2016 TOYOTA VENZA Owners Manual

2892-5. Driving information
2
When driving
VENZA_OM_OM73030U_(U) Trailer Tongue Weight
● A recommended tongue weight varies in accordance with the types
of trailers or towing as described below.
● To ensure the recommended values shown below, the trailer must
be loaded by referring to the following instructions.
• Tongue Weight
The gross trailer weight should be distributed so that the tongue
weight is 9 to 11%.
(Tongue weight / Gross trailer weight  100 = 9 to 11%)
2GR-FE engine (Without towing package) and 1AR-FE engine
Gross trailer weight
Tongue weight
2GR-FE engine (With towing package)

2902-5. Driving information
VENZA_OM_OM73030U_(U) If using a weight distributing hitch when towing, return the front
axle to the same weight as before the trailer connection.
If front axle weight cannot be measured directly, measure the front
fender height above the front axle before connection. Adjust weight
distributing hitch torque until fr ont fender is returned to the same
height as before connection.
The gross trailer weight, gross axle weight and tongue weight can
be measured with platform scales found at a highway weighing sta-
tion, building supply company, trucking company, junk yard, etc.
Hitch
Trailer hitch assemblies have different weight capacities. Toyota rec-
ommends the use of Toyota hitch/brac ket for your vehicle. For details,
contact your Toyota dealer.
● If you wish to install a trailer hitch, contact your Toyota dealer.
● Use only a hitch that c onforms to the gross trailer weight require-
ment of your vehicle.
● Follow the directions supplied by the hitch manufacturer.
● Lubricate the hitch ball with a light coating of grease.
● Remove the trailer hitch whenever you are not towing a trailer.
After removing the hitch, seal any mounting hole in the vehicle
body to prevent entry of any substances into the vehicle.

2912-5. Driving information
2
When driving
VENZA_OM_OM73030U_(U) Selecting trailer ball
Use the correct trailer ball for your application.
Trailer ball load rating Matches or exceeds the gross
trailer weight rating of the trailer.
Ball diameter Matches the size of the trailer
coupler. Most couplers are
stamped with the required trailer
ball size.
Shank length Protrudes beyond the bottom of
the lock washer and nut at least 2
threads.
Shank diameter Matches the ball mount hole
diameter size.Trailer
class Typical trailer ball
size
IV 2 5/16 in.
II and III 2 in.
I 1 7/8 in.

2922-5. Driving information
VENZA_OM_OM73030U_(U) Positions for towing hitch receiver and hitch ball
Weight carrying ball position:
46.5 in. (1180 mm)
Hitch receiver pin hole posi-
tion: 39.2 in. (996.5 mm)
Connecting trailer lights
Please consult your dealer when inst alling trailer lights, as incorrect
installation may cause damage to the vehicle’s lights. Please take
care to comply with your state’ s laws when installing trailer lights.

2932-5. Driving information
2
When driving
VENZA_OM_OM73030U_(U) Trailer towing tips
Your vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. Help to avoid
an accident, death or serious injury, keep the following in mind when
towing:
● Speed limits for towing a trailer vary by state or province. Do not
exceed the posted towing speed limit.
● Toyota recommends that the vehicle-trailer speed limit is 65 mph
(104 km/h) on a flat, straight, dry road. Do not exceed this limit, the
posted towing speed limit or the speed limit for your trailer as set
forth in your trailer owner’s man ual, whichever is lowest. Instability
of the towing vehicle-trailer combin ation (trailer sway) increases as
speed increases. Exceeding speed limits may cause loss of con-
trol.
● Before starting out, check the trailer lights, tires and the vehicle-
trailer connections. Recheck after driving a short distance.
● Practice turning, stopping and reve rsing with the trailer attached in
an area away from traffic until you become accustomed to the feel
of the vehicle-trailer combination.
● Reversing with a trailer attached is difficult and requires practice.
Grip the bottom of the steering wheel and move your hand to the
left to move the trailer to the left. Move your hand to the right to
move the trailer to the right. (Thi s is generally opposite to reversing
without a trailer attached.) Avoid sharp or prolonged turning. Have
someone guide you when reversing to reduce the risk of an acci-
dent.

2942-5. Driving information
VENZA_OM_OM73030U_(U) ● As stopping distance is increased when towing a trailer, vehicle-to-
vehicle distance should be increased. For each 10 mph (16 km/h) of
speed, allow at least one vehicle and trailer length.
● Avoid sudden braking as you may skid, resulting in the trailer jack-
knifing and a loss of vehicle control. This is especially true on wet
or slippery surfaces.
● Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.
● Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns, and slow down before mak-
ing a turn.
● Note that when making a turn, th e trailer wheels will be closer than
the vehicle wheels to the inside of the turn. Compensate by making
a wider than normal turning radius.
● Slow down before making a turn, in crosswinds, on wet or slippery
surfaces, etc.
Increasing vehicle speed c an destabilize the trailer.
● Take care when passing other v ehicles. Passing requires consider-
able distance. After passing a vehi cle, do not forget the length of
your trailer, and be sure you hav e plenty of room before changing
lanes.
● To maintain engine braking efficiency and charging system perfor-
mance when using engine braking, do not put the transmission in
D.
Transmission shift range position must be in 4 in the S mode.
● Instability happens more frequently when desce nding steep or long
downhill grades. Before descending, slow do wn and downshift. Do
not make sudden downshifts while descending steep or long down-
hill grades.

2952-5. Driving information
2
When driving
VENZA_OM_OM73030U_(U) ● 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 temper atures over 85°F [30°C]) when
driving up a long or steep grade. If the Engine coolant temperature
gauge indicates overheating, immedi ately turn off the air condition-
ing (if in use), pull your vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot.
(  P. 603)
● Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle’s and the
trailer’s wheels when parking. Ap ply the parking brake firmly, and
put the transmission in P. Avoid pa rking 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 blo cks under both the vehicle’s
and trailer’s wheels.
When the wheel blocks are in pl ace, release the brakes slowly
until the blocks absorb the load.
Apply the parking brake firmly.
Shift into P and turn off the engine. STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 5

2962-5. Driving information
VENZA_OM_OM73030U_(U) ● When restarting after parking on a slope:
With the transmission in P, start the engine. Be sure to keep
the brake pedal pressed.
Shift into a forward gear. If reversing, shift into R.
Release the parking brake and brake pedal, 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 heightSTEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
No matter which class of tow hitch
applies, for a more safe trailer hookup,
the trailer ball setup must be proper
height for the coupler on the trailer.
Coupler
Trailer ball