1996 TOYOTA CELICA power steering fluid

126
If your engine stalls while driving0
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 startº.
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. CAUTION
!
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
0
1. Pull safely off the road, stop the vehicle
and turn on your emergency flashers. Put
the transmission in Pº (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.
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. CAUTION
!
3. Visually check to see if the engine drive
belt (water pump belt) is broken or loose.
Look for obvious coolant leaks from the ra-
diator, hoses, and under the vehicle. How-
ever, note that water draining from the air
conditioning is normal if it has been used.
When the engine is running, keep
hands and clothing away from the
moving fan and engine drive belts.
CAUTION
!
4. If the engine drive belt is broken or the
coolant is leaking, stop the engine imme-
diately. Call a Toyota dealer for assis-
tance.
5. If the engine drive belt is O.K. and
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.
Do not attempt to remove the radiator
cap when the engine and radiator are
hot. Serious injury could result from
scalding hot fluid and steam blown
out under pressure. CAUTION
!
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 your engine stalls while
driving If your vehicle overheats
(7A-FE engine)
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150
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 FULLº and LOWº lines on the see-
through reservoir when the engine is cold.
See Chapter 7-2 for additional informa-
tion.
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 l evel 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.
Power steering fluid level
Check the level on the dipstick (vehicles
with 7A-FE engine), or check the level
through the reservoir (vehicles with 5S-
FE engine). The level should be in the
HOTº or COLDº range depending on the
fluid temperature. See Chapter 7-2 for
additional information. 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.)
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:

Engine missing, stumbling, or pinging

Appreciable loss of power

Strange engine noises

A leak under the vehicle (however, wa-
ter dripping from the air conditioning
after use is normal.)

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.)

Flat-looking tire; excessive tire squeal
when cornering; uneven tire wear

Vehicle pulls to one side when driving
straight on a level road

Strange noises related to suspension
movement

Loss of brake effectiveness; spongy
feeling brake or clutch pedal; pedal al-
most touches floor; vehicle pulls to one
side when braking

Engine coolant temperature continual-
ly higher than normal
Does your vehicle need
repairing?
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154
1. Engine oil level dipstick
2. Power steering fluid reservoir
3. Brake fluid reservoir
4. Fuse blocks
5. Battery
6. Engine coolant reservoir
7. Electric cooling fans
8. Engine oil filler cap
9. Windshield and rear window washer fluid tank
Engine compartment overview

7A-FE engine
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155
1. Power steering fluid reservoir
2. Engine oil filler cap
3. Brake fluid reservoir
4. Fuse blocks
5. Battery
6. Engine coolant reservoir
7. Electric cooling fans
8. Engine oil level dipstick
9. Windshield and rear window washer fluid tank
Engine compartment overview

5S-FE engine
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157
If you perform maintenance by your-
self, be sure to follow the correct pro-
cedure given in this part.
You should be aware that improper or in-
complete servicing may result in operat-
ing problems.
Performing do-it-yourself maintenance
during the warranty period may affect
your warranty coverage. Read the sepa-
rate Toyota Warranty statement for details
and suggestions.
This part gives instructions only for those
items that are relatively easy for an owner
to perform. As explained in Part 6, there
are still a number of items that must be
done by a qualified technician with special
tools.
For information on tools and parts for do-
it-yourself maintenance, see Parts and
toolsº.
Utmost care should be taken when work-
ing on your vehicle to prevent accidental
injury. Here are a few precautions that
you should be especially careful to ob-
serve:
 When the engine is running, keep
hands, clothing, and tools away
from the moving fan and engine
drive belts. (Removing rings,
watches, and ties is advisable.)
 Right after driving, the engine
compartmentÐthe engine, radia-
tor, exhaust manifold, power
steering fluid reservoir and spark
plug boots, etc.Ðwill be hot. So
be careful not to touch them. Oil,
fluids and spark plugs may also be
hot.
 If the engine is hot, do not remove
the radiator cap or loosen the
drain plugs to prevent burning
yourself.
 Do not smoke, cause sparks or al-
low open flames around fuel or the
battery. Their fumes are flam-
mable.
 Be extremely cautious when work-
ing on the battery. It contains poi-
sonous and corrosive sulfuric
acid.
 Do not get under your vehicle with
just the body jack supporting it.
Always use automotive jack
stands or other solid supports. CAUTION
!
Be sure that the ignition is off if you
work near the electric cooling fans
or radiator grille. With the ignition
on, the electric cooling fans will au-
tomatically start to run if the engine
coolant temperature is high and/or
the air conditioning is on.
 Use eye protection whenever you
work on or under your vehicle
where you may be exposed to fly-
ing or falling material, fluid spray,
etc.
 Used engine oil contains potential-
ly harmful contaminants which
may cause skin disorders such as
inflammation or skin cancer, so
care should be taken to avoid pro-
longed and repeated contact with
it. To remove used engine oil from
your skin, wash thoroughly with
soap and water.
 Do not leave used oil within the
reach of children.
 Dispose of used oil and filter only
in a safe and acceptable manner.
Do not dispose of used oil and filter
in household trash, in sewers or
onto the ground. Call your dealer
or a service station for information
concerning recycling or disposal.
Do-it-yourself service
precautions
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159
Checking power steering fluid
Parts (if level is low):
Automatic transmission fluid DEX-
RON
[II or III
Tools:
 Rag or paper towel
 Funnel (only for adding fluid)
Checking battery condition
Non-maintenance batteriesÐ
Tools:
 Warm water
 Baking soda
 Grease
 Conventional wrench (for terminal
clamp bolts)
Maintenance type batteriesÐ
Parts (if level is low):
 Distilled water
Tools:
 Warm water
 Baking soda
 Grease
 Conventional wrench (for terminal
clamp bolts)
 Coin (for vent plugs)
 Funnel (only for adding distilled water) Checking and replacing fuses
Parts (if replacement is necessary):

Fuse with the same amperage rating
as original
Tools:
 Screwdriver (for passenger's side kick
panel screw)
Adding washer fluid
Parts:
 Water
 Washer fluid containing antifreeze (for
winter use)
Tools:
 Funnel
Replacing light bulbs
Parts:
 Bulb with same number and wattage
rating as original (See charts in Re-
placing light bulbsº in Chapter 7-3.)
Tools:
 Screwdriver
 Conventional wrench
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Part 7Checking the engine oil level161
DO-IT-YOURSELF
MAINTENANCEÐ
Chapter 7-2
Engine and Chassis

Checking the engine oil level

Checking the engine coolant
level

Checking brake fluid

Checking power steering fluid

Checking tire pressure

Checking and replacing tires

Rotating tires

Installing snow tires and chains

Replacing wheels

Aluminum wheel precautions
With the engine at operating tempera-
ture and turned off, check the oil level
on the dipstick.
1. To get a true reading, the vehicle
should be on a level spot. After turning off
the engine, wait a few minutes for the oil
to drain back into the bottom of the en-
gine.
2. Pull out the dipstick, and wipe it clean
with a rag.
3. Reinsert the dipstick 'push it in as far
as it will go, or the reading will not be cor-
rect.
4. Pull the dipstick out and look at the oil
level on the end.
CAUTION
Be careful not to touch the hot ex-
haust manifold.!
If the oil level is below or only slightly
above the low level line, add engine oil
of the same type as already in the en-
gine.
Remove the oil filter cap and add engine
oil in small quantities at a time, checking
the dipstick.
The approximate quantity of oil needed to
fill between the low level line and the full
level on the dipstick is indicated below for
reference.
When the level reaches within the correct
range, install the filler cap hand-tight.
Oil quantity, L (qt., Imp. qt.): 7A-FE engine 1.2 (1.3, 1.1)
5S-FE engine 1.0 (1.1, 0.9)

Avoid overfilling, or the engine could be damaged.
Check the oil level on the dipstick
once again after adding the oil.
NOTICE
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164
To check the fluid level, simply look at
the see-through reservoir. The level
should be between the MAXº and
MINº lines on the reservoir.
It is normal for the brake fluid level to go
down slightly as the brake pads wear. So
be sure to keep the reservoir filled.
If the reservoir needs frequent refilling, it
may indicate a serious mechanical prob-
lem. If the level is low, add SAE J1703 or
FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3 brake fluid to the
brake reservoir.
Remove and replace the reservoir cover
by hand. Fill the brake fluid to the dotted
line.
This brings the fluid to the correct lev-
el when you put the cover back on.
Use only newly opened brake fluid. Once
opened, brake fluid absorbs moisture
from the air, and excess moisture can
cause a dangerous loss of braking.CAUTION
Take care when filling the reservoir
because brake fluid can harm your
eyes and damage painted surfaces.
If fluid gets in your eyes, flush your
eyes with clean water.!
If you spill the fluid, be sure to wash it off with water to prevent it from
damaging the parts or paint.
NOTICE
Check the fluid level on the dipstick. If
necessary, add automatic transmis-
sion fluid DEXRON
[-II or -III.
If the vehicle has been driven around 80
km/h (50 mph) for 20 minutes (a little more
in frigid temperatures), the fluid is hot
(60 C ' 80 C or 140 F ' 175 F). You
may also check the level when the fluid is
cold (about room temperature,
10 C ' 30 C or 50 F ' 85 F) if the en-
gine has not been run for about five hours.
a. Clean all dirt from outside of the reser-
voir tank.
b. Remove the filler cap by turning it
counterclockwise and wipe the dipstick
clean.
Checking brake fluid Checking power steering fluid
(with 7A-FE engine)
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