Page 240 of 672

240 2-5. Driving information
NOTICE
■To prevent the water damage
●Take all necessary safety measures to ensure that water damage to the
engine or other components does not occur.
● Water entering the engine air intake will cause severe engine damage.
● Water entering the automatic transmission will cause deterioration in shift
quality, locking up of your transmission accompanied by vibration, and ulti-
mately damage.
● Water can wash the grease from wheel bearings, causing rusting and pre-
mature failure, and may also enter the differentials, transmission and
transfer case, reducing the gear oil’s lubricating qualities.
■ When you drive through water
If driving through water, such as when crossing shallow streams, first check
the depth of the water and the bottom of the river bed for firmness. Drive
slowly and avoid deep water.
■ Inspection after off-road driving
●Sand and mud that has accumulate d in brake drums and around brake
discs may affect braking efficiency and may damage brake system compo-
nents.
● Always perform a maintenance inspection after each day of off-road driv-
ing that has taken you through rough terrain, sand, mud, or water. For
scheduled maintenance information, refer to the “Scheduled Maintenance
Guide” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”. 
     
        
        Page 268 of 672

268 2-5. Driving information
■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).
CAUTION
■Trailer towing precautions
To tow a trailer safely, use extreme care and drive the vehicle in accordance
with the trailer’s characteristics and operating conditions.
The vehicle stability and braking performance are affected by trailer stability,
brake setting and performance, and the hitch.
Follow all the instructions described in this section. Failure to do so could
cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■ Weight limit precautions
●The gross trailer weight must never exceed towing capacity. ( P. 251)
● The gross combination weight must never exceed the GCWR. ( P. 251)
● Exceeding the towing capacity, GVWR, GCWR or GAWR can cause an
accident resulting in death or serious injuries.
●The gross vehicle weight must never
exceed the GVWR indicated the Certifi-
cation Label.
● The gross axle weight on each axle
must never exceed the GAWR indi-
cated the Certification Label. 
     
        
        Page 465 of 672

465
4
Maintenance and care
4-2. Maintenance
Maintenance requirements
■Repair and replacement
It is recommended that genuine Toyota parts be used for repair to ensure
performance of each system. If non-Toyota parts are used in replacement or
if a repair shop other than Toyota deal er performs repairs, confirm the war-
ranty coverage.
Flex-fuel vehicles: Flex-fuel vehicles use special parts made exclusively for
flex-fuel vehicles. When servicing or repairing your vehicles, use genuine
Toyota parts made exclusively for your flex-fuel vehicle.
To ensure safe and economical driv ing, day-to-day care and regular
maintenance are essential. It is the  owner’s responsibility to perform
regular checks. Toyota recommen ds the following maintenance.
■General maintenance
Should be performed on a daily basis. This can be done by your-
self or by a Toyota dealer.
■ Scheduled maintenance
Should be performed at specified intervals according to the
maintenance schedule.
For details about maintenance items and schedules, refer to the
“Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”.
■Do-it-yourself maintenance
You can perform some maintenance procedures yourself.
Please be aware that do-it-yourself maintenance may affect war-
ranty coverage.
The use of Toyota Repair Manuals is recommended.
For details about warranty coverage, see the separate “Owner’s
Warranty Information Booklet”, “Owner’s Manual Supplement”. 
     
        
        Page 467 of 672
467
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
General maintenance
Engine compartment
ItemsCheck points
Battery Maintenance-free.  ( P. 489)
Brake fluid At the correct level?  ( P. 486)
Engine coolant At the correct level? ( P. 484)
Engine oil At the correct level? ( P. 479)
Exhaust system No fumes or strange sounds?
Power steering fluid At the correct level? ( P. 488)
Radiator/condenser/hoses Not blocked with foreign matter? 
(
P. 486)
Washer fluid At the correct level? ( P. 492)
Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be per-
formed at the intervals specified in the “Scheduled Maintenance
Guide” or “Owner’s Manual Supp lement”. It is recommended that
any problem you notice should be brought to the attention of your
Toyota dealer or qualified service shop for advice. 
     
        
        Page 469 of 672
469
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Vehicle exterior
ItemsCheck points
Doors • Operate smoothly?
Engine hood • The lock system works properly?
Fluid leaks • Is there any leakage after park-
ing?
Tire • Inflation pressure is correct?
• Tire surfaces not worn or dam-
aged?
• Tires rotated according to the  maintenance schedule?
• Wheel nuts are not loose?
CAUTION
■ If the engine is running
Turn the engine off and ensure that there is adequate ventilation before per-
forming maintenance checks. 
     
        
        Page 509 of 672
509
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
■
Checking interval
Inspect, clean and replace the air conditioning filter according to the mainte-
nance schedule. In dusty areas or areas with heavy traffic flow, more fre-
quent cleaning or early replacement may be required. (For scheduled
maintenance information, please refer to the “Scheduled Maintenance
Guide” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”.)
■ If air flow from the vents decreases dramatically
The filter may be clogged. Check the filter and replace if necessary.
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the system
●When using the air conditioning system, make sure that a filter is always
installed.
● When cleaning the filter, do not clean the filter with water.
■ Replacement method
Remove the air conditioning
filter and replace it with a new
one.
The“  UP” marks shown on the
filter should be pointing up. 
     
        
        Page 556 of 672
556 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
(U.S.A. only)Indicates that the engine 
oil is scheduled to be 
changed.
A buzzer also sounds.
Check the engine oil, 
and change if neces-
sary.
Comes on approxi-
mately 4500 miles (7200 
km) after the engine oil 
is changed. (The indica-
tor will not work prop-
erly unless the oil 
maintenance data has 
been reset).
(U.S.A. only) Indicates that the engine 
oil should be changed.
A buzzer also sounds.
Check and change the 
engine oil.
Comes on approxi-
mately 5000 miles (8000 
km) after the engine oil 
is changed (and the oil 
maintenance data has 
been reset).
Indicates that the fuel 
level is low.
A buzzer also sounds 
and the low fuel level 
warning light comes on. Fill up the tank as soon 
as possible.
Warning messageDetailsCorrection procedure