2012 TOYOTA YARIS Owners Manual

249
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Battery
Check the battery as follows:
■ Battery exterior
Make sure that the battery terminals are not corroded and that
there are no loose connections, cracks, or loose clamps.
Te r m i n a l s
Hold-down clamp
■ Checking battery fluid
Check that the level is between
the “UPPER LEVEL” and
“LOWER LEVEL” lines.
“UPPER LEVEL” line
“LOWER LEVEL” line
If the fluid level is at or below the
“LOWER LEVEL” line, add dis-
tilled water.
NOTICE
■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 out or when the fluid level in the accumulator is high.
If the reservoir needs frequent refilling, there may be a serious proble\
m.

250 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■Adding distilled water
Remove the vent plug.
Add distilled water.
If the “UPPER LEVEL” line cannot be seen, check the fluid level by
looking directly at the cell.
Put the vent plug back on and close it securely.
Low O.K.
■Before recharging
When recharging, the battery produces hydrogen gas which is flammable
and explosive. Therefore, observe the following before recharging:
● If recharging with the battery installed on the vehicle, be sure to discon-
nect the ground cable.
● Make sure the power switch on the charger is off when connecting and
disconnecting the charger cables to the battery.
CAUTION
■Chemicals in the battery
Batteries contain poisonous and corrosive sulfuric acid and may produce
hydrogen gas which is flammable and explosive. To reduce the risk of death
or serious injury, take the following precautions while working on or near the
battery:
●Do not cause sparks by touching the battery terminals with tools.
● Do not smoke or light a match near the battery.
● Avoid contact with eyes, skin and clothes.

251
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
CAUTION
●
Never inhale or swallow electrolyte.
● Wear protective safety glasses when working near the battery.
● Keep children away from the battery.
■ Where to safety charge the battery
Always charge the battery in an open area. Do not charge the battery in a
garage or closed room where there is insufficient ventilation.
■ Emergency measures regarding electrolyte
●If electrolyte gets in your eyes
Flush your eyes with clean water for at least 15 minutes and get immedi-
ate medical attention. If possible, continue to apply water with a sponge or
cloth while traveling to the nearest medical facility.
● If electrolyte gets on your skin
Wash the affected area thoroughly. If you feel pain or burning, get medical
attention immediately.
● If electrolyte gets on your clothes
It can soak through clothing on to your skin. Immediately take off the cloth-
ing and follow the procedure above if necessary.
● If you accidentally swallow electrolyte
Drink a large quantity of water or milk. Get emergency medical attention
immediately.
NOTICE
■When recharging the battery
Never recharge the battery while the engine is running. Also, be sure all
accessories are turned off.
■ When adding distilled water
Avoid overfilling. Water spilled during battery recharging may cause corro-
sion.

252 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Washer fluidIf any washer does not work or
the low windshield washer fluid
warning light comes on (if
equipped), the washer tank may
be empty. Add washer fluid to
“FULL” line.
CAUTION
■When adding washer fluid
Do not add washer fluid when the engine is hot or running as washer fluid
contains alcohol and may catch fire if spilled on the engine etc.
NOTICE
■Do not use any fluid other than washer fluid
Do not use soapy water or engine antifreeze instead of washer fluid.
Doing so may cause streaking on the vehicle’s painted surfaces.
■ Diluting washer fluid
Dilute washer fluid with water as necessary.
Refer to the freezing temperatures listed on the label of the washer fluid bot-
tle.

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
Tires
Replace or rotate tires in accordance with maintenance sched-
ules and treadwear.
■Checking tires
New tread
Treadwear indicator
Worn tread
The location of treadwear
indicators is shown by the
“TWI” or “ ” marks, etc.,
molded on the sidewall of
each tire.
Check spare tire condition
and pressure if not rotated.
■Tire rotation
Rotate the tires in the order
shown.
To equalize tire wear and
extend tire life, Toyota recom-
mends that tire rotation is
carried out at the same inter-
val as tire inspection.
Vehicles with P195/50R16
tires:
Do not fail to initialize the tire
pressure warning system
after tire rotation.
Front

254 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Installing tire pressure warning valves and transmitters (vehicles
with a tire pressure warning system)
When replacing tires or wheels, tire pressure warning valves and
transmitters must also be installed.
When new tire pressure warning valves and transmitters are installed,
new ID codes must be registered in the tire pressure warning computer
and the tire pressure warning system must be initialized. Have tire pres-
sure warning valve and transmitter ID codes registered by your Toyota
dealer. ( P. 255)
■ The tire pressure warning system must be initialized in the fol-
lowing circumstances:
●For vehicles with P195/50R16 tires, when rotating front and rear
tires which have different tire inflation pressures
● When the tire inflation pres sure is changed such as when
changing traveling speed
When the tire pressure warning system is initialized, the current
tire inflation pressure is set as the benchmark pressure.
■ How to initialize the tire pressure warning system
Park the vehicle in a safe plac e and turn the engine switch to
the “LOCK” position.
Initialization cannot be performed while the vehicle is moving.
■ Tire pressure warning system (if equipped)
Your vehicle is equipped with a tire pressure warning system
that uses tire pressure warning valves and transmitters to detect
low tire inflation pressure before serious problems arise.
(  P. 307)
The compact spare tire is not equipped with a tire pressure warning
valve and transmitter.

255
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Adjust the tire pressure to the specified cold tire inflation pres-
sure level. (
P. 351)
Make sure to adjust the tire pressure to the specified cold tire
inflation pressure level. The ti re pressure warning system will
operate based on this pressure level.
Turn the engine switch to the “ON” position.
Press and hold the tire pressure
warning reset switch until the tire
pressure warning light blinks
slowly 3 times.
Wait for a few minutes with the engine switch in the “ON” posi-
tion and then turn the engine switch to the “LOCK” position.
Registering ID codes (vehicles with a tire pressure warning system)
The tire pressure warning valve and transmitter is equipped with a
unique ID code. When replacing a tire pressure warning valve and
transmitter, it is necessary to regi ster the ID code. Have the ID code
registered by your Toyota dealer.
■When to replace your vehicle’s tires
Tires should be replaced if:
●You have tire damage such as cuts, splits, cracks deep enough to
expose the fabric, and bulges indicating internal damage
●A tire goes flat repeatedly or c annot be properly repaired due to the
size or location of a cut or other damage
If you are not sure, consult with your Toyota dealer.

256 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■Replacing tires and wheels (vehicles with a tire pressure warning
system)
If the ID code of the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter is not
registered, the tire pressure warning system will not work properly. After
driving for about 20 minutes, the tire pressure warning light blinks for 1
minute and stays on to indicate a system malfunction.
■Tire life
Any tire over 6 years old must be checked by a qualified technician even
if it has seldom or never been used or damage is not obvious.
■Routine tire inflation pressure checks (vehicles with a tire pressure
warning system)
The tire pressure warning system doe s not replace routine tire inflation
pressure checks. Make sure to check tire inflation pressure as part of
your routine of daily vehicle checks.
■Low profile tires (vehicle s with P195/50R16 tires)
Generally, low profile tire s will wear more rapidly and tire grip perfor-
mance will be reduced on snowy and/or icy roads when compared to
standard tires. Be sure to use snow tires or tire chains on snowy and/or
icy roads and drive carefully at a speed appropriate for road and weather
conditions.
■Maximum load of tire
Check that the maximum load of the replacement tire is greater than 1/2
of the Gross Axle Weight Ratings (GAW R) of either the front axle or the
rear axle, whichever is greater.
For the GAWR, see the Certification
Label. For the maximum load of the
tire, see the load limit at maximum cold
tire inflation pressure mentioned on the
sidewall of the tire. ( P. 356)