1998 Toyota Avalon Owners Manual - Page 163

'98 AVALON (USA/CANADA) −U D Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns. The trailer could hit your vehicle in a tight turn. Slow down before making a turn to avoid the necessity of sudden braking. D Be careful when passing other vehicles. Passing requires considerable distance. After passing a vehicle, do not forget the length of your trailer and be sure you have plenty of room before changing lanes. 1. Apply the brakes and hold. 2. Have someone place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and trailer wheels. 3. When the wheel blocks are in place, release your brakes slowly until the blocks absorb the load. 4. Apply the parking brake firmly. 5. Shift into "P" and turn off the engine. When restarting out after parking on a slope: 1. With the transmission in "P" position, start the engine. Be sure to keep the brake pedal depressed. 2. Shift into the "2", "L" or "R" position. 3. Release the parking brake and brake pedal and slowly pull or back away from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply your brakes. 4. Have someone retrieve the blocks. D Remember that when making a turn, the trailer wheels will be closer than the vehicle wheels to the inside of the turn. Therefore, compensate for this by making a larger than normal turning radius with your vehicle. D In order to maintain engine braking efficiency do not use overdrive. D Because of the added load of the trailer, your vehicle's engine may overheat on hot days (at temperatures over 30_C [85_F]) when going up a long or steep grade with a trailer. If the engine coolant temperature gauge indicates overheating, immediately turn off the air conditioning (if in use), pull off the road and stop in a safe spot. Refer to "If your vehicle overheats" in Part 4 of this manual. D Crosswinds and rough roads will adversely affect handling of your vehicle and trailer, causing sway. Pay attention to the rear from time to time to prepare yourself for being passed by large trucks or buses, which may cause your vehicle and trailer to sway. If swaying happens, firmly grip the steering wheel and reduce speed immediately but gradually. Never increase speed. Steer straight ahead. If you make no extreme correction with the steering or brakes, the vehicle and trailer will stabilize. D Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and trailer wheels when parking. Apply the parking brake firmly. Put the transmission in "P". Avoid parking on a slope with a trailer, but if it cannot be avoided, do so only after performing the following: 163