
New L/C100(U)209
Tire surface and wheel nuts 
Check the tires carefully for cuts, damage
or excessive wear. See Chapter 7- 2 for 
additional information. When checking the 
tires, make sure no nuts are missing, and
check the nuts for looseness. Tighten 
them if necessary. 
Tire rotation 
Rotate the tires every 12000 km (7500 
miles). See Chapter 7- 2 for additional in- 
formation. 
Fluid leaks 
Check underneath for leaking fuel, oil, wa-
ter or other fluid after the vehicle has 
been parked for a while.  If you smell fuel 
fumes or notice any  leak, have the cause
found and corrected immediately. 
Doors and engine hood 
Check that all doors and back door oper- 
ate smoothly and all latches lock securely. 
Make sure the engine hood secondary
latch secures the hood from opening when 
the primary latch is released.
INSIDE THE VEHICLE 
Items listed below should be checked 
regularly, e.g. while performing periodic 
services, cleaning the vehicle, etc. 
Lights 
Make sure the headlights, stop lights, tail 
lights, turn signal lights, and other lights
are all working. Check headlight aim. 
Service reminder indicators and warning 
buzzers
Check that all service reminder indicators 
and warning buzzers  function properly. 
Steering wheel 
Be alert for changes in steering condition, 
such as hard steering or strange noise. 
Seats 
Check that all front seat controls such as
seat adjusters, seatback recliner, etc. op- 
erate smoothly and that all latches lock 
securely in any position. Check that the
head restraint move up and down smooth- 
ly and that the locks hold securely in any 
latched position. For folding- down rear
seatbacks, swing- up rear seat cushions 
and detachable third seats, check that the 
latches lock securely.Seat belts
Check that the seat belt system such as
buckles,  retractors and anchors operate 
properly and smoothly. Make sure that the 
belt webbing is not cut, frayed, worn or
damaged. 
Accelerator pedal 
Check the pedal for smooth operation and
uneven pedal effort or catching. 
Brake pedal 
Check the pedal for smooth operation and 
that the pedal has  the proper  clearance. 
Check the brake booster function. 
Brakes 
At a safe place, check that the brakes do 
not pull to one side when applied. 
Parking brake 
Check that the lever has the proper travel
and that, on a safe incline, your vehicle 
is held securely with only the parking 
brake applied. 

New L/C100(U)
210
Automatic transmission ºParkº mecha- 
nism
Check the lock release button of the se- 
lector lever for proper and smooth opera- 
tion. On a safe incline, check  that your
vehicle 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 in- 
formation. 
Engine coolant level 
Make sure the coolant level is between
the ºFULLº and ºLOWº lines on the see- 
through reservoir when the engine is cold. 
See Chapter 7- 2 for additional information. 
Battery electrolyte level 
Make sure the electrolyte level of all bat-
tery cells is between upper and lower lev- 
el 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 information. 
Engine oil level 
Check the level on the dipstick with the
engine turned off and the vehicle parked 
on a level spot. See Chapter 7- 2 for addi- 
tional information. 
Power steering fluid level 
Check the level through the reservoir. The
level should be in the ºHOTº or ºCOLDº 
range depending on the fluid temperature. 
See Chapter 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
indicate service is needed. Some impor- 
tant 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 monoxide
leak. Drive with the windows open and 
have the exhaust system checked im- 
mediately.)
  Flat- looking tire; excessive tire squeal
when cornering; uneven tire wear
  Vehicle pulls  to one side when driving
straight on a level road
  Strange noises related to suspension 
movement
  Loss of brake effectiveness; spongy
feeling brake pedal; pedal almost 
touches floor; vehicle pulls to one side
when braking
  Engine coolant temperature continually
higher than normal
Does your vehicle need  
repairing? 

New L/C100(U)
214
Engine compartment overview
1. Engine oil filler cap 
2. Brake fluid reservoir 
3. Fuse blocks 
4. Battery 
5. Windshield and rear window washerfluid tank
6. Engine oil level dipstick 
7. Engine coolant reservoir 
8. Electric cooling fan 
9. Power steering fluid reservoir  

New L/C100(U)
216
If you perform maintenance by yourself, 
be sure to follow the correct procedure
given in this part. 
You should be aware that improper or in- 
complete servicing may result in operating
problems. 
Performing do- it- yourself maintenance 
during the warranty  period may  affect your 
warranty coverage. Read the separate 
Toyota Warranty  statement for details and
suggestions. 
This part gives instructions only for those 
items that are relatively easy for an owner
to perform. As explained in Part 6, there 
are still a number of items that must be 
done by a qualified technician with special
tools. 
For information on tools and parts for do- 
it- yourself maintenance, see ºParts and 
toolsº. 
Utmost care should be taken when work- 
ing on your  vehicle to prevent accidental 
injury. Here are a few precautions that
you should be especially  careful to ob- 
serve:
CAUTION
 
When the engine is running, keep 
hands, clothing, and tools away 
from the moving fan and engine
drive belts. (Removing rings, 
watches, and ties is advisable.)
  Right after driving,  the engine 
compartmentÐthe engine, radiator, 
exhaust manifold, power steering 
fluid reservoir and spark plug
boots, etc.Ðwill be hot. So be care- 
ful not to touch them. Oil, fluids 
and spark plugs may also be hot.
  If the engine is hot, do not remove
the radiator cap or loosen the drain
plugs to prevent burning yourself.
  Do not smoke, cause sparks or al-
low open flames around fuel or the 
battery. Their fumes are flammable.
  Be extremely cautious when work- 
ing on the battery. It contains poi- 
sonous and corrosive sulfuric acid.
  Do not get under your vehicle with
just the body jack supporting it. Al- 
ways use automotive jack stands or
other solid supports.
 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.
Do- it- yourself service  
precautions