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3774-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
WARNING
Any of the following conditions may result in an accident which could cause
death or serious injury:
■ The Multi Terrain ABS does not operate effectively when
● The limits of tire gripping performance have been exceeded (suc h as
excessively worn tires on a snow covered road).
● The vehicle hydroplanes while driving at high speed on the wet or slick
road.
■ Stopping distance when the Multi Terrain ABS is operating may exceed
that of normal conditions
The Multi Terrain ABS is not designed to shorten the vehicle’s stopping dis-
tance. Always maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in fron t of you,
especially in the following situations.
● When driving on dirt, gravel or snow-covered roads
● When driving with tire chains
● When driving over bumps in the road
● When driving over roads with potholes or uneven roads
■ Active TRAC may not operate effectively when
Directional control and power may not be achievable while driving on slip-
pery road surfaces, even if the Active TRAC is operating.
Do not drive the vehicle in conditions where stability and powe r may be lost.
■ If the hill-start assist control does not operate effectively
Do not overly rely on the hill-start assist control. The hill-start assist control
may not operate effectively on steep inclines and roads covered in ice.
■ When Active TRAC, VSC and Trailer Sway Control are off
Be especially careful and drive at a speed appropriate to the r oad condi-
tions. As there are systems to help ensure vehicle stability an d driving force,
do not turn off Active TRAC, VSC and Trailer Sway Control unless neces-
sary.
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4-5. Using the driving support systems
WARNING
■When the VSC and Trailer Sway Control are activated
The slip indicator light flashes. Always drive carefully.
Reckless driving may cause an accident. Exercise particular car e when the
indicator light flashes.
■
Replacing tires
Make sure that all tires are of the same size, brand, tread pat tern and
total load capacity. In addition, make sure that the tires are inflated to
the specified tire pressure level.
The Multi Terrain ABS, Active TR AC, VSC and Trailer Sway Control will
not function correctly if different tires are fitted on the veh icle.
Contact your Toyota dealer for further information when replaci ng tires
or wheels.
■Handling of tires and suspension
Using tires with any kind of probl em or modifying the suspension will
affect the driving assist system s, and may cause the system to malfunc-
tion.
■ Trailer Sway Control precaution
The Trailer Sway Control system is not able to reduce trailer sway in all situ-
ations. Depending on many factors such as the conditions of the vehicle,
trailer, road surface, and driving environment, the Trailer Swa y Control sys-
tem may not be effective. Refer to your trailer owner’s manual for informa-
tion on how to tow your trailer properly.
■ If trailer sway occurs
Observe the following precautions.
Failing to do so may cause death or serious injury.
● Firmly grip the steering wheel. Steer straight ahead.
Do not try to control trailer swaying by turning the steering w heel.
● Begin releasing the accelerator pedal immediately but very grad ually 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. ( P. 203)
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3794-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
NOTICE
■KDSS
In the following situations, there is the possibility that a sy stem malfunction
has occurred, and drive comfort and the vehicle’s ability to travel on poor
road surfaces may be reduced. Take the vehicle to your Toyota d ealer
immediately.
● When turning a corner, the vehicle’s body seems to roll further than nor-
mal.
● If after the vehicle has been left in a slanted position for a long time, for
example with the wheels of one side parked on a curb, the vehic le does
not return to level when driving (the vehicle remains slanted to one side
after returning the vehicle to level ground).
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4-6. Driving tips
Off-road precautions
●Specific design charac teristics give it a higher center of grav ity than
ordinary passenger cars. This vehi cle design feature causes this
type of vehicle to be more likel y to rollover. And, utility vehicles
have a significantly higher rollover rate than other types of v ehicles.
● An advantage of the higher ground clearance is a better view of the
road allowing you to anticipate problems.
● It is not designed for cornering at the same speeds as ordinary pas-
senger cars any more than low-s lung sports cars are designed to
perform satisfactorily under o ff-road conditions. Therefore, sh arp
turns at excessive speeds may c ause the vehicle to rollover.
This vehicle belongs to the utility vehicle class, which has
higher ground clearance and narrower tread in relation to the
height of its center of gravity to make it capable of performin g in
a wide variety of of f-road applications.
Off-road vehicle features
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3814-6. Driving tips
4
Driving
WARNING
■Off-road vehicle precautions
Always observe the following precautions to minimize the risk o f death, seri-
ous injury or damage to your vehicle:
● In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more l ikely to die
than a person wearing a seat belt. Therefore, the driver and al l passengers
should always fasten their seat belts.
● Avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers, if at all possible.
Failure to operate this vehicle correctly may result in loss of control or
vehicle rollover causing death or serious injury.
● Loading cargo on the roof luggage carrier will make the center of the vehi-
cle gravity higher. Avoid high speeds, sudden starts, sharp tur ns, sudden
braking or abrupt maneuvers, otherwise it may result in loss of control or
vehicle rollover due to failure to operate this vehicle correct ly.
● Always slow down in gusty crosswinds. Because of its profile and higher
center of gravity, your vehicle is more sensitive to side winds than an ordi-
nary passenger car. Slowing down will allow you to have better control.
● Do not drive horizontally across steep slopes. Driving straight up or
straight down is preferred. Your vehicle (or any similar off-ro ad vehicle)
can tip over sideways much more easily than forward or backward .
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4-6. Driving tips
When driving your vehicle off-road, please observe the following pre-
cautions to ensure your drivin g enjoyment and to help prevent t he clo-
sure of areas to off-road vehicles:
● Drive your vehicle only in areas where off-road vehicles are pe rmit-
ted to travel.
● Respect private property. Get owner’s permission before enterin g
private property.
● Do not enter areas that are closed. Honor gates, barriers and s igns
that restrict travel.
● Stay on established roads. When c onditions are wet, driving tech-
niques should be changed or travel delayed to prevent damage to
roads.
■ Additional information for off-road driving
For owners in U.S. mainland, Hawaii and Puerto Rico:
To obtain additional information pertaining to driving your veh icle off-road,
consult the following organizations:
● State and Local Parks and Recreation Departments
● State Motor Vehicle Bureau
● Recreational Vehicle Clubs
● U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management
Off-road driving
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3834-6. Driving tips
4
Driving
WARNING
■Off-road driving precautions
Always observe the following precautions to minimize the risk o f death, seri-
ous injury or damage to your vehicle:
● Drive carefully when off the road. Do not take unnecessary risk s by driving
in dangerous places.
● Do not grip the steering wheel spokes when driving off-road. A bad bump
could jerk the wheel and injure your hands. Keep both hands and espe-
cially your thumbs on the outside of the rim.
● Always check your brakes for effectiveness immediately after driving in
sand, mud, water or snow.
● After driving through tall grass, mud, rock, sand, rivers, etc. , check that
there is no grass, bush, paper, rags, stone, sand, etc. adherin g or trapped
on the underbody. Clear off any such matter from the underbody. If the
vehicle is used with these materials trapped or adhering to the underbody,
a breakdown or fire could occur.
● When driving off-road or in rugged terrain, do not drive at excessive
speeds, jump, make sharp turns, strike objects, etc. This may c ause loss
of control or vehicle rollover causing death or serious injury. You are also
risking expensive damage to your vehicle’s suspension and chass is.
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4-6. Driving tips
NOTICE
■To prevent the water damage
Take all necessary safety measures to ensure that water damage to the
engine or other components does not occur.
● Water entering the engine air intake will cause severe engine d amage.
● Water entering the automatic transmission will cause deteriorat ion in shift
quality, locking up of your transmission accompanied by vibrati on, and ulti-
mately damage.
● Water can wash the grease from wheel bearings, causing rusting and pre-
mature failure, and may also enter the differentials, transmission and
transfer case, reducing the gear oil’s lubricating qualities.
■ When you drive through water
If driving through water, such as when crossing shallow streams , first check
the depth of the water and the bottom of the riverbed for firmn ess. Drive
slowly and avoid deep water.
■ Inspection after off-road driving
● Sand and mud that has accumulated in brake drums and around bra ke
discs may affect braking efficiency and may damage brake system compo-
nents.
● Always perform a maintenance inspection after each day of off-r oad driv-
ing that has taken you through rough terrain, sand, mud, or wat er. For
scheduled maintenance information, refer to the “Scheduled Main tenance
Guide” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”.