Page 252 of 720
2524-1. Before driving
HILUX_OM_OM0K322E_(EE)
Trailer towing (except models for model  
code destination W)
: See “Checking your vehicle’s model” if you are not sure of which model your vehicle is. 
( P.  1 1 )
Toyota does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle. 
Toyota also does not recommend the installation of a tow hitch 
or the use of a tow hitch carrier for a wheelchair, scooter, bicy-
cle, etc. Your vehicle is not designed for trailer towing or for the 
use of tow hitch mounted carriers. 
     
        
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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 
     
        
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2564-1. Before driving
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■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. 
     
        
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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. 
     
        
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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 
     
        
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2684-2. Driving procedures
HILUX_OM_OM0K322E_(EE) 
■ When the steering lock cannot be released 
■ Key reminder function 
A buzzer sounds if the driver’s door is opened while the engine switch is in 
the “LOCK” or “ACC” position to remind you to remove the key. 
When starting the engine, the engine 
switch may seem stuck in the “LOCK” 
position. To free it, turn the key while turn- 
ing the steering wheel slightly left and
right.
WARNING
■ When starting the engine 
Always start the engine while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the 
accelerator pedal while starting the engine under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury. 
■ Caution when driving 
Do not turn the engine switch to the “LOCK” position while driving.  
If in an emergency, you must turn the engine off while the vehicle is moving, 
turn the engine switch only to the “ACC” position to stop the engine. An
accident may result if the engine is stopped while driving. ( P. 601)
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge 
Do not leave the engine switch in the  “ACC” or “ON” position for long peri- 
ods of time without the engine running. 
■ When starting the engine 
● Do not crank the engine for more than 30 seconds at a time. This may 
overheat the starter and wiring system. 
● Do not race a cold engine. 
● If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have your vehi- 
cle checked by any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized
repairer, or any reliable repairer immediately. 
     
        
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2744-2. Driving procedures
HILUX_OM_OM0K322E_(EE) 
■ Steering lock 
After turning the engine switch off and opening and closing the doors, the 
steering wheel will be locked due to the steering lock function. Operating the
engine switch again automatically cancels the steering lock. 
■ When the steering lock cannot be released 
■ Steering lock motor overheating prevention 
To prevent the steering lock motor from overheating, the motor may be sus- 
pended if the engine is turned on and off repeatedly in a short period of time.
In this case, refrain from running the engine. After about 10 seconds, the 
steering lock motor will resume functioning. 
■ If “SMART ENTRY & START SYSTEM MALFUNCTION SEE OWNER’S 
MANUAL”/“Smart Entry & Start System malfunction See owner’s man- 
ual” is shown on the multi-information display (if equipped) 
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by any autho- 
rized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer 
immediately. 
■ If the electronic key battery is depleted 
 P. 575 
■ If the smart entry & start system has been deactivated in a customized 
setting 
 P. 644 
A message will be displayed on the multi- 
information display. 
Check that the shift lever is set in P 
(except manual transmission). Press the 
engine switch while turning the steering
wheel left and right.