2012 TOYOTA MATRIX 4WD

152
2-4. Using other driving systems
Driving assist systems
To help enhance driving safety and performance, the following sys-
tems operate automatically in res ponse to various driving situations.
Be aware, however, that these systems are supplementary and
should not be relied upon too h eavily when operating the vehicle.
■ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenly, or if
the brakes are applied while driving on a slippery road surface.
■Brake assist
Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake pedal is
depressed, when the system detects a panic stop situation.
■VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to control skidding when swerving suddenly or turning
on slippery road surfaces.
■TRAC (Traction Control)
Maintains drive power and prevents the front wheels from spinning
when starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads.
■EPS (Electric Power Steering)
Employs an electric motor to reduce the amount of effort needed to turn
the steering wheel.
■Active Torque Control 4WD system (if equipped)
Automatically switches from front-wheel drive to AWD (All-Wheel Drive)
according to driving conditions, helping to ensure reliable handling and
stability. Examples of conditions where the system will switch to AWD
are when cornering, going uphill, star ting off or accelerating, and when
the road surface is slippery due to snow or rain etc.

156 2-4. Using other driving systems
CAUTION
■When VSC is activated
The slip indicator light flashes. Always drive carefully. Reckless driving may
cause an accident. Exercise particular care when the indicator light flashes.
■ When TRAC and VSC are off
Be especially careful and drive at a speed appropriate to the road condi-
tions. As these are systems to ensure vehicle stability and driving force, do
not turn off TRAC and VSC unless necessary.
■ Replacing tires
Make sure that all tires are of the same size, brand, tread pattern and total
load capacity. In addition, make sure that the tires are inflated to the recom-
mended tire pressure level.
The ABS and VSC systems will not function correctly if different tires are fit-
ted on the vehicle.
Contact your Toyota dealer for further information when replacing tires or
wheels.
■ Handling of tires and suspension
Using tires with any kind of problem or modifying the suspension will affect
the driving assist systems, and may cause the system to malfunction.
■ Active Torque Control 4WD system
●The AWD system of this vehicle is intended to ensure driving stability on
normal roads. It is not designed for use in demanding situations such as
rally driving.
● Take care when driving on slippery road surfaces.

181
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Dinghy towing (automatic transmission)
NOTICE
■To avoid serious damage to your vehicle
■ To prevent causing serious damage to the transmission and Active
Torque Control 4WD system (AWD models)
Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with 4 wheels on
the ground) behind a motor home.
Do not tow your vehicle with 4 wheels on
the ground.
2WD models: Never tow this vehicle from
the rear with the front wheels on the
ground. This may cause serious damage
to the transmission.
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.

388 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Fuse layout and amperage ratings■ Engine compartment
FuseAmpereCircuit
1 CDS FAN 30 A Electric cooling fan(s)
2 RDI FAN 40 A Electric cooling fan(s)
3 ABS NO. 3 30 A Anti-lock brake system, vehicle sta-
bility control system
4 ABS NO. 1 50 A Anti-lock brake system, vehicle sta-
bility control system
5 HTR 50 A Air conditioning system
6 ALT 120 A Charging system, RDI FAN, CDS
FAN, ABS NO. 1, ABS NO. 3, PWR
OUTLET/INVERTER, HTR, HTR
SUB NO. 1, HTR SUB NO. 3, ACC,
CIG, ECU-IG NO. 2, HTR-IG,
WIPER, RR WIPER, WASHER,
ECU-IG NO. 1, AM1, 4WD, DOOR,
STOP, FR DOOR, POWER, RR
DOOR, RL DOOR, OBD, ACC-B,
FR FOG, SUNROOF, DEF, MIR
HTR, TAIL, PANEL

392 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
11 IGN7.5 ASRS airbag system, multiport fuel
injection system/sequential multi-
port fuel injection system, front
passenger occupant classification
system
12 METER 7.5 A Gauge and meters
13 HTR-IG 10 AAir conditioning system, rear win-
dow defogger, PTC heater
14 WIPER 25 A Windshield wipers
15 RR WIPER 15 A Rear window wiper
16 WASHER 15 A Windshield washer
17 ECU-IG NO. 1 10 A Main body ECU, electric power
steering, electric cooling fan(s),
shift lock control system, anti-lock
brake system, multiport fuel injec-
tion system/sequential multiport
fuel injection system, tire pressure
warning system, vehicle stability
control system, all wheel drive sys-
tem
18 ECU-IG NO. 2 10 A Back-up lights, charging system,
rear window defogger, auto anti-
glare inside rear view mirror
19 OBD 7.5 A On-board diagnosis system
20 STOP 10 AStop lights, high mounted stop-
light, anti-lock brake system, vehi-
cle stability control system,
multiport fuel injection system/
sequential multiport fuel injection
system, shift lock control system
21 DOOR 25 A Power door lock system
22 ACC-B 25 A CIG, ACC
23 4WD 7.5 A All wheel drive system
FuseAmpereCircuit

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
415
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
(U.S.A.)
(Canada) ABS warning light
Indicates a malfunction in:
•ABS; or
• The brake assist system.
Electric power steering system warning light (warning
buzzer)
Indicates a malfunction in the EPS system.
Slip indicator light
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The VSC system; or
• The TRAC system.
(Flashes) Cruise control indicator light (if equipped)
Indicates a malfunction in the cruise control system.
(AWD models) Active Torque Control 4WD system warning light
Indicates a malfunction in the Active Torque Control 4WD
system.
■ If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on while driving
First check the following:
● Is the fuel tank empty?
If it is, fill the fuel tank immediately.
● Is the fuel tank cap loose?
If it is, tighten it securely.
The malfunction indicator lamp will go off after taking several driving trips.
If the malfunction indicator lamp does not go off even after several trips, con-
tact your Toyota dealer as soon as possible.
Warning lightWarning light/Details

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.