2018 TOYOTA TACOMA Owners Manual (in English)

5137-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
Check the radiator and condenser and clear away any foreign objects.
If either of the above parts is extremely dirty or you are not sure of
their condition, have your vehic le inspected by your Toyota dea ler.
■Checking fluid level
The brake fluid level should be between the “MAX” and “MIN” lin es
on the tank.
“MAX” line
“MIN” line
■Adding fluid
Make sure to check the fluid ty pe and prepare the necessary ite m.
Type B only
Turn the engine off.
Depress the brake pedal 20 times or more.
Remove the reservoir cap.
Add newly opened brake fluid up to the “MAX” line.
Radiator and condenser
WARNING
■When the engine is hot
Do not touch the radiator or condenser as they may be hot and c ause seri-
ous injuries, such as burns.
Brake fluid
Ty p e AType B
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2
Fluid type FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake fluid
Items Clean funnel
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2
3
4

5147-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■Brake fluid can absorb moisture from the air
Excess moisture in the brake fluid can cause a dangerous loss o f braking effi-
ciency. Use only newly opened brake fluid.
■
Fluid level
The fluid level should be within the appropriate range.
2TR-FE engine
Full (when cold)
Add fluid (when cold)
Full (when hot)
Add fluid (when hot)
Hot: Vehicle has been driven around 50 mph (80 km/h) for 20 minutes, or slightly longer in frigid temperatures. (Fluid
temperature, 104°F - 175°F [40°C - 80°C])
Cold: Engine has not been run for about 5 hours. (Room tem- perature, 32°F - 104°F [0°C - 40°C])
WARNING
■When filling the reservoir
Take care as brake fluid can harm your hands and eyes and damag e
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.
NOTICE
■ If the fluid level is low or high
It is normal for the brake fluid level to go down slightly as t he brake pads
wear out or when the fluid level in the accumulator is high.
If the reservoir needs frequent refilling, there may be a serio us problem.
Power steering fluid
1
2
3
4

5157-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
2GR-FKS engine
Full (when cold)
Add fluid (when cold)
Full (when hot)
Add fluid (when hot)
Hot: Vehicle has been driven around 50 mph (80 km/h) for 20 minutes, or slightly longer in frigid temperatures. (Fluid
temperature, 140°F - 175°F [60°C - 80°C])
Cold: Engine has not been run for about 5 hours. (Room tem- perature, 50°F - 85°F [10°C - 30°C])
■Checking the fluid level
Make sure to check the fluid type and prepare the necessary items.
Clean all dirt off the reservoir.
Remove the cap by turni ng it counterclockwise.
Wipe the dipstick clean.
Reinstall the cap and remove it again.
Check the fluid level.
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2
3
4
Fluid type Automatic transmission fluid DEXRON® II or III
Items Rag or paper, clean funnel (only for adding fluid)
WARNING
■Checking the fluid level
Take care, as the reservoir may be hot.
NOTICE
■When adding fluid
Avoid overfilling, or the power steering may be damaged.
■ After replacing the reservoir cap
Check the steering box case, vane pump and hose connections for leaks or
damage.
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2
3
4
5

5167-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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.
Terminals
Hold-down clamp
■ 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 sur e to disconnect
the ground cable.
● Make sure the power switch on the charger is off when connectin g and dis-
connecting the charger cables to the battery.
■ After recharging/reconnecting the battery (vehicles with a smar t key sys-
tem)
The engine may not start. Follow the procedure below to initial ize the system.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Open and close any of the doors.
Restart the engine.
● Unlocking the doors using the smart key system may not be possi ble imme-
diately after reconnecting the battery. If this happens, use the wireless
remote control or the mechanical key to lock/unlock the doors.
● Start the engine with the engine switch in ACCESSORY mode. The engine
may not start when the engine switch turned from off. However, the engine
will operate normally from the second attempt.
● The engine switch mode is recorded by the vehicle. If the batte ry is recon-
nected, the vehicle will return the engine switch mode to the s tatus it was in
before the battery was disconnected. Make sure to turn off the engine
before disconnect the battery. Take extra care when connecting the battery
if the engine switch mode prior to discharge is unknown.
If the system will not start even after multiple attempts, contact your Toyota
dealer.
Battery
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2
1
2
3

5177-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
WARNING
■Chemicals in the battery
Batteries contain poisonous and corrosive sulfuric acid and may produce
hydrogen gas which is flammable and explosive. To reduce the ri sk of death
or serious injury, take the following precautions while working on or near
battery:
● Do not cause sparks by touching the battery terminals with tool s.
● Do not smoke or light a match near the battery.
● Avoid contact with eyes, skin and clothes.
● Never inhale or swallow electrolyte.
● Wear protective safety glasses when working near the battery.
● Keep children away from the battery.
■ Where to safely 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.
■ How to recharge the battery
Only perform a slow charge (5 A or less). The battery may explod e if
charged at a quicker rate.
■ 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 wit h 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, b e sure all
accessories are turned off.

5187-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Add washer fluid in the following
situations:
●A washer does not work.
● The low washer fluid warning
light comes on or warning mes-
sage appears on the display
(for Canada only).
Washer fluid
WARNING
■When adding washer fluid
Do not add washer fluid when the engine is hot or running as wa sher fluid
contains alcohol and may catch fire if spilled on the engine, e tc.
NOTICE
■Do not use any fluid ot her than washer fluid
Do not use soapy water or engine antifreeze instead of washer f luid.
Doing so may cause streaking on the vehicle’s painted surfaces, as well as
damaging the pump leading to problems of the washer fluid not s praying.
■ 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.

5197-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
Tires
Check if the treadwear indicators are showing on the tires. Also check
the tires for uneven wear, such as excessive wear on one side o f the
tread.
Check the spare tire condition and pressure if not rotated.
New tread
Worn tread
Treadwear indicator
The location of treadwear indicators is shown by a “TWI” or “ ” mark, etc.,
molded into the sidewall of each tire.
Replace the tires if the treadwear indicators are showing on a tire.
Rotate the tires in the order
shown.
To equalize tire wear and extend
tire life, Toyota recommends that
tire rotation is carried out at the
same interval as tire inspection.
Do not fail to initialize the tire
pressure warning system after
tire rotation.
Replace or rotate tires in accordance with maintenance sched-
ules and treadwear.
Checking tires
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2
3
Tire rotation
Front

5207-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Your vehicle is equipped with a tire pressure warning system that uses
tire pressure warning valves and transmitters to detect low tire infla-
tion pressure before serious problems arise.
● If the tire pressure drops below a predetermined level, the dri ver is
warned by a warning light. ( P. 568)
● The tire pressure detected by
the tire pressure warning sys-
tem can be displayed on the
multi-information display.
◆Installing tire pressure warn ing valves and transmitters
When replacing tires or wheels, tire pressure warning valves an d
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 pressure warning valve and transmitter I D
codes registered by your Toyota dealer. ( P. 522)
◆Initializing the tire pressure warning system
■The tire pressure warning system must be initialized in the fol-
lowing circumstances:
● When rotating the tires.
● When changing the tire size.
When the tire pressure warning sy stem is initialized, the current tire
inflation pressure is set as the benchmark pressure.
Tire pressure warning system (if equipped)