1996 Toyota Camry Owners Manual

replaced when necessary.

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(cid:1) Do not place anything on the filler panel behind the rear seatback or luggage cover. Such items may be thrown about and possibly injure people in the vehicle during sud- den braking or an accident.

(cid:1) Do not drive with objects left on top of the instrument panel. They may interfere with the driver’s field of view. Or they may move during sharp vehicle acceleration or turn- ing, and impair the driver’s control of the vehicle. In an accident they may injure the vehicle occupants.

NOTICE

Do not load the vehicle beyond the vehicle capacity weight specified in Part 8.

Your Toyota’s identification

identification number The vehicle (VIN) is the legal identifier for your ve- hicle. This number is on the left top of the instrument panel, and can be seen through the windshield from outside. The vehicle identification number (VIN) is also on the Certification Label. This is the primary identification number for your Toyota. It is used in registering the ownership of your vehicle.

Luggage stowage precautions When stowing luggage or cargo in the ve- hicle, observe the following: (cid:1) Put luggage or cargo in the trunk or luggage compartment when at all pos- sible. Be sure all items are secured in place.

(cid:1) Be careful to keep the vehicle bal- anced. Locating the weight as far forward as possible helps maintain this.

(cid:1) For better fuel economy, do not carry

unneeded weight.

CAUTION

(cid:1) To prevent luggage or packages from sliding forward during brak- ing, do not stack anything in the enlarged trunk room or the lug- gage compartment higher than the seatbacks. Keep luggage or packages low, as close to the floor as possible.

(cid:1) Never allow anyone to ride in the enlarged trunk room or the lug- gage compartment. It is not de- signed for passengers. They should ride in their seats with their seat belts properly fastened. Otherwise, they are much more likely to suffer serious bodily inju- ry, in the event of sudden braking or a collision.

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The engine number is stamped on the engine block as shown.

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Theft prevention labels (except for Canada) Your new vehicle carries theft preven- tion labels which are approximately 56
mm (2.20 in.) by 16 mm (0.63 in.). The purpose of these labels is to reduce the incidence of vehicle thefts by facilitat- ing the tracing and recovery of parts from stolen vehicles. The label is designed so that once it is applied to a surface, any at- tempt to remove it will result in destroying the integrity of the label. Transferring these labels intact from one part to anoth- er, will be impossible.

NOTICE

You should not attempt to remove the theft prevention labels as it may violate certain state or federal laws.

Types of tires Make sure what kind of tires your ve- hicle is originally equipped with. 1. Summer tires Summer tires are high-speed capability tires best suited to highway driving under dry conditions. Since summer tires do not have the same traction performance as snow tires, sum- mer tires are inadequate for driving on snow-covered or icy roads. For driving on snow-covered or icy roads, we recom- mend using snow tires. If installing snow tires, be sure to replace all four tires. 2. All season tires All season tires are designed to provide better traction in snow and to be adequate for driving in most winter conditions, as well as for use all year round. All season tires, however, do not have ad- equate traction performance compared with snow tires in heavy or loose snow. Also, all season tires fall short in accelera- tion and handling performance compared with summer tires in highway driving.

CAUTION

Do not mix summer and all season tires on your vehicle as this can cause dangerous handling charac- teristics, resulting in loss of control.

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Before starting the engine 1. Check the area around the vehicle be- fore entering it. 2. Adjust seat position, seatback angle, head restraint height and steering wheel angle. 3. Adjust inside and outside rear view mirrors. 4. Lock all doors. 5. Fasten seat belts.

Part 3
STARTING AND DRIVING

(cid:1) Before starting the engine (cid:1) How to start the engine (cid:1) Tips for driving in various

conditions

(cid:1) Winter driving tips (cid:1) Trailer towing (cid:1) How to save fuel and make your

vehicle last longer, too

How to start the engine— (a) Before cranking 1. Apply the parking brake firmly. 2. Turn off unnecessary lights and acces- sories. 3. Manual transmission: Press the clutch pedal to the floor and shift the trans- mission into neutral. Hold the clutch pedal to the floor until the engine is started. A starter safety device will prevent the start- er from operating if the clutch pedal is not fully depressed. Automatic transmission: Put the selec- tor lever in “P”. If you need to restart the engine while the vehicle is moving, put the selector lever in “N”. A starter safety de- vice will prevent the starter from operating if the selector lever is in any drive position. 4. Automatic transmission only: De- press the brake pedal and hold it to the floor until driving off.

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NOTICE

(cid:2)Do not crank for more than 15
seconds at a time. This may overheat the starter and wiring systems.

(cid:2)Do not race a cold engine. (cid:2)If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have the engine checked immediately.

Tips for driving in various conditions (cid:1) Always slow down in gusty cross- winds. This will allow you much better control

(cid:1) Drive slowly onto curbs and, if pos- sible, at a right angle. Avoid driving onto high, sharp-edged objects and other road hazards. Failure to do so can lead to severe tire damage result- ing in tire bursts.

(cid:1) When parking on a hill, turn the front wheels until they touch the curb so that the vehicle will not roll. Apply the park- ing brake, and place the transmission in “P” (automatic) or in first or reverse (manual). If necessary, block the wheels.

(cid:1) Washing your vehicle or driving through deep water may get the brakes wet. To see whether they are wet, check that there is no traffic near you, and then press the pedal lightly. If you do not feel a normal braking force, the brakes are probably wet. To dry them, drive the vehicle cautiously while lightly pressing the brake pedal with the parking brake pulled. If they still do not work safely, pull to the side of the road and call a Toyota dealer for assistance.

(b) Starting the engine Before starting the engine, be sure to fol- low the instructions in “(a) Before crank- ing”. Normal starting procedure The multiport fuel injection system/se- quential multiport fuel injection system in your engine automatically controls the proper air-fuel mixture for starting. You can start a cold or hot engine as follows: 1. With your foot off the accelerator ped- al, crank the engine by turning the key to “START”. Release it when the engine starts. 2. After the engine runs for about 10 sec- onds, you are ready to drive. If the weather is below freezing, let the en- gine warm up for a few minutes before driving. If the engine stalls... Simply restart it, using the correct proce- dure given in normal starting. If the engine will not start— See “If your vehicle will not start” in Part 4.

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CAUTION

(cid:1) Before driving off, make sure that the parking brake is fully released and the parking brake reminder light is off.

(cid:1) Do not leave your vehicle unat- tended while the engine is run- ning.

(cid:1) Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal while driving. It can cause dangerous overheating, needless wear, and poor fuel economy.

(cid:1) To drive down a long or steep hill, reduce your speed and downshift. Remember, if you ride the brakes excessively, they may overheat and not work properly.

(cid:1) Be careful when accelerating, up- shifting, downshifting or braking on a slippery surface. Sudden ac- celeration or engine braking could cause the vehicle to spin or skid.

(cid:1) Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit permits it, do not drive over 140
km/h (85 mph) unless your vehicle has high-speed capability tires. Driving over 140 km/h (85 mph) may result in tire failure, loss of control and possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer to de- termine whether the tires on your vehicle are high-speed capability tires or not before driving at such speeds.

(cid:1) Do not continue normal driving when the brakes are wet. If they are wet, your vehicle will require a lon- ger stopping distance, and it may pull to one side when the brakes are applied. Also, the parking brake will not hold the vehicle se- curely.

Winter driving tips Make sure you have ethylene-glycol antifreeze in the radiator.

NOTICE

Do not use alcohol type antifreeze.

Check the condition of the battery and cables. Cold temperatures reduce the capacity of any battery, so it must be in top shape to provide enough power for winter starting. Chapter 7-3 tells you how to visually in- spect the battery. Your Toyota dealer and most service stations will be pleased to check the level of charge. Make sure the engine oil viscosity is suitable for the cold weather. See Chapter 7-2 for recommended vis- cosity. Leaving a heavy summer oil in your vehicle during winter months may cause harder starting. If you are not sure about which oil to use, call your Toyota dealer— he will be pleased to help. Keep the door locks from freezing. Squirt lock de-icer or glycerine into the locks to keep them from freezing. To open a frozen lock, try heating the key before in- serting it.

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Depending on where you are driving, we recommend you carry some emer- gency equipment. Some of the things you might put in the ve- hicle are tire chains, window scraper, bag of sand or salt, flares, small shovel, jump- er cables, etc.

Trailer towing Your vehicle is designed primarily as a passenger-carrying vehicle. Towing a trailer will have an adverse effect on han- dling, performance, braking, durability and driving economy (fuel consumption, etc.). Your safety and satisfaction depend on the proper use of correct equipment and cautious driving habits. For your safe- ty and the safety of others, you must not overload your vehicle or trailer. Toyota warranties do not apply to damage or mal- function caused by towing a trailer for commercial purposes. Ask your local To- yota dealer for further details before tow- ing. WEIGHT LIMITS Before towing, make sure the total trailer weight, gross vehicle weight, gross axle weight and trailer tongue load are all within the limits. The total trailer weight and tongue load can be measured with platform scales found at a highway weighing station, building supply company, trucking com- pany, junk yard, etc.

Use a washer fluid containing an anti- freeze solution. This product is available at your Toyota dealer and most auto parts stores. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for how much to mix with water.

NOTICE

Do not use engine antifreeze or any other substitute because it may damage your vehicle’s paint.

Do not use your parking brake when there is a possibility it could freeze. When parking, put the transmission into “P” (automatic) or into first or reverse (manual) and block the rear wheels. Do not use the parking brake, or snow or wa- ter accumulated in and around the parking brake mechanism may freeze, making it hard to release. Keep ice and snow from accumulating under the fenders. Ice and snow built up under your fenders can make steering difficult. During bad winter driving, stop and check under the fenders occasionally.

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(cid:1) The load on either the front or rear axle resulting from distribution of the gross vehicle weight on both axles must not exceed the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) listed on the Certification Label.

(cid:1) The trailer cargo load should be distributed so that the tongue load is 9 to 11% of the total trailer weight, not exceeding the maxi- mum of 90 kg (200 lb.). Never load the trailer with more weight in the back than in the front. About 60% of the trailer load should be in the front half of the trailer and the re- maining 40% in the rear.

CAUTION

(cid:1) The total trailer weight (trailer weight plus its cargo load) must not exceed 907 kg (2000 lb.). Ex- ceeding this weight is dangerous. (cid:1) The gross vehicle weight must not exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) indicated on the Certification Label. The gross ve- hicle weight is the sum of weights of the unloaded vehicle, driver, passengers, luggage, hitch and trailer tongue load. It also in- cludes the weight of any special equipment installed on your ve- hicle.

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(cid:1) A safety chain must always be used between the towing vehicle and the trailer. Leave sufficient slack in the chain for turns. The chain should cross under the trailer tongue to prevent the tongue from dropping to the ground in case it becomes damaged or separated. For correct safety chain procedures, follow the hitch or trailer manufacturer’s rec- ommendations.

CAUTION

(cid:1) If the total trailer weight exceeds 453 kg (1000 lb.), trailer brakes are required.

(cid:1) Never tap into your vehicle’s hy- draulic system as it would lower its braking effectiveness.

(cid:1) Never tow a trailer without using a safety chain securely attached to both the trailer and the vehicle. If damage occurs to the coupling unit or hitch ball, there is danger of the trailer wandering over into another lane.

TIRES (cid:1) Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. Adjust the tire pres- sure to the recommended cold tire pressure indicated below (see Chap- ter 7-2 for instructions.):

Tire pressure, kPa (kgf/cm2 or bar, psi)

Sedan and coupe

5S-FE engine

Front Rear

1MZ-FE engine

Front Rear

Wagon

5S-FE engine

Front Rear

1MZ-FE engine

Front Rear

210 (2.1, 30) 210 (2.1, 30)

220 (2.2, 32) 220 (2.2, 32)

220 (2.2, 32) 240 (2.4, 35)

220 (2.2, 32) 240 (2.4, 35)

(cid:1) The trailer tires should be inflated to the pressure recommended by the trailer manufacturer in respect to the total trailer weight.

HITCHES (cid:1) Use only a hitch which is recom- mended by the hitch manufacturer and conforms to the total trailer weight re- quirement.

(cid:1) Follow the directions supplied by the hitch manufacturer. Lubricate the hitch ball with a light coat of grease.

(cid:1) Toyota recommends removing the trailer hitch whenever you are not tow- ing a trailer to reduce the possibility of additional damage caused by the hitch if your vehicle is struck from behind.

NOTICE

Do not use axle-mounted hitches as they can cause damage to the axle housing, wheel bearings, wheels or tires. Also, never install a hitch which may interfere with the normal function of an Energy Absorbing Bumper, if so equipped.

BRAKES AND SAFETY CHAINS (cid:1) Toyota recommends trailers with brakes that conform to any applica- ble federal and state/provincial reg- ulations.

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TRAILER LIGHTS (cid:1) Trailer lights must comply with federal, state/provincial and local regulations. See your local recreational vehicle dealer or rental agency for the correct type of wiring and relays for your trail- er. Check for correct operation of the turn signals and stop lights each time you hitch up. Direct splicing may dam- age your vehicle’s electrical system and cause a malfunction of your lights.

BREAK-IN SCHEDULE (cid:1) Toyota recommends that you do not tow a trailer with a new vehicle or a ve- hicle with any new power train compo- nent (engine, transmission, differen- tial, wheel bearing, etc.) for the first 800 km (500 miles) of driving.

MAINTENANCE

(cid:1)

If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will re- quire more frequent maintenance due to the additional load. For this informa- tion, please refer to the scheduled maintenance information in the “Own- er’s Manual Supplement/Maintenance Schedule”.

(cid:1) Retighten all fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approximately 1000 km (600 miles) of trailer driving.

PRE-T OWING SAFETY CHECK (cid:1) Check that your vehicle remains level when a loaded or unloaded trailer is hitched. Do not drive if the vehicle has an abnormal nose-up or nose-down condition, and check for improper tongue load, overload, worn suspen- sion or other possible causes.

(cid:1) Make sure the trailer cargo is securely

loaded so that it cannot shift.

(cid:1) Check that your rear view mirrors con- form to any applicable federal, state/ provincial or local regulation. If not, install the rear view mirrors required for towing purpose.

TRAILER TOWING TIPS When towing a trailer, your vehicle will handle differently than when not tow- ing. The three main causes of vehicle- trailer accidents are driver error, ex- cessive speed and improper trailer loading. Keep these in mind when tow- ing: (cid:1) Before starting out, check operation of the lights and all vehicle-trailer con- nections. After driving a short dis- tance, stop and recheck the lights and connections. Before actually towing a trailer, practice turning, stopping and backing with a trailer in an area away from traffic until you learn the feel.

(cid:1) Backing with a trailer is difficult and re- quires practice. Grip the bottom of the steering wheel and move your hand to the left to move the trailer to the left. Move your hand to the right to move the trailer to the right. (This procedure is generally opposite to that when backing without a trailer). Also, just turn the steering wheel a little at a time, avoiding sharp or prolonged turning. Have someone guide you when back- ing to reduce the risk of an accident. (cid:1) Because stopping distance may be in- creased, vehicle-to-vehicle distance should be increased when towing a trailer. For each 16 km/h (10 mph) of speed, allow at least one vehicle and trailer length between you and the ve- hicle ahead. Avoid sudden braking as you may skid, resulting in jackknifing and loss of control. This is especially true on wet or slippery surfaces.

(cid:1) Avoid jerky starts or sudden accelera- tion. If your vehicle has manual trans- mission, prevent excessive clutch slip- page by keeping engine rpm low and not racing the engine. Always start out in first gear.

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(cid:1)

In order to maintain engine braking ef- ficiency, do not use fifth gear (manual transmission) or overdrive (automatic transmission).

(cid:1) Because of the added load of the trail- er, 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.

(cid:1) Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and trailer wheels when parking. Apply the parking brake firm- ly. Put the transmission in “P” (auto- matic) or in first or reverse (manual). Avoid parking on a slope with a trailer, but if it cannot be avoided, do so only after performing the following:

1. Apply the brakes and hold. 2. Have someone place wheel blocks un- der 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 first or reverse (manual) or “P” (automatic) and turn off the engine. When restarting out after parking on a slope: 1. With the transmission in “P” position (automatic) or the clutch pedal depressed (manual), start the engine. (With an auto- matic transmission, be sure to keep the brake pedal depressed.) 2. Shift into gear. 3. Release the parking brake (also foot brake on automatic transmission ve- hicles) and slowly pull or back away from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply your brakes. 4. Have someone retrieve the blocks.

(cid:1) 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.

(cid:1) 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.

(cid:1) Crosswinds and rough roads will ad- versely affect handling of your vehicle and trailer, causing sway. Pay atten- tion to the rear from time to time to pre- pare 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 sta- bilize.

(cid:1) Be careful when passing other ve- hicles. Passing requires considerable distance. After passing a vehicle, do not forget the length of your trailer and be sure you have plenty of room be- fore changing lanes.

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CAUTION

(cid:1) Do not exceed 72 km/h (45 mph) or the posted towing speed limit, whichever is lower. Because insta- bility (swaying) of a towing ve- hicle-trailer combination usual- ly increases as the speed in- creases, exceeding 72 km/h (45
mph) may cause loss of control.

(cid:1) Slow down and downshift before descending steep or long down- hill grades. Do not make sudden downshifts.

(cid:1) Avoid holding the pedal down too long or too frequently. This could cause the brakes to overheat and result in reduced braking efficiency.

How to save fuel and make your vehicle last longer, too Getting more kilometers/mileage from a li- ter/gallon of fuel is easy—just take it easy. It will help make your vehicle last longer, too. Here are some specific tips on how to save money on both fuel and repairs: (cid:1) Keep your tires inflated at the cor- rect pressure. Underinflation causes tire wear and wastes fuel. See Chapter 7-2 for instructions.

(cid:1) Do not carry unneeded weight in your vehicle. Excess weight puts a heavier load on the engine, causing greater fuel consumption.

(cid:1) Avoid

lengthy warm-up

idling. Once the engine is running smoothly, begin driving—but gently. Remember, however, that on cold winter days this may take a little longer.

(cid:1) Accelerate slowly and smoothly. Avoid jackrabbit starts. Get into high gear as quickly as possible.

(cid:1) Avoid long engine idling. If you have a long wait and you are not in traffic, it is better to turn off the engine and start again later.

(cid:1) Avoid engine lug or overrevving. Use a gear position suitable for the road on which you are travelling.

(cid:1) Avoid continuous speeding up and slowing down. Stop-and-go driving wastes fuel.

(cid:1) Avoid unnecessary stopping and braking. Maintain a steady pace. Try to time the traffic signals so you only need to stop as little as possible or take advantage of through streets to avoid traffic lights. Keep a proper distance from other vehicles to avoid sudden braking. This will also reduce wear on your brakes.

(cid:1) Avoid heavy traffic or traffic jams

whenever possible.

(cid:1) Do not rest your foot on the clutch or brake pedal. This causes needless wear, overheating and poor fuel econ- omy.

(cid:1) Maintain a moderate speed on highways. The faster you drive, the greater the fuel consumption. By re- ducing your speed, you will cut down on fuel consumption.

(cid:1) Keep the front wheels in proper alignment. Avoid hitting the curb and slow down on rough roads. Improper alignment not only causes faster tire wear but also puts an extra load on the engine, which, in turn, wastes fuel.

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(cid:1) Keep the bottom of your vehicle free from mud, etc. This not only lessens weight but also helps prevent corrosion.

(cid:1) Keep your vehicle tuned-up and in top shape. A dirty air cleaner, improp- er valve clearance, dirty plugs, dirty oil and grease, brakes not adjusted, etc. all lower engine performance and con- tribute to poor fuel economy. For lon- ger life of all parts and lower operating costs, keep all maintenance work on schedule, and if you often drive under severe conditions, see that your ve- hicle receives more frequent mainte- nance (For scheduled maintenance in- formation, please refer to the separate “Owner’s Manual Supplement/Main- tenance Schedule”).

CAUTION

Never turn off the engine to coast down hills. Your power steering and brake booster will not function without the engine running. Also, the emission control system oper- ates properly only when the engine is running.

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If the engine turns over at its normal speed but will not start— 1. 5S-FE engine only—Check that all the push-on connectors are tight. (For exam- ple, connectors at the distributor and spark plugs.) 2. If the connectors are O.K., the engine may be flooded because of repeated cranking. See “(b) Starting a flooded en- gine” for further instructions.

Part 4
IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY

(cid:1) If your vehicle will not start (cid:1) If your engine stalls while

driving

(cid:1) If your vehicle overheats (cid:1) If you have a flat tire (cid:1) If your vehicle needs to be

towed

(cid:1) If you cannot shift automatic

transmission selector lever

(cid:1) If you lose your keys

If your vehicle will not start— (a) Simple checks

Before making these checks, make sure you have followed the correct starting pro- cedure given in “How to start the engine” in Part 3 and that you have sufficient fuel. If the engine is not turning over or is turning over too slowly— 1. Check that the battery terminals are tight and clean. 2. If the battery terminals are O.K., switch on the interior light. 3. If the light is out, dim or goes out when the starter is cranked, the battery is dis- charged. You may try jump starting. See “(c) Jump starting” for further instructions. If the light is O.K., but the engine still will not start, it needs adjustment or repair. Call a Toyota dealer or qualified repair shop.

NOTICE

Do not pull- or push-start the ve- hicle. It may damage the vehicle or cause a collision when the engine starts. Also the three-way catalytic converter may overheat and be- come a fire hazard.

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(b) Starting a flooded engine If the engine will not start, your engine may be flooded because of repeated cranking. If this happens, turn the key to “START” with the accelerator pedal held down. Keep the key and accelerator pedal so for 15 seconds and release them. Then try starting the engine with your foot off the accelerator pedal. If the engine does not start after 15 sec- onds of cranking, release the key, wait a few minutes and try again. If the engine still will not start, it needs ad- justment or repair. Call a Toyota dealer or qualified repair shop for assistance.

NOTICE

Do not crank for more than 15 sec- onds at a time. This may overheat the starter and wiring systems.

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(c) Jump starting

To avoid serious personal injury and damage to your vehicle which might result from battery explosion, acid burns, electrical burns, or damaged electronic components, these instruc- tions must be followed precisely. If you are unsure about how to follow this procedure, we strongly recommend that you seek the help of a competent me- chanic or towing service.

CAUTION

(cid:1) Batteries contain sulfuric acid which is poisonous and corrosive. Wear protective safety glasses when jump starting, and avoid spilling acid on your skin, clothing, or vehicle.

(cid:1) If you should accidentally get acid on yourself or in your eyes, remove any contaminated clothing and flush the affected area with water for at least 15 minutes. Then get im- mediate medical attention. If pos- sible, continue to apply water with a sponge or cloth while en route to the medical office.

(cid:1) The gas normally produced by a battery will explode if a flame or spark is brought near. Use only standardized jumper cables and do not smoke or light a match while jump starting.

NOTICE

The battery used for boosting must be 12 V. Do not jump start unless you are sure that the booster battery is correct.

JUMP STARTING PROCEDURE 1. If the booster battery is installed in another vehicle, make sure the vehicles are not touching. Turn off all unnecessary lights and accessories. 2. If required, remove all the vent plugs from the booster and discharged batter- ies. Lay a cloth over the open vents on the batteries. (This helps reduce the explo- sion hazard, personal injuries and burns.) 3. If the engine in the vehicle with the booster battery is not running, start it and let it run for a few minutes. During jump starting, run the engine at about 2000 rpm with the accelerator pedal lightly de- pressed.

4. Connect the jumper cables in the exact order shown in the illustration: positive terminal (“+” mark)-to-positive terminal (“+” mark), and negative terminal (“-” mark)-to-engine or body ground. Note that you first connect the positive cable to the discharged battery and then to the booster battery. Next, connect the negative cable to the booster battery and then to a solid, stationary, unpainted, me- tallic point (e.g. 5S-FE engine—engine hanging hook, 1MZ-FE engine—cylinder head) away from the battery. Do not con- nect it to or near any part that moves when the engine is cranked.

CAUTION

When making the connections, do not lean over the battery or acciden- tally let the jumper cables or clamps touch anything except the correct battery terminals or the ground.

5. Start your engine in the normal way. After starting, run it at about 2000 rpm for several minutes with the accelerator ped- al lightly depressed. 6. Carefully disconnect the cables in the exact reverse order: the negative cable and then the positive cable. 7. Carefully dispose of the battery cover cloths—they may now contain sulfuric acid.

8. If removed, replace all the battery vent plugs. If the cause of your battery discharging is not apparent (for example, lights left on), you should have it checked.

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If your engine stalls while driving If your engine stalls while driving… 1. Reduce your speed gradually, keeping a straight line. Move cautiously off the road to a safe place. 2. Turn on your emergency flashers. 3. Try starting the engine again. If the engine will not start, see “If your ve- hicle will not start”.

CAUTION

If the engine is not running, the power assist for the brakes and steering will not work so steering and braking will be much harder than usual.

If your vehicle overheats (5S-FE engine) If your engine coolant temperature gauge indicates overheating, if you experience a loss of power, or if you hear a loud knocking or pinging noise, the engine has probably overheated. You should follow this procedure… 1. Pull safely off the road, stop the vehicle and turn on your emergency flashers. Put the transmission in “P” (automatic) or neu- tral (manual) and apply the parking brake. Turn off the air conditioning if it is being used. 2. If coolant or steam is boiling out of the radiator or reservoir, stop the engine. Wait until the steam subsides before opening the hood. If there is no coolant boiling over or steam, leave the engine running and make sure the electric cooling fan is oper- ating. If it is not, turn the ignition off.

CAUTION

To help avoid personal injury, keep the hood closed until there is no steam. Escaping steam or coolant is a sign of very high pressure.

3. Look for obvious coolant leaks from the radiator, hoses, and under the vehicle. However, note that water draining from the air conditioning is normal if it has been used.

CAUTION

When the engine is running, keep hands and clothing away from the moving fan and engine drive belts.

4. If the coolant is leaking, stop the en- gine immediately. Call a Toyota dealer for assistance. 5. If there are no obvious leaks, check the coolant reservoir. If it is dry, add coolant to the reservoir while the engine is running. Fill it about half full.

CAUTION

Do not attempt to remove the radia- tor cap when the engine and radia- tor are hot. Serious injury could re- sult from scalding hot fluid and steam blown out under pressure.

6. After the engine coolant temperature has cooled to normal, again check the coolant level in the reservoir. If necessary, bring it up to half full again. Serious cool- ant loss indicates a leak in the system. You should have it checked as soon as possible at your Toyota dealer.

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If your vehicle overheats 1MZ-FE engine) If your engine coolant temperature gauge indicates overheating, if you experience a loss of power, or if you hear a loud knocking or pinging noise, the engine has probably overheated. You should follow this procedure… 1. Pull safely off the road, stop the vehicle and turn on your emergency flashers. Put the transmission in “P” (automatic) or neu- tral (manual) and apply the parking brake. Turn off the air conditioning if it is being used. 2. If coolant or steam is boiling out of the radiator or reservoir, stop the engine. Wait until the steam subsides before opening the hood. If there is no coolant boiling over or steam, leave the engine running.

CAUTION

To help avoid personal injury, keep the hood closed until there is no steam. Escaping steam or coolant is a sign of very high pressure.

3. Look for obvious coolant leaks from the radiator, hoses, and under the vehicle. However, note that water draining from the air conditioning is normal if it has been used.

CAUTION

When the engine is running, keep hands and clothing away from the moving fan and engine drive belts.

4. If the coolant is leaking, stop the en- gine immediately. Call a Toyota dealer for assistance. 5. If there are no obvious leaks, check the coolant reservoir. If it is dry, add coolant to the reservoir while the engine is running. Fill it about half full.

CAUTION

Do not attempt to remove the en- gine coolant filler cap when the en- gine and radiator are hot. Serious injury could result from scalding hot fluid and steam blown out un- der pressure.

6. After the engine coolant temperature has cooled to normal, again check the coolant level in the reservoir. If necessary, bring it up to half full again. Serious cool- ant loss indicates a leak in the system. You should have it checked as soon as possible at your Toyota dealer.

If you have a flat tire— 1. Reduce your speed gradually, keeping a straight line. Move cautiously off the road to a safe place well away from the traffic. Avoid stopping on the center divid- er of a highway. Park on a level spot with firm ground. 2. Stop the engine and turn on your emer- gency flashers. 3. Firmly set the parking brake and put the transmission in “P” (automatic) or re- verse (manual). 4. Have everyone get out of the vehicle on the side away from traffic. 5. Read the following instructions thor- oughly.

CAUTION

When jacking, be sure to observe the following to reduce the possibil- ity of personal injury: (cid:1) Follow jacking instructions. (cid:1) Use a jack only for lifting your ve-

hicle during wheel changing.

(cid:1) Never get beneath the vehicle

when supported by a jack.

(cid:1) Do not start or run the engine while your vehicle is supported by a jack.

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NOTICE

Do not continue driving with a deflated tire. Driving even a short distance can damage a tire beyond repair.

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Compact spare tire The compact spare tire is designed for temporary emergency use only. The compact spare tire is identified by the distinctive wording “TEMPORARY USE ONLY” molded into the side wall of the tire. The standard tire should be repaired and replaced as soon as possible.

The compact spare tire saves space in your trunk or luggage compartment, and its lighter weight helps to improve fuel economy and permits easier installation in case of a flat tire. The compact spare tire can be used many times, if necessary. It has tread life of up to 4800 km (3000 miles) depending on road conditions and your driving habits. When tread wear indicators appear on the tire, replace the tire. See also the tire section in Chapter 7-2 for details on the tread wear indicators and other service information.

CAUTION

(cid:1) The compact spare tire was de- signed especially for your Toyota. Do not use it on any other vehicle. (cid:1) Do not exceed 80 km/h (50 mph) when driving with the compact spare tire.

NOTICE

Your ground clearance is reduced when the compact spare tire is installed so avoid driving over ob- stacles and drive slowly on rough, unpaved roads and speed bumps. Also, do not attempt to go through an automatic car wash as the ve- hicle may get caught, resulting in damage.

—Required tools and spare tire (sedan and coupe)

1. Get the tool bag, jack and spare tire. To prepare yourself for an emergency, you should familiarize yourself with the use of the jack, each of the tools and their storage locations.

When removing the jack, turn the joint by hand towards the CONTRACT direction until the jack is free. When storing, turn the joint by hand towards the EXPAND di- rection until the jack is firmly secured to prevent it from flying forward during a col- lision or sudden braking.

To remove the spare tire: 1. Loosen the nut and remove it. 2. Remove the spare tire cover. 3. Loosen and remove the bolt and spacer. 4. Take the spare tire out of the vehicle. When storing the spare tire, put it in place with the outer side of the wheel facing up. Then secure the tire by repeating the above removal steps in reverse order to prevent it from flying forward during a col- lision or sudden braking.

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—Required tools and spare tire (wagon with third seat)

1. Get the tool bag, jack and spare tire. To prepare yourself for an emergency, you should familiarize yourself with the use of the jack, each of the tools and their storage locations.

When removing the jack, turn the joint by hand towards the CONTRACT direction until the jack is free. When storing, turn the joint by hand towards the EXPAND di- rection until the jack is firmly secured to prevent it from flying forward during a col- lision or sudden braking.

To remove the spare tire: 1. Loosen the nut and remove it. 2. Remove the spare tire cover.

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—Required tools and spare tire (wagon without third seat)

3. Loosen and remove the bolt. 4. Take the spare tire out of the vehicle. When storing the spare tire, put it in place with the inner side of the wheel facing in- ward. Then secure the tire by repeating the above removal steps in reverse order to prevent it from flying forward during a collision or sudden braking.

1. Get the tool bag, jack and spare tire. To prepare yourself for an emergency, you should familiarize yourself with the use of the jack, each of the tools and their storage locations.

When removing the jack, turn the joint by hand towards the CONTRACT direction until the jack is free. When storing, turn the joint by hand towards the EXPAND di- rection until the jack is firmly secured to prevent it from flying forward during a col- lision or sudden braking.

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—Blocking the wheel

—Removing wheel ornament

To remove the spare tire: 1. Loosen and remove the bolt and spacer. 2. Take the spare tire out of the vehicle. When storing the spare tire, put it in place with the outer side of the wheel facing up. Then secure the tire by repeating the above removal steps in reverse order to prevent it from flying forward during a col- lision or sudden braking.

2. Block the wheel diagonally oppo- site the flat tire to keep the vehicle from rolling when it is jacked up. When blocking the wheel, place a wheel block from the front for the front wheels or from the rear for the rear wheels.

3. Remove the wheel ornament. Pry off the wheel ornament, using the bev- eled end of the wheel nut wrench as shown.

CAUTION

Do not try to pull off the ornament by hand. Take due care in handling the ornament to avoid unexpected personal injury.

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—Loosening wheel nuts

—Positioning the jack

5. Position the jack at the correct jack point as shown. Make sure the jack is positioned on a level and solid place.

4. Loosen all the wheel nuts. Always loosen the wheel nuts before rais- ing the vehicle. The nuts turn counterclockwise to loosen. To get maximum leverage, fit the wrench to the nut so that the handle is on the right side, as shown above. Grab the wrench near the end of the handle and pull up on the handle. Be careful that the wrench does not slip off the nut. Do not remove the nuts yet—just unscrew them about one-half turn.

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—Raising your vehicle

—Changing wheels

7. Remove the wheel nuts and change tires. Lift the flat tire straight off and put it aside. Roll the spare wheel into position and align the holes in the wheel with the bolts. Then lift up the wheel and get at least the top bolt started through its hole. Wiggle the tire and press it back over the other bolts.

Before putting on wheels, remove any corrosion on the mounting surfaces with a wire brush or such. Installation of wheels without good metal-to-metal contact at the mounting surface can cause wheel nuts to loosen and eventually cause a wheel to come off while driving. Therefore after the first 1600 km (1000 miles), check to see that the wheel nuts are tight.

6. After making sure that no one is in the vehicle, raise it high enough so that the spare tire can be installed. Remember you will need more ground clearance when putting on the spare tire than when removing the flat tire. To raise the vehicle, insert the jack handle into the jack (it is a loose fit) and turn it clockwise. As the jack touches the vehicle and begins to lift, double-check that it is properly positioned.

CAUTION

Never get under the vehicle when it is supported by the jack alone.

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—Reinstalling wheel nuts

—Lowering your vehicle

—Reinstalling wheel ornament

8. Reinstall all the wheel nuts finger tight. Reinstall the wheel nuts (tapered end in- ward) and tighten them as much as you can by hand. Press back on the tire and see if you can tighten them more.

9. Lower the vehicle completely and tighten the wheel nuts. Turn the jack handle counterclockwise to lower the vehicle. Use only the wheel nut wrench to tighten the nuts. Do not use other tools or any additional than your hands, such as a hammer, pipe or your foot. Make sure the wrench is securely en- gaged over the nut. Tighten each nut a little at a time in the or- der shown. Repeat the process until all the nuts are tight.

leverage other

10. Reinstall the wheel ornament. Put the wheel ornament into position and then tap it firmly with the side or heel of your hand to snap it into place.

CAUTION

Take due care in handling the orna- ment to avoid unexpected personal injury.

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—After changing wheels 11.Check the air pressure of the re- placed tire. Adjust the air pressure to the specification designated in Part 8. If the pressure is lower, drive slowly to the nearest service station and fill to the correct pressure. Do not forget to reinstall the tire inflation valve cap as dirt and moisture could get into the valve core and possibly cause air leakage. If the cap is missing, have a new one put on as soon as possible. 12. Restow all the tools, jack and flat tire securely. As soon as possible after changing wheels, tighten the wheel nuts to the torque specified in Part 8 with a torque wrench and have a technician repair the flat tire.

CAUTION

Before driving, make sure all the tools, jack and flat tire are securely in place in their storage location to reduce the possibility of personal injury during a collision or sudden braking.

Wagon with third seat only—When storing the flat tire, install the tire with the bolt fitted in the upper hole of the tire stopper. At this time, the spare tire cover cannot be put on.

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If your vehicle needs to be towed—

If towing is necessary, we recommend you have it done by your Toyota dealer or a commercial tow truck service. Proper equipment will help ensure that your vehicle is not damaged while being towed. Commercial operators are gener- ally aware of the state/provincial and local laws pertaining to towing. Your vehicle can be damaged if it is towed incorrectly. Although most operators know the correct procedure, it is possible to make a mistake. To avoid damage to your vehicle, make sure the following few precautions are observed. If necessary, show this page to the tow truck driver. TOWING PRECAUTIONS: Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by the state/provincial and local laws. The wheels and axle on the ground must be in good condition. If they are damaged, use a towing dolly. (a) Using flat bed truck Toyota recommends this as the best method for your vehicle. (b) Towing with wheel lift type truck From front—Release the parking brake.

From rear— (cid:1) Manual transmission:

We recommend using a towing dolly under the front wheels. If you do not use a towing dolly, place the ignition key in the “ACC” position and put the transmission in neutral.

NOTICE

Do not tow with the key removed or in the “LOCK” position when tow- ing from the rear without a towing dolly. The steering lock mechanism is not strong enough to hold the front wheels straight. (cid:1) Automatic transmission:

Use a towing dolly under the front wheels.

NOTICE

Never tow a vehicle with an auto- matic transmission from the rear with the front wheels on the ground, as this may cause serious damage to the transmission.

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—Emergency towing

CAUTION

If the engine is not running, the power assist for the brakes and steering will not work so steering and braking will be much harder than usual.

(c) Towing with sling type truck

NOTICE

Do not tow with sling type truck, either from the front or rear. This may cause body damage.

If towing service is not available in an emergency, your vehicle may be tem- porarily towed by a cable secured to one of the emergency towing eyelets under the front of the vehicle. A driver must be in the vehicle to steer it and operate the brakes. Towing in this manner may be done only on hard-surfaced roads for a short dis- tance and at low speeds. Also, the wheels, axles, drive train, steering and brakes must all be in good condition. Before towing, release the parking brake and put the transmission in neutral (manual) or “N” (automatic). The key must be in “ACC” (engine off) or “ON” (engine running).

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If you cannot shift automatic transmission selector lever

If you cannot shift the selector lever out of “P” position to other positions even though the brake pedal is de- pressed, use the shift lock override button as follows: 1. Turn the ignition key to “LOCK” position. Make sure the parking brake is on. 2. Pry up the cover with a flat-bladed screwdriver or equivalent.

3. Insert the screwdriver or equivalent into the hole to push down the shift lock override button. You can shift out of “P” position only while pushing the button. 4. Shift into “N” position. 5. Insert the cover. 6. Start the engine. For your safety, keep the brake pedal depressed. Be sure to have the system checked by your Toyota dealer as soon as possible.

If you lose your keys Many Toyota dealers can make a new key if you can give them the key num- ber. See the suggestion given in “Keys” in Chapter 1-2. If your keys are locked in the vehicle and you cannot get a duplicate, many Toyota dealers can still open the door for you, us- ing their special tools. If you must break a window to get in, we suggest breaking the smallest side window because it is the least expensive to replace. Be extremely cautious to avoid cuts from the glass.

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Part 5
CORROSION PREVENTION AND APPEARANCE CARE

(cid:1) Protecting your Toyota from

corrosion

(cid:1) Washing and waxing your

Toyota

(cid:1) Cleaning the interior

the

Protecting your Toyota from corrosion Toyota, through its diligent research, de- sign and use of the most advanced technology available, has done its part to help prevent corrosion and has provided you with finest quality vehicle construction. Now, it is up to you. Proper care of your Toyota can help ensure long- term corrosion prevention. The most common causes of corro- sion to your vehicle are: (cid:1) The accumulation of road salt, dirt and moisture in hard-to-reach areas un- der the vehicle.

(cid:1) Chipping of paint, or undercoating caused by minor accidents or by stones and gravel.

Care is especially important if you live in particular areas or operate your ve- hicle under certain environmental conditions: (cid:1) Road salt or dust control chemicals will accelerate corrosion, as will the pres- ence of salt in the air near the sea- coast or in areas of industrial pollution. (cid:1) High humidity accelerates corrosion especially when temperatures range just above the freezing point.

(cid:1) Wetness or dampness to certain parts of your vehicle for an extended period of time, may cause corrosion even though other parts of the vehicle may be dry.

(cid:1) High temperatures will cause corro- sion to those components of the ve- hicle which are prevented from quick- drying due to lack of proper ventilation. The above signifies the necessity to keep your vehicle, particularly the underside, as clean as possible and to repair any damage to paint or protective coatings as soon as possible. To help prevent corrosion on your To- yota, follow these guidelines: Wash your vehicle frequently. It is, of course, necessary to keep your vehicle clean by regular washing, but to prevent corrosion, the following points should be observed:

(cid:1)

If you drive on salted roads in the win- ter or if you live near the ocean, you should hose off the undercarriage at least once a month to minimize corro- sion.

(cid:1) High pressure water or steam is effec- tive for cleaning the vehicle’s under- side and wheel housings. Pay particu- lar attention to these areas as it is difficult to see all the mud and dirt. It will do more harm than good to simply wet the mud and debris without remov- ing them. The lower edge of doors, rocker panels and frame members have drain holes which should not be allowed to clog with dirt as trapped wa- ter in these areas can cause corrosion.

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Do not park your vehicle in a damp, poorly ventilated garage. If you wash your vehicle in the garage, or if you drive it in covered with water or snow, your ga- rage may be so damp it will cause corro- sion. Even if your garage is heated, a wet vehicle can corrode if the ventilation is poor.

Washing and waxing your Toyota Washing your Toyota by hand Work in the shade and wait until the ve- hicle body is not hot to the touch. 1. Rinse off loose dirt with a hose. Re- move any mud or road salt from the un- derside of the vehicle or in the wheel wells. 2. Wash with a mild car-wash soap, mixed according to the manufacturer’s in- structions. Use a soft cotton mitt and keep it wet by dipping it frequently into the wash water. Do not rub hard—let the soap and water remove the dirt. Aluminum wheels: Use only a mild soap or neutral detergent. Plastic bumpers: Wash carefully. Do not scrub with abrasive cleaners. The bumper faces are soft. Road tar: Remove with turpentine or cleaners that are marked safe for painted surfaces.

NOTICE

Do not use gasoline or strong solvents, which may be toxic or cause damage.

3. Rinse thoroughly—dried soap can cause streaking. In hot weather you may need to rinse each section right after you wash it.

(cid:1) Wash the underside of the vehicle

thoroughly when winter is over.

See “Washing and waxing your Toyota” for more tips. Check the condition of your vehicle’s paint and trim. If you find any chips or scratches in the paint, touch them up im- mediately to prevent corrosion from start- ing. If the chips or scratches have gone through the bare metal, have a qualified body shop make the repair. Check the interior of your vehicle. Wa- ter and dirt can accumulate under the floor mats and could cause corrosion. Occa- sionally check under the mats to make sure the area is dry. Be particularly careful when transporting chemicals, cleansers, fertilizers, salt, etc.; these should be transported in proper containers. If a spill or leak should occur, immediately clean and dry the area. Use mud shields on your wheels. If you drive on salted or gravel roads, mud shields help protect your vehicle. Full- size shields, which come as near to the ground as possible, are the best. We rec- ommend that the fittings and the area where the shields are installed be treated to resist corrosion. Your Toyota dealer will be happy to assist in supplying and instal- ling the shields if they are recommended for your area.

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3. Wax the vehicle again when water does not bead but remains on the surface in large patches.

NOTICE

Always remove the plastic bumpers if your vehicle is re-painted and placed in a high heat paint waxing booth. High temperatures could damage the bumpers.

4. To prevent water spots, dry the vehicle using a clean soft cotton towel. Do not rub or press hard—you might scratch the paint. Automatic car wash Your vehicle may be washed in an auto- matic car wash, but remember that the paint can be scratched by some type of brushes, unfiltered washing water, or the washing process itself. Scratching re- duces paint durability and gloss, especial- ly on darker colors. The manager of the car wash should be able to advise you whether the process is safe for the paint on your vehicle. Waxing your Toyota Polishing and waxing is recommend- ed to maintain the original beauty of your Toyota’s finish. 1. Always wash and dry the vehicle be- fore you begin waxing, even if you are us- ing a combined cleaner and wax. 2. Use a good quality polish and wax. If the finish has become extremely weath- ered, use a car-cleaning polish, followed by a separate wax. Carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions and precau- tions. Be sure to polish and wax the chrome trim as well as the paint.

Cleaning the interior

CAUTION

Do not wash the vehicle floor with wa- ter, or allow water to get onto the floor when cleaning the vehicle interior or exterior. Water may get into audio components or other electrical com- ponents above or under the floor car- pet (or mat) and cause a malfunction; and it may cause body corrosion.

Vinyl interior The vinyl upholstery may be easily cleaned with a mild soap or detergent and water. First vacuum over the upholstery to remove loose dirt. Then, using a sponge or soft cloth, apply the soap solution to the vinyl. After al- lowing it to soak in for a few minutes to loos- en the dirt, remove the dirt and wipe off the soap with a clean damp cloth. If all the dirt does not come off, repeat the procedure. Commercial foaming- type vinyl cleaners are also available which work well. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

NOTICE

Do not use solvent, thinner, gasoline or window cleaner on the interior. Carpets Use a good foam-type shampoo to clean the carpets.

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Begin by vacuuming thoroughly to re- move as much dirt as possible. Several types of foam cleaners are available; some are in aerosol cans and others are powders or liquids which you mix with wa- ter to produce a foam. To shampoo the carpets, use a sponge or brush to apply the foam. Rub in overlapping circles. Do not apply water—the best results are obtained by keeping the carpet as dry as possible. Read the shampoo instructions and follow them closely. Seat belts The seat belts may be cleaned with mild soap and water or with lukewarm water. Use a cloth or sponge. As you are clean- ing, check the belts for excessive wear, fraying, or cuts.

NOTICE

Do not use dye or bleach on the belts—it may weaken them. Windows The windows may be cleaned with any household window cleaner.

NOTICE

When cleaning the inside of the windows, be careful not to scratch or damage the heater wires on the rear window.

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Air conditioning control panel, car au- dio, instrument panel, console panel, and switches Use a soft damp cloth for cleaning. Soak a clean soft cloth in water or luke- warm water then lightly wipe off any dirt.

NOTICE

(cid:2)Do not use organic substances (sol- vents, kerosene, alcohol, gasoline, etc.) or alkaline or acidic solutions. These chemicals can cause discolor- ing, staining or peeling of the sur- face.

(cid:2)If you use cleaners or polishing agents, make sure their ingredients do not include the substances men- tioned above.

(cid:2)If you use a liquid car freshener, do not spill the liquid onto the vehicle’s interior surfaces. It may contain the ingredients mentioned above. Im- mediately clean any spill using the method mentioned above.

Leather Interior The leather upholstery may be cleaned with neutral detergent for wool. Remove dirt using a soft cloth dampened with 5% solution of neutral detergent for wool. Then thoroughly wipe off all traces of detergent with a clean damp cloth. After cleaning or whenever any part of the leather gets wet, dry with a soft clean cloth. Allow the leather to dry in a ventilated shaded area.

NOTICE

(cid:2)If a stain should fail to come out with a neutral detergent, apply a cleaner that does not contain an organic solvent.

(cid:2)Never use organic substances such as benzine, alcohol or gasoline, or alkaline or acid solutions for clean- ing the leather as these could cause discoloring.

(cid:2)Use of a nylon brush or synthetic fi- ber cloth, etc. may scratch the fine grained surface of the leather.

(cid:2)Mildew may develop on soiled leath- er upholstery. Be especially careful to avoid oil spots. Try to keep your upholstery always clean.

(cid:2)Long exposure to direct sunlight may cause the leather surface to harden and shrink. Keep your ve- hicle in a shaded area, especially in the summer.

(cid:2)The interior of your vehicle is apt to heat up on hot summer days, so avoid placing on the upholstery items made of vinyl or plastic or containing wax as these tend to stick to leather when warm.

(cid:2)Improper cleaning of the leather up- holstery could result in discolor- ation or staining.

If you have any questions about the cleaning of your Toyota, your local To- yota dealer will be pleased to answer them.

Part 6
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE AND CARE

(cid:1) Maintenance requirements (cid:1) General maintenance (cid:1) Does your vehicle need

repairing?

For scheduled maintenance information, please refer to the separate “Owner’s Manual Supplement/Maintenance Schedule”.

Maintenance requirements Your Toyota vehicle has been designed for fewer maintenance requirements with longer service intervals to save both your time and money. However, each regular maintenance, as well as day-to-day care, is more important than ever before to ensure smooth, trouble-free, safe, and economical drivings. It is the owner’s responsibility to make sure the specified maintenance, including general maintenance service, is per- formed. Note that both the new vehicle and emission control system warranties specify that proper maintenance and care must be performed. See Owner’s Guide, Owner’s Manual Supplement or Warranty Booklet for complete warranty informa- tion. General maintenance General maintenance items are those day-to-day care practices that are impor- tant to your vehicle for proper operation. It is the owner’s responsibility to ensure that the general maintenance items are performed regularly. These checks or inspections can be done either by yourself or a qualified technician, or if you prefer, your Toyota dealer will be pleased to do them at a nominal cost.

Scheduled maintenance The scheduled maintenance items listed in the “Owner’s Manual Supplement/ Maintenance Schedule” are those re- quired to be serviced at regular intervals. For details of your maintenance Sched- ule, read the separate ”Owner’s Manual Supplement/Maintenance Schedule”. It is recommended that any replace- ment parts used for maintenance or for the repair of the emission control system be Toyota supplied. The owner may elect to use non-Toyo- ta supplied parts for replacement pur- poses without invalidating the emis- sion system warranty. However, use of replacement parts which are not of equivalent quality may impair the effectiveness of the emission control systems. You may also elect to have mainte- nance, replacement, or repair of the emission control devices and system performed by any automotive repair establishment or individual without invalidating this warranty. See Own- er’s Guide, Owner’s Manual Supple- ment or Warranty Booklet for complete warranty information.

control

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If you are a skilled do-it-yourself me- chanic, the Toyota service manuals are recommended. Please be aware that do- it-yourself maintenance can affect your warranty coverage. See Owner’s Guide, Owner’s Manual Supplement or Warranty Booklet for the details.

General maintenance Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be performed as fre- quently as specified. In addition to check- ing the items listed, if you notice any un- usual noise, smell or vibration, you should investigate the cause or take your vehicle to your Toyota dealer or a qualified service shop immediately. It is recommended that any problem you notice be brought to the attention of your dealer or the qualified service shop for their advice.

CAUTION

Make these checks only where adequate ventilation can be ob- tained if you run the engine.

OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE Items listed below should be per- formed from time to time, unless otherwise specified. Tire pressure Check the pressure with a gauge every two weeks, or at least once a month. See Chapter 7-2 for additional information.

Where to go for service? Toyota technicians are well-trained spe- cialists and are kept up to date with the lat- est service information through technical bulletins, service tips, and in-dealership training programs. They learn to work on Toyotas before they work on your vehicle, rather than while they are working on it. You can be confident that your Toyota dealer’s service department performs the best job to meet the maintenance require- ments on your vehicle—reliably and eco- nomically. Your copy of the repair order is proof that all required maintenance has been per- formed for warranty coverage. And if any problems should arise with your vehicle while under warranty, your Toyota dealer will promptly take care of it. Again, be sure to keep a copy of the repair order for any service performed on your Toyota. What about do-it-yourself mainte- nance? Many of the maintenance items are easy to do yourself if you have a little mechani- cal ability and a few basic automotive tools. Simple instructions for how to per- form them are presented in Part 7.

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Tire surface and wheel nuts Check the tires carefully for cuts, damage or excessive wear. See Chapter 7-2 for additional information. When checking the tires, make sure no nuts are missing, and check the nuts for looseness. Tighten them if necessary. Tire rotation Rotate the tires every 12000 km (7500
miles). See Chapter 7-2 for additional in- formation. Fluid leaks Check underneath for leaking fuel, oil, wa- ter or other fluid after the vehicle has been parked for a while. If you smell fuel fumes or notice any leak, have the cause found and corrected immediately. Doors and engine hood Check that all doors including trunk lid op- erate smoothly and all latches lock se- curely. Make sure the engine hood secon- dary latch secures the hood from opening when the primary latch is released. INSIDE THE VEHICLE Items listed below should be checked regularly, e.g. while performing peri- odic services, cleaning the vehicle, etc.

Lights Make sure the headlights, stop lights, tail lights, turn signal lights, and other lights are all working. Check headlight aim. Service reminder indicators and warn- ing buzzers Check that all service reminder indicators and warning buzzers function properly. Steering wheel Be alert for changes in steering condition, such as hard steering or strange noise. Seats Check that all front seat controls such as seat adjusters, seatback recliner, etc. op- erate smoothly and that all latches lock securely in any position. Check that the head restraints move up and down smoothly and that the locks hold securely in any latched position. For folding-down or swing-up rear seatbacks or rear seat cushion, check that the latches lock se- curely. Seat belts Check that the seat belt system such as buckles, retractors and anchors operate properly and smoothly. Make sure that the belt webbing is not cut, frayed, worn or damaged.

Accelerator pedal Check the pedal for smooth operation and uneven pedal effort or catching. Clutch pedal Check the pedal for smooth operation. Brake pedal Check the pedal for smooth operation and that the pedal has the proper clearance. Check the brake booster function. Brakes At a safe place, check that the brakes do not pull to one side when applied. Parking brake Check that the lever (lever type) or pedal (pedal type) has the proper travel and that, on a safe incline, your vehicle is held securely with only the parking brake ap- plied. Automatic transmission “Park” mech- anism Check the lock release button of the se- lector lever for proper and smooth opera- tion. On a safe incline, check that your ve- hicle is held securely with the selector lever in “P” position and all brakes re- leased.

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Power steering fluid level Check the level through the reservoir. The level should be in the “HOT” or “COLD” range depending on the fluid temperature. See Chapter 7-2 for additional informa- tion. Exhaust system If you notice any change in the sound of the exhaust or smell exhaust fumes, have the cause located and corrected immedi- ately. (See engine exhaust cautions in Part 2.)

IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT Items listed below should be checked from time to time, e.g. each time when refueling. Washer fluid Make sure there is sufficient fluid in the tank. See Chapter 7-3 for additional infor- mation. Engine coolant level Make sure the coolant level is between the “FULL” and “LOW” lines on the see- through reservoir. See Chapter 7-2 for additional information. Battery electrolyte level Make sure the electrolyte level of all bat- tery cells is between upper and lower level lines on the case. Add only distilled water when replenishing. See Chapter 7-3 for additional information. Brake fluid level Make sure the brake fluid level is correct. See Chapter 7-2 for additional informa- tion. Engine oil level Check the level on the dipstick with the en- gine turned off and the vehicle parked on a level spot. See Chapter 7-2 for addition- al information.

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If you notice any of these clues, take your vehicle to your Toyota dealer as soon as possible. It probably needs adjustment or repair.

CAUTION

Do not continue driving with the ve- hicle unchecked. It could result in serious vehicle damage and possi- bly personal injury.

Does your vehicle need repairing? Be on the alert for changes in perfor- mance, sounds, and visual tip-offs that in- dicate service is needed. Some important clues are as follows: (cid:1) Engine missing, stumbling, or pinging (cid:1) Appreciable loss of power (cid:1) Strange engine noises (cid:1) A leak under the vehicle (however, wa- ter dripping from the air conditioning after use is normal.)

(cid:1) Change in exhaust sound (This may indicate a dangerous carbon monox- ide leak. Drive with the windows open and have the exhaust system checked immediately.)

(cid:1) Flat-looking tire; excessive tire squeal

when cornering; uneven tire wear

(cid:1) Vehicle pulls to one side when driving

straight on a level road

(cid:1) Strange noises related to suspension