2001 TOYOTA TACOMA check oil

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2492001 TACOMA (OM35766U)
Brake fluid level
Make sure the brake fluid level is correct.
See Section 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 Section 7−2 for addi-
tional information.
Power steering fluid level
Check the level on the dipstick. The level
should be in the HOT" or COLD" range
depending on the fluid temperature. See
Section 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
Section 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 or clutch pedal; pedal al-
most touches floor; vehicle pulls to one
side when braking
Engine coolant temperature continually
higher than normalIf you notice any of these clues, take your
vehicle to your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible. It probably needs adjustment or
repair.
CAUTION
Do not continue driving with the ve-
hicle unchecked. It could result in se-
rious vehicle damage and possibly
personal injury.
Does your vehicle need
repairing?

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Be careful not to scratch the glass
surface with the wiper frame.
 When closing the engine hood,
check to see that you have not for-
gotten any tools, rags, etc.
Parts and tools
Here is a list of parts and tools you will
need on performing do−it−yourself mainte-
nance. Remember all Toyota parts are de-
signed in metric sizes, so your tools must
be metric.
Checking the engine oil level
Parts (if level is low):
Engine oil API grade SJ,
Energy−Conserving" or ILSAC
multigrade having viscosity proper for
your climate
Tools:
Rag or paper towel
Funnel (only for adding oil)
Checking the engine coolant level
Parts (if level is low):
TOYOTA Long Life Coolant" or equiva-
lent
See Section 7−2 for details about cool-
ant type selection.
Demineralized or distilled water
Tools:
Funnel (only for adding coolant) Checking brake fluid
Parts (if level is low):
SAE J1703 or FMVSS No.116 DOT 3
brake fluid
Tools:
Rag or paper towel
Funnel (only for adding fluid)
Checking power steering fluid
Parts (if level is low):
Automatic transmission fluid
DEXRON II or III
Tools:
Rag or paper towel
Funnel (only for adding fluid)
Checking battery condition
Tools:
Warm water
Baking soda
Grease
Conventional wrench (for terminal
clamp bolts)

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DO−IT−YOURSELF MAINTENANCE
Engine and Chassis
Checking the engine oil level260
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Checking the engine coolant level 262
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Checking brake fluid 263
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Checking power steering fluid 263
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Checking tire pressure 264
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Checking and replacing tires 265
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Rotating tires 266
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Installing snow tires and chains 267
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Replacing wheels 268
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Aluminum wheel precautions 268
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SECTION 7− 2

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Checking the engine oil level
Low level Full levelTy p e A
Ty p e B
Add oil O.K. Too full
With the engine at operating tempera-
ture and turned off, check the oil level
on the dipstick. 1. To get a true reading, the vehicle should be on a level spot. After turning
off the engine, wait a few minutes for
the oil to drain back into the bottom of
the engine.
2. Pull out the dipstick, and wipe it clean with a rag.
3. Reinsert the dipstickpush it in as far as it will go, or the reading will not be
correct.
4. Pull the dipstick out and look at the oil level on the end.
CAUTION
Be careful not to touch the hot ex-
haust manifold.
If the oil level is below or only slightly
above the low level, add engine oil of
the same type as already in the engine.
Remove the oil filler cap and add engine
oil in small quantities at a time, checking
the dipstick.
The approximate quantity of oil needed to
fill between the low level and the full level
on the dipstick is indicated below for ref-
erence.
When the level reaches within the correct
range, install the f iller cap hand−tight.
Oil quantity, L (qt., lmp. qt.): 2RZ−FE and 3RZ−FE engines 1.5(1.6,1.3)
5VZ−FE engine Two−wheel drive models
except Pre Runner 1.5(1.6,1.3)
Four−wheel drive models
and Pre Runner 1.2(1.3,1.1)
NOTICE
Avoid overfilling, or the engine
could be damaged.
 Check the oil level on the dipstick
once again after adding the oil.
Engine oil selection
Use API grade SJ, Energy−Conserving"
or ILSAC multigrade engine oil.
Recommended viscosity (SAE):
5W-30 Preferred
Temperature range anticipated before
next oil change
SAE 5W−30 is the best choice for your
vehicle, for good fuel economy and
good starting in cold weather.

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CAUTION
BATTERY PRECAUTIONS
The battery produces flammable and
explosive hydrogen gas.
Do not cause a spark from the bat-
tery with tools.
Do not smoke or light a match near
the battery.
The electrolyte contains poisonous
and corrosive sulfuric acid.
Avoid contact with eyes, skin or
clothes.
Never ingest electrolyte.
Wear protective safety glasses when
working near the battery.
Keep children away from the bat-
tery.
EMERGENCY MEASURES
If electrolyte gets in your eyes,
flush your eyes with clean water
immediately and get immediate
medical attention. If possible, con-
tinue to apply water with a sponge
or cloth while en route to the medi-
cal office.
If electrolyte gets on your skin,
thoroughly wash the contact area. If
you feel pain or burning, get medi-
cal attention immediately.
If electrolyte gets on your clothes,
there is a possibility of its soaking
through to your skin, so immediate-
ly take off the exposed clothing and
follow the procedure above, if nec-
essary.
If you accidentally swallow electro-
lyte, drink a large quantity of water
or milk. Follow with milk of magne-
sia, beaten raw egg or vegetable
oil. Then go immediately for emer-
gency help.
Checking battery exterior
Terminals Ground cable
Hold−down
clamp
Check the battery for corroded or loose
terminal connections, cracks, or loose
hold−down clamp.a. If the battery is corroded, wash it off with a solution of warm water and bak-
ing soda. Coat the outside of the termi-
nals with grease to prevent further cor-
rosion.
b. If the terminal connections are loose, tighten their clamp nutsbut do not
overtighten.
c. Tighten the hold−down clamp only enough to keep the battery firmly in
place. Overtightening may damage the
battery case.
Checking battery condition
Precautions

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ENGINE LUBRICATION
Oil capacity (drain and refill), L (qt., Imp.
qt.):
Two−wheel drive models except Pre
Runner2RZ−FE engineWith filter 5.5(5.8,4.8)
Without filter 4.8(5.0,4.2)
5VZ−FE engine With filter 5.4(5.7,4.8)
Without filter 5.1(5.4,4.5)
Four−wheel drive models and Pre
Runner
3RZ−FE engineWith filter 5.4(5.7,4.8)
Without filter 4.7(5.0,4.1)
5VZ−FE engine With filter 5.2(5.5,4.6)
Without filter 4.9(5.2,4.3)
Oil grade: API grade SJ, Energy−Conserving" or
ILSAC multigrade engine oil is recom-
mended. Recommended oil viscosity (SAE):
5W-30 Preferred
Temperature range anticipated before
next oil change
COOLING SYSTEM
Total capacity, L (qt., Imp. qt.):
Two−wheel drive models except Pre
RunnerWith manual transmission2RZ−FE engine 8.0(8.5,7.0)
5VZ−FE engine 9.7(10.3,8.5)
With automatic transmission 2RZ−FE engine 7.8(8.2,6.9) Four−wheel drive models and Pre
Runner
With manual transmission3RZ−FE engine 8.3(8.8,7.3)
5VZ−FE engine 10.1(10.7,8.9)
With automatic transmission 3RZ−FE engine 8.2(8.7,7.2)
5VZ−FE engine 10.0(10.5,8.8)
Coolant type: TOYOTA Long Life Coolant" or equiva-
lent
With ethylene−glycol type coolant for a
proper corrosion protection of aluminum
components
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze or
plain water alone.
BATTERY
Open voltage
∗ at 20 °C (68 °F):
12.612.8 V Fully charged
12.212.4 V Half charged
11.812.0 V Discharged
∗: Voltage that is checked 20 minutes
after the key is removed with all the
lights turned off
Charging rates: 5 A max.