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361
4
Maintenance and care
4-2. Maintenance
Maintenance requirements
To ensure safe and economical driving, day-to-day care and regular
maintenance are essential. Toyota recommends the following main-
tenance:
Scheduled maintenance
Scheduled maintenance should be performed at specified inter-
vals according to the maintenance schedule.
For full details of your maintenance schedule, refer to the “Toyota
Service 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.
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362 4-2. Maintenance
Where to go for maintenance service?
In order to maintain your vehicle in the best possible condition, Toyota rec-
ommends that maintenance service operations as well as other inspections
and repairs be carried out by authorized Toyota dealers or repairers or other
duly qualified and equipped professionals. 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 will perform all of the scheduled maintenance on your vehicle reli-
ably 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
(vehicles with a manual transmission), pedal almost touches the floor,
vehicle pulls to one side when braking
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401 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Checking interval
Replace the air conditioning filter according to the maintenance schedule. In
dusty areas or areas with heavy traffic flow, early replacement may be
required. (For scheduled maintenance information, please refer to the
“Toyota Service Booklet” or “Toyota Warranty Booklet”.)
If air flow from the vents decreases dramatically
The filter may be clogged. Check the filter and replace if necessary.
Remove the filter cover.
Left-hand drive vehicles
Right-hand drive vehicles
Replace it with a new one. The “UP” marks shown on the
filter should be pointing up.STEP5
STEP6