Driving -> Before driving for Your Toyota Avensis 4 Door Third Generation (2010-2018)

186  
4-1. Before driving  
Driving the vehicle  
The following procedures should be observed to ensure safe  
driving.  
Starting the engine  
P. 209, 212  
Driving  
X Multidrive  
1
With the brake pedal depressed, shift the shift lever to D or M.  
(P. 219)  
2
Release the parking brake. (P. 229)  
3
Gradually release the brake pedal and gently depress the accelera-  
tor pedal to accelerate the vehicle.  
X Manual transmission  
1
With the clutch pedal fully depressed, shift the shift lever to 1.  
(P. 225)  
2
Release the parking brake. (P. 229)  
3
Gradually release the clutch pedal. At the same time, gently  
depress the accelerator pedal to accelerate the vehicle.  
Stopping  
X Multidrive  
1
With the shift lever in D or M, depress the brake pedal.  
2
If necessary, set the parking brake.  
If the vehicle is to be stopped for an extended period of time, shift the shift  
lever to P or N. (P. 219)  
X Manual transmission  
1
With the clutch pedal fully depressed, depress the brake pedal.  
2
If necessary, set the parking brake.  
If the vehicle is to be stopped for an extended period of time, shift the shift  
lever to N. (P. 225)  
187  
4-1. Before driving  
Parking the vehicle  
X Multidrive  
1
With the shift lever in D or M, depress the brake pedal.  
Shift the shift lever to P. (P. 219)  
2
3
4
Set the parking brake. (P. 229)  
Turn the engine switch to the “LOCK” position (vehicles without  
smart entry & start system) or off (vehicles with smart entry & start  
system) to stop the engine.  
5
Lock the door, making sure that you have the key on your person.  
If parking on a hill, block the wheels as needed.  
X Manual transmission  
1
While depressing the clutch pedal, depress the brake pedal.  
2
Shift the shift lever to N. (P. 225)  
4
If parking on a hill, shift the shift lever to 1 or R as needed.  
Set the parking brake. (P. 229)  
3
4
Turn the engine switch to the “LOCK” position (vehicles without  
smart entry & start system) or off (vehicles with smart entry & start  
system) to stop the engine.  
5
Lock the door, making sure that you have the key on your person.  
If parking on a hill, block the wheels as needed.  
188  
4-1. Before driving  
Starting off on a steep uphill  
X Multidrive  
1
Make sure that the parking brake is set and shift the shift lever to D  
or M.  
2
Gently depress the accelerator pedal.  
3
Release the parking brake.  
X Manual transmission  
1
With the parking brake set and the clutch pedal fully depressed,  
shift the shift lever to 1.  
2
Lightly depress the accelerator pedal at the same time as gradually  
releasing the clutch pedal.  
3
The parking brake will automatically release. (P. 229)  
When starting off on a uphill  
The hill-start assist control is available. (P. 304)  
Driving in the rain  
Drive carefully when it is raining, because visibility will be reduced, the win-  
dows may become fogged-up, and the road will be slippery.  
Drive carefully when it starts to rain, because the road surface will be espe-  
cially slippery.  
Refrain from high speeds when driving on an expressway in the rain,  
because there may be a layer of water between the tires and the road sur-  
face, preventing the steering and brakes from operating properly.  
Engine speed while driving (vehicles with Multidrive)  
In the following conditions, the engine speed may become high while driving.  
This is due to automatic up-shifting control or down-shifting implementation to  
meet driving conditions. It does not indicate sudden acceleration.  
The vehicle is judged to be driving uphill or downhill  
When the accelerator pedal is released  
When the brake pedal is depressed while sport mode is selected.  
When the vehicle suddenly decelerates because the brake pedal is  
depressed  
189  
4-1. Before driving  
Breaking in your new Toyota  
To extend the life of the vehicle, observing the following precautions is recom-  
mended:  
For the first 300 km (200 miles):  
Avoid sudden stops.  
For the first 800 km (500 miles):  
Do not tow a trailer.  
For the first 1000 km (600 miles):  
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.  
• Avoid sudden acceleration.  
• Do not drive continuously in the low gears.  
• Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods.  
Idling time before engine stop (diesel engine)  
To prevent damage to the turbocharger, allow the engine to idle immediately  
after high-speed driving or driving up a hill.  
Driving condition  
Normal city driving  
Idling time  
4
Not necessary  
Constant speed of approx.  
80 km/h (50 mph)  
Approximately  
20 seconds  
High-speed  
driving  
Constant speed of approx.  
100 km/h (62 mph)  
Approximately  
1 minute  
Steep hill driving or continuous driving at 100 km/h  
(62 mph) or more (race track driving etc.)  
Approximately  
2 minutes  
190  
4-1. Before driving  
Operating your vehicle in a foreign country  
Comply with the relevant vehicle registration laws and confirm the availability  
of the correct fuel. (P. 607)  
WARNING  
Observe the following precautions.  
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.  
When starting the vehicle (vehicles with Multidrive)  
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped with the engine  
running. This prevents the vehicle from creeping.  
191  
4-1. Before driving  
WARNING  
Observe the following precautions.  
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.  
When driving the vehicle  
Do not drive if you are unfamiliar with the location of the brake and accel-  
erator pedals to avoid depressing the wrong pedal.  
• Accidentally depressing the accelerator pedal instead of the brake  
pedal will result in sudden acceleration that may lead to an accident.  
• When backing up, you may twist your body around, leading to a diffi-  
culty in operating the pedals. Make sure to operate the pedals properly.  
• Make sure to keep a correct driving posture even when moving the  
vehicle only slightly. This allows you to depress the brake and accelera-  
tor pedals properly.  
• Depress the brake pedal using your right foot. Depressing the brake  
pedal using your left foot may delay response in an emergency, result-  
ing in an accident.  
Do not drive the vehicle over or stop the vehicle near flammable materials.  
The exhaust system and exhaust gases can be extremely hot. These hot  
parts may cause a fire if there is any flammable material nearby.  
4
During normal driving, do not turn off the engine. Turning the engine off  
while driving will not cause loss of steering or braking control, but the  
power assist to these systems will be lost. This will make it more difficult to  
steer and brake, so you should pull over and stop the vehicle as soon as it  
is safe to do so.  
However, in the event of an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible  
to stop the vehicle in the normal way: P. 515  
Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving  
down a steep hill.  
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose  
effectiveness. (P. 220)  
Do not adjust the positions of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or  
outside rear view mirrors while driving.  
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control that can cause accidents.  
Always check that all passengers’ arms, heads or other parts of their body  
are not outside the vehicle.  
192  
4-1. Before driving  
WARNING  
Observe the following precautions.  
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.  
When driving on slippery road surfaces  
Sudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippage and  
reduce your ability to control the vehicle, resulting in an accident.  
Sudden acceleration, engine braking due to shifting, or changes in engine  
speed could cause the vehicle to skid, resulting in an accident.  
After driving through a puddle, lightly depress the brake pedal to make  
sure that the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent  
the brakes from functioning properly. If the brakes on only one side are wet  
and not functioning properly, steering control may be affected, resulting in  
an accident.  
When shifting the shift lever  
Vehicles with Multidrive: Do not let the vehicle roll backward while the shift  
lever is in a driving position, or roll forward while the shift lever is in R.  
Doing so may cause the engine to stall or lead to poor brake and steering  
performance, resulting in an accident or damage to the vehicle.  
Vehicles with Multidrive: Do not shift the shift lever to P while the vehicle is  
moving.  
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle  
control.  
Do not shift the shift lever to R while the vehicle is moving forward.  
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle  
control.  
Do not shift the shift lever to a driving position while the vehicle is moving  
backward.  
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle  
control.  
Moving the shift lever to N while the vehicle is moving will disengage the  
engine from the transmission. Engine braking is not available when N is  
selected.  
Vehicles with Multidrive: Be careful not to shift the shift lever with the  
accelerator pedal depressed.  
Shifting the shift lever to a gear other than P may lead to unexpected rapid  
acceleration of the vehicle that may cause an accident.  
193  
4-1. Before driving  
WARNING  
Observe the following precautions.  
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.  
If you hear a squealing or scraping noise (brake pad wear indicators)  
Have the brake pads checked and replaced by any authorized Toyota  
dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional, as  
soon as possible.  
Rotor damage may result if the pads are not replaced when needed.  
Front brakes only: Moderate levels of brake pad and disc wear allow  
enhanced front braking power. As a result, the discs may wear more quickly  
than conventional brake discs. Therefore, when replacing the brake pads,  
Toyota recommends that you also have the thickness of the discs mea-  
sured.  
It is dangerous to drive the vehicle when the wear limits of the brake pads  
and/or those of the brake discs are exceeded.  
When the vehicle is stopped  
Do not race the engine.  
4
If the vehicle is in any gear other than P (vehicles with Multidrive) or N, the  
vehicle may accelerate suddenly and unexpectedly, causing an accident.  
Vehicles with Multidrive: In order to prevent accidents due to the vehicle  
rolling away, always keep depressing the brake pedal while the engine is  
running, and apply the parking brake as necessary.  
If the vehicle is stopped on an incline, in order to prevent accidents caused  
by the vehicle rolling forward or backward, always depress the brake pedal  
and securely apply the parking brake as needed.  
Avoid revving or racing the engine.  
Running the engine at high speed while the vehicle is stopped may cause  
the exhaust system to overheat, which could result in a fire if combustible  
material is nearby.  
194  
4-1. Before driving  
WARNING  
Observe the following precautions.  
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.  
When the vehicle is parked  
Do not leave glasses, cigarette lighters, spray cans, or soft drink cans in  
the vehicle when it is in the sun.  
Doing so may result in the following:  
• Gas may leak from a cigarette lighter or spray can, and may lead to a  
fire.  
• The temperature inside the vehicle may cause the plastic lenses and  
plastic material of glasses to deform or crack.  
• Soft drink cans may fracture, causing the contents to spray over the  
interior of the vehicle, and may also cause a short circuit in the vehicle’s  
electrical components.  
Do not leave cigarette lighters in the vehicle. If a cigarette lighter is in a  
place such as the glove box or on the floor, it may be lit accidentally when  
luggage is loaded or the seat is adjusted, causing a fire.  
Do not attach adhesive discs to the windshield or windows. Do not place  
containers such as air fresheners on the instrument panel or dashboard.  
Adhesive discs or containers may act as lenses, causing a fire in the vehi-  
cle.  
Do not leave a door or window open if the curved glass is coated with a  
metallized film such as a silver-colored one. Reflected sunlight may cause  
the glass to act as a lens, causing a fire.  
Always shift the shift lever to P (vehicles with Multidrive), apply the parking  
brake, stop the engine and lock the vehicle.  
Do not leave the vehicle unattended while the engine is running.  
Do not touch the exhaust pipe while the engine is running or immediately  
after turning the engine off.  
Doing so may cause burns.  
195  
4-1. Before driving  
WARNING  
Observe the following precautions.  
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.  
When taking a nap in the vehicle  
Always turn the engine off.  
Otherwise, if you accidentally move the shift lever or depress the accelera-  
tor 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 power brake assist function 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.  
4
Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls.  
Each push on the 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 braking distance will  
increase.  
Have your brakes fixed immediately.  
196  
4-1. Before driving  
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.  
Vehicles with Multidrive:  
Do not use the accelerator pedal or depress accelerator and brake pedals  
at the same time to hold the vehicle on a hill.  
Vehicles with manual transmission:  
Observe the following precautions to prevent damage to the clutch, trans-  
mission and gears.  
• Do not shift gears unless the clutch pedal is fully depressed. After shift-  
ing, do not release the clutch abruptly.  
• Do not rest your foot on the clutch pedal while driving.  
• Do not use any gears other than the first gear when starting off and  
moving forward.  
• Do not use the clutch to hold the vehicle when stopping on an uphill  
grade.  
• Do not shift into R when the vehicle is still moving.  
When parking the vehicle (vehicles with Multidrive)  
Always shift the shift lever in 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 motor.  
When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid  
damaging the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.  
Diesel engine only: Make sure to idle the engine immediately after high-  
speed driving or hill climbing. Stop the engine only after the turbocharger  
has cooled down.  
Failure to do so may cause damage to the turbocharger.  
197  
4-1. Before driving  
NOTICE  
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. 550, 566)  
When encountering flooded 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  
4
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be  
sure to have any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or another duly quali-  
fied and equipped professional check the following.  
Brake function  
Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, trans-  
mission etc.  
Lubricant condition for the bearings and suspension joints (where possi-  
ble), and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.  
198  
4-1. Before driving  
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 trunk/luggage compartment  
The following things may cause a fire if loaded in the trunk/luggage com-  
partment.  
Receptacles containing gasoline  
Aerosol cans  
Storage precautions  
Observe the following precautions.  
Failing to do so may prevent the pedals from being depressed properly,  
may block the driver’s vision, or may result in items hitting the driver or pas-  
sengers, possibly causing an accident.  
Stow cargo and luggage in the trunk/luggage compartment whenever pos-  
sible.  
Sedan: To prevent cargo and luggage from sliding forward during braking,  
do not stack anything in the enlarged trunk. Keep cargo and luggage low,  
as close to the floor as possible.  
Wagon: Do not stack cargo and luggage in the luggage compartment  
higher than the seatbacks.  
When you fold down the rear seats, long items should not be placed  
directly behind the front seats.  
Never allow anyone to ride in the enlarged trunk or luggage compartment.  
It is not designed for passengers. They should ride in their seats with their  
seat belts properly fastened.  
Do not place cargo or luggage in or on the following locations.  
• Driver’s feet  
• Front passenger or rear seats (when stacking items)  
• Package tray (sedan)  
• Luggage cover (wagon)  
• Instrument panel  
• Dashboard  
• Auxiliary box or tray that has no lid  
Secure all items in the occupant compartment.  
199  
4-1. Before driving  
WARNING  
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.  
4
200  
4-1. Before driving  
Trailer towing  
Your vehicle is designed primarily as a passenger carrying vehi-  
cle. Towing a trailer will have an adverse effect on handling, per-  
formance, 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 dealer or repairer, or another  
duly qualified and equipped professional, for further details  
before towing, as there are additional legal requirements in  
some countries.  
Weight limits  
Check the allowable towing capacity, GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass),  
MPAC (Maximum Permissible Axle Capacity), and permissible  
drawbar load before towing. (P. 602)  
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.  
201  
4-1. Before driving  
Important points regarding trailer loads  
Total trailer weight and permissible drawbar load  
1
Total trailer weight  
Weight of the trailer itself plus  
the trailer load should be within  
the maximum towing capacity.  
Exceeding this weight is danger-  
ous. (P. 602)  
When towing a trailer, use a fric-  
tion coupler or friction stabilizer  
(sway control device).  
2
Permissible drawbar load  
Allocate the trailer load so that the drawbar load is greater than 25 kg  
(55.1 lb.) or 4% of the towing capacity. Do not let the drawbar load  
exceed the indicated weight. (P. 602)  
4
Information tag (manufacturer’s label)  
1
Gross vehicle mass  
The combined weight of the  
driver, passengers, luggage,  
towing hitch, total curb mass  
and drawbar load should not  
exceed the gross vehicle mass  
by more than 100 kg (220.5 lb.).  
Exceeding this weight is danger-  
ous.  
2
Maximum permissible rear  
axle capacity  
The weight borne by the rear axle should not exceed the maximum per-  
missible axle capacity by 15% or more. Exceeding this weight is danger-  
ous.  
The values for towing capacity were derived from testing conducted at  
sea level. Take note that engine output and towing capacity will be  
reduced at high altitudes.  
202  
4-1. Before driving  
WARNING  
When the gross vehicle mass limit or maximum permissible axle  
capacity is exceeded  
Do not exceed the established speed limit for towing a trailer in built-up  
areas or 100 km/h (62 mph), whichever is lower.  
Failing to observe this precaution may lead to an accident causing death or  
serious injury.  
203  
4-1. Before driving  
Installation positions for the towing hitch/bracket and hitch ball  
X Sedan  
1
460 mm (18.1 in.)  
2
460 mm (18.1 in.)  
3
460 mm (18.1 in.)  
4
460 mm (18.1 in.)  
5
460 mm (18.1 in.)  
6
460 mm (18.1 in.)  
4
7
1110 mm (43.7 in.)  
8
35 mm (1.4 in.)  
369 mm (14.5 in.)*1  
9
374 mm (14.7 in.)*2  
392 mm (15.4 in.)*3  
391 mm (15.4 in.)*4  
10  
320 mm (12.6 in.)  
385 mm (15.2 in.)  
575 mm (22.6 in.)  
11  
12  
*1: 205/60R16 tires*5  
*2: 215/55R17 or 225/45R18 tires*5  
*3: 205/60R16 tires with vehicle height up*5  
*4: 215/55R17 tires with vehicle height up*5  
*5: To distinguish the vehicle type, ask any authorized Toyota dealer or  
repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.  
204  
4-1. Before driving  
X Wagon  
1
2
3
4
5
6
460 mm (18.1 in.)  
460 mm (18.1 in.)  
460 mm (18.1 in.)  
460 mm (18.1 in.)  
460 mm (18.1 in.)  
460 mm (18.1 in.)  
7
8
9
1180 mm (46.5 in.)  
37 mm (1.5 in.)  
369 mm (14.5 in.)*1  
375 mm (14.8 in.)*2  
393 mm (15.5 in.)*3  
391 mm (15.4 in.)*4  
10  
11  
12  
387 mm (15.2 in.)  
452 mm (17.8 in.)  
643 mm (25.3 in.)  
*1: 205/60R16 tires*5  
*2: 215/55R17 or 225/45R18 tires*5  
*3: 205/60R16 tires with vehicle height up*5  
*4: 215/55R17 tires with vehicle height up*5  
*5: To distinguish the vehicle type, ask any authorized Toyota dealer or  
repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.  
205  
4-1. Before driving  
Tire information  
Increase the tire inflation pressure to 20.0 kPa (0.2 kgf/cm2 or bar, 3 psi)  
greater than the recommended value when towing. (P. 619)  
Increase the air pressure of the trailer tires in accordance with the total  
trailer weight and according to the values recommended by the manufac-  
turer of your trailer.  
Trailer lights  
Please consult at any authorized dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified  
and equipped professional when installing trailer lights, as incorrect installa-  
tion may cause damage to the vehicle’s lights. Please take care to comply  
with your state’s laws when installing trailer lights.  
Break-in schedule  
Toyota recommends that vehicles fitted with new power train components  
should not be used for towing trailers for the first 800 km (500 miles).  
Maintenance  
Maintenance must be performed more frequently when using the vehicle for  
towing due to the greater weight burden placed on the vehicle compared to  
normal driving.  
4
Retighten all bolts securing the hitching ball and bracket after towing for  
approximately 1000 km (600 miles).  
Safety checks before towing  
Check that the maximum load limit for the towing hitch/bracket and hitch ball  
is not exceeded. Bear in mind that the coupling weight of the trailer will add  
to the load exerted on the vehicle. Also make sure that the total load exerted  
on the vehicle is within the range of the weight limits. (P. 201)  
Ensure that the trailer load is secure.  
Supplementary outside rear view mirrors should be added to the vehicle if  
the traffic behind cannot be clearly seen with standard mirrors. Adjust the  
extending arms of these mirrors on both sides of the vehicle so that they  
always provide maximum visibility of the road behind.  
NOTICE  
When the rear bumper strengthening material is aluminum  
Ensure the steel bracket part does not come directly in contact with that  
area.  
When steel and aluminum come into contact, there is a reaction similar to  
corrosion, which will weaken the section concerned and may result in dam-  
age. Apply a rust inhibitor to parts that will come in contact when attaching a  
steel bracket.  
206  
4-1. Before driving  
Guidance  
Your vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. In order to  
avoid accident, death or serious injury, keep the following in mind  
when towing:  
Checking connections between trailer and lights  
Stop the vehicle and check the operation of the connection between  
the trailer and lights after driving for a brief period as well as before  
setting off.  
Practicing driving with a coupled trailer  
Get the feel for turning, stopping and reversing with the trailer  
coupled by practicing in an area with no or light traffic.  
When reversing with a coupled trailer, hold the section of the  
steering wheel nearest to you and rotate clockwise to turn the  
trailer left or counterclockwise to turn it right. Always rotate a little  
at a time to prevent steering error. Have someone guide you  
when reversing to lessen the risk of an accident.  
Increasing vehicle-to-vehicle distance  
At a speed of 10 km/h (6 mph), the distance to the vehicle running  
ahead of you should be equivalent to or greater than the combined  
length of your vehicle and trailer. Avoid sudden braking that may  
cause skidding. Otherwise, the vehicle may spin out of control. This  
is especially true when driving on wet or slippery road surfaces.  
Sudden acceleration/steering input/cornering  
Executing sharp turns when towing may result in the trailer colliding  
with your vehicle. Decelerate well in advance when approaching  
turns and take them slowly and carefully to avoid sudden braking.  
Important points regarding turning  
The wheels of the trailer will travel closer to the inside of the curve  
than the wheels of the vehicle. To make allowance for this, take the  
turns wider than you would normally do.  
207  
4-1. Before driving  
Important points regarding stability  
Vehicle movement resulting from uneven road surfaces and strong  
crosswinds will affect handling. The vehicle may also be rocked by  
passing buses or large trucks. Frequently check behind when mov-  
ing alongside such vehicles. As soon as such vehicle movement  
occurs, immediately start to decelerate smoothly by slowly applying  
the brakes. Always steer the vehicle straight ahead while braking.  
Passing other vehicles  
Consider the total combined length of your vehicle and trailer, and  
ensure that the vehicle-to-vehicle distance is sufficient before exe-  
cuting lane changes.  
Transmission information  
X Multidrive  
To maintain engine braking efficiency, when using engine braking,  
do not use the transmission in D. Select an appropriate gear in M  
mode.  
4
X Manual transmission  
To maintain engine braking efficiency, when using engine braking,  
do not use the transmission in 6.  
If the engine overheats  
Towing a loaded trailer up a long steep incline in temperatures  
exceeding 30°C (85°F) may result in the engine overheating. If the  
engine coolant temperature gauge indicates that the engine is over-  
heating, turn the air conditioning off immediately, leave the road and  
stop the vehicle in a safe place. (P. 596)  
When parking the vehicle  
Always place wheel chocks under the wheels of both the vehicle  
and trailer. Firmly set the parking brake and shift the shift lever to P  
for Multidrive, and 1 or R for manual transmission.  
208  
4-1. Before driving  
WARNING  
Follow all the instructions described in this section. Failure to do so could  
cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.  
Trailer towing precautions  
When towing, make sure that none of the weight limits are exceeded.  
(P. 201)  
To avoid accident or injury  
Do not tow a trailer when the temporary spare tire is installed on your vehi-  
cle.  
Do not tow a trailer when the tire installed is repaired with the emergency  
tire puncture repair kit.  
Do not use cruise control (if equipped) when trailer towing.  
Vehicle speed in towing  
Observe the legal maximum speeds for trailer towing.  
Before descending hills or long declines  
Reduce speed and downshift. However, never downshift suddenly while  
descending steep or long downhill grades.  
Operation of the brake pedal  
Do not hold the brake pedal depressed often or for long periods of time.  
Doing so may result in the brake overheating or reduce braking effects.