2012 TOYOTA SIENNA towing

374 2-5. Driving information
SIENNA_U (OM45477U)
CAUTION
■To avoid accident or injury
● Do not use cruise control when towing.
● Slow down and downshift before descending steep or long downhill
grades. Do not make sudden downshifts while descending steep or long
downhill grades.
● Vehicle-trailer instability is more likely on steep long downhills. Before
descending steep or long downhill grades, slow down and downshift. Do
not make sudden downshifts when descending steep or long downhill
grades. Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or applying the
brakes too frequently. This could cause the brakes to overheat and result
in reduced braking efficiency.
● Do not tow a trailer when the compact spare tire is installed on your vehi-
cle.
■ Hitch
Trailer hitch assemblies have different weight capacities established by the
hitch manufacturer. Even though the vehicle may be physically capable of
towing a higher weight, the operator must determine the maximum weight
rating of the particular hitch assembly and never exceed the maximum
weight rating specified for the trailer-hitch. Exceeding the maximum weight
rating set by the trailer-hitch manufacturer can cause an accident resulting in
death or serious personal injuries.

375
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
SIENNA_U (OM45477U)
CAUTION
■
When towing a trailer
Toyota recommends trailers with brak es that conform to any applicable fed-
eral and state/provincial regulations.
● If the gross trailer weight exceeds unbraked TWR, trailer brakes are
required. Toyota recommends trailers wi th brakes that conform to all appli-
cable federal and state/provincial regulations.
● Never tap into your vehicle’s hydraulic system, as this will lower the vehi-
cle’s braking effectiveness.
● Never tow a trailer without using a safety chain securely attached to both
the trailer and the vehicle. If damage occurs to the coupling unit or hitch
ball, there is danger of the trailer wandering into another lane.
NOTICE
■When installing a trailer hitch
Use only the position recommended by your Toyota dealer. Do not install the
trailer hitch on the bumper; this may cause body damage.
■ Do not directly splice trailer lights
Do not directly splice trailer lights. Directly splicing trailer lights may damage
your vehicle’s electrical system and cause a malfunction.

376
2-5. Driving information
SIENNA_U (OM45477U)
Dinghy towing
NOTICE
■To avoid serious damage to your vehicle
■ To prevent causing serious damage to the transaxle 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 four wheels
on the ground.
ITN25N009
2WD models: Never tow this vehicle from
the rear with the front wheels on the
ground. This may cause serious damage
to the transaxle.
AWD models: Never tow this vehicle with
any of the wheels on the ground. This
may cause serious damage to the tran-
saxle and Active Torque Control 4WD
system.
ITN25N010
ITN25N011

583
3-7. Using the
storage features
3
Interior features
SIENNA_U (OM45477U)
CAUTION
■Items unsuitable for the bottle holder
Do not place anything other than a bottle in the bottle holders.
Other items may be thrown out of the holders in the event of an accident or
sudden braking and cause injury.
NOTICE
■When stowing a bottle
Put the cap on before stowing a bottle. Do not place open bottles in the bot-
tle holders. The contents may spill.
Type B: Make sure items in the sliding door bottle holder will not interfere
with the motion of the door before operating the door. Items that protrude
from the bottle holder may prevent door opening or damage the vehicle.
Bottle holders

626 3-8. Other interior features
SIENNA_U (OM45477U)■
Stolen Vehicle Location
If your vehicle is stolen, Safety Connect can work with local author-
ities to assist them in locating and recovering the vehicle. After fil-
ing a police report, call the Safety Connect response center at 1-
800-331-4331 and follow the prompts for Safety Connect to initiate
this service.
In addition to assisting law enforc ement with recovery of a stolen
vehicle, Safety-Connect-equipped vehicle location data may, under
certain circumstances, be shared with third parties to locate your
vehicle. Further information is available at Toyota.com.
■ Emergency Assistance Button (“SOS”)
In the event of an emergency on the road, push the “SOS” button
to reach the Safety Connect response center. The answering
agent will determine your vehicl e’s location, assess the emer-
gency, and dispatch the necessary assistance required.
If you accidentally press the “SOS” button, tell the response-center agent
that you are not experiencing an emergency.
■ Roadside Assistance
Subscribers can press the “SOS” button to reach a Safety Connect
response-center agent, who can help with a wide range of needs,
such as: towing, flat tire, fuel deliv ery, etc. For a description of the
Roadside Assistance services and their limitations, please see the
Safety Connect Terms and Conditions, which are available at
To y o t a . c o m .

5
When trouble arises
723
5-1. Essential information
SIENNA_U (OM45477U)
If your vehicle needs to be towed
Before towingThe following may indicate a problem with your transaxle. 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 commercia l towing service, using a wheel-lift
type truck or flat bed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all to wing, 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. 724, 726)
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. 724, 726)

724 5-1. Essential information
SIENNA_U (OM45477U)
Towing with a sling-type truckDo not tow with a sling type truck
to prevent body damage.
Towing with a wheel-lift type truckFrom the front (2WD models) Release the parking brake.

5
When trouble arises
725
5-1. Essential information
SIENNA_U (OM45477U)
From the front (AWD models)
Use a towing dolly under the rear
wheels.
From the rear Use a towing dolly under the
front wheels.
Using a flatbed 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.