Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside tempera- tures.
Engine oil
Engine coolant
Washer fluid
Have a service technician inspect the condition of the battery.
Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set of tire chains for the rear tires.
Ensure that all tires are the same size and brand, and that chains match the size of the tires.
Do not try to forcibly open a window or move a wiper that is frozen. Pour warm water over the frozen area to melt the ice. Wipe away the water immediately to prevent it from freezing.
To ensure proper operation of the climate control system fan, remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents in front of the windshield.
Check for and remove any excess ice or snow that may have accu- mulated on the exterior lights, vehicle’s roof, chassis, around the tires or on the brakes.
Remove any snow or mud from the bottom of your shoes before getting in the vehicle.
Accelerate the vehicle slowly, keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle ahead, and drive at a reduced speed suitable to road con- ditions.
Park the vehicle and move the shift lever to P without setting the parking brake. The parking brake may freeze up, preventing it from being released. If the vehicle is parked without setting the parking brake, make sure to block the wheels.
Failure to do so may be dangerous because it may cause the vehi- cle to move unexpectedly, possibly leading to an accident.
If the vehicle is parked 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 shift lever can be shifted from P, there may be a problem with the shift lock system. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.
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 check local regulations before installing chains.
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 cause 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 driven safely, and may cause death or serious injury.
Do not drive in excess of the speed limit specified for the tire 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.
Specific design characteristics give it a higher center of gravity than ordinary passenger cars. This vehicle design feature causes this type of vehicle to be more likely to rollover. And, utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than other types of vehicles.
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-slung sports cars are designed to perform satisfactorily under off-road conditions. Therefore, sharp turns at excessive speeds may cause the vehicle to rollover.
WARNING
Off-road vehicle precautions
Always observe the following precautions to minimize the risk of death, seri- ous injury or damage to your vehicle:
In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more likely to die than a person wearing a seat belt. Therefore, the driver and all 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.
Avoid loading any items on the roof that will raise the vehicle’s center of gravity.
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.
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 chassis.
Do not drive horizontally across steep slopes. Driving straight up or straight down is preferred. Your vehicle (or any similar off-road vehicle) can tip over sideways much more easily than forward or backward.
Drive your vehicle only in areas where off-road vehicles are permit- ted to travel.
Respect private property. Get owner’s permission before entering private property.
Do not enter areas that are closed. Honor gates, barriers and signs that restrict travel.
Stay on established roads. When conditions 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 vehicle 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 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., adhering 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.
In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more likely to die than a person wearing a seat belt. Therefore, the driver and all passengers should fasten their seat belts whenever the vehicle is moving.
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 chassis.
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 firmness. Drive slowly and avoid deep water.
Inspection after off-road driving
Sand and mud that has accumulated in brake drums and around brake discs may affect braking efficiency and may damage brake system compo- nents.
Always perform a maintenance inspection after each day of off-road driv- ing that has taken you through rough terrain, sand, mud, or water. For scheduled maintenance information, refer to the “Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”.