TOYOTA TUNDRA 2003 1.G Owners Manual
Page 291 of 345
’03 TUNDRA_U (L/O 0307)
282
2003 TUNDRA from Jul. ’03 Prod. (OM 34430U)
Oil identification marks
Either or both API registered marks are
added to some oil containers to help
you select the oil you should use.
The API Service Symbol is located any-
where on the outside of the container.
The top portion of the label shows the oil
quality by API (American Petroleum Insti-
tute) designations such as SL. The center
portion of the label shows the SAE viscos-
ity grade such as SAE 5W−30. “Energy −
Conserving” shown in the lower portion,
indicates that the oil has fuel −saving ca-
pabilities.
The ILSAC (International Lubricant Stan-
dardization and Approval Committee) Certi-
fication Mark is displayed on the front of
the container.
To ensure excellent lubrication perfor-
mance for your engine, “Toyota Genuine
Motor Oil” is available, which has been
specifically tested and approved for all
Toyota engines.
Please contact your Toyota dealer for fur-
ther details about “Toyota Genuine Motor
Oil”. Look at the see through coolant reser-
voir when the engine is cold. The cool-
ant level is satisfactory if it is between
the “F” and “L” lines on the reservoir.
If the level is low, add ethylene glycol
type coolant for a proper corrosion
protection of aluminum components.
The coolant level in the reservoir will vary
with engine temperature. However, if the
level is on or below the “L” line, add
coolant. Bring the level up to the “F” line.
Always use ethylene
−glycol type coolant
for a proper corrosion protection of alumi-
num components. See information in the
next column.
If the coolant level drops within a short
time after replenishing, there may be a
leak in the system. Visually check the
radiator, hoses, radiator cap and drain
cock and water pump.
If you can find no leak, have your Toyota
dealer test the cap pressure and check
for leaks in the cooling system.
CAUTION
To prevent burning yourself, do not
remove the radiator cap when the en-
gine is hot.
Checking the engine coolant
level
Page 292 of 345
’03 TUNDRA_U (L/O 0307)
283
2003 TUNDRA from Jul. ’03 Prod. (OM 34430U)
Coolant type selection
Use of improper coolants may damage
your engine cooling system. Your coolant
must contain ethylene−glycol type coolant
for proper corrosion protection of your en-
gine that contains aluminum components.
We have used “Toyota Genuine Long Life
Coolant” in your Toyota vehicle. In order
to avoid technical problems, we strongly
recommend using “Toyota Genuine Long
Life Coolant” or equivalent.
In addition to preventing freezing and
subsequent damage to the engine, this
type of coolant will also prevent corrosion.
Further supplemental inhibitors or additives
are neither needed nor recommended.
Read the coolant container for information
on freeze protection. Follow the manufac-
turer’s directions for how much to mix
with plain water (preferably demineralized
water or distilled water). The total c apacity
of the cooling system is given in Section
8.
We recommend a 50% solution for your
Toyota, to provide protection down to
about −35 C ( −31 F). When it is extreme-
ly cold, to provide protection down to
about −50 C ( −58 F), a 60% solution is
recommended. Do not use more than 70%
solution for better coolant performance.NOTICE
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze or
plain water alone.
The engine cooling system is integral to
maximizing performance of your Toyota
vehicle. In line with this, it is strongly
recommended that you use “Toyota
Genuine Long Life Coolant” for protecting
the system, as it is an ethylene −glycol
based premium antifreeze coolant with
excellent corrosion protection properties
that has been specifically formulated for
use in Toyota vehicles.
Please contact your Toyota dealer for fur-
ther details about “Toyota Genuine Long
Life Coolant”.
Page 293 of 345
’03 TUNDRA_U (L/O 0307)
284
2003 TUNDRA from Jul. ’03 Prod. (OM 34430U)
If any of the above parts are extremely
dirty or you are not sure of their condi-
tion, take your vehicle to a Toyota dealer.
CAUTION
To prevent burning yourself, be care-
ful not to touch the radiator or con-
denser when the engine is hot.
NOTICE
To prevent damage to the radiator
and condenser, do not perform the
work by yourself.
To check the fluid level, simply look at
the see through reservoir. The level
should be between the “MAX” and
“MIN” lines on the reservoir.
It is normal for the brake fluid level to go
down slightly as the brake pads wear. So
be sure to keep the reservoir filled.
If the reservoir needs frequent refi lling, it
may indicate a serious mechanical prob-
lem. If the level is low, add SAE J1703 or
FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 brake fluid to the
brake reservoir.
Remove and replace the reservoir cap by
hand. Fill the brake fluid to the dotted
line. This brings the fluid to the correct
level when you put the cap back on.
Use only newly opened brake fluid. Once
opened, brake fluid absorbs moisture from
the air, and excess moisture can cause a
dangerous loss of braking.
CAUTION
Take care when filling the r
eservoir
because brake fluid can harm your
eyes and damage painted surfaces. If
fluid gets in your eyes, flush your
eyes with clean water immediately. If
you still feel uncomfortable with your
eyes, go to the doctor.
NOTICE
If you spill the fluid, be sure to wash
it off with water to prevent it from
damaging the parts or paint.
Checking the radiator and
condenser Checking brake fluid
Page 294 of 345
’03 TUNDRA_U (L/O 0307)
285
2003 TUNDRA from Jul. ’03 Prod. (OM 34430U)
If cold add
If cold O.K.
If hot add If hot O.K.
Check the fluid level on the dipstick. If
necessary, add automatic transmission
fluid DEXRON II or III.
If the vehicle has been driven around 80
km/h (50 mph) for 20 minutes (a little
more in frigid temperatures), the fluid is
hot (40 C—80 C or 104 F—175 F). You
may also check the level when the fluid
is cold (about room temperature,
0 C—40 C or 32 F—104 F) if the engine
has not been run for about five hours.
a. Clean all dirt from outside of the reser- voir tank.
b. Remove the reservoir cap by turning it counterclockwise and wipe the dipstick
clean. c. Reinstall the reservoir cap.
d. Remove the reservoir cap again and look at the fluid level. If the fluid is
cold, the level should be in the “COLD”
range on the dipstick. Similarly, if it is
hot, the fluid level should be in the
“HOT” range. If the level is at the low
side of either range, add automatic
transmission fluid DEXRON II or III to
bring the level within the range.
e. After replacing the reservoir cap, visu- ally check the steering box case, vane
pump and hose connections for leaks
or damage.
CAUTION
The reservoir tank may be hot so be
careful not to burn yourself.
NOTICE
Avoid overfilling, or the power steer-
ing could be damaged.
If hot O.K. Close Open
If cold O.K.
If hot add If cold add
Check the fluid level through the reser-
voir. If necessary, add automatic trans-
mission fluid DEXRON II or III.
If the vehicle has been driven around 80
km/h (50 mph) for 20 minutes (a little
more in frigid temperatures), the fluid is
hot (60 C—80 C or 140 F—175 F). You
may also check the level when the fluid
is cold (about room temperature,
10 C—30 C or 50 F—85 F) if the engine
has not been run for about five hours.
Checking power steering fluid
(5VZ FE engine) Checking power steering fluid
(2UZ FE engine)
Page 295 of 345
’03 TUNDRA_U (L/O 0307)
286
2003 TUNDRA from Jul. ’03 Prod. (OM 34430U)
Clean all dirt from outside of the reservoir
tank and look at the fluid level. If the fluid
is cold, the level should be in the “COLD”
range. Similarly, if it is hot, the fluid level
should be in the “HOT” range. If the level
is at the low side of either range, add
automatic transmission fluid DEXRON II
or III to bring the level within the range.
To remove the reservoir cap, turn it coun-
terclockwise and lift up. To reinstall it,
turn it clockwise. After replacing the reser-
voir cap, visually check the steering box
case, vane pump and hose connections
for leaks or damage.
CAUTION
The reservoir tank may be hot so be
careful not to burn yourself.
NOTICE
Avoid overfilling, or the power steer-
ing could be damaged.
Typ e A (t i re an d lo ad i n g in f o rma-
tion label)Typ e B (t i re an d lo ad i n g in f o rma-
tion label)
Checking tire inflation
pressure
Page 296 of 345
’03 TUNDRA_U (L/O 0307)
287
2003 TUNDRA from Jul. ’03 Prod. (OM 34430U)
Typ e C (t i re in f o rmat i o n lab el )Typ e D (t i re in f o rmat i o n lab el ) Keep your tire inflation pressures
at the proper level.
The recommended cold tire inflation
pressures, tire
sizes and the com-
bined weight of occupants and cargo
(vehicle capacity weight) are de-
scribed in Section 8
∗. They are also
described on the tire and loading in-
formation label. The recommended
cold tire inflatio n pressure and tire
sizes are also described on the tire
information label. Either the tire and
loading information label or the tire in-
formation label is affixed on your ve-
hicle as shown.
You should check the tire inflation
pressure every two weeks, or at least
once a month. And do not forget the
spare!
∗: Payload (vehicle capacity weight) in Section 8 is the maximum
weight the vehicle should carry
with standard equipment. Depend-
ing on the number of options
equipped on your vehicle, the pay-
load may differ from the figures on
the tire and loading information la-
bel on your vehicle.
Page 297 of 345
’03 TUNDRA_U (L/O 0307)
288
2003 TUNDRA from Jul. ’03 Prod. (OM 34430U)
The following instructions for
checking tire inflation pressure
should be observed:
The pressure s hould be
checked only when the tires are
cold. If your vehicle has been
parked for at least 3 hours and has
not been driven for more than 1.5
km or 1 mile since, you will get
an accurate cold tire inflation pres-
sure reading.
Always use a tire pressure
gauge. The appearance of a tire
can be misleading. Besides, tire
inflation pressures that are even
just a few pounds off can degrade
ride and handling.
Do not bleed or reduce tire
inflation pressure after driving.
It is normal for the tire inflation
pressure to be higher after driving.
Never exceed the vehicle capac-
ity weight. The passenger and
luggage weight should be located
so that the vehicle is balanced.Tire pressure gauge
INSPECTION AND ADJUSTMENT
PROCEDURE
1. Remove the tire valve cap.
2. Press the tip of the tire pressure gauge to the tire valve.
3. Read the pressure using a gradua- tion of the gauge.
4. In case that the tire inflation pres- sure is not within the prescribed
range, insert the compressed air
from the valve. In case of applying
too much air, press the center of
t he valv e and releas e the air to ad-
just. 5. After completing the tire inflation
pressure measurement and ad-
justment, apply soap water to the
valve and check the leakage.
6. Install the tire valve cap.
If the gauge and the air pump are not
available, have your vehicle checked
by your Toyota dealer.
CAUTION
Be sure to reinstall the tire valve
caps. Without the valve caps, dirt
or moisture could get into the
valve core and cause air leakage.
If the caps have been lost, have
new ones put on as soon as pos-
sible.
Incorrect tire infl ation pressure may
waste fuel, reduce the comfort of driv-
ing, reduce tire life and make your ve-
hicle less safe to drive.
If a tire frequently needs refilling,
have it checked by your Toyota deal-
er.
Page 298 of 345
’03 TUNDRA_U (L/O 0307)
289
2003 TUNDRA from Jul. ’03 Prod. (OM 34430U)
CAUTION
Keep your tires properly inflated.
Otherwise, the following condi-
tions may occur and cause an ac-
cident resulting in death or seri-
ous injuries.
Low tire pressure (underinfla-
tion)—
Excessive wear
Uneven wear
Poor handling
Possibility of blowouts from
overheated tire.
Poor sealing of the tire bead
Wheel deformation and/or tire
separation
A greater possibility of tire
damage from road hazards
High tire pressure (overinfla-
tion)—
Poor handling
Excessive wear
Uneven wear
A greater possibility of tire
damage from road hazardsTread wear indicator
CHECKING YOUR TIRES
Check the tires tread for the tread
wear indicators. If the indicators
show, replace the tires. The loca-
tion of the tread wear indicators is
shown by the “TWI” or “
Δ” marks,
etc., molded on the sidewall of
each tire.
Checking and replacing tires
Page 299 of 345
’03 TUNDRA_U (L/O 0307)
290
2003 TUNDRA from Jul. ’03 Prod. (OM 34430U)
The tires on your Toyota have built −in
tread wear indicators to help you
know when the tires need replace-
ment. When the tread depth wears to
1.6 mm (0.06 in.) or less, the indica-
tors will appear. If you can see the
indicators in two or more adjacent
grooves, the tire should be replaced.
The lower the tread, the higher the
risk of skidding.
The effectiveness of snow tires is
lost if the tread wears down below
4 mm (0.16 in.).
If you have tire damage such as
cuts, splits, cracks deep e nough to
expose the fabric, or bulges indi-
cating internal damage, the tire
should be repl aced.
If a tire often goes flat or cannot be
properly repaired due to the size or
location of a cut or other damage, it
should be replaced. If you are not
sure, consult with your Toyota dealer. If an air loss occurs while driving, do
not continue driving with a deflated
tire. Driving even a short distance can
damage a tire beyond repair.
An y ti res wh i ch are over 6 years
old must be checked by a qualified
technician even if damage is not
obvious.
Tires deteriorate with age even if they
have never or seldom been used.
This applies also to the spare tire and
tires stored for future use.
REPLACING YOUR TIRES
When replacing a tire, use a tire of
the same size and construction,
and the same or greater maximum
load as the originally installed
tires. Also, on four wheel drive
models, all the tires must be the
same brand and have the same
tread patterns.
Using any other size or type of tire
may seriously affect handling, ride,
speedometer/odometer calibration,
ground clearance, and clearance be-
tween the body and tires or snow
chains.
Check that the maximum load of the
replaced tire is greater than 1/2 of the
Gross Axle Weight Ratings (GAWR)
of either the front axle or the rear
axle, whichever greater. As for the
maximum load of the tire, see the load
limit at maximum cold tire inflation
pressure mentioned on the sidewall
of the tire, and as for the Gross Axle
Weight Ratings (GAWR), see the Cer-
tification Label.
For details about the side wall of the
tire and the Certification Label.
Page 300 of 345
’03 TUNDRA_U (L/O 0307)
291
2003 TUNDRA from Jul. ’03 Prod. (OM 34430U)
CAUTION
Observe the following instruc-
tions. Otherwise, an accident
may occur resulting in death or
serious injuries.
Do not mix radial, bias belted,
or bias ply tires on your ve-
hicle, as this may cause dan-
gerous handling characteris-
tics resulting in loss of control.
Do not use tires other than the
manufacturer’s recommended
size, as this may cause danger-
ous handling characteristics
resulting in loss of control.
Four wheel drive models:
Do not use tires of different
brands, sizes, construction or
tread patterns, as this may
cause dangerous handling
characteristics resulting in
loss of control.
For vehicles with vehicle stability
control system—
Do not use tires of different
brands, sizes and construc-
tions. This may damage the
drive system and prevent the
vehicle skid control system
from functioning correctly.
Toyota recommends all four tires,
or at least both of the front or rear
tires be replaced at a time as a set.
S ee “I f you hav e a fl at tire” in Section
4 for tire change procedure.
When a tire is replaced, the wheel
should always be balanced.
An unbalanced wheel may affect ve-
hicle handling and tire life. Wheels
can get out of balance with regular
use and should therefore be balanced
occasionally.
When replacing a tubeless tire, the
air valve should also be repl aced
w i t h a new on e.
With a spare tire of the same
wheel type as the installed tires
Rotating tires