2014 TOYOTA GT86 Owners Manual

289
4-1. Maintenance and care
4
Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting the Alcantara® area
: If equipped
The following procedures will protect and keep your vehicle’s Alcan-
tara
® upholstery in top condition:
Day-to-day cleaning
Perform the following procedures regularly (approximately once
a month).
Wipe the entire Alcantara
® area with a soft cloth that has
been dampened with lukewarm water (approximately 40C
[104F]) and squeezed out.
Do not wipe too hard. Doing so may make the Alcantara® uphol-
stery surface become uneven. Also, only use a clean cloth.
Once dry, brush the area with a soft brush.
Liquid stains
If liquid is spilled, lightly pat the area with a tissue paper or
similar to soak up the liquid.
When mud, coffee, etc., has dried on the Alcantara
® uphol-
stery, remove it by lightly brushing the area with a soft brush
or similar.
We recommend using a vacuum cleaner to clean up the area after
the above has been performed.
When a stain cannot be removed using the above procedures,
remove it by performing the following:
Lightly wipe the stained area from the outside to the inside
from multiple angles with a soft cloth that has been damp-
ened with lukewarm water (approximately 40C [104F])
and squeezed out.
Do not wipe the area so strongly that it causes the Alcantara®
upholstery surface to become uneven. Also, prepare a clean
cloth, and always use a clean area of the cloth.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 1

290 4-1. Maintenance and care
When removing dirt or dust from the Alcantara® areas
Remove dirt or dust from the Alcantara
® areas by lighting brushing with a
soft brush. If this does not remove the dirt or dust, remove it using adhesive
tape.
NOTICE
When soaking up spilled liquids
Do not press down too firmly with the cloth, tissue paper etc., as doing so
may cause the liquid to further penetrate the material, making soaking up
the liquid more difficult.
If the Alcantara® upholstery surface becomes uneven,
lightly brush it with a soft brush.
Allow the surface to dry completely.
Oil stains
You will need the following items:
A cloth that has been dampened with benzene
A dry cloth
Using a dry cloth or tissue paper, wipe away as much of the
oil as possible to prevent the stained area from expanding.
After patting the area from the outside to the inside from
multiple angles using the cloth dampened with benzene,
soak up the oil and benzene that floats up by patting the
area with a dry cloth.
If the Alcantara
® upholstery surface becomes uneven,
lightly brush it with a soft brush.
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3

291
4
Maintenance and care
4-2. Maintenance
Maintenance requirements
To ensure safe and economical driving, day-to-day care and regular
maintenance is essential. Toyota recommends the following mainte-
nance.
Scheduled maintenance
Scheduled maintenance be performed at specified intervals
according to the maintenance schedule.
For full details of your maintenance schedule, read the “Toyota Ser-
vice Booklet” or “Toyota Warranty Booklet”.
Do-it-yourself maintenance
What about do-it-yourself maintenance?
Many maintenance items are easy to do yourself if you have a little
mechanical ability and a few basic automotive tools.
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 conducted by any authorized Toyota
dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped profes-
sional. 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 profes-
sional other than an authorized Toyota repairer to service or maintain
your vehicle, we recommend that you request that a record of mainte-
nance be kept.

292 4-2. Maintenance
Where to go for maintenance 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.

293 4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
CAUTION
If your vehicle is not properly maintained
It could result in serious damage to the vehicle and possible serious injury or
death.
Warning in handling of the battery
Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead com-
pounds which are known to cause brain damage. Wash your hands after
handling. (P. 308)

294
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. 308)•Warm water
• Baking soda
• Grease
• Conventional wrench
(for terminal clamp bolts)
• Distilled water
Engine coolant level (P. 305)• “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. 302)• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or
equivalent
• Rag or paper towel, funnel
(used only for adding engine oil)
Fuses (P. 335)• Fuse with same amperage rating
as original
Light bulbs (P. 343)• Bulb with same number and watt-
age rating as original
• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Flathead screwdriver

295 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.
ItemsParts and tools
Radiator and condenser
(P. 307)
Tire inflation pressure (P. 323)• Tire pressure gauge
• Compressed air source
Washer fluid (P. 312)• Water washer fluid containing
antifreeze (for winter use)
• Funnel

296 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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. 307)
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. 307)
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.
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.