spark plugs TOYOTA CAMRY CNG 1999 Owners Manual

103
Part 2
INFORMATION
BEFORE DRIVING
YOUR TOYOTA
Break−in period
Fuel
Fuel system
Operation in foreign countries
Three−way catalytic converter
Engine exhaust cautions
Facts about engine oil
consumption
Twin ground electrode
platinum−tipped spark plugs
Brake system
Brake pad wear limit indicators
Luggage stowage precautions
Your Toyota’s identification
Theft prevention labels
Suspension and chassis
Types of tires
Break−in period
Drive 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
Fuel used for your vehicle is compressed
natural gas (CNG). The main ingredient of
the natural gas is flammable, colorless
methane, which generates lower emissions
compared with a gasoline−engine vehicle.
The natural gas you use for refueling
must meet NFPA−52 and SAE−J1616 stan-
dards.
If you smell natural gas or hear the sound
of leaking fuel while refueling, stop refuel-
ing immediately. If you smell or hear fuel
leaking other than when refueling, shut off
the fuel system. (See “If you suspect the
fuel is leaking” in Part 4.)
CAUTION
Natural gas is flammable and explo-
sive. Take due care to keep away
from fire and sparks at all times.
If you suspect the fuel is leaking
while refueling, stop refueling im-
mediately. If leaking fuel is ignited,
an explosion or fire could occur,
causing death or serious injury.

109
The diluting ingredients evaporate out
when the vehicle is then driven at high
speeds, as on an express way, making it
appear that oil is excessively consumed
after driving at high speeds.
IMPORTANCE OF ENGINE OIL LEVEL
CHECK
One of the most important points in prop-
er vehicle maintenance is to keep the en-
gine oil at the optimum level so that oil
function will not be impaired. Therefore, it
is essential 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 regularly
could lead to serious engine trouble
due to insufficient oil.
For detailed information on oil level check,
see “Checking the engine oil level” in
Chapter 7−2.
Your engine is fitted with twin ground
electrode platinum−tipped spark plugs.
NOTICE
For your engine performance, use
only twin ground electrode platinum−
tipped spark plugs specially designed
for CNG vehicles. Spark plugs for
gasoline−engined vehicles cannot be
used for your vehicle.
Brake system
TANDEM MASTER CYLINDER BRAKE
SYSTEM
The tandem master cylinder brake system
is a hydraulic system with two separate
sub−systems. If either sub−system should
fail, the other will still work. However, 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 reserved
vacuum for one or two stops—but no
more!
Twin ground electrode
platinum−tipped spark plugs

127
Part 4
IN CASE OF AN
EMERGENCY
If your vehicle will not start
If your engine stalls while
driving
If your vehicle overheats
If you have a flat tire
If your vehicle needs to be
towed
If you cannot shift automatic
transmission selector lever
If you lose your keys
If you suspect the fuel is leaking
Before making these checks, make sure
you have followed the correct starting pro-
cedure given in “How to start the engine”
in Part 3 and that you have sufficient fuel.
If the engine is not turning over or is
turning over too slowly—
1. Check that the battery terminals are
tight and clean.
2. If the battery terminals are O.K., switch
on the interior light.
3. If the light is out, dim or goes out
when the starter is cranked, the battery
is discharged. You may try jump start-
ing. See “(c) Jump starting” for further
instructions.
If the light is O.K., but the engine still will
not start, it needs adjustment or repair.
Call your authorized Toyota CNG dealer or
a qualified repair shop.
NOTICE
Do not pull− or push−start the ve-
hicle. It may damage the vehicle or
cause a collision when the engine
starts. Also the three−way catalytic
converter may overheat and become a
fire hazard.
If the engine turns over at its normal
speed but will not start—
1. Check that all the push−on connectors
are tight. (For example, connectors at
the spark plugs, ignition coil and/or dis-
tributor)
2. If the connectors are O.K., the engine
may be flooded because of repeated
cranking. See “(b) Starting a flooded
engine” for further instructions.
3. If the engine still does not start, manu-
al shut−off valve may be closed. Open
the manual shut−off valve. (See “If you
suspect the fuel is leaking” in this
chapter.)
If your vehicle will not start—
(a) Simple checks

160
If you perform maintenance by yourself,
be sure to follow the correct procedure
given in this part.
You should be aware that improper or in-
complete servicing may result in operating
problems.
Performing do−it−yourself maintenance
during the warranty period may affect your
warranty coverage. Read the separate
Toyota Warranty statement for details and
suggestions.
This part gives instructions only for those
items that are relatively easy for an owner
to perform. As explained in Part 6, there
are still a number of items that must be
done by a qualified technician with special
tools.
For information on tools and parts for do−
it−yourself maintenance, see “Parts and
tools”.
Utmost care should be taken when work-
ing on your vehicle to prevent accidental
injury. Here are a few precautions that
you should be especially careful to ob-
serve:CAUTION
Never work on the fuel system by
yourself. Any work on this system
must be performed by your autho-
rized Toyota CNG dealer. If an un-
qualified person works on it incor-
rectly causing fuel leaks etc., a fire
hazard or explosion may occur,
which is very dangerous.
When the engine is running, keep
hands, clothing, and tools away
from the moving fan and engine
drive belts. (Removing rings,
watches, and ties is advisable.)
Right after driving, the engine
compartment—the engine, radiator,
exhaust manifold and spark plug
boots, etc.—will be hot. So be care-
ful not to touch them. Oil, fluids
and spark plugs may also be hot.
If the engine is hot, do not remove
the radiator cap or loosen the drain
plugs to prevent burning yourself.
Do not smoke, cause sparks or al-
low open flames around fuel or the
battery. Their fumes are flammable.
Be extremely cautious when work-
ing on the battery. It contains poi-
sonous and corrosive sulfuric acid.
Do not get under your vehicle with
just the body jack supporting it. Al-
ways use automotive jack stands or
other solid supports.
Be sure that the ignition is off if
you work near the electric cooling
fans or radiator grille. With the
ignition on, the electric cooling fans
will automatically start to run if the
engine coolant temperature is high
and/or the air conditioning is on.
Use eye protection whenever you
work on or under your vehicle
where you may be exposed to flying
or falling material, fluid spray, etc.
Used engine oil contains potentially
harmful contaminants which may
cause skin disorders such as in-
flammation or skin cancer, so care
should be taken to avoid prolonged
and repeated contact with it. To re-
move used engine oil from your
skin, wash thoroughly with soap
and water.
Do−it−yourself service
precautions

161
Do not leave used oil within the
reach of children.
Dispose of used oil and filter only
in a safe and acceptable manner.
Do not dispose of used oil and fil-
ter in household trash, in sewers or
onto the ground. Call your autho-
rized Toyota CNG dealer or a ser-
vice station for information con-
cerning recycling or disposal.
NOTICE
Remember that battery and ignition
cables carry high currents or volt-
ages. Be careful of accidentally
causing a short circuit.
Be careful not to touch the fuel
pipe unintentionally. If an excessive
force is applied on the pipe, gas
may leak from its connections.
Add only demineralized or distilled
water to fill the radiator. And if you
spill some of the coolant, be sure
to wash off with water to prevent it
from damaging the parts or paint.
Do not allow dirt or anything else
to fall through the spark plugholes.
Use only spark plugs of the speci-
fied type. Using other types will
cause engine damage, loss of per-
formance or radio noise.
Do not reuse platinum−tipped spark
plugs by cleaning or regapping.
Do not overfill automatic transmis-
sion fluid, or the transmission
could be damaged.
Do not drive with the air cleaner
filter removed, or excessive engine
wear could result. Also backfiring
could cause a fire in the engine
compartment.
Be careful not to scratch the glass
surface with the wiper frame.
When closing the engine hood,
check to see that you have not for-
gotten any tools, rags, etc.
Parts and tools
Here is a list of parts and tools you will
need on performing do−it−yourself mainte-
nance. Remember all Toyota parts are de-
signed in metric sizes, so your tools must
be metric.
Checking the engine oil level
Parts (if level is low):
Engine oil API grade SJ,
“Energy−Conserving” or ILSAC multi-
grade having viscosity proper for your
climate
Tools:
Rag or paper towel
Funnel (only for adding oil)
Checking the engine coolant level
Parts (if level is low):
“TOYOTA Long Life Coolant” or equiva-
lent
See Chapter 7−2 for details about cool-
ant type selection.
Demineralized or distilled water
Tools:
Funnel (only for adding coolant)