’06 MATRIX_U (L/O 0508)
261
Doors  and  engine  hood
Check  that  all  doors  and  back  door  includ-
ing  glass  hatch  operate  smoothly  and  all
latches  lock  securely.  Make  sure  the  en-
gine  hood  secondary  latch  secures  the
hood  from  opening  when  the  primary  latch
is  released.
Tire  inflation  pressure
Check the pressure with a gauge ev-
ery  two  weeks,  or  at  least  once  a
month. See page 277 in Section 7−2
for  additional  information.
Tire  surface  and  wheel  nuts
Check  the  tires  carefully  for  cuts,
damage or excessive wear. See page
280  in Section  7−2  for  additional in-
formation.  When  checking  the  tires,
make sure  no  nuts are  missing, and
check the nuts for looseness. Tighten
them  if  necessary.
Tire  rotation
Rotate  the  tires  according  to  the
maintenance  schedule.  (For  sched-
uled maintenance information, please
refer to the “Scheduled Maintenance
Guide”  or  “Owner’s  Manual  Supple-
ment”.) See page 283 in Section 7−2
for  additional  information.
Be  on  the  alert  for  changes  in  perfor-
mance,  sounds,  and  visual  tip−offs  that
indicate  service  is  needed.  Some  impor-
tant  clues  are  as  follows:
! Engine  missing,  stumbling,  or  pinging
! Appreciable  loss  of  power
! Strange  engine  noises
! A  leak  under  the  vehicle  (however,  wa-
ter  dripping  from  the  air  conditioning
after  use  is  normal.)
! Change  in  exhaust  sound  (This  may
indicate  a  dangerous  carbon  monoxide
leak.  Drive  with  the  windows  open  and
have  the  exhaust  system  checked  im-
mediately.)
! Flat−looking  tire;  excessive  tire  squeal
when  cornering;  uneven  tire  wear
! Vehicle  pulls  to  one  side  when  driving
straight  on  a  level  road
! Strange  noises  related  to  suspension
movement
! Loss  of  brake  effectiveness;  spongy
feeling  brake  or  clutch  pedal;  pedal  al-
most  touches  floor;  vehicle  pulls  to  one
side  when  braking
! Engine  coolant  temperature  continually
higher  than  normal
If  you  notice  any  of  these  clues,  take  your
vehicle  to  your  Toyota  dealer  as  soon  as
possible.  It  probably  needs  adjustment  or
repair.
CAUTION
Do  not  continue  driving  with  the  ve-
hicle  unchecked.  It  could  result  in  se-
rious  vehicle  damage  and  possibly
personal  injury.
Does  your  vehicle  need
repairing?