Vitz (Yaris) advice needed pls

[tyrone_yaris]

Hello, I'm new to this.

I recently got my Yaris 2007 post facelift model imported form Japan a week ago. Its known as a Vitz here. It has about 27,400 km on the clock with the auction report. I just have a few questions:

1. Do I need to change the engine oil / filter ? Currently the engine oil is somewhere in between the two holes on the dip stick, say about 1/2 inch below the top hole and a slightly darkish brown.

2. Should I replace the CVT transmission oil as I heard that its supposed to last a lifetime. There is also no dipstick to check the level of the CVT as in earlier models Why did Toyota do that?????

Thanks in advance

Tyrone

[bronsin]

Do you have an owners manual? What does it say to do? About the CVT oil? If so whatever it says do it.

Since the engine oil DOES have to be changed at intervals and you do not know when it was last changed (and the oil isnt full indicating its been some time since it was changed) go ahead and change it.

[tyrone_yaris]

Thanks Bronsin,

The owner's manual I have is in japanese. It came with the car :s

When does the engine oil indicator on the dash light up? I'm sure it would have by now if the oil was too low. Just asking.

[bronsin]

Originally Posted by tyrone_yaris

Thanks Bronsin,

The owner's manual I have is in japanese. It came with the car :s

When does the engine oil indicator on the dash light up? I'm sure it would have by now if the oil was too low. Just asking.

Well there are two lights. If the low oil pressure light comes on the engine is toast.

If its the service light (probably) it means its time to service the engine and you should change the oil.

To turn the light off:

With the engine running set the trip meter to ODO.

Shut the engine off.

Hold the button in you used to set the ODO.

Start the engine while holding the button in.

Light goes off after a few seconds.

The light comes on every 6000 miles on mine.

Which doesnt mean a thing unless the car has been serviced by the POs. Which of course you have no idea.

[tyrone_yaris]

Thanks Bronsin,

Will check the dash for how many oil lights before switching on the engine.

[bronsin]

You should be able to get an english version of the OM on line. Then you can find out about when the CVT oil is changed.

I ran a machine at work once made in Japan. One day I pushed the wrong button and all the instructions on the CRT turned to Japanese! The company had to spend $5000 (the price of one days consultation) to get a service rep in to set it back to english!

[Yury]

Originally Posted by tyrone_yaris

Hello, I'm new to this.

1. Do I need to change the engine oil / filter ? Currently the engine oil is somewhere in between the two holes on the dip stick, say about 1/2 inch below the top hole and a slightly darkish brown.

I don't think you can judge the oil condition by just looking at it. Different oils look different. The Quaker State I buy for my Honda is dark brown right out of the bottle.

Oil level - it really depends on when you checked the level. If the car has been sitting, say, overnight than between the notches would mean low level because there is no oil in the engine and filter. The manual will probably say something along the line of checking it when you fill up, i.e. when the car has been recently ran and engine and filter has oil in it. When you find the manual, verify it just in case.
Also, for most cars difference between the two marks on the dipstick is about a liter. You need to know that so you don't overfill when adding. On a Yaris however, this difference is more like 1.5 l (I am speaking of 1.5 gas engine). Again, the manual would have that info.

[WinstonVitzRS]

I have a Toyota Vitz RS japan import. My opinion is to do a general service on the engine break pads ... because you don't know when did dis Japanese guy did the last service.
Good luck With your Vitz Japanese the best :)

[srslidins14]

I'd do a tune up and routine maint. On it including brake service like mentioned above.... As for your transmission fluid, you will not need to service it as its a sealed transmission... The only reason the fluid would be changed is if there was a transmission service or it was replaced. Good luck

[Yury]

Originally Posted by srslidins14

I'd do a tune up and routine maint. On it including brake service like mentioned above.... As for your transmission fluid, you will not need to service it as its a sealed transmission... The only reason the fluid would be changed is if there was a transmission service or it was replaced. Good luck

sealed? what do you mean, there's a dipstick and a drain plug. I am talking about 1.5 auto.
EDIT: ah, this is CVT...no idea about this one.

[tyrone_yaris]

Thanks guys for all your replies.

I did an oil change and the oil was black. When i checked it this morning after the car sat overnight, the level was just a wee bit above the top notch.

The few service manual pages that someone on this site recommended me to download says that that it shld be between the bottom and top notch

If what Yuri says is true, then when is the best time to check the engine oil??????

[tyrone_yaris]

I've tried searching the net but no luck. Where in the world can I download an english version of the Yaris 1kr-fe owner's manual????

[Betrivent]

If you're unsure about the oil.. change it now and start tracking it from this first change

[bronsin]

Originally Posted by tyrone_yaris

Thanks guys for all your replies.

I did an oil change and the oil was black. When i checked it this morning after the car sat overnight, the level was just a wee bit above the top notch.

The few service manual pages that someone on this site recommended me to download says that that it shld be between the bottom and top notch

If what Yuri says is true, then when is the best time to check the engine oil??????

NO if you drain the oil, change the filter and add 3.7 quarts the level will be at or near the TOP mark. After a few thousand miles the level is OK if its between the marks.

Check the oil in the morning when the engine is cold and before starting it.

You can also shut it off and wait 15 minutes in my experience.

[tyrone_yaris]

Thanks boss for the clarification :)

[Yury]

Checking in the morning is the best in the sense that it's the most reliable reading because all of oil has returned to the pan. However the level will be artificially high, so you are looking for well above the top notch. Owners manuals usually says to check after the car has been driven and was off for several minutes. Then between notches is normal, however you want to be close to the top one. Besides it's much less reliable as oil is still returning to the pan. In my experience it may take hours.
Alternatively, you can check in the morning after running the engine for 10 seconds so the oil entered the filter.

For Yaris oil burning is not usually an issue, but it's still a good thing to check once in a while. So, you can check in the mornings and compare. Just don't be alarmed if it's way above the top notch. Like up to an inch above.

[tyrone_yaris]

Thanks Yuri. I drove abt 2 km stopped car, waited awhile, and checked the oil. It was at the top notch.

Just one thing. The service guy showed me that there is a slight leak near the nut at the oil drain pan. He said to change the seal/gasket. What's that?????

[bronsin]

Originally Posted by tyrone_yaris

Thanks Yuri. I drove abt 2 km stopped car, waited awhile, and checked the oil. It was at the top notch.

Just one thing. The service guy showed me that there is a slight leak near the nut at the oil drain pan. He said to change the seal/gasket. What's that?????

For the time being just get your 14mm wrench and tighten the bolt a little bit more. That might just stop the leak.

Next time you change the oil look at the drain bolt. Theres a special sealing washer on it. If its still leaks get another one from Toyota. Theirs will last the life of the car.

Oh wait a minute.

Start the engine and see if oil drips from the bolt. If nothing happens for 10 minutes you can pretty much forget about it. Hysterical service guy stirring you up.

Forgot about that...