2010 TOYOTA MATRIX Owners Manual

137 2-3. Operating the lights and wipers
2
When driving
■The windshield wipers and washers can be operated when
The engine switch is in the “ON” position.
■If no windshield washer fluid sprays
Check that the washer nozzles are not blocked and if there is washer fluid in
the windshield washer fluid reservoir.
NOTICE
■When the windshield is dry
Do not use the wipers, as they may damage the windshield.
■When there is no washer fluid spray from the nozzle
Damage to the washer fluid pump may be caused if the lever is pulled
toward you and held continually.
■When a nozzle becomes blocked
Do not try to clear it with a pin or other object. The nozzle will be damaged.

138
2-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Rear window wiper and washer
■The rear window wiper and washer can be operated when
The engine switch is in “ON”.
NOTICE
■When the rear window is dry
Do not use the wipers, as they may damage the rear window.
■When there is no washer fluid spray from the nozzle
Damage to the washer fluid pump may be caused if the lever is pulled
toward you and held continually.
■When a nozzle becomes blocked
Do not try to clear it with a pin or other object. The nozzle will be damaged.
Intermittent window wiper
operation
Normal window wiper oper-
ation
Washer/wiper dual opera-
tion
Wiper operate automatically.
Washer/wiper dual opera-
tion
Wiper operate automatically.
: If equipped

139
2
When driving
2-4. Using other driving systems
Cruise control
Use cruise control to maintain a set speed without using the acceler-
ator.
Indicator
Cruise control switch
■Setting the vehicle speed
Press the “ON-OFF” button to
activate the cruise control.
Press the button once more to
deactivate the cruise control.
Accelerate or decelerate to
the desired speed and push
the lever down to set the
cruise control speed.
STEP1
STEP2

: If equipped

140 2-4. Using other driving systems
■Cruise control can be set when
●Automatic transmission:
The shift lever is in D or “3” (standard type), or in D, “4” or “5” range of S
(multi-mode type).
●Vehicle speed is above 25 mph (40 km/h).
■Adjusting the speed setting
Increase speed
Decrease speed
Hold the lever until the desired
speed setting is obtained.
Fine adjustment of the set
speed (approximately 1.0 mph
[1.6 km/h]) can be made by
lightly pushing the lever up or
down and releasing it.
■Canceling and resuming regular acceleration
Cancel
Pull the lever towards you to
cancel cruise control.
The speed setting is also can-
celed when the brakes are
applied or the clutch pedal
(manual transmission) is
depressed.
Resume
To resume cruise control and
return to the set speed, push
the lever up.

141 2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
■Accelerating
The vehicle can be accelerated normally. After acceleration, the set speed
resumes.
■Automatic cruise control cancellation
The set speed is automatically canceled in any of the following situations.
●Actual vehicle speed falls more than 10 mph (16 km/h) below the preset
vehicle speed.
At this time, the memorized set speed is not retained.
●Actual vehicle speed is below 25 mph (40 km/h).
●VSC is activated.
■If the cruise control indicator light flashes
Press the “ON-OFF” button once to deactivate the system, and then press
the button again to reactivate the system.
If the cruise control speed cannot be set or if the cruise control cancels
immediately after being activated, there may be a malfunction in the cruise
control system. Contact your Toyota dealer and have your Toyota inspected.
CAUTION
■To avoid operating the cruise control by mistake
Keep the “ON-OFF” button off when not in use.
■Situations unsuitable for cruise control
Do not use cruise control in any of the following situations.
Doing so may result in control of the vehicle being lost and could cause an
accident resulting in death or serious injury.
●In heavy traffic
●On roads with sharp bends
●On winding roads
●On slippery roads, such as those covered with rain, ice or snow
●On steep hills
●When your vehicle is towing a trailer

142
2-4. Using other driving systems
Driving assist systems
To help enhance driving safety and performance, the following sys-
tems operate automatically in response to various driving situations.
Be aware, however, that these systems are supplementary and
should not be relied upon too heavily when operating the vehicle.
■ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenly, or if
the brakes are applied while driving on a slippery road surface.
■Brake assist
Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake pedal is
depressed, when the system detects a panic stop situation.
■VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) (if equipped)
Helps the driver to control skidding when swerving suddenly or turning
on slippery road surfaces.
■TRAC (Traction Control) (if equipped)
Maintains drive power and prevents the front wheels from spinning
when starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads.
■EPS (Electric Power Steering)
Employs an electric motor to reduce the amount of effort needed to turn
the steering wheel.
■Active torque control 4WD system (if equipped)
Automatically switches from front-wheel drive to AWD (All-Wheel Drive)
according to driving conditions, helping to ensure reliable handling and
stability. Examples of conditions where the system will switch to AWD
are when cornering, going uphill, starting off or accelerating, and when
the road surface is slippery due to snow or rain etc.

143 2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
When VSC and TRAC are operating
If the vehicle is in danger of slip-
ping or the front wheels (2WD),
or 4 wheels (AWD) spin, the indi-
cator flashes to indicate that
VSC/TRAC have been engaged.
A buzzer (intermittent) sounds to
indicate that VSC is operating.
To disable TRAC and/or VSC
If the vehicle gets stuck in fresh snow or mud, TRAC and VSC may
reduce power from the engine to the wheels. You may need to turn
the system off to enable you to rock the vehicle in order to free it.
■Turning off TRAC
Quickly push and release the
button to turn off TRAC.
The slip indicator light should
come on.
Push the button again to turn the
system back on.

144 2-4. Using other driving systems
■Turning off TRAC and VSC
Push and hold the button while
the vehicle is stopped to turn off
TRAC and VSC.
The slip indicator light and “VSC
OFF” indicator light should come
on.
Push the button again to turn the
system back on.
■Automatic reactivation of TRAC and VSC
Turning the engine switch OFF after turning off the TRAC and VSC systems
will automatically re-enable them.
■Automatic TRAC reactivation
If only the TRAC system is turned off, the TRAC system will turn on when
vehicle speed increases.
■Automatic TRAC and VSC reactivation
If the TRAC and VSC systems are turned off, the systems will not turn on
even when vehicle speed increases.
■Sounds and vibrations caused by ABS, brake assist, VSC and TRAC
●A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the engine is
started or just after the vehicle begins to move. This sound does not indi-
cate that a malfunction has occurred in any of these systems.
●Any of the following conditions may occur when the above systems are
operating. None of these indicates that a malfunction has occurred.
• Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
• A motor sound may be heard after the vehicle comes to a stop.
• The brake pedal may pulsate slightly after ABS is activated.
• The brake pedal may move down slightly after ABS is activated.
■If the “VSC OFF” indicator light flashes
There is a malfunction in the TRAC and VSC systems. Contact your Toyota
dealer and have your Toyota inspected.