HELP, new Yaris owner

[DingoDog]

Morning

My wife recently purchased a old Toyota Yaris 'Y' reg. With winter coming I was wanting to check the oil and water and put some anti freeze in. Could someone please post a picture of the water intake and let me know if there is a fill level indicator in there.

Also do I need a particular type of oil or will anything do?

Sorry for such a basic question but were both VERY new to car ownership!!

Any other general maintenance advice would be much appreciated.

[AND189]

well mate when it comes to water the fill level indicator is when it is over flowing if it is a new toyota it should have the anti freeze in it already to check when the car has not been running and is not hot e.g cold morning befor work open the radiator cap and see if the water is pink green on clear if it is pink or green you can only put pink or green radiator fluid in do not mix always use the same but if it is clear than there is no anti freeze in there and you need to see witch one is best for your car e.g see toyota as for oil it cant freeze but to check the level you should look for the dipstick look in the car book for that :) no drama

[DingoDog]

cheers fella, I'll pop the bonnet and check the radiator cap. So I just fill until overflowing and use the same colour as what was in. I'm guessing it won't have any in as it was a private sale from a fairly old gentleman who looked to have even less of an idea than me!!

Thanks again for your help

[AND189]

yeh mate look in the over flow it is a tank that is white that catches the fluid so even if there is to much it will just flow out be sure to fill the over fill to full to because the radiator can suck some out of that if need be, but you should be right... you should get into the habit of checking water oil tire air every time you wash your car or refill washer fluid being a private sale from a fairly old gentleman who looked to have even less of an idea than me!! i would have the car serviced and for toyota yaris every 10,000 km but you would know that ???

[DingoDog]

look at the overflow white tank, hmm I'm a bit useless with cars, don't suppose you have a picture or a link to a picture that would show me?

[AND189]

i am going to go and look hold on

[AND189]

ok is yours a hb ?

[AND189]

if it is when you pop the hood and look down to the left of the toyota badge but in the engine bay you will see a white tank that has a marked line to full ... in my car the fluid is pink and mine is just under full i have an 08 hb

[DingoDog]

yeah its a 2001 hatch back

[DingoDog]

so do I fill the tank up or the radiator? Sorry I bet I sound like a complete numpty and I'm sure once I do it all will become clear

[AND189]

first check the radiator cap if it is dry put some in till it over flows then put the cap back on then start the car let it run for 5 then check the tank if it is empty fill the tank or top it to full do never open the radiator cap when the car is hot it will blow out boiling water and you will get burnt but it is ok to fill the tank when the motor is warm not hot

[DingoDog]

Thanks for all your help, much appreciated

[jambo101]

Your antifreeze should be mixed 50/50 with water before you pour it in the radiator or overflow tank if into thye overflow tank dont fill it all the way but just to the line,if after a short drive it low fill it back up to the line.,and dont mix up the windshield washer tank with the radiator overflow tank.

Not the best pic but the radiator overflow reservoir will be at the end of the small tube leading from the radiator cap
http://www.toyoland.com/images/yaris/engine.jpg