2009 TOYOTA SEQUOIA towing

252 2-5. Driving information
■Before towing
Check that the following conditions are met:
●Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. ( P. 567)
● 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, install 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. 213)
■ Break-in schedule
If your vehicle is new or equipped with any new power train components
(such as an engine, transmission, differential and wheel bearing), Toyota
recommends that you do not tow a trailer until it has been driven for over 500
miles (800 km).
However, 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”.)
● Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approxi-
mately 600 miles (1000 km).

253
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
CAUTION
■
Trailer towing precautions
To tow a trailer safely, use extreme care and drive the vehicle in accordance
with the trailer’s characteristics and operating conditions.
The vehicle stability and braking performance are affected by trailer stability,
brake setting and performance, and the hitch.
Follow all the instructions described in this section. Failure to do so could
cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■ Weight limit precautions
●The gross trailer weight must never exceed towing capacity described in
the table above. ( P. 242)
● The gross combination weight must never exceed the GCWR in the table
above. ( P. 242)
● Exceeding the towing capacity, GVWR, GCWR or GAWR can cause an
accident resulting in death or serious injuries.
●The gross vehicle weight must never
exceed the GVWR indicated Certifica-
tion Label.
● The gross axle weight on each axle
must never exceed the GAWR indi-
cated the Certification Label.

254 2-5. Driving information
CAUTION
■Tongue load weight
●A recommended tongue load varies in accordance with the types of trail-
ers or towing as described below.
● In order to ensure the recommended values shown below, the trailer must
be loaded by referring to the following instructions.
The trailer cargo load should be distributed so that the tongue load is 9 to
11% of the gross trailer weight, not exceeding the following.
(Tongue load /Gross trailer weight x 100 = 9 to 11%)
If the gross trailer weight is over 2000 lbs. (907 kg), it is necessary to use a
sway control device with sufficient capacity.
If the gross trailer weight is over 5000 lbs. (2268 kg), it is necessary \
to use
a weight distributing hitch with sufficient capacity.
If using a weight distributing hitch when towing, keep your vehicle level
with the ground.
■ 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.
Gross trailer weight
Tongue load

255
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
CAUTION
■
To avoid accident or injury
●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.
■ Hitch
Trailer hitch assemblies have different weight capacities established by the
hitch manufacturer. Even though the vehicle may be physically capable of
towing a higher weight, the operator must determine the maximum weight
rating of the particular hitch assembly and never exceed the maximum
weight rating specified for the trailer hitch. Exceeding the maximum wei\
ght
rating set by the trailer hitch manufacturer can cause an accident resulting in
death or serious personal injuries.
■ 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.

256 2-5. Driving information
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.

257
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Dinghy towing
NOTICE
■To avoid serious damage to your vehicle
Do not tow your vehicle with four wheels on the ground.
Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with 4 wheels on
the ground) behind a motor home.

392 3-6. Using the storage features
Rear
Auxiliary boxesFront Press the knob then pull the lid
down.
NOTICE
■Items that should not be stowed in the bottle holders
Put the cap on before stowing a bottle. Do not place open bottles in the bot-
tle holders, or glasses and paper cups containing liquid. The contents may
spill and glasses may break.
Bottle holders and auxiliary boxes

488 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