TOYOTA TACOMA 2010 Owners Manual (in English)

361 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
CAUTION
■Pre-driving check
Check that the hood is fully closed and locked.
If the hood is not locked properly, it may open while the vehicle is in motion
and cause an accident, which may result in death or serious injury.
■After installing the support rod into the slot
Make sure the rod supports the hood securely from falling down on to your
head or body.
NOTICE
■When closing the hood
Be sure to return the support rod to its clip before closing the hood. Closing
the hood with the support rod up could cause the hood to bend.
Hold the hood open by insert-
ing the supporting rod into the
slot.

362
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Engine compar tment
2.7 L 4-cylinder (2TR-FE) engine
Washer fluid tank (P. 376)
Radiator cap
Engine coolant reservoir
(P. 369)
Engine oil filler cap
(P. 365)
Power steering fluid reservoir
(P. 372)Engine oil level dipstick
(P. 364)
Brake fluid reservoir
(P. 370)
Fuse box (P. 398)
Battery (P. 374)
Condenser (P. 370)
Radiator (P. 370)

363 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
4.0 L V6 (1GR-FE) engine
Washer fluid tank (P. 376)
Power steering fluid reservoir
(P. 372)
Radiator cap
Engine oil level dipstick
(P. 364)
Engine coolant reservoir
(P. 369)Engine oil filler cap
(P. 365)
Brake fluid reservoir
(P. 370)
Fuse box (P. 398)
Battery (P. 374)
Condenser (P. 370)
Radiator (P. 370)

364 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Engine oil
Engine oil
With the engine at operating temperature and turned off, check the oil
level on the dipstick.
■Checking the engine oil
Park the vehicle on level ground. After turning off the engine,
wait more than 5 minutes for the oil to drain back into the bot-
tom of the engine.
Hold a rag under the end and pull the dipstick out.
2.7 L 4-cylinder (2TR-FE) engine
4.0 L V6 (1GR-FE) engine
Wipe the dipstick clean.
Reinsert the dipstick fully.
Holding a rag under the end, pull the dipstick out and check
the oil level.
Wipe the dipstick and reinsert it fully.

365 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
2.7 L 4-cylinder (2TR-FE) engine
Low
Full
4.0 L V6 (1GR-FE) engine
Low
Full
■Adding engine oil
2.7 L 4-cylinder (2TR-FE) engine
If the oil level is below or near
the low level mark, add engine
oil of the same type as already in
the engine.

366 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4.0 L V6 (1GR-FE) engine
Make sure to check the oil type and prepare the items needed before
adding oil.
Remove the oil filler cap, turning it counterclockwise.
Add engine oil slowly.
Checking the dipstick.
Reinstall the filler cap, turning it clockwise.
The approximate quantity of oil needed to raise the level between low and
full on the dipstick is indicated as follows:
2.7 L 4-cylinder (2TR-FE) engine
1.4 qt. (1.3 L, 1.1 lmp. qt.)
4.0 L V6 (1GR-FE) engine
1.6 qt. (1.5 L, 1.3 lmp. qt.)
Engine oil selectionP. 476
Items Clean funnel

367 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
■Engine oil consumption
●The amount of engine oil consumed depends on the oil viscosity, the
quality of the oil and the way the vehicle is driven.
●More oil is consumed under driving conditions such as high speeds and
frequent acceleration and deceleration.
●A new engine consumes more oil.
●When judging the amount of oil consumption, keep in mind that the oil
may have become diluted, making it difficult to judge the true level accu-
rately.
●Oil consumption: Max. 1.1 qt./600 miles, 0.9 lmp.qt./600 miles (1.0 L per
1000 km)
●If you consume more than 1.1 qt. (1.0 L, 0.9 lmp.qt.) every 600 miles
(1000 km), contact your Toyota dealer.
■After changing the engine oil (U.S.A. only)
The oil change system should be reset. Perform the following procedures:
Turn the engine switch off with the odometer reading shown.
(P. 157)
Turn the engine switch to the ON position while holding down the
trip meter reset button.
Continue to press and hold the button until the odometer displays
000000.
If the system fails to reset, the light will continue flashing.

368 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
CAUTION
■Used engine oil
●Used engine oil contains potentially harmful contaminants which may
cause skin disorders such as inflammation or skin cancer, so care should
be taken to avoid prolonged and repeated contact. To remove used engine
oil from your skin, wash thoroughly with soap and water.
●Dispose of used oil and filters only in a safe and acceptable manner. Do
not dispose of used oil and filters in household trash, in sewers or onto the
ground. Call your Toyota dealer, service station or auto parts store for
information concerning recycling or disposal.
●Do not leave used engine oil within the reach of children.
NOTICE
■To prevent serious engine damage
Check the oil level on regular basis.
■When replacing the engine oil
●Be careful not to spill engine oil on the vehicle components.
●Avoid overfilling, as the engine could be damaged.
●Check the oil level on the dipstick every time you refill the vehicle.
●Be sure the engine oil filler cap is properly tightened.

369 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Engine coolant
The coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the FULL and LOW
lines on the reservoir when the engine is cold.
Reservoir cap
FULL
LOW
If the level is on or below the
LOW line, add coolant up to the
FULL line.
■If the coolant level drops within a short time after replenishing
Visually check the radiator, hoses, reservoir cap, radiator cap, drain cock
and water pump.
If you cannot find a leak, have your Toyota dealer pressure test the cap and
check for leaks in the cooling system.
■Coolant selection
Only use “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or similar high quality ethylene
glycol based non-silicate, non-amine, non-nitrite and non-borate coolant with
long-life hybrid organic acid technology.
U.S.A.: “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 50% coolant and
50% deionized water. (Enabled: -31F [-35C])
Canada: “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 55% coolant and
45% deionized water. (Enabled: -44F [-42C])
For more details about engine coolant, contact your Toyota dealer.
CAUTION
■When the engine is hot
Do not remove the radiator cap.
The cooling system may be under pressure and may spray hot coolant if the
cap is removed, causing burns or other injuries.

370 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Radiator and condenser
Check the radiator and condenser and clear any foreign objects.
If either of the above parts are extremely dirty or you are not sure of
their condition, have your vehicle checked by your Toyota dealer.
Brake fluid
■Checking fluid level
Type A
The brake fluid level should be
between the MAX and MIN lines
on the reservoir.
MAX
MIN
NOTICE
■When adding engine coolant
Coolant is neither plain water nor straight antifreeze. The correct mixture of
water and antifreeze must be used to provide proper lubrication, corrosion
protection and cooling. Be sure to read the antifreeze or coolant label.
■If you spill coolant
Be sure to wash it off with water to prevent damage to parts or paint.
CAUTION
■When the engine is hot
Do not touch the radiator or condenser as they may be hot and may cause
burns.