2021 TOYOTA TACOMA Owners Manual (in English)

4096-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
Do-it-yourself ser vice precautions
If you perform maintenance by yourself, be sure to follow the
correct procedure as given in these sections.
ItemsParts and tools
Battery condition
(  P. 422)• Warm water• Baking soda• Grease
• Conventional wrench (for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level
( P. 419)• FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake fluid
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding brake fluid)
Engine coolant
level ( P. 417)
• “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or a similar high
quality ethylene glycol-based non-silicate, non-
amine, non-nitrite and non-borate coolant with long-
life hybrid organic acid technology
For the U.S.A.:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is pre-mixed with
50% coolant and 50% deionized water.
For Canada:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is pre-mixed with
55% coolant and 45% deionized water.
• Funnel (used only for adding coolant)
Engine oil level
(  P. 415)• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding engine oil)
Fuses
( P. 448)• Fuse with same amperage rating as original
Light bulbs
( P. 451)
• Bulb with same number and wattage rating as origi-
nal
• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Flathead screwdriver• Wrench
Power steering
fluid level

(
P. 420)
• Automatic transmission fluid DEXRON® II or III
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding power steering fluid)
Radiator and
condenser
(
P. 419)

Tire inflation
pressure
(  P. 436)• Tire pressure gauge
• Compressed air source
Washer fluid
( P. 424)• Water or washer fluid containing antifreeze (for win-
ter use)
• Funnel (used only for adding water or washer fluid)

4106-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
WARNING
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 eng ine
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 r ags, in the
engine compartment.
● Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose an open flame to fuel or t he bat-
tery. Fuel and battery fumes are flammable.
● Be extremely cautious when working on the battery. It contains poisonous
and corrosive sulfuric acid.
■ 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.

4116-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
Hood
Pull the hood lock release lever.
The hood will pop up slightly.
Pull up the auxiliary catch lever
and lift the hood.
Hold the hood open by inserting
the supporting rod into the slot.
Release the lock from the inside of the vehicle to open the hood.
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2
3

4126-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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 vehic le is in motion
and cause an accident, which may result in death or serious inj ury.
■ After installing the sup port 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 th e hood. Closing
the hood with the support rod up could cause the hood to bend.

4136-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
Engine compartment
2TR-FE engine
Washer fluid tank (P. 424)
Radiator cap
Engine coolant reservoir ( P. 417)
Engine oil filler cap ( P. 416)
Power steering fluid reservoir ( P. 420) Engine oil level dipstick
( P. 415)
Brake fluid reservoir ( P. 419)
Fuse box ( P. 448)
Battery ( P. 422)
Condenser ( P. 419)
Radiator ( P. 419)1
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3
4
5
6
7
8
9
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11

4146-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
2GR-FKS engine
Washer fluid tank (P. 424)
Power steering fluid reservoir ( P. 420)
Radiator cap
Engine oil level dipstick ( P. 415)
Engine coolant reservoir ( P. 417) Engine oil filler cap (
P. 416)
Brake fluid reservoir ( P. 419)
Fuse box ( P. 448)
Battery ( P. 422)
Condenser ( P. 419)
Radiator ( P. 419)1
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3
4
5
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4156-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
With the engine at operating temperature and turned off, check the oil
level on the dipstick.
■Checking the engine oil
Park the vehicle on level ground. After warming up the engine
and turning it off, wait more than 5 minutes for the oil to dra in
back into the bottom of the engine.
Holding a rag under the end, pull the dipstick out.
Wipe the dipstick clean.
Reinsert the dipstick fully.
Holding a rag under the end,
pull the dipstick out and
check the oil level.
Low
Normal
Excessive
The shape of the dipstick
may differ depending on the
type of vehicle or engine.
Wipe the dipstick and reinsert it fully.
Engine oil
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2
2TR-FE engine2GR-FKS engine
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5
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6

4166-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■Adding engine oil
If the oil level is below or near the low level mark, add engine oil of
the same type as that a lready in the engine.
Make sure to check the oil type and prepare the items needed
before adding oil. Remove the oil fille r cap by turning it counterclockwise.
Add engine oil slowly, checking the dipstick.
Install the oil filler cap by turning it clockwise.
■Engine oil consumption
A certain amount of engine oil will be consumed while driving. In the following
situations, oil consumption may increase, and engine oil may ne ed to be
refilled in between oil maintenance intervals.
● When the engine is new, for example directly after purchasing t he vehicle or
after replacing the engine
● If low quality oil or oil of an inappropriate viscosity is used
● When driving at high engine speeds or with a heavy load, when t owing, or
when driving while accelerating or decelerating frequently
● When leaving the engine idling for a long time, or when driving frequently
through heavy traffic
2TR-FE engine2GR-FKS engine
Engine oil selection P. 539
Oil quantity
(Low  Full) 1.6 qt. (1.5 L, 1.3 Imp.qt.)
Items
Clean funnel
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