engine coolant TOYOTA TACOMA 2013 Owners Manual (in English)

155
2
When driving
2-2. Gauges and meters
Gauges and meters
The following gauges, meters and displays illuminate when the
engine switch is in the ON position.Tachometer
Displays the engine speed in revolutions per minute.
Speedometer
Displays the vehicle speed.
Engine coolant temperature gauge
Displays the engine coolant temperature.
Fuel gauge
Displays the quantity of fuel remaining in the tank.
ODO/TRIP button
Switches between odometer and trip meter displays. Pushing and hold-
ing the button will reset the trip meter when the trip meter is being dis-
played.

157
2-2. Gauges and meters
2
When driving
NOTICE
■
To prevent damage to the engine and its components
●Do not let the indicator needle of the tachometer enter the red zone, which
indicates the maximum engine speed.
● The engine may be overheating if the engine coolant temperature gauge is
in the red zone (H). In this case, immediately stop the vehicle in a safe
place, and check the engine after it has cooled completely. (
P. 437)

217
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.

236 2-5. Driving information
●Instability happens more frequently when descending steep or long
downhill grades. Before descending, slow down and downshift. Do
not make sudden downshifts while descending steep or long down-
hill grades.
● Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or applying the
brakes too frequently. This could cause the brakes to overheat and
result in reduced braking efficiency.
● Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle’s engine may
overheat on hot days (at temper atures over 85°F [30°C]) when
driving up a long or steep grade. If the engine coolant temperature
gauge indicates overheating, immediately turn off the air condition-
ing (if in use), pull your vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot.
(  P. 437)
● Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle’s and the
trailer’s wheels when parking. Ap ply the parking brake firmly, and
put the transmission in P (automatic transmission) or in 1 or R
(manual transmission). Avoid park ing on a slope, but if unavoid-
able, do so only after performing the following:
Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
Have someone place wheel blo cks under both the vehicle’s
and trailer’s wheels.
When the wheel blocks are in place, release the brakes slowly
until the blocks absorb the load.
Apply the parking brake firmly.
Shift into P (automatic transmission) or 1 or R (manual trans-
mission) and turn off the engine.
● When restarting after parking on a slope:
With the transmission in P (automatic transmission) or the
clutch pedal (manual transmission) depressed, start the
engine. On vehicles with an au tomatic transmission, be sure
to keep the brake pedal depressed.
Shift into a forward gear. If reversing, shift into R.

324
4-2. Maintenance
General maintenance
Engine compartment
ItemsCheck points
Battery Maintenance-free. ( P. 346)
Brake fluid At the correct level? ( P. 342)
Engine coolant At the correct level? ( P. 340)
Engine oil At the correct level? ( P. 336)
Exhaust system No fumes or strange sounds?
Power steering fluid At the correct level? ( P. 344)
Radiator/condenser/hoses Not blocked with foreign matter?
(P. 342)
Washer fluid At the correct level? (P. 348)
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.

328
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. 346)•Warm water
• Baking soda
• Grease
• Conventional wrench
(for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level ( P. 342)• FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE
J1703 brake fluid
• Rag or paper towel
Engine coolant level ( P. 340)• “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. 336) • Toyota Genuine Motor Oil or
equivalent
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding oil)
Fuses ( P. 372)• Fuse with same amperage rating
as original

330 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.

334
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Engine compar tment
2.7 L 4-cylinder (2TR-FE) engine
Washer fluid tank (P. 348)
Radiator cap
Engine coolant reservoir ( P. 340)
Engine oil filler cap ( P. 337)
Power steering fluid reservoir ( P. 344)Engine oil level dipstick
( P. 336)
Brake fluid reservoir ( P. 342)
Fuse box ( P. 372)
Battery ( P. 346)
Condenser ( P. 342)
Radiator ( P. 342)

335
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
4.0 L V6 (1GR-FE) engine
Washer fluid tank (
P. 348)
Power steering fluid reservoir ( P. 344)
Radiator cap
Engine oil level dipstick ( P. 336)
Engine coolant reservoir ( P. 340)Engine oil filler cap
( P. 337)
Brake fluid reservoir ( P. 342)
Fuse box ( P. 372)
Battery ( P. 346)
Condenser ( P. 342)
Radiator ( P. 342)

340 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Engine coolantThe coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the FULL and LOW
lines on the reservoir when the engine is cold. Reservoir cap
FULL line
LOW line
If the level is on or below the
LOW line, add coolant up to the
FULL line.
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.