2013 TOYOTA MATRIX trailer

176 2-5. Driving information
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 automatic 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.
■Matching trailer ball height to trailer coupler height
STEP4
STEP5
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
No matter which class of tow hitch
applies, for a more safe trailer hookup,
the trailer ball setup must be the proper
height for the coupler on the trailer.
Coupler
Trailer ball

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.

178 2-5. Driving information
■If trailer sway occurs
One or more factors (crosswinds, passing vehicles, rough roads, etc.) can
adversely affect handling of your vehicle and trailer, causing instability.
●If trailer swaying occurs:
• Firmly grip the steering wheel. Steer straight ahead.
Do not try to control trailer swaying by turning the steering wheel.
• Begin releasing the accelerator pedal immediately but very gradually to
reduce speed.
Do not increase speed. Do not apply vehicle brakes.
If you make no extreme correction with the steering or brakes, your vehicle
and trailer should stabilize.
●After the trailer swaying has stopped:
• Stop in a safe place. Get all occupants out of the vehicle.
• Check the tires of the vehicle and the trailer.
• Check the load in the trailer.
Make sure the load has not shifted.
Make sure the tongue weight is appropriate, if possible.
• Check the load in the vehicle.
Make sure the vehicle is not overloaded after occupants get in.
If you cannot find any problems, the speed at which trailer swaying occurred
is beyond the limit of your particular vehicle-trailer combination.
Drive at a lower speed to prevent instability. Remember that swaying of the
towing vehicle-trailer increases as speed increases.
CAUTION
■Trailer towing precautions
To tow a trailer safely, use extreme care and drive the vehicle in accordance
with the trailer’s characteristics and operating conditions. Failure to do so
could cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury. Vehicle stability
and braking performance are affected by trailer stability, brake setting and
performance, and the hitch. Your vehicle will handle differently when towing
a trailer.

179 2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
CAUTION
■To avoid accident or injury
●Do not exceed the TWR, unbraked TWR, GCWR, GVWR or GAWR.
●Adjust the tongue weight within the appropriate range. Place heavier loads
as close to the trailer axle as possible.
●Do not exceed 65 mph (104 km/h), the posted towing speed limit or the
speed limit for your trailer as set forth in your trailer owner’s manual,
whichever is lowest. Slow down sufficiently before making a turn, in cross
winds, on wet or slippery surface, etc. to help avoid an accident. If you
experience a vehicle-trailer instability from reducing a certain speed, slow
down and make sure you keep your vehicle speed under the speed of
which you experience the instability.
●Do not make jerky, abrupt or sharp turns.
●Do not apply the brakes suddenly as you may skid, resulting in jackknifing
and loss of vehicle control. This is especially true on wet or slippery sur-
faces.
●Do not exceed the trailer hitch assembly weight, gross vehicle weight,
gross axle weight and trailer tongue weight capacities.
●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.

180 2-5. Driving information
CAUTION
■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.
■When towing a trailer
Toyota recommends trailers with brakes 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 with 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.

438
6-1. Specifications
Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.)
Dimensions and weights
*1: Except S or XRS grade models
*2: S or XRS grade models
*3: Unladen vehicle
*4: Vehicles without double wishbone rear suspension
*5: Vehicles with double wishbone rear suspension
*6: 2.4 L 4-cylinder (2AZ-FE) engine only
Overall length171.9 in. (4365 mm)*1
173.0 in. (4395 mm)*2
Overall width 69.5 in. (1765 mm)
Overall height*361.0 in. (1550 mm)*4
61.4 in. (1560 mm)*5
Wheelbase 102.4 in. (2600 mm)
TreadFront 59.8 in. (1519 mm)
Rear 59.9 in. (1522 mm)
Vehicle capacity weight
(Occupants + luggage)850 lb. (385 kg)
Trailer weight rating*6
(Trailer weight + cargo weight)1500 lb. (680 kg)

486
Abbreviation list
Abbreviation/Acronym list
ABBREVIATIONSMEANING
2WD 2 Wheel Drive
4WD 4 Wheel Drive
A/C Air Conditioning
ABS Anti-lock Brake System
ACC Accessory
ALR Automatic Locking Retractor
AWD All Wheel Drive
CRS Child Restraint System
ECU Electronic Control Unit
EDR Event Data Recorder
ELR Emergency Locking Retractor
EPS Electric Power Steering
GAWR Gross Axle Weight Rating
GCWR Gross Combination Weight Rating
GVWR Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
I/M Emission inspection and maintenance
LATCH Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children
LED Light Emitting Diode
M + S Mud and Snow
MMT Methylcyclopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl
MTBE Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether
OBD On Board Diagnostics
SRS Supplemental Restraint System
TIN Tire Identification Number
TPMS Tire Pressure Warning System
TRAC Traction Control
TWR Trailer Weight Rating

496 Alphabetical index
Sunshade
Roof.........................................62
Switch
Emergency flasher switch ..... 388
Engine switch ........................ 118
Fog light switch ..................... 141
Hazard light switch ................388
Ignition switch........................ 118
Light switches........................ 138
Power door lock switch ...........31
Power window switch ..............59
Window lock switch .................59
Wiper and washer switch ...... 143
Tachometer............................... 132
Tail lights
Replacing light bulbs ............. 378
Switch.................................... 138
Wattage ................................. 453
Theft deterrent system
Engine immobilizer system .....68
Theft prevention labels..............70
Tie-down belts .......................... 302
Tire inflation pressure ............. 358
Tire information
Glossary ................................ 463
Size ....................................... 460
Tire identification number ...... 459
Uniform tire quality
grading ................................ 461Tires
Chains ................................... 162
Checking ............................... 349
If you have a flat tire.............. 408
Inflation pressure .................. 358
Inflation pressure sensor....... 350
Replacing .............................. 408
Rotating tires ......................... 349
Size ....................................... 451
Snow tires ............................. 162
Spare tire .............................. 408
Tonneau cover ......................... 304
Tools ......................................... 408
Total load capacity .................. 161
Towing
Dinghy towing ............... 181, 182
Trailer towing ................ 166, 167
TRAC ......................................... 153
Traction control ....................... 153
Trip meter ................................. 132
Turn signal lights
Replacing light bulbs ............. 378
Switch ................................... 129
Wattage................................. 453
Vanity mirrors .......................... 291
Vehicle control and
operation data recording ........ 19
Vehicle identification
number ................................... 439
Vehicle stability control .......... 153
VSC ........................................... 153
T
V