octane TOYOTA TACOMA 2003 Owners Manual (in English)

’03 Tacoma U (L/O 0209)
1942003 MY TACOMA (OM35800U)
OCTANE RATING
Select Octane Rating 87 (Research Oc-
tane Number 91) or higher.
Use of unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating or research octane number lower
than stated above will cause persistent
heavy knocking. If it is severe, this will
lead to engine damage.
If your engine knocks...
If you detect heavy knocking even when
using the recommended fuel, or if you
hear steady knocking while holding a
steady speed on level roads, consult your
Toyota dealer.
However, occasionally, you may notice
light knocking for a short time while accel-
erating or driving up hills. This is normal
and there is no need for concern.
GASOLINE CONTAINING DETERGENT
ADDITIVES
Toyota recommends the use of gasoline
that contains detergent additives to
avoid buildup of engine deposits.
However, all gasoline sold in the U.S.
contains detergent additives to keep clean
and/or clean intake systems.QUALITY GASOLINE
Automotive manufacturers in the U.S.,
Europe and Japan have developed a
specification for quality fuel named
WorldWide Fuel Charter (WWFC) that
is expected to be applied world wide.
The WWFC consists of three categories
that depend on required emission lev-
els. In the U.S., category 3 has been
adopted. The WWFC improves air quali-
ty by providing for better emissions in
vehicle fleets, and customer satisfaction
through better vehicle performance.
CLEANER BURNING GASOLINE
Cleaner burning gasoline, including re-
formulated gasoline that contains oxy-
genates such as ethanol or MTBE is
available in many areas.
Toyota recommends the use of cleaner
burning gasoline and appropriately blended
reformulated gasoline. These types of gas-
oline provide excellent vehicle perfor-
mance, reduce vehicle emissions, and im-
prove air quality.
OXYGENATES IN GASOLINE
Toyota allows the use of oxygenate
blended gasoline where the oxygenate
content is up to 10% ethanol or 15%
MTBE. If you use gasohol in your
Toyota, be sure that it has an octane
rating no lower than 87.
Toyota does not recommend the use of
gasoline containing methanol.
GASOLINE CONTAINING MMT
Some gasoline contain an octane en-
hancing additive called MMT (Methylcy-
clopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl).
Toyota does not recommend the use of
gasoline that contains MMT. If fuel con-
taining MMT is used, your emission con-
trol system may be adversely affected.
The Malfunction Indicator Lamp on the in-
strument cluster may come on. If this hap-
pens, contact your Toyota dealer for ser-
vice.
GASOLINE QUALITY
In a very few cases, you may experience
driveability problems caused by the partic-
ular gasoline that you are using. If you
continue to have unacceptable driveability,
try changing gasoline brands. If this does
not rectify your problem, then consult your
Toyota dealer.

’03 Tacoma U (L/O 0209)
1952003 MY TACOMA (OM35800U)
NOTICE
Do not use gasohol other than
stated above. It will cause fuel sys-
tem damage or vehicle performance
problems.
 If driveab ility problems occur (poor
hot starting, vaporizing, engine
knock, etc.), discontinue the use.
 Take care not to spill gasohol dur-
ing refueling. Gasohol may cause
paint damage.
FUEL TANK CAPACITY
Twowheel drive models
except Pre Runner
60 L (16.0 gal., 13.3 Imp. gal.)
Fourwheel drive models
and Pre Runner 70 L (18.5 gal., 15.4 Imp. gal.) If you plan to drive your Toyota in
another country...
First,
comply with the vehicle registration
laws.
Second, confirm the availability of the cor-
rect fuel (unleaded and minimum octane
number).The threeway catalytic converter is an
emission control device installed in the
exhaust system.
The purpose is to reduce pollutants in the
exhaust gas.
CAUTION
Keep people and combustible mate-
rials away from the exhaust pipe
while the engine is running. The
exhaust gas is very hot.
Do not idle or park your vehicle
over anything that might burn easi-
ly such as grass, leaves, paper or
rags.
Operation in foreign countries Threeway catalytic converters

’03 Tacoma U (L/O 0209)
2922003 MY TACOMA (OM35800U)
Model:2RZFE, 3RZFE and 5VZFE
Type:
2RZFE and 3RZFE engines4 cylinder in line, 4 cycle, gasoline
5VZFE engine 6 cylinder V type, 4 cycle, gasoline
Bore and stroke, mm (in.): 2RZFE engine95.0 86.0 (3.74 3.39)
3RZFE engine 95.0 95.0 (3.74 3.74)
5VZFE engine 93.5 82.0 (3.68 3.23)
Displacement, cm
3 (cu. in.):
2RZFE engine 2438 (148.8)
3RZFE engine 2694 (164.3)
5VZFE engine 3378 (206.1) Fuel type:
Unleaded gasoline, Octane Rating 87
(Research Octane Number 91) or higher
Fuel tank capacity, L (gal., Imp. gal.): Twowheel drive models except Pre
Runner60 (16.0, 13.3)
Fourwheel drive models and Pre
Runner 70 (18.5, 15.4) ENGINE
Valve clearance (engine cold), mm (in.):
2RZFE and 3RZFE enginesIntake 0.15—0.25 (0.006—0.010)
Exhaust 0.25—0.35 (0.010—0.014)
5VZFE engine Intake 0.13—0.23 (0.006—0.009)
Exhaust 0.27—0.37 (0.011—0.014)
Spark plug type: 2RZFE and 3RZFE enginesDENSO K16RU11
NGK BKR5EYA11
5VZFE engine DENSO K16TR11
NGK BKR5EKB11
Spark plug gap, mm (in.): 1.1 (0.043)
Engine FuelService specifications

'03 Tacoma U (L/O 0209)
2003 MY TACOMA (OM35800U)
Publication No. OM35800U
Part No. 01999-35800
Printed in Japan 01±0209±00
(U)
Quick index

If a service reminder indicator or warning buzzer comes on 119 . . . . . . . .

If your vehicle will not start 222 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. .

If your engine stalls while driving 225 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

If you cannot increase the engine speed 225 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

If your vehicle overheats 226 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . .

If you have a flat tire 227 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . .

If your vehicle becomes stuck 237 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\


If your vehicle needs to be towed 238 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Tips for driving during break±in period 193 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

How to start the engine 208 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . .

General maintenance 253 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . . .

Complete index NO TAG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . . . .
Gas station information
Fuel type:
UNLEADED gasoline, Octane Rating 87 (Research Octane Number 91)
or higher
See page 193 for detailed information.
Fuel tank capacity: Two±wheel drive models except Pre Runner60 L (16.0 gal., 13.3 lmp. gal.)
Four±wheel drive models and Pre Runner
70 L (18.5 gal., 15.4 lmp. gal.)
Engine oil:
API grade SL ªEnergy±Conservingº or ILSAC multigrade engine oil is recom-
mended.
See page 267 for detailed information.
Tire information: See pages 271 through 276.
Tire pressure: See page 296.
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