Page 159 of 501
![TOYOTA MATRIX 2011 E140 / 2.G Owners Manual 159
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Trailer towing (2.4 L 4-cylinder [2AZ-FE] engine)
Your vehicle is designed primarily as a passenger-carrying vehicle.
Towing a trailer will have an adverse TOYOTA MATRIX 2011 E140 / 2.G Owners Manual 159
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Trailer towing (2.4 L 4-cylinder [2AZ-FE] engine)
Your vehicle is designed primarily as a passenger-carrying vehicle.
Towing a trailer will have an adverse](/manual-img/14/6538/w960_6538-158.png)
159
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Trailer towing (2.4 L 4-cylinder [2AZ-FE] engine)
Your vehicle is designed primarily as a passenger-carrying vehicle.
Towing a trailer will have an adverse effect on handling, perfor-
mance, braking, durability, and fuel 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.
■Weight limits
Confirm that the total trailer weight, gross vehicle weight, gross
axle weight and trailer tongue load are all within the limits.
■Gross vehicle weight
The gross vehicle weight must not exceed the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) indicated on the Certification Label. The
gross vehicle weight is the sum weight of the unloaded vehicle,
driver, passengers, luggage, hitch and trailer tongue load. Also
included is the weight of any special equipment installed on your
vehicle.
■Gross axle weight
The load on either the front or rear axle resulting from distribu-
tion of the gross vehicle weight on both axles must not exceed
the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) listed on the Certification
Label.
Certification Label
Page 316 of 501

316
4-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior
■Automatic car washes
●Before washing the vehicle, do the following.
• Fold the mirrors back.
• Remove the antenna.
●Brushes used in automatic car washes may scratch the vehicle surface
and harm your vehicle's paint.
■High pressure car washes
●Do not allow the nozzles of the car wash to come within close proximity
of the windows.
●Before car wash, check that the fuel filler door on your vehicle is closed
properly.
Perform the following to protect the vehicle and maintain it in prime
condition.
●Working from top to bottom, liberally apply water to the vehicle
body, wheel wells and underside of the vehicle to remove any
dirt and dust.
Wash the vehicle body using a sponge or soft cloth, such as a
chamois.
●For hard-to-remove marks, use car wash soap and rinse thor-
oughly with water.
●Wipe away any water.
●Wax the vehicle when the waterproof coating deteriorates.
If water does not bead on a clean surface, apply wax when the vehicle
body is cool.
Page 324 of 501
324
4-2. Maintenance
CAUTION
■Warning in handling of battery
●Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and a wide variety of automobile
components contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects and other reproductive harm. Work in a
well ventilated area.
●Oils, fuels and fluids contained in vehicles as well as waste produced by
component wear contain or emit chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Avoid exposure and wash any affected area immediately.
●Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead
compounds which are known to cause brain damage. Wash your hands
after handling. (P. 347)
Page 328 of 501

328 4-2. Maintenance
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M) programs
Some states have vehicle emission inspection programs which
include OBD (On Board Diagnostics) checks. The OBD system moni-
tors the operation of the emission control system.
■If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on
The OBD system determines that a problem exists somewhere
in the emission control system. Your vehicle may not pass the I/
M test and may need to be repaired. Contact your Toyota dealer
to service the vehicle.
■Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test:
●When the battery is disconnected or discharged
Readiness codes that are set during ordinary driving are
erased.
Also, depending on your driving habits, the readiness codes
may not be completely set.
●When the fuel tank cap is loose
The malfunction indicator lamp comes on as a temporary mal-
function and your vehicle may not pass the I/M test.
■When the malfunction indicator lamp goes off after several
driving trips
The error code in the OBD system will not be cleared unless the
vehicle is driven 40 or more times.
■If your vehicle does not pass the I/M test
Contact your Toyota dealer to prepare the vehicle for re-testing.
Page 331 of 501

330 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
CAUTION
The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that may
move suddenly, become hot, or become electrically energized. To avoid death
or serious injury observe the following precautions.
■When working on the engine compartment
●Keep hands, clothing, and tools away from the moving fan and engine
drive belt.
●Be careful not to touch the engine, radiator, exhaust manifold, etc. right
after driving as they may be hot. Oil and other fluids may also be hot.
●Do not leave anything that may burn easily, such as paper or rags, in the
engine compartment.
●Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose an open flame to fuel or the bat-
tery. Fuel and battery fumes are flammable.
●Be extremely cautious when working on the battery. It contains poisonous
and corrosive sulfuric acid.
●Take care because brake fluid can harm your hands or eyes and damage
painted surfaces.
If fluid gets on your hands or in your eyes, flush the affected area with
clean water immediately.
If you still experience discomfort, see a doctor.
■When working near the electric cooling fans or radiator grille
Be sure the engine switch is OFF. With the engine switch in the “ON” posi-
tion, the electric cooling fans may automatically start to run if the air condi-
tioning is on and/or the coolant temperature is high. (P. 344)
■Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc. from
getting in the eyes.
Page 363 of 501

362 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■Effects of incorrect tire inflation pressure
Driving with incorrect tire inflation pressure may result in the following:
●Reduced fuel efficiency
●Reduced driving comfort and tire life
●Reduced safety
●Damage to the drive train
If a tire needs frequent refilling, have it checked by your Toyota dealer.
■Instructions for checking tire inflation pressure
When checking tire inflation pressure, observe the following:
●Check only when the tires are cold.
If your vehicle has been parked for at least 3 hours and has not been
driven for more than 1 mile or 1.5 km, you will get an accurate cold
tire inflation pressure reading.
●Always use a tire pressure gauge.
The appearance of the tire can be misleading. In addition, tire infla-
tion pressures that are even just a few pounds off can degrade ride
and handling.
●Do not bleed or reduce tire inflation pressure after driving. It is normal
for the tire inflation pressure to be higher after driving.
●Never exceed the vehicle capacity weight.
Passengers and luggage weight should be placed so that the vehicle
is balanced.
Page 376 of 501

375 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
7 EPS 60 A Electric power steering
8 P/I 50 A EFI MAIN, HORN, IG2
9 H-LP MAIN 50 AH-LP LH LO, H-LP RH LO, H-LP
LH HI, H-LP RH HI
10 EFI NO. 2 10 A Emission control system
11 EFI NO. 1 10 AMultiport fuel injection system/
sequential multiport fuel injection
system
12 H-LP RH HI 10 A Right-hand headlight (high beam)
13 H-LP LH HI 10 A Left-hand headlight (high beam)
14 H-LP RH LO 10 A Right-hand headlight (low beam)
15 H-LP LH LO 10 A Left-hand headlight (low beam)
16 ETCS 10 AMultiport fuel injection system/
sequential multiport fuel injection
system
17 TURN-HAZ 10 ATurn signal lights, emergency
flashers
18 ALT-S 7.5 A Charging system
19 AM2 NO. 2 7.5 AStarting system, multiport fuel
injection system/sequential multi-
port fuel injection system
20 AM2 30 AStarting system, multiport fuel
injection system/sequential multi-
port fuel injection system
21 STRG LOCK 20 A No circuit
22 IG2 NO.2 7.5 A Starting system
23 ECU-B2 10 A PTC heater
24 ECU-B 10 AMain body ECU, gauge and
meters, daytime running light sys-
tem
25 RAD NO. 1 15 A Audio system
FuseAmpereCircuit
Page 377 of 501
376 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
26 DOME 10 AInterior lights, personal light, clock,
wireless remote control
27 SPARE 10 A Spare fuse
28 SPARE 30 A Spare fuse
29 SPARE 20 A Spare fuse
30 AMP 30 A No circuit
31 MAYDAY 10 A No circuit
32 EFI MAIN 20 AMultiport fuel injection system/
sequential multiport fuel injection
system, EFI NO. 1, EFI NO. 2
33 HORN 10 A Horn
34 IG2 15 AMultiport fuel injection system/
sequential multiport fuel injection
system, starting system, IGN,
METER
35HTR SUB
NO. 130 A PTC heater
36HTR SUB
NO. 330 A PTC heater
37PWR OUTLET/
INVERTER15 A Power outlet
FuseAmpereCircuit