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244
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 advis-
able.)
Right after driving, the engine
compartment—the engine, radia-
tor, exhaust manifold, power
steering fluid reservoir and spark
plug boots, etc.—will be hot. So
be careful not to touch them. Oil,
fluids and spark plugs may also
be hot.
If the engine is hot, do not re-
move the radiator cap or loosen
the drain plugs to prevent burn-
ing yourself.
Do not smoke, cause sparks or
allow open flames around fuel or
the battery. Their fumes are flam-
mable.
Be extremely cautious when
working on the battery. It con-
tains poisonous and corrosive
sulfuric acid.
Warning: Battery posts, terminals
and related accessories contain
lead and lead compounds, chemi-
cals know to the State of Califor-
nia to cause cancer and repro-
ductive harm. Wash hands after
handling.
Do −it −yourself service
precautions
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Do not get under your vehicle
with just the body jack support-
ing it. Always use automotive
jack stands or other solid sup-
ports.
Be sure that the ignition is off if
you work near the electric cool-
ing fan or radiator grille. With
the ignition on, the electric cool-
ing fan will automatically start to
run if 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 poten-
tially harmful contaminants which
may cause skin disorders such
as inflammation or skin cancer,
so care should be taken to avoid
prolonged and repeated contact
with it. To remove used engine
oil from your skin, wash thor-
oughly 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 filter in household trash,
in sewers or onto the ground.
Call your dealer or a service sta-
tion 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 it off with water to prevent
it from damaging the parts or paint.
Do not allow dirt or anything else
to fall through the plug holes.
Do not pry the outer electrode of a
spark plug against the center elec-
trode.
