33
CAUTION!
The SRS airbag system is designed 
only as  a supplement to the primary 
protection  of  the driver side seat belt
systems. The driver is particularly
susceptible to death or serious inju-
ry if he/she does not wear his/her
seat belt; when sudden braking or a 
collision  occurs, he/she may be 
thrown  forward into the deploying
SRS aribag. To obtain a maximum
protection  in an accident, the driver
and all passengers in the vehicle 
should  always wear their seat belts when driving because serious inju-
ries can result to unrestrained occu-
pants. For instructions and precau-
tions  concerning  the seat belt sys- 
tem, see Seat beltsº in this chapter.
CAUTION!
  Do not put objects on the steering 
wheel pad. They might restrict 
inflation  or cause serious injury as 
they are projected rearward by the force of a deploying airbag.
  Do not modify or remove any wir-
ing.  Do not modify, remove or open any components such as the steer- 
ing wheel column cover, airbag 
sensor assembly. Doing any of 
these may cause sudden SRS air- 
bag inflation or disable the system, 
which could result in death or seri- 
ous injury.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in death or serious inju- ries.
NOTICE
Do not perform any of the following changes without consulting your
Toyota dealer. Such changes caninterfere with proper operation of the SRS airbag system in somecases.
 Installation  of electronic itemssuch as a mobile two-way radio,
cassette tape player or compactdisc player
 Modification  of the suspension
system
 Modification  of the front endstructure
 Attachment of a grille guard (bullbar, kangaroo bar, etc.), snow-
plow  winches or any other equip-
ment to the front end
 Repairs made on or near the front end structure, console, steeringcolumn or steering wheel  
170Automatic 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 ºPº position and all brakes re- leased. 
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 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. The level 
should be in the HOTº or COLDº range 
depending on the fluid  temperature. SeeChapter 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 drivingstraight on a level road
  Strange noises related to suspensionmovement
  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?