68GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
The gauge indicates the approximate
quantity of fuel remaining in the tank
when the engine switch is on.
Nearly full—Needle at “F”
Nearly empty—Needle at “E”
It is a good idea to keep the tank over
1/4 full.
The needle moves when braking, acceler-
ating or making turns. This is caused by
the movement of the fuel in the tank.
If the fuel level approaches “E” or the low
fuel level warning light comes on, fill the
fuel tank as soon as possible.
On inclines or curves, due to the move-
ment of fuel in the tank, the fuel gauge
needle may fluctuate or the low fuel level
warning light may come on earlier than
usual.
On some models—
If the fuel tank is completely empty, the
malfunction indicator lamp comes on. Fill
the fuel tank immediately.
The indicator lamp goes off after driving
several times. If the indicator lamp does
not go off, contact any authorized Toyota
dealer or repairer, or another duly quali-
fied and equipped professional, as soon
as possible.The gauge indicates the engine coolant
temperature when the engine switch is
on. The engine operating temperature
will vary with changes in weather and
engine load.
If the needle moves into the red zone,
your engine is too hot. If your vehicle
overheats, stop your vehicle and allow the
engine to cool.
Your vehicle may overheat during severe
operating conditions, such as:
DDriving up a long hill on a hot day.
DReducing speed or stopping after high
speed driving.
DIdling for a long period with the air
conditioning on in stop−and−go traffic.
DTowingatrailer.
NOTICE
zDo not remove the thermostat in
the engine cooling system as this
may cause the engine to overheat.
The thermostat is designed to con-
trol the flow of coolant to keep the
temperature of the engine within
the specified operating range.
zDo not continue driving with an
overheated engine. See “If your ve-
hicle overheats” on page 148 in
Section 4.
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Fuel gaugeEngine coolant temperature
gauge
STARTING AND DRIVING127
Instruments and controls.Especially
make sure the service reminder indicators,
instrument lights, and defroster are work-
ing.
Brakes.Make sure the pedal has enough
clearance.
Spare fuses.Make sure you have spare
fuses. They should cover all the amperage
ratings designated on the fuse box lid.
In the engine compartment
Coolant level.Make sure the coolant lev-
el is correct. (See page 190 in Section
7−2 for instructions.)
Wiring.Look for damaged, loose, or dis-
connected wires.
Fuel lines.Check the lines for leaks or
loose connections.
AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE
Exhaust system.If you notice any
change in the sound of the exhaust or
smell exhaust fumes, have the cause lo-
cated and corrected immediately. (See
“Engine exhaust cautions” on page 114 in
Section 2.)
Engine oil level.Stop the engine and
check the dipstick with the vehicle parked
on a level spot. (See page 188 in Section
7−2 for instructions.)
WHILE DRIVING
Instruments.Make sure the speedometer
and gauges are working.
Brakes.In a safe place, check that the
brakes do not pull to one side when ap-
plied.
Anything unusual?Look for loose parts
and leaks. Listen for abnormal noises.
If everything looks O.K., set your mind at
ease and enjoy your trip!DAlways slow down in gusty crosswinds.
This will allow you much better control.
DDrive slowly onto curbs and, if pos-
sible, at a right angle. Avoid driving
onto high, sharp−edged objects and
other road hazards. Failure to do so
can lead to severe tire damage such
as a tire burst.
Drive slowly when passing over bumps
or travelling on abumpy road. Other-
wise, the impact could cause severe
damage to the tires and/or wheels.
DWhen parking on a hill, turn the front
wheels until they touch the curb so
that the vehicle will not roll. Apply the
parking brake, and place the transmis-
sion in first or reverse. If necessary,
block the wheels.
DWashing your vehicle or driving through
deep water may get the brakes wet. To
see whether they are wet, check that
there is no traffic near you, and then
press the pedal lightly. If you do not
feel a normal braking force, the brakes
are probably wet. To dry them, drive
the vehicle cautiously while lightly
pressing the brake pedal with the park-
ing brake applied. If they still do not
work safely, pull to the side of the road
and call any authorized Toyota dealer
or repairer, or another duly qualified
and equipped professional, for assis-
tance.
CAUTION
DBefore driving off, make sure the
parking brake is fully released and
the parking brake reminder light is
off.
DDo not leave your vehicle unat-
tended while the engine is running.
DDo not rest your foot on the brake
pedal while driving. It can cause
dangerous overheating, needless
wear, and poor fuel economy.
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Tips for driving in various
conditions
STARTING AND DRIVING129
When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded
after heavy rain etc. Doing so may cause
serious damage to the vehicle.
NOTICE
Driving on a flooded road may cause
the engine to stall as well as cause
serious vehicle malfunctions such as
shorts in electrical components and
engine damage from water immersion.
In the event that you drive on a
flooded road and the vehicle is
flooded, be sure to have any autho-
rized Toyota dealer or repairer, or
another duly qualified and equipped
professional check brake function,
changes in quantity and quality of oil
and fluid used for the engine, trans-
mission, differential, etc. and lubricant
condition for the propeller shaft, bear-
ings and suspension joints (where
possible) and the function of all joints
and bearings.
Make sure your coolant is properly pro-
tected against freezing.
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. (Coolant
with long−life hybrid organic acid
technology is a combination of low
phosphates and organic acids.)
See “Checking the engine coolant level”
on page 190 in Section 7−2 for details of
coolant type selection.
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mix-
ture of 50% coolant and 50% deionized
water. This coolant provides protection
down to about−35_C(−31_F).
NOTICE
Do not use plain water alone.
Check the condition of the battery and
cables.
Cold temperatures reduce the capacity of
any battery, so it must be in top shape
to provide enough power for winter start-
ing. Section 7−3 tells you how to visually
inspect the battery. Any authorized Toyota
dealer or repairer, or another duly quali-
fied and equipped professional, will be
pleased to check the level of charge.
Make sure the engine oil viscosity is
suitable for the cold weather.
See page 188 in Section 7−2forrecom-
mended viscosity. Leaving a heavy sum-
mer oil in your vehicle during winter
months may cause harder starting. If you
are not sure about which oil to use, call
any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer,
or another duly qualified and equipped
professional—who will be pleased to help.
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Winter driving tips
148IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
If your engine coolant temperature
gauge indicates overheating, if you ex-
perience a loss of power, or if you hear
a loud knocking or pinging noise, the
engine has probably overheated. You
should follow this procedure...
1. Pull safely off the road, stop the ve-
hicle, and turn on your emergency
flashers. Put the transmission in neu-
tral and apply the parking brake. Turn
off the air conditioning if it is being
used.
2. If coolant or steam is boiling out of the
radiator or reservoir, stop the engine.
Wait until the steam subsides before
opening the engine access hole cover
or tilting the cab. If there is no coolant
or steam boiling over, leave the engine
running and make sure the electric
cooling fan is operating. If it is not,
turn the engine switch off.
CAUTION
To help avoid serious injury, keep the
engine access hole cover closed or
the cab lowered until there is no
steam. Escaping steam or coolant is
a sign of very high pressure.
3. Visually check to see if the engine
drive belt (fan belt) is broken or loose.
Look for obvious coolant leaks from the
radiator, hoses, and under the vehicle.
However, note that water draining from
the air conditioning is normal if it has
been used.
CAUTION
When the engine is running, keep
hands and clothing away from the
moving fan and engine drive belts.
4. If the engine drive belt is broken or the
coolant is leaking, stop the engine im-
mediately. Call any authorized Toyota
dealer or repairer, or another duly qual-
ified and equipped professional, for as-
sistance.
5. If the engine drive belt is O.K. and
there are no obvious leaks, you may
help the engine cool down more quickly
by running it at about 1500 rpm for a
few minutes with the accelerator pedal
lightly depressed.
6. Check the coolant reservoir. If it is dry,
add coolant to the reservoir while the
engine is running. Fill it about half full.
For the coolant type, see “Coolant type
selection” on page 191 in Section 7−2.
CAUTION
Do not attempt to remove the radiator
cap when the engine and radiator are
hot. Serious injury could result from
scalding hot fluid and steam blown
out under pressure.
7. After the engine coolant temperature
has cooled to normal, again check the
coolant level in the reservoir. If neces-
sary, bring it up to half full again.
Serious coolant loss indicates a leak in
the system. You should have it
checked as soon as possible at any
authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or
another duly qualified and equipped
professional.
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If your vehicle overheats
MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS177
Note, however, that some maintenance
tasks require special tools and skills.
These are best performed by qualified
technicians. Even if you’re an experienced
do−it−yourself mechanic, we recommend
that repairs and maintenance be con-
ducted by an authorized Toyota dealer or
repairer, or another duly qualified and
equipped professional. Any authorized
Toyota dealer or repairer will keep a
record of maintenance, which could be
useful should you ever require Warranty
Service. Should you choose to select a
qualified and equipped professional other
than an authorized Toyota repairer to
service or maintain your vehicle, we
recommend that you request that a record
of maintenance be kept.
The service interval for scheduled main-
tenance is determined by the odometer
reading or time interval, whichever
comes first, shown in the schedule.
Rubber hoses (for cooling and heater
system, brake system and fuel system)
should be inspected by a qualified tech-
nician in accordance with the Toyota
maintenance schedule.
They are particularly important mainte-
nance items. Have any deteriorated or
damaged hoses replaced immediately.
Note that rubber hoses will deteriorate
with age, resulting in swelling, chafing or
cracks.Be on the alert for changes in perfor-
mance, sounds, and visual tip−offs that
indicate service is needed. Some impor-
tant clues are as follows:
DEngine missing, stumbling, or pinging
DAppreciable loss of power
DStrange engine noises
DA leak under the vehicle (However, wa-
ter dripping from the air conditioning
after use is normal.)
DChange in exhaust sound (This may
indicate a dangerous carbon monoxide
leak. Drive with the windows open and
have the exhaustsystem checked im-
mediately.)
DFlat−looking tire; excessive tire squeal
when cornering; uneven tire wear
DVehicle pulls to one side when driving
straight on a level road
DStrange noises related to suspension
movement
DLoss of brake effectiveness; spongy
feeling brake or clutch pedal; pedal al-
most touches floor; vehicle pulls to one
side when braking
DEngine 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 pos-
sible. It probably needs adjustment or re-
pair.
CAUTION
Do not continue driving with the ve-
hicle unchecked. It could result in se-
rious vehicle damage and possibly se-
rious injury.
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Does your vehicle need
repairing?
180DO−IT−YOURSELF MAINTENANCE: Introduction
Front of vehicle
1. Engine coolant reservoir
2. Engine oil filler cap
3. Engine oil level dipstick
4. Radiator5. Intercooler
6. Electric cooling fan
7. Condenser
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Engine compartment overview
"Left−hand drive vehicles
DO−IT−YOURSELF MAINTENANCE: Introduction181
Front of vehicle
1. Engine coolant reservoir
2. Engine oil filler cap
3. Engine oil level dipstick
4. Radiator5. Intercooler
6. Electric cooling fan
7. Condenser
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"Right−hand drive vehicles
DO−IT−YOURSELF MAINTENANCE: Engine and Chassis187
Section 7−2
DO−IT−YOURSELF MAINTENANCE
Engine and Chassis
DChecking the engine oil level 188........................
DChecking the engine coolant level 190...................
DChecking the radiator, condenser and intercooler 192.....
DDraining fuel filter water 192............................
DChecking tire inflation pressure 193.....................
DChecking and replacing tires 194........................
DRotating tires 195......................................
DInstalling snow tires and chains 196.....................
DReplacing wheels 197..................................
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