How to Choose the Oil and Fluids for a Toyota Tacoma

The Toyota Tacoma underwent a major redesign in 2005, becoming larger and more powerful. Its maintenance needs and recommended fluids are similar to those of other Toyota trucks and SUVs. These steps apply specifically to model years 2005 and after, but may be used as a general reference for previous model years of the Toyota Tacoma.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

1. • 1

     Mix Toyota Super Long Life coolant or a similar high quality ethylene glycol base, silicate free, amine free, nitrite free and borate free coolant with long-life hybrid organic acid technology to an equal part clean distilled or demineralized water. Make sure to maintain proper levels of this coolant mixture in your Toyota Tacoma.

   • 2

     Fill your power steering fluid reservoir as necessary with DEXRON II or III automatic transmission fluid.

   • 3

     Refill your brake fluid reservoir as necessary with SAE J1703 or FMVSS No 116 DOT 3 brake fluid. The same fluid can go into your hydraulic clutch.

   • 4

     Change your engine oil regularly, using Toyota Genuine Motor Oil or an equivalent. Toyota recommends SAE 5W30 viscosity, but 10W30 is an acceptable temporary substitute.

   • 5

     Use API GL-4 or GL-5 gear oil of SAE 75W90 viscosity in your manual transmission. The same oil can be used in your transfer case and in the front differential. SAE 80W90 or single grade SAE 80W or SAE 90 are recommended for the rear differential. If you have a limited slip differential, you need Hypoid gear oil for limited slip differentials, API GL-5. Without a limited slip differential you should use Hypoid gear oil API GL-5.

   • 6

     Use Toyota Genuine ATF WS in your five speed automatic transmission and Toyota Genuine ATF Type T-IV in your four speed automatic transmission.

How to Change a Toyota Thermostat

Thermostats are the internal valves that control the flow of coolant inside the internal workings of your Toyota's engine. Without the thermostat to regulate coolant flow, the engine could easily overheat or not run efficiently because of running too cool. Toyota engines are known for being reliable and relatively easy to work on, but it is sometimes necessary or advisable to change the thermostat just to make sure the valve is not sticking closed or open at the wrong times. Toyota thermostats are strategically placed between the engine of your car and the cooling system and are relatively easy to change.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

things you'll need:

• New thermostat
• Bottle of coolant
• Catch pan
• Socket set
• Flathead screwdriver

1. • 1

     Crawl under the car and find the drain plug at the passenger side, bottom of the radiator. Use the socket set to loosen and remove the plug, allowing the coolant to drain out of the system into the catchpan.

   • 2

     Locate the inlet hose running from the radiator to the engine block. Where the hose connects to the engine block, remove the hose clamps with the flathead screwdriver and then pull the hose off of the metal housing. Use the socket set to remove the two mounting screws holding the housing to the engine.

   • 3

     Pull the housing away from the engine and then remove the thermostat located below. Install the new thermostat in its place and then secure the housing back in place with the socket set. Slide the hose back onto the housing and secure with the hose clamp.

   • 4

     Fill the radiator with a 50/50 solution of water and coolant. Turn the car on and continue to fill with water until the specified level is reached in the overflow reservior located behind the radiator. Watch the in-dash gauges to make sure the car is cooling down as it should.

Tips & Warnings

• Install the new thermostat in the same direction as the old thermostat, as they are directional specific and will not work properly unless installed in the correct direction.

How to Siphon Gas From a Toyota

Toyota has the distinction of being the world's largest auto manufacturer. It makes best sellers like the Camry, the Tundra and the hybrid Prius. But all of Toyota's cars, even its hybrids, share their basic fuel tank design with the rest of the street cars available today. The fuel tank design allows fuel to be siphoned with a hose, and if you employ a little physics know-how and let gravity do the heavy lifting, siphoning gas from a Toyota can be safe. By siphoning gas out of your Toyota with a hose, you can transfer that fuel to a stranded car that has run out of gas or into small, gas-powered machines like generators, lawn mowers and snow blowers.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

things you'll need:

• 6 to 8 feet of clear rubber hose, 3/4 inch or smaller in diameter
• Plastic gas tank

1. • 1

     Park the Toyota on level ground, turn off the engine and take the keys out of the ignition.

   • 2

     Open the fuel door, take off the gas cap and feed one end of the rubber hose into the gas tank.

   • 3

     Blow into the other end of the hose and listen for the sound of bubbling inside the gas tank of the Toyota. If you hear bubbling, that means the end of the hose is submerged in the gasoline and you're ready to siphon.

   • 4

     Set the plastic gas tank where you can easily reach it, then drape the hose so that it comes out of the Toyota's gas tank, slopes all the way to the ground and then curves up to the end held in your hand. Make sure you're holding the loose end of the hose higher than the car's internal fuel tank.

   • 5

     Keep the loose end of the hose above the car's fuel tank and start sucking on it using your mouth. Keep your eyes on the hose so you can see the fuel moving through it. Continue sucking only until the gasoline fills the lowest part of the hose and starts climbing the length leading up to your mouth. Then take your mouth off the hose. The fuel trapped in the lowest part of the hose will remain there.

   • 6

     Lift the plastic gas can up higher than the car's fuel tank and feed the open end of the hose into the can's opening. With the hose inside the can, carefully lower the can until it is lower than the fuel tank on the car. It is often easiest to just set the can flat on the ground. As soon as the hose and gas can are lower than the car's fuel tank, the gas should start flowing freely through the hose and into the can.

   • 7

     Keep your hands on the can and the hose the entire time the gas is being siphoned, and when enough fuel has been siphoned out, carefully lift them both until they're higher than the Toyota's gas tank. The flow of fuel will stop.

   • 8

     Take the end of the hose out of the gas can. Straighten out the hose and hold the end up high so that any excess fuel trapped in the hose will trickle back down into the Toyota's tank.

   • 9

     Remove the hose from the Toyota's tank, then replace the gas cap and close the fuel door.

Tips & Warnings

• Only siphon gasoline from a Toyota if it belongs to you or if you have permission. Seek immediate medical attention if you accidentally get gasoline in your mouth or eyes during this process.

How to Replace the Struts in a Toyota Camry

A Toyota Camry has MacPherson struts in its suspension--these consist of a heavy-duty automotive coil spring with a shock absorber running through the middle of the spring. The entire assembly is held in place by a bolt on the top of it, and the spring is under enormous tension. Releasing the bolt without properly compressing the spring first may result in serious injury or death, so don't confuse replacing the struts in a car with replacing the shock absorber in the spring--they're different processes entirely.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

things you'll need:

• Jack
• Jack stands
• Wrench or ratchet and socket set

1. • 1

     Disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable on your Toyota Camry. Fold the rear seat cushion forward so that you can access the strut towers. Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel or wheels in the same corner of the car as the struts you intend to replace.

   • 2

     Support the rear axle beam with jack stands. Remove the wheel or wheels next to the struts you intend to replace. If your car has anti-lock brakes, you'll also need to disconnect the sensor wire from the strut. Disconnect the stabilizer bar.

   • 3

     Loosen the nuts holding the strut in place on the axle carrier, but don't remove them yet. Support the rear axle carrier with another jack stand.

   • 4

     Loosen and remove the nuts holding the strut in place in the tower and remove the nuts holding the strut in place to the axle carrier. Do not loosen the nut in the top center of the strut; you could seriously injure yourself by doing so.

   • 5

     Pull the old strut assembly out of the vehicle and put a new one in its place. Tighten the nuts holding the strut to the strut tower to 29 ft. lbs. of torque.

   • 6

     Put the nut holding the strut to the axle carrier back in place but don't tighten it yet. Reconnect the stabilizer link to the strut and replace the wheel. Remove the jack stands from underneath the axle carrier and axle, then bounce the vehicle a couple of times to stabilize the suspension.

   • 7

     Tighten the bolt holding the strut to the axle carrier to 188 ft. lbs. of torque.

   • 8

     Replace the rear seat cushion and reconnect the negative battery cable.

Tips & Warnings

• Never work underneath a car supported only by a jack; the jack may collapse and cause serious injury or death.

How to Install a Radio in an FJ Cruiser

Car dashboard radio housings vary in size.

The FJ cruiser is an SUV vehicle developed by Toyota, produced first as a retro-style concept vehicle in 2003. Released in 2007, it was based on the original FJ40 Land Cruisers. It contains a factory issue radio with a variety of features, depending on the model specifications. An aftermarket stereo can also be installed to allow the owner to have an element of customization in their FJ Cruiser. Installation requires dashboard and wiring adaptations.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

things you'll need:

• Adjustable wrench
• Phillips screwdriver
• 10 mm socket wrench
• 8 mm socket wrench
• Radio installation kit for Toyota FJ Cruiser
• Wire harness adapter for Toyota FJ Cruiser

1. • 1

     Twist the negative terminal of the FJ Cruiser's battery with an adjustable wrench to remove the cable and disengage the battery.

   • 2

     Remove the Phillips screws at the base of the silver panels on the radio sides. Pop off the panels. Remove the screws concealed beneath and pop off the face plate.

   • 3

     Remove the 10 mm bolts securing the head unit. Pull out the head unit. Remove the 8 mm bolts securing the brackets to the head unit. Pull out the head unit and disconnect the wires from the rear.

   • 4

     Connect the radio installation sleeve supplied with the new radio to the radio installation kit face plate. Slide the sleeve through the face plate portal, until the end is level with the plate. Bend the tabs 90 degrees into the slots to secure the assembly.

   • 5

     Slide the new stereo into the assembly until it clicks into place. Secure the brackets to the side of the assembly using 8mm bolts.

   • 6

     Connect the wiring of the new radio to a wire harness adapter for an FJ Cruiser. Attach the other end of the wire harness adapter to the wire harness of the FJ Cruiser -- the wire harness contains the speaker and power cables for the radio. Make sure the connections are snapped together in a secure connection by giving the connections a gentle tug.

   • 7

     Connect the thick black radio antenna cable to the port on the left hand side of the rear of the new radio.

   • 8

     Insert the connected assembly into the dashboard housing. Secure it in place with 10 mm bolts. Replace the dashboard panels and screws.

   • 9

     Reconnect the negative cable to the vehicle battery. Turn on the new stereo to test the installation.

How to Replace an O2 Sensor in a Toyota 4Runner

The Toyota 4Runner has at least two oxygen sensors. The newer ones may have up to four. Figuring out which one needs to be replaced may be more difficult than crawling underneath and replacing the sensor. Oxygen sensors were incorporated into the exhaust systems to monitor the amount of oxygen in the burning fuel. A high or lean variance during the operation of the 4Runner can lead to a diagnostic trouble code reported by one or more of the sensors to the computer of the SUV and trigger a "check engine" warning light on the dashboard instrument panel.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

things you'll need:

• Direct-fit quality aftermarket or Toyota replacement oxygen sensor and gasket
• Vise grip pliers
• Extractor socket set
• 3/8 inch drive ratchet
• 3/8 inch drive socket set
• Small ball peen hammer
• Safety glasses
• Flathead screwdriver
• Creeper
• Car ramps
• 8x1.25 millimeter re-threader/die
• Wheel chock
• 8 millimeter width by 1.25 millimeter thread pitch nuts (2 per sensor)
• 8 millimeter lock washers (2 per sensor)

1. • 1

     Drive the Toyota 4Runner up onto the car ramps carefully on a flat surface. Apply the parking brake. Place a wheel chock behind one of the rear tires.

   • 2

     Grab all of your tools, put on the safety glasses, and crawl under the Toyota 4Runner on a creeper. Locate the sensor you need to replace. These sensors are bolted into the exhaust system on 4Runners. They are located up high on the front exhaust pipe near the manifold and downstream on the exhaust system near the catalytic converter.

   • 3

     Remove the two nuts on the flange of the oxygen sensor you're replacing. It's not uncommon on the 4Runners for these nuts to be severely corroded and will no longer be able to remove with a socket. An extractor socket pounded on with a hammer or a pair of vise grip pliers squeezed against the nut to break it loose enough to un-thread it by hand is usually all it takes.

   • 4

     Follow the oxygen sensor wire to the plug connection. It'll be about 7 inches away from the sensor. Unplug the connection by pressing in on the clip lock with a flathead screwdriver and separate the plug. Remove the old sensor and remove the old gasket from the oxygen sensor flange on the exhaust pipe.

   • 5

     Clean the threads of each stud using an 8x1.25 millimeter re-threader or die. Install the new gasket onto the flange and place the new oxygen sensor into the porthole. Place the lock washers and nuts onto the studs of the flange and tighten with a ratchet and a socket.

   • 6

     Plug the oxygen sensor wire back into the plug connection.

   • 7

     Gather up all the tools and crawl out from under the 4Runner. Remove the wheel chock, release the parking brake and lower the 4Runner off of the ramps.

Tips & Warnings

• It will take several cycles of normal driving with the 4Runner to run through the computer IM monitors and reset the check engine light. If it does not reset in a week or so, have it rescanned to check the code and the IM monitor status.

How to Replace the Throttle Body in a Toyota Corolla

The Toyota Corolla is small, reliable, affordable and fuel-efficient. As a result, it is the best selling nameplate in the history of automotive sales. More than 200,000 Americans, including everyone from high schools kids to retirees, purchase Corollas every year. Used-vehicle buyers looks for the eighth-generation Corolla (1998 to 2002) because of its solid acceleration in a 1.8L engine, comfortable ride and outstanding quality and materials. The following steps detail the installation of a new throttle body in in the eighth-generation Corolla with the 1.8L engine.

Difficulty:

Challenging

Instructions

things you'll need:

• Mechanic's toolset, including a full socket set, wrenches and screwdrivers
• Torque wrench
• Clean shop cloths
• Replacement gasket

1. Install the Throttle Body

   • 1

     Remove the ground cable from the battery. Drain the coolant from the engine into a suitable container that can be securely sealed.

   • 2

     Loosen and remove the two nuts and the two clips that hold Cover Number Two on the cylinder head. Remove the head cover.

   • 3

     Disconnect the connector for the mass air flow meter and the VSV connector. Take off the two wire harness clamps and take the fuel vapor feed hoses Number 1 from the VSV and then disconnect fuel vapor feed hose Number 3.

   • 4

     Pull the ventilation hose Number 1 from the cylinder head cover. Release the clamp bolt on air cleaner hose Number 1. Take off the air cleaner cap and the air cleaner hose.

   • 5

     Disengage the throttle control motor connector, then pull the water by-pass hose Number 1 from the throttle body. Disconnect water by-pass hose Number 2.

   • 6

     Loosen the bolts that hold the throttle body in place then remove them along with the two nuts. Lift out the throttle body.

   • 7

     Place a clean shop cloth over the opening to the manifold when the throttle body is removed. This will prevent dirt and debris from falling into the engine.

   Remove the Throttle Body

   • 1

     Clean the gasket mating surfaces completely to remove any old gasket material, carbon deposits and dirt. Install the new throttle body with a new gasket. Secure the throttle body with the nuts and bolts.

   • 2

     Continue the installation by reconnecting all components in the reverse order of their removal. Reconnect the negative battery cable.

   • 3

     Refill the engine with the recommended type and mix of coolant to the proper level. Properly dispose of old coolant when new is used to fill the engine.

   • 4

     Start the engine and inspect all the connections for coolant leaks. Add more coolant as needed to attain the proper levels.