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167
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
n
Before towing
Check that the following conditions are met:
lEnsure that your vehicle’
s tires are properly inflated. ( →P. 351)
l T
railer tires should be inflated according to the trailer manufacturer’s rec -
ommendation.
l All trailer light
s work to be legal.
l Confirm all light
s work each time you connect them.
l 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.
l Make s
ure the trailer cargo is securely loaded.
lCheck
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.
n Break-in schedule
l T
oyota recommends that you do not use a new vehicle or a vehicle with
any new power train components (engine, transmission, differential,
wheel bearings, etc.) to tow a trailer for the first 500 miles (800 km) of
driving.
n Main
tenance
lIf 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”.)
l Retighten the fixing
bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approxi -
mately 600 miles (1000 km).
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170 2-5. Driving information
lReversing with a trailer attached is difficult and requires practice.
Grip the bottom of the steering wheel and move your hand to the
left to move the trailer to the left. Move your hand to the right to
move the trailer to the right. (This is generally opposite to reversing
without a trailer attached.) Avoid sharp or prolonged turning. Have
someone guide you when reversing to reduce the risk of an acci -
dent.
l As stopp
ing distance is increased when towing a trailer, vehicle-to-
vehicle distance should be increased. For each 10 mph (16 km/h)
of speed, allow at least o ne vehicle and trailer length.
l A
void sudden braking as you may skid, resulting in jackknifing and
loss of control. This is especiall y true on wet or slippery surfaces.
l A
void jerky starts or sudden acceleration. Vehicles with a manual
transmission, prevent excessive clut ch slippage by keeping engine
rpm low and not racing the engine. Always start out in first gear.
l A
void jerky steering and sharp turns, and slow down before mak -
ing a turn.
l Note
that when making a turn, th e trailer wheels will be closer than
the vehicle wheels to the inside of the turn. Compensate by making
a larger than normal turning radius.
l Cr
osswinds and rough roads will adversely affect handling of your
vehicle and trailer, causing sway. Periodically check the rear to
prepare for being passed by large trucks or buses, which may
cause your vehicle and trailer to sway. If swaying occurs, firmly grip
the steering wheel, reduce speed immediately but gradually, and
steer straight ahead. Never increase speed. If you make no
extreme correction with the steeri ng or brakes, your vehicle and
trailer will stabilize.
l T
ake care when passing other v ehicles. Passing requires consider -
able distance. After passing a vehi cle
, do not forget the length of
your trailer, and be sure you have plenty of room before changing
lanes.
Page 246 of 402
235
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
General maintenance
Engine compartment
ItemsCheck points
Battery Maintenance-free. ( →P. 253)
Brake fluid At the correct level? ( →P. 252)
Engine coolant At the correct level? ( →P. 250)
Engine oil At the correct level? ( →P. 246)
Exhaust system No fumes or strange sounds?
Radiator/condenser/hoses Not blocked with foreign matter?
(
→P. 252)
Washer fluid At the correct level? ( →P. 256)
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 Supple ment”. It is recommended that
any problem you notice should be brought to the attention of your
Toyota dealer or qualified service shop for advice.
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237
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Vehicle exterior
Steering wheel
• Moves smoothly?
• Has correct free play?
• No strange noises?
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
n If the engine is running
Turn the engine off and ensure that there is adequate ventilation before per-
forming maintenance checks.
ItemsCheck points
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246 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Engine oil
With the engine at operating temperature and turned off, check the oil
level on the dipstick.
nChecking
the engine oil
Park the vehicle on level ground. Af
ter turning off the engine,
wait more than 5 minutes for the oil to drain back into the bot -
tom of the engine.
Hold a rag under the end and
pu
ll the dipstick out.
Wipe the dipstick clean.
Reinsert the dipstick fully.
Holding a rag under the end, pull the dipstick out and check
the oil level.
Wipe the dipstick and reinsert it fully. Low
Full
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247
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
n
Adding engine oil
If the oil level is below or near
the
low level mark, add engine
oil of the same type as already in
the engine.
Make sure to check the oil type a
nd prepare the items needed before
adding oil.
Remove the oil filler cap, turning it counterclockwise.
Add engine oil slowly.
Checking the dipstick.
Reinstall the filler cap, turning it clockwise.
The approximate quantity of oil needed to raise the level between low and
full on the dipstick is indicated as follows:
1.6 qt. (1.5 L, 1.3 lmp. qt.)
Oil grade ILSAC multigrade engine oil
ItemsClean funnel
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250 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Engine coolant
The coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the FULL and LOW
lines on the reservoir when the engine is cold.Reservoir cap
FULL
LOW
If the level is on or below the
LOW line, add coolant up to the
FULL line.
NOTICE
nTo prevent serious engine damage
Check the oil level on regular basis.
n When replacing the engine oil
lBe careful not to spill engine oil on the vehicle components.
l Avoid overfilling, as the engine could be damaged.
l Check the oil level on the dipstick every time you refill the vehicle.
l Be sure the engine oil filler cap is properly tightened.
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251
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
n
If the coolant level drops within a short time after replenishing
Visually check the radiator, hoses, reservoir cap, radiator cap, drain cock
and water pump.
If you cannot find a leak, have your Toyota dealer pressure test the cap and
check for leaks in the cooling system.
n Coolant selec
tion
Only use “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or similar high quality ethylene
glycol based n
on-silicate, non-amine, non-nitrite and non-borate coolant with
long-life hybrid organic acid technology.
Except Canada:“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 50% cool -
ant and 50% deionized water. (Enabled: -31 °F [-
35°C])
Canada: “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 55% coolant and 45% deionized water
. (Enabled: -44°F [-42 °C])
For more details about engine coolant, contact your Toyota dealer.
CAUTION
n When the engine is hot
Do not remove the radiator cap.
The cooling system may be under pressure and may spray hot coolant if the
cap is removed, causing burns or other injuries.
NOTICE
nWhen adding engine coolant
Coolant is neither plain water nor strai ght antifreeze. The correct mixture of
water and antifreeze must be used to provide proper lubrication, corrosion
protection and cooling. Be sure to read the antifreeze or coolant label.
n If you spill coolant
Be sure to wash it off with water to prevent damage to parts or paint.