2000 TOYOTA SOLARA maintenance

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203
If you are a skilled do−it−yourself mechan-
ic, the Toyota service manuals are recom-
mended. Please be aware that do−it−your-
self maintenance can affect your warranty
coverage. See Owner ’s Warranty Informa-
tion Booklet" or Owner ’s Manual Supple-
ment" for the details.
General maintenance
Listed below are the general maintenance
items that should be performed as fre-
quently as specified. In addition to check-
ing the items listed, if you notice any
unusual noise, smell or vibration, you
should investigate the cause or take your
vehicle to your Toyota dealer or a quali-
fied service shop immediately. It is recom-
mended that any problem you notice be
brought to the attention of your dealer or
the qualified service shop for their advice.
CAUTION
Make these checks only where ade-
quate ventilation can be obtained if
you run the engine.
OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE
Items listed below should be performed
from time to time, unless otherwise
specified.
Tire pressure
Check the pressure with a gauge every
two weeks, or at least once a month. See
Section 7−2 for additional information.Tire surface and wheel nuts
Check the tires carefully for cuts, damage
or excessive wear. See Section 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 Section 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 including trunk lid
operate smoothly and all latches lock se-
curely. Make sure the engine hood sec-
ondary latch secures the hood from open-
ing 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.

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DO−IT−YOURSELF MAINTENANCE
Introduction
Engine compartment overview208
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Fuse locations 210
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Do−it−yourself service precautions 211
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Parts and tools 213
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SECTION 7− 1

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211
If you perform maintenance by yourself,
be sure to follow the correct procedure
given in this section.
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 Section 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 "Parts and
tools".
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
compartmentthe engine, radiator,
exhaust manifold and spark plug
boots, etc.will 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.
Do−it−yourself service
precautions

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DO−IT−YOURSELF MAINTENANCE
Engine and Chassis
Checking the engine oil level216
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Checking the engine coolant level 217
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Checking brake fluid 218
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Checking power steering fluid 219
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Checking tire pressure 220
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Checking and replacing tires 221
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Rotating tires 222
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Installing snow tires and chains 222
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Replacing wheels 223
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Aluminum wheel precautions 224
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SECTION 7− 2

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DO−IT−YOURSELF MAINTENANCE
Electrical components
Checking battery condition226
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Battery recharging precautions 227
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Checking and replacing fuses 228
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Adding washer fluid 229
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Replacing light bulbs 229
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SECTION 7− 3

SOLARA_U
Publication No. OM33522U
Part No. 01999-33522
Printed in Japan 01−9908−00
C
(U)
Quick index
If a service reminder indicator or warning buzzer comes on 84 . . . . . . . .
 If your vehicle will not start 178 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
.
 If your engine stalls while driving 181 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 If your vehicle overheats 181 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . .
 If you have a flat tire 182 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
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 If your vehicle needs to be towed 189 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Tips for driving during break-in period 152 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 How to start the engine 166 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
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 General maintenance 203 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
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 Complete index NO TAG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
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Gas station information
Fuel type:
5S−FE engine: UNLEADED gasoline, Octane Rating 87
(Research Octane Number 91) or higher
1MZ−FE engine: UNLEADED gasoline, Octane Rating 87
(Research Octane Number 91) or higher.
For improved vehicle performance, the use of premium unleaded
gasoline with an Octane Rating of 91 (Research Octane Number 96)
or higher is recommended.
See page 152 for detailed information.
Fuel tank capacity:
70 L (18.5 gal., 15.4 lmp.gal.)
Engine oil:
API grade SJ, "Energy−Conserving" or ILSAC multigrade engine oil
is recommended.
See page 216 for detailed information.
Automatic transmission fluid: Automatic transmission fluid D−II or DEXRON III (DEXRON II)
Tire information: See pages 220 through 224.
Tire pressure: See page 243.
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