2009 TOYOTA SIENNA Owners Manual

233
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Trailer towing tips
Your vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. The 3 main
causes of vehicle-trailer accidents are driver error, excessive speed
and improper trailer loading. Keep the following in mind when towing.
● Before starting out, check the trailer lights 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.
● Do not use axle-mounted hitches, as they can cause damage to the axle
housing, wheel bearings, wheels or tires.
■ Brakes
Toyota recommends trailers with brakes that conform to all 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 trailer lights may damage your vehicle's electrical system
and cause a malfunction.

234 2-5. Driving information
●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 right. (This 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.
● Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns, and slow down before mak-
ing turns.
● 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 v ehicles. Passing requires consider-
able distance. After passing a vehi cle, do not forget the length of
your trailer, and be sure you hav e plenty of room before changing
lanes.
● In order to maintain efficient engine braking and electrical charging
performance, do not use overdrive.

235
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
●
Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle's engine may
overheat on hot days (at temperatures over 85°F [30°C]) when
driving up a long or steep grade. If the engine coolant temperature
gauge indicates overheating, immedi ately turn off the air condition-
ing (if in use), pull your vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot.
(  P. 536)
● 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. 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 blocks under both the vehicle and
trailer wheels.
When the wheel blocks are in pl ace, release the brakes slowly
until the blocks absorb the load.
Apply the parking brake firmly.
Shift into P and turn off the engine.
● When restarting after parking on a slope:
With the transmission in P, start the engine. Be sure to keep
the brake pedal pressed.
Shift into a forward gear. If reversing, shift into R.
Release the parking brake and brake pedal, and slowly pull or
back away from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply the brakes.
Have someone retrieve the blocks.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4

236 2-5. Driving information
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 applying the brakes too
frequently. This could cause the brakes to overheat and result in reduced
braking efficiency.

237
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.

238
3-1. Using the air conditioning system
and defogger ................ 240
Front manual air conditioning system ....... 240
Front automatic air conditioning system ....... 246
Rear manual air conditioning system ....... 253
Rear automatic air conditioning system ....... 256
Rear window and outside rear view mirror defoggers,
and windshield wiper
de-icer ............................ 260
3-2. Using the audio system .......................... 262
Audio system types .......... 262
Using the radio ................. 265
Using the CD player ......... 271
Playing back MP3 and WMA discs ..................... 279
Optimal use of the audio system ........................... 287
Using the AUX adapter .... 291
Using the steering wheel audio switches ............... 292 3-3. Using the rear audio
system .......................... 296
Rear seat entertainment system features ............. 296
Using the DVD player (DVD video) ................... 303
Using the DVD player (video CD)...................... 312
Using the DVD player (audio CD/CD text) ........ 315
Using the DVD player (MP3 discs) .................... 316
Using the video mode ...... 318
Changing the initial setting ............................ 320
3-4. Using the hands-free phone system
(for cellular phone) ...... 327
Hands-free phone system (for cellular phone)
features .......................... 327
Using the hands-free phone system
(for cellular phone) ......... 331
Making a phone call ......... 339
Setting a cellular phone ... 345
Security and system setup .............................. 350
Interior features3

Interior features3
239
Using the phone book ...... 353
3-5. Using the interior lights ............................. 361
Interior lights list ............... 361
• Personal/interior light main switch .................... 362
• Personal/interior lights ... 362
• Luggage compartment
light ................................ 363
3-6. Using the storage features ......................... 364
List of storage features .... 364
• Glove box....................... 365
• Console box ................... 365
• Coin holder .................... 369
• Cup holders ................... 370
• Bottle holders ................. 374
• Auxiliary boxes............... 375
• Trays .............................. 380
• Note pad holder ............. 381 3-7. Other interior features ... 383
Sun visors ........................ 383
Vanity mirrors ................... 384
Clock ................................ 385
Conversation mirror ......... 386
Power outlets ................... 387
Seat heaters..................... 390
Armrests........................... 392
Rear side sunshades ....... 393
Grocery bag hooks........... 394
Coat hooks ....................... 396
Seatback tables ............... 397
Front seat side table ........ 399
Floor mat .......................... 401
Luggage compartment features .......................... 402
Garage door opener......... 405
Garage door opener box ................................. 410
Compass .......................... 413

240
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
Front manual air conditioning system (if equipped)
Adjusting the settings
■ Adjusting the temperature setting
Turn the temperature control dial clockwise (warm) or counter-
clockwise (cool).
If is not pressed, the system will blow ambient temperature air or
heated air.
For quick cooling, turn the temperature control dial to the “MAX A/C”
position. The air conditioning will automatically turn on and the air circu-
lation mode will be set to recirculated air mode.
When the dial is in the “MAX A/C” position, the air conditioning system
cannot be turned off even if is pressed.
Front air conditioning
fan speed control dial Air outlet selection dial
Air conditioning on/off switch
Temperature
control dialOutside air or recirculated air mode
Rear air conditioning
fan speed control dial