1996 TOYOTA CAMRY trunk

Part 1Keys
7
OPERATION OF
INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLSÐ
Chapter 1-2
Keys and Doors

Keys

Side doors

Power windows

Trunk lid

Back door

Hood

Fuel tank cap

Electric moon roof
The master key works in every lock.
The subkey will not work in the trunk
and glovebox.
To protect things locked in the trunk or
glvebox when you have your vehicle
parked, leave the subkey with the atten-
dant.
Since the side doors, back door and trunk
lid can be locked without a key, you should
always carry a spare master key in case
you accidentally lock your keys inside the
vehicle.Keep the key number plate in a safe
place such as your wallet, not in the
vehicle.
If you should lose your keys or if you need
additional keys, duplicates can be made
by a Toyota dealer using the key number.
You should also put a copy of the key
number with your important papers.
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11

Never leave small children alone in
the vehicle, especially with the igni-
tion key still inserted. They could
use the power window switches
and get trapped in a window. Unat-
tended children can become in-
volved in serious accidents.
To open the trunk lid from the outside,
insert the master key and turn it clock-
wise.
See Luggage stowage precautionsº in
Part 2 for precautions to observe in load-
ing luggage.
To close the trunk lid, lower it and press
down on it. After closing the trunk lid, try
pulling it up to make sure it is securely
closed.
CAUTION!
Keep the trunk lid closed while driv-
ing. This not only keeps the luggage
from being thrown out but also pre-
vents exhaust gases from entering
the vehicle.
To open the trunk lid from the driver's
seat, pull up on the lock release lever.
ÐLock release lever Trunk lid (sedan and coupe)Ð
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This system deactivates the lock re-
lease lever so that things locked in the
trunk can be protected.
1. Push down the security lock levers
to lock the rear seatbacks.
After locking the rear seatbacks, try folding
them down to make sure they are securely
lockedÐotherwise, someone could get
into the trunk by folding down a rear seat.2. After closing the trunk lid, insert the
master key and turn it counterclock-
wise to deactivate the lock release lev-
er.
After closing the trunk lid, try pulling it up
to make sure it is securely locked.
ÐLuggage security system Back door (wagon)Ð
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24
Before entry, push the seat belt hanger
down as far as it will go if it is in the
raised position.
After passengers are in, lift up the seat-
back and return the seat until it locks.
CAUTION!

After putting back the seat, try
pushing the seat forward and rear-
ward to make sure that it is se-
cured in place.

Never allow anyone to rest their
foot on the release pedal while the
vehicle is moving.
Unlock the seatback, and fold it down.
This will enlarge the trunk room as far as
the front seatbacks. See Luggage stow-
age precautionsº in Part 2 for precautions
to observe in loading luggage.
If desired, each seatback may be folded
separately.
CAUTION!
When returning the seatback to the
upright position:

Make sure the seat belts are not
twisted or caught in the seatback
and are arranged in their proper
position for ready use.

Make sure the seatback is secure-
ly locked by pushing forward and
rearward on the top of the seat-
back.
Rear seatsÐ
ÐFold-down rear seat
(sedan and coupe)
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132
CAUTION!

Avoid inhaling the engine exhaust.
It contains carbon monoxide,
which is a colorless and odorless
gas. It can cause unconscious-
ness or even death.

Make sure the exhaust system has
no holes or loose connections.
The system should be checked
from time to time. If you hit some-
thing, or notice a change in the
sound of the exhaust, have the
system checked immediately.

Do not run the engine in a garage
or enclosed area except for the
time needed to drive the vehicle in
or out. The exhaust gases cannot
escape, making this a particularly
dangerous situation.

Do not remain for a long time in a
parked vehicle with the engine
running. If it is unavoidable, how-
ever, do so only in an unconfined
area and adjust the heating or
cooling system to force outside air
into the vehicle.

Keep the trunk lid or back door
closed while driving. An open or
unsealed trunk lid or back door
may cause exhaust gases to be
drawn into the vehicle. If you must
drive with the trunk lid or back
door open to accommodate a
large object, close the windows,
open all the instrument panel
vents and have the heating or
cooling system deliver fresh air
into the vehicle by turning the fan
to high speed with the air intake
control set at the OUTSIDE AIR
position.

To allow proper operation of your
vehicle's ventilation system, keep
the inlet grilles in front of the wind-
shield clear of snow, leaves, or
other obstructions.

If you smell exhaust fumes in the
vehicle, drive with the windows
open and the trunk lid or back
door closed. Have the cause im-
mediately located and corrected.FUNCTIONS OF ENGINE OIL
Engine oil has the primary functions of lu-
bricating and cooling the inside of the en-
gine, and plays a major role in maintaining
the engine in proper working order.
ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION
It is normal that an engine should con-
sume some engine oil during normal
engine operation. The causes of oil
consumption in a normal engine are
as follows.

Oil is used to lubricate pistons, piston
rings and cylinders. A thin film of oil is
left on the cylinder wall when a piston
moves downwards in the cylinder.
High negative pressure generated
when the vehicle is decelerating sucks
some of this oil into the combustion
chamber. This oil as well as some part
of the oil film left on the cylinder wall is
burned by the high temperature com-
bustion gases during the combustion
process.

Oil is also used to lubricate the stems
of the intake valves. Some of this oil is
sucked into the combustion chamber
together with the intake air and is
burned along with the fuel. High tem-
perature exhaust gases also burn the
oil used to lubricate the exhaust valve
stems.
Facts about engine oil
consumption Engine exhaust cautions
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136When stowing luggage or cargo in the ve-
hicle, observe the following:

Put luggage or cargo in the trunk or
luggage compartment when at all pos-
sible. Be sure all items are secured in
place.

Be careful to keep the vehicle bal-
anced. Locating the weight as far
forward as possible helps maintain
this.

For better fuel economy, do not carry
unneeded weight.
CAUTION!

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.

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.

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.

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.
The vehicle identification number
(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 Your Toyota's identification
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154
NOTICE
Do not continue driving with a
deflated tire. Driving even a short
distance can damage a tire beyond
repair.
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
ONLYº 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.

The compact spare tire was de-
signed especially for your Toyota.
Do not use it on any other vehicle.

Do not exceed 80 km/h (50 mph)
when driving with the compact
spare tire.CAUTION
!
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.
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173 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 Parkº 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 Pº position and all brakes re-
leased.ProCarManuals.com