2009 TOYOTA MATRIX towing

344 5-1. Essential information
■Emergency towing procedure
Release the parking brake.
Shift the shift lever to N.
Turn the engine switch to the “ACC” (engine off) or “ON” (engine
running) position.
CAUTION
■Caution while towing
●Use extreme caution when towing the vehicle.
Avoid sudden starts or erratic driving maneuvers which place excessive
stress on the emergency towing eyelets and the cables or chains.
●If the engine is not running, the power assist for the brakes and steering
will not function, making steering and braking more difficult.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

5
When trouble arises
345 5-1. Essential information
Towing with a sling-type truck
Towing with a wheel-lift type truck from the front
2WD models
Release the parking brake.
NOTICE
■To prevent body damage
Do not tow with a sling-type truck, either from the front or rear.

346 5-1. Essential information
AWD models
Use a towing dolly under the rear
wheels.
Towing with a wheel-lift type truck from the rear
Automatic transmission: Use a
towing dolly under the front
wheels.
Manual transmission: We recom-
mend 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
■To 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.
■To prevent causing serious damage to the transmission (AWD models)
Never tow this vehicle from the front with the rear wheels on the ground.

5
When trouble arises
369 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Lower the vehicle.
Firmly tighten each nut two or
three times in the order shown in
the illustration.
Tightening torque:
76 ft•lbf (103 N•m, 10.5 kgf•m)
Stow the flat tire, tire jack and all tools.
Stowing the flat tire
Vehicles with aluminum wheel:
Before stowing the flat tire,
remove the center wheel orna-
ment by pushing from the
reveres side.
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5
STEP1

388
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If the vehicle becomes stuck
CAUTION
■When attempting to free a stuck vehicle
If you choose to rock the vehicle back and forth to free it, make sure the sur-
rounding area is clear, to avoid striking other vehicles, objects or persons.
The vehicle may also lunge forward or lunge back suddenly as it becomes
free. Use extreme caution.
■When shifting the shift lever
For vehicles with an automatic transmission, be careful not to shift the shift
lever with the accelerator pedal depressed.
This may lead to unexpected rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may
cause an accident and result in death or serious injury.
NOTICE
■To avoid damaging the transmission and other components
●Avoid spinning the wheels and do not rev the engine.
●If the vehicle remains stuck after trying these procedures, the vehicle may
require towing to be freed.
Carry out the following procedures if the tires spin or the vehicle
becomes stuck in mud, dirt, or snow.
Stop the engine. Set the parking brake and put the shift
lever in P (automatic transmission) or N (manual transmis-
sion).
Remove the mud, snow, or sand from around the stuck tire.
Place wood, stones or some other material to help provide
traction under the tires.
Restart the engine.
Shift the shift lever to the D or R position (automatic trans-
mission) or 1 or R position (manual transmission) and care-
fully apply the accelerator to free the vehicle.STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5

390
6-1. Specifications
Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.)
Dimensions and weights
*1: Vehicles with 1.8 L 4-cylinder (2ZR-FE) engine and vehicles with AWD
model
*2: Vehicles with 2.4 L 4-cylinder (2AZ-FE) engine of 2WD model
*3: Vehicles without double wishbone rear suspension
*4: Vehicles with double wishbone rear suspension
Overall length171.9 in. (4365 mm)
*1
173.0 in. (4395 mm)*2
Overall width 69.5 in (1765 mm)
Overall height61.0 in (1550 mm)
*3
61.4 in (1560 mm)*4
Wheelbase 102.4 in (2600 mm)
TreadFront 59.8 in (1519 mm)
Rear 59.9 in (1522 mm)
Vehicle capacity weight
(Occupants + luggage)850 lb. (385 kg)
Towing capacity
(Trailer weight + cargo weight)1500 lb. (680 kg)

431 Alphabetical index
Daytime running light
system ................................... 126
Defogger
Rear window......................... 168
Side mirror ............................ 168
Dimension ................................ 390
Dinghy towing .................. 156,157
Display
Trip meter ............................. 119
Do-it-yourself maintenance .... 279
Doors
Door glasses .......................... 51
Door lock .......................... 26, 29
Side mirrors ............................ 49
Driver's seat belt reminder
light ........................................ 355
Driving
Break-in tips ........................... 98
Correct posture....................... 63
Procedures ............................. 96
Winter driving tips ................. 144
Electric power steering........... 135
Emergency, in case of
If a warning light turns on ..... 352
If the engine will not start...... 376
If the shift lever cannot be
shifted from P ..................... 377
If the vehicle has a
discharged battery ............. 379
If the warning buzzer
sounds ............................... 352If you have a flat tire .............362
If you lose your keys .............378
If you think something is
wrong ..................................348
If your vehicle becomes
stuck ...................................388
If your vehicle needs to be
towed ..................................342
If your vehicle overheats .......385
Engine
Compartment ........................288
Engine switch ........................106
Hood......................................283
How to start the
engine .................................106
Identification number .............391
If the engine will not start ......376
Ignition switch........................106
Overheating...........................385
Engine coolant
Capacity ................................396
Checking ...............................295
Preparing and checking before
winter ..................................144
Engine coolant temperature
gauge ......................................119
Engine immobilizer system.......60
Engine oil
Capacity ................................395
Checking ...............................290
Preparing and checking before
winter ..................................144
Engine oil maintenance
data .........................................293
EPS ............................................135
Event data recorder .................350D
E

436 Alphabetical index
Tachometer............................... 119
Tail lights
Replacing light bulbs ............. 332
Switch.................................... 125
Wattage ................................. 404
Theft deterrent system
Engine immobilizer system .....60
Theft prevention labels..............62
Tie-down belts .......................... 255
Tire inflation pressure ............. 312
Tire information
Glossary ................................ 414
Size ....................................... 411
Tire identification number ...... 410
Uniform tire quality
grading ................................ 412Tires
Chains ................................... 144
Checking ............................... 303
If you have a flat tire.............. 362
Inflation pressure .................. 312
Inflation pressure sensor....... 304
Replacing .............................. 362
Rotating tires ......................... 303
Size ....................................... 400
Snow tires ............................. 144
Spare tire .............................. 362
Tonneau cover ......................... 257
Tools ......................................... 362
Total load capacity .................. 143
Towing
Dinghy towing ............... 156, 157
Trailer towing ........................ 148
TRAC ......................................... 136
Traction control ....................... 136
Trip meter ................................. 119
Turn signal lights
Replacing light bulbs ............. 332
Switch ................................... 117
Wattage................................. 404T