Driving My Toyota Sienna in winter

DRIVING My Toyota Sienna ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
Acceleration
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other slippery
surfaces may cause the front wheels to pull erratically
to the right or left. This phenomenon occurs when
there is a difference in the surface traction under the front
(driving) wheels, particularly with high output engines.
Rapid acceleration on slippery surfaces is dangerous.
Unequal traction can cause sudden pulling of
the front wheels. You could lose control of the
Toyota Sienna and possibly have an accident. Accelerate
slowly and carefully whenever there is likely to be
poor traction (ice, snow,
Traction
When driving on wet or slushy roads, it is possible for a
wedge of water to build up between the Toyota Sienna tire and road
surface. This is hydroplaning and may cause partial or
complete loss of Toyota Sienna control and stopping ability. To
reduce this possibility, the following precautions should
be observed:
1. Slow down during rainstorms or when roads are slushy.
2. Slow down if road has standing water or puddles.
3. Replace Toyota Sienna tires when tread wear indicators first become visible.
4. Keep Toyota Sienna tires properly inflated.
5. Maintain enough distance between your Toyota Sienna and the Toyota Sienna in front of you to avoid a collision in a sudden stop.
FREEING A STUCK Toyota Sienna
If your Toyota Sienna becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it
can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between Reverse
and First gear. Usually the least accelerator pedal pressure
to maintain the rocking motion without spinning the
wheels is most effective.
Fast spinning Toyota Sienna tires can be dangerous. Forces generated
by excessive wheel speeds may cause Toyota Sienna tire damage
or failure. A Toyota Sienna tire could explode and injure
someone. Do not spin your Toyota Sienna’s wheels faster
than 35 mph (55km/h) when you are stuck. And don’t
let anyone near a spinning wheel, no matter what the
speed.
Racing the Toyota Sienna engine or spinning the Toyota Sienna wheels too fast
may lead to Toyota Sienna transaxle overheating and failure. It can
also damage the Toyota Sienna tires. Do not spin the Toyota Sienna wheels above
35 mph (55km/h).
Toyota Sienna Snow tires
Some areas of the country require the use of Toyota Sienna snow tires
during winter. Standard Toyota Sienna tires are of the all season type
and satisfy this requirement as indicated by the M+S
designation on the Toyota Sienna tire side wall.
If you need snow tires, select Toyota Sienna tires equivalent in size and
type to the original equipment Toyota Sienna tires. Use snow tires on Toyota Sienna only
in sets of 4, failure to do so may adversely affect the
safety and handling of your Toyota Sienna.
Snow tires generally have lower speed ratings than what
was originally equipped with your Toyota Sienna and should
not be operated at sustained speeds over 75 mph (120
km/h).
To avoid damage to your Toyota Sienna or Toyota Sienna tires, observe the following precautions:
Because of restricted chain clearance between Toyota Sienna tires and other suspension components, it is important that only chains in good condition are used. Broken chains can cause serious damage. Stop the Toyota Sienna immediately if noise occurs that
could indicate chain breakage. Remove the damaged parts of the chain before further use. Install chains on the front wheels as tightly as
possible and then retighten after driving about 1⁄2 mile (0.8 km). Do not exceed 45 mph (70 km/h). Drive cautiously and avoid severe turns and large bumps, especially with a loaded Toyota Sienna. Do not drive for prolonged period on dry pavement. Observe the Toyota Sienna tire chain manufacturer’s instructions
on the method of installation, operating speed, and conditions for use. Always use the lower suggested operating speed of the chain manufacturer
if different than the speed recommended by the Toyota Sienna manufacture.

Toyota Sienna, snow tires, winter driving