2000 TOYOTA CAMRY flat tire

Component to be alignedSection of repair manual
for relevant model year
Front Wheels
Suspension and Axle (SA) section
Rear Wheels
Suspension and Axle (SA) section

Before repairing the body, remove the SRS parts if, during repair, shocks are likely to be applied to
the sensors due to vibrations of the body or direct tapping with tools or other parts.

Do not expose the SRS parts directly to hot air or flames
NOTICE:
1) The maximum ambient temperature tolerance is 120
°C (248°F) for the front airbag sensor,
105
°C (221°F) for the center airbag sensor assembly and 93°C (200°F) for the steering wheel
pad, and front passenger airbag assembly. If it is possible that the ambient temperature may
reach or exceed the temperature limit, remove the sensors and the steering wheel pad from the
vehicle or protect them with a hot insulation material before staring work.
2) Prior to welding, remove adjacent, SRS parts form tire vehicle or protect them with fire±proof
covers.

If the vehicle is damaged, visually inspect for damage to the steering wheel pad using the inspection
procedures described in section RS of the repair manual for the relevant model year.

When removing or handling the steering wheel pad, and front passenger airbag assembly keep the
pad upper surface facing upward. Also, lock the lock lever of the twin lock type connector at the rear
of the pad and take care not to damage the connector.
(Storing the pad or front passenger airbag assembly with its metallic surface up may lead to a seri-
ous accident if the airbag inflates for some reason.)

Store the steering wheel pad and the front passenger airbag assembly where the ambient tempera-
ture remains below 93°C (200°F), without high humidity and away from electrical noise.

Be careful not to let painting materials contact the SRS parts.

Information labels are attached to the periphery of the SRS components. Follow the NOTICES.

Store the airbag assembly where the ambient temperature remains below 93°C (200°F), without
high humidity and away from electrical noise.
2. BRAKE SYSTEM
The brake system is one of the most important safety components. Always follow the directions and
notes given in section BR of the repair manual for the relevant model year when handling brake sys-
tem parts.
NOTICE: When repairing the brake master cylinder or TRAC system, bleed the air out of the TRAC
system.
3. DRIVE TRAIN AND CHASSIS
The drive train and chassis are components that can have great effects on the running performance
and vibration resistance of the vehicle. After installing components in the sections listed in the table
below, perform alignments to ensure correct mounting angles and dimensions. Particularly accurate
repair of the body must also be done to ensure correct alignment.
HINT: Correct procedures and special tools are required for alignment. Always follow the directions
given in the repair manual for the relevant model year during alignment and section DI of this manual.
INTRODUCTIONIN-7

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Take special care when adding air to
the compact spare tire. The smaller
tire size can gain pressure very quick-
ly. Add compressed air in small quanti-
ties and check the pressure often until
it reaches the specified pressure.

Do not bleed or reduce tire pressure
after driving. It is normal for the tire
pressure to be higher after driving.

Never exceed the vehicle capacity
weight. The passenger and luggage
weight should be located so that the
vehicle is balanced.

Be sure to reinstall the tire inflation
valve caps. Without the valve caps,
dirt or moisture could get into the valve
core and cause air leakage. If the caps
have been lost, have new ones put on
as soon as possible.
Checking and replacing tires
Tread wear indicator
CHECKING YOUR TIRES
Check the tires tread for the tread wear
indicators. If the indicators show, re-
place the tires.
The tires on your Toyota have built±in
tread wear indicators to help you know
when the tires need replacement. When
the tread depth wears to 1.6 mm (0.06
in.) or less, the indicators will appear. If
you can see the indicators in two or more
adjacent grooves, the tire should be re-
placed. The lower the tread, the higher
the risk of skidding.
The effectiveness of snow tires is lost
if the tread wears down below 4 mm
(0.16 in.).Check the tires regularly for damage
such as cuts, splits and cracks. If any
damage is found, consult with a techni-
cian and have the tire repaired or re-
placed.
Even if the damage does not appear seri-
ous, a qualified technician should examine
the damage. Objects which have pene-
trated the tire may have caused internal
damage.
Any tires which are over six years old
must be checked by a qualified techni-
cian even if damage is not obvious.
Tires deteriorate with age even if they
have never or seldom been used.
This applies also to the spare tire and
tires stored for future use.
REPLACING YOUR TIRES
When replacing a tire, use only the
same size and construction as original-
ly installed and with the same or great-
er load capacity.
Using any other size or type of tire may
seriously affect handling, ride, speedome-
ter/odometer calibration, ground clearance,
and clearance between the body and tires
or snow chains.

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223
CAUTION

Do not mix radial, bias belted, or
bias±ply tires on your vehicle. It
can cause dangerous handling char-
acteristics, resulting in loss of con-
trol.

Do not use tires or wheels other
than the manufacturer 's recom-
mended size.
Toyota recommends all four tires, or at
least both of the front or rear tires be
replaced at a time as a set.
See ºIf you have a flat tireº in Part 4 for
tire change procedure.
When a tire is replaced, the wheel
should always be balanced.
An unbalanced wheel may affect vehicle
handling and tire life. Wheels can get out
of balance with regular use and should
therefore be balanced occasionally.
When replacing a tubeless tire, the air
valve should also be replaced with a
new one.
Rotating tires
To equalize the wear and help extend
tire life, Toyota recommends that you
rotate your tires approximately every
12000 km (7500 miles). However, the
most appropriate timing for tire rotation
may vary according to your driving hab-
its and road surface conditions.
See ºIf you have a flat tireº in Part 4 for
tire change procedure.
When rotating tires, check for uneven
wear and damage. Abnormal wear is usu-
ally caused by incorrect tire pressure, im-
proper wheel alignment, out±of±balance
wheels, or severe braking.WHEN TO USE SNOW TIRES OR
CHAINS
Snow tires or chains are recommended
when driving on snow or ice.
On wet or dry roads, conventional tires
provide better traction than snow tires.
SNOW TIRE SELECTION
If you need snow tires, select the same
size, construction and load capacity as
the original tires on your Toyota.
Do not use tires other than those men-
tioned above. Do not install studded tires
without first checking local regulations for
possible restrictions.
SNOW TIRE INSTALLATION
Snow tires should be installed on all
wheels.
Installing snow tires on the front wheels
only can lead to an excessive difference
in road grip capability between the front
and rear tires which could cause loss of
vehicle control.
When storing removed tires you should
store them in a cool dry place. Mark the
direction of rotation and be sure to install
them in the same direction when replac-
ing.
Installing snow tires and
chains

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CAUTION

Do not drive with the snow tires
incorrectly inflated.

Never drive over 120 km/h (75 mph)
with any type of snow tires.
TIRE CHAIN SELECTION
Use the tire chains of correct size and
type.
Use SAE Class ºSº type radial tire chains
except radial cable chains or V±bar type
chains.
Regulations regarding the use of tire
chains vary according to location or
type of road, so always check them
before installing chains.
CHAIN INSTALLATION
Install the chains on the front tires as
tightly as possible. Do not use tire
chains on the rear tires. Retighten
chains after driving 0.5Ð1.0 km
(1/4Ð1/2 mile).
When installing chains on your tires, care-
fully follow the instructions of the chain
manufacturer.If wheel covers are used, they will be
scratched by the chain band,so remove
the covers before putting on the chains.
CAUTION

Do not exceed 50 km/h (30 mph) or
the chain manufacturer 's recom-
mended speed limit, whichever is
lower.

Drive carefully avoiding bumps,
holes, and sharp turns, which may
cause the vehicle to bounce.

Avoid sharp turns or locked±wheel
braking, as use of chains may ad-
versely affect vehicle handling.
Replacing wheels
WHEN TO REPLACE YOUR WHEELS
If you have wheel damage such as
bending, cracks or heavy corrosion, the
wheel should be replaced.
If you fail to replace damaged wheels, the
tire may slip off the wheel or they may
cause loss of handling control.
WHEEL SELECTION
When replacing wheels, care should be
taken to ensure that the wheels are re-
placed by ones with the same load ca-
pacity, diameter, rim width, and offset.
This must be observed on compact spare
tires, too.
Correct replacement wheels are available
at your Toyota dealer.
A wheel of a different size or type may
adversely affect handling, wheel and bear-
ing life, brake cooling, speedometer/odom-
eter calibration, stopping ability, headlight
aim, bumper height, vehicle ground clear-
ance, and tire or snow chain clearance to
the body and chassis.

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A safety chain must always be used
between the towing vehicle and the
trailer. Leave sufficient slack in the
chain for turns. The chain should
cross under the trailer tongue to
prevent the tongue from dropping to
the ground in case it becomes dam-
aged or separated. For correct safety
chain procedures, follow the hitch or
trailer manufacturer 's recommenda-
tions.
CAUTION

If the total trailer weight exceeds
453 kg (1000 lb.), trailer brakes are
required.

Never tap into your vehicle's hy-
draulic system as it would lower its
braking effectiveness.

Never tow a trailer without using a
safety chain securely attached to
both the trailer and the vehicle. If
damage occurs to the coupling unit
or hitch ball, there is danger of the
trailer wandering over into another
lane.
TIRES

Ensure that your vehicle's tires are
properly inflated. Adjust the tire pres-
sure to the recommended cold tire
pressure indicated below (see Chapter
7±2 for instructions.):
Tire pressure, kPa (kgf/cm
2 or bar, psi)
5S±FE engine
Front 210 (2.1, 30)
Rear 210 (2.1, 30)
1MZ±FE engine
Front 220 (2.2, 32)
Rear 220 (2.2, 32)

The trailer tires should be inflated to
the pressure recommended by the trail-
er manufacturer in respect to the total
trailer weight.TRAILER LIGHTS

Trailer lights must comply with federal,
state/provincial and local regulations.
See your local recreational vehicle
dealer or rental agency for the correct
type of wiring and relays for your trail-
er. Check for correct operation of the
turn signals and stop lights each time
you hitch up. Direct splicing may dam-
age your vehicle's electrical system
and cause a malfunction of your lights.
BREAK±IN SCHEDULE

Toyota recommends that you do not
tow a trailer with a new vehicle or a
vehicle with any new power train com-
ponent (engine, transmission, differen-
tial, wheel bearing, etc.) for the first
800 km (500 miles) of driving.
MAINTENANCE

If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will
require more frequent maintenance due
to the additional load. For this informa-
tion, please refer to the scheduled
maintenance information in the ºSched-
uled Maintenance Guideº or ºOwner 's
Manual Supplementº.

Retighten all fixing bolts of the towing
ball and bracket after approximately
1000 km (600 miles) of trailer driving.

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Getting more kilometers/mileage from a
liter/gallon of fuel is easyÐjust take it
easy. It will help make your vehicle last
longer, too. Here are some specific tips
on how to save money on both fuel and
repairs:

Keep your tires inflated at the cor-
rect pressure. Underinflation causes
tire wear and wastes fuel. See Chapter
7±2 for instructions.

Do not carry unneeded weight in
your vehicle. Excess weight puts a
heavier load on the engine, causing
greater fuel consumption.

Avoid lengthy warm±up idling. Once
the engine is running smoothly, begin
drivingÐbut gently. Remember, howev-
er, that on cold winter days this may
take a little longer.

Accelerate slowly and smoothly.
Avoid jackrabbit starts. Get into high
gear as quickly as possible.

Avoid long engine idling. If you have
a long wait and you are not in traffic,
it is better to turn off the engine and
start again later.

Avoid engine lug or overrevving. Use
a gear position suitable for the road on
which you are travelling.

Avoid continuous speeding up and
slowing down. Stop±and±go driving
wastes fuel.

Avoid unnecessary stopping and
braking. Maintain a steady pace. Try
to time the traffic signals so you only
need to stop as little as possible or
take advantage of through streets to
avoid traffic lights. Keep a proper dis-
tance from other vehicles to avoid sud-
den braking. This will also reduce wear
on your brakes.

Avoid heavy traffic or traffic jams
whenever possible.

Do not rest your foot on the clutch
or brake pedal. This causes needless
wear, overheating and poor fuel econo-
my.

Maintain a moderate speed on high-
ways. The faster you drive,the greater
the fuel consumption. By reducing your
speed, you will cut down on fuel con-
sumption.

Keep the front wheels in proper
alignment. Avoid hitting the curb and
slow down on rough roads. Improper
alignment not only causes faster tire
wear but also puts an extra load on
the engine, which, in turn, wastes fuel.

Keep the bottom of your vehicle free
from mud, etc. This not only lessens
weight but also helps prevent corro-
sion.

Keep your vehicle tuned±up and in
top shape. A dirty air cleaner, improp-
er valve clearance, dirty plugs, dirty oil
and grease,brakes not adjusted, etc. all
lower engine performance and contrib-
ute to poor fuel economy. For longer
life of all parts and lower operating
costs, keep all maintenance work on
schedule, and if you often drive under
severe conditions, see that your vehicle
receives more frequent maintenance
(For scheduled maintenance informa-
tion, please refer to the separate
ºScheduled Maintenance Guideº or
ºOwner 's Manual Supplementº).
How to save fuel and make
your vehicle last longer, too

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Part 4
IN CASE OF AN
EMERGENCY

If your vehicle will not start

If your engine stalls while
driving

If your vehicle overheats

If you have a flat tire

If your vehicle needs to be
towed

If you cannot shift automatic
transmission selector lever

If you lose your keys

If you lose your wireless remote
control transmitter
Before making these checks, make sure
you have followed the correct starting pro-
cedure given in ºHow to start the engineº
in Part 3 and that you have sufficient fuel.
If your vehicle is equipped with the engine
immobiliser system, also check whether
the other keys will start the engine. If
they work, your key may be broken. Have
the key checked at your Toyota dealer. If
none of your keys work, the system is
possibly broken. Call your Toyota dealer.
(See ºKeys (with engine immobiliser sys-
tem)º in Chapter 1±2.)
If the engine is not turning over or is
turning over too slowlyÐ
1. Check that the battery terminals are
tight and clean.
2. If the battery terminals are O.K., switch
on the interior light.
3. If the light is out, dim or goes out
when the starter is cranked, the battery
is discharged. You may try jump start-
ing. See º(c) Jump startingº for further
instructions.
If the light is O.K., but the engine still will
not start, it needs adjustment or repair.
Call a Toyota dealer or qualified repair
shop.NOTICE
Do not pull± or push±start the ve-
hicle. It may damage the vehicle or
cause a collision when the engine
starts. Also the three±way catalytic
converter may overheat and become a
fire hazard.
If the engine turns over at its normal
speed but will not startÐ
1. Check that all the push±on connectors
are tight. (For example, connectors at
the spark plugs, ignition coil and/or dis-
tributor)
2. If the connectors are O.K., the engine
may be flooded because of repeated
cranking. See º(b) Starting a flooded
engineº for further instructions.
If your vehicle will not startÐ
(a) Simple checks

'99camry U
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If you have a flat tireÐ
1. Reduce your speed gradually, keeping
a straight line. Move cautiously off the
road to a safe place well away from
the traffic. Avoid stopping on the center
divider of a highway. Park on a level
spot with firm ground.
2. Stop the engine and turn on your
emergency flashers.
3. Firmly set the parking brake and put
the transmission in ºPº (automatic) or
reverse (manual).
4. Have everyone get out of the vehicle
on the side away from traffic.
5. Read the following instructions thor-
oughly.
CAUTION
When jacking, be sure to observe the
following to reduce the possibility of
personal injury:

Follow jacking instructions.

Do not start or run the engine while
your vehicle is supported by the
jack.

Stop the vehicle on a level firm
ground, firmly set the parking brake
and put the transmission in ºPº
(automatic) or reverse (manual).
Block the wheel diagonally opposite
to the one being changed if neces-
sary.

Make sure to set the jack properly
in the jack point. Raising the ve-
hicle with jack improperly posi-
tioned will damage the vehicle or
may allow the vehicle to fall off the
jack and cause personal injury.

Never get under the vehicle when
the vehicle is supported by the jack
alone.

Use the jack only for lifting your
vehicle during wheel changing.

Do not raise the vehicle with some-
one in the vehicle.

When raising the vehicle, do not
put an object on or under the jack.

Raise the vehicle only high enough
to remove and change the tire.
NOTICE
Do not continue driving with a de-
flated tire. Driving even a short dis-
tance can damage a tire beyond re-
pair.