Toyota Tacoma 2004, Operating Manual

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’04 Tacoma U (L/O 0309)
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2004 TACOMA from Sep. ’03 Prod. (OM35814U)
Always perform a maintenance in-
spection after each day of off- road
driving that has taken you through
rough terrain, sand, mud, or water.
For scheduled maintenance in-
formation, refer to the “Scheduled
Maintenance Guide” or “Owner’s
Manual Supplement”.
Make sure your coolant is properly pro-
tected against freezing.
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 hy-
brid organic acid technology.
See “Checking the engine coolant level” in
Section 7- 2 for details of coolant type
selection.
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is pre-
mixed with 50% coolant and 50% deion-
ized water. This coolant provides protec-
tion 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 Toyota 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 Section 7- 2 for recommended viscos-
ity. Leaving a heavy summer oil in your
vehicle during winter months may cause
harder starting. If you are not sure about
which oil to use, call your Toyota deal-
er—he 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.
Use a washer fluid containing an ant-
freeze solution.
This product is available at your Toyota
dealer and most auto parts stores. Follow
the manufacturer’s directions for how
much to mix with water.
NOTICE
Do not use engine antifreeze or any
other substitute because it may dam-
age your vehicle’s paint.
Winter driving tips