Timing Belt Versus Timing Chain

Does my Toyota have a timing belt or a timing chain?

Model	Year	Engine	Belt/Chain/Gear
4Runner	1990-2000,2010	4 Cylinder	Chain
	1990-2002	V6	Belt
	2003-2010	V6	Chain
	2003-2009	V8	Belt
Avalon	1995-2003	V6	Belt
	2004-2011	V6	Chain
Camry	1990-2001	All	Belt
	2002-2011	4 Cylinder	Chain
	1990-2006	V6	Belt
	2007-2011	V6	Chain
Camry Hybrid	2007-2011	4 Cylinder	Chain
Celica	1990-1999	4 Cylinder	Belt
	2000-2005	4 Cylinder	Chain
Corolla	1990-1997	4 Cylinder	Belt
	1998-2010	4 Cylinder	Chain
Cressida	1990-1992	L6	Belt
ECHO	2000-2005	4 Cylinder	Chain
FJ Cruiser	2007-2010	V6	Chain
Highlander	2001-2008,2010	4 Cylinder	Chain
	2001-2007	V6	Belt
	2008-2010	V6	Chain
Highlander Hybrid	2006-2010	V6	Belt
Land Cruiser	1990-1992	L6	Gear
	1993-1997	L6	Chain
	1998-2007	V8	Belt
	2008-2010	V8	Chain
MR2	1990-1995	4 Cylinder	Belt
MR2 Spyder	2000-2005	4 Cylinder	Chain
Matrix	2003-2010	4 Cylinder	Chain
Paseo	1992-1997	4 Cylinder	Belt
Previa	1991-1997	4 Cylinder	Chain
Prius	2001-2010	4 Cylinder	Chain
RAV4	1996-2000	4 Cylinder	Belt
	2001-2010	4 Cylinder	Chain
	2006-2010	V6	Chain
Sequoia	2001-2007	V8	Belt
	2009	4.7 V8	Belt
	2010	4.6 V8	Chain
	2010	5.7 V8	Chain
Sienna	2011	4 Cylinder	Chain
	1998-2006	V6	Belt
	2007-2011	V6	Chain
Solara	1999-2001	4 Cylinder	Belt
	2002-2008	4 Cylinder	Chain
	1999-2009	V6	Belt
Supra	1990-1998	L6	Belt
T100	1993-1998	4 Cylinder	Chain
	1993-1998	V6	Belt
Tacoma	1995-2010	4 Cylinder	Chain
	1995-2004	V6	Belt
	2005-2010	V6	Chain
Tercel	1990-1998	4 Cylinder	Belt
Truck	1990-1995	4 Cylinder	Chain
	1990-1995	V6	Belt
Tundra	2000-2004	V6	Belt
	2005-2010	V6	Chain
	2000-2009	4.7 V8	Belt
	2010	4.6 V8	Chain
	2007-2010	5.7 V8	Chain
Venza	2009-2010	All	Chain
Yaris	2007-2010	4 Cylinder	Chain

If your vehicle is a 1999 model year or newer and is equipped with a timing belt, you should replace it every 90,000 miles or six years, whichever comes first.

For all other Toyota vehicles equipped with a timing belt, we recommend that the timing belt be inspected with the other drive belts at 60,000 miles or four years, whichever comes first, and every 15,000 miles thereafter and replaced as necessary. Because the costs involved with inspecting the timing belt may be similar to those of having it replaced, many customers may find it more cost effective to replace the timing belt at 60,000-mile intervals.

Should the timing belt break while you are driving the vehicle, severe engine damage could result. The higher the speed, the more extensive the damage could be.

If you have additional questions, please refer to your Scheduled Maintenance Guide or Owner's Manual Supplement or contact your local dealer.



For Timing Chain and Gears, there are no prescribed replacement intervals; these components should be replaced as needed.

Resetting Your Maintenance Required Light

In most Toyota models the "Maintenance Required" reminder light comes on between 4500 to 5000 miles after the last oil change and when the reminder light has been reset. Should you ever need or want to reset your maintenance light yourself, here are the easy steps:

• Begin with the engine either running or with the "Engine Start Stop" switch or engine ignition switch to the "On" position

• Using the trip meter reset button, advance the odometer/trip meter indicator so that the trip meter "A" reading is shown, then turn off the vehicle

• While pressing the trip meter reset button, turn the "Engine Start Stop" switch or engine ignition switch to the "On" position

› Without the multi-information display...

Continue to press and hold the knob until the trip meter displays "000000"

› With the multi-information display...

Continue to press and hold the knob until "COMPLETE" appears on the multi-information display

• The "Maintenance Required" reminder light should now be off

Dinghy Towing A Toyota?

Did You Know That Several Toyota
Models May Be Towed Dinghy-Style?

It's true. It's all based upon the drivetrain. If you have a front-wheel drive Toyota equipped with a manual transmission it can be be towed with all four wheels on the road.

Here are the precautions which must be followed to ensure that your don't damage your vehicle vehicle while towing it dinghy-style:

• The manual transmission shift lever must be in neutral before dinghy towing. (If the vehicle were to be left in gear, engine, transmission and differential damage would occur.)

• The ignition switch must be turned to the ACC position--this will unlock the steering wheel. (With all four wheels on the ground, the front wheels must remain free to turn when the towed vehicle goes around a corner.)

• All accessories (radio, air conditioning, entertainment system, etc.) should be turned off.

• The parking brake should not be set. (Leaving the parking brake on, even partially, would damage the brakes and the resulting overheating of the brakes should start a fire.)

• After being towed, the vehicle must be started and allowed to idle for a minimum of three minutes before being driven. (This ensures that all transmission and drive system components are completely lubricated.)

• Remember, before towing any vehicle, always refer to your Owner's Manual and any instructions provided by the tow bar manufacturer. Be certain to follow all instructions given in the manual.

Current Toyota Models Which May Be Dinghy Towed (FWD w/manual):
• Manual transmission Camry models
• Manual transmission Corolla models
• Manual transmission front-wheel drive Matrix models
• Manual transmission Yaris models

Current Toyota Models Which Need To Be Dolly Towed (FWD w/auto):
• Avalon
• Camry (w/automatic transmission)
• Camry Hybrid
• Corolla (w/automatic transmission)
• Matrix (front-wheel drive w/automatic transmission)
• Prius
• Venza (front-wheel drive)
• Yaris (w/automatic transmission)
• Highlander (front-wheel drive)
• Rav4 (front-wheel drive)
• Sienna (front-wheel drive)

Current Toyota Models Which Need To Be Flatbed-Towed (RWD, AWD & 4WD models)
• Matrix AWD models
• Venza AWD models
• FJ Cruiser
• 4Runner
• Highlander 4WD
• Highlander Hybrid
• Land Cruiser
• Rav4 AWD
• Sequoia
• Sienna AWD
• Tacoma
• Tundra

Toyota Has Begun Switch To Synthetic Oil

Nearly six months ago Toyota announced its plan to transition to the use of synthetic oil in its new models. The models shown on the left all now use 0W-20 weight synthetic oil. Toyota expects this change-over to take several years before all of our models receive the benefits which the use of synthetic oil provides: slightly higher fuel economy (about 1/2 mile per gallon), longer oil change intervals (every 12 months or 10,000 miles--for most drivers), better lubrication in cold-start and cold-running conditions, as well as more stable behavior under high heat.

It is important to note that synthetic oil costs more than conventional oil. You should expect to pay about $30.00 more for your oil changes, but remember you'll be having them done less often. In the meantime, you'll be having less wear and tear on the internal moving parts of your engine and you'll be getting better gas mileage.

Who is a fleet customer?

The short answer to this question is.... just about everyone. Big corporations, small businesses and individuals can all benefit from purchasing their vehicles (company-owned and privately-owned) through our fleet department. We make it our business to save you, our clients, money.

The state of Toyota sales in the Post-Cash For Clunker era

Wow! What a hectic summer that was for us. The unpredictable Cash For Clunkers program has us and many of our clients running ragged. As with most government programs, nobody knew how the program actually worked. We didn't know, the consumer didn't know and the people in the government running the program most certainly didn't know.

We managed to sell a whole lot (actually about three car lots) full of vehicles. Our inventory got so low at one point that we were thinking about going on vacation. Of course, the first cars to go were the Prius, Corolla, Yaris, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Matrix, Scion xB, Scion xD, Scion tC, Rav4, Tacoma, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid and Sienna. We sold out of all of these models and we even got really low on the Tundra, 4Runner, Venza and Sequoia.

Now, it's back to business.

Our inventory levels are coming back up. We are still a little light on a couple of models, but overall we are in pretty good shape. The factory continues to support us with some great incentives: discounted interest rates, cash rebates and some amazing discounted 36 month leases.

Just arriving, the all-new 2010 4Runner. We are expecting the delivery of our first 2010 4Runner in the next several days.

Toyota has rolled out its Safety Connect service. This is a service which offers many similar features as General Motors' On-Star service. Currently, we are seeing it just on the 2010 Prius models which are equipped with the factory navigation system (included with the solar moonroof package). The service is complimentary for the first year.

Come in an check out our models in our 30-plus car indoor showroom--you'll be safe from the wind, the rain and the cold.

Our move is complete!

Well, at long last our move to our new home is complete. Our fleet offices are up on the second floor--the second set of windows from the right. The dealership is very impressive. We have a spacious showroom, a luxurious customer lounge, a retail parts area, drive-in service check-in, over 30 service bays, an indoor 30-plus vehicle showroom and a cafe / coffee bar. The cafe is aptly named, the onlyway cafe. The sandwiches are outstanding and the premium coffee is complimentary. WiFi is also free.

The other exciting news is that that the all-new 2010 Prius models have begun to arrive. We have received two and nearly 20 more already on their way to us--with many more to follow. The upgraded 1.8L 4-cylinder engine is a welcome addition--adding more power while achieving an average overall gas mileage rating of 50 mpg! The exterior has been modified to be slightly more aggressive looking and the interior has been entirely reworked--the steering wheel is now both tilt and telescopic, the gear shift selector has been repositioned, the driver's seat is now height-adjustable and the Prius now an EV only mode (along economy and power settings). Available options now include heated seats (included with the leather interior) and an optional solar moonroof (which powers an auxiliary fan to cool the interior of the Prius). Call or e-mail us today to arrange a tour of our new facility or to see any of our Toyota and Scion models.