maintenance TOYOTA CAMRY 1997 Owners Manual

New vehicle warranty
Your new vehicle is covered by the following Toyota
limited warranties:
For further information, please refer to the separate
Owner 's Guideº, Owner's Manual Supplementº or
Warranty Bookletº.New vehicle warranty
Emission control systems warranty
Others
Your responsiblity for maintenance
It is the owner's responsibility to make sure that the
specified maintenance is performed. Part 6 gives de-
tails of these maintenance requirements. Also in-
cluded in Part 6 is general maintenance. For sched-
uled maintenance information, please refer to the
separate Owner's Manual Supplement/Mainte-
nance Scheduleº.
Accessories, spare parts and
modification of your Toyota
A wide variety of non genuine spare parts and acces-
sories for Toyota vehicles are currently available in
the market. You should know that Toyota does not
warrant these products and is not responsible either
for their performance, repair or replacement, or for
any damage they may cause to, or adverse effect
they may have on, your Toyota vehicle.
This vehicle should not be modified with non genuine
Toyota products. Modification with non genuine Toyo-
ta products could affect its performance, safety or du-
rability, and may even violate governmental regula-
tions. In addition, damage or performance problems
resulting from the modification may not be covered
under warranty.
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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
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Part 2Break-in period
Fuel
129
INFORMATION
BEFORE DRIVING
YOUR TOYOTA

Break-in period

Fuel

Operation in foreign countries

Three-way catalytic converter

Engine exhaust cautions

Facts about engine oil consumption

Twin ground electrode spark plugs

Brake system

Brake pad wear limit indicators

Luggage stowage precautions

Your Toyota's idenitification

Theft prevention labels

Suspension and chassis

Types of tiresDrive gently and avoid high speeds.
Your vehicle does not need an elaborate
break-in. But following a few simple tips
for the first 1600 km (1000 miles) can add
to the future economy and long life of your
vehicle:

Do not drive over 88 km/h (55 mph).

Run the engine at moderate speed be-
tween 2000 and 4000 rpm.

Avoid full-throttle starts.

Try to avoid hard stops during the first
300 km (200 miles).

Do not drive slowly with the manual
transmission in a high gear.

Do not drive for a long time at any
single speed, either fast or slow.

Do not tow a trailer during the first 800
km (500 miles)FUEL TYPE
Your new vehicle must use only un-
leaded gasoline.
To help prevent gas station mixups, your
Toyota has a new smaller fuel tank opening.
The special nozzle on pumps with unleaded
fuel will fit it, but the larger standard nozzle
on pumps with leaded gas will not.
Do not use leaded gasoline. Use of
leaded gasoline will cause the
three-way catalytic converter to
lose its effectiveness and the emis-
sion control system to function im-
properly. Also, this can increase
maintenance costs.
NOTICE
OCTANE NUMBER
5S-FE engine: Select Research Octane
Number 91 (Octane Rating 87) or higher.
1MZ-FE engine: Select Research Oc-
tane Number 91 (Octane Rating 87) or
higher. For improved vehicle perfor-
mance, the use of premium unleaded
gasoline with a research Octane Num-
ber of 96 (Octane Rating 91) or higer is
recommended.
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132
A large amount of unburned gases
flowing into the three-way catalytic
converter may cause it to overheat
and create a fire hazard. To prevent
this and other damage, observe the
following precautions:
Use only unleaded gasoline.
Do not drive with an extremely low
fuel level; running out of fuel
could cause the engine to misfire,
creating an excessive load on the
three-way catalytic converter.
Do not allow the engine to run at
idle speed for more than 20 min-
utes.
Avoid racing the engine.
Do not push-start or pull-start
your vehicle.
Do not turn off the ignition while
the vehicle is moving.
NOTICEKeep your engine in good running
order. Malfunctions in the engine
electrical system, electronic igni-
tion system/distributor ignition
system or fuel systems could
cause an extremely high three-
way catalytic converter tempera-
ture.
If the engine becomes difficult to
start or stalls frequently, take your
vehicle in for a check-up as soon
as possible. Remember, your To-
yota dealer knows your vehicle
and its three-way catalytic con-
verter system best.
To ensure that the three-way cata-
lytic converter and the engine
emission control system operate
properly, your vehicle must re-
ceive the periodic inspections re-
quired by the Toyota Maintenance
Schedule. For scheduled mainte-
nance information, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual Sup-
plement/Maintenance Scheduleº.
CAUTION!

Avoid inhaling the engine ex-
haust. It contains carbon monox-
ide, which is a colorless and odor-
less gas. It can cause uncon-
sciousness or even death.

Make sure the exhaust system
has no holes or loose connec-
tions. The system should be
checked from time to time. If you
hit something, or notice a change
in the sound of the exhaust, have
the system checked immediately.

Do not run the engine in a garage
or enclosed area except for the
time needed to drive the vehicle in
or out. The exhaust gases cannot
escape, making this a paticularly
dangerous situation.

Do not remain for a long time in a
parked vehicle with the engine
running. If it is unavoidable, how-
ever, do so only in an unconfined
area and adjust the heating or
cooling system to force outside
air into the vehicle.
Engine exhaust cautions
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134
The diluting ingredients evaporate out
when the vehicle is then driven at high
speeds, as on an expressway, making it
appear that oil is excessively consumed
after driving as high speeds.
IMPORTANCE OF ENGINE OIL LEVEL
CHECK
One of the most important points in proper
vehicle maintenance is to keep the engine
oil at the optimum level so that oil function
will not be impaired. Therefore, it is essen-
tial that the oil level be checked regularly.
Toyota recommends that the oil level be
checked every time you refuel the vehicle.
NOTICE
Failure to check the oil level regular-
ly could lead to serious engine
trouble due to insufficient oil.
For detailed information on the oil level
check, see Checking the engine oil levelº
in Chapter 7-2.
Your engine is fitted with twin ground elec-
trode spark plugs.
NOTICE
Use only twin ground electrode
spark plugs for your engine perfor-
mance.
TANDEM MASTER CYLINDER BRAKE
SYSTEM
The tandem master cylinder brake sys-
tem is a hydraulic system with two sepa-
rate sub-systems. If either sub-system
should fail, the other will still work. Howev-
er, the pedal will be harder to press, and
your stopping distance will be longer.
Also, the brake system warning light may
come on.
CAUTION!
Do not drive your vehicle with only
a single brake system. Have your
brakes fixed immediately.
BRAKE BOOSTER
The brake booster uses engine vacuum to
power-assist the brakes. If the engine
should quit while you are driving, you can
bring the vehicle to a stop with normal
pedal pressure. There is enough reserve
vacuum for one or two stops - but no
more!
Twin ground electrode
spark plugsBrake system
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147
TIRES
Ensure that your vehicle's tires are
properly inflated. Adjust the tire pres-
sure to the recommended cold tire
pressure indicated below (see Chap-
ter 7-2 for instructions.):
Tire pressure, kPa (kgf/cm
or bar, psi)
5S-FE engine
Front 210 (2.1, 30)
Rear 210 (2.1, 30)
1MZ-FE engine
Front 220 (2.2, 32)
Rear 220 (2.2, 32).
The trailer tires should be inflated to
the pressure recommended by the
trailer manufacturer in respect to the
total trailer weight.TRAILER LIGHTS
Trailer lights must comply with federal,
state/provincial and local regulations.
See your local recreational vehicle
dealer or rental agency for the correct
type of wiring and relays for your trail-
er. Check for correct operation of the
turn signals and stop lights each time
you hitch up. Direct splicing may dam-
age your vehicle's electrical system
and cause a malfunction of your lights.
BREAK-IN SCHEDULE
Toyota recommends that you do not
tow a trailer with a new vehicle or a ve-
hicle with any new power train compo-
nent (engine, transmission, differen-
tial, wheel bearing, etc.) for the first
800 km (500 miles) of driving.
MAINTENANCE
If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will re-
quire more frequent maintenance due
to the additional load. For this informa-
tion, please refer to the scheduled
maintenance information in the Own-
er 's Manual Supplement/Maintenance
Scheduleº.
Retighten all fixing bolts of the towing
ball and bracket after approximately
1000 km (600 miles) of trailer driving.PRE-T OWING SAFETY CHECK
Check that your vehicle remains level
when a loaded or unloaded trailer is
hitched. Do not drive if the vehicle has
an abnormal nose-up or nose-down
condition, and check for improper
tongue load, overload, worn suspen-
sion or other possible causes.
Make sure the trailer cargo is securely
loaded so that it cannot shift.
Check that your rear view mirrors con-
form to any applicable federal, state/
provincial or local regulation. If not,
install the rear view mirrors required
for towing purpose.
TRAILER TOWING TIPS
When towing a trailer, your vehicle will
handle differently than when not tow-
ing. The three main causes of vehicle
trailer accidents are driver error, ex-
cessive speed and improper trailer
loading. Keep these in mind when tow-
ing:
Before starting out, check operation of
the lights and all vehicle-trailer con-
nections. After driving a short dis-
tance, stop and recheck the lights and
connections. Before actually towing a
trailer, practice turning, stopping and
backing with a trailer in an area away
from traffic until you learn the feel.
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150
Avoid continuous speeding up and
slowing down. Stop-and-go driving
wastes fuel.
Avoid unnecessary stopping and
braking. Maintain a steady pace. Try
to time the traffic signals so you only
need to stop as little as possible or take
advantage of through streets to avoid
traffic lights. Keep a proper distance
from other vehicles to avoid sudden
braking. This will also reduce wear on
your brakes.
Avoid heavy traffic or traffic jams
whenever possible.
Do not rest your foot on the clutch
or brake pedal. This causes needless
wear, overheating and poor fuel econ-
omy.
Maintain a moderate speed on
highways. The faster you drive, the
greater the fuel consumption. By re-
ducing your speed, you will cut down
on fuel consumption.
Keep the front wheels in proper
alignment. Avoid hitting the curb and
slow down on rough roads. Improper
alignment not only causes faster tire
wear but also puts an extra load on the
engine, which, in turn, wastes fuel.Keep the bottom of your vehicle
free from mud, etc. This not only
lessens weight but also helps prevent
corrosion.
Keep your vehicle tuned-up and in
top shape. A dirty air cleaner, improp-
er valve clearance, dirty plugs, dirty oil
and grease, brakes not adjusted, etc.
all lower engine performance and con-
tribute to poor fuel economy. For lon-
ger life of all parts and lower operating
costs, keep all maintenance work on
schedule, and if you often drive under
severe conditions, see that your ve-
hicle receives more frequent mainte-
nance (For scheduled maintenance in-
formation, please refer to the separate
Owner 's Manual Supplement/Main-
tenance Scheduleº).
CAUTION!
Never turn off the engine to coast
down hills. Your power steering and
brake booster will not function with-
out the engine running. Also, the
emission control system operates
properly only when the engine is run-
ning.
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Part 6Maintenance requirements
173
VEHICLE
MAINTENANCE
AND CARE

Maintenance requirements

General maintenance

Does your vehicle need
repairing?
For scheduled maintenance infor-
mation, please refer to the sep-
arate Owner's Manual Supple-
ment/Maintenance Scheduleº.
Your Toyota vehicle has been designed to
for fewer maintenance requirements with
longer service intervals to save both your
time and money. However, each regular
maintenance, as well as day-to-day
care, is more important than ever before
to ensure smooth, and trouble-free, safe,
and economical drivings.
It is the owner's responsibility to make
sure the specified maintenance, including
general maintenance service, is per-
formed. Note that both the new vehicle
and emission control system warranties
specify that proper maintenance and care
must be performed. See Owner's Guide,
Owner 's Manual Supplement or Warranty
Booklet for complete warranty informa-
tion.
General maintenance
General maintenance items are those
day-to-day care practices that are impor-
tant to your vehicle for proper operation.
It is the owner's responsibility to ensure
that the general maintenance items are
performed regularly.
These checks or inspections can be done
either by yourself or a qualified technician,
or if you prefer, your Toyota dealer will be
pleased to do them at a nominal cost.Scheduled maintenance
The scheduled maintenance items listed
in the Owner's Manual Supplementº are
those required to be serviced at regular in-
tervals.
For details of your maintenance Sched-
ule, read the separate ºOwner's Manual
Supplement/Maintenance Scheduleº.
It is recommended that any replace-
ment parts used for maintenance or
for the repair of the emission control
system be Toyota supplied.
The owner may elect to use non-Toyo-
ta supplied parts for replacement pur-
poses without invalidating the emis-
sion control system warranty. Howev-
er, use of replacement parts which are
not of equivalent quality may impair
the effectiveness of the emission con-
trol systems.
You may also elect to have mainte-
nance, replacement, or repair of the
emission control devices and system
performed by any automotive repair
establishment or individual without
invalidating this warranty. See Own-
er's Guide, Owner's Manual Supple-
ment or Warranty Booklet for complete
warranty information.
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174
Where to go for service?
Toyota technicians are well-trained spe-
cialists and are kept up to date with the lat-
est service information through technical
bulletins, service tips, and in-dealership
training programs. They learn to work on
Toyotas before they work on your vehicle,
rather than while they are working on it.
You can be confident that your Toyota
dealer's service department performs the
best job to meet the maintenance require-
ments on your vehicleÐreliably and eco-
nomically.
Your copy of the repair order is proof that
all required maintenance has been per-
formed for warranty coverage. And if any
problems should arise with your vehicle
while under warranty, your Toyota dealer
will promptly take care of it. Again, be sure
to keep a copy of the repair order for any
service performed on your Toyota.
What about do-it-yourself mainte-
nance?
Many of the maintenance items are easy
to do yourself if you have a little mechani-
cal ability and a few basic automotive
tools. Simple instructions for how to per-
form them are presented in Part 7.If you are a skilled do-it-yourself me-
chanic, the Toyota service manuals are
recommended. Please be aware that do-
it-yourself maintenance can affect your
warranty coverage. See Owner's Guide,
Owner 's Manual Supplement or Warranty
Booklet for the details.Listed below are the general maintenance
items that should be performed as fre-
quently as specified. In addition to check-
ing the items listed, if you notice any un-
usual noise, smell or vibration, you should
investigate the cause or take your vehicle
to your Toyota dealer or a qualified service
shop immediately. It is recommended
that any problem you notice be brought to
the attention of your dealer or the qualified
service shop for their advice.
Make these checks only where
adequate ventilation can be obtain-
ed if you run the engine.CAUTION
!
OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE
Items listed below should be per-
formed from time to time, unless
otherwise specified.
Tire pressure
Check the pressure with a gauge every
two weeks, or at least once a month. See
Chapter 7-2 for additional information.
General maintenance
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Part 7
179
DO-IT-YOURSELF
MAINTENANCEÐ
Chapter 7-1
Introduction
Engine compartment overview
Fuse locations
Do-it-yourself service
precautions
Parts and tools
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