2004 TOYOTA SOLARA fuel consumption

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The shift pattern is conventional as
shown above.
Press the clutch pedal down fully while
shifting, and then release it slowly. Do not
rest your foot on the pedal while driving,
because it will cause clutch trouble. Do
not use the clutch to hold the vehicle
when stopped on an uphill grade—use the
parking brake.
Recommended shifting speeds
The transmission is fully synchronized and
upshifting or downshifting is easy.For the best compromise between fuel
economy and vehicle performance, you
should upshift or downshift at the following
speeds:
gear km/h (mph)
1 to 2 or 2 to 1 24 (15)
2 to 3 or 3 to 2 40 (25)
3 to 4 or 4 to 3 64 (40)
4 to 5 or 5 to 4 72 (45)
Downshift to the appropriate gear if accel-
eration is needed when you are cruising
below the above downshifting speeds.
Upshifting too soon or downshifting too
late will cause lugging, and possibly ping-
ing. Regularly revving the engine to maxi-
mum speed in each gear will cause ex-
cessive engine wear and high fuel
consumption.
Maximum allowable speeds
To get on a highway or to pass slower
traffic, maximum acceleration may be nec-
essary. Make sure you observe the follow-
ing maximum allowable speeds in each
gear:
gear km/h (mph)
1 53 (33)
2 92 (57)
3 142 (88)
4 194 (121)
NOTICE
Do not downshift if you are going
faster than the maximum allowable
speed for the next lower gear.
Good driving practice
If it is difficult to shift into reverse, put
the transmission in neutral, release the
clutch pedal momentarily, and then try
again.
CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a
slippery surface. Abrupt shifting
could cause the vehicle to spin or
skid.
NOTICE
Make sure the vehicle is completely
stopped before shifting into reverse.
Manual transmission

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The following information is displayed
on the multiinformation displays.
1. Cruise information
2. Clock
3. Outside temperature
4. “DISP.” button (cruise information
control button)
When the ignition switch is on, the last
previously used mode displayed just be-
fore the ignition switch is off will appear.
If the electrical power source has been
disconnected from the multi−information
display, the display will automatically be
set to the initial mode.
CAUTION
Do not adjust the display while the
vehicle is moving. Be sure to adjust
the display only when the vehicle is
stopped.
You can select the unit between English/
U.S. customary system and metric unit.
For details, see “SELECTING UNIT” de-
scribed below.SELECTING UNIT
To select the unit A (English/U.S. cus-
tomary system) or unit B (metric unit),
push and hold the “H” and “M” buttons
beside the clock for about 3 second.
The unit variations are as follows;
Information
Unit AUnit B
Average and
instantaneous
fuel consumption
MPGL/100km
Driving rangemilekm
Average vehicle
speedMPHkm/h
Outside
temperatureFC
This function is also linked with the auto-
matic air conditioning display.
Multiinformation displays—

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The left side display indicates the
cruise information when the ignition
switch is in the “ON” position.
Each time you push the “DISP.” button
on the steering wheel, the display
toggles through the following informa-
tion.
1. Instantaneous fuel consumption
2. Average fuel consumption
3. Driving range
4. Average vehicle speed
5. Elapsed time
The displayed values in the display indi-
cate general driving conditions. Accuracy
varies with driving habits and road condi-
tions.
1. Instantaneous fuel consumption
(“MPG” or “L/100 km”)
The instantaneous fuel consumption is
calculated and displayed based on dis-
tance and fuel consumption for 2 sec-
onds with the engine running.The displayed value is updated every 2
seconds.
Note that an accurate figure may not be
shown in the following cases.
When the vehicle is stopped with the
engine running, the display will indicate
the extremely high fuel consumption.
When the vehicle is driving down a
long slope, applying the engine brake,
the display will indicate the extremely
low fuel consumption.
The calculation is reset when the ignition
switch is turned off.
2. Average fuel consumption
(“AVG. MPG” or “AVG. L/100 km”)
Average fuel consumption is calculated
and displayed based on total driving
distance and total fuel consumption
with the engine running.
The displayed value is updated every 10
seconds.
To reset the calculations, push and hold
the “DISP.” button for more than 1 second.
—Cruise information

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3. Driving range
(“RANGE MI” or “RANGE KM”)
The distance the vehicle can travel with
the remaining fuel is calculated and
displayed based on the quantity of re-
maining fuel and past fuel consumption.
The driving range display indicates the
approximate distance that you can drive
until the fuel gauge reaches “E”. It is
different from the actual distance traveled.
The displayed value is updated every time
the fuel equivalent for 1 mile or 1 km is
consumed.
Every time you refuel the vehicle, the cal-
culation is reset.
The actual driving range varies with driv-
ing habits and road conditions. If fuel con-
sumption is good, the driving range will be
longer. If fuel consumption is poor, the
driving range will be shorter.
If the low fuel level warning light comes
on, refuel even if the display indicates
that the vehicle can be driven further.4. Average vehicle speed
(“AVG. MPH” or “AVG. KM/h”)
Average vehicle speed is calculated and
displayed based on total driving dis-
tance and total driving time with the
engine running.
The displayed value is updated every 10
seconds.
To reset the calculations, push and hold
the “DISP.” button for more than 1 second.
5. Elapsed time
(“E/T”)
The elapsed time after the engine starts
is displayed.
When the engine is started, driving time
is counted from 0:00. Up to 99:59 (99
hours, 59 minutes) can be displayed.
When the driving time exceeds 99:59, the
counter returns to 0:00.
To reset the calculations, push and hold
the “DISP.” button for more than 1 second.
The center display indicates the time
when the ignition switch is in the
“ACC” or “ON” position.
To reset the hour: Push the “H” button.
To reset the minutes: Push the “M” button.
—Clock

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INFORMATION BEFORE DRIVING YOUR
TOYOTA
Information before driving your Toyota
Break−in period222 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel222 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel pump shut off system224 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operation in foreign countries224 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Three−way catalytic converters225 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine exhaust cautions226 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Facts about engine oil consumption227 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Iridium−tipped spark plugs228 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake system228 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake pad wear limit indicators232 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Your Toyota’s identification232 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Theft prevention labels234 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Suspension and chassis234 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire information235 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle load limits243 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cargo and luggage243 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Types of tires246 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 2

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FUNCTIONS OF ENGINE OIL
Engine oil has the primary functions of
lubricating and cooling the inside of the
engine, and plays a major role in main-
taining the engine in proper working order.
ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION
It is normal that an engine should con-
sume some engine oil during normal
engine operation. The causes of oil
consumption in a normal engine are as
follows.
Oil is used to lubricate pistons, piston
rings and cylinders. A thin film of oil
is left on the cylinder wall when a pis-
ton moves downwards in the cylinder.
High negative pressure generated when
the vehicle is decelerating sucks some
of this oil into the combustion chamber.
This oil as well as some part of the oil
film left on the cylinder wall is burned
by the high temperature combustion
gases during the combustion process.
Oil is also used to lubricate the stems
of the intake valves. Some of this oil
is sucked into the combustion chamber
together with the intake air and is
burned along with the fuel. High tem-
perature exhaust gases also burn the
oil used to lubricate the exhaust valve
stems.The amount of engine oil consumed de-
pends on the viscosity of the oil, the
quality of the oil and the conditions the
vehicle is driven under.
More oil is consumed by high−speed driv-
ing and frequent acceleration and decel-
eration.
A new engine consumes more oil, since
its pistons, piston rings and cylinder walls
have not become conditioned.
Oil consumption: Max. 1.0 L per 1000
km (1.1 qt./600 miles, 0.9 lmp. qt./600
miles)
When judging the amount of oil con-
sumption, note that the oil may become
diluted and make it difficult to judge
the true level accurately.
As an example, if a vehicle is used for
repeated short trips, and consumes a nor-
mal amount of oil, the dipstick may not
show any drop in the oil level at all, even
after 1000 km (600 miles) or more. This
is because the oil is gradually becoming
diluted with fuel or moisture, making it
appear that the oil level has not changed.
The diluting ingredients evaporate out
when the vehicle is then driven at high
speeds, as on an express way, making it
appear that oil is excessively consumed
after driving at high speeds.IMPORTANCE OF ENGINE OIL LEVEL
CHECK
One of the most important points in prop-
er vehicle maintenance is to keep the en-
gine oil at the optimum level so that oil
function will not be impaired. Therefore, it
is essential that the oil level be checked
regularly. Toyota recommends that the oil
level be checked every time you refuel
the vehicle.
NOTICE
Failure to check the oil level regularly
could lead to serious engine trouble
due to insufficient oil.
For detailed information on oil level check,
see “Checking the engine oil level” on
page 300 in Section 7−2.
Facts about engine oil
consumption

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Improving fuel economy is easy—just take
it easy. It will help make your vehicle last
longer, too. Here are some specific tips
on how to save money on both fuel and
repairs:
Keep your tires inflated at the cor-
rect pressure. Underinflation causes
tire wear and wastes fuel. See page
305 in Section 7−2 for instructions.
Do not carry unneeded weight in
your vehicle. Excess weight puts a
heavier load on the engine, causing
greater fuel consumption.
Avoid lengthy warmup idling. Once
the engine is running smoothly, begin
driving—but gently. Remember, howev-
er, that on cold winter days this may
take a little longer.
Put the selector lever into the “D”
when engine brake is not required.
Driving without the “D” position will re-
duce the fuel economy. (For details,
see “Automatic transmission” on page
139 in Section 1−7.)
Accelerate slowly and smoothly.
Avoid jackrabbit starts. Get into high
gear as quickly as possible.
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 traveling.
Avoid continuous speeding up and
slowing down. Stop−and−go 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 corro-
sion.
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 con-
tribute 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”.)
How to save fuel and make
your vehicle last longer