2005 TOYOTA xA steering

185
If you are a skilled do−it−yourself
mechanic, the Scion service manuals are
recommended. Please be aware that
do− it−yourself maintenance can affect your
warranty coverage. See “Owner ’s Warranty
Information Booklet” or “Owner ’s Manual
Supplement” for the details.
General maintenance
Listed below are the general maintenance
items that should be performed as fre-
quently as specified. In addition to check-
ing the items listed, if you notice any
unusual noise, smell or vibration, you
should investigate the cause or take your
vehicle to your Scion dealer or a qualified
service shop immediately. It is recom-
mended that any problem you notice be
brought to the attention of your dealer or
the qualified service shop for their advice.
CAUTION
Make these checks only with ade-
quate ventilation if you run the en-
gine.
IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT
Items listed below should be checked
from time to time, e.g. each time when
refueling.
Washer fluid
Make sure there is sufficient fluid in the
tank. See page 215 for additional informa-
tion. Engine coolant level
Make sure the coolant level is between
the “FULL” and “LOW” lines on the see
−
through reservoir when the engine is cold.
See page 200 for additional information.
Radiator, condenser, and hoses
Check that the front of the radiator and
condenser are clean and not blocked with
leaves, dirt or insects. See page 201 for
additional information.
Battery electrolyte level
Your Scion has a maintenance free bat-
tery. You do not have to add distilled wa-
ter. For longer life of the battery, however,
see page 213 for additional information.
Brake fluid level
Make sure the brake fluid level is correct.
See page 201 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 page 198 for addi-
tional information.
Power steering fluid level
Check the level through the reservoir. The
level should be in the “HOT” or “COLD”
range depending on the fluid temperature.
See page 202 for additional information.

186
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” on
page 125.)
INSIDE THE VEHICLE
Items listed below should be checked
regularly, e.g. while performing periodic
services, cleaning the vehicle, etc.
Lights
Make sure the headlights, stop lights, tail
lights, turn signal lights, and other lights
are all working. Check headlight aim.
Service reminder indicators and warning
buzzers
Check that all service reminder indicators
and warning buzzers function properly.
Steering wheel
Check that it has specified free play. Be
alert for changes in steering condition,
such as hard steering or strange noise.Seats
Check that all front seat controls such as
seat adjusters, seatback recliner, etc. op-
erate smoothly and that all latches lock
securely in any position. Check that the
head restraints move up and down
smoothly and that the locks hold securely
in any latched position. For folding
−down
rear seatbacks, check that the latches
lock securely.
Seat belts
Check that the seat belt system such as
buckles, retractors and anchors operate
properly and smoothly. Make sure the belt
webbing is not cut, frayed, worn or dam-
aged.
Accelerator pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and
uneven pedal effort or catching.
Clutch pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation.
Brake pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and
that the pedal has the proper clearance.
Check the brake booster function.
Brakes
In a safe place, check that the brakes do
not pull to one side when applied. Parking brake
Check that the lever has the proper travel
and that, on a safe incline, your vehicle
is held securely with only the parking
brake applied.
Automatic transmission “Park” mecha-
nism
Check the lock release button of the se-
lector lever for proper and smooth opera-
tion. On a safe incline, check that your
vehicle is held securely with the selector
lever in “P” position and all brakes re-
leased.
OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE
Items listed below should be performed
from time to time, unless otherwise
specified.
Fluid leaks
Check underneath for leaking fuel, oil, wa-
ter or other fluid after the vehicle has
been parked for a while. If you smell fuel
fumes or notice any leak, have the cause
found and corrected immediately.
Doors and engine hood
Check that all the side doors and back
door operate smoothly and all latches lock
securely. Make sure the engine hood sec-
ondary latch secures the hood from open-
ing when the primary latch is released.

190
Engine compartment overview
1. Windshield washer fluid tank
2. Power steering fluid reservoir
3. Engine oil filler cap
4. Engine oil level dipstick
5. Brake fluid reservoir
6. Battery
7. Fuse block
8. Engine coolant reservoir
9. Electric cooling fan
10. Condenser
11 . R a d i a t o r

193
NOTICE
Remember that battery and ignition
cables carry high currents or volt-
ages. Be careful of accidentally
causing a short circuit.
 Add only “Toyota Super Long Life
Coolant” or similar high quality eth-
ylene glycol based nonsilicate,
nonamine, nonnitrite, and nonbo-
rate coolant with longlife hybrid
organic acid technology to fill the
radiator “Toyota Super Long Life
Coolant” is a mixture of 50% cool-
ant and 50% deionized water.
 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.
 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 and power steering fluid,
or the transmission and power
steering 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.
 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 to perform do −it−yourself mainte-
nance. Remember all Scion parts are de-
signed in metric sizes, so your tools must
be metric.
CHECKING THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL
Parts (if level is low):
“Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent. See
page 199 for details about engine oil
selection.
Tools:
Rag or paper towel
Funnel (only for adding oil)
CHECKING THE ENGINE COOLANT
LEVEL
Parts (if level is low):
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or
similar high quality ethylene glycol
based non −silicate, non −amine, non− ni-
trite, and non −borate coolant with long −
life hybrid organic acid technology.
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a
mixture of 50% coolant and 50% deion-
ized water.
Tools:
Funnel (only for adding coolant)

194
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)
CHECKING AND REPLACING FUSES
Parts (if replacement is necessary):
Genuine fuse or equivalent with same
amperage rating as original ADDING WASHER FLUID
Parts:
Water
Washer fluid containing antifreeze (for
winter use)
Tools:
Funnel (only for adding washer fluid)
REPLACING LIGHT BULBS
Parts:
Bulb with same number and wattage
rating as original (See the table in
“Replacing light bulbs” on page 215.)
Positioning the jack
71A005
Do not
jack up
Lower back
outer panel
(protrusion)
When jacking up your vehicle with the
jack, position the jack correctly as
shown in the illustration.
Jack position
. . . . . . . . . .
Front—Front suspension member
Rear—Lower back outer panel

197
DOITYOURSELF MAINTENANCE
Engine and Chassis
Checking the engine oil level198
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Checking the engine coolant level 200
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Checking the radiator and condenser 201
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking brake fluid 201
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. . . .
Checking power steering fluid 202
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Checking tire inflation pressure 203
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Checking and replacing tires 206
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Rotating tires 208
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Installing snow tires and chains 208
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Replacing wheels 210
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SECTION 7 2

202
Remove and replace the reservoir cap by
hand. Fill the brake fluid up to the “MAX”
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
hands or eyes. If fluid gets on your
hands or in your eyes, flush the af-
fected area with clean water immedi-
ately. If you still feel uncomfortable
with your hands or eyes, go to the
doctor.
NOTICE
If you spill some of the fluid, be sure
to wipe it off to prevent it from dam-
aging the parts or paintwork.
Checking power steering fluid
Open
Close
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.

203
If cold O.K.
If cold add
If hot O.K.
If hot add
a. Clean all dirt from outside of the reser-
voir tank.
b. Remove the rubber cap. c. Remove the reservoir cap by turning it counterclockwise and wipe the dipstick
clean.
d. Reinstall the reservoir cap.
e. 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. f. After replacing the reservoir cap and
rubber cap, visually check the steering
box case, vane pump and hose con-
nections 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.
72A005a
Checking tire inflation
pressure