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5577-1. Maintenance and care
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Maintenance and care
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■ Aluminum wheels (if equipped)
● Remove any dirt immediately by using a neutral detergent.
● Wash detergent off with water immediately after use.
● To protect the paint from damage, make sure to observe the following pre-
cautions.
• Do not use acidic, alkaline or abrasive detergent
• Do not use hard brushes
• Do not use detergent on the wheels when they are hot, such as after driv-
ing or parking in hot weather
■ Brake
Rust may form if the vehicle is parked with wet brake pads or disc rotors,
causing noises or vibrations. Before parking the vehicle after it is washed,
drive slowly and apply the brakes several times to dry the parts.
■ Bumpers
Do not scrub with abrasive cleaners.
WARNING
■ When washing the vehicle
Do not apply water to the inside of the engine compartment. Doing so may
cause the electrical components etc. to catch fire.
■ Precautions regarding the exhaust pipe
Exhaust gasses cause the exhaust pipe to become quite hot.
When washing the vehicle, be careful not to touch the pipe until it has
cooled sufficiently, as touching a hot exhaust pipe can cause burns.
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5617-1. Maintenance and care
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Maintenance and care
HILUX_OM_OM0K321E_(EE)
■Caring for leather areas
Toyota recommends cleaning the interior of the vehicle at least twice a year to
maintain the quality of the vehicle’s interior.
■ Shampooing the carpets
There are several commercial foaming-type cleaners available. Use a sponge
or brush to apply the foam. Rub in overlapping circles. Do not use water.
Wipe dirty surfaces and let them dry. Excellent results are obtained by keep-
ing the carpet as dry as possible.
■ Seat belts
Clean with mild soap and lukewarm water using a cloth or sponge. Also
check the belts periodically for excessive wear, fraying or cuts.
WARNING
■ Water in the vehicle
● Do not splash or spill liquid in the vehicle.
Doing so may cause electrical components etc. to malfunction or catch
fire.
● Do not get any of the SRS components or wiring in the vehicle interior wet.
( P. 48)
An electrical malfunction may cause the airbags to deploy or not function
properly, resulting in death or serious injury.
■ Cleaning the interior (especially instrument panel)
Do not use polish wax or polish cleaner. The instrument panel may reflect
off the windshield, obstructing the driver’s view and leading to an accident,
resulting in death or serious injury.
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5657-2. Maintenance
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Maintenance and care
WARNING
■If your vehicle is not properly maintained
Improper maintenance could result in serious damage to the vehicle and
possible serious injury or death.
■ 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. 578)
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5677-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
WARNING
The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that may
move suddenly, become hot, or become el ectrically 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 and 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, consult a doctor.
■ Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc.
from getting in your 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.
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5697-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HILUX_OM_OM0K321E_(EE)
7
Maintenance and care
WARNING
■Pre-driving check
Check that the hood is fully closed and locked.
If the hood is not locked properly, it may open while the vehicle is in motion
and cause an accident, which may result in death or serious injury.
■ After installing the support rod into the slot
Make sure the rod supports the hood securely from falling down on to your
head or body.
NOTICE
■ When closing the hood
Be sure to return the support rod to its clip before closing the hood. Closing
the hood with the support rod up could cause the hood to bend.
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5757-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HILUX_OM_OM0K321E_(EE)
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Maintenance and care
■After changing the engine oil (models for model code destination W*)
The engine oil maintenance data should be reset. Perform the following pro-
cedures:
Switch the display to the trip meter A ( P. 144) when the engine switch is
in the “ON” position (vehicles without smart entry & start system) or IGNI-
TION ON mode (vehicles with smart entry & start system).
Turn the engine switch to the “LOCK” position (vehicles without smart entry
& start system) or off (vehicles with smart entry & start system).
While pressing the odometer/trip meter display change button ( P. 144),
turn the engine switch to the “ON” position (vehicles without smart entry &
start system) or IGNITION ON mode (vehicles with smart entry & start sys-
tem). (Do not start the engine because reset mode will be canceled.) Con-
tinue to press and hold the button for more than one second after the trip
meter displays “000000”.
*: See “Checking your vehicle’s model” if you are not sure of which model
your vehicle is. ( P. 1 2 )
WARNING
■Used engine oil
● Used engine oil contains potentially harmful contaminants which may
cause skin disorders such as inflammation and skin cancer, so care
should be taken to avoid prolonged and repeated contact. To remove used
engine oil from your skin, wash thoroughly with soap and water.
● Dispose of used oil and filters only in a safe and acceptable manner. Do
not dispose of used oil and filters in household trash, in sewers or onto the
ground. Call any authorized Toyota reta iler or Toyota authorized repairer,
or any reliable repairer, service station or auto parts store for information
concerning recycling or disposal.
● Do not leave used engine oil within the reach of children.
NOTICE
■To prevent serious engine damage
Check the oil level on a regular basis.
■ When replacing the engine oil
● Be careful not to spill engine oil on the vehicle components.
● Avoid overfilling, or the engine could be damaged.
● Check the oil level on the dipstick every time you refill the vehicle.
● Be sure the engine oil filler cap is properly tightened.
1
2
3
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5777-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
■If the coolant level drops within a short time of replenishing
Visually check the radiator, hoses, engine coolant reservoir cap, intercooler
coolant reservoir cap (if equipped), drain cock and water pump. If you cannot
find a leak, have any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer,
or any reliable repairer test the cap and check for leaks in the cooling system.
Check the radiator, condenser and Intercooler coolant radiator/inter-
cooler and clear away any foreign objects. If any of the above parts is
extremely dirty or you are not sure of their condition, have your vehi-
cle inspected by any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized
repairer, or any reliable repairer.
WARNING
■ When the engine is hot
Do not remove the radiator cap (if equipped), the engine coolant reservoir
cap or intercooler coolant reservoir cap (if equipped).
The cooling system may be under pressure and may spray hot coolant if the
cap is removed, causing serious injuries, such as burns.
NOTICE
■ When adding coolant
Coolant is neither plain water nor straight antifreeze. The correct mixture of
water and antifreeze must be used to provide proper lubrication, corrosion
protection and cooling. Be sure to read the antifreeze or coolant label.
■ If you spill coolant
Be sure to wash it off with water to prevent it from damaging parts or paint.
■ Notice on coolant quality
Do not use improper coolant. If improper coolant is used, the engine cooling
system may be damaged.
Radiator, condenser and Intercooler coolant radiator/intercooler
(if equipped)
WARNING
■ When the engine is hot
Do not touch the radiator, condenser or Intercooler coolant radiator/inter-
cooler as they may be hot and cause serious injuries, such as burns.
Page 581 of 744

5817-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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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 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.
● 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 w here there is insufficient ventilation.
■ How to recharge the battery (vehicles with maintenance-free type bat-
tery)
Only perform a slow charge (5 A or less). The battery may explode 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 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.
● When there is insufficient battery fluid
Do not use if there is insufficient fluid in the battery. There is a possible
danger that the battery may explode.
■ When disconnecting the battery
Do not disconnect the negative (-) terminal on the body. The disconnected
negative (-) terminal may touch the positive (+) terminal, which may cause a
short and result in death or serious injury.