TOYOTA GT86 2012 Owners Manual

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4
Maintenance and care
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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. 305)•Warm water
• Baking soda
• Grease
• Conventional wrench
(for terminal clamp bolts)
• Distilled water
Engine coolant level (P. 302)• “TOYOTA Genuine 50/50 Pre-
mixed Super Long Life Coolant
BLUE” or similar high-quality
ethylene glycol-based non-
silicate, non-amine, non-nitrite
and non-borate coolant with long-
life hybrid organic acid
technology. “TOYOTA Genuine
50/50 Pre-mixed Super Long Life
Coolant BLUE” is pre-mixed with
50% coolant and 50% deionized
water.
• Funnel (used only for adding cool-
ant)
Engine oil levelP. 299)• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or
equivalent
• Rag or paper towel, funnel
(used only for adding engine oil)
Fuses (P. 324)• Fuse with same amperage rating
as original
Light bulbs (P. 332)• Bulb with same number and watt-
age rating as original
• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Flathead screwdriver

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CAUTION
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 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 or 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, see a doctor.
ItemsParts and tools
Radiator and condenser
(P. 304)
Tire inflation pressure (P. 314)• Tire pressure gauge
• Compressed air source
Washer fluid (P. 309)• Water washer fluid containing
antifreeze (for winter use)
• Funnel

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CAUTION
When working near the electric cooling fans or radiator grille
Vehicles without a smart entry & start system: Be sure the engine switch is
off. With the engine switch in the “ON” position, the electric cooling fans may
automatically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the coolant tem-
perature is high. (P. 304)
Vehicles with a smart entry & start system: Be sure the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch is off. With the “ENGINE START STOP” switch in IGNITION
ON mode, the electric cooling fans may automatically start to run if the air
conditioning is on and/or the coolant temperature is high. (P. 304)
Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc. from
getting in the 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. Also a backfire could cause a fire in the engine compart-
ment.
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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Hood
Release the lock from the inside of the vehicle to open the hood.
Pull the hood release lever.
The hood will pop up slightly.
Push the auxiliary catch lever
to the left and lift the hood.
Hold the hood open by insert-
ing the supporting rod into the
slot.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3

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Maintenance and care
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CAUTION
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.
NOTICE
When opening the hood
Do not lift up or operate the wipers. Doing so may cause the hood and wip-
ers to contact, scratching the hood.
When closing the hood
Do not apply excessive weight or force when closing the hood as doing so
may result in damage.

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Positioning a floor jack
When raising your vehicle with a floor jack, position the jack cor-
rectly. Improper placement may damage your vehicle or cause injury.
Front
Rear

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CAUTION
When raising your vehicle
Make sure to observe the following precautions to reduce the possibility of
death or serious injury:
When using a floor jack, follow the instructions of the manual provided with
the jack.
Do not use the jack that was supplied with your vehicle.
Do not put any part of your body underneath the vehicle when it is sup-
ported only by the floor jack.
Always use floor jack and/or automotive jack stands on a solid, flat, level
surface.
Do not start the engine while the vehicle is supported by the floor jack.
Stop the vehicle on level, firm ground, firmly set the parking brake and shift
the shift lever to P (vehicles with an automatic transmission) or R (vehicles
with a manual transmission).
Make sure to set the floor jack properly at the jack point.
Raising the vehicle with an improperly positioned floor jack will damage
the vehicle and may cause the vehicle to fall off the floor jack.
Do not raise the vehicle while someone is in the vehicle.
When raising the vehicle, do not place any object on top of or underneath
the floor jack.
When raising the vehicle, ensure that there is sufficient surrounding space.
The vehicle’s position may change slightly when lowered.
Lift up the vehicle using a floor jack
such as the one shown in the illustra-
tion.

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Engine compartment
*: For right-hand drive vehicles: This is located on the opposite side of the
engine compartment.
Battery* (P. 305)
Engine oil level dipstick
(P. 299)
Engine oil filler cap
(P. 300)
Washer fluid tank (P. 309)Electric cooling fans
Condenser (if equipped)
(P. 304)
Radiator (P. 304)
Engine coolant reservoir
(P. 302)
Fuse box (P. 324)

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Engine oil
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 five minutes for the oil to
drain back into the bottom of the engine.
Hold a rag under the end and
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.
When checking the oil, look at both sides of the dipstick and use the
lower measurement to determine the level of oil.
Wipe the dipstick and reinsert it fully.
Low
Full
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 5
STEP 6

300 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
FT86_EEAdding engine oil
If the oil level is below or near
the low level mark, add engine
oil of the same type as already in
the engine.
Make sure to check the oil type and prepare the items needed before
adding oil.
Remove the oil filler cap by turning it counterclockwise.
Add engine oil slowly, checking the dipstick.
Install the oil filler cap by turning it clockwise.
Engine oil
selectionP. 420
Oil quantity
(Low  Full)1.0 L (1.1 qt., 0.9 Imp. qt.)
Items
Clean funnel
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3