Page 219 of 672
![TOYOTA SIENNA 2017 XL30 / 3.G Owners Manual SIENNA_OM_OM08007U_(U)
2194-1. Before driving
4
Driving
●Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle’s engine may over-
heat  on  hot  days  (at  temperatures  over  85°F  [30°C])  when   TOYOTA SIENNA 2017 XL30 / 3.G Owners Manual SIENNA_OM_OM08007U_(U)
2194-1. Before driving
4
Driving
●Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle’s engine may over-
heat  on  hot  days  (at  temperatures  over  85°F  [30°C])  when](/manual-img/14/6816/w960_6816-218.png)
SIENNA_OM_OM08007U_(U)
2194-1. Before driving
4
Driving
●Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle’s engine may over-
heat  on  hot  days  (at  temperatures  over  85°F  [30°C])  when  driving
up a long or steep grade. If the Engine coolant temperature gauge
overheating, immediately turn off th e air conditioning (if in use), pull
your vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot. ( P. 594)
● Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle’s and the trailer’s
wheels  when  parking.  Apply  the  pa rking  brake  firmly,  and  put  the
transmission  in  P.  Avoid  parking  on  a  slope,  but  if  unavoidable,  do
so only after performing the following:
Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
Have someone place wheel  blocks  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.
● 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.
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4 
     
        
        Page 221 of 672

SIENNA_OM_OM08007U_(U)
2214-1. Before driving
4
Driving
■Maintenance
●If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent maintenance due
to  the  additional  load.  (See  “Scheduled  Maintenance  Guide”  or  “Owner’s
Manual Supplement”.)
● Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approximately
600 miles (1000 km) of trailer towing.
■ 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.
● 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. 
     
        
        Page 222 of 672

222
SIENNA_OM_OM08007U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
WARNING
■Trailer towing precautions
To tow a trailer safely, use extreme care and drive the vehicle in accordance
with  the  trailer’s  characteristics  and  operating  conditions.  Failure  to  do  so
could cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury. Vehicle stability
and  braking  performance  are  affected  by  trailer  stability,  brake  setting  and
performance, and the hitch. Your vehi cle will handle differently when towing
a trailer.
■ To avoid accident or injury
●Do not exceed the TWR, unbraked TWR, GCWR, GVWR or GAWR.
● If  the  gross  trailer  weight  is  over  2000  lb.  (907  kg),  a  sway  control  device
with sufficient capacity is required.
● Adjust the tongue weight within the appropriate range. Place heavier loads
as close to the trailer axle as possible.
● Do  not  exceed  65  mph  (104  km/h),  the  posted  towing  speed  limit  or  the
speed  limit  for  your  trailer  as  set  forth  in  your  trailer  owner’s  manual,
whichever is lowest. Slow down sufficiently before making a turn, in cross-
winds,  on  wet  or  slippery  surface,  etc.  to  help  avoid  an  accident.  If  you
experience a vehicle-trailer instability from reducing a certain speed, slow
down  and  make  sure  you  keep  your  vehicle  speed  under  the  speed  of
which you experience the instability.
● Do not make jerky, abrupt or sharp turns.
● Do not apply the brakes suddenly as you may skid, resulting in jackknifing
and  loss  of  vehicle  control.  This  is  especially  true  on  wet  or  slippery  sur-
faces.
● Do  not  exceed  the  trailer  hitch  assembly  weight,  gross  vehicle  weight,
gross axle weight and trailer tongue weight capacities. 
     
        
        Page 223 of 672

SIENNA_OM_OM08007U_(U)
2234-1. Before driving
4
Driving
WARNING
■To avoid accident or injury
●Do not use cruise control when towing.
● Slow  down  and  downshift  before  descending  steep  or  long  downhill
grades.  Do  not  make  sudden  downshifts  while  descending  steep  or  long
downhill grades.
● Vehicle-trailer  instability  is  more  likely  on  steep  long  downhills.  Before
descending  steep  or  long  downhill  grades,  slow  down  and  downshift.  Do
not  make  sudden  downshifts  when  descending  steep  or  long  downhill
grades.  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.
● Vehicles  with  compact  spare  tire:  Do  not  tow  a  trailer  when  the  compact
spare tire is installed on your vehicle.
■ Hitch
Trailer hitch assemblies have different weight capacities established by the
hitch  manufacturer.  Even  though  the  vehicle  may  be  physically  capable  of
towing  a  higher  weight,  the  operator  must  determine  the  maximum  weight
rating  of  the  particular  hitch  assembly  and  never  exceed  the  maximum
weight rating specified  for the trailer-hitch. Exceeding the maximum weight
rating  set  by  the  trailer-hitch  manufacturer  can  cause  an  accident  resulting
in death or serious personal injuries.
■ When towing a trailer
Toyota recommends trailers with brakes that conform to any applicable fed-
eral and state/provincial regulations.
●If  the  gross  trailer  weight  exceeds  unbraked  TWR,  trailer  brakes  are
required. Toyota recommends trailers with brakes that conform to all appli-
cable federal and state/provincial regulations.
● Never  tap  into  your vehicle’s  hydraulic system,  as  this  will  lower the  vehi-
cle’s braking effectiveness.
● Never  tow  a  trailer  without  using  a  safety  chain  securely  attached  to  both
the  trailer  and  the  vehicle.  If  damage  occurs  to  the  coupling  unit  or  hitch
ball, there is danger of the trailer wandering into another lane.
NOTICE
■When installing a trailer hitch
Use  only  the  position  recommended  by  your  Toyota  dealer.  Do  not  install
the trailer hitch on the bumper; this may cause body damage.
■ Do not directly splice trailer lights
Do not directly splice trailer lights. Directly splicing trailer lights may damage
your vehicle’s electrical system and cause a malfunction. 
     
        
        Page 225 of 672
225
SIENNA_OM_OM08007U_(U)
4-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles without a 
smart key system)
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is set in P.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
Turn the engine switch to the “START” position to start the engine.
“LOCK”
The  steering  wheel  is  locked  and
the  key  can  be  removed.  (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.
Starting the engine
Changing the engine switch positions
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4 
     
        
        Page 228 of 672
228
SIENNA_OM_OM08007U_(U)
4-2. Driving procedures
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles with a 
smart key system)
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is set in P.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
The  engine  switch  indicator  will  turn  green.  If  the  indicator  does  not  turn
green, the engine cannot be started.
Press  the  engine  switch  shortly
and firmly.
When  operating  the engine  switch,
one  short,  firm  press  is  enough.  It
is  not  necessary  to  press  and  hold
the switch.
The  engine  will  crank  until  it  starts
or for up to 30 seconds, whichever
is less.
Continue  depressing  the  brake
pedal until the engine is completely
started.
The  engine  can  be  started  from
any engine switch mode.
Performing the following operations when carrying the elec-
tronic key on your person starts the engine or changes engine
switch modes.
Starting the engine
1
2
3
4 
     
        
        Page 229 of 672
SIENNA_OM_OM08007U_(U)
2294-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
Stop the vehicle.
Set the parking brake. (P. 241), and shift the shift lever to P.
Press the engine switch.
Release the brake pedal and check t hat the indicator on the engine
switch is off.
Modes can be changed by pressing th e engine switch with the brake
pedal released. (The mode changes ea ch time the switch is pressed.)
Off
*
Emergency flashers can be used.
ACCESSORY mode
Some  electrical  components  such
as the audio system can be used.
The  engine  switch  indicator  turns
amber.
IGNITION ON mode
All  electrical  components  can  be
used.
The  engine  switch  indicator  turns
amber.
*: If  the  shift  lever  is  in  a  position other  than  P  when  turning  off  the
engine,  the  engine  switch  will  be
turned  to  ACCESSORY  mode,  not
to off.
Stopping the engine
Changing engine switch modes
1
2
3
4
1
2
3 
     
        
        Page 230 of 672

230
SIENNA_OM_OM08007U_(U)
4-2. Driving procedures
If  the engine  is stopped with the  shift lever in a  position other than P,
the  engine  switch  will  not  be  turned  off  but  instead  be  turned  to
ACCESSORY  mode.  Perform  the  following  procedure  to  turn  the
switch off:
Check that the parking brake is set.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Check  that  the  indicator  on  th e  engine  switch  is  illuminated  in
amber and then press the engine switch once.
Check that the indicator on  the engine switch is off.
■Auto power off function
If  the  vehicle  is  left  in  ACCESSORY  mode  for  more  than  20  minutes  or
IGNITION  ON  mode  (the  engine  is  not  running)  for  more  than  an  hour  with
the shift lever in P, the engine switch will automatically turn off. However, this
function  cannot  entirely  prevent  battery  discharge.  Do  not  leave  the  vehicle
with the engine switch in ACCESSORY  or IGNITION ON mode for long peri-
ods of time when the engine is not running.
■ Electronic key battery depletion
P. 107
■ Conditions affecting operation
P.   1 1 9
■ Note for the entry function
P. 145
■ If the engine does not start
The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( P. 75)
Contact your Toyota dealer.
When stopping the engine with the  shift lever in a position other
than P
1
2
3
4