Toyota Hilux (2017 year). Manual - part 125

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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

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Check the battery as follows.

■

Caution symbols
The meanings of each caution symbol on the top of the battery are
as follows:

■

Battery exterior
Make sure that the battery terminals are not corroded and that
there are no loose connections, cracks, or loose clamps.

Terminals
Hold-down clamp

Battery

No smoking, no naked
flames, no sparks

Battery acid

Shield eyes

Note operating 
instructions

Keep away from 
children

Explosive gas

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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

■

Checking battery fluid (vehicles with maintenance type bat-
tery)
If there are lines on the side of the battery: 
Check that the level is between the upper and lower lines. 

Upper line
Lower line

If the fluid level is at or below the
lower line, add distilled water.

If there are not lines on the side of the battery: 
Check the fluid level as follows.

Remove the vent plug.
Check the fluid level by look-
ing directly at the cell.

If the fluid level is low, add dis-
tilled water.

Put the vent plug back on and close it securely.

■

Adding distilled water (vehicles with maintenance type bat-
tery)

Remove the vent plug.
Add distilled water.
Put the vent plug back on and close it securely.

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Low

O.K.

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Before recharging
When recharging, the battery produces hydrogen gas which is flammable and
explosive. Therefore, observe the following before recharging:

●

If recharging with the battery installed on the vehicle, be sure to disconnect
the ground cable.

●

Make sure the power switch on the charger is off when connecting and dis-
connecting the charger cables to the battery.

■

After recharging/reconnecting the battery (vehicles with smart entry &
start system)
The engine may not start. Follow the procedure below to initialize the system. 

Shift the shift lever to P (automatic transmission) or depress the brake
pedal with the shift lever in N (manual transmission).
Open and close any of the doors.
Restart the engine.

●

Unlocking the doors using the smart entry & start system may not be possi-
ble immediately after reconnecting the battery. If this happens, use the wire-
less remote control or the mechanical key to lock/unlock the doors.

●

Start the engine with the engine switch in ACCESSORY mode. The engine
may not start with the engine switch turned off. However, the engine will
operate normally from the second attempt.

●

The engine switch mode is recorded by the vehicle. If the battery is recon-
nected, the vehicle will return the engine switch mode to the status it was in
before the battery was disconnected. Make sure to turn off the engine
before disconnect the battery. Take extra care when connecting the battery
if the engine switch mode prior to discharge is unknown.

If the system will not start even after multiple attempts, contact any authorized
Toyota dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.

■

If a symbol of a battery is shown on the multi-information display (if
equipped)
There is a malfunction in the vehicle’s charging system.
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact any authorized
Toyota dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.
Continuing to drive the vehicle may be dangerous.

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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

WARNING

■

Chemicals in the battery
Batteries contain poisonous and corrosive sulfuric acid and may produce
hydrogen gas which is flammable and explosive. To reduce the risk of death
or serious injury, take the following precautions while working on or near the
battery:

●

Do not cause sparks by touching the battery terminals with tools.

●

Do not smoke or light a match near the battery.

●

Avoid contact with eyes, skin and clothes.

●

Never inhale or swallow electrolyte.

●

Wear protective safety glasses when working near the battery.

●

Keep children away from the battery.

■

Where to safely charge the battery
Always charge the battery in an open area. Do not charge the battery in a
garage or closed room where there is insufficient ventilation.

■

How to recharge the battery (vehicles with maintenance-free type bat-
tery)
Only perform a slow charge (5 A or less). The battery may explode if
charged at a quicker rate.

■

Emergency measures regarding electrolyte

●

If electrolyte gets in your eyes
Flush your eyes with clean water for at least 15 minutes and get immedi-
ate medical attention. If possible, continue to apply water with a sponge or
cloth while traveling to the nearest medical facility.

●

If electrolyte gets on your skin
Wash the affected area thoroughly. If you feel pain or burning, get medical
attention immediately.

●

If electrolyte gets on your clothes
It can soak through clothing on to your skin. Immediately take off the cloth-
ing and follow the procedure above if necessary.

●

If you accidentally swallow electrolyte
Drink a large quantity of water or milk. Get emergency medical attention
immediately.

●

When there is insufficient battery fluid 
Do not use if there is insufficient fluid in the battery. There is a possible
danger that the battery may explode.

■

When disconnecting the battery
Do not disconnect the negative (-) terminal on the body. The disconnected
negative (-) terminal may touch the positive (+) terminal, which may cause a
short and result in death or serious injury.