2011 TOYOTA MATRIX tow

328
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. 347)•Warm water
• Baking soda
• Grease
• Conventional wrench
(for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level (P. 345)• 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. 343)• “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. 339)• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or
equivalent
• Rag or paper towel, funnel
(used only for adding oil)

When trouble arises5
389
5-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers ......... 390
If your vehicle needs to
be towed ........................ 391
If you think something
is wrong ......................... 397
Fuel pump shut off
system ........................... 398
Event data recorder ......... 3995-2. Steps to take in an
emergency
If a warning light turns
on or a warning buzzer
sounds... ....................... 401
If you have a flat tire......... 411
If the engine will not
start ................................ 425
If the shift lever cannot be
shifted from P................. 426
If you lose your keys ........ 427
If the battery is
discharged ..................... 428
If your vehicle
overheats ....................... 433
If the vehicle becomes
stuck .............................. 436
If your vehicle has to
be stopped in an
emergency ..................... 438

5
When trouble arises
391
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.
2WD models: If towing your vehicle with a wheel-lift type truck from
the front, the vehicle's rear wheels and axles must be in good condi-
tions. (P. 393, 396)
If they are damaged, use a towing dolly or flat bed truck.
AWD models: If towing your vehicle with a wheel-lift type truck, use a
towing dolly. (P. 393, 396)

392 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
393 5-1. Essential information
Towing with a sling-type truck
Do not tow with a sling-type truck
to prevent body damage.
Towing with a wheel-lift type truck
From the front (2WD models)
Release the parking brake.
From the front (AWD models)
Use a towing dolly under the rear
wheels.

394 5-1. Essential information
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.
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.
■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.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

5
When trouble arises
395 5-1. Essential information
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 eyelet and the cables or chains. Always
be cautious of the surroundings and other vehicles while towing.
●If the engine is not running, the power assist for the brakes and steering
will not function, making steering and braking more difficult.

396 5-1. Essential information
NOTICE
■To prevent body damage when towing with a sling-type truck
Do not tow with a sling-type truck, either from the front or rear.
■To prevent causing serious damage to the transmission and Active
Torque Control 4WD system (AWD models) when towing using a
wheel-lift type truck (vehicles with an automatic transmission)
■To prevent damaging the vehicle when towing using a wheel-lift type
truck
●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.
●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.
■Recreational towing (behind motor home, etc.)
Vehicles with an automatic transmission: Never dinghy tow your vehicle to
prevent causing serious damage to the Active Torque Control 4WD system
(AWD models) and transmission. (P. 167)
2WD models: Never tow this vehicle from
the rear with the front wheels on the
ground. This may cause serious damage
to the transmission. If towing from the
rear, use a towing dolly.
AWD models: Never tow this vehicle with
any of the wheels on the ground. This
may cause serious damage to the trans-
mission and Active Torque Control 4WD
system. Use a towing dolly.