2012 TOYOTA SEQUOIA engine coolant

531
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
CAUTION
The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that may
move suddenly, become hot, or become electrically energized. To avoid death
or serious injury observe the following precautions.
■
When working on the engine compartment
●Keep hands, clothing, and tools away from the moving fan and engine
drive belt.
● Be careful not to touch the engine, radiator, exhaust manifold, etc. right
after driving as they may be hot. Oil and other fluids may also be hot.
● Do not leave anything that may burn easily, such as paper or rags, in the
engine compartment.
● Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose an open flame to fuel or the bat-
tery. Fuel and battery fumes are flammable.
● Be extremely cautious when working on the battery. It contains poisonous
and corrosive sulfuric acid.
● Take care because brake fluid can harm your hands or eyes and damage
painted surfaces.
If fluid gets on your hands or in your eyes, flush the affected area with
clean water immediately.
If you still experience discomfort, see a doctor.
■ When working near the cooling fan or radiator grille
Be sure the engine switch is off.
With the engine switch on, the cooling fan may automatically start to run if
the air conditioning is on and/or the coolant temperature is high.
■ Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc. from
getting in the eyes.

534
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Engine compar tment
Washer fluid tank (P. 547)
Engine oil level dipstick ( P. 535)
Engine coolant reservoir ( P. 539)
Engine oil filler cap ( P. 536)Brake fluid reservoir
( P. 541)
Fuse box ( P. 568)
Battery ( P. 544)
Radiator ( P. 541)
Condenser ( P. 541)
Power steering fluid reservoir ( P. 543)

539
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
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.
■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.
■ Coolant selection
Only use “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or similar high quality ethylene
glycol based non-silicate, non-amine, non-nitrite and non-borate coolant with
long-life hybrid organic acid technology.
U.S.A.: “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 50% coolant 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.

540 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
CAUTION
■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 serious injuries, such as burns.
NOTICE
■When adding engine coolant
Coolant is neither plain water nor stra ight 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.
■ If you spill coolant
Be sure to wash it off with water to prevent damage to parts or paint.

5
When trouble arises
601
5-1. Essential information
If you think something is wrong
If you notice any of the following symptoms, your vehicle probably
needs adjustment or repair. Contact your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible.
■ Visible symptoms
●Fluid leaks under the vehicle
(Water dripping from the air cond itioning after use is normal.)
● Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
● Engine coolant temperature g auge needle continually points
higher or lower than normal
● Voltmeter continually points higher or lower than normal
● Engine oil pressure gauge continually points higher or lower
than normal
● Automatic transmission fluid temperature gauge needle con-
tinually points higher or lower than normal (if equipped)
■ 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, s pongy feeling, pedal almost
touches the floor

5
When trouble arises
613
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If a war ning message is displayed (vehicles with multi-infor mation display)
Stop the vehicle immediately.The following warnings indicate the possibility of damage to the vehi-
cle that may lead to an accident. Immediately stop the vehicle in a
safe place and contact your Toyota dealer.
Warning messageDetails
(Flashing) Indicates that the engine coolant temperature is
too high
A buzzer also sounds.
Indicates that the automatic transmission fluid
temperature is too high A buzzer also sounds.
If a warning is shown on the multi- information display, stay calm and
perform the following actions:
Master warning light
The master warning light also
comes on or flashes in order to
indicate that a message is cur-
rently being displayed on the
multi-information display.
Multi-information display
If any of the warning lights turns on again after performing the fol-
lowing actions, contact your Toyota dealer.

638 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
The engine has cooled down sufficiently.
The engine coolant temperature gauge indicates C.
Check the engine coolant level.
Look for obvious coolant leaks from the radiator, hoses and
under the vehicle.
Note that water draining from the air conditioning is normal if it has
been used.
Add engine coolant if required.
Water can be used in an emer-
gency if engine coolant is
unavailable. ( P. 650)
Have the vehicle checked at your nearest Toyota dealer as soon as
possible.

5
When trouble arises
639
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
■
Overheating
If you observe the following, your vehicle may be overheating.
●The engine coolant temperature gauge enters the red zone or a loss of
power is experienced.
● Steam is coming from under the hood.
● “ENGINE COOLANT HOT” is shown on the multi-information display
(vehicles with multi-information display).
CAUTION
■To prevent an accident or injury when inspecting under the hood of
your vehicle
●If steam is seen coming from under the hood, do not open the hood until
the steam has subsided. The engine compartment may be very hot, caus-
ing serious injury such as burns.
● Keep hands and clothing away from the fan and other belts while the
engine is running.
● Do not loosen the radiator cap while the engine and radiator are hot.
Serious injury, such as burns, may result from hot coolant and steam
released under pressure.
NOTICE
■When adding engine coolant
Wait until the engine has cooled down before adding engine coolant.
When adding coolant, do so slowly. Adding cool coolant to a hot engine too
quickly can cause damage to the engine.