Toyota Corolla Repair Manual: Under hood

General maintenance

1. General notes

• maintenance requirements vary depending on the country.
• Check the maintenance schedule in the owner’s manual supplement.
• Following the maintenance schedule is mandatory.
• Determine the appropriate time to service the vehicle using either miles driven or time (month) elapsed, whichever reaches the specification first.
• Maintain similar intervals between periodic maintenance unless noted.
• Failng to check each vehicle part could lead to poor engine performance and increase exhaust emissions.

2. Windshield washer fluid

1.  check that there is sufficient fluid in the tank.

3. Engine coolant level

1.  check that the coolant level is between the ”full” and ”low” lines on the see–through reservoir.

4. Radiator and hoses

1.  check that the front of the radiator is clean and free of leaves, dirt and bugs.
2.  check the hoses for cracks, kinks, rotting loose connections.

5. Battery electrolyte level

1.  by rocking the vehicle, check that the electrolyte level of all the battery cells is between the upper and lower lines on the case.

6. Brake fluid level

1.  check that the brake fluid levels are near the upper level line on the see–through reservoirs.

7. Engine drive belt

1.  check the drive belt for fraying, cracks, wear and oiliness.

8. Engine oil level

1.  check if the level of engine oil is between ”f” and ”l” on the dipstick with the engine turned off.

9. Power steering fluid level

1.  check the level on the dipstick.
2.  the level should be in the ”hot” or ”cold” range depending on the fluid temperature.

10. Automatic transmission fluid level

1.  park the vehicle on a level surface.
2.  with the engine idling and the parking brake applied, shift the selector into all the positions from ”p” to ”l”. Then shift to the ”p” position.
3. ) pull out the dipstick and wipe off the fluid with a clean shop rag. Re–insert the dipstick and check that the fluid level is in the ”hot” range.
4.  perform this check with the fluid at the normal driving temperature:70 to 80°c (158 to 176°f).

Hint

: after extended driving under harsh conditions (high speeds, hot weather, heavy traffic or pulling a trailer), let the engine cool down for approximately 30 minutes before checking the fluid level.

11. Exhaust system

1.  check for unusual exhaust sounds or abnormal exhaust fumes. Locate the cause and correct it.