2004 TOYOTA MATRIX flat tire

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5. Position the tire edge against therear center end of the rear luggage
storage box lid. Then pull the ends
of the belts to se cure the tire se-
curely.
After stowing the flat tire, check that
the tire and belts are secured.
To loosen the tire tie −down belts, see
“Tie −down hooks and tire tie −down
belts” on page 166 in Section 1 −10. 11. Check the air pressure of the re-
placed tire.
Adjust the air pressu re to the specifi-
cation designated on page 294 in
Section 8. If the pressure is lower,
drive slowly to the nearest service
station and fill to the correct pressure.
Do not forget to reinstall the tire infla-
tion valve cap as dirt and moisture
could get into th e valve core and
possibly cause air leakage. If the cap
is missing, have a new one put on as
soon as possible.
As soon after changing wheels as
possible, tighten the wheel nuts to the
torque specified on page 294 in Sec-
tion 8 with a torque wrench. Have a
technician repair the flat tire.
Steel wheels
Aluminum wheels
—After changing wheels

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After repairing the flat tire, change
it with compact spare tire and rein-
stall the wheel ornament as fol-
lows.
Steel wheels—1. Put the wheel ornament into posi- tion.
Align the cutout of the wheel orna-
ment with the valve stem as
shown.
2. Press hand firmly on one side of wheel ornament and then firmly
tap the other side around the edge
of wheel ornament with the heel
of your hand to snap into place.
Aluminum wheels—
Push the wheel ornament into the
center hole.
CAUTION
Take due care in handling the or-
nament to avoid unexpected per-
sonal injury.
If your vehicle becomes stuck in snow,
mud, sand, etc., then you may attempt
to rock the vehicle free by moving it
forward and backward.
CAUTION
Do not attempt to rock the vehicle
free by moving it forward and back-
ward if people or objects are any-
where near the vehicle. During the
rocking operation the vehicle may
suddenly move forward or backward
as it becomes unstuck, causing injury
or damage to nearby people or ob-
jects.
NOTICE
If you rock your vehicle, observe the
following precautions to prevent dam-
age to the transmission and other
parts.
 Do not depress the accelerator ped-
al while shifting the selector lever
or before the transmission is com-
pletely shifted to forward or reverse
gear.
 Do not race the engine and avoid
spinning the wheels.
 If your vehicle remains stuck after
rocking the vehicle several times,
consider other ways such as tow-
ing.
If your vehicle becomes stuck

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Doors and engine hood
Check that all doors and back door includ-
ing glass hatch operate smoothly and all
latches lock securely. Make sure the en-
gine hood secondary latch secures the
hood from opening when the primary latch
is released.
Tire inflation pressure
Check the pressure with a gauge ev-
ery two weeks, or at least once a
month. See page 264 in Section 7−2
for additional information.
Tire surface and wheel nuts
Check the tires carefully for cuts,
damage or excessive wear. See page
267 in Section 7− 2 for additional in-
formation. 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 according to the
maintenance schedule. (For sched-
uled maintenance information, please
refer to the “Scheduled Maintenance
Guide” or “Owner ’s Manual Supple-
ment”.) See page 270 in Section 7 −2
for additional information.
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 normal If 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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DOITYOURSELF MAINTENANCE
Engine and Chassis
Checking the engine oil level258
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the engine coolant level 260
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the radiator and condenser 262
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking brake fluid 262
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . .
Checking power steering fluid 263
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Precautions for tires of four −wheel drive models 263
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking tire inflation pressure 264
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking and replacing tires 267
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rotating tires 270
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. . . . . . . . . . .
Installing snow tires and chains 271
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing wheels 272
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. . . . . . .
Aluminum wheel precautions 273
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 7 2

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If cold
O.K.Close OpenIf hot
O.K.
If cold
add If hot
add
Check the fluid level through the reser-
voir. If necessary, add automatic trans-
mission 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 (60 C—80 C or 140 F—175 F). You
may also check the level when the fluid
is cold (about room temperature,
10 C—30 C or 50 F—85 F) if the engine
has not been run for about five hours. Clean all dirt from outside of the reservoir
tank and look at the fluid level. If the fluid
is cold, the level should be in the “COLD”
range. 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.
To remove the reservoir cap, turn it coun-
terclockwise and lift up. To reinstall it,
turn it clockwise. After replacing the reser-
voir cap, visually 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.
CAUTION
Observe the following instruc-
tions. Otherwise, an accident
may occur resulting in death or
serious injuries.
 Keep your tire pressure at the
proper level. (See “Checking
tire inflation pressure” on page
264 in this Section.)
 Do not use tires (including
snow tires) of different brands,
sizes, construction or tread
patterns. (See “Checking and
replacing tires” on page 267
and “Installing snow tires and
chains” on page 271 in this
Section.)
 Do not use tires with different
t read wear. To eq u al i z e th e ti re
wear, rotate tires at the ap-
propriate interval. (See “Rotat-
ing tires” on page 270 in this
Section.)
Checking power steering fluid Precautions for tires of
fourwheel drive models

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Use the manufacturer’s recom-
mended wheels. Do not use
wheels of different sizes and
types. (See “Replacing wheels”
on page 272 in this Section.)
Ty p e ATy p e B
Checking tire inflation
pressure

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Keep your tire inflation pressures
at the proper level.
The recommended cold tire inflation
pressures, tire sizes and the com-
bined weight of occupants and cargo
(vehicle capacity weight) are de-
scribed on page 290 and 294. They
are also on the tire and loading infor-
mation label. Either type A or type B
of the tire and loading information la-
bel is affixed on your vehicle as
shown.
You should check the tire inflation
pressure every two weeks, or at least
once a month. And do not forget the
spare! The following instructions for
checking tire inflation pressure
should be observed:
 The pressure s hould be
checked only when the tires are
cold. If your vehicle has been
parked for at least 3 hours and has
not been driven for more than 1.5
km or 1 mile since, you will get
an accurate cold tire inflation pres-
sure reading.
 Always use a tire pressure
gauge. The appearance of a tire
can be misleading. Besides, tire
inflation pressures that are even
just a few pounds off can degrade
ride and handling.
 Take special care when adding
air to the compact spare tire.
The smaller tire size can gain
pressure very qu ickly. Add com-
pressed air in small quantities and
check the pressure often until it
reaches the specified pressure. 
Do not bleed or reduce tire
inflation pressure after driving.
It is normal for the tire inflation
pressure to be higher after driving.
 Never exceed the vehicle capac-
ity weight. The passenger and
luggage weight should be located
so that the vehicle is balanced.

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Tire pressure gauge
INSPECTION AND ADJUSTMENT
PROCEDURE 1. Remove the tire valve cap.
2. Press the tip of the tire pressure gauge to the tire valve.
3. Read the pressure using a gradua- tion of the gauge.
4. In case that the tire inflation pres- sure is not within the prescribed
range, insert the compressed air
from the valve. In case of applying
too much air, press the center of
t he valv e and releas e the air to ad-
just. 5. After completing the tire inflation
pressure measurement and ad-
justment, apply soap water to the
valve and check the leakage.
6. Install the tire valve cap.
If the gauge and the air pump are not
available, have your vehicle checked
by your Toyota dealer.
CAUTION
Be sure to reinstall the tire valve
caps. Without the valve caps, dirt
or moisture could get into the
valve core and cause air leakage.
If the caps have been lost, have
new ones put on as soon as pos-
sible.
Incorrect tire infl ation pressure may
waste fuel, reduce the comfort of driv-
ing, reduce tire life and make your ve-
hicle less safe to drive.
If a tire frequently needs refilling,
have it checked by your Toyota deal-
er.
CAUTION
Keep your tires properly inflated.
Otherwise, the following condi-
tions may occur and cause an ac-
cident resulting in death or seri-
ous injuries.
Low tire pressure ( underinfla-
tion)—
 Excessive wear
 Uneven wear
 Poor handling
 Possibility of blowouts from
overheated tire.
 Poor sealing of the tire bead
 Wheel deformation and/or tire
separation
 A greater possibility of tire
damage from road hazards