2008 TOYOTA CAMRY maintenance

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
1Before drivingAdjusting and operating features such as door locks,
mirrors, and steering column.
2When drivingDriving, stopping and safe-driving information.
3Interior fea-
turesAir conditioning and audio systems, as well as other in-
terior features for a comfortable driving experience.
4Maintenance
and careCleaning and protecting your vehicle, performing do-it-
yourself maintenance, and maintenance information.
5When trouble
arisesWhat to do if the vehicle needs to be towed, gets a flat
tire, or is involved in an accident.
6Vehicle
specificationsDetailed vehicle information.
7For U.S. own-
ersReporting safety defects for U.S. owners
IndexAlphabetical listing of information contained in this
manual.

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
4
3-5. Using the storage features ........................... 267
List of storage features....... 267
• Glove box ......................... 268
• Console box ..................... 268
• Cup holders ...................... 270
• Auxiliary boxes ................. 272
3-6. Other interior features ..... 275 Sun visors .......................... 275
Vanity mirrors ..................... 276
Clock .................................. 277
Ashtrays ............................. 278
Power outlet ....................... 279
Seat heaters ....................... 281
Armrest............................... 283
Rear sunshade ................... 284
Trunk storage extension (vehicles with reclining
rear seat) .......................... 285
Floor mat ............................ 286
Trunk features .................... 287
Garage door opener ........... 288
Compass ............................ 293 4-1. Maintenance and care ...... 298
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior ........... 298
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior ............ 300
4-2. Maintenance ...................... 303 Maintenance requirements .................... 303
General maintenance ......... 305
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs .......................... 308
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance ................... 309
Do-it-yourself service precautions ....................... 309
Hood ................................... 313
Positioning the jack............. 314
Engine compartment .......... 316
Tires.................................... 334
Tire inflation pressure ......... 344
Wheels................................ 348
Air conditioning filter ........... 350
Key battery ......................... 353
Checking and replacing fuses ................................. 357
Light bulbs .......................... 368
4Maintenance and care

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
5
5-1. Essential information ....... 374If your vehicle needs to be towed ........................... 374
If you think something is wrong ............................ 377
Fuel pump shut off system .............................. 378
Event data recorder ............ 379
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency ....................... 381
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds... ......................... 381
If a warning message is displayed (vehicles with
multi-information
display) ............................. 391
If you have a flat tire............ 400
If the engine will not start .... 411
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P (automatic
transmission) .................... 413
If you lose your keys ........... 414
If the electronic key does not operate properly
(vehicles with smart key
system) ............................. 415
If the battery is discharged ........................ 417
If your vehicle overheats ..... 421
If the vehicle becomes stuck ................................. 424 6-1. Specifications ................... 428
Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.) ........... 428
Fuel information.................. 439
Tire information .................. 442
6-2. Customization................... 454 Customizable features........ 454
6-3. Initialization....................... 458 Items to initialize ................. 458
Reporting safety defects for U.S. owners ................ 460
Abbreviation list ........................ 462
Alphabetical index .................... 463
What to do if... ......................... 473
5When trouble arises6Vehicle specifications
7For U.S. owners
Index

77
1
Before driving
1-6. Theft deterrent system
Engine immobilizer system
■System maintenance
The vehicle has a maintenance-free type of engine immobilizer system.
■ Conditions that may cause the system to malfunction
● If the key is in contact with a metallic object
● If the key is in close proximity to or touching a key to the security system
(key with a built-in transponder chip) of another vehicle
The vehicle's keys have built-in tr ansponder chips that prevent the
engine from starting if the key has not been previously registered in
the vehicle's on-board computer.
Never leave the keys inside the vehicle when you leave the vehicle.
Vehicles with smart key sys-
tem: The indicator light flashes
after the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch has been turned
OFF to indicate that the sys-
tem is operating.
Vehicles without smart key
system: The indicator light
flashes after the key has been
removed from the engine
switch to indicate that the sys-
tem is operating.

175
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
■
Before towing
●Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. ( P. 344)
● Trailer tires should be inflated according to the trailer manufacturer's rec-
ommendation.
● All trailer lights must work in order to be legal.
● Confirm all lights work each time you connect them.
● Check that your vehicle remains level when a loaded or unloaded trailer
is hitched. Do not drive if the vehicle is not level, and check for improper
tongue load, overloading, worn suspension, or other possible causes.
● Make sure the trailer cargo is securely loaded.
● Check that your rear view mirrors c onform to any federal, state/provincial
or local regulations. If they do not, inst all rear view mirrors appropriate for
towing purposes.
■ Break-in schedule
Toyota recommends that you do not use a new vehicle or a vehicle with any
new power train components (engine, transmission, differential, wheel bear-
ings, etc.) to tow a trailer for the first 500 miles (800 km) of driving.
■ Maintenance
●If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent maintenance
due to the additional load. (See “Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or
“Owner's Manual Supplement”.)
● Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approxi-
mately 600 miles (1000 km) of trailer towing.

Maintenance and care4
297
4-1. Maintenance and care ............................... 298
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior......... 298
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior.......... 300
4-2. Maintenance ................... 303 Maintenance requirements .................. 303
General maintenance....... 305
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs........................ 308 4-3. Do-it-yourself
maintenance ................. 309
Do-it-yourself service precautions .................... 309
Hood ................................ 313
Positioning the jack .......... 314
Engine compartment ........ 316
Tires ................................. 334
Tire inflation pressure ...... 344
Wheels ............................. 348
Air conditioning filter......... 350
Key battery ....................... 353
Checking and replacing fuses .............................. 357
Light bulbs........................ 368

298
4-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior
■Automatic car washes
Brushes used in automatic car washes may scratch the vehicle surface and
harm your vehicle’s paint.
■ High pressure car washes
●Do not allow the nozzles of the car wash to come within close proximity
of the windows.
● Before car wash, check that the fuel filler door on your vehicle is closed
properly.
■ Aluminum wheels
Remove any dirt immediately by using a neutral detergent. Do not use har\
d
brushes or abrasive cleaners. Do not use strong or harsh chemical cleaners.
Use the same mild detergent and wax as used on the paint.
■ Bumpers and side moldings
Do not scrub with abrasive cleaners.
Perform the following to protect the vehicle and maintain it in prime
condition.
● Working from top to bottom, liber ally apply water to the vehicle
body, wheel wells and underside of the vehicle to remove any
dirt and dust.
Wash the vehicle body using a sponge or soft cloth, such as a
chamois.
● For hard-to-remove marks, use car wash soap and rinse thor-
oughly with water.
● Wipe away any water.
● Wax the vehicle when the waterproof coating deteriorates.
If water does not bead on a clean surface, apply wax when the vehicle
body is cool.

299
4-1. Maintenance and care
4
Maintenance and care
■
To prevent deteriorati on and body corrosion
● Wash the vehicle immediately in the following cases:
• After driving near the sea coast
• After driving on salted roads
• If you see coal tar or tree sap on the paint surface
• If you see dead insects or insect droppings on the paint
• After driving in an area contaminated with soot, oily smoke, mine dust,
iron powder or chemical substances
• If the vehicle becomes heavily soiled in dust or mud
• If liquids such as benzene and gasoline are spilled on the paint surface
● If the paint is chipped or scratched, have it repaired immediately.
CAUTION
■Caution about the exhaust pipe
Exhaust gasses cause the exhaust pipe to become quite hot.
When washing the vehicle, be careful not to touch the pipe until it has cooled
sufficiently, as touching a hot exhaust pipe can cause burns.
NOTICE
■To protect your vehicle’s painted surfaces
Do not use organic cleaners such as benzene or gasoline.
■ Cleaning the exterior lights
●Wash carefully. Do not use organic substances or scrub with a hard brush.
This may damage the surfaces of the lights.
● Do not apply wax on the surfaces of the lights.
Wax may cause damage to the lenses.