1844-1. Before driving
Auris Touring Sports_EE (OM12G98E)
CAUTION
Load and distribution
Do not overload your vehicle.
Do not apply loads unevenly.
Improper loading may cause deterioration of steering or braking control
which may cause death or serious injury.
Roof luggage carrier precautions (if equipped)
To use the roof rails as a roof luggage carrier, you must fit the roof rails with
two genuine Toyota cross bars or their equivalent.
When you load cargo on the roof luggage carrier, observe the following:
Do not place any cargo directly onto the roof rails. This may lead to the
cargo becoming dislodged, resulting in an accident.
Before driving, make sure the cargo is securely fastened on the roof lug-
gage carrier.
Loading cargo on the roof luggage carrier will make the center of gravity of
the vehicle higher. Avoid high speeds, sudden starts, sharp turns, sudden
braking or abrupt maneuvers, otherwise it may result in loss of control or
vehicle rollover due to failure to operate this vehicle correctly and result in
death or serious injury.
If driving for a long distance, on rough roads, or at high speeds, stop the
vehicle occasionally during the trip to make sure the cargo remains in its
place.
Do not exceed 75 kg (165 lb.) cargo weight on the roof luggage carrier.
Place the cargo so that its weight is dis-
tributed evenly between the front and
rear axles.
If loading long or wide cargo, never
exceed the vehicle overall length or
width. (P. 584)Cross bars
Roof rails
1864-1. Before driving
Auris Touring Sports_EE (OM12G98E)
Weight limits
Check the allowable towing capacity, gross vehicle mass, maximum
permissible axle capacity, and permissible drawbar load before tow-
ing. (P. 584)
Towing hitch/bracket
Toyota recommends the use of the Toyota hitch/bracket for your
vehicle. Other products of a suitable nature and comparable quality
may also be used.
Trailer towing
Your vehicle is designed primarily as a passenger carrying vehi-
cle. Towing a trailer will have an adverse effect on handling, per-
formance, braking, durability, and fuel consumption. Your safety
and satisfaction depend on the proper use of correct equipment
and cautious driving habits. For your safety and the safety of
others, do not overload the vehicle or trailer.
To tow a trailer safely, use extreme care and drive the vehicle in
accordance with the trailer’s characteristics and operating con-
ditions.
Toyota warranties do not apply to damage or malfunction
caused by towing a trailer for commercial purposes.
Ask your local authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or another
duly qualified and equipped professional for further details
before towing, as there are additional legal requirements in
some countries.
1874-1. Before driving
Auris Touring Sports_EE (OM12G98E)
4
Driving
Total trailer weight and permissible drawbar load
Total trailer weight
Weight of the trailer itself plus
the trailer load should be within
the maximum towing capacity.
Exceeding this weight is danger-
ous. (P. 584)
When towing a trailer, use a fric-
tion coupler or friction stabilizer
(sway control device).
Permissible drawbar load
Allocate the trailer load so that
the drawbar load is greater than
25 kg (55.1 lb.) or 4% of the tow-
ing capacity. Do not let the draw-
bar load exceed the indicated
weight. (P. 584)
Important points regarding trailer loads
1
2
1884-1. Before driving
Auris Touring Sports_EE (OM12G98E)
Information tag (manufacturer’s label)
Gross vehicle mass
The combined weight of the
driver, passengers, luggage,
towing hitch, total curb mass
and drawbar load should not
exceed the gross vehicle mass
by more than 100 kg (220.5 lb.).
Exceeding this weight is danger-
ous.
Maximum permissible rear
axle capacity
The weight borne by the rear
axle should not exceed the max-
imum permissible rear axle
capacity by 15% or more.
Exceeding this weight is danger-
ous.
The values for towing capacity
were derived from testing con-
ducted at sea level. Take note
that engine output and towing
capacity will be reduced at high
altitudes.
1
2
CAUTION
When the gross vehicle mass limit or maximum permissible axle
capacity is exceeded
Do not exceed the established speed limit for towing a trailer in built-up
areas or 100 km/h (62 mph), whichever is the lower.
Failing to observe this precaution may lead to an accident causing death or
serious injury.
1904-1. Before driving
Auris Touring Sports_EE (OM12G98E)
Tire information
Increase the tire inflation pressure to 20.0 kPa (0.2 kgf/cm
2 or bar, 3 psi)
greater than the recommended value when towing. (P. 599)
Increase the air pressure of the trailer tires in accordance with the total
trailer weight and according to the values recommended by the manufac-
turer of your trailer.
Trailer lights
Please consult at any authorized dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified
and equipped professional when installing trailer lights, as incorrect installa-
tion may cause damage to the vehicle’s lights. Please take care to comply
with your state’s laws when installing trailer lights.
Break-in schedule
Toyota recommends that vehicles fitted with new power train components
should not be used for towing trailers for the first 800 km (500 miles).
Safety checks before towing
Check that the maximum load limit for the towing hitch/bracket and hitch ball
is not exceeded. Bear in mind that the coupling weight of the trailer will add
to the load exerted on the vehicle. Also make sure that the total load exerted
on the vehicle is within the range of the weight limits. (P. 187)
Ensure that the trailer load is secure.
Supplementary outside rear view mirrors should be added to the vehicle if
the traffic behind cannot be clearly seen with standard mirrors. Adjust the
extending arms of these mirrors on both sides of the vehicle so that they
always provide maximum visibility of the road behind.
Maintenance
Maintenance must be performed more frequently when using the vehicle for
towing due to the greater weight burden placed on the vehicle compared to
normal driving.
Retighten all bolts securing the hitching ball and bracket after towing for
approximately 1000 km (600 miles).
1944-1. Before driving
Auris Touring Sports_EE (OM12G98E)
CAUTION
Follow all the instructions described in this section. Failure to do so could
cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
Trailer towing precautions
When towing, make sure that none of the weight limits are exceeded.
(P. 187)
Vehicle speed in towing
Observe the legal maximum speeds for trailer towing.
Before descending hills or long declines
Reduce speed and downshift. However, never downshift suddenly while
descending steep or long downhill grades.
Operation of the brake pedal
Do not hold the brake pedal depressed often or for long periods of time.
Doing so may result in the brake overheating or reduce braking effects.
To avoid accident or injury
Vehicles with a cruise control: Do not use cruise control when you are tow-
ing.
Vehicles with a compact spare tire: Do not tow a trailer when the compact
spare tire is installed on your vehicle.
Vehicles with an emergency tire puncture repair kit: Do not tow a trailer
when the tire installed is repaired with the emergency tire puncture repair
kit.
NOTICE
Do not directly splice trailer lights
Directly splicing trailer lights may damage your vehicle's electrical system
and cause a malfunction.
4276-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Auris Touring Sports_EE (OM12G98E)
6
Maintenance and care
Your vehicle is equipped with a tire pressure warning system that uses
tire pressure warning valves and transmitters to detect low tire infla-
tion pressure before serious problems arise. (P. 498)
Installing tire pressure warning valves and transmitters
When replacing tires or wheels, tire pressure warning valves and
transmitters must also be installed.
When new tire pressure warning valves and transmitters are
installed, new ID codes must be registered in the tire pressure
warning computer and the tire pressure warning system must be
initialized. Have tire pressure warning valves and transmitter ID
codes registered by any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or
another duly qualified and equipped professional. (P. 429)
Initializing the tire pressure warning system
The tire pressure warning system must be initialized in the fol-
lowing circumstances:
When rotating front and rear tires which have different tire infla-
tion pressures.
When changing the tire size.
When the tire inflation pressure is changed such as when chang-
ing traveling speed or load weight.
When the tire pressure warning system is initialized, the current tire
inflation pressure is set as the benchmark pressure.
Tire pressure warning system (if equipped)
4366-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Auris Touring Sports_EE (OM12G98E)
Effects of incorrect tire inflation pressure
Driving with incorrect tire inflation pressure may result in the following:
Reduced fuel efficiency
Reduced driving comfort and tire life
Reduced safety
Damage to the drive train
If a tire needs frequent inflating, have it checked by any authorized Toyota
dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.
Instructions for checking tire inflation pressure
When checking tire inflation pressure, observe the following:
Check only when the tires are cold.
If your vehicle has been parked for at least 3 hours or has not been driven
for more than 1.5 km or 1 mile, you will get an accurate cold tire inflation
pressure reading.
Always use a tire pressure gauge.
The appearance of the tire can be misleading. In addition, tire inflation pres-
sure that is even just a few pounds off can affect ride quality and handling.
Do not reduce tire inflation pressure after driving. It is normal for tire inflation
pressure to be higher after driving.
Never exceed the vehicle capacity weight.
Passengers and luggage weight should be placed so that the vehicle is bal-
anced.
Tire inflation pressure
Make sure to maintain proper tire inflation pressure. Tire infla-
tion pressure should be checked at least once per month. How-
ever, Toyota recommends that tire inflation pressure be checked
once every two weeks. (P. 599)