2012 TOYOTA MATRIX overheating

114 2-1. Driving procedures
CAUTION
●Always apply the parking brake, shift the shift lever to P (vehicles with an
automatic transmission), stop the engine and lock the vehicle.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended while the engine is running.
● Do not touch the exhaust pipe while the engine is running or immediately
after turning the engine off. Doing so may cause burns.
● Do not leave the engine running in an area with snow build-up, or where it
is snowing. If snowbanks build up around the vehicle while the engine is
running, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle. This may lead
to death or a serious health hazard.
■ Exhaust gases
Exhaust gases include harmful carbon monoxide (CO) that is colorless and
odorless. Inhaling exhaust gases may lead to death or a serious health haz-
ard.
●If the vehicle is in a poorly ventilated area, stop the engine. In a closed
area, such as a garage, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle.
This may lead to death or a serious health hazard.
● The exhaust should be checked occasionally. If there is a hole or crack
caused by corrosion, damage to a joint or abnormal exhaust noise, be
sure to have the vehicle inspected and repaired by your Toyota dealer.
Failure to do so may allow exhaust gases to enter the vehicle, resulting in
death or a serious health hazard.
■ When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the engine off. Otherwise, you may accidentally move the shift
lever or depress the accelerator pedal, which could cause an accident or fire
due to engine overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked in a poorly
ventilated area, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle, leadin\
g to
death or a serious health hazard.

130
2-1. Driving procedures
Parking brake
■Usage in winter time
See “Winter driving tips” for parking brake usage in winter time. ( P. 161)
NOTICE
■Before driving
Fully release the parking brake.
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to brake components
overheating, which may affect braking performance and increase brake
wear.
Sets the parking brake
Fully set the parking brake while depressing the brake pedal.
Releases the parking brake
Slightly raise the lever and lower it completely while pressing the but-
ton.
U.S.A. Canada

134 2-2. Instrument cluster
Instrument panel light controlThe brightness of the instrument panel lights can be adjusted.
Darker
Brighter
When the headlight switch is
turned on, the brightness will be
reduced slightly unless the con-
trol button is turned fully clock-
wise.
■Display
In the following situations, the correct outside temperature may not be dis-
played, or the display may take longer than normal to change.
●When stopped, or driving at low speeds (less than 12 mph [20 km/h])
● When the outside temperature has changed suddenly (at the entrance/
exit of a garage, tunnel, etc.)
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the engine and its components
●Do not let the indicator needle of the tachometer enter the red zone, which
indicates the maximum engine speed.
● The engine may be overheating if the engine coolant temperature gauge is
in the red zone (H). In this case, immediately stop the vehicle in a safe
place, and check the engine after it has cooled completely. (
P. 446)

155
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
■If the slip indicator light comes on
There is a malfunction in the TRAC and VSC systems. Contact your Toyota
dealer and have your Toyota inspected.
■ EPS system oper ation sound
When the steering wheel is operated, a motor sound (whirring sound) may
be heard. This does not indicate a malfunction.
■ Reduced effectiveness of EPS system
The effectiveness of the EPS system is reduced to prevent the system from
overheating when there is frequent steering input over an extended period of
time. The steering wheel may feel heavy as a result. Should this occur,
refrain from excessive steering input or stop the vehicle and turn the engine
off. The EPS system should return to normal within 10 minutes.
CAUTION
■ABS does not operate effectively when
●Tires with inadequate gripping ability are used (such as excessively worn
tires on a snow covered road).
● The vehicle hydroplanes while driving at high speed on the wet or slick
road.
■ Stopping distance when the ABS is operating may exceed that of nor-
mal conditions
ABS is not designed to shorten the vehicle's stopping distance. Always
maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you in the following situ-
ations.
● When driving on dirt, gravel or snow-covered roads
● When driving with tire chains
● When driving over bumps in the road
● When driving over roads with potholes or uneven roads
■ TRAC may not operate effectively when
Directional control and power may not be achievable while driving on slip-
pery road surfaces, even if the TRAC system is operating.
Do not drive the vehicle in conditions where stability and power may be lost.

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

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

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

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