2013 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, leading 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. 162)
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 control
The 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. 430)

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 operation 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
●The limits of tire gripping performance have been exceeded (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, especially in the fol-
lowing situations.
●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
●Automatic transmission:
To maintain engine braking efficiency and charging system perfor-
mance when using engine braking, do not put the transmission in
“D”. If in the S mode, the transmission shift gear position must be in
4 or lower.
●Manual transmission:
To maintain engine braking efficiency and charging system perfor-
mance when using engine braking, do not use fifth gear.
●Instability happens more frequently when descending steep or long
downhill grades. Before descending, slow down and downshift. Do
not make sudden downshifts while descending steep or long down-
hill 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.
●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, immediately turn off the air condition-
ing (if in use), pull your vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot.
(P. 430)
●Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle’s and the
trailer’s wheels when parking. Apply the parking brake firmly, and
put the transmission in P (automatic transmission) or in 1 or R
(manual transmission). Avoid parking 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 blocks under both the vehicle’s
and trailer’s wheels.
When the wheel blocks are in place, release the brakes slowly
until the blocks absorb the load.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

5
When trouble arises
431 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. 445)
Have the vehicle checked at the nearest Toyota dealer as soon as
possible.
STEP5

490 Alphabetical index
Child safety
Airbag precautions ..................80
Battery precautions ....... 346, 429
Child restraint system..............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 ......................... 368
Seat belt extender
precautions ...........................52
Seat belt precautions ..............51
Child-protectors .........................32
Cleaning
Exterior .................................. 314
Interior ................................... 317
Seat belts .............................. 318
Clock ......................................... 292
Compass ................................... 309
Condenser ................................ 342
Console box ............................. 284
Cooling system
Engine overheating ............... 430
Cruise control........................... 148
Cup holder ................................ 285
Curtain shield airbags ...............73
Customizable features............. 469Daytime running light
system .................................... 140
Defogger
Rear window ......................... 193
Side mirror ............................ 193
Dimension ................................ 438
Dinghy towing .................. 181, 182
Display
Trip meter.............................. 132
Do-it-yourself maintenance .... 326
Doors
Door lock ........................... 28, 31
Door windows ......................... 59
Side mirrors............................. 57
Driver's seat belt reminder
light ......................................... 400
Driving
Break-in tips .......................... 109
Correct posture ....................... 71
Procedures............................ 106
Winter driving tips ................. 162D

491 Alphabetical index
Electric power steering........... 152
Emergency flashers
Switch ................................... 388
Emergency, in case of
If a warning light turns on ..... 397
If the engine will not start...... 422
If the shift lever cannot be
shifted from P ..................... 423
If the vehicle has a
discharged battery ............. 425
If the warning buzzer
sounds ............................... 397
If you have a flat tire ............ 408
If you lose your keys............. 424
If you think something is
wrong ................................. 395
If your vehicle becomes
stuck................................... 433
If your vehicle has to be
stopped in an emergency... 435
If your vehicle needs to be
towed ................................. 389
If your vehicle overheats ...... 430Engine
Compartment ........................335
Engine switch ........................118
Hood......................................330
How to start the
engine .................................118
Identification number .............439
If the engine will not start ......422
Ignition switch........................118
Overheating...........................430
Engine coolant
Capacity ................................445
Checking ...............................341
Preparing and checking
before winter .......................162
Engine coolant temperature
gauge ......................................132
Engine immobilizer system.......68
Engine oil
Capacity ................................443
Checking ...............................337
Preparing and checking
before winter .......................162
EPS ............................................152
Event data recorder ...................19E