Toyota Matrix 2012 Owner's Manual

Abbreviation list

Abbreviation/Acronym list

ABBREVIATIONS MEANING

2WD 2 Wheel Drive
4WD 4 Wheel Drive

A/C Air Conditioning

ABS Anti-lock Brake System

ACC Accessory

ALR Automatic Locking Retractor
AWD All Wheel Drive
CRS Child Restraint System
ECU Electronic Control Unit
EDR Event Data Recorder

ELR Emergency Locking Retractor

EPS Electric Power Steering

GAWR Gross Axle Weight Rating

502

GCWR Gross Combination Weight Rating
GVWR Gross Vehicle Weight Rating

I/M Emission inspection and maintenance

LATCH Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children

LED Light Emitting Diode
MMT Methylcyclopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl

M + S Mud and Snow
MTBE Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether

OBD On Board Diagnostics

SRS Supplemental Restraint System

TIN Tire Identification Number
TPMS Tire Pressure Warning System
TRAC Traction Control

TWR Trailer Weight Rating

ABBREVIATIONS MEANING

VIN Vehicle Identification Number

VSC Vehicle Stability Control

Abbreviation list

503

For your information

Main Owner’s Manual

Please note that this manual covers all models and all equipment, including
options. Therefore, you may find some explanations for equipment not
installed on your vehicle.

All specifications provided in this manual are current at the time of printing.
However, because of the Toyota policy of continual product improvement, we
reserve the right to make changes at any time without notice.

Depending on specifications, the vehicle shown in the illustrations may differ
from your vehicle in terms of equipment.

Noise from under vehicle after turning off the engine

Approximately five hours after the engine is turned off, you may hear sound
coming from under the vehicle for several minutes. This is the sound of a fuel
evaporation leakage check and, it does not indicate a malfunction.

Accessories, spare parts and modification of your Toyota

A wide variety of non-genuine spare parts and accessories for Toyota
vehicles are currently available on the market. You should know that these
parts are not covered by Toyota warranty and that Toyota is not responsible
for their performance, repair, or replacement, or for any damage they may
cause to, or adverse effect they may have on, your Toyota vehicle.

This vehicle should not be modified with non-genuine Toyota products.
Modification with non-genuine Toyota products could affect its performance,
safety or durability, and may even violate governmental regulations. In
addition, damage or performance problems resulting from the modification
may not be covered under warranty.

18

Installation of a mobile two-way radio system

As the installation of a mobile two-way radio system in your vehicle may
affect electronic systems such as the multi-port fuel injection system/sequen­tial multi-port fuel injection system, cruise control system, anti-lock brake
system, SRS airbag system or seat belt pretensioner system, be sure to
check with your Toyota dealer for precautionary measures or special instruc­tions regarding installation.

Vehicle control and operation data recording

Your Toyota is equipped with sophisticated computers that record certain
information about your vehicle’s operation, such as:

• Engine speed

• Accelerator status

• Brake status

• Vehicle speed

• Shift position (vehicles with an automatic transmission)
The data recorded varies according to the grade level and options the vehi­cle is equipped with. The computers do not record conversations, sound or

pictures.

● Data usage
Toyota may use the data recorded in these computers to diagnose malfunc-

tions, conduct research and development, and improve quality.
Toyota will not disclose the recorded data to a third party except:

• With the consent of the vehicle owner or with the consent of the lessee if
the vehicle is leased

• In response to an official request by the police, a court of law or a govern­ment agency

• For research purposes where the data is not tied to a specific vehicle or
vehicle owner

19

Event data recorder

This vehicle is equipped with an event data recorder (EDR). The main pur­pose of an EDR is to record, in certain crash or near crash-like situations,
such as an air bag deployment or hitting a road obstacle, data that will assist
in understanding how a vehicle’s systems performed. The EDR is designed
to record data related to vehicle dynamics and safety systems for a short
period of time, typically 30 seconds or less.

The EDR in this vehicle is designed to record such data as:

• How various systems in your vehicle were operating;

• Whether or not the driver and passenger safety belts were buckled/fas­tened;

• How far (if at all) the driver was depressing the accelerator and/or brake
pedal; and,

• How fast the vehicle was traveling.

These data can help provide a better understanding of the circumstances in
which crashes and injuries occur.

NOTE: EDR data are recorded by your vehicle only if a non-trivial crash situ­ation occurs; no data are recorded by the EDR under normal driving condi­tions and no personal data (e.g., name, gender, age, and crash location) are
recorded. However, other parties, such as law enforcement, could combine
the EDR data with the type of personally identifying data routinely acquired
during a crash investigation.
To read data recorded by an EDR, special equipment is required, and access
to the vehicle or the EDR is needed. In addition to the vehicle manufacturer,
other parties, such as law enforcement, that have the special equipment, can
read the information if they have access to the vehicle or the EDR.

20

● Disclosure of the EDR data
Toyota will not disclose the data recorded in an EDR to a third party except

when:

• An agreement from the vehicle’s owner (or the lessee for a leased vehicle)

is obtained

• In response to an official request by the police, a court of law or a govern-

ment agency

• For use by Toyota in a law suit
However, if necessary, Toyota may:

• Use the data for research on vehicle safety performance

• Disclose the data to a third party for research purposes without disclosing

information about the specific vehicle or vehicle owner

Scrapping of your Toyota

The SRS airbag and seat belt pretensioner devices in your Toyota contain
explosive chemicals. If the vehicle is scrapped with the airbags and seat belt
pretensioners left as they are, this may cause an accident such as fire. Be
sure to have the systems of the SRS airbag and seat belt pretensioner
removed and disposed of by a qualified service shop or by your Toyota
dealer before you scrap your vehicle.

Perchlorate Material

Special handling may apply, See www.dt sc.ca.go v/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.
Your vehicle has components that may contain perchlorate. These compo-

nents may include airbags, seat belt pretensioners, and wireless remote con­trol batteries.

21

CAUTION

■ General precautions while driving

Driving under the influence: Never drive your vehicle when under the influ­ence of alcohol or drugs that have impaired your ability to operate your vehi­cle. Alcohol and certain drugs delay reaction time, impair judgment and
reduce coordination, which could lead to an accident that could result in
death or serious injury.

Defensive driving: Always drive defensively. Anticipate mistakes that other
drivers or pedestrians might make and be ready to avoid accidents.

Driver distraction: Always give your full attention to driving. Anything that dis­tracts the driver, such as adjusting controls, talking on a cellular phone or
reading can result in a collision with resulting death or serious injury to you,
your occupants or others.

■ General precaution regarding children’s safety

Never leave children unattended in the vehicle, and never allow children to
have or use the key.

Children may be able to start the vehicle or shift the vehicle into neutral.
There is also a danger that children may injure themselves by playing with
the cigarette lighter, the windows, or other features of the vehicle. In addi­tion, heat build-up or extremely cold temperatures inside the vehicle can be
fatal to children.

22

Symbols used throughout this manual

Cautions & Notices

CAUTION

This is a warning against anything which may cause death or injury to people if
the warning is ignored. You are informed about what you must or must not do
in order to reduce the risk of injury to yourself and others.

NOTICE

This is a warning against anything which may cause damage to the vehicle or
its equipment if the warning is ignored. You are informed about what you must
or must not do in order to avoid or reduce the risk of damage to your Toyota
and its equipment.

Symbols used in illustrations

Safety symbol

The symbol of a circle with a slash through means “Do not”, “Do not
do this”, or “Do not let this happen”.

Arrows indicating operations

Indicates the action (pushing, turning,
etc.) used to operate switches and other
devices.

Indicates the outcome of an operation
(e.g. a lid opens).

23

24

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1

Before driving

2

When driving

Interior fea-

3

tures

Maintenance

4

and care

When trouble

5

arises

Vehicle

6

specifications

Adjusting and operating features such as door locks,
mirrors, and steering column.

Driving, stopping and safe-driving information.

Air conditioning and audio systems, as well as other in­terior features for a comfortable driving experience.

Cleaning and protecting your vehicle, performing do-it­yourself maintenance, and maintenance information.

What to do if the vehicle needs to be towed, gets a flat
tire, or is involved in an accident.

Detailed vehicle information.

7

For owners

Index

Reporting safety defects for U.S. owners, and seat belt
and SRS airbag instructions for Canadian owners

Alphabetical listing of information contained in this
manual.

1

1-1. Key information

Keys

The following keys are provided with the vehicle.

Vehicles without wireless remote control

Keys
Key number plate

Vehicles with wireless remote control

Keys

Operating the wireless remote
control function (→P. 28)

Key number plate

■ Key number plate

Keep the plate in a safe place such as your wallet, not in the vehicle. In the
event that a key is lost, a new key can be made by your Toyota dealer using
the key number plate. (→P. 440)

■ When riding in an aircraft

When bringing a wireless remote control key onto an aircraft, make sure you
do not press any buttons on the wireless remote control key while inside the
aircraft cabin. If you are carrying the wireless remote control key in your bag
etc, ensure that the buttons are not likely to be pressed accidentally. Press­ing a button may cause the wireless remote control key to emit radio waves
that could interfere with the operation of the aircraft.

26

1-1. Key information

NOTICE

■ To prevent key damage

● Do not subject the keys to strong shocks, expose them to high tempera-

tures by placing them in direct sunlight, or get them wet.

● Do not expose the keys to electromagnetic materials or attach any mate-

rial that blocks electromagnetic waves to the key surface.

● Do not disassemble the key.

1

Before driving

27

1-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors

Wireless remote control

The wireless remote control can be used to lock and unlock the vehi­cle from outside the vehicle.

∗

Locks all doors
Sounds an alarm

(press and hold)
Unlocks doors

Pressing the button unlocks
the driver’s door. Pressing the
button again within 3 seconds
unlocks the other doors.

■ Operation signals

A buzzer sounds and the emergency flashers flash to indicate that the doors
have been locked/unlocked. (Locked: Once; Unlocked: Twice)

■ Door lock buzzer

If a door is not fully closed, a buzzer sounds continuously for 10 seconds if
an attempt to lock the door is made. Fully close the door to stop the buzzer,
and lock the vehicle once more.

■ Panic mode

28

When is pressed for longer
than about one second, an alarm will

sound intermittently and the vehicle
lights will flash to deter any person from
trying to break into or damage your
vehicle.

To stop the alarm, press any button on
the wireless remote control.

∗: If equipped

1-2. Opening, closing and locking th e do o rs

■ Key battery depletion

If the wireless remote control function does not operate, the battery may be
depleted. Replace the battery when necessary. (→P. 383)

■ Security feature

If a door is not opened within approximately 60 seconds after the vehicle is
unlocked, the security feature automatically locks the vehicle again.

■ Conditions affecting operation

The wireless remote control function may not operate normally in the follow­ing situations.

● Near a TV tower, radio station, electric power plant, airport or other facil-

ity that generates strong radio waves

● When carrying a portable radio, cellular phone or other wireless commu-

nication devices

● When multiple wireless keys are in the vicinity

● When the wireless key has come into contact with, or is covered by, a

metallic object

● When a wireless key (that emits radio waves) is being used nearby

● When the wireless key has been left near an electrical appliance such as

a personal computer

● When the wireless key battery is depleted

● If window tint with a metallic content or metallic objects are attached to

the rear window

■ Customization that can be configured at Toyota dealer

Settings (e.g. operation signal) can be changed.
(Customizable features →P. 485)

1

Before driving

29

1-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors

■ Certification for wireless remote control

For vehicles sold in the U.S.A.

NOTE:
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interfer­ence, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired operation.

For vehicles sold in Canada

NOTE:
Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not
cause interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference, includ­ing interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.

30

1-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors

Doors

The vehicle can be locked and unlocked using the wireless remote
control, key or door lock switch.

■ Wireless remote control (if equipped)

→P. 28

1

■ Key

■ Door lock switch (if equipped)

Before driving

Locks the door
Unlocks the door

Vehicles with power door lock
system: Turning the key locks
and unlocks all doors. In the
driver’s door lock, turning the
key once unlocks the driver’s
door. Turning the key again
within 3 seconds unlocks the
other doors.

Locks all doors
Unlocks all doors

31

1-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors

■ Inside lock button

Rear door child-protector lock

Unlocks the door
Locks the door

The front doors can be opened
by pulling the inside handle
even if the lock buttons are in
the lock position.

The door cannot be opened from
inside the vehicle when the locks
are set.

32

Unlock
Lock

These locks can be set to prevent
children from opening the rear
doors. Push down on each rear
door switch to lock both rear
doors.

1-2. Opening, closing and locking th e do o rs

Automatic door locking and unlocking systems (vehicles with
power door lock system)

The following functions can be set or cancelled:

Function Operation

Shift position linked
door locking function

Shift position linked
door unlocking func-

*

tion

Shifting the shift lever out of P locks all

*

doors.

Shifting the shift lever to P unlocks all doors.

1

Before driving

Driver's door linked door
unlocking function

All doors are unlocked when the driver's door
is opened within 10 seconds after turning the
engine switch to “ACC” or “LOCK”.

*: Vehicles with an automatic transmission only

The shift position linked door locking function works when all do ors
are closed.

33

1-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors

■ Setting and canceling the functions

To switch between set and canceled, follow the procedure below:

STEP

1

Close all the doors and switch the engine switch to the “ON”
position. (Perform step 2 within 10 seconds.)

STEP

2

Shift the shift lever to P or N, and
press and hold the driver's door
lock switch (
approximately 5 seconds and
then release.

The shift lever and switch posi­tions corresponding to the
desired function to be set are
shown as follows.

Use the same procedure to can­cel the function.

Function

Shift position linked door lock­ing function

Shift position linked door
unlocking function

Driver's door linked door unlock­ing function

*

*

Shift lever

position

P

N

*: Vehicles with an automatic transmission only

or ) for

Switch position

When the setting or canceling operation is complete, all doors are
locked and then unlocked.

34

1-2. Opening, closing and locking th e do o rs

■ When all the doors are locked with the wireless remote control or key

The doors cannot be unlocked with the door lock switch.
The door lock switch can be reset by unlocking all the doors with the wire-

less remote control or key.

■ The doors cannot be locked when

The key is in the engine switch and either of the front door is open.

■ Customization that can be configured at Toyota dealer

Settings (e.g. unlocking function using a key) can be changed.
(Customizable features →P. 485)

CAUTION

■ To prevent an accident

Observe the following precautions while driving the vehicle.
Failing to do so may result in a door opening and an occupant falling out,
resulting in death or serious injury.

● Always use a seat belt.

● Always lock the doors.

● Ensure that all doors are properly closed.

● Do not pull the inside handle of the doors while driving.

The doors may be opened and the passengers are thrown out of the vehi­cle and it may result in serious injury or death.

Be especially careful for the front doors, as the doors may be opened even
if the inside lock buttons are in locked position.

● Set the rear door child protector locks when children are seated in the rear

seat.

1

Before driving

35

1-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors

Back door

The back door can be locked and unlocked using the wireless
remote control or key.

Wireless remote control (if equipped)
→P. 28

Key

Locks the back door
Unlocks the back door
Opens the back door

■ Back door handle

36

Use the back door handle when closing.

1-2. Opening, closing and locking th e do o rs

CAUTION

■ Caution while driving

● Keep the back door closed while driving.

If the back door is left open, it may hit nearby objects while driving or lug­gage may be unexpectedly thrown out, causing an accident.
In addition, exhaust gases may enter the vehicle, causing death or a seri­ous health hazard. Make sure to close the back door before driving.

● Before driving the vehicle, make sure that the back door is fully closed. If

the back door is not fully closed, it may open unexpectedly while driving,
causing an accident.

● Never let anyone sit in the luggage compartment. In the event of sudden

braking or a collision, they are susceptible to death or serious injury.

■ When children are in the vehicle

Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.

● Do not leave children alone in the luggage compartment.

If a child is accidentally locked in the luggage compartment, they could
have heat exhaustion.

● Do not allow a child to open or close the back door.

Doing so may cause the back door to operate unexpectedly, or cause the
child’s hands, head, or neck to be caught by the closing back door, which
may result in death or serious injury of the child.

■ Operating the back door

Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may cause parts of the body to be caught, resulting in seri­ous injury.

● Remove any heavy loads, such as snow and ice, from the back door

before opening it. Failure to do so may cause the back door to fall closed
again after it is opened.

1

Before driving

37

1-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors

CAUTION

● When opening or closing the back door, thoroughly check to make sure

the surrounding area is safe.

● If anyone is in the vicinity, make sure they are safe and let them know that

the back door is about to open or close.

● Use caution when opening or closing the back door in windy weather as it

may move abruptly in strong wind.

● The back door may fall if it is not

opened fully. It is more difficult to open
or close the back door on an incline
than on a level surface, so beware of
the back door unexpectedly opening or
closing by itself. Make sure that the
back door is fully open and secure
before using the luggage compartment.

● When closing the back door, take extra

care to prevent your fingers etc. from
being caught.

● When closing the back door, make sure

to press it lightly on its outer surface. If
the back door handle is used to fully
close the back door, it may result in
hands or arms being caught.

● Do not pull on the back door damper stay to close the back door, and do

not hang on the back door damper stay.
Doing so may cause hands to be caught or the back door damper stay to
break, causing an accident.

● Do not attach any accessories other than genuine Toyota parts to the back

door. Such additional weight on the back door may cause the back door to
fall closed again after it is opened.

38

1-2. Opening, closing and locking th e do o rs

NOTICE

■ Back door damper stays

The back door is equipped with damper stays that hold the back door in
place.

Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may cause damage to the back door damper stay, resulting
in malfunction.

● Do not attach any foreign objects, such

as stickers, plastic sheets, or adhesives
to the damper stay rod.

● Do not touch the damper stay rod with

gloves or other fabric items.

● Do not attach any accessories other

than genuine Toyota parts to the back
door.

● Do not place your hand on the damper

stay or apply lateral forces to it.

1

Before driving

39

1-3. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)

Front seats

Seat position adjustment
lever

Seatback angle adjustment
lever

Vertical height adjustment
lever (driver’s side only)

Folding down the front passenger's seat (vehicles with seatback table)

Move the seat rearward.

40

STEP

1

1-3. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)

STEP

2

STEP

3

Active head restraints

Lower the head restraint and fix
the seatback at the most upright
lock position.

1

Before driving

Pull up either seatback lock
release knob beside the seat­back and fold the seatback
down.

When the occupant’s back
presses against the seatback
during a rear-end collision, the
head restraint moves slightly for­ward to help reduce the risk of
whiplash on the seat occupant.

41

1-3. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)

■ Active head restraints

Even small forces applied to the seatback may cause the head restraint to
move. Pushing up a locked head restraint forcibly may appear the head
restraint inner structure. These do not indicate problems.

During
rear-end

Inner
structure

collision

CAUTION

■ Seat adjustment

● Be careful that the seat does not hit passengers or luggage.

● Do not recline the seat more than necessary when the vehicle is in motion

to reduce the risk of sliding under the lap belt.
If the seat is too reclined, the lap belt may slide past the hips and apply
restraint forces directly to the abdomen or your neck may contact the
shoulder belt, increasing the risk of death or serious injury in the event of
an accident.

● After adjusting the seat, make sure that the seat is locked in position.

42

1-3. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)

CAUTION

■ After returning the seatback to the upright position (vehicles with seat-

back table)

Make sure the seatback is securely locked by pressing forward and rear­ward on the top of the seatback. Failure to do so will prevent seat belt from
operating properly.

■ Caution while driving (vehicles with seatback table)

Do not sit on or place anything on the folded seatback.

1

Before driving

43

1-3. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)

Rear seats

The seatbacks of the rear seats can be folded down.

STEP

STEP

STEP

1

Stow the rear outside seat belt
buckles and move the rear
center seat belt buckle as
shown.

2

Lower the head restraints to
the lowest position.

3

Fold the seatback down while
pulling the seatback lock
release knob.

44

1-3. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)

CAUTION

■ After returning the seatback to the upright position

Observe the following precautions. Failure to do so may result in death or
serious injury.

1

● Make sure that the seatback is

securely locked in position by lightly
rocking it back and forth.
If the seatback is not securely locked,
the red marking will be visible on the
seatback lock release knob. Make
sure that the red marking is not visi­ble.

● Check that the seat belts are not twisted or caught in the seatback.

■ Caution while driving

Do not sit on the folded seatback.

Before driving

45