Get Maintenanceandcare -> 4-2. Maintenance Guide for Toyota Corolla 4 Door Ninth Generation (2007-2012)

4-2. Maintenance

Maintenance requirements

To ensure safe and economical driving, day-to-day care and regular

maintenance is essential. It is the owner’s responsibility to perform

regular checks. Toyota recommends the following maintenance.

■ General maintenance

Should be performed on a daily basis. This can be done by your-

self or by a Toyota dealer.

■ Scheduled maintenance

Should be performed at specified intervals according to the

maintenance schedule.

For details about maintenance items and schedules, refer to the

“Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”.

■ Do-it-yourself maintenance

You can perform some maintenance procedures yourself.

Please be aware that do-it-yourself maintenance may affect war-

ranty coverage.

4

The use of Toyota Repair Manuals is recommended.

For details about warranty coverage, see the separate “Owner’s War-

ranty Information Booklet” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”.

■Repair and replacement

It is recommended that genuine Toyota parts be used for repair to ensure

performance of each system. If non-Toyota parts are used in replacement or

if a repair shop other than a Toyota dealer performs repairs, confirm the war-

ranty coverage.

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4-2. Maintenance

■Allow inspection and repairs to be performed by a Toyota dealer

●Toyota technicians are well-trained specialists and are kept up to date

with the latest service information. They are well informed about the

operations of all systems on your vehicle.

●Keep a copy of the repair order. It proves that the maintenance that has

been performed is under warranty coverage. If any problem should arise

while your vehicle is under warranty, your Toyota dealer will promptly

take care of it.

CAUTION

■Warning in handling of battery

●Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and a wide variety of automobile

components contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to

cause cancer and birth defects and other reproductive harm. Work in a

well ventilated area.

●Oils, fuels and fluids contained in vehicles as well as waste produced by

component wear contain or emit chemicals known to the State of

California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.

Avoid exposure and wash any affected area immediately.

●Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead

compounds which are known to cause brain damage. Wash your hands

after handling. (P. 321)

296

4-2. Maintenance

General maintenance

Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be per-

formed at the intervals specified in the “Owner's Warranty Informa-

tion Booklet” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement/Scheduled

Maintenance Guide”. It is recommended that any problem you notice

should be brought to the attention of your Toyota dealer or qualified

service shop for advice.

Engine compartment

Items

Check points

Check the connections.

Battery

(P. 321)

Brake fluid

At the correct level? (P. 318)

At the correct level? (P. 317)

At the correct level? (P. 312)

No fumes or strange sounds?

Engine coolant

Engine oil

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Exhaust system

Not blocked with foreign matter?

Radiator/condenser/hoses

Washer fluid

(P. 318)

At the correct level? (P. 324)

297

4-2. Maintenance

Vehicle interior

Items

Check points

• Moves smoothly (without uneven

pedal effort or catching)?

Accelerator pedal

• Can the vehicle be held securely

on an incline with the shift lever in

P?

Automatic transmission “Park”

mechanism

• Moves smoothly?

• Does it have appropriate clear-

ance and correct amount of free

play?

Brake pedal

Brakes

• Not pull to one side when

applied?

• Loss of brake effectiveness?

• Spongy feeling brake pedal?

• Pedal almost touches floor?

Clutch pedal

• Moves smoothly?

• Move smoothly and lock

securely?

Head restraints

Indicators/buzzers

Lights

• Function properly?

• Do all the lights come on?

• Moves smoothly?

Parking brake

• Can hold the vehicle securely on

an incline?

• Does the seat belt system oper-

ate smoothly?

• Are the belts undamaged?

Seat belts

Seats

• Do the seat controls operate

properly?

• Moves smoothly?

Steering wheel

• Has correct free play?

• No strange noises?

298

4-2. Maintenance

Vehicle exterior

Items

Check points

Doors/trunk

Engine hood

• Operate smoothly?

• The lock system works properly?

• Is there any leakage after park-

ing?

Fluid leaks

• Inflation pressure is correct?

• Tire surfaces not worn or dam-

aged?

• Tires rotated according to the

maintenance schedule?

• Wheel nuts are not loose?

Tires

CAUTION

4

■If the engine is running

Turn the engine off and ensure that there is adequate ventilation before per-

forming maintenance checks.

299

4-2. Maintenance

Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M) programs

Some states have vehicle emission inspection programs which

include OBD (On Board Diagnostics) checks. The OBD system moni-

tors the operation of the emission control system.

■ If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on

The OBD system determines that a problem exists somewhere

in the emission control system. Your vehicle may not pass the I/

M test and may need to be repaired. Contact your Toyota dealer

to service the vehicle.

■ Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test:

● When the battery is disconnected or discharged

Readiness codes that are set during ordinary driving are

erased.

Also, depending on your driving habits, the readiness codes

may not be completely set.

● When the fuel tank cap is loose

The malfunction indicator lamp comes on as a temporary mal-

function and your vehicle may not pass the I/M test.

■ When the malfunction indicator lamp goes off after several

driving trips

The error code in the OBD system will not be cleared unless the

vehicle is driven 40 or more times.

■ If your vehicle does not pass the I/M test

Contact your Toyota dealer to prepare the vehicle for re-testing.

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Maintenanceandcare -> 4-2. Maintenance for Your Toyota Corolla 4 Door Ninth Generation (2007-2012)

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