service TOYOTA CAMRY 1996 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 on your vehicle.
TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION

1996 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

The SRS airbag devices in your Toyota contain explo-
sive chemicals. If the vehicle is scrapped with the air-
bags left as they are, it may cause an accident such
as a fire. Be sure to have the SRS airbag system re-
moved and disposed of by a qualified service shop or
by your Toyota dealer before you dispose of your ve-
hicle.
As the installation of a mobile two-way radio system
in your vehicle could affect electronic systems such
as multiport fuel injection system/sequential multiport
fuel injection system, cruise control system, anti-lock
brake system and SRS airbag system, be sure to
check with your Toyota dealer for precautionary mea-
sures or special instructions regarding installation.
Installation of a mobile
two-way radio system
Scrapping of your Toyota
ProCarManuals.com

Publication No. OM33447U
Part No. 01999-33447
Printed in Japan 29- 9810- 04
Quick index

If a service reminder indicator or warning buzzer comes on 65. . . . .

If your vehicle will not start 149. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

If your engine stalls while driving 152. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

If your vehicle overheats 152,153. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

If you have a flat tire 153. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

If your vehicle needs to be towed 163. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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

How to start the engine 139. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

General maintenance 172. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Complete index 221. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gas station information
Fuel type:
5S- FE engine: UNLEADED gasoline, Research Octane Number 91 (Octane
Rating 87) or higher.
1MZ- FE engine: UNLEADED gasoline, Research Octane Number 91 (Octane
Rating 87) or higher. For improved vehicle performance, the use of premium
unleaded gasoline with a Research Octane Number of 96 (Octane Rating
91) 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'' multigrade engine oil or ILSAC multigrade
engine oil is recommended.
See page 186 for detailed information.
Automatic transmission fluid:
Automatic transmission fluid DEXRON
[- II.
Tire information: See pages 189 through 193.
Tire pressure: See pages 214 and 215.
A
7
I
ProCarManuals.com

Indicator symbols on the instrument panel
5
Brake system warning light*1
Seat belt reminder light*1
Discharge warning light*1
Malfunction indicator lamp*1
Low fuel level warning light*1
Low oil pressure warning light*1
Anit-lock brake system warning light*1
Open door warning light*1
Rear light failure warning light*1
SRS airbag warning light*1
Turn signal indicator lights
Headlight high beam indicator light
Overdrive-of f indicator light
PWRº mode indicator light
Cruise control indicator light*
2
Automatic transmission indicator lights
*
1: For details, see Service reminder indicators and warn-
ing buzzersº in Chapter 1-5.
*
2: If this light flashes, see Cruise controlº in Chapter 1-6.
ProCarManuals.com

41
Do not perform any of the following
changes without consulting your
Toyota dealer. Such changes can
interfere with proper operation of
the SRS airbag system in some
cases.
Installation of electronic items
such as a mobile two-way radio,
cassette tape player or compact
disc player
Modification of the suspension
system
Modification of the front end
structure
Attachment of a grille guard (bull
bar, kangaroo bar, etc.), snow-
plow, winches or any other equip-
ment to the front end
Repairs made on or near the front
fenders, front and rear console,
steering column, steering wheel
or dashboard near the front pas-
senger 's airbag
NOTICE
This SRS airbag system has a service re-
minder indicator to inform the driver of op-
erating problems. If either of the following
conditions occurs, this indicates a mal-
function of the airbags. Contact your To-
yota dealer as soon as possible to service
the vehicle.

The light does not come on when the
ignition key is turned to the ACCº or
ONº position, or remains on.

The light comes on while driving.In the following cases, contact your Toyo-
ta dealer as soon as possible:

The SRS airbags have been inflated.

The front part of the vehicle (shaded in
the illustration) was involved in an ac-
cident not of the extent to cause the
SRS airbags to inflate.

The pad section of the steering wheel
or front passenger airbag cover
(shaded in the illustration) is scratched,
cracked, or otherwise damaged.
ProCarManuals.com

Part 1Fuel gauge
63
OPERATION OF
INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLSÐ
Chapter 1-5
Gauges, Meters
and Service reminder
indicators

Fuel gauge

Engine coolant temperature
gauge

Tachometer

Odometer and trip meter

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.
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

65
The odometer records the total dis-
tance the vehicle has been driven. The
trip meter may be set to zero to record
the distance on each trip. To reset the
trip meter, press the trip meter reset
knob.
The black digits on white indicate tenths of
kilometers or miles.
Odometer and trip meterService reminder indicators
and warning buzzers
ProCarManuals.com

67
NOTICE
Do not drive the vehicle with the
warning light onÐeven for one
block. It may ruin the engine.
(g) ABSº Warning Light
This light warns that there is a problem
somewhere in your anti-lock brake sys-
tem.
If the light comes on while you are driving,
have your vehicle checked by your Toyota
dealer as soon as possible.
The light will come on when the ignition
key is turned to the ONº position. After
about 3 seconds, the light will go off.
When the ABSº warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
brake system operates conventionally but
without anti-lock function.
(h) Open Door Warning Light
This light remains on until all the doors
and back door are completely closed.
(i) Rear Light Failure Warning Light
If this light comes on when the headlight
switch is turned on (at the first or second
clickstop), it indicates that one or more of
the tail lights are burned out.
If it comes on when the brake pedal is de-
pressed, one or more stop lights are
burned out.Have defective bulbs replaced as soon as
possible.
(j) SRS Airbag Warning Light
This light will come on when the igni-
tion key is turned to the ACCº or ONº
position. After about 6 seconds, the
light will go off. This means the airbag
system is operating properly.
The warning light system monitors the
front airbag sensors, center airbag sensor
assembly, inflators, warning light, inter-
connecting wiring and power sources.
If either of the following conditions occurs,
this indicates a malfunction somewhere in
the parts monitored by the warning light
system. Contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible to service the vehicle.

The light does not come on when the
ignition key is turned to the ACCº or
ONº position or remains on.

The light comes on while driving.
(k) Key Reminder Buzzer
This buzzer reminds you to remove the
key when you open the driver's door with
the ignition key in the ACCº or LOCKº
position.CHECKING SERVICE REMINDER INDI-
CATORS (except the low fuel level
warning light)
1. Apply the parking brake.
2 . Open one of the side doors or back door.
The open door warning light should come
on.
3. Close the door.
The open door warning light should go off.
4. Turn the ignition key to ACCº.
The SRS airbag warning light should
come on. It goes off after about 6 sec-
onds.
5. Turn the ignition key to ONº, but do not
start the engine.
All the service reminder indicators except
the open door warning light and SRS air-
bag warning light should come on. The
ABSº warning light goes off after about 3
seconds.
If any service reminder indicator or warn-
ing buzzer does not function as described
above, either the bulb is burned out or the
circuit is in need of repair. Have it checked
by your Toyota dealer as soon as pos-
sible.
ProCarManuals.com

79
COMPACT DISC PLAYER
Use only Compact Discs labeled as
shown, having no dirt, damage or
warp.
Never attempt to disassemble or oil
any part of the player unit. Do not in-
sert any object other than a Disc into
the slot.
Remember there are no user-serviceable
parts inside.
Do not put fingerprints, stickers,
scratches or pen marks on the sur-
faces of the Disc.
Hold the Disc only on the edge or center
hole.A new disc may have rough edges on
its inner and outer perimeter. Remove
the rough edges by pressing the side
of a ball-point pen or pencil against
the inner and outer perimeter of the
Disc as shown.
If you continue to play a Disc with rough
edges, flakes will fall on to the signal side
of the Disc and cause sound skipping or
other problems.When not in use, take the Disc out of
the player, put it back into its case and
store it away from dust, heat, damp
and direct sunlight.
Leaving Discs on the dashboard in the
sun may damage or warp them.
If the Disc gets dirty, wipe it clean with
a soft cloth, wiping radially out from
the center.
Do not use a conventional record cleaner
or anti-static record preservative.
Compact Disc players use invisible
laser beam which could cause haz-
ardous radiation exposure if di-
rected outside the unit. Be sure to
operate the player correctly as
instructed.CAUTION
!
ProCarManuals.com

135
ABSº warning light
The light comes on when the ignition key
is turned to the ONº position. After about
3 seconds, the light will go off.
If either of the following conditions occurs,
this indicates a malfunction somewhere in
the parts monitored by the warning light
system. Contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible to service the vehicle.

The light does not come on as de-
scribed above, or remains on.

The light comes on while driving.Even if the anti-lock brake system should
fail, the brake system will still operate con-
ventionally. Have your vehicle checked by
your Toyota dealer as soon as possible.
DRUM-IN-DISC TYPE PARKING
BRAKE SYSTEM (all 1MZ-FE engined
vehicles, and some 5S-FE engined ve-
hicles with anti-lock brake system)
Your vehicle has a drum-in-disc type
parking brake system. This type of brake
system needs bedding-down of the brake
shoes periodically or whenever the park-
ing brake shoes and/or drums are re-
placed.
Have your Toyota dealer perform the bed-
ding-down.The brake pad wear limit indicators on
your disc brakes give a warning noise
when the brake pads are worn to
where replacement is required.
If you hear a squealing or scraping noise
while driving, have the brake pads
checked and replaced by your Toyota
dealer as soon as possible. Expensive ro-
tor damage can result if the pads are not
replaced when necessary.
Brake pad wear limit indicators
ProCarManuals.com