2009 TOYOTA MATRIX tow

When driving2
95
2-1. Driving procedures .......... 96
Driving the vehicle.............. 96
Engine (ignition) switch .... 106
Automatic transmission .... 110
Manual transmission ........ 115
Turn signal lever .............. 117
Parking brake ................... 118
2-2. Instrument cluster.......... 119
Gauges and meters............. 119
Indicators and warning
lights .............................. 122
2-3. Operating the lights and
wipers ........................... 125
Headlight switch ............... 125
Fog light switch ................ 128
Windshield wipers and
washer ........................... 129
Rear window wiper and
washer ........................... 131
2-4. Using other driving
systems ........................ 132
Cruise control ................... 132
Driving assist systems ..... 1352-5. Driving information ........ 140
Cargo and luggage .......... 140
Vehicle load limits ............ 143
Winter driving tips ............ 144
Trailer towing ................... 148
Dinghy towing
(automatic
transmission) ................. 156
Dinghy towing
(manual transmission) ... 157

98 2-1. Driving procedures
Starting on a steep uphill
Automatic transmission
Firmly set the parking brake and shift the shift lever to D.
Gently depress the accelerator pedal.
Release the parking brake.
Manual transmission
With the parking brake firmly set and the clutch pedal fully
depressed, shift the shift lever to 1.
Lightly depress the accelerator pedal at the same time as
gradually releasing the clutch pedal.
Release the parking brake.
■Driving in the rain
●Drive carefully when it is raining, because visibility will be reduced, the
windows may become fogged-up, and the road will be slippery.
●Drive carefully when it starts to rain, because the road surface will be
especially slippery.
●Refrain from high speeds when driving on an expressway in the rain,
because there may be a layer of water between the tires and the road
surface, preventing the steering and brakes from operating properly.
■Breaking in your new Toyota
To extend the life of the vehicle, the following precautions are recommended
to observe:
●For the first 200 miles (300 km):
Avoid sudden stops.
●For the first 500 miles (800 km):
Do not tow a trailer.
●For the first 1000 miles (1600 km):
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive slowly with the manual transmission in a high gear.
• Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

126 2-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Turning on the high beam headlights
With the headlights on, push
the lever forward to turn on the
high beams.
Pull the lever back to the center
position to turn the high beams
off.
Pull the lever toward you to
turn on the high beams.
Release the lever to turn them off.
You can flash the high beams
with the headlights on or off.
■Daytime running light system
To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers, the headlights turn on
automatically whenever the engine is started and the parking brake is
released.
The brightness of headlights will automatically change depending on the
darkness of the surroundings. The other exterior lights and instrument panel
lights automatically turn on or off.
■Daytime running light system sensor
The sensor may not function properly if
an object is placed on the sensor, or any-
thing that blocks the sensor is affixed to
the windshield.
Doing so interferes with the sensor
detecting the level of ambient light and
may cause the daytime running light sys-
tem to malfunction.

130 2-3. Operating the lights and wipers
■The windshield wipers and washers can be operated when
The engine switch is in the “ON” position.
■Intermittent windshield wiper interval mode (if equipped)
Wiper intervals can be adjusted for intermittent operation.
■If no windshield washer fluid sprays
Check that the washer nozzles are not blocked and if there is washer fluid in
the windshield washer fluid reservoir.
NOTICE
■When the windshield is dry
Do not use the wipers, as they may damage the windshield.
■When there is no washer fluid spray from the nozzle
Damage to the washer fluid pump may be caused if the lever is pulled
toward you and held continually.
■When a nozzle becomes blocked
Do not try to clear it with a pin or other object. The nozzle will be damaged.
Decreases the intermittent windshield
wiper frequency
Increases the intermittent windshield
wiper frequency

131
2-3. Operating the lights and wipers
2
When driving
Rear window wiper and washer (if equipped)
■The rear window wiper and washer can be operated when
The engine switch is in “ON”.
NOTICE
■When the rear window is dry
Do not use the wipers, as they may damage the rear window.
■When there is no washer fluid spray from the nozzle
Damage to the washer fluid pump may be caused if the lever is pulled
toward you and held continually.
■When a nozzle becomes blocked
Do not try to clear it with a pin or other object. The nozzle will be damaged.
Intermittent window wiper
operation
Normal window wiper oper-
ation
Washer/wiper dual opera-
tion
Wiper operate automatically.
Washer/wiper dual opera-
tion
Wiper operate automatically.

133 2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
■Cruise control can be set when
●Automatic transmission:
The shift lever is in D or 3 (standard type), or in D, 4 or 5 range of S
(multi-mode type).
●Vehicle speed is above 25 mph (40 km/h).
■Accelerating
The vehicle can be accelerated normally.
■Canceling and resuming regular acceleration
Cancel
Pull the lever towards you to
cancel cruise control.
The speed setting is also can-
celed when the brakes are
applied or the clutch pedal
(manual transmission) is
depressed.
Resume
To resume cruise control and
return to the set speed, push
the lever up.

140
2-5. Driving information
Cargo and luggage
Capacity and distribution
Cargo capacity depends on the total weight of the occupants.
(Cargo capacity) = (Total load capacity) - (Total weight of occupants)
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit ⎯
(1) Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your vehi-
cle’s placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers
that will be riding in your vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from
XXX kg or XXX lbs.
(4) The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity.
For example, if the “XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will
be five 150 lb passengers in your vehicle, the amount of avail-
able cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400 - 750 (5 ×
150) = 650 lbs.)
(5) Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being
loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the
available cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.
Take notice of the following information about storage precau-
tions, cargo capacity and load.
●Stow cargo and luggage in the luggage compartment whenever
possible. Be sure all items are secured in place.
●Be careful to keep the vehicle level. Placing the weight as far for-
ward as possible helps maintain vehicle balance.
●For better fuel economy, do not carry unnecessary weight.

141 2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how
this reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of
your vehicle. (→P. 148)
Example on your vehicle
Cargo capacity
Total load capacity
When 2 people with the combined weight of 366 lb. (166 kg) are rid-
ing in your vehicle, which has a total load capacity of 850 lb. (385 kg),
the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity will be as
follows:
850 lb. - 366 lb. = 484 lb. (385 kg -166 kg = 219 kg)
In this condition, if 3 more passengers with the combined weight of
388 lb. (176 kg) get on, the available cargo and luggage load will be
reduced as follows:
484 lb. - 388 lb. = 96 lb. (219 kg - 176 kg = 43 kg)
As shown in the above example, if the number of occupants
increases, the cargo and luggage load will be reduced by an amount
that equals the increased weight due to the additional occupants. In
other words, if an increase in the number of occupants causes an
excess of the total load capacity (combined weight of occupants plus
cargo and luggage load), you must reduce the cargo and luggage on
your vehicle.