1996 TOYOTA CAMRY oil viscosity

133 The amount of engine oil consumed
depends on the viscosity of the oil, the
quality of the oil and the conditions
the vehicle is driven under.
More oil is consumed by high-speed driv-
ing and frequent acceleration and decel-
eration.
A new engine consumes more oil, since
its pistons, piston rings and cylinder walls
have not become conditioned.
When judging the amount of oil con-
sumption, note that the oil may be-
come diluted and make it difficult to
judge the true level accurately.
As an example, if a vehicle is used for re-
peated short trips, and consumes a nor-
mal amount of oil, the dipstick may not
show any drop in the oil level at all, even
after 1000 km (600 miles) or more. This is
because the oil is gradually becoming di-
luted with fuel or moisture, making it ap-
pear that the oil level has not changed.
The diluting ingredients evaporate out
when the vehicle is then driven at high
speeds, as on an expressway, making it
appear that oil is excessively consumed
after driving at high speeds.IMPORTANCE OF ENGINE OIL LEVEL
CHECK
One of the most important points in proper
vehicle maintenance is to keep the engine
oil at the optimum level so that oil function
will not be impaired. Therefore, it is essen-
tial that the oil level be checked regularly.
Toyota recommends that the oil level be
checked every time you refuel the vehicle.
NOTICE
Failure to check the oil level regu-
larly could lead to serious engine
trouble due to insufficient oil.
For detailed information on oil level check,
see Checking the engine oil levelº in
Chapter 7-2.
Your engine is fitted with twin ground elec-
trode spark plugs.
NOTICE
Use only twin ground electrode
spark plugs for your engine perfor-
mance.
Twin ground electrode spark
plugs (1MZ-FE engine)
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141
CAUTION!

Before driving off, make sure that
the parking brake is fully released
and the parking brake reminder
light is off.

Do not leave your vehicle unat-
tended while the engine is run-
ning.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.Make sure you have ethylene-glycol
antifreeze in the radiator.
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze.
NOTICE
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 dealerÐ
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.
Winter driving tips
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183
NOTICE
Remember that battery and igni-
tion cables carry high currents or
voltages. Be careful of accidental-
ly causing a short circuit.
Add only demineralized or dis-
tilled water to fill the radiator. And
if you spill some of the coolant, be
sure to wash off with water to pre-
vent it from damaging the parts or
paint.
Do not allow dirt or anything else
to fall through the spark plug
holes.
Use only spark plugs of the speci-
fied type. Using other types will
cause engine damage, loss of per-
formance or radio noise.
Do not reuse platinum-tipped
spark plugs by cleaning or regap-
ping.
Do not overfill automatic trans-
mission fluid, or the transmission
could be damaged.
Do not drive with the air cleaner
filter removed, or excessive en-
gine wear could result. Also back-
firing could cause a fire in the en-
gine compartment.
Be careful not to scratch the glass
surface with the wiper frame.
When closing the engine hood,
check to see that you have not for-
gotten any tools, rags, etc.
Here is a list of parts and tools you will
need on performing do-it-yourself main-
tenance. Remember all Toyota parts are
designed in metric sizes, so your tools
must be metric.
Checking the engine oil level
Parts (if level is low):

Engine oil API SH, Energy-Conserv-
ing IIº multigrade or ILSAC multigrade
having viscosity proper for your cli-
mate
Tools:

Rag or paper towel

Funnel (only for adding oil)
Checking the engine coolant level
Parts (if level is low):

Ethylene-glycol antifreeze

Demineralized or distilled water
Tools:

Funnel (only for adding coolant)
Checking brake fluid
Parts (if level is low):

SAE J1703 or FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3
brake fluid
Tools:

Rag or paper towel

Funnel (only for adding fluid)
Parts and tools
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186ENGINE OIL SELECTION
5S-FE engineÐUse API SH, Energy-
Conserving IIº multigrade engine oil or IL-
SAC multigrade engine oil.
Recommended viscosity (SAE):
If you use SAE 10W-30 engine oil in
extremely low temperatures, the en-
gine may become difficult to start, so
SAE 5W-30 engine oil is recom-
mended.1MZ-FE engineÐUse API SH, Energy-
Conserving IIº multigrade engine oil or IL-
SAC multigrade engine oil.
Recommended viscosity (SAE):
SAE 5W-30 is the best choice for your
vehicle, for good fuel economy, and
good starting in cold weather.
If you use SAE 10W-30 engine oil in
extremely low temperatures, the en-
gine may become difficult to start, so
SAE 5W-30 engine oil is recom-
mended.
Oil identification marks
Either or both API registered marks are
added to some oil containers to help
you select the oil you should use.
The API Service Symbol is located any-
where on the outside of the container.
The top portion of the label shows the oil
quality by API (American Petroleum Insti-
tute) designations such as SH. The cen-
ter portion of the label shows the SAE vis-
cosity grade such as SAE 5W-30.
Energy-Conserving IIº shown in the low-
er portion, indicates that the oil has fuel-
saving capabilities. Oils marked Energy-
Conserving IIº will have higher
fuel-saving capabilities than oils marked
Energy- Conservingº.
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211 1MZ-FE engine
With air conditioning
Generator belt 115 + 20
Power steering pump belt 115 + 20
Without air conditioning
Generator belt 115 + 20
Power steering pump belt 115 + 20
ENGINE LUBRICATION
Oil capacity (drain and refill), L (qt., Imp.
qt.):
5S-FE engine
With filter 3.6 (3.8, 3.2)
Without filter 3.4 (3.6, 3.0)
1MZ-FE engine
With filter 4.7 (5.0, 4.1)
Without filter 4.5 (4.8, 4.0)
Oil grade:
API SH, Energy-Conserving IIº multi-
grade engine oil or ILSAC multigrade
engine oil is recommended.Recommended oil viscosity (SAE):
COOLING SYSTEM
Total capacity, L (qt., Imp. qt.):
5S-FE engine 6.3 (6.7, 5.5)
1MZ-FE engine 9.3 (9.3, 8.2)Coolant type:
With ethylene-glycol antifreeze
(Do not use alcohol type.)
BATTERY
ÐMaintenance type battery
Specific gravity reading at 20C (68F):
1.260 Fully charged
1.160 Half charged
1.060 Discharged
ÐNon-Maintenance battery
Open voltage* at 20C (68F):
12.7V Fully charged
12.3V Half charged
11.9V Discharged
*: Voltage that is checked 20 minutes af-
ter the key is removed with all the lights
turned off
Charging rates:
Non-maintenance battery 5 A max.
Maintenance type battery
Quick charge 15 A max.
Slow charge 5 A max.
CLUTCH
Pedal freeplay, mm (in.):
5'15 (0.2'0.6)
Fluid type:
SAE J1703 or FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3
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212 MANUAL TRANSAXLE
Oil capacity, L (qt., Imp. qt.):
2.6 (2.7 , 2.3)
Oil type:
Multipurpose gear oil API GL-4 or
GL-5
Recommended oil viscosity:
SAE 75W-90
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE
Automatic transmission
Fluid capacity (drain and refill),
L (qt., Imp. qt.):
5S-FE engine Up to 2.5 (2.6, 2.2)
1MZ-FE engine Up to 3.5 (3.7, 3.1)
Fluid type:
Automatic transmission fluid
DEXRON
[-II
Differential
Fluid capacity, L (qt., Imp. qt.):
5S-FE engine
1.6 (1.7, 1.4)
1MZ-FE engine
0.85 (0.9, 0.7)Fluid type:
Automatic transmission fluid
DEXRON
[-II
BRAKES
Minimum pedal clearance when depressed
with the pressure of 490 N (590 kgf, 110 lbf)
with the engine running, mm (in.):
70 (2.8)
Pedal freeplay, mm (in.):
1'6 (0.04'0.24)
Pad wear limit, mm (in.):
1.0 (0.04)
Lining wear limit, mm (in.):
1.0 (0.04)
Lever type parking brake adjustment
when pulled with the force of 196 N (20
kgf, 44 lbf):
5Ð8 clicks
Pedal type parking brake adjustment
when depressed with the pressure of 294
N (30 kgf, 66.1 lbf):
3Ð6 clicks
Fluid type:
SAE J1703 or FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3
STEERING
Wheel freeplay:
Less than 30 mm (1.2 in.)
Power steering fluid type:
Automatic transmission fluid DEX-
RON
[-II or -III
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