
2464-1. Before driving
HILUX_OM_OM0K322E_(EE)
WARNING
Observe the following precautions. 
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury. 
■ When the vehicle is stopped 
● Do not race the engine. 
If the vehicle is in any gear other than P (vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion only) or N, the vehicle may accelerate suddenly and unexpectedly, 
causing an accident. 
● On vehicles with automatic transmission, in order to prevent accidents due 
to the vehicle rolling away, always keep depressing the brake pedal while 
the engine is running, and apply the parking brake as necessary. 
● If the vehicle is stopped on an incline, in order to prevent accidents caused 
by the vehicle rolling forward or backward, always depress the brake pedal 
and securely apply the parking brake as needed. 
● Avoid revving or racing the engine. 
Running the engine at high speed while the vehicle is stopped may cause 
the exhaust system to overheat, which could result in a fire if combustible 
material is nearby. 
■ When the vehicle is parked 
● Do not leave glasses, cigarette lighters, spray cans, or soft drink cans in 
the vehicle when it is in the sun. 
Doing so may result in the following: 
• Gas may leak from a cigarette lighter or spray can, and may lead to a 
fire.
• The temperature inside the vehicle may cause the plastic lenses and 
plastic material of glasses to deform or crack. 
• Soft drink cans may fracture, causing the contents to spray over the
interior of the vehicle, and may also cause a short circuit in the vehicle’s 
electrical components. 
● Do not leave cigarette lighters in the vehicle. If a cigarette lighter is in a 
place such as the glove box or on the floor, it may be lit accidentally when
luggage is loaded or the seat is adjusted, causing a fire. 
● Do not attach adhesive discs to the windshield or windows. Do not place 
containers such as air fresheners on the instrument panel or dashboard.
Adhesive discs or containers may act as lenses, causing a fire in the vehi- 
cle. 
● Do not leave a door or window open if the curved glass is coated with a 
metallized film such as a silver-colored one. Reflected sunlight may cause 
the glass to act as a lens, causing a fire. 

2474-1. Before driving
4
Driving
HILUX_OM_OM0K322E_(EE)
WARNING
Observe the following precautions. 
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury. 
■ When the vehicle is parked 
● Always apply the parking brake, shift the shift lever to P (vehicles with 
automatic transmission only), stop the engine and lock the vehicle.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended while the engine is running. 
If the vehicle is parked with the shift lever in P but the parking brake is not 
set, the vehicle may start to move, possibly leading to an accident. 
● Do not touch the exhaust pipes while the engine is running or immediately 
after turning the engine off.  
Doing so may cause burns. 
■ When taking a nap in the vehicle 
Always turn the engine off. Otherwise, if you accidentally move the shift 
lever or depress the accelerator pedal, this 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. 
■ When braking 
● When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously. 
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and this may cause 
one side of the vehicle to brake differently than the other side. Also, the
parking brake may not securely hold the vehicle. 
● If the power brake assist function does not operate, do not follow other 
vehicles closely and avoid hills or shar p turns that require braking. In this 
case, braking is still possible, but the brake pedal should be depressed
more firmly than usual. Also, the braking distance will increase. Have your 
brakes fixed immediately. 
● Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls.  
Each push on the brake pedal uses up the reserve for the power-assisted 
brakes. 
● The brake system consists of 2 individual hydraulic systems: If one of the 
systems fails, the other will still operate. In this case, the brake pedal 
should be depressed more firmly than usual and the braking distance will 
increase.
Have your brakes fixed immediately. 
■ If the vehicle becomes stuck (4WD models) 
Do not spin the wheels excessively when any of the tires is up in the air, or 
the vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, etc. This may damage the driveline com- 
ponents or propel the vehicle forward or backward, causing an accident. 

2484-1. Before driving
HILUX_OM_OM0K322E_(EE)
NOTICE
■When driving the vehicle 
● Do not depress the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time during 
driving, as this may restrain the engine output. 
● On vehicles with automatic transmission, do not use the accelerator pedal 
or depress the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time to hold the
vehicle on a hill. 
● On vehicles with manual transmission, do not shift gears unless the clutch 
pedal is fully depressed. After shifting, do not release the clutch pedal
abruptly. Doing so may damage the clutch, transmission and gears. 
● On vehicles with manual transmission, observe the following to prevent 
the clutch from being damaged. 
• Do not rest your foot on the clutch pedal while driving. 
Doing so may cause clutch trouble. 
• Do not use any gear other than the 1st gear when starting off and mov-
ing forward. 
Doing so may damage the clutch. 
• Do not use the clutch to hold the vehicle when stopping on an uphill
grade. 
Doing so may damage the clutch. 
● On vehicles with manual transmission, do not shift the shift lever to R 
when the vehicle is still moving. Doing so may damage the clutch, trans-
mission and gears. 
● On vehicles with manual transmission, if you cannot accelerate the vehicle 
even when the clutch is engaged and the accelerator pedal is depressed,
this may mean that the clutch is slipping, and the vehicle may be rendered
undriveable. Have any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized 
repairer, or any reliable repairer inspect the vehicle as soon as possible. 

2494-1. Before driving
4
Driving
HILUX_OM_OM0K322E_(EE)
NOTICE
■When parking the vehicle 
On vehicles with automatic transmission, always set the parking brake, and 
shift the shift lever to P. Failure to do so may cause the vehicle to move or 
the vehicle may accelerate suddenly if the accelerator pedal is accidentally 
depressed. 
■ Avoiding damage to vehicle parts 
● Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for 
an extended period of time.  
Doing so may damage the power steering pump. 
● When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid 
damaging the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc. 
● Diesel engine: Make sure to idle the engine immediately after high-load 
driving. Stop the engine only after the turbocharger has cooled down.
Failure to do so may cause damage to the turbocharger. 
■ If you get a flat tire while driving 
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering 
wheel firmly and gradually depress the brake pedal to slow down the vehi- 
cle. 
● It may be difficult to control your vehicle. 
● The vehicle will make abnormal sounds or vibrations. 
● The vehicle will lean abnormally. 
Information on what to do in case of a flat tire. ( P. 625) 

2504-1. Before driving
HILUX_OM_OM0K322E_(EE)
NOTICE
■When encountering flooded roads 
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may 
cause the following serious damage to the vehicle: 
● Engine stalling 
● Short in electrical components 
● Engine damage caused by water immersion 
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be 
sure to have any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or
any reliable repairer check the following: 
● Brake function 
● Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, trans- 
mission, transfer (4WD models), differential, etc. 
● Lubricant condition for the propeller shaft, bearings and suspension joints 
(where possible), and the function of all joints, bearings, etc. 
■ Off-road driving (vehicles with type A wheel ornaments [P. 632]) 
When driving on muddy roads, rocky terrain or sand, or crossing rivers, 
remove the wheel ornaments. Driving with the wheel ornaments installed 
may cause the wheel ornaments to be damaged or even fall off. 
After off-road driving with the wheel ornaments removed, remove dirt or for- 
eign objects from the wheel before reinstalling the wheel ornaments. 

2564-1. Before driving
HILUX_OM_OM0K322E_(EE) 
■Important points regarding stability 
Vehicle movement resulting from uneven road surfaces and strong 
crosswinds will affect handling. The vehicle may also be rocked by 
passing buses or large trucks. Frequently check behind when mov- 
ing alongside such vehicles. As soon as such vehicle movement 
occurs, immediately start to decelerate smoothly by slowly applying 
the brakes. Always steer the vehicle straight ahead while braking.
■Passing other vehicles 
Consider the total combined length of your vehicle and trailer and 
ensure that the vehicle-to-vehicle distance is sufficient before exe- 
cuting lane changes.
■Transmission information 
Vehicles with manual transmission: To maintain engine braking effi- 
ciency when using engine braking, do not use 5th gear and 6th 
gear. 
Vehicles with automatic transmission: To maintain engine braking 
efficiency when using engine braking, do not use the transmission 
in D. Transmission shift range position must be in 4 or lower, in S 
mode.
■If the engine overheats 
Towing a loaded trailer up a long, steep incline in temperatures 
exceeding 30 C (85F) may result in the engine overheating. If the 
engine coolant temperature gauge indicates that the engine is over- 
heating, turn the air conditioning off immediately, leave the road and 
stop the vehicle in a safe place. ( P. 654)
■When parking the vehicle 
Always place wheel chocks under the wheels of both the vehicle 
and trailer. Firmly set the parking brake and shift the shift lever to P 
for automatic transmissions, and 1 or R for manual transmissions. 

2574-1. Before driving
4
Driving
HILUX_OM_OM0K322E_(EE)
WARNING
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.  2 5 8 ) 
■ 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 down hill 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 
● The gross combination mass (sum of your vehicle mass plus its load and 
the total trailer mass) must not exceed the following:
Single-cab models 
5530 kg (12192 lb.): Pre Runner 
5850 kg (12897 lb.): 4WD models
Smart-cab models 
5850 kg (12897 lb.)
Double-cab models 
5850 kg (12897 lb.): Except Pre Runner for EURO VI model* for Israel, 
and EURO V and VI models* for Turkey
*: EURO V and VI are emission standards. If  it is not clear that your vehicle 
meets relevant standards, contact any authorized Toyota retailer or
Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer. 
● Do not use cruise control (if equipped) when trailer towing. 

2614-1. Before driving
4
Driving
HILUX_OM_OM0K322E_(EE) 
■ If trailer sway occurs 
One or more factors (crosswinds, passing vehicles, rough roads, etc.) can 
adversely affect handling of your vehicle and trailer, causing instability. 
● If trailer swaying occurs: 
• Firmly grip the steering wheel. Steer straight ahead. 
Do not try to control trailer swaying by turning the steering wheel.
• Begin releasing the accelerator pedal immediately but very gradually to 
reduce speed. 
Do not increase speed. Do not apply vehicle brakes.
If you make no extreme correction with  the steering or brakes, your vehicle 
and trailer should stabilize (if enabled,  Trailer Sway Control can also help to 
stabilize the vehicle and trailer.). 
● After the trailer swaying has stopped: 
• Stop in a safe place. Get all occupants out of the vehicle. 
• Check the tires of the vehicle and the trailer.
• Check the load in the trailer. 
Make sure the load has not shifted. 
Make sure the tongue weight is appropriate, if possible.
• Check the load in the vehicle. 
Make sure the vehicle is not overloaded after occupants get in. 
If you cannot find any problems, the speed at which trailer swaying
occurred is beyond the limit of your particular vehicle-trailer combination. 
Drive at a lower speed to prevent instability. Remember that swaying of the 
towing vehicle-trailer increases as speed increases.
NOTICE
■ When the rear bumper strengthening material is aluminum 
Ensure the steel bracket part does not come directly in contact with that 
area. 
When steel and aluminum come into contact, there is a reaction similar to
corrosion, which will weaken the section concerned and may result in dam- 
age. Apply a rust inhibitor to parts that will come in contact when attaching a 
steel bracket.