1914-1. Before driving
4
Driving
SEQUOIA_OM_USA_OM0C013U_19MY
●Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle’s and the trai ler’s
wheels when parking. Apply the parking brake firmly, and put th e
transmission in P. Avoid parking on a slope, but if unavoidable , do
so only after perform ing 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 afte r parking on a slope:
With the transmission in P, start the engine. Be sure to keep t he
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 bloc ks. Stop and apply the brakes.
Have someone retrieve the blocks.
■ Matching trailer ball height to trailer coupler height
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
No matter which class of tow hitch
applies, for a safer trailer hookup, the
trailer ball setup must be the proper
height for the coupler on the trailer.
Coupler
Trailer ball
STO41ADU06
1924-1. Before driving
SEQUOIA_OM_USA_OM0C013U_19MY■
Before towing
Check that the following conditions are met:
●Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. ( P. 499)
● Trailer tires are inflated according to the trailer manufacture r’s recommen-
dation.
● All trailer lights work as required by law.
● All lights work each time you connect them.
● The trailer ball is set at the proper height for the coupler on the trailer.
● The trailer is level when it is hitched.
Do not drive if the trailer is not level, and check for imprope r tongue weight,
overloading, worn suspension, or other possible causes.
● The trailer cargo is securely loaded.
● The rear view mirrors conform to all applicable federal, state/provincial or
local regulations. If they do not, install rear view mirrors ap propriate for tow-
ing purposes.
● Depress “TOW/HAUL” button (if equipped)
■ AVS (adaptive variable suspension system) (if equipped)
The suspension can be switched for improvement in drivability. (P. 294)
■ Break-in schedule
If your vehicle is new or equipped with any new power train com ponents
(such as an engine, transmission, differential or wheel bearing ), Toyota rec-
ommends that you do not tow a trailer until the vehicle has bee n driven for
over 500 miles (800 km).
After the vehicle has been driven for over 500 miles (800 km), you can start
towing. However, for the next 500 miles (800 km), drive the veh icle at a speed
of less than 50 mph (80 km/h) when towing a trailer, and avoid full throttle
acceleration.
■ Maintenance
●If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent m aintenance 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.
1944-1. Before driving
SEQUOIA_OM_USA_OM0C013U_19MY
WARNING
■Trailer towing precautions
● To tow a trailer safely, use extreme care and drive the vehicle in accor-
dance 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 set-
ting and performance, and the hitch. Your vehicle will handle differently
when towing a trailer.
● Vehicles with electronically modulated air suspension: Set the vehicle
height to the “N” mode and turn off the rear height control air suspension
when you connect a trailer, otherwise the vehicle height may ch ange due
to the automatic leveling function, and you may catch part of your body in
the vehicle, resulting in an accident.
■ 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.
● If the gross trailer weight is over 5000 lb. (2268 kg), a weight distributing
hitch 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 tur n, in cross
winds, on wet or slippery surface, etc. to help avoid an accident. If you
experience a vehicle-trailer instability from reducing a certai n 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.
2834-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
SEQUOIA_OM_USA_OM0C013U_19MY■
Conditions under which the BSM function may not function correc tly
● The Blind Spot Monitor function may not detect vehicles correct ly in the fol-
lowing conditions:
• During bad weather such as heavy rain, fog, snow, etc.
• When ice or mud, etc., is attached to the rear bumper
• When driving on a road surface that is wet due to rain, standi ng water,
etc.
• When there is a significant difference in speed between your v ehicle and
the vehicle that enters the detection area
• When a vehicle is in the detection area from a stop and remains in the detection area as your vehicle accelerates
• When driving up or down consecutive steep inclines, such as hills, a dip
in the road, etc.
• When multiple vehicles approach with only a small gap between each vehicle
• When vehicle lanes are wide, and the vehicle in the next lane is too far
away from your vehicle
• When the vehicle that enters the detection area is traveling a t about the
same speed as your vehicle
• When towing anything such as trailer, boat, etc.
• When there is a significant difference in height between your vehicle and
the vehicle that enters the detection area
• Directly after the BSM system is set to on
● Instances of the Blind Spot Monitor function unnecessarily dete cting a vehi-
cle and/or object may increase under the following conditions:
• When there is only a short distance between your vehicle and a guardrail,
wall, etc.
• When there is only a short distance between your vehicle and a following
vehicle
• When vehicle lanes are narrow and a vehicle driving 2 lanes ac ross from
your vehicle enters the detection area
• When items such as a bicycle carrier are installed on the rear of the vehi-
cle
2894-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
SEQUOIA_OM_USA_OM0C013U_19MY
Electronically modulated air suspension
Height control switch
Height control mode select
switch
Operating the switch change vehicle rear height as follows: Higher
Lower
Vehicle height can be adjusted
only when the engine is running.
The selected height mode will be
shown on the electronically modu-
lated air suspension display.
The selected mode will flash while
the height mode is being change.
: If equipped
The electronically modulated air suspension allows the driver t o
control the vehicle’s height in order to adjust for driving condi-
tions.
Select the desired height with the height control switch.
Height control switch
Selecting vehicle height
2904-5. Using the driving support systems
SEQUOIA_OM_USA_OM0C013U_19MY■
Height modes
● “N” mode (normal mode): For ordinary driving
Normal height
● “HI” mode (high mode): For driving on bumpy roads 1.2 in. (30 m m)
higher than the normal height
The “HI” mode is unavailable when the vehicle’s speed exceeds
18 mph (30 km/h).
When the vehicle’s speed exceeds 18 mph (30 km/h), the height
will be adjusted to the nor mal height automatically.
● “LO” mode (low mode): For the ease of egress/ingress and loadin g
luggage
1.2 in. (30 mm) lower than the normal height
The “LO” mode is unavailable wh en the vehicle’s speed exceeds
8 mph (12 km/h).
When the vehicles speed exceeds 8 mph (12 km/h), the height will
be adjusted to the normal height automatically.
When the height control mode
select switch is pressed, the vehi-
cle height is fixed at the current
height.
The “OFF” indicator is displayed on
the multi-information display and
the automatic leveling function
turned off.
The height can be adjusted by
pressing the height control switch.
Press the switch again or when the vehicle’s speed exceeds 18 mp h
(30 km/h), the height will be adjusted to the normal height auto matically.
Disabling the height control
2914-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
SEQUOIA_OM_USA_OM0C013U_19MY
■Automatic leveling function
Regardless of the number of occupants or the luggage load, vehi cle height in
any mode is always adjusted to a fixed height by the automatic leveling func-
tion.
■ When “HI” mode is selected
The vehicle height will change to “N” mode when driving at the speeds of
18 mph (30 km/h).
■ When “LO” mode is selected
●The vehicle height will change to “N” mode when vehicle speed e xceeds
7 mph (12 km/h).
● This mode allows for easy access to the vehicle (getting in and out) and
easy loading and unloading.
■ The electronically modulated air suspension will not operate in the fol-
lowing cases:
● The underbody of the vehicle is touching the surface of the roa d.
● The area around the suspension is covered with ice.
The height control indicators will blink, turn off and then turn on continuously
to indicate that the electronically modulated air suspension is not operational.
To re-enable operation, turn off the engine and then restart it .
■ Even if you hear an operating noise
This does not indicate a problem in the electronically modulate d air suspen-
sion.
■ The electronically modulated air suspension failure warning
The warning message is displayed on the multi-information displ ay, and the
electronically modulated air suspension cannot be activated unt il the malfunc-
tion is corrected.
Stop the engine and start again. If the warning message turns off, the system
operating correctly. If the warning message continues to be displayed, have
your vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer as soon as possibl e.
2924-5. Using the driving support systems
SEQUOIA_OM_USA_OM0C013U_19MY
WARNING
■The electronically modulated air suspension must be turned off in the
following circumstances:
Otherwise, the automatic leveling function may cause the vehicle’s height to
change, and you may catch part of your body in the vehicle, resulting in an
unexpected accident:
● When driving through water such as shallow streams (Put the veh icle
height in “HI” mode and turn off the electronically modulated a ir suspen-
sion. Drive at 18 mph [30 km/h] or slower.)
● When jacking up the vehicle, installing tire chains or tying th e vehicle with
chains/wires for transportation via flat bed truck (Turn the system to the
manual mode and stop the engine.)
● When the vehicle must be towed (Put the vehicle height in “N” mode and
turn the system to the manual mode.)
● When the vehicle gets stuck (Turn the system to the manual mode .)
● When disconnecting a trailer (Put the vehicle height in “N” mod e and turn
the system to the manual mode.)
■ Selecting the correct height mode
Observe the following precautions to prevent accidents.
Failure to do so may cause damage to parts of the vehicle, as w ell as dan-
gerous handling characteristics, which may lead to fatal or inj ury accidents.
● Before you lower the vehicle’s height, check under the vehicle to make
sure that no one is there.
● “HI” mode should only be used when driving on rough roads, for example
when driving off-road.
Because the vehicle’s center of gravity will become higher when in the
mode, the vehicle may become unstable when turning abruptly, resulting
in an accident.
● Do not select “HI” mode when you load cargo on the roof luggage carrier.
Because the vehicle’s center of gravity will become higher when in the
mode, the vehicle may become unstable when turning abruptly, resulting
in an accident.