TOYOTA TACOMA 2011 Owners Manual (in English)

361
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
■
Allow inspection and repairs to be performed by a Toyota dealer
● Toyota technicians are well-trained specialists and are kept up to date
with the latest service information. They are well informed about the
operations of all systems on your vehicle.
● Keep a copy of the repair order. It proves that the maintenance that has
been performed is under warranty coverage. If any problem should arise
while your vehicle is under warranty, your Toyota dealer will promptly
take care of it.
CAUTION
■Warning in handling of battery
●Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and a wide variety of automobile
components contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects and other reproductive harm. Work in a
well ventilated area.
● Oils, fuels and fluids contained in vehicles as well as waste produced by
component wear contain or emit chemicals known to the State of Califor-
nia to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Avoid
exposure and wash any affected area immediately.
● Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead
compounds which are known to cause brain damage. Wash your hands
after handling. ( P. 384)

362
4-2. Maintenance
General maintenance
Engine compartment
ItemsCheck points
Battery Maintenance-free. ( P. 384)
Brake fluid At the correct level? ( P. 380)
Engine coolant At the correct level? ( P. 379)
Engine oil At the correct level? ( P. 374)
Exhaust system No fumes or strange sounds?
Power steering fluid At the correct level? ( P. 382)
Radiator/condenser/hoses Not blocked with foreign matter?
(P. 380)
Washer fluid At the correct level? (P. 386)
Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be per-
formed at the intervals specified in the “Scheduled Maintenance
Guide” or “Owner’s Manual Supp lement”. It is recommended that
any problem you notice should be brought to the attention of your
Toyota dealer or qualified service shop for advice.

363
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator pedal • Moves smoothly (without uneven
pedal effort or catching)?
Automatic transmission “Park”
mechanism • Can the vehicle be hold securely
on an incline with the shift lever in
P?
Brake pedal • Moves smoothly?
• Does it have appropriate clear-
ance and correct amount of free
play?
Brakes • Not pull to one side when
applied?
• Loss of brake effectiveness?
• Spongy feeling brake pedal?
• Pedal almost touches floor?
Clutch pedal • Moves smoothly?
• Does it have correct amount of
free play?
Head restraints • Move smoothly and lock
securely?
Indicators/buzzers • Function properly?
Lights • Do all the lights come on?
• Headlights aimed correctly?
Parking brake • Moves smoothly?
• Can hold the vehicle securely on
an incline?
Seat belts • Does the seat belt system oper-
ate smoothly?
• Are the belts undamaged?
Seats • Do the seat controls operate
properly?

364 4-2. Maintenance
Vehicle exterior
Steering wheel• Moves smoothly?
• Has correct free play?
• No strange noises?
ItemsCheck points
Doors • Operate smoothly?
Engine hood • The lock system works properly?
Fluid leaks • Is there any leakage after park-
ing?
Tire • Inflation pressure is correct?
• Tire surfaces not worn or dam-
aged?
• Tires rotated according to the maintenance schedule?
• Wheel nuts are not loose?
CAUTION
■ If the engine is running
Turn the engine off and ensure that there is adequate ventilation before per-
forming maintenance checks.
ItemsCheck points

365
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M) programs
Some states have vehicle emission inspection programs which
include OBD (On Board Diagnostics) checks. The OBD system moni-
tors the operation of th e emission control system.
■If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on
The OBD system determines that a problem exists somewhere
in the emission control system. Your vehicle may not pass the I/
M test and may need to be repaired. Contact your Toyota dealer
to service the vehicle.
■ Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test:
●When the battery is disconnected or discharged
Readiness codes that are se t during ordinary driving are
erased.
Also, depending on your driving habits, the readiness codes
may not be completely set.
● When the fuel tank cap is loose
The malfunction indicator lamp comes on as a temporary mal-
function and your vehicle may not pass the I/M test.
■ When the malfunction indicator lamp goes off after several
driving trips
The error code in the OBD system will not be cleared unless the
vehicle is driven 40 or more times.
■ If your vehicle does not pass the I/M test
Contact your Toyota dealer to prepare the vehicle for re-testing.

366
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself ser vice precautions
If you perform maintenance yourself, be sure to follow the correct
procedures as given in these sections.
ItemsParts and tools
Battery condition ( P. 384)•Warm water
• Baking soda
• Grease
• Conventional wrench
(for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level ( P. 380)• FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE
J1703 brake fluid
• Rag or paper towel
Engine coolant level ( P. 379)• “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 pre-mixed with 50% coolant
and 50% deionized water.
Canada:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”
is pre-mixed with 55% coolant
and 45% deionized water.
Engine oil level P. 374) • Toyota Genuine Motor Oil or
equivalent
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding oil)
Fuses ( P. 408)• Fuse with same amperage rating
as original

367
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
ItemsParts and tools
Light bulbs ( P. 418)• Bulb with same number and watt-
age rating as original
• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Conventional wrench
Power steering fluid level (P. 382) • Automatic transmission fluid
DEXRON
® II or III
• Rag or paper towel
Radiator and condenser (P. 380) 
Tire inflation pressure (
P. 396) • Tire pressure gauge
• Compressed air source
Washer fluid
(P. 386) • Water
• Washer fluid containing antifreeze
(for winter use)

368 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
CAUTION
The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that may
move suddenly, become hot, or become electrically energized. To avoid death
or serious injury observe the following precautions.
■When working on the engine compartment
●Keep hands, clothing, and tools away from the moving fan and engine
drive belt.
● Be careful not to touch the engine, radiator, exhaust manifold, etc. right
after driving as they may be hot. Oil and other fluids may also be hot.
● Do not leave anything that may burn easily, such as paper or rags, in the
engine compartment.
● Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose an open flame to fuel or the bat-
tery. Fuel and battery fumes are flammable.
● Be extremely cautious when working on the battery. It contains poisonous
and corrosive sulfuric acid.
● Take care because brake fluid can harm your hands or eyes and damage
painted surfaces.
If fluid gets on your hands or in your eyes, flush the affected area with
clean water immediately.
If you still experience discomfort, see a doctor.
■ When working near the cooling fan or radiator grille
Be sure the engine switch is off.
With the engine switch on, the cooling fan may automatically start to run if
the air conditioning is on and/or the coolant temperature is high.
■ Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc. from
getting in the eyes.

369
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
NOTICE
■
If you remove the air cleaner
Driving with the air cleaner removed may cause excessive engine wear due
to dirt in the air. Also a backfire could cause a fire in the engine compart-
ment.
■ If the fluid level is low or high
It is normal for the brake fluid level to go down slightly as the brake pads
wear or when the fluid level in the accumulator is high.
If the reservoir needs frequent refilling, it may indicate a serious pro\
blem.

370
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Hood
Release the lock from the inside of the vehicle to open the hood.
Pull the hood release lever.
The hood will pop up slightly.
Pull up the hood catch lever
and lift the hood.