Toyota CH-R: Winter driving tips

Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before driving the vehicle in winter.

Always drive the vehicle in a manner appropriate to the prevailing weather conditions.

Pre-winter preparations

• Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside temperatures.
  • Engine oil
  • Engine/power control unit coolant
  • Washer fluid
• Have a service technician inspect the condition of the 12-volt battery.
• Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set of tire chains for the front tires*.

Ensure that all tires are the same size and brand, and that chains match the size of the tires.

*: Tire chains can only be mounted on 17-inch tires.

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 size specified.
• Maintain the recommended level of air pressure.
• Do not drive at speeds in excess of the speed limit or the speed limit specified for the snow tires being used.
• Use snow tires on all, not just some wheels.

■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 50 km/h (30 mph), 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 control is maintained.
• Do not use LTA (Lane Tracing Assist) system.

NOTICE

■Repairing or replacing snow tires

Request repairs or replacement of snow tires from any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer or legitimate tire retailers.

This is because the removal and attachment of snow tires affects the operation of the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters.

Before driving the vehicle

Perform the following according to the driving conditions:

• 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 accumulated on the exterior lights, outside rear view mirrors, windows, 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.

When the outside door handle is frozen, unlock the doors using the wireless remote control.

If the outside door handles remain retracted and do not move even if the doors are unlocked using the wireless remote control, you can remove ice by following steps:

1. Forcefully press the depression part of the door handle to try to open handle manually.

2. If could not open by step 1, working in a circular pattern around the perimeter of the door handle, use the bottom of your fist to forcefully bump the door handle to break and release the ice build-up.

3. Repress the depression part of door handle and retry to open.

Once the door handle is able to move, open and close it a few more times to release any remaining ice build-up.

4. If could not open Step 1 to 3, warm the frozen area so the ice will melt (e.g pour warm water, etc). Then repeat step 1 to 3.

WARNING

■When the outside door handle is frozen

• Never bump the vehicle so hard as to cause a dent. Remove any jewellery or objects that can damage the paint prior to performing the step 2.

  Do not use extra tools.

• If you apply water, wipe away the water immediately to prevent it from freezing.

  Do not put boiling water.

When driving 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 conditions.

When parking the vehicle

• Turn automatic mode of the parking brake off. Otherwise, the parking brake may freeze and not be able to be released automatically.

Also, avoid using the following as the parking brake may operate automatically, even if automatic mode is off.

• Brake hold system
• Remote parking function

Park the vehicle and shift the shift position 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 vehicle to move unexpectedly, possibly leading to an accident.

When the parking brake is in automatic mode, release the parking brake after shifting the shift position to P. Turn off the power switch while pressing the parking brake switch.

• If the vehicle is parked without setting the parking brake, confirm that the shift position cannot be moved out of P.
• If the vehicle is left parked with the brakes damp in cold temperatures, there is a possibility of the brakes freezing.