Page 185 of 632

LC200_OM_OM60T03U_(U)
1854-1. Before driving
4
Driving
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■If the vehicle becomes stuck
Do not spin the wheels excessively when any of the tires is up  in the air, or
the vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, etc. This may damage the driveline com-
ponents or propel the vehicle forward or backward, causing an a ccident.
NOTICE
■When driving the vehicle
● Do not depress the accelerator and brake pedals at the same tim e during
driving, as this may restrain the engine output.
● Do  not  use  the  accelerator  pedal  or  depress  the  accelerator  and  brake
pedals at the same time to hold the vehicle on a hill.
■ When parking the vehicle
Always set the parking brake, and shift the shift lever to P. F ailure to do so
may  cause  the  vehicle  to  move  or  the  vehicle  may  accelerate  sud denly  if
the accelerator pedal is accidentally depressed.
■ Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
● Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and ho ld it there for
an extended period of time. 
Doing so may damage the power steering pump.
● When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possibl e to avoid
damaging the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.
■ If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering
wheel firmly  and  gradually  depress  the  brake  pedal to  slow  down  the  vehi-
cle.
● It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
● The vehicle will make abnormal sounds or vibrations.
● The vehicle will lean abnormally.
Information on what to do in case of a flat tire. ( P. 544) 
     
        
        Page 186 of 632
186
LC200_OM_OM60T03U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
NOTICE
■When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. D oing so may
cause the following serious damage to the vehicle:
● Engine stalling
● Short in electrical components
● Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle i s flooded, be
sure to have your Toyota dealer check the following:
● Brake function
● Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, trans-
mission, transfer, differentials, etc.
● Lubricant condition for the propeller shaft, bearings and suspe nsion joints
(where possible), and the function of all joints, bearings, etc . 
     
        
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194
LC200_OM_OM60T03U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
Trailer towing
Your vehicle is designed primarily as a passenger-and-load-car-
rying  vehicle.  Towing  a  trailer  can  have  an  adverse  impact  on
handling,  performance,  braking,  durability,  and  fuel  consump-
tion. For your safety and the safety of others, you must not ov er-
load  your  vehicle  or  trailer.  You  must  also  ensure  that  you  are
using appropriate towing equipm ent, that the towing equipment
has  been  installed  correctly  a nd  used  properly,  and  that  you
employ the requisi te driving habits.
Vehicle-trailer stability and braking performance are affected  by
trailer  stability,  brake  performance  and  setting,  trailer  brake s,
the hitch and hitch systems (if equipped).
To tow a trailer safely, use extreme care and drive the vehicle  in
accordance  with  your  trailer’s   characteristics  and  operating
conditions.
Toyota  warranties  do  not  apply  to  damage  or  malfunction
caused by towing a trailer for commercial purposes.
Contact  your  Toyota  dealer  for  further  information  about  addi-
tional requirements such as towing kits, etc. 
     
        
        Page 196 of 632
196
LC200_OM_OM60T03U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
■GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
The  maximum  allowable  gross
axle  weight.  The  gross  axle
weight  is  the  load  placed  on
each axle (front and rear).
■TWR (Trailer Weight Rating)
The  maximum  allowable  gross
trailer  weight.  The  gross  trailer
weight  is  the  sum  of  the  trailer
weight  and  the  weight  of  the
cargo in the trailer.
TWR  is  calculated  assuming
base  vehicle  with  one  driver,
one  front  passenger,  towing
package (if available), hitch and
hitch systems (if required).
Additional optional equipment, passengers and cargo in the vehicle will
reduce the trailer weight rating so as not to exceed GCWR, GVWR and
GAWR.
If the gross trailer weight exceeds 3000 lb. (1360 kg), it is r ecommended
to use a trailer with 2 or more axles.
Front GAWR
Rear GAWR
(With brakes) 
     
        
        Page 197 of 632
LC200_OM_OM60T03U_(U)
1974-1. Before driving
4
Driving
■Unbraked TWR (Unbraked Trailer Weight Rating)
The trailer weight rating for tow-
ing a trailer without a trailer ser-
vice brake system.
■Tongue Weight
The  load  placed  on  the  trailer
hitch ball. (P. 199)
(Without brakes) 
     
        
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198
LC200_OM_OM60T03U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
●The gross trailer weight must  never exceed 8100 lb. (3675 kg).
● The  gross  combination  weight  must  never  exceed  14400 lb.
(6532 kg).
● The  gross  vehicle  weight  must
never  exceed  the  GVWR  indi-
cated on the Certification Label.
● The  gross  axle  weight  on  each
axle  must  never  exceed  the
GAWR  indicated  on  the  Certifi-
cation Label.
● If the gross trailer weight is over
the  unbraked  TWR,  trailer  ser-
vice brakes are required.
● If the gross trailer weight is over 2000 lb. (907 kg), a sway c ontrol
device with sufficient capacity is required.
● If the gross trailer weight is over 5000 lb. (2268 kg), a weigh t distrib-
uting hitch with suffici ent capacity is required.
Confirm that the gross trailer weight, gross combination weight , gross
vehicle weight, gross axle weight and tongue weight are all within the
limits.
■GCWR*
14400 lb. (6532 kg)
■TWR*
8100 lb. (3675 kg)
■Unbraked TWR*
1000 lb. (454 kg)
Weight limits
GCWR, TWR and Unbraked TWR
*: This  model  meets  the  tow-vehicle  trailering  requirement  of  SAE   Interna-
tional per SAE J2807. 
     
        
        Page 202 of 632
202
LC200_OM_OM60T03U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
Hitch receiver pin hole position: 
45.3 in. (1151 mm)
Use the wire harness stored in the
rear end under the vehicle body.
Please  consult  your  dealer  when
installing trailer lights, as incorrect
installation  may  cause  damage  to
the  vehicle’s  lights.  Please  take
care  to  comply  with  your  state’s
laws when installing trailer lights.
■ Service connector for towing brake controller
Your vehicle is equipped with a service connector for the trail er brake control-
ler.  Please  consult  your  dealer  when  installing  trailer  brake  s ystems  to  the
vehicle.
Positions for towing hitch receiver
1
Connecting trailer lights 
     
        
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204
LC200_OM_OM60T03U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
●Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.
● Avoid jerky steering  and sharp turns, and slow down before maki ng
a turn.
● Note that when making a turn, the trailer wheels will be closer  than
the vehicle wheels to the inside  of the turn. Compensate by mak ing
a wider than normal turning radius.
● Slow down before making a turn, in crosswinds, on wet or slippe ry
surfaces, etc.
Increasing vehicle speed can destabilize the trailer.
● Take care when passing other vehicles. Passing requires consider-
able  distance. After  passing  a  vehicle,  do  not  forget  the  lengt h  of
your  trailer,  and  be  sure  you  have  plenty  of  room  before  changi ng
lanes.
● To  maintain  engine  braking  efficiency  and  charging  system  perfo r-
mance  when  using  engine  braking,  do  not  put  the  transmission  in
D.
If in the S mode, the transmissi on shift range position must be in 6
or lower. ( P. 218)
● Instability happens more frequently when descending steep or lo ng
downhill grades. Before descending, slow down and downshift. Do
not make sudden downshifts while  descending steep or long down-
hill grades.
● Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or applying the bra kes
too frequently. This could cause  the brakes to overheat and result in
reduced braking efficiency.
● 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  drivin g
up  a  long  or steep  grade.  If  the  engine  coolant  temperature  gau ge
indicates overheating, immediately turn off the air conditionin g (if in
use), pull your vehicle off the  road and stop in a safe spot. 
(  P. 566)