2014 TOYOTA MATRIX engine

428 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
■Avoiding a discharged battery
●Turn off the headlights and the audio system while the engine is turned
off.
● Turn off any unnecessary electrical components when the vehicle is run-
ning at a low speed for an extended period, such as in heavy traffic, etc.
■ Charging the battery
The electricity stored in the battery will discharge gradually even when the
vehicle is not in use, due to natural discharge and the draining effects of cer-
tain electrical appliances. If the vehicle is left for a long time, the battery may
discharge, and the engine may be unable to start. (The battery recharges
automatically during driving.)
CAUTION
■Avoiding battery fires or explosions
Observe the following precautions to prevent accidentally igniting the flam-
mable gas that may be emitted from the battery.
●Make sure the jumper cable is connected to the correct terminal and that it
is not unintentionally in contact with any part other than the intended termi-
nal.
● Do not allow the jumper cables to come into contact with the “+” and “-” ter-
minals.
● Do not smoke, use matches, cigarette lighters or allow open flame near
the battery.

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429
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CAUTION
■
Battery precautions
The battery contains poisonous and corrosive acidic electrolyte, while
related parts contain lead and lead compounds. Observe the following pre-
cautions when handling the battery.
●When working with the battery, always wear safety glasses and take care
not to allow any battery fluids (acid) to come into contact with skin, clothing
or the vehicle body.
● Do not lean over the battery.
● In the event that battery fluid comes into contact with the skin or eyes,
immediately wash the affected area with water and seek medical attention.
Place a wet sponge or cloth over the affected area until medical attention
can be received.
● Always wash your hands after handling the battery support, terminals, and
other battery-related parts.
● Do not allow children near the battery.
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the vehicle
Do not pull- or push-start the vehicle, because the catalytic converter may
overheat and become a fire hazard.
■ When handling jumper cables
Be careful that the jumper cables do not become tangled in the cooling fans
or any of the belts when connecting or disconnecting them.
■ When attaching the engine cover (1 .8 L 4-cylinder [2ZR-FE] engine)
Ensure that the rubber grommets remain attached to the engine cover. If the
grommet is attached to the bolts, transfer grommets to the engine cover.

430
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle overheats
Correction proceduresStop the vehicle in a safe place and turn off the air condition-
ing system, and then stop the engine.
If you see steam: Carefully lift the hood after the steam subsides.
If you do not see steam: Carefully lift the hood.
After the engine has cooled
down sufficiently, inspect the
hoses and radiator core (radia-
tor) for any leaks.
Radiator
Cooling fan
If a large amount of coolant leaks,
immediately contact your Toyota
dealer.
The coolant level is satisfactory if
it is between the “FULL” and
“LOW” lines on the reservoir.Reservoir
“FULL”
“LOW”
Radiator cap
The following may indicate that your vehicle is overheating.
●The needle of the engine co olant temperature gauge (P. 132)
enters the red zone or a loss of engine power is experienced.
(For example, the vehicl e speed does not increase.)
● Steam comes out from under the hood
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431
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Add coolant if necessary.
Water can be used in an emer-
gency if coolant is unavailable.
Start the engine and turn the
air conditioning system on to
check that the radiator cooling fan operates and to check for
coolant leaks from the radiator or hoses.
The fan operates when the air conditioning system is turned on
immediately after a cold start. Confirm that the fan is operating by
checking the fan sound and air flow. If it is difficult to check these,
turn the air conditioning system on and off repeatedly.
(The fan may not operate in freezing temperatures.)
If the fan is not operating:
Stop the engine immediately and contact your Toyota
dealer.
If the fan is operating: Have the vehicle inspected at the nearest Toyota dealer.
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432 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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 (especially a tie, a scarf or a muffler) away from
the fan and belts. Failure to do so may cause the hands or clothing to be
caught, resulting in serious injury.
● 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.
NOTICE
■When adding engine coolant
Wait until the engine has cooled down before adding engine coolant.
When adding coolant, do so slowly. Adding cool coolant to a hot engine too
quickly can cause damage to the engine.
■ To prevent damage to the cooling system
Observe the following precautions:
●Avoid contaminating the coolant with foreign matter (such as sand or dust
etc.).
● Do not use commercially available coolant additives.

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433
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If the vehicle becomes stuck
CAUTION
■When attempting to free a stuck vehicle
If you choose to rock the vehicle back and forth to free it, make sure the sur-
rounding area is clear, to avoid striking other vehicles, objects or persons.
The vehicle may also lunge forward or lunge back suddenly as it becomes
free. Use extreme caution.
■ When shifting the shift lever
For vehicles with an automatic transmission, be careful not to shift the shift
lever with the accelerator pedal depressed.
This may lead to unexpected rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may
cause an accident and result in death or serious injury.
Carry out the following procedures if the tires spin or the vehicle
becomes stuck in mud, dirt, or snow.
Stop the engine. Set the parking brake and put the shift
lever in P (automatic transmission) or N (manual transmis-
sion).
Remove the mud, snow, or sand from around the stuck tire.
Place wood, stones or some other material to help provide
traction under the tires.
Restart the engine.
Shift the shift lever to the D or R position (automatic trans-
mission) or 1 or R position (manual transmission), release
the parking brake and carefully apply the accelerator to free
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434 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
NOTICE
■To avoid damaging the transmission and other components
●Avoid spinning the wheels and do not rev the engine.
● If the vehicle remains stuck after trying these procedures, the vehicle may
require towing to be freed.

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435
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an emergency
Only in an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible to stop the
vehicle in the normal way, stop the vehicle using the following pro-
cedure:
Steadily step on the brake pedal with both feet and firmly
depress it.
Do not pump the brake pedal repeatedly as this will increase the
effort required to slow the vehicle.
Shift the shift lever to N.
If the shift lever is shifted to N After slowing down, stop the vehi cle in a safe place by the
road.
Stop the engine.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted to N Keep depressing the brake pedal with both feet to reduce
vehicle speed as much as possible.
Stop the engine by turning the
engine switch to the “ACC”
position.
Stop the vehicle in a safe place by the road.
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