1997 TOYOTA TERCEL oil viscosity

105
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 combustionprocess.
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.
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 itappear that oil is excessively consumed
after driving as 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 bechecked every time you refuel the vehicle.
Failure to check the oil level
regularly could lead to serious
engine trouble due to insufficientoil.
NOTICE
For detailed information on the oil level
check, see Checking the engine oil levelº
in Chapter 7-2.
Facts about engine oil consumption

11 5
CAUTION
Before driving off, make sure that the parking brake if 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 suchspeeds.
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 tocheck 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 dealer- 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

152Here 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)
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 same amperage rating as original
Tools: Conventional wrench (for instrument
lower panel nut)
Adding washer fluid Parts: Water
Washer fluid containing antifreeze (for winter use)
Parts and tools

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.
API service symbol
ILSAC certification mark
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 Ener-
gy-Conserving IIº will have higher
fuel-saving capabilities than oils marked Energy-Conservingº.
The ILSAC (International Lubricant Stan-
dardization and Approval Committee)Certification Mark is displayed on the front
of the container.

176
Fuel type:
Unleaded gasoline, Research Octane
Number 91 (Octane rating 87) or higher
Fuel tank capacity, L (gal., Imp. gal.): 45 (11.9, 9.9) ENGINE
Valve clearance (engine cold), mm (in.)
Intake 0.15 '0.25 (0.006 '0.010)
Exhaust 0.31 '0.41 (0.012 '0.016)
Spark plug type:
NIPPONDENSO K16TR11
NGK BKR5EKB11
Spark plug gap, mm (in.):
1.1 (0.043)
Drive belt tension measured with Bor-
roughs drive belt tension gauge No.
BT-33-73F (used belt), Ibf:
100 + 20
ENGINE LUBRICATION Oil capacity (drain and refill), L (qt., Imp. qt.): With filter 2.8 (3.0, 2.5)
Without filter 2.6 (2.7, 2.3)
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.):
Automatic TransmissionVehicles sold in Puerto Rico
4.8 (5.1, 4.2)
Vehicles sold outside Puerto Rico
5.3 (5.6, 4.7)
Manual transmission 4.9 (5.2, 4.3)
Coolant type:
With ethylene-glycol antifreeze (Do not use alcohol type.)
Fuel Service specifications

177
BATTERY ÐMaintenance type battery
Specific gravity reading at 20 5C (68 5F):
1.260 Fully charged
1.160 Half charged
1.060 Discharged
ÐNon-maintenance battery Open voltage* at 20 5C (68 5F):
12.7 V Fully charged
12.3 V Half charged
11.9 V 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 MANUAL 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 3-speed type automatic transmission Automatic transmission
Fluid capacity (drain and refill), L (qt., Imp. qt.): Up to 2.5 (2.6, 2.2)
Diffarencial Fluid capacity, L (qt., Imp. qt.):
1.4 (1.5, 1.2)
4-speed type automatic transmission
Fluid capacity (drain and refill),L(qt., Imp. qt.): Up to 3.1 (3.3, 2.7)
Fluid type: Automatic transmission fluid D-II or DEXRON [
III (DEXRON [
II) BRAKES
Minumum pedal clearance when de- pressed with the pressure of 490 N (50
kgf, 110 lbf) with the engine running, mm (in.):
With anti-lock brake system55 (2.2)
Without anti-lock brake system 60 (2.4)
Pedal freeplay, mm (in.): 1Ð6 (0.04Ð0.24)
Pad wear limit, in. (mm):
1.0 (0.04)
Lining wear limit, in. (mm):
1.0 (0.04)
Parking brake adjustment when pulledwith the force of 196 N (20 kgf, 44 lbf):
5Ð8 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 Dexron II
or III