2009 TOYOTA YARIS HATCHBACK Owners Manual

164
2-5. Driving information
Trailer towing (except Canada)
Toyota does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle. Toy-
ota also does not recommend the installation of a tow hitch or the
use of
a tow hitch carrier of a wheelchair, scooter, bicycle, etc. Your
Toyota is not designed for trailer towing or for the use of tow hitch
mounted carriers.

165
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Trailer towing (Canada)
Your vehicle is designed primarily as a passenger-carrying vehicle,
thus towing a trailer will have an adverse effect on handling, perfor
-
mance, braking, durability, and fu el consumption. For your
safety
and the safety of others , do not overload the vehicle or trailer.
Toyota warranties do not apply to damage or
malfunction caused by
towing a trailer for commercial purposes.
n Weight limits
Confirm the total trailer weight, gross vehicle weight, gross axle
weigh

t and trailer tongue load are all within the limits.
n Gross ve
hicle weight
The gross vehicle weight must not exce
ed the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) indicated on the Certification Label. The
gross vehicle weight is the sum of weights of the unloaded vehi -
cle, driver, passengers, luggage,
hitch, and the trailer tongue
load. It also includes the weight of any special equipment
installed on your vehicle.
n Gross ax
le weight
The load on either the front or re
ar axle resulting from distribu-
tion of the gross vehicle weight on b
oth axles must not exceed
the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) listed on the Certification
Label.
Certification label

166 2-5. Driving information
Towing a trailer
Consult your Toyota dealer for further information about additional
requirements such as a towing kits, etc.
nTrailer tongue load
The trailer cargo load should be distributed so that the tongue
load is 9 to 11% of the total trailer weight, not exceeding the
maximum 70 lb. (32 kg) (Tongue load / Total trailer weight × 100
= 9 to 11%)
The total trailer weight and tongue load can be measured with
plat
form scales found at a highway weighing station, building
supply company, trucking company, junk yard, etc.
Total trailer weight
Tongue load

167
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
n
Before towing
Check that the following conditions are met:
lEnsure that your vehicle’
s tires are properly inflated. ( →P. 351)
l T
railer tires should be inflated according to the trailer manufacturer’s rec -
ommendation.
l All trailer light
s work to be legal.
l Confirm all light
s work each time you connect them.
l Check
that your 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.
l Make s
ure the trailer cargo is securely loaded.
lCheck
that your rear view mirrors c onform to any federal, state/provincial
or local regulations. If they do not, inst all rear view mirrors appropriate for
towing purposes.
n Break-in schedule
l T
oyota recommends that you do not use a new vehicle or a vehicle with
any new power train components (engine, transmission, differential,
wheel bearings, etc.) to tow a trailer for the first 500 miles (800 km) of
driving.
n Main
tenance
lIf 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”.)
l Retighten the fixing
bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approxi -
mately 600 miles (1000 km).

168 2-5. Driving information
CAUTION
nTo avoid accident or injury
lThe total trailer weight (trailer weight plus the weight of cargo) must not
exceed 700 lb. (318 kg)
l Do not exceed the trailer hitch assembly weight, gross vehicle weight,
gross axle weight and trailer tongue load capacities.
n Hitches
Trailer hitch assemblies have different weight capacities established by the
hitch manufacturer. Even though the vehicle may be rated for towing a
higher weight, the operator must never exceed the maximum weight rating
specified for the trailer hitch.
lIf you wish to install a trailer hitch, your Toyota dealer should be consulted.
l Use only a hitch that conforms to the total trailer weight requirement.
l Follow the directions supplied by the hitch manufacturer.
l Lubricate the hitch ball with a light coat of grease.
l Remove the trailer hitch whenever y ou are not towing a trailer to reduce
the possibility of additional damage caused by the hitch if your vehicle is
struck from behind.
n When towing a trailer
lNever tap into your vehicle’s hydraulic system, as this will lower the vehi-
cle’s braking effectiveness.
l 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.

169
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Trailer towing tips
Your vehicle will handle differently
when towing a trailer. The three
main causes of vehicle-trailer ac cidents are driver error, excessive
speed and improper trailer loading. Keep these in mind when towing.
l Before st
arting out, check the trailer’s light and the vehicle-trailer
connections. Recheck after driving a short distance.
l Practice tu
rning, stopping and revers ing with the trailer attached in
an area away from traffic until y ou become accustomed to the feel
of the vehicle.
NOTICE
n 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.
n Brakes
Toyota recommends trailers with brakes that conform to any applicable fed-
eral and state/provincial regulations.
n 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.
n Do not directly splice trailer lights
Directly splicing may damage your vehicle’s electrical system and cause a
malfunction.

170 2-5. Driving information
lReversing 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 the 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.
l As stopp
ing 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.
l A
void sudden braking as you may skid, resulting in jackknifing and
loss of control. This is especiall y true on wet or slippery surfaces.
l A
void jerky starts or sudden acceleration. Vehicles with a manual
transmission, prevent excessive clut ch slippage by keeping engine
rpm low and not racing the engine. Always start out in first gear.
l A
void jerky steering and sharp turns, and slow down before mak -
ing a turn.
l 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.
l Cr
osswinds 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 steeri ng or brakes, your vehicle and
trailer will stabilize.
l T
ake 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 have plenty of room before changing
lanes.

171
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
l
In order to maintain engine braki ng efficiency, do not use the trans -
mission in D (automatic transmiss ion
) or 5 (manual transmission).
l Du
e 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. 3 3 7 )
l Alw
ays place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and the trailer
wheels when parking. Apply the parking brake firmly, and put the
transmission in P (automatic transmission) or in 1 or R (manual
transmission). 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 un
der both the vehicle and
trailer wheels.
When the wheel blocks are in pl ace, re
lease the brakes slowly
until the blocks absorb the load.
Apply the parking brake firmly.
Shift into 1 or R (manual transmission) or P (automatic trans -
mission) and turn off the engine.
l Whe
n restarting after parking on a slope:
With the transmission in P (automatic transmission) or the
clutch pedal (manual transmission) depressed, start the
eng
ine. On vehicles with an au tomatic transmission, be sure
to keep the brake pedal pressed.
Shift into a forward gear. If reversing, shift into R.
Release the parking brake (also b
rake pedal on vehicles with
an automatic transmission), and sl o
wly pull or back away from
the wheel blocks. Stop and apply the brakes.
Have someone retrieve the blocks.