2001 TOYOTA TACOMA steering

’01 Tacoma U (L/O 0009)
2552001 TACOMA (OM35766U)
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, power steering
fluid reservoir 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.
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.
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 spark plug holes.
 Do not pry the outer electrode of a
spark plug against the center elec-
trode.
 Use only spark plugs of the speci-
fied type. Using other types will
cause engine damage, loss of per-
formance or radio noise.
 Do not overfill automatic transmis-
sion fluid, or the transmission
could be damaged.
 Do not drive with the air cleaner
filter removed, or excessive engine
wear could result. Also backfiring
could cause a fire in the engine
compartment.

’01 Tacoma U (L/O 0009)
2562001 TACOMA (OM35766U)
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)

’01 Tacoma U (L/O 0009)
2592001 TACOMA (OM35766U)
DO−IT−YOURSELF MAINTENANCE
Engine and Chassis
Checking the engine oil level260
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the engine coolant level 262
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking brake fluid 263
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. . . .
Checking power steering fluid 263
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking tire pressure 264
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. .
Checking and replacing tires 265
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rotating tires 266
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. . . . . . . . . . .
Installing snow tires and chains 267
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing wheels 268
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. . . . . . .
Aluminum wheel precautions 268
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SECTION 7− 2

’01 Tacoma U (L/O 0009)
2632001 TACOMA (OM35766U)
Checking brake fluid
To check the fluid level, simply look at
the see−through reservoir. The level
should be between the MAX" and
MIN" lines on the reservoir.
It is normal for the brake fluid level to go
down slightly as the brake pads wear. So
be sure to keep the reservoir filled.
If the reservoir needs frequent refilling, it
may indicate a serious mechanical prob-
lem. If the level is low, add SAE J1703 or
FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 brake fluid to the
brake reservoir.
Remove and replace the reservoir cap by
hand. Fill the brake fluid to the dotted
line. This brings the fluid to the correct
level when you put the cap back on.
Use only newly opened brake fluid. Once
opened, brake fluid absorbs moisture from
the air, and excess moisture can cause a
dangerous loss of braking.
CAUTION
Take care when filling the reservoir
because brake fluid can harm your
eyes and damage painted surfaces. If
fluid gets in your eyes, flush your
eyes with clean water immediately. If
you still feel uncomfortable with your
eyes, go to the doctor.
NOTICE
If you spill the fluid, be sure to wash
it off with water to prevent it from
damaging the parts or paint.
Checking power steering fluid
If cold add
If cold O.K.
If hot add If hot O.K.
Check the fluid level on the dipstick. If
necessary, add automatic transmission
fluid DEXRON II or III.
If the vehicle has been driven around 80
km/h (50 mph) for 20 minutes (a little
more in frigid temperatures), the fluid is
hot (40 C80 C or 104 F175 F). You
may also check the level when the fluid
is cold (about room temperature,
0 C40 C or 32 F104 F) if the engine
has not been run for about five hours.
a. Clean all dirt from outside of the reser- voir tank.
b. Remove the reservoir cap by turning it counterclockwise and wipe the dipstick
clean.

’01 Tacoma U (L/O 0009)
2642001 TACOMA (OM35766U)
c. Reinstall the reservoir cap
d. Remove the reservoir cap again and look at the fluid level. If the fluid is
cold, the level should be in the COLD"
range on the dipstick. Similarly, if it is
hot, the fluid level should be in the
HOT" range. If the level is at the low
side of either range, add automatic
transmission fluid DEXRON II or III to
bring the level within the range.
e. After replacing the reservoir cap, visu- ally check the steering box case, vane
pump and hose connections for leaks
or damage.
CAUTION
The reservoir tank may be hot so be
careful not to burn yourself.
NOTICE
Avoid overfilling, or the power steer-
ing could be damaged.
Checking tire pressure
Keep your tire pressures at the proper
level.
The recommended cold tire pressures, tire
size and the cargo weight rating are given
in Section 8. Tire size and pressure are
also on the tire pressure label as shown.
You should check the tire pressures every
two weeks, or at least once a month. And
do not forget the spare! Incorrect tire pressure can reduce tire
life and make your vehicle less safe to
drive.
Low tire pressure results in excessive
wear, poor handling, reduced fuel econo-
my, and the possibility of blowouts from
overheated tires. Also, low tire pressure
can cause poor sealing of the tire bead.
If the tire pressure is excessively low,
there is the possibility of w
heel deforma-
tion and/or tire separation.
High tire pressure produces a harsh ride,
handling problems, excessive wear at the
center of the tire tread, and a greater
possibility of tire damage from road haz-
ards.
If a tire frequently needs ref illing, have it
checked by your Toyota dealer.

’01 Tacoma U (L/O 0009)
2832001 TACOMA (OM35766U)
Fuel
Fuel type:Unleaded gasoline, Octane Rating 87
(Research Octane Number 91) or higher
Fuel tank capacity, L (gal., Imp. gal.): Two−wheel drive models except Pre
Runner60(16.0,13.3)
Four−wheel drive models and Pre
Runner 70(18.5,15.4)
Service specifications
ENGINE
Valve clearance (engine cold), mm (in.):
2RZ−FE and 3RZ−FE enginesIntake 0.150.25(0.0060.010)
Exhaust 0.250.35(0.0100.014)
5VZ−FE engine Intake 0.130.23(0.0060.009)
Exhaust 0.270.37(0.0110.014)
Spark plug type: 2RZ−FE and 3RZ−FE enginesDENSO K16R−U11
NGK BKR5EYA−11
5VZ−FE engine DENSO K16TR11
NGK BKR5EKB−11
Spark plug gap, mm (in.): 1.1(0.043) Drive belt tension measured with Bor-
roughs drive belt tension gauge No.
BT−33−73F (used belt), lbf:
2RZ−FE and 3RZ−FE enginesGenerator belt 115 20
Air conditioning compressor belt
100 20
Power steering pump belt
100
+20
−15
5VZ−FE engineGenerator belt 100  20
Air conditioning compressor belt 100 20
Power steering pump belt
100
+20
−15

’01 Tacoma U (L/O 0009)
2862001 TACOMA (OM35766U)
Recommended oil viscosity:Front SAE 75W−90
Rear Above −18 C (0 F)
SAE 90
Below −18 C (0 F)
SAE 80W or 80W−90
CHASSIS LUBRICATION
Wheel bearings: Lithium base wheel bearing grease,
NLGI No.2
Front drive shaft thrust bushings: Synthetic oil and lithium soap base
chassis grease, NLGI No.1
Propeller shafts: SpidersLithium base chassis grease, NLGI
No.2
Slide yoke and double cardan joint Molybdenum−disulfide lithium base
chassis grease, NLGI No.2 BRAKES
Minimum pedal clearance when depressed
with a pressure of 490 N (50 kgf, 110 lbf)
when the engine is stopped and after de-
press the brake pedal several times, mm
(in.):
105(4.1)
Pedal free play, mm (in.): 16(0.040.24)
Pad wear limit, mm (in.): 1.0(0.04)
Lining wear limit, mm (in.): 1.0(0.04)
Parking brake adjustment when pulled with
the force of 196 N (20 kgf, 44 lbf): 1218 clicks
Fluid type: SAE J1703 or FMVSS No.116 DOT 3
STEERING
Wheel free play: Less than 30 mm (1.2 in.)
Power steering fluid type: Automatic transmission fluid DEXRON II
or III