2010 TOYOTA MATRIX tow

285
4
Maintenance and care
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself ser vice precautions
If you perform maintenance yourself, be sure to follow the correct
procedures as given in these sections.
ItemsParts and tools
Battery condition (P. 304)•Warm water
• Baking soda
• Grease
• Conventional wrench
(for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level (P. 302)• FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE
J1703 brake fluid
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding
brake fluid)
Engine coolant level (P. 300)• “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”
or similar high quality ethylene
glycol based non-silicate, non-
amine, non-nitrite and non-borate
coolant with long-life hybrid
organic acid technology.
For the U.S.A.:
“Toyota Super Long Life
Coolant” is pre-mixed with 50%
coolant and 50% deionized
water.
For Canada:
“Toyota Super Long Life
Coolant” is pre-mixed with 55%
coolant and 45% deionized
water.
• Funnel (used only for adding
engine coolant)
Engine oil levelP. 296)• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or
equivalent
• Rag or paper towel, funnel
(used only for adding oil)

When trouble arises5
347
5-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers ......... 348
If your vehicle needs to
be towed ........................ 349
If you think something
is wrong ......................... 355
Fuel pump shut off
system ........................... 356
Event data recorder ......... 3575-2. Steps to take in an
emergency
If a warning light turns on
or a warning buzzer
sounds... ....................... 359
If you have a flat tire......... 369
If the engine will not
start ................................ 383
If the shift lever cannot be
shifted from P................. 384
If you lose your keys ........ 385
If the battery is
discharged ..................... 386
If your vehicle
overheats ....................... 391
If the vehicle becomes
stuck .............................. 394

5
When trouble arises
349
5-1. Essential information
If your vehicle needs to be towed
Before towing
The following may indicate a problem with your transmission. Contact
your Toyota dealer before towing.
●The engine is running, but the vehicle will not move.
●The vehicle makes an abnormal sound.
If towing is necessary, we recommend having your vehicle towed by
your Toyota dealer or a commercial towing service, using a lift-type
truck or a flat bed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by all state/pro-
vincial and local laws.
If towing from the front, the vehicle's rear wheels and axles must be
in good condition. (P. 352)
If they are damaged, use a towing dolly or flat bed truck.

350 5-1. Essential information
Emergency towing
If a tow truck is not available, in an emergency your vehicle may be
temporarily towed using a cable or chain secured to the emergency
towing eyelet. This should only be attempted on hard surfaced roads
for short distances at low speeds.
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer and operate the brakes. The
vehicle’s wheels, drive train, axles, steering and brakes must be in
good condition.
1.8 L 4-cylinder (2ZR-FE) engine
Towing eyelet
2.4 L 4-cylinder (2AZ-FE) engine
Towing eyelet

5
When trouble arises
351 5-1. Essential information
■Emergency towing procedure
Release the parking brake.
Shift the shift lever to N.
Turn the engine switch to the “ACC” (engine off) or “ON” (engine
running) position.
CAUTION
■Caution while towing
●Use extreme caution when towing the vehicle.
Avoid sudden starts or erratic driving maneuvers which place excessive
stress on the emergency towing eyelets and the cables or chains.
●If the engine is not running, the power assist for the brakes and steering
will not function, making steering and braking more difficult.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

352 5-1. Essential information
Towing with a sling-type truck
Towing with a wheel-lift type truck from the front
2WD models
Release the parking brake.
NOTICE
■To prevent body damage
Do not tow with a sling-type truck, either from the front or rear.

5
When trouble arises
353 5-1. Essential information
AWD models
Use a towing dolly under the rear
wheels.
Towing with a wheel-lift type truck from the rear
Automatic transmission: Use a
towing dolly under the front
wheels.
Manual transmission: We recom-
mend to use a towing dolly under
the front wheels.
When not using a towing dolly,
turn the engine switch to the
“ACC” position and shift the shift
lever to N.
NOTICE
■To prevent damaging the vehicle
When raising the vehicle, ensure adequate ground clearance for towing at
the opposite end of the raised vehicle. Without adequate clearance, the
vehicle could be damaged while being towed.
■To prevent causing serious damage to the transmission (AWD models)
Never tow this vehicle from the front with the rear wheels on the ground.

354 5-1. Essential information
Using a flat bed truck
If you use chains or cables to tie
down your vehicle, the angles
shaded in black must be 45.
Do not overly tighten the tie
downs or the vehicle may be
damaged.
NOTICE
■To prevent causing serious damage to the transmission
(vehicles with an automatic transmission)
Never tow this vehicle from the rear with the front wheels on the ground.
■To prevent damaging the vehicle (vehicles with a manual transmission)
Do not tow the vehicle when the engine switch is in the “LOCK” position or
the key is removed.
The steering lock mechanism is not strong enough to hold the front wheels
straight.