check oil TOYOTA TACOMA 2011 Owners Manual (in English)

143
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
NOTICE
■
If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering
wheel firmly and gradually press the brake pedal to slow down the vehicle.
●It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
● The vehicle will make abnormal sounds.
● The vehicle will behave abnormally.
Replace a flat tire with a new one. ( P. 450)
■ When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may
cause the following serious damage to the vehicle.
●Engine stalling
● Short in electrical components
● Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be
sure to have your Toyota dealer check the following.
● Brake function
● Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, trans-
mission, transfer (4WD vehicles), differentials, etc.
● Lubricant condition for the propeller shaft, bearings and suspension joints
(where possible) and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.

201
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
NOTICE
■
To prevent the water damage
●Take all necessary safety measures to ensure that water damage to the
engine or other components does not occur.
● Water entering the engine air intake will cause severe engine damage.
● Water entering the automatic transmission will cause deterioration in shift
quality, locking up of your transmission accompanied by vibration, and ulti-
mately damage.
● Water can wash the grease from wheel bearings, causing rusting and pre-
mature failure, and may also enter the differentials, transmission and
transfer case, reducing the gear oil’s lubricating qualities.
■ When you drive through water
If driving through water, such as when crossing shallow streams, first check
the depth of the water and the bottom of the river bed for firmness. Drive
slowly and avoid deep water.
■ Inspection after off-road driving
●Sand and mud that has accumulat ed in brake drums and around brake
discs may affect braking efficiency and may damage brake system compo-
nents.
● Always perform a maintenance inspection after each day of off-road driv-
ing that has taken you through rough terrain, sand, mud, or water. For
scheduled maintenance information, refer to the “Scheduled Maintenance
Guide” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”.

209
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before driving
the vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a manner appropri-
ate to the prevailing weather conditions.
■ Pre-winter preparations
●Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside tem-
peratures.
• Engine oil
• Engine coolant
• Washer fluid
● Have a service technician inspect the level and specific grav-
ity of battery electrolyte.
● Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set
of tire chains for the rear tires.
Ensure that all tires are the same size and brand, and that chains
match the size of the tires.
■Before driving the vehicle
Perform the following according to the driving conditions.
●Do not try to forcibly open a window, scrape an outside rear
view mirror surface or move a wiper or outside rear view mir-
ror that is frozen. Pour warm water over the frozen area to
melt the ice. Wipe away the water immediately to prevent it
from freezing.
● To ensure proper operation of th e climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents
in front of the windshield.
● Remove any ice that has accumu lated on the vehicle chassis.
● Periodically check for and remove any excess ice or snow
that may have accumulated in the wheel well or on the
brakes.

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.

374 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Engine oil
Engine oilWith the engine at operating temperature and turned off, check the oil
level on the dipstick.
■ Checking the engine oil
Park the vehicle on level gro und. 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.

376 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. 492
ItemsClean funnel

378 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.

442 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Stop the vehicle immediately.The following warnings indicate the possibility of damage to the vehi-
cle that may lead to an accident. Immediately stop the vehicle in a
safe place and contact your Toyota dealer.
*: The light may come on when the oil level is extremely low. It is not designed to indicate low oil level, and the oil level must be checked using the engine
oil level dipstick.
Have the vehicle inspected immediately.
Failing to investigate the cause of the following warnings may lead to
the system operating abnormally and possibly cause an accident.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.
Warning lightWarning light/Details
Charging system warning light Indicates a malfunction in the vehicle’s charging sys-
tem.
Low engine oil pressure warning light Indicates that the engine oil pressure is too low*.
Warning lightWarning light/Details
Malfunction indicator lamp Indicates a malfunction in:
• The electronic engine control system;
• The electronic throttle control system;
• The electronic automatic transmission control sys-tem; or
• Emission control system.

5
When trouble arises
445
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
*1: Driver’s seat belt reminder:
The driver’s seat belt reminder sounds to alert the driver that his or her seat
belt is not fastened. Once the engine switch is turned to the ON or START
position, the buzzer sounds for 6 seconds. If the vehicle has reached a
speed of at least 12 mph (20 km/h), the buzzer sounds intermittently for 10
seconds. Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened, the buzzer will sound in a
different tone for 20 more seconds.
*2: Front passenger’s seat belt reminder:
The front passenger’s seat belt reminder sounds to alert the front passenger
that his or her seat belt is not fastened. The buzzer sounds intermittently for
10 seconds after the vehicle has reached a speed of at least 12 mph (20 km/
h). Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened, the buzzer will sound in a different
tone for 20 more seconds.
(U.S.A.) Engine oil replacement
reminder light
• Illuminates for about 3
seconds and then flashes
for about 12 seconds: Indi-
cates that the engine oil is
scheduled to be changed. Check the engine oil,
and change if neces-
sary.
• Comes on and remains: Indicates that the engine
oil should be changed. Check and change the
engine oil.
■ Key reminder buzzer
The buzzer indicates that the key has not been removed (with the engine
switch in the ACC or LOCK position and the driver’s door opened).
■ If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on while driving
First check the following:
● Is your vehicle low on gas?
If it is, refuel the vehicle immediately.
● Is the fuel tank cap loose?
If it is, tighten it securely.
Warning lightWarning light/DetailsCorrection procedure

5
When trouble arises
447
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
The tire pressure warning system may be disabled in the following condi-
tions:
(When the condition be
comes normal, the system will work properly.)
●If electronic devices or facilities using similar radio wave frequencies
are nearby.
●If a radio set at similar frequencies is in use in the vehicle.
●If a window tint that affects the radio wave signals is installed.
●If there is a lot of snow or ice on the vehicle, in particular around the
wheels or wheel housings.
●If non-genuine Toyota wheels are used. (Even if you use Toyota
wheels, the tire pressu re warning system may not work properly with
some types of tires.)
●If tire chains are used.
■If the tire pressure warning light comes on after blinking for 1
minute frequently
If the tire pressure warning light comes on after blinking for 1 minute fre-
quently when the engine switch is turned to the ON position, have it
checked by your Toyota dealer.
■ After changing the engine oil (U.S.A. only)
Make sure to reset the oil maintenance data. ( P. 377)
■ Customization that can be co nfigured at Toyota dealer
The vehicle speed linked seat belt reminder buzzer can be disabled.
(Customizable features P. 518)