2012 TOYOTA MATRIX towing

5
When trouble arises
409
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.

410 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 wh en 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 wheel\
s
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. 181)
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.

5
When trouble arises
431
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Lower the vehicle.
Firmly tighten each nut two or
three times in the order shown in
the illustration.
Tightening torque:
76 ft•lbf (103 N•m, 10.5 kgf•m)
Stow the flat tire, tire jack and all tools.
Stowing the flat tire
Vehicles with aluminum wheel:
Before stowing the flat tire,
remove the center wheel orna-
ment by pushing from the
reveres side.
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5
STEP1

436 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CAUTION
■When the spare tire is attached
The vehicle speed may not be correctly detected, and the following sys-
tems may not operate correctly:
●ABS & Brake assist
●VSC
●TRAC
Also, not only can the following syste m not be utilized fully, it may actu-
ally negatively effect t he drive-train components:
●Active Torque Control 4WD system (if equipped)
■When stowing the flat tire
●
Make sure the rear seats are in their original position.
●Secure it using a tire tie-down belt. Otherwise, the flat tire may fly out
in case of the sudden braking or an accident, resulting in death or seri-
ous injury.
NOTICE
■Do not drive the vehicle with a flat tire
Do not continue driving with a flat tire.
Driving even a short distance with a flat tire can damage the tire and the
wheel beyond repair.
■Be careful when driving over bumps with the compact spare tire
installed on the vehicle
The vehicle becomes lower when driving with the compact spare tire
compared to when drivin g with standard tires. Be careful when driving
over uneven road surfaces.
■Driving with tire chains and the compact spare tire
Do not fit tire chains to the compact spare tire.
Tire chains may damage the vehicle body and adversely affect driving
performance.

450 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
NOTICE
■To avoid damaging the transmission and other components
●Avoid spinning the wheels and do not rev the engine.
● If the vehicle remains stuck after trying these procedures, the vehicle may
require towing to be freed.

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

512 Alphabetical index
SunshadeRoof.........................................62
Switch Emergency flasher switch ..... 404
Engine switch ........................ 118
Fog light switch ..................... 141
Hazard light switch ................404
Ignition switch........................ 118
Light switches........................ 138
Power door lock switch ...........31
Power window switch ..............59
Window lock switch .................59
Wiper and washer switch ...... 143
Tachometer............................... 132
Tail lights Replacing light bulbs ............. 394
Switch.................................... 138
Wattage ................................. 469
Talk switch................................ 267
Telephone switch ..................... 267
Theft deterrent system Engine immobilizer system .....68
Theft prevention labels..............70
Tie-down belts .......................... 318
Tire inflation pressure ............. 374
Tire information Glossary ................................ 479
Size ....................................... 476
Tire identification number ...... 475
Uniform tire quality
grading ................................ 477 Tires
Chains ................................... 161
Checking ............................... 365
If you have a flat tire.............. 424
Inflation pressure .................. 374
Inflation pressure sensor....... 366
Replacing .............................. 424
Rotating tires ......................... 365
Size ....................................... 467
Snow tires ............................. 161
Spare tire .............................. 424
Tonneau cover ......................... 320
Tools ......................................... 424
Total load capacity .................. 160
Towing Dinghy towing ............... 181, 182
Trailer towing ................ 165, 166
TRAC ......................................... 153
Traction control ....................... 153
Trip meter ................................. 132
Turn signal lights Replacing light bulbs ............. 394
Switch ................................... 129
Wattage................................. 469
Vanity mirrors .......................... 308
Vehicle control and operation data recording ........ 19
Vehicle identification number ................................... 455
Vehicle stability control .......... 153
VSC ........................................... 153
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