2008 TOYOTA YARIS trailer

158 2-5. Driving information
Towing a trailerConsult your Toyota dealer for further information about additional
requirements such as a towing kits, etc.
■ Before towing
Check that the following conditions are met:
●Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. ( P. 345)
● Trailer tires should be inflated according to the trailer manufacturer’s rec-
ommendation.
● All trailer lights work to be legal.
● Confirm all lights work each time you connect them.
● 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.
● Make sure the trailer cargo is securely loaded.
● 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.
■ 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.
■ 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”.)
● Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approxi-
mately 600 miles (1000 km).

159
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
CAUTION
■
To avoid accident or injury
●The total trailer weight (trailer weight plus the weight of cargo) must not
exceed 700 lb. (318 kg)
● Do not exceed the trailer hitch assembly weight, gross vehicle weight,
gross axle weight and trailer tongue load capacities.
■ Hitches
Trailer hitch assemblies have different weight capacities established by the
hitch manufacturer. Even though the vehicle may be rated for towing a
higher weight, the operator must never exceed the maximum weight rating
specified for the trailer hitch.
●If you wish to install a trailer hitch, your Toyota dealer should be consulted.
● Use only a hitch that conforms to the total trailer weight requirement.
● Follow the directions supplied by the hitch manufacturer.
● Lubricate the hitch ball with a light coat of grease.
● Remove the trailer hitch whenever you are not towing a trailer to reduce
the possibility of additional damage caused by the hitch if your vehicle is
struck from behind.
■ When towing a trailer
●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.

160 2-5. Driving information
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 these in mind when towing.
● 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.
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.
■ Brakes
Toyota recommends trailers with brakes that conform to any applicable fed-
eral and state/provincial regulations.
■ 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 may damage your vehicle’s electrical system and cause a
malfunction.

161
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
●
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.
● 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.
● 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. 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.
● 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.

162 2-5. Driving information
●In order to maintain engine braking efficiency, do not use the trans-
mission in D (automatic transmission) or 5 (manual transmission).
● 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)
● 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.
● 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.

163
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
CAUTION
■
To avoid an accident
●Do not exceed 45 mph (72 km/h) or posted towing speed limit, whichever
is lower. As instability (swaying) of the towing vehicle-trailer combination
increases as speed increases, exceeding 45 mph (72 km/h) may cause
loss of control.
● 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 too frequently. This could
cause the brakes to overheat and result in reduced braking efficiency.

338
6-1. Specifications
Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.)
Dimensions and weight
*1: P175/65R14 tires
*2: P185/60R15 tires
*3: Canada only
Overall length150.6 in. (3825 mm)
Overall width66.7 in. (1695 mm)
Overall height 60.2 in. (1530 mm)
Wheelbase96.9 in. (2460 mm)
Tread
Front58.3 in. (1480 mm)*1
57.9 in. (1470 mm)*2
Rear57.9 in. (1470 mm)*1
57.5 in. (1460 mm)*2
Vehicle capacity weight
(Occupants + luggage) 845 lb. (383 kg)
Towing capacity*3
(Trailer weight + cargo)700 lb. (318 kg)

381
Alphabetical index
Uniform tire quality
grading ............................... 355
Tires Chains .................................. 151
Checking .............................. 252
If you have a flat tire ............. 310
Identification number ............ 350
Inflation pressure .......... 258, 345
Inflation pressure sensor ...... 253
Information ........................... 350
Replacing ..................... 252, 310
Rotating tires ........................ 252
Size ...................................... 345
Snow tires............................. 151
Spare tire .............................. 310
Tire pressure warningsystem........................ 252, 303
Warning light ........................ 303
Tools......................................... 310
Total load capacity .................. 150
Towing Dinghy towing ............... 164, 165
Emergency towing ................ 290
Trailer towing ................ 155, 156
Trip meter................................. 132
Turn signal lights Indicator................................ 126
Lever .................................... 126
Replacing light bulbs ............ 280
Switch ................................... 126
Wattage ................................ 346
Vanity mirrors .......................... 214
Vehicle identification number................................... 339
Warning buzzers Brake system........................ 300
Seat belt reminder ................ 303
Warning lights ABS ...................................... 301
Airbag system....................... 301 Anti-lock brake system ..........301
Brake system ........................300
Charging system ....
...............301
Driver’s seat belt ...................303
Electric power steering system ................................301
Electronic engine control system ................................301
Engine oil replacement..........303
EPS system...........................301
Front passenger occupant classification system ........... 301
Front passenger’s seat belt ...303
High engine coolant temperature ........................301
Low brake fluid ......................300
Low engine oil pressure ........301
Low fuel level ........................303
Low tire inflation pressure .....303
Low washer fluid ...................303
Malfunction ............................301
Open door .............................303
Seat belt ................................303
Seat belt pretensioner system ................................301
SRS .......................................301
SRS airbag system ...............301
Tire pressure .........................303
Tire pressure warning
system ................................303
Washer Checking ...............................250
Preparing and checking
before winter .......................151
Switch....................................142
Warning light .........................303
Washing and waxing ...............222
Weight Cargo capacity ......................147
Load limits .............................150
Weight ...................................338
Wheels ......................................262
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