checking oil TOYOTA xB 2008 Owners Manual (in English)

159
As an example, if a vehicle is used for
repeated short trips, and consumes a nor-
mal amount of oil, the dipstick may not
show any drop in the oil level at all, even
after 1000 km (600 miles) or more. This
is because the oil is gradually becoming
diluted with fuel or moisture, making it
appear that the oil level has not changed.
The diluting ingredients evaporate out
when the vehicle is then driven at high
speeds, as on an express way, making it
appear that oil is excessively consumed
after driving at high speeds.
IMPORTANCE OF ENGINE OIL LEVEL
CHECK
One of the most important points in prop-
er vehicle maintenance is to keep the en-
gine oil at the optimum level so that oil
function will not be impaired. Therefore, it
is essential that the oil level be checked
regularly. Scion recommends that the oil
level be checked every time you refuel
the vehicle.
NOTICE
Failure to check the oil level regularly
could lead to serious engine trouble
due to insufficient oil.
For detailed information on oil level check,
see “Checking the engine oil level” on
page 242.The electric power steering system, us-
ing an electric motor, assists the turn-
ing of the steering wheel.
In the following cases, you may feel the
steering becomes heavy. However, the
electric power steering system warning
light does not come on. (Because it is
not a malfunction.)
When maneuvering or turning frequently
over a long time
The power steering effect will be re-
duced to prevent the system from over-
heating. Avoid turning the steering
wheel, or stop the vehicle and turn the
ignition key to “ACC” or LOCK”. The
system will become cool in a
bout 10
minutes.
NOTICE
Frequent maneuvering and turning
over a long time may cause damage
to the system in which the mecha-
nism prevents overheating of the elec-
tric power steering system.
Electric power steering system

191
When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded
after heavy rain etc. Doing so may cause
serious damage to the vehicle.
NOTICE
Driving on a flooded road may cause
the engine to stall as well as cause
serious vehicle malfunctions such as
shorts in electrical components and
engine damage from water immersion.
In the event that you drive on a
flooded road and the vehicle is
flooded, be sure to have your Scion
dealer check brake function, changes
in quantity and quality of engine oil,
transaxle fluid, etc. and lubricant con-
dition for the bearings and suspen-
sion joints (where possible) and the
function of all joints and bearings.
Winter driving tips
Make sure you have a proper freeze
protection for engine coolant.
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. (Coolant
with long −life hybrid organic acid
technology is a combination of low
phosphates and organic acids.)
See “Checking the engine coolant level”
on page 244 for details of coolant type
selection.
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a
mixture of 50% coolant and 50% deionized
water. This coolant provides protection
down to about –35 C (–31 F).
NOTICE
Do not use plain water alone.
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 start-
ing. Section 7− 3 tells you how to visually
inspect the battery. Your Scion dealer and
most service stations will be pleased to
check the level of charge.
Make sure the engine oil viscosity is
suitable for the cold weather.
See page 243 for recommended viscosity.
Leaving a heavy summer oil in your ve-
hicle during winter months may cause
harder starting. If you are not sure about
which oil to use, call your Scion deal-
er—they 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
inserting it.

237
NOTICE
Remember that battery and ignition
cables carry high currents or volt-
ages. Be careful of accidentally
causing a short circuit.
 Add only “Toyota Super Long Life
Coolant” or similar high quality eth-
ylene glycol based nonsilicate,
nonamine, nonnitrite, and nonbo-
rate coolant with longlife hybrid
organic acid technology to fill the
radiator. “Toyota Super Long Life
Coolant” is a mixture of 50% cool-
ant and 50% deionized water.
 If you spill some of the coolant, be
sure to wash it off with water to
prevent it from damaging the parts
or paint.
 Do not allow dirt or anything else
to fall through the spark plug holes.
 Use only spark plugs of the speci-
fied type. Using other types will
cause engine damage, loss of per-
formance or radio noise.
 Do not overfill automatic transmis-
sion fluid, or the transmission
could be damaged.
Do not drive with the air cleaner
filter removed, or excessive engine
wear could result. Also backfiring
could cause a fire in the engine
compartment.
 Be careful not to scratch the glass
surface with the wiper frame.
 When closing the hood, check to
see that you have not forgotten any
tools, rags, etc.
Parts and tools
Here is a list of parts and tools you will
need to perform do −it−yourself mainte-
nance. Remember all Scion parts are de-
signed in metric sizes, so your tools must
be metric.
CHECKING THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL
Parts (if level is low):
“Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent. See
page 243 for details about engine oil
selection.
Tools:
Rag or paper towel
Funnel (only for adding oil)
CHECKING THE ENGINE COOLANT
LEVEL
Parts (if level is low):
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or
similar high quality ethylene glycol
based non −silicate, non −amine, non− ni-
trite, and non −borate coolant with long −
life hybrid organic acid technology.
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a
mixture of 50% coolant and 50% deion-
ized water.
Tools:
Funnel (only for adding coolant)

241
DOITYOURSELF MAINTENANCE
Engine and Chassis
Checking the engine oil level242
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the engine coolant level 244
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the radiator and condenser 245
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking brake fluid 245
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . .
Checking tire inflation pressure 246
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking and replacing tires 248
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rotating tires 250
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . . .
Installing snow tires and chains 251
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing wheels 252
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . .
SECTION 7 2

242
82p001a
Low level Full level
Add oil O.K. Too full
With the engine at operating tempera-
ture and turned off, check the oil level
on the dipstick. 1. To get a correct reading, the vehicle should be on level ground. After turning
off the engine, wait a few minutes for
the oil to drain back into the bottom of
the engine.
2. Pull the dipstick out, hold a rag under the end and wipe it clean.
3. Reinsert the dipstick—Push it in as far as it will go, or the reading will not be
correct.
4. Pull the dipstick out and look at the oil level while holding a rag under the
end.
CAUTION
Be careful not to touch the hot ex-
haust manifold.
NOTICE
Be careful not to drop engine oil on
the vehicle components.
If the oil level is below or only slightly
above the low level, add engine oil of
the same type as already in the engine.
Remove the oil filler cap and add engine
oil in small quantities at a time, checking
the dipstick. We recommend that you use
a funnel when adding oil.
The approximate quantity of oil needed to
raise the level between low and full on the
dipstick is indicated as follows:
1.1 L (1.2 qt., 1.0 Imp.qt.)
For the engine oil capacity, see “Service
specifications” on page 265.
When the level reaches within the correct
range, install the filler cap hand− tight.
NOTICE
Be careful not to spill engine oil on
the vehicle components.
 Avoid overfilling, or the engine
could be damaged.
 Check the oil level on the dipstick
once again after adding the oil.
Checking the engine oil level

254
CAUTION
BATTERY PRECAUTIONS
The battery produces flammable and
explosive hydrogen gas.
Do not cause a spark from the bat-
tery with tools.
Do not smoke or light a match near
the battery.
The electrolyte contains poisonous
and corrosive sulfuric acid.
Avoid contact with eyes, skin or
clothes.
Never ingest electrolyte.
Wear protective safety glasses when
working near the battery.
Keep children away from the bat-
tery.
EMERGENCY MEASURES
If electrolyte gets in your eyes,
flush your eyes with clean water
immediately and get immediate
medical attention. If possible, con-
tinue to apply water with a sponge
or cloth while en route to the medi-
cal office.
If electrolyte gets on your skin,
thoroughly wash the contact area. If
you feel pain or burning, get medi-
cal attention immediately.
If electrolyte gets on your clothes,
there is a possibility of its soaking
through to your skin, so immediate-
ly take off the exposed clothing and
follow the procedure above, if nec-
essary.
If you accidentally swallow electro-
lyte, drink a large quantity of water
or milk. Follow with milk of magne-
sia, beaten raw egg or vegetable
oil. Then go immediately for emer-
gency help.
—Checking battery exterior
Hold −down clamp
TerminalsGround cable
Check the battery for corroded or loose
terminal connections, cracks, or loose
holddown clamp.
a. If the battery is corroded, wash it off with a solution of warm water and bak-
ing soda. Coat the outside of the termi-
nals with grease to prevent further cor-
rosion.
b. If the terminal connections are loose, tighten their clamp nuts—but do not
overtighten.
c. Tighten the hold −down clamp only
enough to keep the battery firmly in
place. Overtightening may damage the
battery case.
Checking battery c ondition—
—Precautions