How to Identify Toyota Rims

Toyota is a Japanese car manufacturer with affordable and luxury vehicle lines in North America. A car rim is the metal support structure around which the flexible tire sits. To prevent tire damage and other car problems, it is important to identify the right rims for a Toyota car when customizing or replacing the car's old rims.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

things you'll need:

• Tire iron
• Car lift (optional)

1. • 1

     Deflate the tire by removing the cap on the tire valve, located on the inner side of the tire. Detach the wheel and tire from the Toyota vehicle's body by following the instructions in the specific vehicle's Toyota manual as each car is different. You may need to use a car lift.

   • 2

     Use your hands and push against the deflated tire, separating the tire from the rims on both sides of the wheel around the entire circumference of the wheel.

   • 3

     Insert the tire iron between the Toyota rim and the tire rubber and pull slightly up and away from the rim so that the tire pops over the edge of the rim. Continue to do this around the entire edge of the rim until the tire can be removed.

   • 4

     Look at the inside of the tire that you just removed. Every Toyota tire has a size stamp imprinted on its inner side. This stamp will start with "P" or "LT" and will be followed by a row of letters and numbers. Check the last two numbers in the series, which tells you the rim size in inches. Toyota identifies its rims by vehicle (e.g. Toyota Camry) and size.

Tips & Warnings

• When purchasing replacement rims, make sure the rim is the exact size that you identified in Step 4.

• Never attempt to identify the rim by measuring it by hand, because a measurement that is even a fourth of an inch off can pose a significant safety hazard.

How to Replace a Toyota Sienna Serpentine Belt

Engine Belt

The Toyota Sienna uses one belt, the serpentine belt (also called the multi-accessory drive belt) to control all engine accessories, including the power steering, air conditioner compressor, water pump and alternator. Located at the front of the crankshaft, the serpentine belt winds around the pulleys connected to the various accessories and ultimately around a tension pulley that keeps the belt at the correct contact tension so that all the engine accessories engage properly.

Changing the serpentine belt on a Toyota Sienna is a fairly simple do-it-yourself project that requires the proper-sized wrench or socket set. Professionals recommend examining the serpentine belt on the Sienna twice per year or every 25,000 miles; look for fraying, cracking and/or missing chunks.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

things you'll need:

• Replacement serpentine belt
• Wrench set
• Serpentine belt diagram

1. • 1

     Check to ensure the Sienna's engine is cold, then make sure the Sienna is in park, the ignition is in the off position and the key is removed from the ignition to prevent any possibility of the engine engaging during the serpentine belt replacement.

   • 2

     Open the hood and locate the serpentine belt routing diagram sticker on the side of the engine casing. Study it for a moment before removing the existing belt. It is essential the new belt be installed exactly as the diagram indicates.

   • 3

     Find the tensioner pulley, the main pulley that controls the serpentine belt, and fit a 1/2-inch socket wrench over the self-tensioner on the outside of the pulley.

   • 4

     Pull the wrench to the left to move the pulley forward, which loosens the belt, then remove the belt.

   • 5

     Compare the old serpentine belt with the new, replacement belt for length, width and number of grooves on the belt's underside. Be certain the replacement belt is the right part.

   • 6

     Fit the new belt on to each pulley according to the serpentine belt routing diagram on the manufacturer's sticker, or according to the drawing made prior to removing the old belt. Fit the new belt on to the tensioner pulley last, again applying pressure on the pulley's self-tensioner with the half-inch socket wrench to loosen the pulley.

   • 7

     Release the pressure on the self tensioner and allow the tensioner pulley to ease back into place, thereby tightening the new serpentine belt with the appropriate tension.

   • 8

     Remove the wrench and close the hood.

Tips & Warnings

• If the serpentine belt routing diagram on the Sienna is torn, blackened or for any reason unreadable, use a pad and pen/pencil to draw a rough picture of exactly how the existing belt is routed through the various engine accessory pulleys.

How to Find Toyota Recall Information‎

Since 1999, hundreds of injuries and 19 deaths have been attributed to Toyota vehicles that eventually were recalled. If you own a Toyota, finding this information is pivotal to keeping you and your family safe.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

1. • 1

     Check the Toyota floor mat recall list to determine whether your vehicle has been affected. Per Toyota's website, recalled vehicles include: 2005-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 Camry, 2009-2010 Corolla, 2008-2010 Highlander, 2009-2010 Matrix, 2004-2009 Prius, 2005-2010 Tacoma, 2007-2010 Tundra and 2009-2010 VENZA.

   • 2

     Remove the driver's-side floor mat until Toyota contacts you to set up a repair appointment at an authorized dealer.

   • 3

     Locate your Vehicle Identification Number. It is inside the windshield on the driver's side above the dashboard or on a sticker the driver's side pillar.

   • 4

     Check the Toyota accelerator pedal recall list to verify whether your vehicle is part of that recall. Some vehicles are subject to both recalls. Per Toyota's website, vehicles recalled include: certain 2009-2010 RAV4s, certain 2009-2010 Corollas, 2009-2010 Matrix, 2005-2010 Avalon, certain 2007-2010 Camrys, certain 2010 Highlanders, 2007-2010 Tundra and 2008-2010 Sequoia. Highlander and Camry hybrids are not affected, nor are Camry, RAV4, Corolla and Highlander vehicles with Vehicle Identification Numbers that begin with "J."

   • 5

     Wait to be contacted by Toyota to schedule repairs.

Tips & Warnings

• Call Toyota at (800) 331-4331 for more information.

How to Understand the Toyota 5S Program

"5S" is a tool that helps drive the Toyota Production System (TPS), a complete management system and corporate philosophy focused on eliminating waste in processes to drive greater efficiency. 5S represents a part of the overall system and is used to enable visual management. The goal of 5S is to make problems easy to spot. Problems in any process represent waste, which in turn represents inefficiency. The name "5S" comes from the five terms used to identify each step that must be followed when using this tool.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. • 1

     Seiri, a Japanese term pronounced "Say-Ree," is translated into English as the verb "sort" or "separate." Sort through all items at each workstation and separate what is needed daily from what is not needed. Tag items that are rarely or infrequently used and move them out of the station. Tagged items will later be disposed of or moved to another area based on a needs assessment that covers the entire plant floor or a section of a facility.

   • 2

     Seiton, pronounced "Say-Ton," means "set in order" or "straighten." Arrange needed items in designated locations and visually mark where they belong. Outline the location around a piece of equipment by marking the floor with paint. If the equipment is moved to another area, the mark will remain as a clear indication of what equipment is missing. Outline each tool in its space on a peg board with tape. If the tool is not in its place at the end of a shift, employees will know to look for it and return it to its place so it is ready for the next shift. The intent is to make abnormal conditions visible so action can be taken immediately to correct the situation. Abnormal conditions result in waste or inefficiency, such as when someone has to waste time to find a missing tool.

   • 3

     Seiso, pronounced "Say-So," means "shine." After sorting and setting things in order, do an initial thorough cleaning of each work area. Cleaning should then become a daily activity. Always keeping the area around a piece of equipment clean will make it easy to recognize problems, such as oil leakage. It is also important to keep debris off the floor to eliminate obstacles that could prevent smooth process flow or pose tripping hazards. Even paper on the floor can represent problems leading to waste. A discarded label on the floor could mean product somewhere in the facility is not properly identified.

   • 4

     Seiketsu, pronounced "Say-Ket-Soo," means "standardize." Now that everything is clean and in order, look for best practices across all work stations. Establish rules and standards associated with what has been done in each of the three previous steps. Make it clear what the standards are that must be matched at each station by defining them in work instructions, posting visual aids or other methods that are meaningful to employees.

   • 5

     Shitsuke, pronounced "Shi-Tsu-Kay," means "sustain." This is the hardest step to achieve. To sustain the cycle of 5S it must become a habit for all employees to look for things that are out of place, identify unnecessary items left in each work area and pick up debris whenever it is spotted. There should be a continuous effort to recognize waste and take action to improve the flow in and out of each workstation. Shitsuke generally requires a change in organizational culture and will always require management commitment.

Tips & Warnings

• Consistent and continuous communication and training, and a reward system, will help to drive 5S philosophies across an organization. Daily or weekly audits performed by each employee at each workstation, followed by occasional random audits by management, can help turn 5S practices into habits.

• Many organizations tend to stop at Step 2. Once there is a place for everything and everything is in its place, activity can stagnate. If this happens, new things will start to accumulate until there will no longer be a place for everything and nothing will be in its place.

How to Replace CV Joints on a Toyota

The CV joints on a Toyota are quite inexpensive to purchase since most vehicles are front-wheel drives. These axles have become very common. It is always cheaper to just buy the whole drive axle rather than try to replace just the CV joints. To replace a CV joint is a lot more work and the axle must come out regardless. Separately, the CV joint and accompanying boot cost more than the axle. Most axles are rebuilt and they always require a core (return the old one, or else you will get charged a core fee).

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

things you'll need:

• Floor jack Jack stands ½-inch set of sockets ½-inch air gun 3/8-inch set of sockets 3/8-inch ratchet Pry bar Hammer Tie rod remover tool Set of wrenches

1. • 1

     Raise and support the vehicle on jack stands. Remove the wheels using the ½-inch air gun and sockets.

   • 2

     Remove the two bolts in the brake caliper using the 3/8-sockets and ratchet. Remove the caliper, but do not let it hang by its hose. Lay it on the spring or tie it up with a coat hanger.

   • 3

     Remove the large axle nut in the center of the brake rotor. This nut holds the axle into the hub bearing. Use the ½-inch air gun and socket to remove it.

   • 4

     Remove the tie rod at the connection to the spindle by removing the cotter pin with the wire cutters, then the nut, using a wrench or socket. Place the tie rod remover tool in between the spindle and the tie rod and hit it with a hammer until it pops the tie rod out of the tapered end of the spindle.

   • 5

     Remove the two large nuts and bolts from the base of the strut where it is attached to the upper arm of the spindle. Use the ½-inch air gun and an 18mm socket. Once the bolts are out, push the strut and pull on the spindle to separate the two.

   • 6

     Push the axle out of the hub in the rotor with the thumb--or if that is too hard, screw the large nut upside down on the end of the axle to protect the threads and tap it with a hammer to break it loose. Remove the nut and push the axle through the bearing while turning the rotor and spindle to make enough room. Lay the axle on the lower control arm.

   • 7

     Remove the CV axle with the pry bar by placing the end of the pry bar in between the transmission and the CV joint.

   • 8

     Insert the inner splined end of the CV axle into the transmission and then pull it back about 1 to 2 inches and quickly slam it in. This will overcome the resistance of the C-clip on the transmission side of the axle. Do not stretch the axle, as the ball bearing in the axle will become dislodged. Just bring the whole axle back a little and push quickly--it will snap in.

   • 9

     Pull the rotor back enough to get the outboard end of the CV axle into the hub bearing. Rotate the rotor slightly to get the splines on the axle to align with the splines in the hub bearing. Push the axle through as far as possible.

   • 10

     Push the upper arm of the spindle and pull the base of the strut to get the top arm into the strut. Insert the two large bolts. Screw the nuts on and tighten them with the 18mm socket and air gun.

   • 11

     Screw the large axle nut on the end of the axle shaft and tighten securely with the ½-inch air gun and socket. Install the tie rod end by putting the bottom, threaded shaft into the hole that it came out of in the spindle steering arm. Screw the nut on. Tighten the nut with a wrench or a socket and insert the cotter pin.

How to Flush a Toyota Windom Radiator

Engine sludge can cause an engine to run improperly.

Engine sludge can build up in a Toyota Windom radiator, causing the veins that transfer fluid through the engine to clog up and the thermostat that regulates engine temperature to fail. To prevent this, flush the radiator. The result will be a radiator that can properly cool the fluid that is flowing through it, thus improving overall engine life.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

things you'll need:

• Ramps
• 3-gallon bucket
• Pliers
• Large disposal container
• Hose
• Water

1. • 1

     Drive the Windom onto a set of front-end ramps and secure the parking brake. This allows easier access to the lower part of the radiator.

   • 2

     Place a 3-gallon bucket under the location where the lower radiator hose connects to the radiator. Squeeze the clamp that holds the hose onto the radiator with a pair of pliers and pull the radiator hose off the radiator. Allow the radiator fluid to drain into the bucket.

   • 3

     Remove the filler cap located on top of the radiator and place a hose that is connected to a water source into the radiator filler spout.

   • 4

     Remove the bucket full of radiator fluid and drain it into a large disposal container. Place the bucket back under the radiator to catch the flush water.

   • 5

     Turn the hose on and spray the inside of the radiator to flush the build up out of the radiator. Move the hose in a spiral manner to get both sides of the radiator. Continue this process until the water coming out of the bottom of the radiator is clear again.

   • 6

     Secure the lower radiator hose back onto the radiator using the retaining clip that was previously removed.

Tips & Warnings

• The amount of water you will need depends on the degree of build up inside of the radiator. It is common to use 5 to 10 gallons of water or more. Constantly check the bucket below the radiator and empty as needed.

How to Get Replacement Toyota Keys

Most newer Toyota vehicles come with two keys--a door key (also known as a "regional key" or "valet key") and a remote key. If one or both of these keys is lost, contact a Toyota dealer so a replacement can be issued. The dealership can program any codes that are needed so the keys will work. Toyota wants to protect the owners of its vehicles, so before any replacement keys are made, you must show proof of ownership. The process is moderately easy, but does require some fees.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

things you'll need:

• Vehicle identification (VIN) number
• Owner's manual
• Car title
• Driver's license
• Proof of insurance

1. Replace a regional/valet key without a remote.

   • 1

     Visit your local Toyota dealer. Provide the dealer with your VIN number and driver's license.

   • 2

     Establish proof of ownership. Provide the dealer with proof of insurance or the title of the vehicle.

   • 3

     Pay the service fee. As of 2009, a basic Toyota replacement key cost between $15 and $25, depending on the make, model and year of the vehicle.

   Replace an Immobilizer Key with Remote

   • 1

     Tow the vehicle to your local Toyota dealer. Provide the dealer with your vehicle identification number and proof of ownership. In most cases, the dealer can replace and program the key and remote within one visit. Many dealers maintain key and remote replacements on-site, eliminating the need to order replacement keys.

   • 2

     The dealer must program a new code into the new remote control. The programming process requires that the vehicle be on-site, so this step is 100 percent necessary. The dealer will complete the process, synching the new remote to the flash in the main computer of your vehicle.

   • 3

     Pay the service and programming fees. A service fee is required to replace the door key. An additional programming fee is also required to sync the chip inside the remote control to your vehicle. As of 2009, the service fee can range from $60 to $80 and the programming fee can range from $100 to several hundred dollars depending on the make, model and year of the vehicle and type of remote.

Tips & Warnings

• Contact Toyota directly for additional assistance. Go to the Toyota website or call (800) 331-4331.

• Pricing and service times may vary by dealership.

• It is not necessary to bring the vehicle to the dealership if you are only replacing the door key and have the VIN, owner's manual, proof of ownership and proof of ID.