Page 324 of 616
3244-5. Using the driving support systems
If the vehicle gets stuck in fresh snow or mud, TRAC/VSC/Traile r
Sway Control systems may reduce power from the engine to the
wheels. You may need to turn the system off to enable you to rock the
vehicle in order to free it.
■Turning off TRAC
Quickly press and release the
VSC off switch to turn off
TRAC.
The “TRAC OFF” indicator will
come on.
Press the switch again to turn
the system back on.
■
Turning off TRAC, VSC a nd Trailer Sway Control
Press and hold the VSC off
switch for more than 3 seconds
while the vehicle is stopped to
turn off TRAC, VSC and Trailer
Sway Control.
The VSC off and “TRAC OFF”
indicators will come on.
Press the switch again to turn
the system back on.
■ When the “TRAC OFF” indicator light comes on even if the VSC of f
switch has not been pressed
TRAC and hill-start assist control cannot be operated. Contact your Toyota
dealer.
Disabling the TRAC/VSC/Traile r Sway Control systems (4WD
mode on 4WD models)
Page 327 of 616

3274-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
WARNING
■When the TRAC/VSC/Trailer Sway Control systems are turned off
Be especially careful and drive at a speed appropriate to the r oad condi-
tions. As these are the systems to help ensure vehicle stability and driving
force, do not turn the TRAC/VSC/Trailer Sway Control systems off unless
necessary.
■ Replacing tires
Make sure that all tires are of the specified size, brand, trea d pattern and
total load capacity. In addition, make sure that the tires are inflated to the
recommended tire inflation pressure level.
The ABS, Multi Terrain ABS, TRAC, VSC and Trailer Sway Control systems
will not function correctly if different tires are installed on the vehicle.
Contact your Toyota dealer for further information when replaci ng tires or
wheels.
■ Handling of tires and the suspension
Using tires with any kind of problem or modifying the suspensio n will affect
the driving assist systems, and may cause a system to malfunction.
■ 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.
Failure 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. 197)
Page 329 of 616

3294-6. Driving tips
4
Driving
●Park the vehicle and move the shift lever to P (automatic trans mis-
sion) or 1 or R (manual transmiss ion) without setting the parking
brake. The parking brake may freeze up, preventing it from bein g
released. If the vehicle is park ed without setting the parking brake,
make sure to block the wheels.
Failure to do so may be dangerou s because it may cause the vehi-
cle to move unexpectedly, pos sibly leading to an accident.
● On vehicles with an automatic transmission, if the vehicle is p arked
without setting the parking brake, confirm that the shift lever cannot
be moved out of P.
The shift lever will be locked if it is attempted to be shifted from P to
any other position without depressing the brake pedal. If the s hift
lever can be shifted from P, there may be a problem with the sh ift
lock system. Have the vehicle in spected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
Use the correct tire chain size when mount ing the tire chains.
Chain size is regulate d for each tire size.
Side chain
(0.2 in. [5 mm] in diameter)
Cross chain
(0.25 in. [6.3 mm] in diameter)
Regulations regarding the use of tire chains vary depending on loca-
tion and type of road. Always chec k local regulations before installing
chains.
When parking the vehicle
Selecting tire chains
1
2
Regulations on the use of tire chains
Page 330 of 616

3304-6. Driving tips
■Tire chain installation
Observe the following precautions when installing and removing chains:
● Install and remove tire chains in a safe location.
● Install tire chains on the rear tires. Do not install tire chains on the front tires.
● Install tire chains on rear tires as tightly as possible. Retighten chains after
driving 1/4 1/2 mile (0.5 1.0 km).
● Install tire chains following the instructions provided with the tire chains.
WARNING
■ Driving with snow tires
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in a loss of vehicle control and ca use death or
serious injury.
● Use tires of the specified size.
● Maintain the recommended level of air pressure.
● Do not drive in excess of 75 mph (120 km/h), regardless of the type of
snow tires being used.
● Use snow tires on all, not just some wheels.
● 4WD models: Do not mix tires of different makes, models, tread patterns
or treadwear.
■ Driving with tire chains
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in the vehicle being unable to be d riven safely,
and may cause death or serious injury.
● Do not drive in excess of the speed limit specified for the tir e chains being
used, or 30 mph (50 km/h), whichever is lower.
● Avoid driving on bumpy road surfaces or over potholes.
● Avoid sudden acceleration, abrupt steering, sudden braking and shifting
operations that cause sudden engine braking.
● Slow down sufficiently before entering a curve to ensure that vehicle con-
trol is maintained.
Page 334 of 616

3344-6. Driving tips
■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
WARNING
■ Off-road driving precautions
Always observe the following precautions to minimize the risk of death, seri-
ous injury or damage to your vehicle:
● Drive carefully when off the road. Do not take unnecessary risks 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 dr iving 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., adheri ng 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 cause 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.
Page 335 of 616

3354-6. Driving tips
4
Driving
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 damage.
● Water entering the automatic transmission will cause deterioration in shift
quality, locking up of your transmission accompanied by vibration, 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 river bed for firm ness. 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”.
Page 365 of 616
3655-3. Using the storage features
5
Interior features
■Auxiliary box
Turn the knob and open the lid.
■Tie-down cleats
The deck rail system enables you to insert and move tie-down
cleats to their best location al ong deck rails to secure a load .
Locking plate
Thumb wheel
Tie-down cleat
Deck
1
2
3
Page 366 of 616
3665-3. Using the storage features
●Installing the tie-down cleat
Loosen the thumb wheel in a
counterclockwise motion,
and depress the wheel so
that the locking plate main-
tains 0.5 in. (12.7 mm) gap.Deck rail
Detent
Locking plate
Insert the locking plate into
the deck rail, rotate the tie-
down cleat 90°, and release
the thumb wheel.
Slide the cleat to the closest
detent in the rail system. You
will feel that the locking plate
snaps into a detent.
When using a tonneau cover,
confirm the cleat position will not
interfere with its proper closing
and latching.
Tighten the thumb wheel in a
clockwise motion until the
clutch mechanism ratchets.
0.5 in.
(12.7 mm)
1
1
2
3
2
3
4