Corolla Owners Manual 7-2

8/10/2019 Corolla Owners Manual 7-2

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03 Corolla U (L/O 0201)

2092003 MY COROLLA_U (OM12744U)

DO

ITYOURSELF MAINTENANCE

Engine and Chassis

Checking the engine oil level 210. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Checking the engine coolant level 211. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Checking the radiator and condenserr 212. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Checking brake fluid 213. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Checking power steering fluid 213. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Checking tire pressure 214. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Checking and replacing tires 215. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Rotating tires 216. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Installing snow tires and chains 217. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Replacing wheels 218. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Aluminum whee l precau tions 219. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SECTION 72
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210 2003 MY COROLLA_U (OM12744U)

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 true reading, the vehicleshould be on a level spot. After turningoff the engine, wait a few minutes forthe oil to drain back into the bottom ofthe engine.

2. Pull the dipstick out, hold a rag underthe end and wipe it clean.

3. Reinsert the dipstickpush it in as faras it will go, or the reading will not becorrect.

4. Pull the dipstick out and look at the oillevel while holding a rag under theend.

NOTICE

Be careful not to drop the engine oil

on the vehicle components.

If the oil level is below or only slightlyabove the low level, add engine oil of

the same type as already in the engine.

Remove the oil filler cap and add engineoil in small quantities at a time, checkingthe dipstick. We recommend that you usea funnel when adding oil.

The approximate quantity of oil needed tofill between the low level and the full levelon the dipstick is indicated below for ref-erence.

When the level reaches within the correctrange, install the filler cap handtight.

Oil quantity, L (qt., lmp. qt.):1.3 (1.4, 1.1)

NOTICE

Be careful not to spill the engine

oil on the vehicle components.

Avoid overfill ing, or the engine

could be damaged.Check the oil level on the dipstick

once again after adding the oil.

ENGINE OIL SELECTION

Use API grade SL EnergyConserving orILSAC multigrade engine oil.

Recommended viscosity:SAE 5W30

Outside temperature

SAE 5W30 is the best choice for good

fuel economy, and good starting in coldweather.

If SAE 5W30 oil is not available, SAE

10W30 oil may be used. However, itshould be replaced with SAE 5W30 atthe next oil change.

Checking the engine oil level


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API service symbol

ILSAC certification mark

Oil identification marks

Either or both API registered marks areadded to some oil containers to help

you select the oil you should use.

The API Service Symbol is located any-where on the outside of the container.

The top portion of the label shows the oilquality by API (American Petroleum Insti-tute) designations such as SL. The centerportion of the label shows the SAE viscos-ity grade such as SAE 5W30. EnergyConserving shown in the lower portion,indicates that the oil has fuelsaving ca-pabilities.

The ILSAC (International Lubricant Stan-dardization and Approval Committee) Certi-fication Mark is displayed on the front ofthe container.

Look at the seethrough coolant reser-voir when the engine is cold. The cool-ant level is satisfactory if it is between

the FULL and LOW lines on thereservoir. If the level is low, add ethyl-eneglycol type coolant for a proper

corrosion protection of aluminum com-ponents.

The coolant level in the reservoir will varywith engine temperature. However, if thelevel is on or below the LOW line, addcoolant. Bring the level up to the FULLline.

Always use ethylene

glycol type coolantfor a proper corrosion protection of alumi-num components. See information in thenext column.

If the coolant level drops within a shorttime after replenishing, there may be aleak in the system. Visually check theradiator, hoses, engine coolant filler cap,radiator cap and drain cock and waterpump.

If you can find no leak, have your Toyotadealer test the cap pressure and checkfor leaks in the cooling system.

Checking the engine coolant

level


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CAUTION

To prevent burning yourself, do not

remove the radiator cap when the en-gine is hot.

Coolant type selection

Use of improper coolants may damageyour engine cooling system. Your coolantmust contain ethyleneglycol type coolantfor a proper corrosion protection of yourengine that contains aluminum compo-

nents. Use TOYOTA Long Life Coolantor equivalent.

In addition to preventing freezing and sub-sequent damage to the engine, this typeof coolant will also prevent corrosion. Fur-ther supplemental inhibitors or additivesare neither needed nor recommended.

Read the coolant container for informationon freeze protection. Follow the manufac-turers directions for how much to mixwith plain water (preferably demineralizedwater or distilled water). The total capacityof the cooling system is given on page235 in Section 8.

We recommend to use 50% solution foryour Toyota, to provide protection down toabout 35C (31F). When it is extreme-ly cold, to provide protection down toabout 50C (58F), 60% solution is rec-ommended. Do not use more than 70%solution for better coolant performance.

NOTICE

Do not use alcohol type antifr eeze or

plain water alone.

If any of the above parts are extremelydirty or you are not sure of their condi-tion, take your vehicle to Toyota dealer.

CAUTION

To prevent yourself from burning, be

careful not to touch the radiator orcondenser when the engine is hot.

NOTICE

To prevent damage to the radiator

and condenser, do not perform thework by yourself.

Checking the radiator and

condenser
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To check the fluid level, simply look atthe seethrough reservoir. The level

should be between the MAX andMIN lines on the reservoir.

It is normal for the brake fluid level to godown slightly as the brake pads wear. Sobe sure to keep the reservoir filled.

If the reservoir needs frequent refilling, itmay indicate a serious mechanical prob-lem.

If the level is low, add SAE J1703 orFMVSS No.116 DOT 3 brake fluid to thebrake reservoir.

Remove and replace the reservoir cap byhand. Fill the brake fluid to the dottedline. This brings the fluid to the correctlevel when you put the cap back on.

Use only newly opened brake fluid. Onceopened, brake fluid absorbs moisture fromthe air, and excess moisture can cause adangerous loss of braking.

CAUTION

Take care when filling the reservoir

because brake fluid can harm youreyes and damage painted surfaces. Iffluid gets in your eyes, flush your

eyes with clean water immediately. Ifyou still feel uncomfortable with youreyes, go to the doctor.

NOTICE

If you spill some of the fluid, be sure

to wash it off with water to preventit from damaging the parts or paint.

If cold O.K.

If cold add

If hot O.K.

If hot add

Close Open

Check the fluid level through the reser-voir. If necessary, add automatic trans-

mission fluid DEXRON II or III.

If the vehicle has been driven around 80km/h (50 mph) for 20 minutes (a littlemore in frigid temperatures), the fluid ishot (60C80C or 140F175F). Youmay also check the level when the fluidis cold (about room temperature,10C30C or 50F85F) if the enginehas not been run for about five hours.

Checking brake fluid Checking power steering fluid


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Clean all dirt from outside of the reservoirtank and look at the fluid level. If the fluidis cold, the level should be in the COLDrange. Similarly, if it is hot, the fluid levelshould be in the HOT range. If the levelis at the low side of either range, addautomatic transmission fluid DEXRONII or III to bring the level within the range.

To remove the reservoir cap, turn it coun-terclockwise and lift up. To reinstall it,turn it clockwise. After replacing the reser-voir cap, visually check the steering boxcase, vane pump and hose connections

for leaks or damage.

CAUTION

The reservoir tank may be hot so be

careful not to burn yourself.

NOTICE

Avoid overfill ing, or the power steer-

ing could be damaged.

Keep your tire pressures at the properlevel.

The recommended cold tire pressures, tiresize and the vehicle capacity weight aregiven on page 234 in Section 8. They arealso on the tire pressure label as shown.

You should check the tire pressur es everytwo weeks, or at least once a month. Anddont forget the spare!

Incorrect tire pressure can reduce tirelife and make your vehicle less safe todrive.

Low tire pressure results in excessivewear, poor handling, reduced fuel econo-my, and the possibility of blowouts fromoverheated tires. Also, low tire pressurecan cause poor sealing of the tire bead.If the tire pressure is excessively low,there is the possibility of wheel deforma-tion and/or tire separation.

High tire pressure produces a harsh ride,handling problems,excessive wear at thecenter of the tire tread, and a greaterpossibility of tire damage from road haz-ards.

If a tire frequently needs refilling, have itchecked by your Toyota dealer.

The following instructions for checkingtire pressure should be observed:

The pressure should be checked onlywhen the tires are cold. If your ve-hicle has been parked for at least 3hours and has not been driven formore than 1.5 km or 1 mile since, youwill get an accurate cold tire pressurereading.

Always use a tire pressure gauge.The appearance of a tire can be mis-leading. Besides, tire pressures thatare even just a few pounds off candegrade ride and handling.

Checking tire pressure
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Take special care when adding air tothe compact spare tire. The smallertire size can gain pressure very quick-ly. Add compressed air in small quanti-ties and check the pressure often untilit reaches the specified pressure.

Do not bleed or reduce tire pressureafter driving. It is normal for the tirepressure to be higher after driving.

Never exceed the vehicle capacityweight. The passenger and luggageweight should be located so that thevehicle is balanced.

Be sure to reinstall the tire inflationvalve caps. Without the valve caps,dirt or moisture could get into the valvecore and cause air leakage. If the capshave been lost, have new ones put onas soon as possible.

Tread wear indicator

CHECKING YOUR TIRES

Check the tires tread for the tread wear

indicators. If the indicators show, re-place the tires.

The tires on your Toyota have builtintread wear indicators to help you knowwhen the tires need replacement. Whenthe tread depth wears to 1.6 mm (0.06in.) or less, the indicators will appear. Ifyou can see the indicators in two or moreadjacent grooves, the tire should be re-placed. The lower the tread, the higherthe risk of skidding.

The effectiveness of snow tires is lostif the tread wears down below 4 mm

(0.16 in.).

Check the tires regularly for damagesuch as cuts, splits and cracks. If anydamage is found, consult with a techni-

cian and have the tire repaired or re-placed.

Even if the damage does not appear seri-ous, a qualified technician should examinethe damage. Objects which have pene-trated the tire may have caused internaldamage.

Any tires which are over 6 years old

must be checked by a qualified techni-cian even if damage is not obvious.

Tires deteriorate with age even if theyhave never or seldom been used.

This applies also to the spare tire andtires stored for future use.

REPLACING YOUR TIRES

When replacing a tire, use only thesame size and construction as original-ly installed and with the same or great-

er load capacity.

Using any other size or type of tire mayseriously affect handling, ride, speedome-ter/odometer calibration, ground clearance,and clearance between the body and tires

or snow chains.

Checking and replacing tires


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CAUTION

Do not mix radial, bias belted, or

biasply tires on your vehicle. Itcan cause dangerous handling char-acteristics, resulting in loss of con-

trol.

Do not use tires or wheels otherthan the manufacturers recom-

mended size.

Toyota recommends all four tires, or at

least both front or rear tires be re-placed as a set.

See If you have a flat tire on page 174in Section 4 for tire change procedure.

When a tire is replaced, the wheelshould always be balanced.

An unbalanced wheel may affect vehiclehandling and tire life. Wheels can get outof balance with regular use and shouldtherefore be balanced occasionally.

When replacing a tubeless tire, the airvalve should also be replaced with anew one.

Vehicles with compact spare tire

Vehicles without compact spare tire

To equalize the wear and help extendtire life, Toyota recommends that yourotate your tires according to the main-

tenance schedule. (For scheduled main-tenance information, please refer to theScheduled Maintenance Guide or

Owners Manual Supplement.) Howev-er, the most appropriate timing for tirerotation may vary according to your

driving habits and road surface condi-tions.

See If you have a flat tire on page 174in Section 4 for tire change procedure.

When rotating tires, check for unevenwear and damage. Abnormal wear is usu-ally caused by incorrect tire pressure, im-proper wheel alignment, outofbalancewheels, or severe braking.

CAUTION

Do not include a compact spare tire

when rotating the tires. It is designedfor temporary use only.

Rotating tires
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WHEN TO USE SNOW TIRES ORCHAINS

Snow tires or chains are recommended

when driving on snow or ice.

On wet or dry roads, conventional tiresprovide better traction than snow tires.

SNOW TIRE SELECTION

If you need snow tires, select the samesize, construction and load capacity asthe original tires on your Toyota.

Do not use tires other than those men-tioned above. Do not install studded tires

without first checking local regulations forpossible restrictions.

SNOW TIRE INSTALLATION

Snow tires should be installed on allwheels.

Installing snow tires on the front wheelsonly can lead to an excessive differencein road grip capability between the frontand rear tires which could cause loss ofvehicle control.

When storing removed tires you shouldstore them in a cool dry place. Mark thedirection of rotation and be sure to install

them in the same direction when replac-ing.

CAUTION

Do not drive with the snow tires

incorrectly inflated.

Never drive over 120 km/h (75 mph)with any type of snow tires.

TIRE CHAIN SELECTION

Use the tire chains of correct size andtype.

Use SAE Class S type radial tire chainsexcept radial cable chains or Vbar typechains.

Regulations regarding the use of tirechains vary according to location ortype of road, so always check them

before installing chains.

CHAIN INSTALLATION

Install the chains on the front tires astightly as possible. Do not use tirechains on the rear tires. Retighten

chains after driving 0.51.0 km(1/41/2 mile).

When installing chains on your tires, care-fully follow the instructions of the chain

manufacturer.

If wheel covers are used, they will bescratched by the chain band, so removethe covers before putting on the chains.

CAUTION

Do not exceed 50 km/h (30 mph) or

the chain manufacturers recom-mended speed limit, whichever islower.

Drive carefully avoiding bumps,holes, and sharp turns, which maycause the vehicle to bounce.

Avoid sharp turns or lockedwheel

braking, as use of chains may ad-

versely affect vehicle handling.

When driving with chains installed,be sure to drive carefully. Slow

down before entering the curves toavoid losing control of the vehicle.

Otherwise an accident may occur.

Installing snow tires andchains


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NOTICE

Do not attempt to use a tire chain on

the compact spare tire, as it may re-sult in damage to the vehicle as wellas the tire.

WHEN TO REPLACE YOUR WHEELS

If you have wheel damage such asbending, cracks or heavy corrosion, the

wheel should be replaced.

If you fail to replace damaged wheels, thetire may slip off the wheel or cause lossof handling control.

WHEEL SELECTION

When replacing wheels, care should betaken to ensure that the wheels are re-

placed by ones with the same load ca-pacity, diameter, rim width, and offset.

This must be observed on compact sparetire, too.

Correct replacement wheels are availableat your Toyota dealer.

A wheel of a different size or type mayadversely affect handling, wheel and bear-ing life, brake cooling, speedometer/odom-eter calibration, stopping ability, headlightaim, bumper height, vehicle ground clear-ance, and tire or snow chain clearance tothe body and chassis.

Replacement with used wheels is not rec-ommended as they may have been sub-

jected to rough treatment or high mileageand could fail without warning. Also, bentwheels which have been straightened mayhave structural damage and thereforeshould not be used. Never use an innertube in a leaking wheel which is designedfor a tubeless tire.

Replacing wheels


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When installing aluminum wheels,check that the wheel nuts are tightafter driving your vehicle the first 1600km (1000 miles).

If you have rotated, repaired, orchanged your tires, check that thewheel nuts are still tight after driving1600 km (1000 miles).

When using tire chains, be careful notto damage the aluminum wheels.

Use only the Toyota wheel nuts andwrench designed for your aluminumwheels.

When balancing your wheels, use onlyToyota balance weights or equivalentand a plastic or rubber hammer.

As with any wheel, periodically checkyour aluminum wheels for damage. Ifdamaged, replace immediately.

Aluminum wheel precautions


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Corolla Owners Manual 7-2

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