2009 TOYOTA CAMRY Owners Manual

329
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
■
Checking the fluid level
Make sure to check the fluid type and prepare the necessary items.
Clean all dirt off the reservoir.
Remove the reservoir cap by turning it counterclockwise and
wipe the dipstick clean.
Reinstall the reservoir cap.
Remove the reservoir cap again and look at the fluid level.
Fluid type Automatic transmission fluid DEXRON II or III
Items Rag or paper towel and funnel (only for adding
fluid)
CAUTION
■
Checking the fluid level
Take care, as the reservoir may be hot.
NOTICE
■When adding fluid
Avoid overfilling, or the power steering may be damaged.
■ After replacing the reservoir cap
Check the steering box case, vane pump and hose connections for leaks or
damage.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4

330 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
BatteryCheck the battery as follows.
■ Battery exterior
Make sure that the battery terminals are not corroded and that
there are no loose connections, cracks, or loose clamps.
Te r m i n a l s
Hold-down clamp
■ Checking battery fluid
Check the battery condition using the indicator color.
Type A
Blue: Good condition
White: Charging is necessary.
Have the vehicle inspected by
your Toyota dealer.
Red: Not working properly,
have the battery checked by
your Toyota dealer.

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Type B
Green: Good condition
Dark: Charging is necessary.
Have the vehicle inspected by
your Toyota dealer.
Clear or light yellow: Not
working properly, have the
battery checked by your
Toyota dealer.
■Before recharging
When recharging, the battery produces hydrogen gas which is flammable
and explosive. Therefore, before recharging:
●If recharging with the battery installed on the vehicle, be sure to discon-
nect the ground cable.
● Make sure the power switch on the charger is off when connecting and
disconnecting the charger cables to the battery.
■ After recharging the battery (vehicles with smart key system)
The engine may not start. Follow the procedure below to initialize the sys-
tem.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Open and close any of the doors.
Restart the engine.
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STEP2
STEP3

332 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
CAUTION
■Chemicals in the battery
A battery contains poisonous and corrosive sulfuric acid and may produce
hydrogen gas which is flammable and explosive. To reduce the risk of death
or serious injury, take the following precautions while working on or near the
battery:
●Do not cause sparks by touching the battery terminals with tools.
● Do not smoke or light a match near the battery.
● Avoid contact with eyes, skin and clothes.
● Never inhale or
● electrolyte.
● Wear protective safety glasses when working near the battery.
● Keep children away from the battery.
■ Where to safely charge the battery
Always charge the battery in an open area. Do not charge the battery in a
garage or closed room where there is not sufficient ventilation.
■ How to recharge the battery
Only perform a slow charge (5 A or less). The battery may explode if
charged at a quicker rate.
■ Emergency measures regarding electrolyte
●If electrolyte gets in your eyes
Flush your eyes with clean water for at least 15 minutes and get immedi-
ate medical attention. If possible, continue to apply water with a sponge or
cloth while traveling to the nearest medical facility.
● If electrolyte gets on your skin
Wash the affected area thoroughly. If you feel pain or burning, get medical
attention immediately.
● If electrolyte gets on your clothes
It can soak through clothing on to your skin. Immediately take off the cloth-
ing and follow the procedure above if necessary.
● If you accidentally swallow electrolyte
Drink a large quantity of water or milk. Get emergency medical attention
immediately.

333
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Washer fluid
Add washer fluid in the following
situations.
●Any washer does not work.
● The low washer fluid warning
light comes on. (if equipped)
● The warning message
appears on the multi-informa-
tion display. (if equipped)
NOTICE
■When recharging the battery
Never recharge the battery while the engine is running. Also, be sure all
accessories are turned off.
CAUTION
■When refilling the washer fluid
Do not refill the washer fluid when the engine is hot or running, as the
washer fluid contains alcohol and may catch fire if spilled on the engine etc.
NOTICE
■Do not use any fluid other than washer fluid
Do not use soapy water or engine antifreeze instead of washer fluid.
Doing so may cause streaking on the vehicle’s painted surfaces.
■ Diluting washer fluid
Dilute washer fluid with water as necessary.
Refer to the freezing temperatures listed on the washer fluid tank.

334
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Tires
Replace or rotate tires in accordance with maintenance sched-
ules and treadwear.
■Checking tires
New tread
Treadwear indicator
Worn tread
The location of treadwear
indicators is shown by the
“TWI” or “ ” marks, etc.,
molded on the sidewall of
each tire.
Check spare tire condition
and inflation pressure if not
rotated.
■Tire rotation
Vehicles with a spare tire of different wheel type from the
installed tires
Rotate the tires in the order
shown.
Toyota recommends tire rota-
tion in accordance with the
maintenance schedule to
equalize tire wear and extend
tire life.
AWD models: Do not fail to
initialize the tire pressure
warning system after tire
rotation.
Front

335
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Vehicles with a spare tire of t
he same wheel type as the installed
tires
Rotate the tires in the order
shown.
Toyota recommends tire rota-
tion in accordance with the
maintenance schedule to
equalize tire wear and extend
tire life.
AWD models: Do not fail to
initialize the tire pressure
warning system after tire
rotation.
■The tire pressure warning system
Your Toyota is equipped with a ti re pressure warning system that
uses tire pressure warning valves and transmitters to detect low
tire inflation pressure before serious problems arise. (→P. 384)
Vehicles with compact spare tire: The compact spare tire is not
equipped with the tire pressure warning valve and transmitters.
Front

336 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Installing tire pressure warning valves and transmittersWhen replacing tires or wheels, tire pressure warning valves and
transmitters must also be installed.
When new tire pressure warning valves and transmitters are
installed, new tire pressure warning valve and transmitter ID codes
must be registered in the tire pressure warning computer and the tire
pressure warning system must be initialized. Have tire pressure
warning valve and transmitter ID codes registered by your Toyota
dealer. ( →P. 337)
Initializing the tire pressure warning system
■ The tire pressure warning system must be initialized when
inflation the tire pressure is changed (such as when changing
traveling speed or load weight.)
When the tire pressure warning syst em is initialized, the current tire
inflation pressure is set as the pressure benchmark.
■ How to initialize the tire pressure warning system
Park the vehicle in a safe place and turn the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch or the engine switch OFF.
While the vehicle is moving, in itialization is not performed.
Adjust the tire inflation pressure to the specified cold tire infla-
tion pressure level. ( →P. 436)
Make sure to adjust the tire pressure to the specified cold tire
inflation pressure level. The tire pressure warning system will
operate based on this pressure level.
Turn the “ENGINE START STOP” switch to IGNITION ON
mode (vehicles with smart key system) or engine switch to
“ON” position (vehicles without smart key system).
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3