Page 175 of 516
![TOYOTA MATRIX 2012 E140 / 2.G Owners Manual 175
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
●
Due 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 st TOYOTA MATRIX 2012 E140 / 2.G Owners Manual 175
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
●
Due 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 st](/manual-img/14/6541/w960_6541-174.png)
175
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
●
Due 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. 446)
● Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle’s and the
trailer’s wheels when parking. Ap ply the parking brake firmly, and
put the transmission in P (automatic transmission) or in 1 or R
(manual transmission). Avoid park ing on a slope, but if unavoid-
able, do so only after performing the following:
Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
Have someone place wheel blo cks under both the vehicle’s
and trailer’s wheels.
When the wheel blocks are in pl ace, release 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.
● When restarting after parking on a slope:
With the transmission in P (automatic transmission) or the
clutch pedal (manual transmission) depressed, start the
engine. On vehicles with an au tomatic transmission, be sure
to keep the brake pedal depressed.
Shift into a forward gear. If reversing, shift into R.
Release the parking brake (and also the brake pedal on vehi-
cles with an automatic transmission), and slowly pull or back
away from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply the brakes.
Have someone retrieve the blocks.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
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311
3-7. Other interior features
3
Interior features
Cigarette lighter
■The cigarette lighter can be used when
The engine switch is in the “ACC” or “ON” position.
CAUTION
■To avoid burns or fires
●Do not touch the metal parts of the cigarette lighter.
● Do not hold the cigarette lighter down. It could overheat and cause a fire.
● Do not insert anything other than the cigarette lighter into the outlet.\
Push the cigarette lighter
down.
The cigarette lighter will pop up
when it is ready for use.
: If equipped
Page 403 of 516
When trouble arises5
403
5-1. Essential informationEmergency flashers ......... 404
If your vehicle needs to be towed ........................ 405
If you think something is wrong ............................ 411
Fuel pump shut off system ........................... 412 5-2. Steps to take in an
emergency
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds... ....................... 413
If you have a flat tire......... 424
If the engine will not start ................................ 438
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P................. 439
If you lose your keys ........ 440
If the battery is discharged ..................... 441
If your vehicle overheats ....................... 446
If the vehicle becomes stuck .............................. 449
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an
emergency ..................... 451
Page 445 of 516

5
When trouble arises
445
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CAUTION
■
Battery precautions
The battery contains poisonous and corrosive acidic electrolyte, while
related parts contain lead and lead compounds. Observe the following pre-
cautions when handling the battery.
●When working with the battery, always wear safety glasses and take care
not to allow any battery fluids (acid) to come into contact with skin, clothing
or the vehicle body.
● Do not lean over the battery.
● In the event that battery fluid comes into contact with the skin or eyes,
immediately wash the affected area with water and seek medical attention.
Place a wet sponge or cloth over the affected area until medical attention
can be received.
● Always wash your hands after handling the battery support, terminals, and
other battery-related parts.
● Do not allow children near the battery.
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the vehicle
Do not pull- or push-start the vehicle, because the catalytic converter may
overheat and become a fire hazard.
■ When handling jumper cables
Be careful that the jumper cables do not become tangled in the cooling fans
or any of the belts when connecting or disconnecting them.
■ When attaching the engine cover (1 .8 L 4-cylinder [2ZR-FE] engine)
Ensure that the rubber grommets remain attached to the engine cover. If the
grommet is attached to the bolts, transfer grommets to the engine cover.
Page 446 of 516
446
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle overheats
If your engine overheats:
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and turn off the air condi-
tioning system.
Check to see if steam is coming out from under the hood.
If you see steam: Stop the engine. Carefully lift the hood after the steam
subsides and then restart the engine.
If you do not see steam: Leave the engine running and carefully lift the hood.
Check to see if the cooling fans are operating.
If the fans are operating: Wait until the temperature of the engine (shown on the
instrument cluster) begins to fall and then stop the
engine.
If the fans are not operating: Stop the engine and call your Toyota dealer.
After the engine has cooled
down sufficiently, check the
engine coolant level and
inspect the radiator core (radi-
ator) for any leaks.STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP5STEP4
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5
When trouble arises
447
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
■
Overheating
If you observe the following, your vehicle may be overheating.
●The engine coolant temperature gauge enters the red zone or a loss of
power is experienced.
● Steam is coming from under the hood.
CAUTION
■To prevent an accident or injury when inspecting under the hood of
your vehicle
●If steam is seen coming from under the hood, do not open the hood until
the steam has subsided. The engine compartment may be very hot, caus-
ing serious injury such as burns.
● Keep hands and clothing away from the fan and other belts while the
engine is running.
● Do not loosen the coolant reservoir cap while the engine and radiator are
hot.
Serious injury, such as burns, may result from hot coolant and steam
released under pressure.
Add engine coolant if neces-
sary.
Water can be used in an emer-
gency if engine coolant is
unavailable.
(P. 461)
Have the vehicle chec ked at the nearest Toyota dealer as soon as
possible.
STEP5
Page 506 of 516

506 Alphabetical index
Child safetyAirbag precautions ..................80
Battery precautions ....... 362, 445
Child restraint syst em..............90
Child-protectors .......................32
How your child should wear
the seat belt ..........................50
Installing child restraints ..........94
Moon roof precautions ............63
Power window lock switch.......59
Power window precautions .....60
Removed key battery
precautions ......................... 384
Seat belt extender
precautions ...........................52
Seat belt precautions ..............51
Child-protectors .........................32
Cleaning
Exterior .................................. 330
Interior ................................... 333
Seat belts .............................. 334
Clock ......................................... 309
Compass ................................... 325
Condenser ................................ 358
Console box ............................. 301
Cooling system Engine overheating ............... 446
Cruise control........................... 148
Cup holder ................................ 302
Curtain shield airbags ...............73
Customizable features............. 485 Daytime running light
system .................................... 140
Defogger Rear window ......................... 193
Side mirror ............................ 193
Dimension ................................ 454
Dinghy towing .................. 181, 182
Display Trip meter.............................. 132
Do-it-yourself maintenance .... 342
Doors Door lock ........................... 28, 31
Door windows ......................... 59
Side mirrors............................. 57
Driver's seat belt reminder light ......................................... 416
Driving
Break-in tips .......................... 109
Correct posture ....................... 71
Procedures............................ 106
Winter driving tips ................. 161D
Page 507 of 516

507
Alphabetical index
Electric power steering........... 152
Emergency flashers
Switch ................................... 404
Emergency, in case of If a warning light turns on ..... 413
If the engine will not start...... 438
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P ..................... 439
If the vehicle has a discharged battery ............. 441
If the warning buzzer
sounds ............................... 413
If you have a flat tire ............ 424
If you lose your keys............. 440
If you think something is wrong ................................. 411
If your vehicle becomes
stuck................................... 449
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an emergency... 451
If your vehicle needs to be towed ................................. 405
If your vehicle overheats ...... 446 Engine
Compartment ........................351
Engine switch ........................118
Hood......................................346
How to start the
engine .................................118
Identification number .............455
If the engine will not start ......438
Ignition switch........................118
Overheating...........................446
Engine coolant
Capacity ................................461
Checking ...............................357
Preparing and checking before winter .......................161
Engine coolan t temperature
gauge ......................................132
Engine immobilizer system.......68
Engine oil Capacity ................................459
Checking ...............................353
Preparing and checking before winter .......................161
EPS ............................................152
Event data recorder ...................19E