2013 TOYOTA MATRIX weight

167
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Trailer towing (2.4 L 4-cylinder [2AZ-FE] engine)
Towing related terms
■GCWR (Gross Combination Weight Rating)
The maximum allowable gross
combination weight. The gross
combination weight is the sum of
the total vehicle weight (including
the occupants, cargo and any
optional equipment installed on
the vehicle) and the weight of the
trailer being towed (including the
cargo in the trailer).
Your vehicle is designed primarily as a passenger-and-load-carrying
vehicle. Towing a trailer can have an adverse impact on handling,
performance, braking, durability, and fuel consumption. For your
safety and the safety of others, you must not overload your vehicle
or trailer. You must also ensure that you are using appropriate tow-
ing equipment, that the towing equipment has been installed cor-
rectly and used properly, and that you employ the requisite driving
habits.
Vehicle-trailer stability and braking performance are affected by
trailer stability, brake performance and setting, trailer brakes, the
hitch and hitch systems (if equipped).
To tow a trailer safely, use extreme care and drive the vehicle in
accordance with your trailer’s characteristics and operating condi-
tions.
Toyota warranties do not apply to damage or malfunction caused by
towing a trailer for commercial purposes.
Contact your Toyota dealer for further information about additional
requirements such as towing kits, etc.

168 2-5. Driving information
■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 weight.
■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).
Front GAWR
Rear GAWR

169 2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
■TWR (Trailer Weight Rating)
The maximum allowable gross
trailer weight. The gross trailer
weight is the sum of the trailer
weight and the weight of the
cargo in the trailer.
TWR is calculated assuming
base vehicle with one driver, one
front passenger, towing package
(if available), hitch and hitch sys-
tems (if required).
Additional optional equipment,
passengers and cargo in the vehi-
cle will reduce the trailer weight
rating so as not to exceed
GCWR, GVWR and GAWR.
■Unbraked TWR (Unbraked Trailer Weight Rating)
The trailer weight rating for tow-
ing a trailer without a trailer ser-
vice brake system.
(With brakes)
(Without brakes)

170 2-5. Driving information
■Tongue Weight
The load placed on the trailer
hitch ball. (P. 171)
Weight limits
●The gross trailer weight must never exceed the TWR described in
the table. (P. 171)
●The gross combination weight must never exceed the GCWR
described in the table. (P. 171)
●The gross vehicle weight must
never exceed the GVWR indi-
cated on the Certification
Label.
●The gross axle weight on each
axle must never exceed the
GAWR indicated on the Certi-
fication Label.
●If the gross trailer weight is over the unbraked TWR, trailer service
brakes are required.

171 2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
GCWR, TWR and Unbraked TWR
Confirm that the gross trailer weight, gross combination weight, gross
vehicle weight, gross axle weight and tongue weight are all within the
limits.
■GCWR
* and TWR*
■Unbraked TWR*
1000 lb. (454 kg)
*: These models meet the tow-vehicle trailering requirement of SAE Interna-
tional per SAE J2807.
Trailer Tongue Weight
●A recommended tongue weight varies in accordance with the types
of trailers or towing as described below.
●To ensure the recommended values shown below, the trailer must
be loaded by referring to the following instructions.
• Tongue Weight
The gross trailer weight should be distributed so that the tongue
weight is 9% to 11%. (Tongue weight /Gross trailer weight x 100
= 9% to 11%)
Driving systemGradeTransmissionGCWRTWR
2WDS gradeAutomatic
transmission4975 lb.
(2257 kg)
1500 lb.
(680 kg) Manual
transmission4900 lb.
(2223 kg)
XRS gradeAutomatic
transmission5055 lb.
(2293 kg)
Manual
transmission4975 lb.
(2257 kg)
AWD5195 lb.
(2356 kg)

172 2-5. Driving information
Gross trailer weight
Tongue weight
If using a weight distributing hitch when towing, return the front
axle to the same weight as before the trailer connection.
If front axle weight cannot be measured directly, measure the
front fender height above the front axle before connection.
Adjust weight distributing hitch torque until front fender is
returned to the same height as before connection.
The gross trailer weight, gross axle weight and tongue weight
can be measured with platform scales found at a highway
weighing station, building supply company, trucking company,
junk yard, etc.
Hitch
Trailer hitch assemblies have different weight capacities. Toyota rec-
ommends the use of Toyota hitch/bracket for your vehicle. For details,
contact your Toyota dealer.
●If you wish to install a trailer hitch, contact your Toyota dealer.
●Use only a hitch that conforms to the gross trailer weight require-
ment of your vehicle.
●Follow the directions supplied by the hitch manufacturer.
●Lubricate the hitch ball with a light coating 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.

173 2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Positions for towing hitch receiver and hitch ball
Weight carrying ball position:
36.2 in. (920.3 mm)
Hitch receiver pin hole posi-
tion: 29.1 in. (739.4 mm)
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.
Trailer towing tips
Your vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. Help to avoid
an accident, death or serious injury, keep the following in mind when
towing:
●Speed limits for towing a trailer vary by state or province. Do not
exceed the posted towing speed limit.
●Toyota recommends that the vehicle-trailer speed limit is 65 mph
(104 km/h) on a flat, straight, dry road. Do not exceed this limit, the
posted towing speed limit or the speed limit for your trailer as set
forth in your trailer owner’s manual, whichever is lowest. Instability
of the towing vehicle-trailer combination (trailer sway) increases as
speed increases. Exceeding speed limits may cause loss of con-
trol.
●Before starting out, check the trailer lights, tires and the vehicle-
trailer connections. Recheck after driving a short distance.

177 2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
■Before towing
Check that the following conditions are met:
●Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. (P. 451)
●Trailer tires are inflated according to the trailer manufacturer’s recom-
mendation.
●All trailer lights work as required by law.
●All lights work each time you connect them.
●The trailer ball is set at the proper height for the coupler on the trailer.
●The trailer is level when it is hitched. Do not drive if the trailer is not level,
and check for improper tongue weight, overloading, worn suspension, or
other possible causes.
●The trailer cargo is securely loaded.
●The rear view mirrors conform to all applicable federal, state/provincial or
local regulations. If they do not, install rear view mirrors appropriate for
towing purposes.
■Break-in schedule
If your vehicle is new or equipped with any new power train components
(such as an engine, transmission, differential or wheel bearing), Toyota rec-
ommends that you do not tow a trailer until the vehicle has been driven for
over 500 miles (800 km).
After the vehicle has been driven for over 500 miles (800 km), you can start
towing. However, for the next 500 miles (800 km), drive the vehicle at a
speed of less than 50 mph (80 km/h) when towing a trailer, and avoid full
throttle acceleration.
■Maintenance
●If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent maintenance
due to the additional load. (See “Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or
“Owner’s Manual Supplement”.)
●Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approxi-
mately 600 miles (1000 km) of trailer towing.