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New L/C100(U)153
Fuel
FUEL TYPE
Your new vehicle must use only un-
leaded gasoline.
To help prevent gas station mix- ups, your
Toyota has a new smaller fuel tank open-
ing. The special nozzle on pumps with
unleaded fuel will fit it, but the larger
standard nozzle on pumps with leaded gas
will not.
At a minimum, the gasoline you use
should meet the specifications of ASTM
D4814 in the U.S.A. and CGSB 3.5- M93
in Canada.
NOTICE
Do not use leaded gasoline. Use of
leaded gasoline will cause the three-way catalytic converter to lose its ef-
fectiveness, the emission control sys-
tem to function improperly, and dam-age to the engine. Also, this can in-crease maintenance costs.
OCTANE RATING
Select Octane Rating 91 (Research Oc-
tane Number 96) or higher for optimum
engine performance. However, if such
premium type cannot be obtained, you
may temporarily use unleaded gasoline
with an Octane Rating as low as 87
(Research Octane Number 91).
Use of unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating or research octane number lower
than stated above will cause persistent
heavy knocking. If it is severe, this will
lead to engine damage.
If your engine knocks...
If you detect heavy knocking even when
using the recommended fuel, or if you
hear steady knocking while holding a
steady speed on level roads, consult your
Toyota dealer.
However, now and then, you may notice
light knocking for a short time while accel-
erating or driving up hills. This is no need
of concern. GASOLINES CONTAINING DETERGENT
ADDITIVES
Toyota recommends use of gasolines
that contain detergent additives to
avoid build- up of engine deposits.
For further details, ask your Toyota dealer
or a local gasoline retailer.
IMPROVED GASOLINES
The American Automobile Manufacturers
Association (AAMA) has developed a
specification of improved gasolines. The
AAMA specification offers optimal fuel
information for better vehicle perfor-
mance and better protection of your en-
gine.
Toyota recommends the use of gasolines
that meet the AAMA specification, if avail-
able, for improved driveability and emis-
sion control system.
GASOLINES CONTAINING MTBE
Gasolines that contain MTBE (Methyl
Tertiary- Butyl Ether) are available in the
market. If you use a gasoline mixed
with MTBE, make certain that it does
not contain more than 15% of MTBE.
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New L/C100(U)
154
GASOLINES CONTAINING MMT
Some gasolines contain an octane- en-
hancing additive called MMT (methylcy-
clopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl).
Toyota does not recommend the use of
gasolines that contain MMT. If fuels con-
taining MMT are used, your emission con-
trol system may be adversely affected.
The Malfunction Indicator Lamp on the in-
strument cluster may come on. If this hap-
pens, contact your Toyota dealer for ser-
vice.
GASOLINES CONTAINING ALCOHOL
If you use gasohol in your Toyota, be
sure that it is unleaded, has an octane
rating no lower than 87 and does not
contain more than 10% ethanol.
Gasohol is a mixture of gasoline and etha-
nol.
Toyota does not recommend the use of
gasolines containing methanol. If you use
gasoline containing methanol, use only
gasoline meeting the requirements above
and also containing less than 5% metha-
nol with cosolvents and corrosion inhibi-
tors for methanol.
GASOLINES QUALITY
In a very few cases, you may experience
driveability problems caused by the partic-
ular gasoline that you are using. If you
continue to have unacceptable driveability,
try changing gasoline brands. If that does
not rectify your problem, then consult your
Toyota dealer.
NOTICE
Do not use gasohol other than
stated above. It will cause fuel sys-tem damage or vehicle performanceproblems.
If drive ability problems are occur (poor hot starting, vaporizing, en-gine knock, etc.), discontinue the
use.
Take care not to spill gasohol dur-ing refueling. Gasohol may causepaint damage.
FUEL TANK CAPACITY
96 L (25.4 gal., 21.1 Imp. gal.) Operation in foreign countries
If you plan to drive your Toyota in
another country...
First,
comply with the vehicle registration
laws.
Second, confirm the availability of the
correct fuel (unleaded and minimum oc-
tane number).
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New L/C100(U)155
Three- way catalytic converter
The three- way catalytic converter is the
emission control devices installed in
the exhaust system.
Its purpose is to reduce pollutants in the
exhaust gas.
CAUTION
Keep people and combustible mate-
rials away from the exhaust pipe
while the engine is running. The
exhaust gas is very hot.
Do not idle or park your vehicle
over anything that might burn easi-
ly such as grass, leaves, paper or
rags.
NOTICE
A large amount of unburned gases
flowing into the three- way catalyticconverter may cause it to overheat and create a fire hazard. To prevent
this and other damage, observe thefollowing precautions:
Use only unleaded gasoline.
Do not drive with an extremely lowfuel level; running out of fuel could
cause the engine to misfire, creat-ing an excessive load on the three- way catalytic converter.
Do not allow the engine to run atidle speed for more than 20 min-
utes.
Avoid racing the engine.
Do not push- start or pull- start yourvehicle.
Do not turn off the ignition whilethe vehicle is moving.
Keep your engine in good runningorder. Malfunctions in the engine
electrical system, electric ignitionsystem/distributor ignition system
or fuel system could cause an ex-tremely high three- way catalytic
converter temperature.
If the engine becomes difficult to
start or stalls frequently, take yourvehicle in for a check- up as soon
as possible. Remember, your Toyotadealer knows your vehicle and itsthree- way catalytic converter sys-
tem best.
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156
To ensure that the three- way cata- lytic converter and the entire emis-sion control system operate proper- ly, your vehicle must receive the
periodic inspections required by theToyota Maintenance Schedule. Forscheduled maintenance information,
refer to the separate ºScheduledMaintenance Guideº or ºOwner's
Manual Supplementº.
Engine exhaust cautions
CAUTION
Avoid inhaling the engine exhaust.
It contains carbon monoxide, which
is a colorless and odorless gas. It
can cause unconsciousness or even
death.
Make sure the exhaust system has
no holes or loose connections. The
system should be checked from
time to time. If you hit something,
or notice a change in the sound of
the exhaust, have the system
checked immediately.
Do not run the engine in a garage
or enclosed area except for the
time needed to drive the vehicle in
or out. The exhaust gases cannot
escape, making this a particularly
dangerous situation.
Do not remain for a long time in a
parked vehicle with the engine run-
ning. If it is unavoidable, however,
do so only in an unconfined area
and adjust the heating or cooling
system to force outside air into the
vehicle.
Keep the back door and quarter
windows closed while driving. An
open or unsealed back door and
quarter windows may cause exhaust
gases to be drawn into the vehicle.
To allow proper operation of your
vehicle's ventilation system, keep
the inlet grilles in front of the wind-
shield clear of snow, leaves, or oth-
er obstructions.
If you smell exhaust fumes in the
vehicle, drive with the windows
open and the back door closed.
Have the cause immediately located
and corrected.
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New L/C100(U)157
FUNCTIONS OF ENGINE OIL
Engine oil has the primary functions of
lubricating and cooling the inside of the
engine, and plays a major role in main-
taining 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 pis-
ton 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 combustion
gases during the combustion process.
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 de-
pends 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 become
diluted and make it difficult to judge
the true level accurately. As an example, if a vehicle is used for
repeated 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
appear 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 prop-
er vehicle maintenance is to keep the en-
gine oil at the optimum level so that oil
function will not be impaired. Therefore, it
is essential 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 troubledue to insufficient oil.
Facts about engine oil
consumption
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New L/C100(U)
158
For detailed information on oil level check,
see ºChecking the engine oil levelº in
Chapter 7- 2.
Your engine is fitted with iridium- tipped
spark plugs.
NOTICE
Use only iridium- tipped spark spark
plugs for your engine performanceand smooth drivability.
Brake system
BRAKE SYSTEM
This brake system has two independent
hydraulic circuits. If either circuit should
fail, the other will still work. However, the
pedal will be harder to press, and your
stopping 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 brake fluid pres-
surized by the pump to power- assist the
brakes. If the brake booster fails during
driving, the brake system warning light
comes on and buzzer sound continuously.
In this case the brakes may not work
properly. If they do not work well, depress
the brake pedal firmly. If the brake system
warning light comes on, immediately stop
your vehicle and contact your Toyota deal-
er.
Iridium- tipped spark plugs
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New L/C100(U)159
There may be the case that the brake
system warning light stays on for a
bout
60 seconds after the engine is started. It
is normal if the light goes out after a
while.
Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly
may turn on the brake system warning
light and buzzer. It is normal if the light
goes out and the buzzer stops sounding
after a few seconds.
You may hear a small sound in the engine
compartment after the engine is started or
the brake pedal is depressed repeatedly.
This is a pump pulsating sound of the
brake system, and it is not a malfunction.
CAUTION
Do not pump the brake pedal if the
engine stalls. Each push on the
pedal uses up your brake fluid
pressure reserve.
Even if the power assist is com-
pletely lost, the brakes will still
work. But you will have to push the
pedal hardÐmuch harder than nor-
mal. And your braking distance will
be longer.
ANTI- LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (with
ºABSº warning light)
The anti-lock brake system is designed to
automatically help prevent lock-up of the
wheels during sudden braking or braking
on slippery road surfaces. This assists in
providing directional stab ility and steering
performance of the vehicle under these
circumstances.
The anti- lock brake system becomes op-
erative after the vehicle has accelerated
to a speed in excess of approximately 10
km/h (6 mph). It stops operating when the
vehicle decelerates to a speed below
approximately 5 km/h (3 mph).
You may hear a sound in the engine
compartment for a few seconds when the
engine is started or just after the vehicle
is started. This means that the anti- lock
brake system is in the self check mode,
and does not indicate a malfunction.
Effective way to press the ºABSº brake
pedal: When the anti- lock brake system
function is in action, you may feel the
brake pedal pulsating and hear a noise.
In this situation, to let the anti- lock
brake system work for you, just hold the
brake pedal down more firmly. Do not
pump the brake in a panic stop. Pump-
ing the brake pedal makes the stopping
distance longer.
The brake pedal pulsation caused by the
anti- lock brake system may indicate haz-
ardous road surface conditions. Although
the anti- lock brake system assists in pro-
viding vehicle control, it is still important
to drive with all due care, because the
anti- lock brake system cannot overcome
the laws of physics that act on your ve-
hicle: Braking capab ility is dependent on tire
friction with the road surface.
Even though the anti- lock brake sys-
tem is operating, a driver cannot main-
tain full control on certain slippery road
surfaces, when cornering at high
speeds, or in violent maneuvers.
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