oil TOYOTA TACOMA 2012 Owners Manual (in English)

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenanceDo-it-yourself service precautions ....................... 430
Hood ................................... 434
Engine compartment ........... 436
Tires .................................... 452
Tire inflation pressure ......... 461
Wheels ................................ 466
Air conditioning filter............ 469
Wireless remote control battery ............................... 472
Checking and replacing fuses ................................. 474
Light bulbs........................... 484
5-1. Essential information Emergency flashers ............ 496
If your vehicle needs to be towed ........................... 497
If you think something is wrong ................................ 503
Fuel pump shut off system .............................. 504 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds... .......................... 505
If you have a flat tire ........... 515
If the engine will not start.... 532
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P (vehicles
with an automatic
transmission) .................... 533
If you lose your keys........... 534
If the vehicle battery is discharged........................ 535
If your vehicle overheats .... 539
If the vehicle becomes stuck ................................. 542
If your vehicle has to be stopped in
an emergency .................. 544
6-1. Specifications Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.) ........... 548
Fuel information.................. 569
Tire information .................. 572
6-2. Customization Customizable features........ 583
Items to initialize ................. 587
5When trouble arises
6Vehicle specifications

142 2-1. Driving procedures
NOTICE
■When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may
cause the following serious damage to the vehicle.
●Engine stalling
● Short in electrical components
● Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be
sure to have your Toyota dealer check the following.
● Brake function
● Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, trans-
mission, transfer (4WD vehicles), differentials, etc.
● Lubricant condition for the propeller shaft, bearings and suspension joints
(where possible) and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.

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2-4. Using other
driving systems
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When driving
■Shifting to L4
VSC is automatically turned off.
■ Four-wheel drive usage frequency
You should drive in four-wheel drive for at least 10 miles (16 km) each
month.
This will assure that the front-drive components are lubricated.
CAUTION
■Caution while driving
●Never shift the front-wheel drive control switch from H2 to H4 if the wheels
are slipping.
Stop the slipping or spinning before shifting.
● For normal driving on dry and hard surface roads, use H2 position. Driving
on dry and hard surface roads in H4 or L4 position may cause drive com-
ponent oil leakage, seizure, or other problems resulting in an accident.
Further, it may cause tire wear and increased fuel consumption.
● Avoid turning suddenly in H4 or L4 position. If you do turn suddenly, the
difference in turning speeds between the front and rear wheels may have
a similar effect to braking, thus making driving difficult.

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2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
NOTICE
■
To prevent the water damage
●Take all necessary safety measures to ensure that water damage to the
engine or other components does not occur.
● Water entering the engine air intake will cause severe engine damage.
● Water entering the automatic transmission will cause deterioration in shift
quality, locking up of your transmission accompanied by vibration, and ulti-
mately damage.
● Water can wash the grease from wheel bearings, causing rusting and pre-
mature failure, and may also enter the differentials, transmission and
transfer case, reducing the gear oil’s lubricating qualities.
■ When you drive through water
If driving through water, such as when crossing shallow streams, first check
the depth of the water and the bottom of the river bed for firmness. Drive
slowly and avoid deep water.
■ Inspection after off-road driving
●Sand and mud that has accumulat ed in brake drums and around brake
discs may affect braking efficiency and may damage brake system compo-
nents.
● Always perform a maintenance inspection after each day of off-road driv-
ing that has taken you through rough terrain, sand, mud, or water. For
scheduled maintenance information, refer to the “Scheduled Maintenance
Guide” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”.

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2-5. Driving information
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When driving
Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before driving
the vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a manner appropri-
ate to the prevailing weather conditions.
■ Pre-winter preparations
●Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside tem-
peratures.
• Engine oil
• Engine coolant
• Washer fluid
● Have a service technician inspect the level and specific grav-
ity of battery electrolyte.
● Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set
of tire chains for the rear tires.
Ensure that all tires are the same size and brand, and that chains
match the size of the tires.
■Before driving the vehicle
Perform the following according to the driving conditions.
●Do not try to forcibly open a window, scrape an outside rear
view mirror surface or move a wiper or outside rear view mir-
ror that is frozen. Pour warm water over the frozen area to
melt the ice. Wipe away the water immediately to prevent it
from freezing.
● To ensure proper operation of th e climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents
in front of the windshield.
● Remove any ice that has accumu lated on the vehicle chassis.
● Periodically check for and remove any excess ice or snow
that may have accumulated in the wheel well or on the
brakes.

272 3-2. Using the audio system
NOTICE
■CD player precautions
Failure to follow the precautions below may result in serious damage to the
CDs or the player itself.
●Do not insert anything other than CDs into the CD slot.
● Do not apply oil to the CD player.
● Store CDs away from direct sunlight.
● Never try to disassemble any part of the CD player.
●Do not insert more than one CD at a
time.

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4-1. Maintenance and care
4
Maintenance and care
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Aluminum or chrome cladded wheels (if equipped)
●Remove any dirt immediately by using a neutral detergent. Do not use
hard brushes or abrasive cleaners. Do not use strong or harsh chemical
cleaners. Use the same mild detergent and wax as used on the paint.
● Do not use detergent on the wheels when they are hot, for example after
driving for long distance in the hot weather.
● Wash detergent from the wheels immediately after use.
■ Bumpers and side moldings
Do not scrub with abrasive cleaners.
CAUTION
■Caution about 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.
NOTICE
■To prevent paint deterioration and corrosion on the body and compo-
nents (aluminum or chrome cladded wheels etc.)
● Wash the vehicle immediately in the following cases:
• After driving near the sea coast
• After driving on salted roads
• If you see coal tar or tree sap on the paint surface
• If you see dead insects, insect droppings or bird droppings on the paint
• After driving in an area contaminated with soot, oily smoke, mine dust,
iron powder or chemical substances
• If the vehicle becomes heavily soiled in dust or mud
• If liquids such as benzene and gasoline are spilled on the paint surface
● If the paint is chipped or scratched, have it repaired immediately.
● To prevent the wheels from corroding, remove any dirt and store in a place
with low humidity when storing the wheels.

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4-2. Maintenance
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Maintenance and care
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Allow inspection and repairs to be performed by a Toyota dealer
● Toyota technicians are well-trained specialists and are kept up to date
with the latest service information. They are well informed about the
operations of all systems on your vehicle.
● Keep a copy of the repair order. It proves that the maintenance that has
been performed is under warranty coverage. If any problem should arise
while your vehicle is under warranty, your Toyota dealer will promptly
take care of it.
CAUTION
■Warning in handling of battery
●Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and a wide variety of automobile
components contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects and other reproductive harm. Work in a
well ventilated area.
● Oils, fuels and fluids contained in vehicles as well as waste produced by
component wear contain or emit chemicals known to the State of Califor-
nia to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Avoid
exposure and wash any affected area immediately.
● Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead
compounds which are known to cause brain damage. Wash your hands
after handling. ( P. 448)

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4-2. Maintenance
General maintenance
Engine compartment
ItemsCheck points
Battery Maintenance-free. ( P. 448)
Brake fluid At the correct level? ( P. 444)
Engine coolant At the correct level? ( P. 443)
Engine oil At the correct level? ( P. 438)
Exhaust system No fumes or strange sounds?
Power steering fluid At the correct level? ( P. 446)
Radiator/condenser/hoses Not blocked with foreign matter?
(P. 444)
Washer fluid At the correct level? (P. 450)
Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be per-
formed at the intervals specified in the “Scheduled Maintenance
Guide” or “Owner’s Manual Supp lement”. It is recommended that
any problem you notice should be brought to the attention of your
Toyota dealer or qualified service shop for advice.

430
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. 448)•Warm water
• Baking soda
• Grease
• Conventional wrench
(for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level ( P. 444)• FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE
J1703 brake fluid
• Rag or paper towel
Engine coolant level ( P. 443)• “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”
or similar high quality ethylene
glycol based non-silicate, non-
amine, non-nitrite and non-borate
coolant with long-life hybrid
organic acid technology.
U.S.A.:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”
is pre-mixed with 50% coolant
and 50% deionized water.
Canada:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”
is pre-mixed with 55% coolant
and 45% deionized water.
Engine oil level P. 438) • Toyota Genuine Motor Oil or
equivalent
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding oil)
Fuses ( P. 474)• Fuse with same amperage rating
as original