Toyota bZ4X Owner's Manual: Driving Your 2025 Toyota bZ4X as a Utility Vehicle

Understanding Utility Vehicle Characteristics

• The 2025 Toyota bZ4X, as a utility vehicle, possesses specific design characteristics, including a higher center of gravity compared to traditional passenger cars. This design aspect makes this type of vehicle more susceptible to rolling over in certain situations. Utility vehicles, in general, have a statistically higher rollover rate than many other vehicle types.
• A significant advantage of the higher ground clearance in the 2025 Toyota bZ4X is an enhanced view of the road ahead, allowing you to better anticipate potential hazards and navigate various driving conditions.
• The driving dynamics of the 2025 Toyota bZ4X are not optimized for high-speed cornering in the same way that some lower-slung passenger cars are. Similarly, just as those sports cars are not designed for challenging off-road environments, the bZ4X requires careful handling, especially during sharp turns at higher speeds, to prevent the risk of rollover.

WARNING - Important Precautions for Utility Vehicles

Always observe the following safety precautions when operating your 2025 Toyota bZ4X to minimize the risk of death, serious injury, or damage to your vehicle:

• In the event of a rollover crash, an individual who is not wearing a seat belt is significantly more likely to sustain fatal injuries than someone who is properly restrained. Therefore, it is imperative that the driver and all passengers in your 2025 Toyota bZ4X always fasten their seat belts before every journey.
• Avoid making sharp turns or abrupt driving maneuvers whenever possible. Operating this vehicle improperly could lead to a loss of control or a vehicle rollover, resulting in death or serious injury.
• Loading cargo onto the roof luggage carrier (if your 2025 Toyota bZ4X is equipped with one) will raise the vehicle's center of gravity. When carrying cargo on the roof, avoid driving at high speeds, sudden starts, sharp turns, sudden braking, or any other abrupt maneuvers, as these could lead to a loss of control or vehicle rollover.
• Always reduce your speed when driving in gusty crosswinds. Due to its profile and higher center of gravity, your 2025 Toyota bZ4X might be more sensitive to strong side winds compared to a conventional passenger car. Slowing down will allow you to maintain better control of the vehicle.
• Do not attempt to drive horizontally across steep slopes. It is preferable to drive straight up or straight down such inclines. Your vehicle, like any similar off-road capable vehicle, can tip over sideways much more easily than it can tip forward or backward.

Off-Road Driving Considerations for Your 2025 Toyota bZ4X

When driving your 2025 Toyota bZ4X off-road, please observe the following precautions to ensure your safety, enjoyment, and to help preserve access to off-road areas:

• Operate your vehicle only in designated areas where off-road vehicles are permitted to travel. Respect any regulations or restrictions that are in place.
• Always respect private property. Obtain the explicit permission of the owner before entering or driving on private land.
• Do not enter areas that are marked as closed or restricted. Always obey gates, barriers, and posted signs that prohibit or limit travel.
• Stay on established roads and trails whenever possible. When driving conditions are wet or muddy, adjust your driving techniques or consider delaying travel to prevent damage to the roads and the environment.

Additional Resources for Off-Road Driving Information (U.S. Mainland and Hawaii Owners)

For owners in the United States (mainland and Hawaii) who wish to obtain more detailed information regarding the safe and responsible operation of their 2025 Toyota bZ4X in off-road environments, please consult the following organizations:

• Your State and Local Parks and Recreation Departments often have resources and guidelines for off-road vehicle use.
• The State Motor Vehicle Bureau in your state might provide information on regulations related to off-road vehicle operation.
• Various Recreational Vehicle Clubs and associations can offer valuable insights and advice for off-road enthusiasts.
• The U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) are excellent resources for information on public lands and designated off-road areas.

WARNING - Important Safety Precautions for Off-Road Driving

Always observe the following safety precautions when driving your 2025 Toyota bZ4X off-road to minimize the risk of death, serious injury, or damage to your vehicle:

• Drive with extreme caution when you are off the road. Avoid taking unnecessary risks by attempting to drive in areas that appear particularly dangerous or unsuitable for your vehicle.
• Do not grip the spokes of the steering wheel with your thumbs inside the rim when driving off-road. A sudden bump or jolt could cause the steering wheel to jerk violently, potentially injuring your hands. Maintain a firm grip on the outside of the steering wheel rim with both hands, keeping your thumbs on the outside as well.
• Always check the effectiveness of your brakes immediately after driving through sand, mud, water, or snow. These conditions can sometimes affect braking performance.
• After driving through tall grass, mud, rocks, sand, rivers, or similar environments, thoroughly check the underbody of your 2025 Toyota bZ4X to ensure that there is no accumulation of grass, brush, paper, rags, stones, sand, or other debris adhering to or trapped in any components. Clear off any such materials. Operating the vehicle with these materials trapped underneath could potentially lead to a mechanical breakdown or even a fire.
• When driving off-road or on rugged terrain, avoid driving at excessive speeds, jumping over obstacles, making sharp or sudden turns, striking rocks or other objects, etc. These actions can lead to a loss of control or vehicle rollover, causing serious injury or death. You also risk expensive damage to your vehicle's suspension system and chassis.

NOTICE - Preventing Water Damage During Off-Road Driving

Take all necessary safety measures to ensure that water does not damage the traction battery, EV system components, or other critical parts of your 2025 Toyota bZ4X when driving through water.

• Water entering the motor compartment can cause severe and potentially irreparable damage to the EV system.
• Water ingress into the transmission can lead to a deterioration in transmission fluid quality and performance. This could trigger the malfunction indicator light and potentially render the vehicle undrivable.
• Driving through water can wash essential grease from wheel bearings, leading to rusting and premature failure. Water might also enter the transaxle case, reducing the lubricating properties of the gear oil.

When Driving Through Water:

If you must drive through water, such as when crossing a shallow stream, first carefully check the depth of the water and the firmness of the riverbed. Proceed slowly and avoid driving through water that appears to be deep or has a soft or uncertain bottom.

Post Off-Road Driving Inspection:

• Sand and mud that accumulates around the brake discs during off-road driving can negatively affect braking efficiency and might also cause damage to brake system components.
• It is highly recommended to perform a thorough maintenance inspection of your 2025 Toyota bZ4X after each day of off-road driving that involved navigating rough terrain, sand, mud, or water crossings. For detailed information on scheduled maintenance procedures, please refer to your vehicle's "Scheduled Maintenance Guide" or the "Owner's Manual Supplement".