2012 TOYOTA YARIS HATCHBACK weight

177
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Trailer towing (3-door models for Canada)
Weight limitsConfirm that the gross trailer weig ht, gross vehicle weight, gross axle
weight and trailer tongue load are all within the limits.
● The gross trailer weight must never exceed 700 lb. (315 kg).
●The gross vehicle weight must
never exceed the GVWR indi-
cated the Certification Label.
● The gross axle weight on each
axle must never exceed the
GAWR indicated the Certifica-
tion Label.
Your vehicle is designed primarily as a passenger carrying vehicle.
Towing a trailer will have an adverse effect on handling, perfor-
mance, braking, durability, and fu el consumption. For your safety
and the safety of others , do not overload the vehicle or trailer.
To tow a trailer safely, use extreme care and drive the vehicle in
accordance with the trailer’s char acteristics and operating condi-
tions.
The vehicle stability and braking performance are affected by trailer
stability, brake setting and performance, and the hitch.
Toyota warranties do not apply to damage or malfunction caused by
towing a trailer for commercial purposes.
Contact your Toyota dealer for fu rther information about additional
requirements such as a towing kits, etc.

178 2-5. Driving information
Towing related term
Towing related termMeaning
GVWR (Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating)The maximum allowable gross vehicle
weight. The gross vehicle weight is the
total weight of the vehicle. When towing
a trailer, it is the sum of the vehicle
weight (including the occupants, cargo
and any optional equipment installed on
the vehicle) and the tongue load.
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating) The maximum allowable gross axle
weight. The gross axle weight is the load
placed on each axle (front and rear).
Gross trailer weight The sum of the trailer weight and the
weight of the cargo in the trailer
Towing capacity The maximum allowable gross trailer
weight. Towing capacity is calculated
considering the base vehicle with neces-
sary vehicle equipment and occupants.
Additional optional equipment, passen-
gers and cargo in the vehicle will reduce
the towing capacity, gross trailer weight
include the trailer, cargo and necessary
equipment for towing.
Tongue load The load placed on the trailer hitch ball

179
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Trailer tongue load
● A recommended tongue load varies in accordance with the types
of trailers or towing as described below.
● In order to ensure the recommended values shown below, the
trailer must be loaded by referring to the following instructions.
The trailer cargo load should be di stributed so that the tongue load
is 9 to 11% of the gross trailer weight, not exceeding 70 lb. (31 kg).
(Tongue load / Gross trailer weight x 100 = 9 to 11%)
The gross trailer weight and tongue l oad can be measured with plat-
form scales found at a highway weighing station, building supply
company, trucking company, junk yard, etc.
Gross trailer weight
Tongue load
Hitch
Trailer hitch assemblies have different weight capacities established
by the hitch manufacturer. Even th ough the vehicle may be rated for
towing a higher weight, the operat or must never exceed the maxi-
mum weight rating specified for the trailer hitch.
Connecting trailer lights
Please consult your dealer when installing trailer lights, as incorrect
installation may cause damage to the vehicle’s lights. Please take
care to comply with your state’ s laws when installing trailer lights.

184 2-5. Driving information
CAUTION
■Trailer towing precautions
●Follow all the instructions described in this section. Failure to do so could
cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
● Exceeding the towing capacity, GVWR or GAWR can cause an accident
resulting in death or serious personal injuries.
■ To avoid accident or injury
●Do not exceed 45 mph (72 km/h) or the posted towing speed limit, which-
ever is lower. As instability (swaying) of the towing vehicle-trailer combina-
tion increases as speed increases, exceeding 45 mph (72 km/h) may
cause loss of control.
● Do not exceed the trailer hitch assembly weight, gross vehicle weight,
gross axle weight and trailer tongue load capacities.
● Never load more weight in the back than in the front of the trailer. About
60% of the load should be in the front half of the trailer, and the remaining
40% in the rear.
● Do not use cruise control when you are towing.
● Slow down and downshift before descending steep or long downhill
grades. Do not make sudden downshifts while 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 the vehicle with the compact spare tire installed.

185
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
CAUTION
■
Hitches
Trailer hitch assemblies have different weight capacities established by the
hitch manufacturer. Even though the vehicle may be rated for towing a
higher weight, the operator must never exceed the maximum weight rating
specified for the trailer hitch.
●If you wish to install a trailer hitch, contact your Toyota dealer.
● Use only a hitch that conforms to the gross trailer weight requirement.
● The towing capacity of 700 lb. (315 kg) can only be guaranteed when
using a genuine Toyota hitch assembly or equivalent.
● Follow the directions supplied by the hitch manufacturer.
● Lubricate the hitch ball with a light coat of grease.
● Remove the trailer hitch whenever you are not towing a trailer. After
removing the hitch, seal any mounting hole in the vehicle body to prevent
entry of any substances into the vehicle.
■ When towing a trailer
●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.

256 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■Replacing tires and wheels (vehicles with a tire pressure warning
system)
If the ID code of the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter is not
registered, the tire pressure warning system will not work properly. After
driving for about 20 minutes, the tire pressure warning light blinks for 1
minute and stays on to indicate a system malfunction.
■Tire life
Any tire over 6 years old must be checked by a qualified technician even
if it has seldom or never been used or damage is not obvious.
■Routine tire inflation pressure checks (vehicles with a tire pressure
warning system)
The tire pressure warning system doe s not replace routine tire inflation
pressure checks. Make sure to check tire inflation pressure as part of
your routine of daily vehicle checks.
■Low profile tires (vehicle s with P195/50R16 tires)
Generally, low profile tire s will wear more rapidly and tire grip perfor-
mance will be reduced on snowy and/or icy roads when compared to
standard tires. Be sure to use snow tires or tire chains on snowy and/or
icy roads and drive carefully at a speed appropriate for road and weather
conditions.
■Maximum load of tire
Check that the maximum load of the replacement tire is greater than 1/2
of the Gross Axle Weight Ratings (GAW R) of either the front axle or the
rear axle, whichever is greater.
For the GAWR, see the Certification
Label. For the maximum load of the
tire, see the load limit at maximum cold
tire inflation pressure mentioned on the
sidewall of the tire. (→P. 356)

263
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
■Tire inflation pressure check interval
You should check tire inflation pressure every two weeks, or at least
once a month.
Do not forget to check the spare.
■Effects of incorrect tire inflation pressure
Driving with incorrect ti
re inflation pressure ma y result in the following:
●Reduced fuel efficiency
●Reduced driving comfort and tire life
●Reduced safety
●Damage to the drive train
If a tire needs frequent inflating, have it checked by your Toyota dealer.
■Instructions for checking tire inflation pressure
When checking tire inflation pressure, observe the following:
●Check only when the tires are cold.
If your vehicle has been parked for at least 3 hours or has not been
driven for more than 1 mile or 1.5 km, you will get an accurate cold
tire inflation pressure reading.
●Always use a tire pressure gauge.
The appearance of the tire can be mi sleading. In addition, tire infla-
tion pressures that is even just a few pounds off can affect ride quality
and handling.
●Do not reduce tire inflation pressure after driving. It is normal for tire
inflation pressure to be higher after driving.
●Never exceed the vehicle capacity weight.
Passengers and luggage weight should be placed so that the vehicle
is balanced.

265
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Wheels
If a wheel is bent, cracked or heavily corroded, it should be
replaced. Otherwise, the tire may separate from the wheel or
cause a loss of handling control.
■Wheel selection
When replacing wheels, care should be taken to ensure that
they are equivalent to those removed in load capacity, diameter,
rim width and inset*.
Replacement wheels are available at your Toyota dealer.
*: Conventionally referred to as “offset”.
Toyota does not recommend using the following:
●Wheels of different sizes or types
● Used wheels
● Bent wheels that have been straightened
■ Aluminum wheel precautions (if equipped)
●Use only Toyota wheel nuts and wrenches designed for use
with your aluminum wheels.
● When rotating, repairing or changing your tires, check that the
wheel nuts are still tight after driving 1000 miles (1600 km).
● Be careful not to damage the aluminum wheels when using
tire chains.
● Use only Toyota genuine bal ance weights or equivalent and
use a plastic or rubber hammer when balancing your wheels.