Toyota Corolla 1999 Owner’s Manual

For your safety and comfort,

read carefully and keep in the vehicle.

ᄷCorolla (U)

Foreword

Welcome to the growing group of value−conscious people who drive Toyotas. We
are proud of the advanced engineering and quality construction of each vehicle we
build.

This Owner’s Manual explains the features of your new Toyota. Please read it and
follow the instructions carefully so that you can enjoy many years of safe motoring.

When it comes to service, remember that your Toyota dealer knows your vehicle
best and is interested in your complete satisfaction. He will provide quality mainte­nance and any other assistance you may require.

Please leave this Owner’s Manual in this vehicle at the time of resale. The next
owner will need this information also.

All information and specifications in this manual are current at the time of
printing. However, because of Toyota’s policy of continual product improve­ment, we reserve the right to make changes at any time without notice.

Please note that this manual applies to all models and explains all equipment,
including options. Therefore, you may find some explanations for equipment
not installed on your vehicle.

©1998 TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION

All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or copied, in whole or in
part, without the written permission of Toyota Motor Corporation.

i

ᄷCorolla (U)

New vehicle warranty

Your new vehicle is covered by the following Toyota
limited warranties:

New vehicle warranty



Emission control systems warranty





Others

For further information, please refer to the separate
"Owner’s Warranty Information Booklet" or "Owner’s
Manual Supplement".

Your responsibility for maintenance

It is owner’s responsibility to make sure that the speci­fied maintenance is performed. Part 6 gives details of
these maintenance requirements. Also included in Part 6
is general maintenance. For scheduled maintenance in­formation, please refer to the separate "Scheduled Main­tenance Guide" or "Owner’s Manual Supplement".

Accessories, spare parts and

modification of your Toyota

A wide variety of non−genuine spare parts and accesso­ries for Toyota vehicles are currently available in the
market. You should know that Toyota does not warrant
these products and is not responsible either for their
performance, repair or replacement, or for any damage
they may cause to, or adverse effect they may have on,
your Toyota vehicle.

This vehicle should not be modified with non−genuine
Toyota products. Modification with non−genuine Toyota
products could affect its performance, safety or durabili­ty, and may even violate governmental regulations. In
addition, damage or performance problems resulting from
the modification may not be covered under warranty.

ii

ᄷCorolla (U)

Spark ignition system of

your Toyota

The spark ignition system in your Toyota meets all re­quirements of the Canadian Interference−Causing Equip­ment Standard.

Installation of a mobile

two−way radio system

As the installation of a mobile two−way radio system in
your vehicle could affect electronic systems such as
multiport fuel injection system/sequential multiport fuel
injection system, cruise control system, anti−lock brake
system, SRS airbag system and seat belt pretensioner
system, be sure to check with your Toyota dealer for
precautionary measures or special instructions regarding
installation.

Scrapping of your Toyota

The SRS airbag and seat belt pretensioner devices in
your Toyota contain explosive chemicals. If the vehicle
is scrapped with the airbags and pretensioners left as
they are, it may cause an accident such as a fire. Be
sure to have the systems of the SRS airbag and seat
belt pretensioner removed and disposed of by the quali­fied service shop or by your Toyota dealer before you
dispose of your vehicle.

iii

ᄷCorolla (U)

iv

ᄷCorolla (U)

Part

1 OPERATION OF INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS

Chapter Page

1−1 Overview of instruments and controls 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1−2 Keys and Doors 9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1−3 Seats, Seat belts, Steering wheel and Mirrors 21. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1−4 Lights, Wipers and Defogger 71. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1−5 Gauges, Meters and Service reminder indicators 77. . . . . . . . . . . . .

1−6 Ignition switch, Transmission and Parking brake 85. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1−7 Car audio system and Air conditioning system 97. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1−8 Other equipment 125. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2 INFORMATION BEFORE DRIVING YOUR TOYOTA 129. . . . . . . . . .

3 STARTING AND DRIVING 141. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4 IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY 151. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5 CORROSION PREVENTION AND APPEARANCE CARE 169. . . . .

6 VEHICLE MAINTENANCE AND CARE 175. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7 DO−IT−YOURSELF MAINTENANCE

Chapter

7−1 Introduction 181. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7−2 Engine and Chassis 187. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7−3 Electrical components 197. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8 SPECIFICATIONS 209. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

9 REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS FOR U.S. OWNERS

AND UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING 215. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

10 INDEX NO TAG. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

v

ᄷCorolla (U)

Important information about this manual

Safety and vehicle damage warnings

In this manual, you will see CAUTION and NOTICE warn­ings. These are used in the following ways:

CAUTION

This is a warning against something which may cause
injury to people if the warning is ignored. You are
informed what you must or must not do in order to
avoid or reduce the risk to yourself and other people.

NOTICE

This is a warning against something which may cause
damage to the vehicle or its equipment if the warning
is ignored. You are informed what you must or must
not do in order to avoid or reduce the risk of damage
to your vehicle and its equipment.

Safety symbol

In this manual, you will also see a circle
with a slash through it. This means "Do
not", "Do not do this", or "Do not let this
happen".

vi

Part 1
OPERATION OF
INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLS—

Chapter 1−1
Overview of instruments
and controls

 Instrument panel overview

 Instrument cluster overview

 Indicator symbols on the

instrument panel

Corolla (U)

1

Instrument panel overview

Corolla (U)

1. Rear view mirror remote control levers

2. Side vents

3. Instrument cluster

4. Center vents

5. Electric moon roof switch and
personal light

6. Power door lock switches
(vehicles without power windows)

7. Glove box

8. Power door lock switches
(vehicles with power windows)

9. Power window switches

10. Automatic transmission selector lever or
manual transmission gear shift lever

11. Parking brake lever

12. Hood lock release lever

2

Corolla (U)

1. Power rear view mirror control switch

2. Headlight and turn signal switch

3. Wiper and washer switches

4. Emergency flasher switch

5. Clock

6. Rear window defogger switch

7. Car audio

8. Air conditioning controls

9. Auxiliary box

10. Cup holder

11. Cigarette lighter

12. Ashtray

13. Ignition switch

14. Cruise control switch

15. Tilt steering lock release lever

16. Instrument panel light control knob

3

Instrument cluster overview

Ty pe A

Corolla (U)

1. Service reminder indicators and
indicator lights

2. Engine coolant temperature gauge

3. Fuel gauge

4

4. Speedometer

5. Trip meter reset knob

6. Odometer and two trip meters

Type B

Corolla (U)

1. Service reminder indicators and
indicator lights

2. Tachometer

3. Speedometer

4. Fuel gauge

5. Trip meter reset knob

6. Odometer and two trip meters

7. Thermometer

8. Engine coolant temperature gauge

5

Type C

Corolla (U)

1. Service reminder indicators and
indicator lights

2. Tachometer

3. Speedometer

6

4. Fuel gauge

5. Trip meter reset knob

6. Odometer and two trip meters

7. Thermometer

8. Engine coolant temperature gauge

Indicator symbols on the instrument panel

(type A)

Brake system warning light

(type B)

∗

1

Corolla (U)

SRS airbag warning light

Low fuel level warning light

∗

1

∗

1

(type A)

(type B)

∗

Seat belt reminder light

Discharge warning light

Malfunction indicator lamp

Low oil pressure warning light

1

∗

1

∗

1

∗

1

Anti-lock brake system warning light

∗

Open door warning light

1

Low windshield washer fluid level warning

∗

1

light

Turn signal indicator lights

Headlight high beam indicator light

Overdrive−off indicator light

∗

Cruise control indicator light

∗

1

2

Rear window defogger indicator light

∗

1

: For details, see ”Service reminder indicators and warning

buzzers” in Chapter 1−5.

∗

2

: If this light flashes, see ”Cruise control” in Chapter 1−6.

7

Corolla (U)

8

Corolla (U)

Part 1
OPERATION OF
INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLS—

Chapter 1−2
Keys and Doors

 Keys

 Side doors

 Power windows

 Trunk lid

 Hood

 Theft deterrent system

 Fuel tank cap

 Electric moon roof

Keys

Your vehicle is supplied with two kinds
of key.

1. Master key—This key works in every
lock.

2. Sub key—This key will not work in the
trunk.

To protect things locked in the trunk when
you have your vehicle parked, leave the
sub key with the attendant.

Since the doors and trunk lid can be
locked without a key, you should always
carry a spare master key in case you
accidentally lock your keys inside the ve­hicle.

KEY NUMBER PLATE
Your key number is shown on the plate.

Keep the plate in a safe place such as
your wallet, not in the vehicle.

If you should lose your keys or if you
need additional keys, duplicates can be
made by a Toyota dealer using the key
number.

We recommend you to write down the key
number and keep it in safe place.

9

Side doors

Corolla (U)

LOCKING AND UNLOCKING WITH KEY
Insert the key into the keyhole and turn

it.

To lock: Turn the key forward.
To unlock: Turn the key backward.

Vehicles with power door lock system—All
the doors lock and unlock simultaneously
with either front door. In the driver’s door
lock, turning the key once will unlock the
driver’s door and twice in succession will
unlock all the doors simultaneously.

10

LOCKING AND UNLOCKING WITH
INSIDE LOCK BUTTON

Move the lock button.

To lock: Push the knob down.
To unlock: Pull the knob up.

Closing the door with the lock knob in the
lock position will also lock the door. Be
careful not to lock your keys in the ve­hicle.

Vehicles with power door lock sys­tem—The door cannot be locked if you
leave the key in the ignition switch.

Vehicles with power windows (driver’s
side)

Vehicles with power windows (passen­ger’s side)

Corolla (U)

CAUTION

Before driving, be sure that the doors
are closed and locked, especially
when small children are in the ve­hicle. Along with the proper use of
seat belts, locking the doors helps
prevent the driver and passengers
from being thrown out from the ve­hicle during an accident. It also helps
prevent the doors from being opened
unintentionally.

Vehicles without power windows

LOCKING AND UNLOCKING WITH POW­ER DOOR LOCK SWITCH

Push the switch.

Vehicles with power windows—

To lock: Push the switch on the front side.
To unlock: Push the switch on the rear
side.

Vehicles without power windows—

To lock: Push the switch on the ”LOCK”
side.
To unlock: Push the switch on the oppo­site side of the ”LOCK” side.

All the doors lock or unlock simultaneous­ly.

REAR DOOR CHILD−PROTECTORS
Move the lock lever to the ”LOCK”

position as shown on the label.

This feature allows you to lock a rear
door so it can be opened from the outside
only, not from inside. We recommend us­ing this feature whenever small children
are in the vehicle.

11

Power windows

Corolla (U)

Window
lock button

The windows can be operated with the
switch on each door.

The power windows work when the ignition
switch is in the ”ON” position.

OPERATING THE DRIVER’S WINDOW
Use the switch on the driver’s door.
Normal operation: The window moves as

long as you hold the switch.

To open: Lightly push down the switch.
To close: Pull up the switch.

12

Automatic operation (to open only):

Push the switch completely down and then
release it. The window will fully open. To
stop the window partway, lightly pull the
switch up and then release it.

OPERATING THE PASSENGERS’ WIN­DOWS

Use the switches on the passengers’
doors. The driver’s door also has
switches that control the passengers’
windows.

The window moves as long as you hold
the switch.

To open: Push down the switch.
To close: Pull up the switch.

If you push in the window lock button on
the driver’s door, the passengers’ windows
cannot be operated.

CAUTION

To avoid serious personal injury, you
must do the following.

 Always make sure the head, hands

and other parts of the body of all
occupants are kept completely in­side the vehicle before you close
the power windows. If someone’s
neck, head or hands gets caught in
a closing window, it could result in
a serious injury. When anyone
closes the power windows, be sure
that they operate the windows safe­ly.

 When small children are in the ve-

hicle, never let them use the power
window switches without supervi­sion. Use the window lock button to
prevent them from making unex­pected use of the switches.

 Never leave small children alone in

the vehicle, especially with the igni­tion key still inserted. They could
use the power window switches and
get trapped in a window. Unat­tended children can become in­volved in serious accidents.

Corolla (U)

Trunk lid—

To open the trunk lid from the outside,
insert the master key and turn it clock­wise.

See ”Luggage stowage precautions” in
Part 2 for precautions to observe for load­ing luggage.

To close the trunk lid, lower it and press
down on it. After closing the trunk lid, try
pulling it up to make sure it is securely
closed.

13

CAUTION

Keep the trunk lid closed while driv­ing. This not only keeps the luggage
from being thrown out but also pre­vents exhaust gases from entering
the vehicle.

—Lock release lever

Corolla (U)

—Lock release lever
cancelling system

14

To open the trunk lid from the driver’s
seat, pull up on the lock release lever.

After closing the trunk lid, insert the
master key and turn it counterclockwise
to deactivate the lock release lever.

After closing the trunk lid, try pulling it up
to make sure it is securely locked.

Hood

Corolla (U)

To open the hood:

1. Pull the hood lock release lever. The
hood will spring up slightly.

CAUTION

Before driving, be sure that the hood
is closed and securely locked. Other­wise, the hood may open unexpected­ly while driving and an accident may
occur.

2. In front of the vehicle, pull up the
auxiliary catch lever and lift the
hood.

3. Hold the hood open by inserting the
support rod into the slot.

Before closing the hood, check to see that
you have not forgotten any tools, rags,
etc. and return the support rod to its clip−
this prevents rattles. Then lower the hood
make sure it locks into place. If neces­sary, press down gently on the front edge
to lock it.

CAUTION

After inserting the support rod into
the slot, make sure the rod supports
the hood security from falling down
on to your head or body.

15

Theft deterrent system—

To deter the vehicle theft, the system
is designed to give an alarm and keep
the engine from being started if any of
the doors, trunk or hood is forcibly un­locked or the battery terminal is discon­nected and then reconnected when the
vehicle is locked.

The alarm blows the horn intermittently
and flashes the headlights, tail lights. The
engine cannot be started because the
starter circuit will be cut.

SETTING THE SYSTEM

1. Turn the ignition key to the ”LOCK”
position and remove it.

2. Have all passengers get out of the
vehicle.

3. Close and lock all the doors, trunk and
hood.

The indicator light will come on when all
the doors, trunk and hood are closed and
locked.

Corolla (U)

As the doors are locked, the system will
give you a preparation time of 30 seconds
before the setting, during which the doors,
trunk and hood may be opened.

Be careful not to unlock any door with the
key or wireless remote control transmitter
during setting. This will cancel the system.

4. After making sure the indicator light
starts flashing, you may leave the ve­hicle.

The system will automatically be set after
the preparation time passes. The indicator
light will flash to show the system is set.
If any of the doors, trunk or hood is open
at that time, the setting is interrupted until
it is closed and locked.

Never leave anyone in the vehicle when
you set the system, because unlocking
from the inside will activate the system.

16

Corolla (U)

WHEN THE SYSTEM IS SET
Activating the system

The system will give the alarm and cut
the starter circuit under the following
conditions:

 If any of the doors is unlocked or if

the trunk or hood is forcibly opened
without the key or wireless remote con­trol transmitter

 If the battery terminal is disconnected

and then reconnected

After one minute, the alarm will automati­cally stop with the starter circuit cut kept
on.

Reactivating the alarm

Once set, the system automatically resets
the alarm each time all the doors, trunk
and hood are closed after the alarm
stops.

The alarm will be activated again under
the following conditions:

 If any of the doors, trunk or hood is

opened

 If the battery terminal is disconnected

and then reconnected

Stopping the alarm

Turn the ignition key from the ”LOCK” to
”ON” position. The alarm will be stopped
with the starter circuit cut kept on. Stop­ping the alarm in this manner will keep
the alarm from being reactivated when any
of the doors, trunk or hood is opened.

Interrupting the setting

With the system set, the trunk can be
opened with the key without activating or
cancelling the system. While it is open,
the doors and hood may be opened in
addition. However, when the battery termi­nal is disconnected and then reconnected,
the system is activated.

To resume the setting, close and lock all
the doors, trunk and hood. The trunk must
be closed with the key removed.

CANCELLING THE SYSTEM

Unlock either front door with the key or
wireless remote control transmitter. This
cancels the system completely and the
starter circuit cut will be cancelled at
once.

INDICATOR LIGHT

The indicator light gives the following
three indications.

FLASHING—The system is set. You need
the key or wireless remote control trans­mitter to open the doors, trunk and hood.

ON—The system will automatically be set
when the time comes. The doors, trunk
and hood may be opened without a key
or wireless remote control transmitter.

OFF—The system is inactive. You may
open any door, trunk and hood.

17

TESTING THE SYSTEM

1. Open all the windows.

2. Set the system as described above.
The doors should be locked with the
key or wireless remote control transmit­ter. Be sure to wait until the indicator
light starts flashing.

3. Unlock any door from the inside. The
system should activate the alarm.

4. Cancel the system by unlocking any of
the doors with the key or wireless re­mote control transmitter.

5. Repeat this operation for the other
doors, trunk and hood. When testing on
the hood, also check that the system
is activated when the battery terminal
is disconnected and then reconnected.

If the system does not work properly,
have it checked by your Toyota dealer.

Fuel tank cap

1. To open the fuel filler door, pull the
lever up.

When refueling, turn off the engine.

CAUTION

 Do not smoke, cause sparks or al-

low open flames when refueling.
The fumes are flammable.

 When opening the cap, do not re-

move the cap quickly. In hot weath­er, fuel under pressure could cause
injury by spraying out of the filler
neck if the cap is suddenly re­moved.

Corolla (U)

2. To remove the fuel tank cap, turn
the cap slowly counterclockwise,
then pause slightly before removing
it. After removing the cap, hang it
on the cap hanger.

It is not unusual to hear a slight swoosh
when the cap is opened. When installing,
turn the cap clockwise till you hear a
click.

If the cap is not tightened securely, the
malfunction indicator lamp comes on.
Make sure the cap is tightened securely.

18

The indicator lamp goes off after driving
several times. If the indicator lamp does
not go off, contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible.

CAUTION

 Make sure the cap is tightened se-

curely to prevent fuel spillage in
case of an accident.

 Use only a genuine Toyota fuel tank

cap for replacement. It has a built−
in check valve to reduce fuel tank
vacuum.

Electric moon roof

Sliding operation

Corolla (U)

To operate the moon roof, use the
switches beside the personal light.

The moon roof works when the ignition
switch is in the ”ON” position.

Sliding operation—

To open: Push the switch on the ”SLIDE”
side.
To close: Push the switch on the opposite
side of the ”SLIDE” side.

As a precaution when closing, the roof
stops at the half closed position before
fully closing. Therefore, release the switch
and then push it again to close it com­pletely.

Tilting operation

19

Corolla (U)

Tilting operation—

To tilt up: Push the switch on the ”UP”
side.
To lower: Push the switch on the opposite
side of the ”UP” side.

You may stop the moon roof at any de­sired position. The roof will move while
the switch is being pushed and stop when
released except to slide open.

CAUTION

To avoid serious personal injury, you
must do the following.

 While the vehicle is moving, always

keep the head, hands and other
parts of the body of all occupants
away from the roof opening. Other­wise, you could be seriously injured
if the vehicle stops suddenly or if
the vehicle is involved in an acci­dent.

 Always make sure nobody places

his/her head, hands and other parts
of the body in the roof opening be­fore you close the roof. If some­one’s neck, head or hands gets
caught in the closing roof, it could
result in a serious injury. When
anyone closes the roof, first make
sure it is safe to do so.

 Never leave small children alone in

the vehicle, especially with the igni­tion key still inserted. They could
use the moon roof switches and get
trapped in the roof opening. Unat­tended children can become in­volved in serious accidents.

 Never sit on top of the vehicle

around the roof opening.

20

Corolla (U)

Part 1
OPERATION OF
INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLS—

Chapter 1−3
Seats, Seat belts,
Steering wheel and
Mirrors

 Seats

 Front seats

 Fold−down rear seat

 Head restraints

 Seat belts

 SRS driver and front passenger

airbags

 SRS side airbags

 Child restraint

 Tilt steering wheel

 Outside rear view mirrors

 Anti−glare inside rear view

mirror

 Vanity mirror

Seats

While the vehicle is being driven, all ve­hicle occupants should have the seatback
upright, sit well back in the seat and prop­erly wear the seat belts provided.

CAUTION

 Do not drive the vehicle unless the

occupants are properly seated. Do
not allow sitting on top of a
folded−down seatback, or in the
luggage compartment. Persons not
properly seated and not properly re­strained by seat belts can be se­verely injured in the event of emer­gency braking or a collision.

 During driving, do not allow pas-

sengers to stand up or move
around between seats. Severe inju­ries can occur in the event of emer­gency braking or a collision.

21

Front seats—
—Front seat precauti ons (wit h
SRS side airbags)

CAUTION

The SRS side airbags are installed in
the driver and front passenger seats.
Observe the following precautions.

 Do not lean against the front door

when the vehicle is in use. The side
airbag inflates with considerable
speed and force; you may be killed
or seriously injured.

 Do not modify or replace the seats

or surface of the front seats with
the side airbags. Such changes may
disable the system or cause the
side airbags to inflate, resulting in
death or serious injury. Consult
your Toyota dealer.

 Do not use accessories for the

seats which cover the parts where
the side airbags should inflate.
Such accessories may prevent the
side airbags from activating correct­ly, causing death or serious injury.

—Seat adjustment
precautio ns

Adjust the driver’s seat so that the foot
pedals, steering wheel and instrument
panel controls are within easy reach of
the driver.

CAUTION

 Adjustments should not be made

while the vehicle is moving, as the
seat may unexpectedly move and
cause the driver to lose control of
the vehicle.

 When adjusting the seat, be careful

not to hit the seat against a pas­senger or luggage.

 After adjusting the seat position,

try sliding it forward and backward
to make sure it is locked in posi­tion.

 After adjusting the seatback, exert

body pressure to make sure it is
locked in position.

 Do not put objects under the seats

as they may interfere with the seat−
lock mechanism or unexpectedly
push up the seat position adjusting
lever; the seat may suddenly move,
causing the driver to lose control of
the vehicle.

Corolla (U)

 While adjusting the seat, do not put

your hands under the seat or near
the moving parts. You may catch
and injure your hands or fingers.

22

Corolla (U)

—Adjusting front seats

1. SEAT POSITION ADJUSTING LEVER

Pull the lever up. Then slide the seat
to the desired position with slight body
pressure and release the lever.

2. SEATBACK ANGLE ADJUSTING
LEVER

Lean forward and pull the lever up.
Then lean back to the desired angle
and release the lever.

CAUTION

To reduce the risk of sliding under
the lap belt during a collision, avoid
reclining the seatback any more than
needed. The seat belts provide maxi­mum protection in a frontal or rear
collision when the driver and the pas­senger are sitting up straight and
well back in the seats. If you are
reclined, the lap belt may slide past
your hips and apply restraint forces
directly to the abdomen. Therefore, in
the event of a frontal collision, the
risk of personal injury may increase
with increasing recline of the seat­back.

Fold−down rear seat

(A) FOLDING DOWN REAR SEAT

1. To unlock the seatback, pull the le­ver in the luggage compartment.

23