2012 TOYOTA GT86 coolant level

289 4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
FT86_EE
Where to go for service?
In order to maintain your vehicle in the highest possible condition, Toyota
recommends that all repairs and service operations be carried out by autho-
rized Toyota dealers or repairers or other duly qualified and equipped profes-
sionals. For repairs and services covered by your warranty, please visit an
authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, who will use genuine Toyota parts in
repairing any difficulties you may encounter. There can also be advantages
in utilizing authorized Toyota dealers or repairers for non-warranty repairs
and services, as members of the Toyota network will be able to expertly
assist you with any difficulties you may encounter.
Your Toyota dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped pro-
fessional service department will perform all of the scheduled maintenance
on your vehicle - reliably and economically due to their experience with
Toyota vehicles.
Does your vehicle need repairs?
Be on the alert for changes in performance and sounds, and visual tip-offs
that indicate service is needed. Some important clues are:
Engine missing, stumbling or pinging
Appreciable loss of power
Strange engine noises
A fluid leak under the vehicle (However, water dripping from the air condi-
tioning system after use is normal.)
Change in exhaust sound (This may indicate a dangerous carbon mon-
oxide leak. Drive with the windows open and have the exhaust system
checked immediately.)
Flat-looking tires, excessive tire squeal when cornering, uneven tire wear
Vehicle pulls to one side when driven straight on a level road
Strange noises related to suspension movement
Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy feeling brake pedal or clutch pedal,
pedal almost touches the floor, vehicle pulls to one side when braking
Engine coolant temperature continually higher than normal
If you notice any of these clues, take your vehicle to any authorized Toyota
dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional as
soon as possible. Your vehicle may need adjustment or repair.

291
4
Maintenance and care
FT86_EE
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself ser vice precautions
If you perform maintenance yourself, be sure to follow the correct
procedures as given in these sections.
ItemsParts and tools
Battery condition (P. 305)•Warm water
• Baking soda
• Grease
• Conventional wrench
(for terminal clamp bolts)
• Distilled water
Engine coolant level (P. 302)• “TOYOTA Genuine 50/50 Pre-
mixed Super Long Life Coolant
BLUE” or similar high-quality
ethylene glycol-based non-
silicate, non-amine, non-nitrite
and non-borate coolant with long-
life hybrid organic acid
technology. “TOYOTA Genuine
50/50 Pre-mixed Super Long Life
Coolant BLUE” is pre-mixed with
50% coolant and 50% deionized
water.
• Funnel (used only for adding cool-
ant)
Engine oil levelP. 299)• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or
equivalent
• Rag or paper towel, funnel
(used only for adding engine oil)
Fuses (P. 324)• Fuse with same amperage rating
as original
Light bulbs (P. 332)• Bulb with same number and watt-
age rating as original
• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Flathead screwdriver

293 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
FT86_EE
CAUTION
When working near the electric cooling fans or radiator grille
Vehicles without a smart entry & start system: Be sure the engine switch is
off. With the engine switch in the “ON” position, the electric cooling fans may
automatically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the coolant tem-
perature is high. (P. 304)
Vehicles with a smart entry & start system: Be sure the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch is off. With the “ENGINE START STOP” switch in IGNITION
ON mode, the electric cooling fans may automatically start to run if the air
conditioning is on and/or the coolant temperature is high. (P. 304)
Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc. from
getting in the eyes.
NOTICE
If you remove the air cleaner filter
Driving with the air cleaner filter removed may cause excessive engine wear
due to dirt in the air. Also a backfire could cause a fire in the engine compart-
ment.
If the fluid level is low or high
It is normal for the brake fluid level to go down slightly as the brake pads
wear or when the fluid level in the accumulator is high.
If the reservoir needs frequent refilling, it may indicate a serious problem.

298
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
FT86_EE
Engine compartment
*: For right-hand drive vehicles: This is located on the opposite side of the
engine compartment.
Battery* (P. 305)
Engine oil level dipstick
(P. 299)
Engine oil filler cap
(P. 300)
Washer fluid tank (P. 309)Electric cooling fans
Condenser (if equipped)
(P. 304)
Radiator (P. 304)
Engine coolant reservoir
(P. 302)
Fuse box (P. 324)

302 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
FT86_EE
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
To prevent serious engine damage
Check the oil level on a regular basis.
When replacing the engine oil
Be careful not to spill engine oil on the vehicle components.
Avoid overfilling, or the engine could be damaged.
Check the oil level on the dipstick every time you refill the vehicle.
Be sure the engine oil filler cap is properly tightened.
If the coolant level drops within a short time after replenishing
Visually check the radiator, hoses, engine coolant filler cap, radiator cap,
drain cock and water pump.
If you cannot find a leak, have any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or
another duly qualified and equipped professional pressure test the cap and
check for leaks in the cooling system.

360
5-1. Essential information
FT86_EE
If you think something is wrong
If you notice any of the following symptoms, your vehicle probably
needs adjustment or repair. Contact any authorized Toyota dealer or
repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional as
soon as possible.
Visible symptoms
Fluid leaks under the vehicle
(Water dripping from the air conditioning after use is normal.)
Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
Engine coolant temperature gauge needle continually points
higher than normal
Audible symptoms
Changes in exhaust sound
Excessive tire squeal when cornering
Strange noises related to the suspension system
Pinging or other noises related to the engine
Operational symptoms
Engine missing, stumbling or running rough
Appreciable loss of power
Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when driving on a level road
Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy feeling, pedal almost
touches the floor

408
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
FT86_EE
If your vehicle overheats
If your engine overheats:
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and turn off the air condi-
tioning system.
Check to see if steam is coming out from under the hood.
If you see steam:
Stop the engine. Carefully lift the hood after the steam sub-
sides and then restart the engine.
If you do not see steam:
Leave the engine running and carefully lift the hood.
Check to see if the cooling fan is operating.
If the fan is operating:
Wait until the temperature of the engine (shown on the
instrument cluster) begins to fall and then stop the engine.
If the fan is not operating:
Stop the engine and call any authorized Toyota dealer or
repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped profes-
sional.
After the engine has cooled
down sufficiently, check the
engine coolant level and
inspect the radiator core (radi-
ator) for any leaks.STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4