2023 Toyota Corolla Before driving | What To Do

Turning on the ignition and heading out on a road trip with your 2023 Toyota Corolla is not the only step in the preparation process. Making sure every drive is secure, seamless, and pleasurable is the goal. A few crucial actions taken prior to starting your engine can really make a big difference. This guide will walk you through the important pre-driving checklist for your 2023 Toyota Corolla, from checking important vehicle components to ensuring maximum comfort and safety. Let’s discuss the essential steps you should do before embarking on your next journey.

Driving the vehicle

The following procedures should be observed to ensure safe driving:

Driving procedure
Starting the engine

Driving

1. With the brake pedal depressed, shift the shift lever to D.
2. Release the parking brake.
   If the parking brake is in automatic mode, the parking brake will be released automatically.
3. Gradually release the brake pedal and gently depress the accelerator pedal to accelerate the vehicle.

Stopping

1. With the shift lever in D, depress the brake pedal.
2. If necessary, set the parking

If the vehicle is to be stopped for an extended period of time, shift the shift lever top.

Parking the vehicle

1. With the shift lever in D, depress the brake pedal to stop the vehicle completely.
2. Set the parking brake  and shift the shift lever to P
   Make sure the parking brake indicator light is on.
3. Vehicles without a smart key system: Turn the engine switch to OFF to stop the engine.
   Vehicles with a smart key system: Press the engine switch to stop the engine.
4. Slowly release the brake
   pedal.
5. Lock the door, making sure that you have the key on your person.

If parking on a hill, block the wheels as needed.

Starting off on a steep uphill

1.  Make sure that the parking brake is set and shift the shift lever to D.
2. Gently depress the accelerator pedal.
3. Release the parking brake.

Driving in the rain

• Drive carefully when it is raining, because visibility will be reduced, the windows may become fogged-up, and the road will be slippery.
• Drive carefully when it starts to rain, because the road surface will be especially 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 surface, preventing the steering and brakes from operating properly

Engine speed while driving
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 (if equipped)

Restraining the engine output (Brake Override System)

• When the accelerator and brake pedals are depressed at the same time, the engine output may be restrained.
• A warning message is displayed on the multi-information display while the system is operating.

Breaking in your new Toyota

To extend the life of the vehicle, observing the following precautions is recommended:

• For the first 186 miles (300 km): Avoid sudden stops.
• For the first 621 miles (1000 km):
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration
• Do not drive continuously in low gears.
• Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods

Operating your vehicle in a foreign country
Comply with the relevant vehicle registration laws and confirm the availability of the correct fuel.

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

When starting the vehicle
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped with the engine running. This prevents the vehicle from creeping.

When driving the vehicle

• Do not drive if you are unfamiliar with the location of the brake and accelerator 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 difficulty 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 accelerator pedals properly.
  • Depress the brake pedal using your right foot. Depressing the brake pedal using your left foot may delay response in an emergency, resulting 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.

WARNING

• 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:
• Use engine braking (shift position B*1 or downshift*2) to maintain a safe speed when driving down a steep hill.
  Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to over-heat and lose effectiveness.

1. Vehicles without paddle shift switches
2. Vehicles with paddle shift switches

• 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.
• Always check that all passengers’ arms, heads or other parts of their body are not outside the vehicle.
• Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit permits it, do not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicle has
  high-speed capability tires. Driving over 85 mph (140 km/h) may result in tire failure, loss of control and possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer to determine whether the tires on your vehicle are high-speed capability tires or not before driving at such speeds.

When driving on slippery road surfaces

• Sudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippage and reduce your ability to control the vehicle.
• Sudden acceleration, engine braking due to shifting, or changes in engine speed could cause the vehicle to skid.
• 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.

When shifting the shift lever

• Do not let the vehicle roll back-ward while a forward driving position is selected, or roll for-ward 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.

WARNING

• Do not shift the shift lever to P while the vehicle is moving. Doing so can damage the trans-mission and may result in a loss of vehicle control.
• Do not shift the shift lever to R while the vehicle is moving for-ward.
  Doing so can damage the trans-mission 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 trans-mission 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 trans-mission. Engine braking is not available when N is selected.
• Be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pedal depressed. Shifting the shift lever to any positions other than P or N may lead to unexpected rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may cause an accident and 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 your Toyota dealer as soon as possible.
Rotor damage may result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
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.
  If the vehicle is in any gear other than P or N, the vehicle may accelerate suddenly and unexpectedly, causing an accident.
• 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.

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.

WARNING

• 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 vehicle.
• 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 apply the parking brake, shift the shift lever to P, 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. Other-wise, 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.

WARNING
If the vehicle becomes stuck
Do not spin the wheels excessively when a driven wheel is up in the air, or the vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, etc. This may damage the driveline components or propel the vehicle forward or back-ward, causing an accident.

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.
• Do not use the accelerator pedal or depress the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time to hold the vehicle on a hill.

When parking the vehicle
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.
  When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid damaging the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.
• For APEX models: APEX vehicle height is lower than other vehicle grades.
  Driving over rough or damaged road surfaces, as well as parking blocks, curbs, and other obstacles may cause damage to the underside of your vehicle. Drive carefully under rough conditions to avoid damage.

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 vehicle.

• It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
• The vehicle will make abnormal sounds or vibrations.
• The vehicle will lean abnormally.

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

In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle becomes flooded or stuck in mud or sand, be sure to have your Toyota dealer check the following:

Brake function

NOTICE

• Changes in the quantity and quality of the engine oil, transaxle fluid, etc.
• Lubricant condition for the bearings and suspension joints
  (where possible), and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.

Sudden start restraint control (Drive-Start Control [DSC])

When the following unusual operation is performed with the accelerator pedal depressed, the engine output may be restrained.

• When the shift lever is shifted to R*
• When the shift lever is shifted from P or R to forward drive shift position such as D*.

When the system operates, a message appears on the multi-information display. Read the message and follow the instruction.
*: Depending on the situation, the shift position may not be changed.

Drive-Start Control (DSC) When the TRAC is turned off
sudden start restraint control also does not operate. If your vehicle have trouble escaping from the mud or fresh snow due to sudden start restraint control operation, deactivate TRAC  so that the vehicle may become able to escape from the mud or fresh snow.

Cargo and luggage

Take notice of the following information about storage precautions, cargo capacity and load:

Capacity and distribution
Cargo capacity depends on the total weight of the occupants.
(Cargo capacity) = (Total load capacity) — (Total weight of occupants)
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit —

1. Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined
   weight of the driver and passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
3.  Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
5. For example, if the “XXX†amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lb passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400 − 750 (5  150) = 650 lbs.)
6. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.
7. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how this reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
   Toyota does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle. Your vehicle is not designed for trailer towing.

Calculation formula for your vehicle

• Cargo capacity
• Total load capacity (vehicle capacity weight)

When 2 people with the combined weight of A lb. (kg) are riding in your vehicle, which has a total load capacity (vehicle capacity weight) of B lb. (kg), the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity will be C lb. (kg) as follows:
B*2 lb. (kg) – A*1 lb. (kg) = C*3 lb. (kg)

* 1:A =Weight of people
* 2:B =Total load capacity
* 3:C =Available cargo and luggage load
In this condition, if 3 more passengers with the combined weight of D lb. (kg) get on, the available cargo and luggage load will be reduced E lb. (kg) as follows:
C lb. (kg) – D*4 lb. (kg) = E*5 lb.(kg)
* 4:D =Additional weight of people *5:E =Available cargo and luggage load

As shown in the example above, if the number of occupants increases, the cargo and lug-gage load will be reduced by an amount that equals the increased weight due to the additional occupants. In other words, if an increase in the number of occupants causes an excess of the total load capacity (combined weight of occupants plus cargo and luggage load), you must reduce the cargo and luggage on your vehicle.

WARNING
Things that must not be carried in the trunk

The following things may cause a fire if loaded in the trunk:

• Receptacles containing gasoline
• Aerosol cans

Storage precautions
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may prevent the pedals from being depressed properly, may block the driver’s vision, or may result in items hit-ting the driver or passengers, possibly causing an accident.

• Stow cargo and luggage in the trunk whenever possible.
• 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.
• When you fold down the rear seats, long items should not be placed directly behind the front seats.
• 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 (when stacking items)
  • On the package tray
  • On the instrument panel
  • On the dashboard
• Secure all items in the occupant compartment.
• Never allow anyone to ride in the enlarged trunk. It is not designed for passengers. They should ride in their seats with their seat belts properly fastened.

Capacity and distribution

• Do not exceed the maximum axle weight rating or the total vehicle weight rating.
• Even if the total load of occupant’s weight and the cargo load is less than the total load capacity, do not apply the load unevenly. Improper loading may cause deterioration of steering or braking control which may cause death or serious injury.

Vehicle load limits

Vehicle load limits include total load capacity, seating capacity, towing capacity and cargo capacity.

• Total load capacity (vehicle capacity weight)

Total load capacity means the combined weight of occupants, cargo and luggage.

• Seating capacity: ï‚®
  Seating capacity means the maximum number of occupants whose estimated average weight is 150 lb. (68 kg) per person.
• Towing capacity
  Toyota does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle.
• Cargo capacity
  Cargo capacity may increase or decrease depending on the weight and the number of occupants.

Total load capacity and seating capacity
These details are also described on the tire and loading information label.

WARNING
Overloading the vehicle
Do not overload the vehicle.
It may not only cause damage to the tires, but also degrade steering and braking ability, resulting in an accident.

Trailer towing
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, bicycle, etc. Your vehicle is not designed for trailer towing or for the use of tow hitch mounted carriers.

Dinghy towing

Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with 4 wheels on the ground) behind a motor home.

NOTICE
To avoid serious damage to your vehicle
Do not tow your vehicle with the four wheels on the ground.

FAQs

Useful Link

View Full PDF: Toyota Corolla 2023 User Guide| Auto User Guide 2023 Toyota Corolla Keys and Remote Controls Instructions