1996 TOYOTA COROLLA oil viscosity

109 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
diluted 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
regularly 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.TANDEM MASTER CYLINDER BRAKE
SYSTEM
The tandem master cylinder brake system
is a hydraulic system with two separate
sub-systems. If either sub-system should
fail, the other will still work. However, the
pedal will be harder to press, and your stop-
ping distance will be longer. Also, the brake
system warning light may come on.
CAUTION!
Do not drive your vehicle with only
a single brake system. Have your
brakes fixed immediately.
BRAKE BOOSTER
The brake booster uses engine vacuum to
power-assist the brakes. If the engine
should quit while you are driving, you can
bring the vehicle to a stop with normal
pedal pressure. There is enough reserve
vacuum for one or two stopsÐbut no
more!
CAUTION!

Do not pump the brake pedal if the
engine stalls. Each push on the
pedal uses up your vacuum re-
serve.
Brake system
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11 7

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
longer stopping distance, and it
may pull to one side when the
brakes are applied. Also, the park-
ing brake will not hold the vehicle
securely.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 deal-
erÐhe 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.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.
Do not use engine antifreeze or any
other substitute as washer fluid be-
cause it may damage your vehicle's
paint.
NOTICE
Do not use your parking brake when
there is a possibility it could freeze.
When parking, put the transmission into
Pº (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.
Winter driving tips
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152
Remember that battery and igni-
tion cables carry high currents or
voltages. Be careful of accidentally
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 it off with water to
prevent it from damaging the parts
or paint.
Do not allow dirt or anything else
to fall through the spark plug
holes.
Do not pry the outer electrode of a
spark plug against the center elec-
trode.
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 overfill automatic trans-
mission fluid, or the transmission
could be damaged.
NOTICEDo not drive with the air cleaner fil-
ter removed, or excessive engine
wear could result. Also backfiring
could cause a fire in the engine
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-Con-
serving IIº multigrade or ILSAC mul-
tigrade having viscosity proper for
your climate
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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156ENGINE OIL SELECTION
Use API SH, Energy-Conserving IIº mul-
tigrade engine oil or ILSAC multigrade en-
gine 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 center
portion of the label shows the SAE viscos-
ity grade such as SAE 5W-30. Energy-
Conserving IIº shown in the lower portion,
indicates that the oil has fuel-saving capa-
bilities. Oils marked Energy-Conserving
IIº will have higher fuel-saving capabilities
than oil marked Energy-Conservingº.The ILSAC (International Lubricant Stan-
dardization and Approval Committee) Cer-
tification Mark is displayed on the front of
the container.
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183 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.):
4A-FE engine
NIPPONDENSO RADIATOR
Manual transmission 5.3 (5.6, 4.7)
Automatic transmission 5.9 (6.2, 5.2)
HARRISON RADIATOR
Manual transmission 6.0 (6.3, 5.3)
Automatic transmission 5.9 (6.2, 5.2)
7A-FE engine
NIPPONDENSO RADIATOR
Manual transmission 5.5 (5.8, 4.8)
Automatic transmission 6.2 (6.6, 5.5)
HARRISON RADIATOR
Manual transmission 6.2 (6.6, 5.5)
Automatic transmission 6.1 (6.4, 5.4)Coolant type:
With ethylene-glycol antifreeze (Do not
use alcohol type.)
BATTERY
ÐMaintenance type battery
Specific gravity reading at 205C (685F):
1.260 Fully charged
1.160 Half charged
1.060 Discharged
ÐNon-maintenance battery
Open voltage* at 205C (685F):
12.7 V Fully charged
12.3 V Half charged
11.9 V Discharged
*: Voltage that is checked 20 minutes after
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 3MANUAL TRANSAXLE
Oil capacity, L (qt., Imp. qt.):
1.9 (2.0, 1.7)
Oil type:
Multipurpose gear oil API GL-4 or GL-5
Recommended oil viscosity:
SAE 75W-90
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE
(4-speed type)
Fluid capacity (drain and refill), L (qt., Imp.
qt.):
Up to 3.1 (3.3, 2.7)
Fluid type:
Automatic transmission fluid DII or
DEXRON[III (DEXRON[II)
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSON
(3-speed type)
Fluid capacity (drain and refill), L (qt., Imp.
qt.):
Up to 2.5 (2.6, 2.2)
Fluid type:
Automatic transmission fluid D II or
DEXRON
[III (DEXRON[II)
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