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2-8. Driving Tips
2
Before Driving
Floor Mat
When setting a floor mat, position
the floor mat so that its grommets
are inserted over the pointed end
of the retention posts.
Use only floor mats designed specifically for vehicles of the
same model and model year as your vehicle.
WARNING
■Make sure the floor mats are hooked on the retention pins to prevent
them from bunching up under the foot pedals
Using a floor mat that is not secured is dangerous as it will interfere with the
accelerator and brake pedal operation, which could result in an accident.
■ Do not install two floor mats, one on top of the other, on the driver’s
side
Installing two floor mats, one on top of the other, on the driver’s side is dan-
gerous as the retention pins can only keep one floor mat from sliding for-
ward.
If using an all weather mat for winter use always remove the original floor
mat.
Loose floor mat(s) will interfere with the foot pedal and could result in an
accident.
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2-8. Driving Tips
Rocking the Vehicle
If you must rock the vehicle to free it from snow, sand or mud, depress
the accelerator slightly and slowly move the shift lever from 1 (D) to R.
WARNING
■Do not spin the wheels at more th an 35 mph (56 km/h), and do not
allow anyone to stand behind a wheel when pushing the vehicle
When the vehicle is stuck, spinning the wheels at high speed is dangerous.
The spinning tire could overheat and explode. This could cause serious
injuries.
NOTICE
Too much rocking may cause engine overheating, transaxle failure, and tire
damage.
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2-8. Driving Tips
2
Before Driving
Winter Driving
Carry emergency gear, including tire chains, window scraper, flares, a
small shovel, jumper cables, a nd a small bag of sand or salt.
Ask your Toyota dealer to check the following: • Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in the radiator. Refer to Engine Coolant on P. 425.
• Inspect the battery and its cables . Cold reduces battery capacity.
• Use an engine oil appropriate for the lowest ambient temperatures that the vehicle will be driven in ( →P. 422).
• Inspect the ignition sy stem for damage and loose connections.
• Use washer fluid made with antifreeze ⎯but do not use engine cool-
ant antifreeze for washer fluid ( →P. 429).
●Do not use the parking brake in freezing weather as it may freeze. Instead,
shift to 1 or R with a manual transaxle and to P with an automatic transaxle.
Block the rear wheels.
● Remove snow before driving. Snow left on the windshield is dangerous as it
could obstruct vision.
● Do not apply excessive force to a window scraper when removing ice or fro-
zen snow on the mirror glass and windshield.
● Never use warm or hot water for removing snow or ice from windows and
mirrors as it could result in the glass cracking.
● Drive slowly. Braking performance can be adversely affected if snow or ice
adheres to the brake components. If this situation occurs, drive the vehicle
slowly, releasing the accelerator pedal and lightly applying the brakes sev-
eral times until the brake performance returns to normal.
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2-8. Driving Tips
■Use snow tires on all four wheels
Do not go faster than 75 mph (120 km/h) while driving with snow
tires. Inflate snow tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm
2, 4.3 psi) more than rec-
ommended on the tire pressure label (driver’s door frame), but
never more than the maximum cold-tire pressure shown on the
tires.
The vehicle is originally equipped with all season radials designed
to be used all year around. In so me extreme climates you may find
it necessary to replace them with snow tires during the winter
months to further improve traction on snow and ice covered roads.
Check local regulations before using tire chains.
Install the chains on the front tires only.
Do not use chains on the rear tires.
Please consult your Toyota dealer.
■Installing the chains If your vehicle is equipped with wheel covers remove them, oth-
erwise the chain bands will scratch them.
Secure the chains on the front tires as tightly as possible.
Always follow the chain manufacturer’s instructions.
Retighten the chains after driv ing 1/4—1/2 mile (1/2—1 km).
If your vehicle is equipped with the tire pressure monitoring system, the
system may not function correctly when using tire chains.
Snow Tires
WARNING
■Use only the same size and type tires (snow, radial, or non-radial)
on all four wheels
Using tires different in size or type is dangerous. Your vehicle’s handling
could be greatly affected and result in an accident.
NOTICE
Check local regulations before using studded tires.
Tire Chains
1
2
3
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1332-8. Driving Tips
2
Before Driving
WARNING
■Driving with tire chains
● Chains may affect handling.
● Do not go faster than 30 mph (50 km/h) or the chain manufacturer’s rec-
ommended limit, whichever is lower.
● Drive carefully and avoid bumps, holes, and sharp turns.
● Avoid locked-wheel braking.
NOTICE
● Do not use chains on a temporary spare tire; it may result in damage to the
vehicle and to the tire.
● Do not use chains on roads that are free of snow or ice. The tires and
chains could be damaged.
● Chains may scratch or chip aluminum wheels.
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2-8. Driving Tips
Driving In Flooded Area
WARNING
■Dry off brakes that have become wet by driving slowly, releasing the
accelerator pedal and lightly applying the brakes several times until
the brake performance returns to normal
Driving with wet brakes is dangerous. Increased stopping distance or the
vehicle pulling to one side when braking could result in a serious accident.
Light braking will indicate whether the brakes have been affected.
NOTICE
Do not drive the vehicle on flooded roads as it could cause short circuiting
of electrical/electronic parts, or engine damage or stalling from water
absorption. If the vehicle has been immersed in water, consult your Toyota
dealer.
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2-8. Driving Tips
2
Before Driving
Overloading
WARNING
■Be careful not to overload your vehicle
The gross axle weight rating (GAWR) and the gross vehicle weight rat-
ing (GVWR) of the vehicle are on the Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
Label on the driver’s door frame. Exceeding these ratings can cause an
accident or vehicle damage. You can estimate the weight of the load by
weighing the items (or people) before putting them in the vehicle.
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2-8. Driving Tips
Driving on Uneven Road
Use care not to damage the vehicle’s underbody, bumpers or muf-
fler(s) when driving under the following conditions:
• Ascending or descending a slope with a sharp transition angle
• Ascending or descending a driveway or trailer ramp with a sharp transition angle
Your vehicle’s suspension and underbody can be damaged if
driven on rough/uneven roads or over speed bumps at exces-
sive speeds. Use care and reduce speed when traveling on
rough/uneven roads or over speed bumps.
NOTICE
This vehicle is equipped with low profile tires allowing class-leading p\
erfor-
mance and handling. As a result, the sidewall of the tires are very thin and
the tires and wheels can be damaged if driven through potholes or on
rough/uneven roads at excessive speeds. Use care and reduce speed
when traveling on rough/uneven roads or through potholes.