engine TOYOTA CAMRY 1997 Owners Manual

Foreword
Welcome to the growing group of value-conscious people who drive Toyotas. We
are proud of the advanced engineering and quality construction of each vehicle we
build.
This Owner 's Manual explains the features of your new Toyota. Please read it and
follow the instructions carefully so that you can enjoy many years of safe motoring.
When it comes to service, remember that your Toyota dealer knows your vehicle
best and is interested in your complete satisfaction. He will provide quality mainte-
nance and any other assistance you may require.
Please leave this Owner's Manual in this vehicle at the time of resale. The next
owner will need this information also.
All information and specifications in this manual are current at the time of
printing. However, because of Toyota's policy of continual product improve-
ment, we reserve the right to make changes at any time without notice.
Please note that this manual applies to all models and explains all equipment,
including options. Therefore, you may find some explanations for equipment
not installed in your vehicle.
TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION

1997 TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION
All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or copied, in whole or in
part, without the written permission of Toyota Motor Corporation.
ProCarManuals.com

Publication No. OM33466UU
Part No. 01999-33466
Printed in Japan 11- 9711- 04
Quick index

If a service reminder indicator or warning buzzer comes on 69. . . . .

If your vehicle will not start 151. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

If your engine stalls while driving 154. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

If your vehicle overheats 155. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

If you have a flat tire 156. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

If your vehicle needs to be towed 162. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Tips for driving during break- in period 129. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

How to start the engine 141. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

General maintenance 174. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Complete index 221. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gas station information
Fuel type:
5S- FE engine: UNLEADED gasoline, Octane Rating 87 (Research Octane
Number 91) or higher.
1MZ- FE engine: UNLEADED gasoline, Octane Rating 87 (Research Octane
Number 91) or higher.
For improved vehicle performance, the use of premium unleaded
gasoline with an Octane Rating of 91 (Research Octane Number
96) or higher is recommended.
See page 129 for detailed information.
Fuel tank capacity:
70 L (18.5 gal., 15.4 lmp. gal.)
Engine oil:
API SH, ''Energy- Conserving II'' or ILSAC multigrade engine oil
is recommended.
See page 188 for detailed information.
Automatic transmission fluid:
Automatic transmission fluid D- II or DEXRON
[ III (DEXRON[ II).
Tire information: See pages 191 through 195.
Tire pressure: See page 215.
A-9
I
ProCarManuals.com

4
1. Engine coolant temperature gauge
2. Service reminder indicators or
indicator lights
3. Fuel gauge4. Speedometer
5. Odometer and two trip meters
6. Theft deterrent system indicator
light7. Tachometer
8. Trip meter reset knob
9. Low fuel level warning light
Instrument cluster overview
ProCarManuals.com

11
PANICº SWITCH
Pushing the PANICº switch for 2 sec-
onds blows the horn intermittently
and flashes the headlights, tail lights
and other exterior lights. The engine
cannot be started because the starter
circuit will be cut.
The PANICº switch is used to deter the
vehicle theft when you witness anyone at-
tempting to brake into or damage your ve-
hicle.
The alarm will last for one minute. To
stops this in the midway, push the PAN-
ICº switch once again. The starter circuitcut will be kept on until the PANICº mode
is cancelled.
To cancel the PANICº mode, unlock any
door with the key or tranmitter or turn the
ignition key from the LOCKº to ACCº
position.
The PANICº mode does not work when
the key is inserted in the ignition switch.
WIRELESS REMOTE CONTROL
TRANSMITTER
The wireless remote control transmitter is
an electronic component. Observe the fol-
lowing instructions in order not to cause
damage on the transmitter.

Do not leave the transmitter on the
places where the temperature becomes
high such as on the dashboard.

Do not disaassemble it.

Avoid knocking it hard against other ob-
jects or dropping it.

Avoid putting it in water.
You can use up to 2 wireless remote con-
trol transmitters for the same vehicle.
Contact your Toyota dealer for detailed in-
formation.
If the wireless remote control transmitter
doew not actualte the doors or alarm, or
operate from a normal distance:
Check for closeness to a radio transmit-
ter such as a radio station or an airport
which can interfer with normal operation
of the transmitter.

The batteries may have been con-
sumed. Check the batteries in the trans-
mitter. To replace the batteries, see Re-
placing transmitter batteries.º
Replacing transmitter batteries
The expected lift of your transmitter bat-
teries is about one year. For replacement,
use DURACELL
[ DL2016 or equivalent.
a. Using a screwdriver, separate the two
halves of the transmitter with the transmit-
ter buttons facing down.
b. Remove and replace the transmitter
batteries.If yout touch a new battery with
your fingers, clean it with rubbing alcohol.
Skin oils may shorten the batteries' life.
c. Reassemble the transmitter case.
Make sure the gasket is properly installed
.After replaceing batteries, check that the
transmitter operates properly. If the trans-
mitter still does not operate properly, con-
tact your Toyota dealer.
ProCarManuals.com

16
2. In front of the vehicle, pull up on the
auxiliary catch lever and lift the
hood.3. Hold the hood open by inserting
the support rod into the slot.
Before closing the hood, check to see that
you have not forgotten any tools, rags,
etc. and return the support rod to its clip-
this prevents rattles. Then lower the hood
until make sure it locks into place. If nec-
essary, press down gently on front edge to
lock it.
CAUTION!
After inserting the support rod into
the slot, make sure the rod supports
the hood securely.
To deter the vehicle theft, the system is
designed to give an alarm and keep the
engine from being started if any of the
doors, trunk or hood is forcibly un-
locked or the battery terminal is dis-
connected and then reconnected
when the vehicle is locked.
The alarm blows the horn intermittently
and flashes the headlights, tail lights and
other exterior lights. The engine cannot
be started because the starter circuit will
be cut.
Theft deterrent systemÐ
ProCarManuals.com

19
1. To open the fuel filler door, pull the
lever up.
CAUTION!

Do not smoke, cause sparks or al-
low open flames when refuelling.
The fumes are flammable.

When opening the cap, do not re-
move the cap quickly. In hot weath-
er, fuel under pressure could cause
injury by spraying out of the filler
neck if the cap is suddenly re-
moved.
2. To remove the fuel tank cap, turn
the cap slowly counterclockwise,
then pause slightly before remov-
ing it. after removing the cap, hang
it on the cap hanger.
It is not unusual to hear a slight swoosh
when the cap is opened. When installing,
turn the cap clockwise till you hear a click.
Except 5S-FE engined vehicles with
manual transmissionÐ
If the cap is not tightened securely, the
malfunction indicator lamp comes on.
Make sure the cap is tightened securely.The indicator lamp goes off after driving
several times. If the indicator lamp does
not go off, contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible.
CAUTION!

Make sure the cap is tightened se-
curely to prevent fuel spillage in
case of an accident.

Use only a genuine Toyota fuel tank
cap for replacement. It has a built in
check valve to reduce fuel tank vac-
uum.
Fuel tank cap
ProCarManuals.com

59
To adjust the rear view mirror, simply op-
erate the control lever.
NOTICE
If ice should jam the mirror, do not
operate the control or scrape the
mirror fce. Use a spray de-icer to
free the mirror.
To adjust a mirror, use the switches.
1. Master switchÐTo select the mirror to
be adjusted
Place the switch at Lº (left) or Rº (right).
2. Control switchÐTo move the mirror
push the switch in the desired direc-
tion.
If the engine is not running, the key must
be in the ACCº position.
NOTICE
If ice should jam the mirror, do not
operate the control or scrape the
mirror face. Use a spray de-icer to
free the mirror.
To reduce glare from the headlights of
the vehicle behind you during night
driving, operate the lever on the lower
edge of the mirror.
Daylight drivingÐLever at position 1
The reflection in the mirror has greater
clarity at this position.
Night drivingÐLever at position 2
Remember that by reducing glare you
also lose some rear view clarity.
ÐRear view mirror remote
controlÐPower rear view mirror
controlAnti-glare inside rear view
mirror
ProCarManuals.com

Part 1Headlights and turn signals
61
OPERATION OF
INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLSÐ
Chapter 1-4
Lights, Wipers
and Defogger

Headlights and turn signals

Emergency flashers

Instrument panel light control

Interior light

Ignition switch light

Personal light

Windshield wipers and washer

Rear window and outside rear
view mirror defoggersHEADLIGHTS
To turn on the following lights: Twist
the headlight/turn signal lever knob.
Position 1ÐParking, tail, license plate,
side marker and instrument panel lights
Position 2ÐHeadlights and all of the
above
The lights automatically turn off when the
driver's door is opened with the ignition
turned off. To turn them on again, turn the
key to the ONº position or actuate the
headlight switch. If you are going to park
for over one week, make sure the head-
light switch is off.
NOTICE
To prevent the battery from being
discharged, do not leave the lights
on for a long period when the
engine is not running.
Daytime running light system (Canada
only)
The headlights turn on when the parking
brake is released with the engine started,
even with the light switch in the OFFº
position. They will not go off until the igni-
tion switch is turned off.
To turn on the other exterior lights and in-
strument panel lights, twist the knob to the
position 1.
Under the daytime running light system,
the headlights turn on at reduced intensi-
ty. Twist the knob to the position 2 to turn
to full intensity for driving at night.
ProCarManuals.com

63
NOTICE
To prevent the battery from being
discharged, do not leave the lights
on for a long period when the engine
is not running.
To adjust the brightness of the instru-
ment panel lights, turn the knob.To turn on the interior light, slide the
switch.
The interior light has the following posi-
tion:
ONºÐKeeps the light on all the time.
OFFºÐTurns the light off.
DOORºÐTurns the light on when any of
the door is opened. The light goes off
when all the doors are closed. On some
models, the light remains on for some
time after all of the doors are closed.
Instrument panel light control Interior light
ProCarManuals.com

Part 1Fuel gauge
67
OPERATION OF
INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLSÐ
Chapter 1-5
Gauges, Meters and
Service reminder
indicators

Fuel gauge

Engine coolant temperature
gauge

Tachometer

Odometer and two trip meters

Service reminder indicators and
warning buzzers
The gauge works when the ignition
switch is on and indicates the approxi-
mate quantity of fuel remaining in the
tank.
Nearly fullÐNeedle at Fº
Nearly emptyÐNeedle at Eº
It is a good idea to keep the tank over 1/4
full.
This fuel gauge has a non-return type
needle which remains at the last indicated
position when the ignition switch is turned
off.
If the level approaches Eº or the low fuel
level warning light comes on, fill the fuel
tank as soon as possible.If the fuel tank is completely empty, the
malfunction indicator lamp comes on. Fill
the fuel tank immediately.
The indicator lamp goes off after driving
several times. If the indicator lamp does
not go off, contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible.
ProCarManuals.com