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2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
CAUTION
■
Off-road driving precautions
Always observe the following precautions to minimize the risk of serious per-
sonal injury or damage to your vehicle:
●Drive carefully when off-road driving is unavoidable. Do not take unneces-
sary risks by driving in dangerous places.
● Do not grip the steering wheel spokes when off-road driving is unavoid-
able. A bad bump could jerk the wheel and injure your hands. Keep both
hands and especially your thumbs on the outside of the rim.
● Always check your brakes for effectiveness immediately after driving in
sand, mud, water or snow.
● When it is unavoidable to drive through tall grass, mud, rock, sand, etc.,
take care not to damage the traction batteries equipped under the floor.
After driving through such terrain, check that there is no grass, bush,
paper, rags, stone, sand, etc. adhering or trapped on the underbody. Clear
off any such matter from the underbody. If the vehicle is used with these
materials trapped or adhering to the underbody, a breakdown or fire could
occur.
● When driving off-road is unavoidable, do not drive at excessive speeds,
jump, make sharp turns, strike objects, etc. This may cause loss of control
or vehicle rollover causing death or serious injury. You are also risking
expensive damage to your vehicle’s suspension, chassis, drive unit or the
traction batteries.
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2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
As shown in the example above
, if the number of occupants
increases, the cargo and luggage load will be reduced by an amount
that equals the increased weight du e to the additional occupants. In
other words, if an increase in th e number of occupants causes an
excess of the total load capacity (combined weight of occupants plus
cargo and luggage load), you must reduce the cargo and luggage on
your vehicle.
CAUTION
■Things that must not be carried in the luggage compartment
The following things may cause a fire if loaded in the luggage compart-
ment.
●Receptacles containing gasoline
●Aerosol cans
■Storage precautions
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
●Stow cargo and luggage in the luggage compartment whenever possi-
ble.
●Do not stack anything in the luggage compartment higher than the
seatbacks.
Such items may be thrown about and possibly injure people in the
vehicle in the event of sudden braking or in an accident.
●Do not place cargo or luggage in or on the following locations as the
item may get under the brake or accelerator pedal and prevent the
pedals from being depressed properly, block the driver’s vision, or hit
the driver or passengers, causing an accident:
• At the feet of the driver
• On the front passenger or rear seats (when stacking items)
• On the instrument panel
• On the dashboard
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2-5. Driving information
Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before driving
the vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a manner appropri-
ate to the prevailing weather conditions.
■ Pre-winter preparations
●Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside tem-
peratures.
• Motor coolant
• Heater coolant
• Traction battery coolant
• Washer fluid
● Have a service technician inspec t the condition of the 12-volt
battery.
● Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set
of tire chains for the front tires.
Ensure that all tires are the same size and brand, and that chains
match the size of the tires.
■Before driving the vehicle
Perform the following according to the driving conditions:
●Do not try to forcibly open a window or move a wiper that is
frozen. Pour warm water over the frozen area to melt the ice.
Wipe away the water immediately to prevent it from freezing.
● Do not try to forcibly open the charging port cap if it is frozen.
Melt the ice using a hair dryer, immediately and thoroughly
wiping away any moisture.
● To ensure proper operation of th e climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents
in front of the windshield.
● Check for and remove any excess ice or snow that may have
accumulated on the exterior li ghts, vehicle's roof, chassis,
around the tires or on the brakes.
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2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Selecting tire chains
Use the correct tire chain size when mounting the snow chains.
Chain size is regulated for each tire size. Side chain 0.12 in. (3 mm) in diameter
0.39 in. (10 mm) in width
1.18 in. (30 mm) in length
Cross chain
0.16 in. (4 mm) in diameter
0.55 in. (14 mm) in width
0.98 in. (25 mm) in length
●Remove any snow or mud from the bottom of your shoes
before getting in the vehicle.
■ When driving the vehicle
Accelerate the vehicle slowly, keep a safe distance between you
and the vehicle ahead, and drive at a reduced speed suitable to
road conditions.
■ When parking the vehicle
Park the vehicle and push the P position switch without setting
the parking brake. The parking brake may freeze up, preventing
it from being released. If necess ary, block the wheels to prevent
inadvertent sliding or creeping.
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342
4-2. Maintenance
General maintenance
Motor compartment
ItemsCheck points
12-volt battery Check the connections.
(P. 362)
Brake fluid Is the brake fluid at the correct
level? (
P. 361)
Motor/traction battery coolant Is the coolant at the correct level?
(P. 357)
Heater coolant Is the coolant at the correct level?
(P. 359)
Condenser/radiators The condenser and radiators
should be free from foreign
objects. (
P. 360)
Washer fluid Is there sufficient washer fluid?
(P. 365)
Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be per-
formed at the intervals specified in the “Owner's Warranty Informa-
tion Booklet” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement/Scheduled
Maintenance Guide”. It is recommended that any problem you notice
should be brought to the attention of your Toyota dealer or qualified
service shop for advice.
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4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator pedal • The accelerator pedal should
move smoothly (without uneven
pedal effort or catching).
Brake pedal • Does the brake pedal move
smoothly?
• Does the brake pedal have appro- priate clearance from the floor?
(P. 487)
• Does the brake pedal have the correct amount of free play?
(P. 487)
Brakes • The vehicle should not pull to one
side when the brakes are applied.
• The brakes should work effec- tively.
• The brake pedal should not feel spongy.
• The brake pedal should not get too close to the floor when the
brakes are applied.
Head restraints • Do the head restraints move
smoothly and lock securely?
Transmission “Park” mechanism • When parked on a slope and the
parking brake is on, is the vehicle
securely stopped?
Indicators/buzzers • Do the indicators and buzzers
function properly?
Lights • Do all the lights come on?
• Are the headlights aimed cor-
rectly? ( P. 398)
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344 4-2. Maintenance
Parking brake• Does the parking brake lever
move smoothly?
• When parked on a slope and the parking brake is on, is the vehicle
securely stopped?
Seat belts • Do the seat belts operate
smoothly?
• The seat belts should not be dam- aged.
Seats • Do the seat controls operate
properly?
Steering wheel • Does the steering wheel rotate
smoothly?
• Does the steering wheel have the correct amount of free play?
• There should not be any strange sounds coming from the steering
wheel.
ItemsCheck points
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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself ser vice precautions
If you perform maintenance yourself, be sure to follow the correct
procedures as given in these sections.
ItemsParts and tools
12-volt battery condition( P. 362) • Grease
• Conventional wrench
(for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level ( P. 361)• FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE
J1703 brake fluid
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding brake fluid)
Motor coolant level ( P. 357)• “Zerex G 48” or “Glysantin G 48”
only
The dilution ratio for both “Zerex
G 48” and “Glysantin G 48” is
50% coolant and 50% deionized
water.
• Funnel (used only for adding motor coolant)
Traction battery coolant level (P. 357)
(Contact your Toyota dealer if the
level is on or below the “L” line.
The reservoir cap is not intended
to be opened by the user.
Improper filling can lead to trac-
tion battery system damage. Only
qualified personnel should service
the traction battery coolant.)