Page 230 of 720
2303-4. Adjusting the steering wheel and mirrors
HILUX_OM_OM0K322E_(EE)
Manual folding type 
Push the mirror back in the direc- 
tion of the vehicle’s rear. 
Power folding type 
Press the switch. 
Folding 
Extending
■ Mirror angle can be adjusted when (power adjustable type)
Vehicles without smart entry & start system 
The engine switch is in the “ACC” or “ON” position.
Vehicles with smart entry & start system
The engine switch is in ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode.
■ When the mirrors are fogged up (vehicles with outside rear view mirror 
defoggers) 
The outside rear view mirrors can be cleared using the mirror defoggers. Turn 
on the rear window defogger to turn on the outside rear view mirror defog- 
gers. ( P. 493, 502)
Folding the mirrors
1
2 
     
        
        Page 231 of 720
2313-4. Adjusting the steering wheel and mirrors
3
Operation of each component
HILUX_OM_OM0K322E_(EE)
WARNING
■Important points while driving 
Observe the following precautions while driving. 
Failure to do so may result in loss of control of the vehicle and cause an 
accident, resulting in death or serious injury. 
● Do not adjust the mirrors while driving. 
● Do not drive with the mirrors folded. 
● Both the driver and passenger side mirrors must be extended and properly 
adjusted before driving. 
■ When a mirror is moving (power adjustable type) 
To avoid personal injury and mirror malfunction, be careful not to get your 
hand caught by the moving mirror. 
■ When the mirror defoggers are operating (vehicles with outside rear 
view mirror defoggers) 
Do not touch the rear view mirror surfaces, as they can become very hot 
and burn you.
NOTICE
■ If ice should jam the mirror 
Do not operate the control or scrape the mirror face. Use a spray de-icer to 
free the mirror. 
     
        
        Page 244 of 720

2444-1. Before driving
HILUX_OM_OM0K322E_(EE)
WARNING
Observe the following precautions. 
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury. 
■ When driving the vehicle 
● Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving 
down a steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose 
effectiveness. ( P.  2 7 8 ) 
● Do not adjust the positions of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or 
outside rear view mirrors while driving. 
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control. 
● Always check that all passengers’ arms, heads or other parts of their body 
are not outside the vehicle. 
● Do not drive the vehicle off-road. 
4WD models only: This is not a 4WD vehicle designed for off-road driving.
Proceed with all due caution if it becomes unavoidable to drive off-road. 
● Do not drive across a river or through other bodies of water. 
This may cause electric/electronic components to short circuit, damage
the engine or cause other serious damage to the vehicle. 
● On vehicles with manual transmission, do not operate the clutch halfway 
for a long period of time unless it  is necessary. Doing so could not only 
speed up clutch wear, but could also damage the clutch or even cause a 
fatal accident such as vehicle fire. 
■ When driving on slippery road surfaces 
● Sudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippage and 
reduce your ability to control the vehicle. 
● Sudden acceleration, engine braking due to shifting, or changes in engine 
speed could cause the vehicle to skid. 
● After driving through a puddle, lightly depress the brake pedal to make 
sure that the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent
the brakes from functioning properly. If the brakes on only one side are wet 
and not functioning properly, steering control may be affected. 
     
        
        Page 249 of 720

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) 
     
        
        Page 255 of 720

2554-1. Before driving
4
Driving
HILUX_OM_OM0K322E_(EE)
Your vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. In order to 
avoid accident death or serious injury, keep the following in mind 
when towing:
■Checking connections between trailer and lights 
Stop the vehicle and check the operation of the connection between 
the trailer and lights after driving for a brief period as well as before 
starting off.
■Practicing driving with a coupled trailer 
● Get the feel for turning, stopping and reversing with the trailer 
coupled by practicing in an area with no or light traffic. 
● When reversing with a coupled trailer, hold the section of the 
steering wheel nearest to you and rotate clockwise to turn the 
trailer left or counterclockwise to turn it right. Always rotate a little 
at a time to prevent steering error. Have someone guide you 
when reversing to lessen the risk of accident.
■Increasing vehicle-to-vehicle distance 
At a speed of 10 km/h (6 mph), the distance to the vehicle running 
ahead of you should be equivalent to or greater than the combined 
length of your vehicle and trailer. Avoid sudden braking that may 
cause skidding. Otherwise, the vehicle may spin out of control. This 
is especially true when driving on wet or slippery road surfaces.
■Sudden acceleration/steering input/cornering 
Executing sharp turns when towing may result in the trailer colliding 
with your vehicle. Decelerate well in advance when approaching 
turns and take them slowly and carefully to avoid sudden braking.
■Important points regarding turning 
The wheels of the trailer will travel closer to the inside of the curve 
than the wheels of the vehicle. To make allowance for this, take the 
turns wider than you would normally do.
Guidance 
     
        
        Page 261 of 720

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. 
     
        
        Page 265 of 720

2654-1. 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. 
     
        
        Page 267 of 720
2674-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
HILUX_OM_OM0K322E_(EE)
“LOCK”
The steering wheel is locked and 
the key can be removed. (Vehicles 
with automatic transmission: The
key can be removed only when the 
shift lever is in P.)
“ACC”
Some electrical components such
as the audio system can be used. 
“ON”
All electrical components can be used. 
“START”
For starting the engine.
■ Turning the key from “ACC” to “LOCK” 
Shift the shift lever to P (automatic transmission) or N (manual transmis- 
sion). ( P. 277, 284) 
■ If the engine does not start (vehicles with engine immobilizer system) 
The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( P. 95) 
Contact any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any 
reliable repairer.
Changing the engine switch positions
1
2
Push in the key and turn it to the 
“LOCK” position.
3
4
1
2