2009 TOYOTA SEQUOIA Owners Manual

233
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a tr
ailer, 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.
Example on your vehicle
Cargo capacity
Total load capacity
When 2 people with the combined weight of A lb. (kg) are riding in
your vehicle, which has a total load capacity of B lb. (kg), the avail-
able amount of cargo and luggage load capacity will be C lb. (kg) as
follows:
B lb. (kg)  A lb. (kg) = C lb. (kg)
In this condition, if 3 more passengers with the combined weight of D
lb. (kg) get on, the available carg o and luggage load will be reduced E
lb. (kg) as follows:
C lb. (kg)  D lb. (kg) = E lb. (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 du e to the additional occupants. In
other words, if an increase in th e 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.

234 2-5. Driving information
CAUTION
■Things that must not be carried in the luggage compartment
The following things may cause a fire if loaded in the luggage compart-
ment.
●Receptacles containing gasoline
●Aerosol cans
■Storage precautions
●Do not stack anything in the luggage compartment higher than the
seatbacks.
Such items may be thrown about and possibly injure people in the
vehicle during sudden braking or in an accident.
●Do not place cargo or luggage in or on the following locations as the item
may get under the brake or accelerator pedal and prevent the pedals from
being depressed properly, block the driver’s vision, or hit the driver or pas-
sengers, causing an accident.
• Driver’s feet
• Front passenger or rear seats (when stacking items)
• Instrument panel
• Dashboard
• Auxiliary box or tray that has no lid
●
Secure all items in the occupant compartment, as they may shift and
injure someone during an accident or sudden braking.
●Never allow anyone to ride in the luggage compartment. It is not
designed for passengers. They should ride in their seats with their seat
belts properly fastened. Otherwise, th ey are much more likely to suffer
death or serious bodily injury, in the event of sudden braking or a colli-
sion.
■Capacity and distribution
●Do not exceed the maximum axle weight rating or the total vehicle
weight rating.
●Even if the total load of occupant’s weight and the cargo load is less
than the total load capacity, do not apply the load unevenly. Improper
loading may cause deterioration of steering or braking control which
may cause death or serious injury.

235
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
CAUTION
■Roof luggage carrier precautions
To use the roof rails as a roof luggag
e carrier, you must fit the roof rails
with two or more genuine Toyota cross rails or their equivalent.
When you load cargo on the roof luggage carrier, observe the following:
●Before driving, make sure the cargo is securely fastened on the roof
luggage carrier.
●Loading cargo on the r oof luggage carrier will make the center of the
vehicle gravity higher. Avoid high speeds, sudden starts, sharp turns,
sudden braking or abrupt maneuvers, otherwise it may result in loss of
control or vehicle rollover due to failure to operate this vehicle cor-
rectly.
●If driving for a long distance, on rough roads, or at high speeds, stop
the vehicle now and then during the trip to make sure the cargo
remains in its place.
●Do not exceed 150 lb. (68 kg) cargo weight on the roof luggage carrier.
■ Cross rail adjustment
Make sure the cross rails are locked securely by pushing forward and rear-
ward them.
Failure to do so may cause an unexpected accident or severe injury in the
event of emergency braking or a collision.
●Place the cargo so that its weight is
distributed evenly between the front
and rear axles.
●If loading long or wide cargo never
exceed the vehicle overall length or
width.
( P. 556)

236
2-5. Driving information
Vehicle load limits
■Total load capacity and seating capacity
These details are also described on the tire and loading information
label. (P. 473)
CAUTION
■Overloading the vehicle
Do not overload the vehicle.
It may not only cause damage to the ti res, but also degrade steering and
braking ability, resulting in an accident.
Vehicle load limits include total load capacity, seating capacity,
towing capacity and cargo capacity.
■ Total load capacity: ( P. 557)
Total load capacity means the combined weight of occupants,
cargo and luggage.
■ Seating capacity:
With separated type second seat—
7 occupants (Front 2, Rear 5)
With bench type second seat—
8 occupants (Front 2, Rear 6)
Seating capacity means the ma ximum number of occupants
whose estimated average weight is 150 lb. (68 kg) per person.
Even if the number of occupants are within the seating capacity,
do not exceed the total load capacity.
■ Towing capacity: ( P. 242, 557)
Towing capacity means the maximum gross trailer weight (trailer
weight plus its cargo weight) that your vehicle is able to tow.
■ Cargo capacity
Cargo capacity may increase or decrease depending on the
weight and the number of occupants.

237
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before driving
the vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a manner appropri-
ate to the prevailing weather conditions.
■ Pre-winter preparations
●Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside tem-
peratures.
• Engine oil
• Engine coolant
• Washer fluid
● Have a service technician inspect the level and specific grav-
ity of battery electrolyte.
● Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set
of tire chains for the rear tires.
Ensure that all tires are the same size and brand, and that chains
match the size of the tires.
■Before driving the vehicle
Perform the following according to the driving conditions.
●Do not try to forcibly open a window, scrape an outside rear
view mirror surface or move a wiper or outside rear view mir-
ror that is frozen. Pour warm water over the frozen area to
melt the ice. Wipe away the water immediately to prevent it
from freezing.
● To ensure proper operation of th e climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents
in front of the windshield.
● Remove any ice that has accumu lated on the vehicle chassis.
● Periodically check for and remove any excess ice or snow
that may have accumulated in the wheel well or on the
brakes.

238 2-5. Driving information
Selecting tire chainsUse the correct tire chain size when mounting the snow chains.
Chain size is regulated for each tire size.
Side chain
0.2 in. (5 mm) in diameter
Cross chain
0.25 in. (6.3 mm) in diameter
■When driving the vehicle
Accelerate the vehicle slowly and drive at a reduced speed suit-
able to road conditions.
■ When parking the vehicle
Park the vehicle and move the shift lever to P without setting the
parking brake. The parking brak e may freeze up, preventing it
from being released.
■ Refueling (Flex-fuel vehicles)
Observe the following precautions when switching fuels, in order
to maintain starting and driving performance.
●Do not change fuels when the fuel level is 1/4 or less.
● Always add at least 2.6 gal. (10 L) of fuel.
● After fulling up with fuel, warm up the engine or drive the vehi-
cle for at least 5 minutes or 7 miles (11 km).
● Do not accelerate rapidly immediately after refueling.

239
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Regulations on the use of snow chains
● Regulations regarding the use of tire chains vary according to loca-
tion and type of road. Always check local regu lations before install-
ing chains.
● Install the chains on the rear tires.
● Retighten the chains after drivi ng 1/4 - 1/2 mile (0.5 - 1.0 km).
■Snow chain installation
Observe the following precautions when installing and removing chains.
●Install and remove tire chains in a safe location.
● Install tire chains on the rear tires only. Do not install tire chains on the
front tires.
● Install tire chains following the instructions provided in the accompanying
instructions.
CAUTION
■Driving with snow tires
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failing to do so may result in a loss of vehicle control and cause death or
serious injury.
●Use tires of the size specified for your vehicle.
● Maintain the recommended level of air pressure.
● Do not drive in excess of 75 mph (120 km/h) regardless of the type of
snow tires being used.
● Snow tires should be installed on all wheels.
● 4WD models:
Do not mix tires of different makes, models, tread patterns or treadwear.

240 2-5. Driving information
CAUTION
■Driving with snow chains
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failing to do so may result in the vehicle being unable to be driven safely,
and may cause death or serious injury.
●Do not drive in excess of the speed limit specified for the tire chains being
used or 30 mph (50 km/h), whichever is lower.
● Avoid driving on bumpy road surfaces or over potholes.
● Avoid sudden turns and braking.
● Slow down sufficiently before entering a curve to ensure that vehicle con-
trol is maintained.
NOTICE
■Repairing or replacing snow tires
Request repairs of and obtain replac ement snow tires from Toyota deal-
ers or legitimate tire retailers.
This is because the removal and atta chment of snow tires affects the
operation of the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters.
■Fitting tire chains
The tire pressure warning valves and transmitters may not function cor-
rectly when tire chains are fitted.