service TOYOTA SUPRA 1996 User Guide

120Make sure you have ethylene-glycol
antifreeze in the radiator.
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze.
NOTICE
Check the condition of the battery and cables. Cold temperatures reduce the capacity of
any battery, so it must be in top shape to provide enough power for winter starting.Chapter 7-3 tells you how to visually in-
spect the battery. Your Toyota dealer and
most service stations will be pleased tocheck the level of charge.
Make sure the engine oil viscosity is
suitable for the cold weather.
See Chapter 7-2 for recommended vis-
cosity.
Leaving a heavy summer oil in your
vehicle during winter months may cause
harder starting. If you are not sure about
which oil to use, call your Toyota dealerÐ
he will be pleased to help. Keep the door locks from freezing. Squirt lock de-icer or glycerine into the
locks to keep them from freezing. To open
a frozen lock, try heating the key before in-serting it. Use a washer fluid containing an anti-
freeze solution.
This product is available at your Toyota
dealer and most auto parts stores. Follow
the manufacturer's directions for how
much to mix with water.NOTICE
Do not use engine antifreeze or any other substitute as washer fluid be-
cause it may damage your vehicle's
paint.
Do not use your parking brake when there is a possibility it could freeze. When parking, put the transmission into
Pº (automatic) or into first or reverse
(manual) and block the rear wheels. Do
not use the parking brake, or snow or wa-
ter accumulated in and around the parkingbrake mechanism may freeze, making it
hard to release. Keep ice and snow from accumulating
under the fenders.
Ice and snow built up under your fenders
can make steering difficult. During bad winter driving, stop and check under the
fenders occasionally. Depending on where you are driving,
we recommend you carry some emer- gency equipment.
Some of
the things you might put in the ve-
hicle are tire chains, window scraper, bag of sand or salt, flares, small shovel, jump- er cables, etc.
Winter driving tips

124If the engine will not start, your engine
may be flooded because of repeated cranking.
If this happens, turn the key to STARTº with the accelerator pedal held down.
Keep
the key and accelerator pedal so for
15 seconds and release them. Then try
starting the engine with your foot off the accelerator pedal.
If the engine does not start after 15 sec-
onds of cranking, release the key, wait a few minutes and try again.
If the engine still will not start, it needs ad-
justment or repair. Call a Toyota dealer or
qualified repair shop for assistance.
NOTICE
Do not crank for more than 15 seconds at a time. This may o verheat
the starter and wiring systems.
To avoid serious personal injury and
damage to your vehicle which might
result from battery explosion, acid
burns, electrical burns, or damaged
electronic components, these instruc-
tions must be followed precisely.
If you are unsure about how to follow this procedure, we strongly recommend that you seek the help of a competent me-
chanic or towing service.
Batteries contain sulfuric acid
which is poisonous and corrosive.
Wear protective safety glasses
when jump starting, and avoid
spilling acid on your skin, cloth-
ing, or vehicle.
If you should accidentally get acid
on yourself or in your eyes, re- move any contaminated clothing
and flush the affected area with
water for at least 15 minutes. Then
get immediate medical attention. If
possible, continue to apply water
with a sponge or cloth while en
route to the medical office. CAUTION
!

The gas normally produced by a battery will explode if a flame or
spark is brought near. Use only
standardized cables designed for
jump starting and do not smoke or
light a match while jump starting.
NOTICE
The battery used for boosting must be 12 V. Do not jump start unless
you are sure that the booster battery is correct.
JUMP STARTING PROCEDURE
1. If the booster battery is installed in
another vehicle, make sure the vehicles
are not touching. Turn off all unnecessary
lights and accessories.
2. If required, remove all the vent plugs from the booster and discharged batter- ies. Lay a cloth over the open vents on the
batteries. (This helps reduce the explo-
sion hazard, personal injuries and burns.)
3. If the engine in the vehicle with the booster battery is not running, start it and
let it run for a few minutes. During jump
starting, run the engine at about 2000 rpm
with the accelerator pedal lightly de- pressed.
(b) Starting a flooded engine (c) Jump starting

128
Compact spare tire
The compact spare tire is designed for
temporary emergency use only.
The compact spare tire is identified by the
distinctive wheel design and color and
special wording TEMPORARY USE
ONLYº molded into the side wall of the tire.
The standard tire should be repaired and replaced as soon as possible.
To keep the compact spare tire notice-
able, do not hide the wheel by a wheel cover or such.
The compact spare tire saves space in your luggage compartment, and its lighter
weight helps to i mprove fuel economy and
permits easier installation in case of a flattire. The compact spare
tire can be used many
times, if necessary. It has tread life of up
to 4800 km (3000 miles) depending on
road conditions and your driving habits.
When tread wear indicators appear on the
tire, replace the tire.
See also the tire section in Chapter 7-2 for
details on the tread wear indicators and other service information.
The compact spare tire was de-
signed especially for your Toyota. Do not use it on any other vehicle.
Do not exceed 80 km/h (50 mph)
when driving with the compact spare tire. CAUTION
!
NOTICE
Your ground clearance is reduced when the compact spare tire is
installed so avoid driving overobstacles and drive slowly on rough, unpaved roads and speedbumps. Also, do not attempt to go through an automatic car wash asthe vehicle may get caught, resulting
in damage.
1. Get the wheel nut wrench, jack, jack
handle and spare tire.
To prepare yourself for an emergency, you should familiarize yourself with the
use of the jack, each of the tools and their storage locations.
ÐRequired tools and spare tire

133
11. Check the air pressure of the re-
placed tire.
Adjust
the air pressure to the specification
designated in Part 8. If the pressure is
lower, drive slowly to the nearest service station and fill to the correct pressure.
Do not forget to reinstall the tire inflation valve cap as dirt and moisture could get into the valve core and possibly cause air
leakage. If the cap is missing, have a new
one put on as soon as possible. 12. Restow all the tools, jack and flat
tire securely.
As soon as possible after changing
wheels, tighten the wheel nuts to thetorque specified in Part 8 with a torque wrench, have a technician repair the flat tire and replace the spare tire with it.
Before driving, make sure all the
tools, jack and flat tire are securely in place in their storage location to
reduce the possibility of personal
injury during a collision or suddenbraking. CAUTION
!
If towing is necessary, we recommend
you to have it done by your T
oyota deal-
er or a commercial tow truck service. Proper equipment will help ensure that your vehicle is not damaged while being
towed. Commercial operators are gener-
ally aware of the state/provincial and local
laws pertaining to towing.
Your vehicle can be damaged if it is towed
incorrectly. Although most operatorsknow the correct procedure, it is possible
to make a mistake. To avoid damage to your vehicle, make sure the following few
precautions are observed. If necessary,
show this page to the tow truck driver.
TOWING PRECAUTIONS: Use a safety chain system for all towing,
and abide by the state/provincial and local
laws. The wheels and axle on the ground
must be in good condition. If they are
damaged, use a towing dolly.
(a) Using flat bed truck
Toyota recommends this as the best method for your vehicle.
If your vehicle needs to be towedÐ
ÐAfter changing wheels

134(b) Towing with wheel lift type truck From frontÐ
Manual transmission:
We recommend using a towing dollyunder the rear wheels. If you do not
use a towing dolly, release the parking brake and put the transmission in neu-tral.
Automatic transmission:Use a towing dolly under the rear wheels.
NOTICE
Never tow a vehicle with an automatic transmission from the
front with the rear wheels on the ground, as this may cause seriousdamage to the transmission.
From rearÐ Place the ignition key in the
ACCº position.
NOTICE
Do not tow with the key removed or in the LOCKº position, as the
steering lock mechanism is not strong enough to hold the frontwheels straight while towing.
(c) Towing with sling type truck
NOTICE
Do not tow with sling type truck, either from the front or rear. This
may cause body damage.
If towing service is not available in an
emergency, your vehicle may be tem-
porarily towed by a cable secured to
either emergency towing eyelet under
the front of the vehicle or the left emer-
gency towing eyelet under the rear of the vehicle. A driver must be in the vehicle to steer it and operate the brakes.
Towing in this manner may be done only
on hard-surfaced roads for a short dis-
tance and at low speeds. Also, the
wheels, axles, drive train, steering and brakes must all be in good condition.
ÐEmergency towing

Part 6Maintenance requirements
143
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 Sup-
plement/Maintenance Scheduleº.
Your Toyota vehicle has been designed
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, 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 W arranty
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 Supplement/
Maintenance Scheduleº are those re-
quired to be serviced at regular intervals. 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-T
oyota
supplied parts for replacement pur-
poses without invalidating the emis-
sion control system warranty. How-
ever, 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. 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.

144You 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 W arranty
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 T oyota dealer or a qualified service
shop immediately. It is recommended thatany problem you notice be brought to theattention of your dealer or the qualified service shop for their advice.
Make these checks only where
adequate ventilation can be ob-
tained if you run the engine. CAUTION
!
OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE
Items listed below should be per-
formed from time to time, unless other-
wise 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. Tire surface and wheel nuts Check the tires carefully
for cuts, damage
or excessive wear. See Chapter 7-2 for
additional information. When checking the tires, make sure no nuts are missing,
and check the nuts for looseness. T ighten
them if necessary. Fluid leaks Check underneath for leaking fuel, oil, wa-
ter or other fluid after the vehicle has been
parked for a while. If you smell fuel fumes
or notice any leak, have the cause found
and corrected immediately. Doors and engine hood
Check that all doors including back door
operate smoothly and all latches lock se-
curely. M ake sure the engine hood secon-
dary latch secures the hood from opening
when the primary latch is released. INSIDE THE VEHICLE Items listed below should be checked
regularly, e.g. while performing period-
ic services, cleaning the vehicle, etc. Lights Make sure the headlights, stop lights, tail lights, turn signal lights, and other lights are all working. Check headlight aim.
General maintenance

145
Service reminder indicators and
warn-
ing buzzers Check that all service reminder indicators
and warning buzzers function properly. Steering wheel
Be alert for changes in steering condition, such as hard steering or strange noise. Seats Check that all front seat controls such as
seat adjusters, seatback recliner, etc. op- erate smoothly and that all latches lock
securely in any position. For folding-down
rear seatback, check that the latches lock
securely. Make sure the front headrestsare firmly secured. Seat belts
Check that the seat belt system such as
buckles, retractors and anchors operate
properly and smoothly. Make sure the belt
webbing is not cut, frayed, worn or dam- aged. Accelerator pedal Check the pedal for smooth operation and
uneven pedal effort or catching. Clutch pedal Check the pedal for smooth operation. Brake pedal Check
the pedal for smooth operation and
that the pedal has the proper clearance. Check the brake booster function. Brakes
At a safe place, check that the brakes do not pull to one side when applied. Parking brake Check that the lever has the proper travel and that, on a safe incline, your vehicle is
held securely with only the parking brake applied.
Automatic transmission Parkº mech-
anismCheck the lock release button of the selec-
tor lever for proper and smooth operation.
On a safe incline, check that your vehicle is held securely with the selector lever inPº position and all brakes released.
IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT Items listed below should be checked
from time to time , e.g. each time when
refueling.
Washer fluid
Make sure there is sufficient fluid in the
tank. See Chapter 7-3 for additional infor-
mation.
Engine coolant level Make sure the coolant level is between
the FULLº and LOWº lines on the see-
through reservoir when the engine is cold.
See Chapter 7-2 for additional informa-tion. Battery electrolyte level Make sure the electrolyte level of all bat-
tery cells is correct. Add only distilled wa-
ter when replenishing. See Chapter 7-3
for additional information. Brake fluid level
Make sure the brake fluid level is correct. See Chapter 7-2 for additional informa- tion.
Engine oil level
Check the l
evel on the dipstick with the en-
gine turned off and the vehicle parked on
a level spot. See Chapter 7-2 for addition-
al information. Power steering fluid level Check the level on the dipstick. The level
should be in the HOTº or COLDº range
depending on the fluid temperature. See Chapter 7-2 for additional information. Exhaust system
If you notice any change in the sound of
the exhaust or smell exhaust fumes, have the cause located and corrected immedi-
ately. (See engine exhaust cautions in
Part 2.)

146Be on the alert for changes in perfor-
mance, sounds, and visual tip-offs
that in-
dicate service is needed. Some important
clues are as follows: Engine missing, stumbling, or pinging
Appreciable loss of power
Strange engine noises
A leak under the vehicle (however, wa-
ter dripping from the air conditioning
after use is normal.)
Change in exhaust sound (This may
indicate a dangerous carbon monox-
ide leak. Drive with the windows open
and have the exhaust system checked
immediately.)
Flat-looking tire; excessive tire squeal
when cornering; uneven tire wear
Vehicle pulls to one side when driving straight on a level road
Strange noises related to suspensionmovement
Loss of brake effectiveness; spongy
feeling brake or clutch pedal; pedal al-
most touches floor; vehicle pulls to one
side when braking
Engine coolant temperature continual-
ly higher than normal If you notice any of these clues, take your
vehicle to your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible. It probably needs adjustment or
repair.
Do not continue driving with the
vehicle unchecked. It could result
in serious vehicle damage and
pos-
sibly personal injury. CAUTION
!
Does your vehicle need repairing?

Part 7147
DO-IT-YOURSELF MAINTENANCEÐ
Chapter 7-1 Introduction
Engine compartment overview
Fuse locations
Do-it-yourself service precautions
Parts and tools