STARTING AND DRIVING
Winter driving tips
Make sure your coolant is properly pro-
tected against freezing.
Use a washer fluid containing an anti-
freeze solution.
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.)
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 damage
your vehicle’s paint.
See “Checking the engine coolant level” on
page 260 in Section 7--2 for details of coolant
type selection.
Do not use your parking brake when there
is a possibility it could freeze.
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture
of 50% coolant and 50% deionised water.
This coolant provides protection down to
about --35_C (--31_F).
When parking, put the transmission into “P”
and block the rear wheels. Do not use the
parking brake, or snow or water accumulated
in and around the parking brake mechanism
may freeze, making it hard to release.
NOTICE
Do not use plain or tap water alone as
it may freeze in cold temperatures.
Keep ice and snow from accumulating
under the fenders.
Ice and snow built up under your fenders can
make steering difficult. During bad winter
driving, stop and check under the fenders oc-
casionally.
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 starting. 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.
Depending on where you are driving, we
recommend you carry some emergency
equipment.
Some of the things you might put in the ve-
hicle are tyre chains, window scraper, bag of
sand or salt, flares, small shovel, jumper
cables, etc.
Make sure the engine oil viscosity is suit-
able for the cold weather.
See page 258 in Section 7--2 for recom-
mended viscosity. 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
dealer—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.
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