2012 TOYOTA SEQUOIA Owners Manual

529
4
Maintenance and care
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. 544)•Warm water
• Baking soda
• Grease
• Conventional wrench
(for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level ( P. 541)• FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE
J1703 brake fluid
• Rag or paper towel
Engine coolant level ( P. 539)• “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 pre-mixed with 50% coolant
and 50% deionized water.
Canada:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”
is pre-mixed with 55% coolant
and 45% deionized water.
Engine oil level P. 535) • Toyota Genuine Motor Oil or
equivalent
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding oil)
Fuses ( P. 568)• Fuse with same amperage rating
as original

530 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
ItemsParts and tools
Light bulbs ( P. 580)• Bulb with same number and watt-
age rating as original
• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Flathead screwdriver
Power steering fluid level (P. 543) • Automatic transmission fluid
DEXRON
® II or III
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding power steering fluid)
Radiator and condenser (P. 541) 
Tire inflation pressure (
P. 556) • Tire pressure gauge
• Compressed air source
Washer fluid
(P. 547) • Water
• Washer fluid containing antifreeze
(for winter use)
• Funnel (used only for adding washer fluid)

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.

532 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
NOTICE
■If you remove the air cleaner
Driving with the air cleaner 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 brake 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 brake fluid level in the accumulator is high.
If the reservoir needs frequent refilling, it may indicate a serious pro\
blem.

533
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Hood
CAUTION
■Pre-driving check
Check that the hood is fully closed and locked.
If the hood is not locked properly, it may open while the vehicle is in motion
and cause an accident, which may result in death or serious injury.
Release the lock from the inside of the vehicle to open the hood.
Pull the hood lock release
lever.
The hood will pop up slightly.
Pull up the hood catch lever
and lift the hood.

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)

535
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Engine oil
With the engine at operating temperature and turned off, check the oil
level on the dipstick.
■ Checking the engine oil
Park the vehicle on level gro und. After 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
pull 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

536 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■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 and 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.)
Engine oil selection P. 649
ItemsClean funnel