as the one shown in the illustra-
tion.

5
When trouble arises
291
5-1. Essential information
n
Emergency towin g procedure
Release the parking brake.
Put the transmission in N.
Turn the engine switch to the ACC (engine off) or ON (engine run-
ning) position.
CAUTION
n Caution while towing
lUse extreme caution when towing the vehicle.
Avoid sudden starts or erratic driving maneuvers which place excessive
stress on the emergency towing eyelet and the cables or chains.
l If the engine is not running, the power assist for the brakes and steering
will not function, making steering and braking more difficult.
NOTICE
nTo prevent causing serious dama ge to the transmission
(vehicles with an automatic transmission)
Never tow this vehicle from the rear with the front wheels on the ground.
This may cause serious damage to the transmission.
n When towing a vehicle without using a towing dolly
(vehicles with a manual transmission)
Do not tow with the key removed or in the LOCK position.

294 5-1. Essential information
Towing with a wheel lift-type truck from the rearVehicles with an automatic trans-
mission: Use a towing dolly
under the front wheels.
Vehicles with a manual transmis-
sion: We recommend to use a
towing dolly under the front
wheels.
When not using a towing dolly,
turn the engine switch to the ACC
position and shift the shift lever to
N.
NOTICE
nTo prevent damaging the vehicle
When raising the vehicle, ensure adequate ground clearance for towing at
the opposite end of the raised vehicle. Without adequate clearance, the
vehicle could be damaged while being towed.
NOTICE
nTo prevent causing serious damage to the transmission
(vehicles with an automatic transmission)
Never tow this vehicle from the rear with the front wheels on the ground.
n To prevent damaging the vehicle ( vehicles with a manual transmission)
l Do not tow the vehicle with the key removed or in the LOCK position.
The steering lock mechanism is not strong enough to hold the front wheel
straight.
l When raising the vehicle, ensure adequate ground clearance for towing at
the opposite end of the raised vehicle. Without adequate clearance, the
vehicle could be damaged while being towed.

310
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If you have a flat tire
Remove the flat tire and replace it with the spare provided.
nBefore jacking up the vehicle
lStop the vehicle on a hard, flat surface.
l Set the parking brake.
l Shift the shift lever to P (automatic transmission) or R (manual
transmission).
l Stop the engine.
l Turn on the emergency flashers.
n Location of the spare tire, jack and tools
Spare tire
Jack
Jack handle
Tie-down belt
Tool bag
(including towing
eyelet)