Page 201 of 810

1994-1. Before driving
4
Driving
HILUX_OM_OM0K789E_(EE)
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■ When the vehicle is parked
● Always apply the parking brake, shift the shift lever to P (vehicles with
automatic transmission only), stop the engine and lock the vehicle.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended while the engine is running.
If the vehicle is parked with the shift lever in P but the parking brake is not
set, the vehicle may start to move, possibly leading to an accident.
● Do not touch the exhaust pipes while the engine is running or immediately
after turning the engine off.
Doing so may cause burns.
■ When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the engine off. Otherwise, if you accidentally move the shift
lever or depress the accelerator pedal, this could cause an accident or fire
due to engine overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked in a poorly
ventilated area, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle, leading to
death or a serious health hazard.
■ When braking
● When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously.
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and this may cause
one side of the vehicle to brake differently than the other side. Also, the
parking brake may not securely hold the vehicle.
● If the brake booster device does not operate, do not follow other vehicles
closely and avoid hills or sharp turns that require braking. In this case,
braking is still possible, but the brake pedal should be depressed more
firmly than usual. Also, the braking distance will increase. Have your
brakes fixed immediately.
● Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls.
Each push on the brake pedal uses up the reserve for the power-assisted
brakes.
● The brake system consists of 2 individual hydraulic systems: If one of the
systems fails, the other will still operate. In this case, the brake pedal
should be depressed more firmly than usual and the braking distance will
increase.
Have your brakes fixed immediately.
■ If the vehicle becomes stuck (4WD models)
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 accident.
Page 202 of 810

2004-1. Before driving
HILUX_OM_OM0K789E_(EE)
NOTICE
■When driving the vehicle
● Do not depress the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time during
driving, as this may restrain the engine output.
● On vehicles with automatic transmission, do not use the accelerator pedal
or depress the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time to hold the
vehicle on a hill.
● On vehicles with manual transmission, do not shift gears unless the clutch
pedal is fully depressed. After shifting, do not release the clutch pedal
abruptly. Doing so may damage the clutch, transmission and gears.
● On vehicles with manual transmission, observe the following to prevent
the clutch from being damaged. Failure to do so may cause excessive pre-
mature wear or damage to the clutch, eventually making it difficult to accel-
erate and start off from a stop. Have the vehicle inspected by any
authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable
repairer.
• Do not rest your foot on the clutch pedal while driving.
Doing so may cause clutch trouble.
• Do not use any gear other than the 1st gear when starting off and mov-
ing forward.
Doing so may damage the clutch.
• Do not use the clutch to hold the vehicle when stopping on an uphill
grade.
Doing so may damage the clutch.
• Do not use the clutch pedal to adjust vehicle speed.
Doing so may damage the clutch.
• When stopping the vehicle with the shift lever in a position other than N,
make sure to fully depress the clutch pedal and stop the vehicle using
the brakes.
● On vehicles with manual transmission, do not shift the shift lever to R with-
out the vehicle completely stopped. Doing so may damage the clutch,
transmission and gears.
● On vehicles with manual transmission, if you cannot accelerate the vehicle
even when the clutch is engaged and the accelerator pedal is depressed,
this may mean that the clutch is slipping, and the vehicle may be rendered
undriveable. Have any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized
repairer, or any reliable repairer inspect the vehicle as soon as possible.
Page 203 of 810

2014-1. Before driving
4
Driving
HILUX_OM_OM0K789E_(EE)
NOTICE
■When parking the vehicle
On vehicles with automatic transmission, always set the parking brake, and
shift the shift lever to P. Failure to do so may cause the vehicle to move or
the vehicle may accelerate suddenly if the accelerator pedal is accidentally
depressed.
■ Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
● Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold 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 possible to avoid
damaging the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.
● Diesel engine: Make sure to idle the engine immediately after high-load
driving. Stop the engine only after the turbocharger has cooled down.
Failure to do so may cause damage to the turbocharger.
● Diesel engine: In an extremely cold environment, idle the engine for more
than 30 seconds after starting the engine. Do not race the engine while
idling.
■ 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. 581)
Page 204 of 810

2024-1. Before driving
HILUX_OM_OM0K789E_(EE)
NOTICE
■When encountering flooded roads or waterlogged roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may
cause the following serious damage to the vehicle:
● Engine stalling
● Short in electrical components
● Engine damage caused by water immersion
● Rubber or mechanical part damage or poor lubrication due to grease
being washed away, or grease becoming contaminated with mud or dirt
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, or
on a sandy road, be sure to have any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota
authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer check the following:
● Brake function
● Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, trans-
mission, transfer (4WD models), clutch, differential, etc.
● Lubricant condition for the propeller shaft, clutch fork, bearings and sus-
pension joints (where possible), and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.
■ Off-road driving (vehicles with type A wheel ornaments [P. 588])
When driving on muddy roads, rocky terrain or sand, or crossing rivers,
remove the wheel ornaments. Driving with the wheel ornaments installed
may cause the wheel ornaments to be damaged or even fall off.
After off-road driving with the wheel ornaments removed, remove dirt or for-
eign objects from the wheel before reinstalling the wheel ornaments.
Page 205 of 810

203
4
4-1. Before driving
Driving
HILUX_OM_OM0K789E_(EE)
Cargo and luggage
Take notice of the following information about storage precau-
tions, cargo capacity and load.
WARNING
■ Things that must not be carried in the rear deck
The following things may cause a fire if loaded in the rear deck:
● Receptacles containing gasoline
● Aerosol cans
■ Storage precautions
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may prevent t he pedals from being depressed properly,
may block the driver’s vision, or may re sult in items hitting the driver or pas-
sengers, possibly causing an accident.
● Stow cargo and luggage in the rear deck whenever possible.
● Except for single-cab models: Do not stack anything behind the front seats
higher than the seatbacks.
● Do not place cargo or luggage in or on the following locations.
• At the feet of the driver
• On the front passenger or rear seats (if equipped) (when stacking
items)
• On the instrument panel
• On the dashboard
● Secure all items in the occupant compartment.
● Never allow anyone to ride in the rear deck. It is not designed for passen-
gers. They should ride in their seats with their seat belts properly fastened.
Otherwise, they are much more likely to suffer death or serious bodily
injury, in the event of sudden braking, sudden swerving or an accident.
■ Load and distribution
● Do not overload your vehicle.
● Do not apply loads unevenly.
Improper loading may cause deterioration of steering or braking control
which may cause death or serious injury.
Page 206 of 810
2044-1. Before driving
HILUX_OM_OM0K789E_(EE)
Trailer towing (without towing hitch)
: For TGN126L-DTTHK models except for Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia,
and GUN125L-DTFSX model.
The model code is indicated on the manufacturer’s plate or label. ( P. 6 2 4 )
Toyota does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle.
Toyota also does not recommend the installation of a tow hitch
or the use of a tow hitch carrier for a wheelchair, scooter, bicy-
cle, etc. Your vehicle is not designed for trailer towing or for the
use of tow hitch mounted carriers.
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205
4
4-1. Before driving
Driving
HILUX_OM_OM0K789E_(EE)
Trailer towing (with towing hitch)
◆Weight limits
Check the allowable towing capacity, GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass),
MPAC (Maximum Permissible Axle Capacity), and permissible
drawbar load before towing. ( P. 622)
◆Towing hitch/bracket
Toyota recommends the use of the Toyota hitch/bracket for your
vehicle. Other products of a suitable nature and comparable quality
may also be used.
For vehicles where the towing device blocks any of the lights or
license plate, the following shall be observed:
● Do not use towing devices that cannot be easily removed or
repositioned.
● Towing devices must be removed or repositioned when not in
use.
: Models for model code destination Blank (for Kazakhstan and Russia) and W
(See “Checking your vehicle’s model” if you are not
sure of which model your vehicle is. [ P. 12]).
Your vehicle is designed primarily as a passenger-and-load-car-
rying vehicle. Towing a trailer will have an adverse effect on han-
dling, performance, braking, durability, and fuel consumption.
Your safety and satisfaction depend on the proper use of correct
equipment and cautious driving habits. For your safety and the
safety of others, do not overload the vehicle or trailer.
To tow a trailer safely, use extreme care and drive the vehicle in
accordance with the trailer’s characteristics and operating con-
ditions.
Toyota warranties do not apply to damage or malfunction
caused by towing a trailer for commercial purposes.
Ask your local authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized
repairer, or any reliable repairer for further details before towing,
as there are additional legal requirements in some countries.
Page 208 of 810
2064-1. Before driving
HILUX_OM_OM0K789E_(EE)
570 mm (22.4 in.)
570 mm (22.4 in.)
Installation positions for the towing hitch/bracket and hitch ball
1
2