2003 TOYOTA TACOMA engine overheat

’03 Tacoma U (L/O 0209)
2202003 MY TACOMA (OM35800U)
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 lugging or overrev-
ving. Use a gear position suitable for
the road on which you are travelling.
Avoid continuous speeding up and
slowing down. Stopandgo 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 premature
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 corrosion
Keep your vehicle tunedup 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 “Scheduled
Maintenance Guide” or “Owner ’s Manu-
al Supplement”.)
CAUTION
Never turn off the engine to coast
down hills. Your power steering and
brake booster will not function with-
out the engine running. Also, the
emission control system operates
properly only when the engine is run-
ning.

’03 Tacoma U (L/O 0209)
2212003 MY TACOMA (OM35800U)
IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
If your vehicle will not start222
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If your engine stalls while driving 225
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If you cannot increase the engine speed 225
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If your vehicle overheats 226
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If you have a flat tire 227
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If your vehicle becomes stuck 237
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If your vehicle needs to be towed 238
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If you cannot shift automatic transmission selector lever 244
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If you lose your keys 244
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SECTION 4

’03 Tacoma U (L/O 0209)
2222003 MY TACOMA (OM35800U)
Before making these checks, make sure
you have followed the correct starting pro-
cedure given in “How to start the engine”
in Section 3 and that you have sufficient
fuel.
If the engine is not turning over or is
turning over too slowly—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 “(c) Jump starting” 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 pushstart the ve-
hicle. It may damage the vehicle or
cause a collision when the engine
starts. Also the threeway catalytic
converter may overheat and become a
fire hazard.
If the engine turns over at its normal
speed but will not start— 1. The engine may be flooded because of repeated cranking. See “(b) Starting a
flooded engine” for further instructions.
2. If the engine still will not start, it needs adjustment or repair. Call a Toyota
dealer or qualified repair shop. If the engine will not start, your engine
may be flooded because of repeated
cranking.
If this happens, turn the key to “START”
with the accelerator pedal held down.
Keep the key and accelerator pedal in
these positions for 15 seconds and re-
lease them. Then try starting the engine
with your foot off the accelerator pedal.
If the engine does not start after 15 se-
conds of cranking, release the key, wait
a few minutes and try again.
If the engine still will not start, it needs
adjustment or repair. Call a Toyota dealer
or qualified repair shop for assistance.
NOTICE
Do not crank for more than 30 se-
conds at a time. This may overheat
the starter and wiring systems.
If your vehicle will not start—
(a) Simple checks
(b) Starting a flooded engine

’03 Tacoma U (L/O 0209)
2262003 MY TACOMA (OM35800U)
If your engine coolant temperature
gauge indicates overheating, if you ex-
perience a loss of power, or if you hear
a loud knocking or pinging noise, the
engine has probably overheated. You
should follow this procedure...1. Pull safely off the road, stop the ve- hicle and turn on your emergency
flashers. Put the transmission in “P”
(automatic) or neutral (manual) and ap-
ply the parking brake. Turn off the air
conditioning if it is being used.
2. If coolant or steam is boiling out of the radiator or reservoir, stop the engine.
Wait until the steam subsides before
opening the hood. If there is no coolant
boiling over or steam, leave the engine
running.
CAUTION
To help avoid personal injury, keep
the hood closed until there is no
steam. Escaping steam or coolant is
a sign of very high pressure.
3. Visually check to see if the enginedrive belt (fan belt) is broken or loose.
Look for obvious coolant leaks from the
radiator, hoses, and under the vehicle.
However, note that water draining from
the air conditioning is normal if it has
been used.
CAUTION
When the engine is running, keep
hands and clothing away from the
moving fan and engine drive belts.
4. If the engine drive belt is broken or thecoolant is leaking, stop the engine im-
mediately. Call a Toyota dealer for as-
sistance.
5. If the engine drive belt is O.K. and there are no obvious leaks, you may
help the engine cool down more quickly
by running it at about 1500 rpm for a
few minutes with the accelerator pedal
lightly depressed.
6. Check the coolant reservoir. If it is dry, add coolant to the reservoir while the
engine is running. Fill it about half full.
CAUTION
Do not attempt to remove the radiator
cap when the engine and radiator are
hot. Serious injury could result from
scalding hot fluid and steam blown
out under pressure.
7. After the engine coolant temperaturehas cooled to normal, again check the
coolant level in the reservoir. If neces-
sary, bring it up to half full again. Seri-
ous coolant loss indicates a leak in the
system. You s hould have it checked as
soon as possible at your Toyota dealer.
If your vehicle overheats

'03 Tacoma U (L/O 0209)
2003 MY TACOMA (OM35800U)
Publication No. OM35800U
Part No. 01999-35800
Printed in Japan 01±0209±00
(U)
Quick index

If a service reminder indicator or warning buzzer comes on 119 . . . . . . . .

If your vehicle will not start 222 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. .

If your engine stalls while driving 225 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

If you cannot increase the engine speed 225 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

If your vehicle overheats 226 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . .

If you have a flat tire 227 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . .

If your vehicle becomes stuck 237 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\


If your vehicle needs to be towed 238 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Tips for driving during break±in period 193 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

How to start the engine 208 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
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General maintenance 253 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
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Complete index NO TAG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
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Gas station information
Fuel type:
UNLEADED gasoline, Octane Rating 87 (Research Octane Number 91)
or higher
See page 193 for detailed information.
Fuel tank capacity: Two±wheel drive models except Pre Runner60 L (16.0 gal., 13.3 lmp. gal.)
Four±wheel drive models and Pre Runner
70 L (18.5 gal., 15.4 lmp. gal.)
Engine oil:
API grade SL ªEnergy±Conservingº or ILSAC multigrade engine oil is recom-
mended.
See page 267 for detailed information.
Tire information: See pages 271 through 276.
Tire pressure: See page 296.
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