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If you cannot shift the selector lever
out of ”P” position to other positions
even though the brake pedal is de-
pressed, use the shift lock override but-
ton as follows:
1. Turn the ignition key to ”LOCK” position. Make sure the parking
brake is set.
2. Pry up the cover with a flat −bladed
screwdriver or equivalent.3. Insert the screwdriver or equivalent into the hole to pull down the shift
lock override button. You can shift
out of ”P” position only while push-
ing the button.
4. Shift into ”N” position.
5. Insert the cover.
6. Start the engine. For your safety, keep the brake pedal depressed.
Be sure to have the system checked by
your Toyota dealer as soon as possible.
If you lose your keys
Many Toyota dealers can make a new
key if you can give them the key num-
ber. If your vehicle is equipped with the
engine immobiliser system, the dealer
will also need your master key.
See the suggestion given in ”Keys” in
Chapter 1 −2.
If your keys are locked in the vehicle and
you cannot get a duplicate, many Toyota
dealers can still open the door for you,
using their special tools. If you must
break a window to get in, we suggest
breaking the smallest side window be-
cause it is the least expensive to replace.
Be extremely cautious to avoid cuts from
the glass.
Vehicles with engine immobiliser system—
Even if you lose only one key, contact
your Toyota dealer to make a new key. If
you lose all your master keys, you cannot
make new keys; the whole system must
be replaced.
If you cannot shift automatic
transmission selector lever
(column shift)
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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 automatically 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 flying
or falling material, fluid spray, etc.
Used engine oil contains potentially
harmful contaminants which may
cause skin disorders such as in-
flammation or skin cancer, so care
should be taken to avoid prolonged
and repeated contact with it. To re-
move 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 fil-
ter in household trash, in sewers or
onto the ground. Call your dealer or
a service station for information
concerning recycling or disposal.
NOTICE
Remember that battery and ignition
cables carry high currents or volt-
ages. Be careful of accidentally
causing a short circuit.
Add only demineralized or distilled
water to fill the radiator. And if you
spill some of the coolant, be sure
to wash 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 reuse platinum −tipped spark
plugs by cleaning or regapping.
Do not overfill automatic transmis-
sion fluid, or the transmission
could be damaged.
Do not drive with the air cleaner
filter 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.
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Battery recharging precautions
During recharging, the battery is pro-
ducing hydrogen gas.
Therefore, before recharging:
1. If recharging with the battery installed on the vehicle, be sure to disconnect
the ground cable.
2. Be sure the power switch on the re- charger is off when connecting the
charger cables to the battery and when
disconnecting them.
CAUTION
Always charge the battery in an un-
confined area. Do not charge the
battery in a garage or closed room
where there is not sufficient ventila-
tion.
Only do a slow charge (5A or less).
Charging at a quicker rate is dan-
gerous. The battery may explode,
causing personal injuries.
NOTICE
Never recharge the battery while the
engine is running. Also, be sure all
accessories are turned off.
Checking and replacing fuses
Ty p e A
Ty p e B
Ty p e C Good
Blown
Good Blown
Blown
Good
If the headlights or other electrical
components do not work, check the
fuses. If any of the fuses are blown,
they must be replaced.
See ”Fuse locations” in Chapter 7
−1 for
locations of the fuses.
Turn the ignition switch and inoperative
component off. Pull a suspected fuse
straight out and check it.
Determine which fuse may be causing the
problem. The lid of the fuse box shows
the name of the circuit for each fuse. See
Part 8 of this manual for the functions
controlled by each circuit.
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Replacing light bulbs—
The following illustrations show how to
gain access to the bulbs. When replacing
a bulb, make sure the ignition switch and
light switch are off. Use bulbs with the
wattage ratings given in the table.
CAUTION
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas
inside and require special handling.
They can burst or shatter if scratched
or dropped. Hold a bulb only by its
plastic or metal case. Do not touch
the glass part of a bulb with bare
hands.
NOTICE
Only use a bulb of the listed type.
Light bulbsBulb
No.WTy p e
Headlights
(low beam)900651A
Headlights
(high beam)900560B
Front fog lights—55C
Parking and front turn
signaol lights3157 NA27/8E
Rear turn signal lights744021E
Stop and tail lights744321/5E
Rear side marker lights1683.8E
Back −up lights92118E
License plate lights1685E
High mounted
stop light92118E
Interior light—8F
Front personal lights—8D
Rear personal lights—8D
Glovebox light—1.2E
Door courtesy lights1945E
Trunk light—3F
A: HB4 halogen bulbs
B: HB3 halogen bulbs
C: H3 halogen bulbs
D: Single end bulbs
E: Wedge base bulbs
F: Double end bulbs
—Headlights
1. Unplug the connector while depress-
ing the lock release.
If the connector is tight, wiggle it.
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Tires
Tire size:
P205/65R15 92H
Tire pressure, kPa (kPa (kgf/cm
2 or bar,
psi): Front 220 (2.2, 32)
Rear 220 (2.2, 32)
Wheel size: 15 x 6JJ
Wheel nut torque, N m (kgfm, ft lbf):
103 (10.5, 76)
Fuses
Engine compartment (U.S.A)
Fuses (type A)
1. SPARE 7.5 A: Spare fuse
2. EFI 15 A: Multiport fuel injection sys-
tem/sequential multiport fuel injection
system, air c onditioning system, electri-
cal idle −up system, electronically con-
trolled automatic transmission system
3. HORN 10 A: Horn
4. OBD. TRAC 7.5 A: On−board diagnosis
system
5. OBD 7.5 A: On−board diagnosis sys-
tem
Engine compartment (Canada)
6. HAZ 10 A: Turn signal lights, emergen-
cy flasher
7. DOME 7.5 A: Interior light, personal
light, vanity mirror light, door courtesy
light, ignition switch light, trunk light,
power door lock control, locking with
wireless remote control system, theft
deterrent system, automatic light con-
trol system, daytime running light sys-
tem, service reminder indicators and
warning buzzer, clock
8. HEAD (LH) 15 A: Left−hand headlight
9. HEAD (RH) 15 A: Right−hand headlight
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Instrument panel
30. GAUGE 7.5 A: Gauge and meter,
buck −up lights, interior lights, charging
system, electronically controlled auto-
matic transmission system, cruise con-
trol system, power door lock system,
service reminder indicators and warning
buzzer, automatic light control system,
daytime running light system
31. TAIL 15 A: Parking lights, license plate
lights, tail lights, front side marker
lights
Passenger’s side kick panel
32. STOP 15 A: Stop lights, cruise control
system, high m ounted stoplight, anti/
lock brake system, shift lock system,
multiport fuel injection system/sequen-
tial multiport fuel injection system
33. PANEL 5 A: Gauge and meter, car
audio system, cigarette lighter, glove-
box light, clock, electronically controlled
automatic transmission system, air
conditioning system, service reminder
indicators, turn signal lights, emergency
flasher, headlight cleaner, seat heater
34. MIRROR HEATER 10 A: Mirror heaters35. CIG/RADIO 15 A:
Cigarette lighter, in-
terior lights, clock, SRS airbag system,
seat belt pretensioners, shift lock sys-
tem, electronically controlled automatic
transmission system, air conditioning
system, ignition system, theft deterrent
system, outside rear view mirror control
system, car audio system, service re-
minder indicators
36. HEATER 10 A: Air conditioning system,
rear window defogger, starter system
37. STARTER 5 A: Starter system
38. A.C 10 A: Air conditioning system
Fuses (type B)
39. MAIN 40 A: ”HEAD (LH)”, ”HEAD HI
(LH)”, ”HEAD (RH)” and ”HEAD HI
(RH)” fuses
40. RDI 30 A: Electric cooling fans
41. CDS 30 A: Electric cooling fans
42. DOOR 30 A: Power door lock system,
power seat
43. RR DEF 40 A: Rear window defogger
44. POWER 30A: Power window, electric
moon roof
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