Toyota Corolla

The Toyota Corolla has been a best-selling compact sedan for over 50 years.

 

The Toyota Corolla has been at or near the top of the compact car sales charts for years, providing respected Toyota reliability in a package that offers safety, comfort and good fuel economy. Toyota Corollas are built to last, and by finding the right Toyota Corolla mechanic in London, Ontario and making sure you’re performing proper maintenance and repair, your vehicle will continue to run smoothly and safely for thousands of miles.

Toyota Corolla Repair Guide

Our Toyota repair guide will help you decide which maintenance checks and repairs you can perform on your own, how to perform them, and which should be left to a professional mechanic.

Toyota Repairs For Mechanics

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The following maintenance checks and repairs are best performed by a trained mechanic, who will be able to identify any problems and provide the appropriate fixes to your vehicle. You can find a Toyota mechanic in London, Ontario who specializes in performing these important vehicle check-ups and repairs.

Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

Changing the oil in your engine is essential to a long, trouble-free life for your Toyota Corolla. Oil not only lubricates the moving parts of your engine, it also absorbs heat and carries dirt and impurities to the oil filter, which then traps and holds them so they can’t damage your engine. Changing your oil and filter removes these impurities and provides fresh oil and a clean filter so that your engine stays clean and healthy.

Toyota currently recommends that you have your Toyota Corolla engine oil and oil filter changed every 16,000 km. If you have an older model, check your owner’s manual for the correct interval or ask your Toyota mechanic.

Coolant, Transmission Fluid & Brake Fluid

Your Toyota Corolla has other fluids and filters that require periodic attention. These fluids include the engine coolant, the transmission fluid, and the brake fluid. Unlike the engine oil, these fluids have much longer change intervals. Ask your mechanic or check your manual for details on when these fluids should be changed.

Engine Air Filter, Fuel Filter & Cabin Filter

The other filters in your car that may require changing are the engine air filter, the fuel filter, and the cabin air filter (if your model has one). Both air filters should be inspected by your mechanic when your vehicle is serviced and replaced when necessary (sooner if you live in a dirty or dusty environment, later if your air is clean and clear).

The fuel filter replacement interval depends on your model, and can be checked in the manual or by your mechanic.

Engine Belts

Your Toyota Corolla’s engine uses a belt that runs the power steering, alternator, and air conditioning. Over time, this belt can wear, and in the worst-case scenario, break. Your mechanic should check the belt’s condition whenever your vehicle is in for service, and replace it if it shows signs of deterioration.

Engine Hoses

Your engine’s hoses carry the coolant from the radiator to the engine and back. As with the belts, the hoses should be checked for signs of wear and aging, and replaced by a mechanic when necessary.

Brakes

The brakes on your Toyota Corolla are a wear item, and the rate of wear depends on your driving situation. Urban driving will wear the brakes much faster than highway driving. Brake pad inspection is one more thing that your mechanic should do whenever your car is serviced. If the brake pads are worn, they can easily be replaced.

Your brakes may start squealing when you apply them as a warning to have them checked. They may also make a grinding sound – this requires immediate attention, as your brakes may be totally worn out! The brake rotors and drums (if you have them) should also be checked by your Toyota mechanic at this time.

Timing Belt Or Chain

Depending on which Toyota Corolla model you have, it has either a timing belt (pre-1998) or timing chain (1998 & later) in the motor. Timing belts require changing at various intervals, but timing chains do not. Ask your mechanic or check your manual to find out when the timing belt should be changed based on your vehicle’s year model.

Spark Plugs

Toyota Corollas have used long-life iridium spark plugs for more than 15 years. These have a change interval of approximately 190,000 km, so it’s important to check them if your odometer is approaching this number. Again, your Toyota mechanic can check the condition of your spark plugs and advise you on whether replacement is necessary.

Battery

Your battery supplies power to your vehicle for starting and other functions. It should be checked when your car is serviced to assure that it is putting out its full power. The battery terminals, where the cables attach, should be kept clean and free of corrosion by your mechanic, so that the full power of the battery can reach your engine and electrical accessories.

Tires

The tires of your vehicle transmit your car’s power, steering and braking inputs so you have the control you need on road surfaces. It is essential for your safety and your vehicle’s performance that your tires are properly inflated and balanced, and are wearing evenly. Your mechanic can inspect your vehicle’s tires during its service appointment.

Toyota Corolla Repairs For Owners

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Here are several maintenance and service items that you, the owner, can easily check at regular intervals to keep your car in good running condition. Aside from the tires, all of these items will be found under the hood. Every few weeks is a good interval for checking these items. If you are not comfortable with doing this, our Toyota mechanics will be happy to check them for you.

Checking The Engine Oil

Check your owner’s manual and find the location of the dipstick, and how to check the engine oil level. You will get the most accurate reading if you do this when the car is cold and has been sitting for a while. If the level is low, follow your manual’s instructions for topping it up and the proper type of oil to use.

Checking The Coolant

The coolant in your vehicle is an important fluid (also called “anti-freeze”) that circulates through the engine and radiator. It absorbs the heat generated by your engine and dissipates that heat when it goes through the radiator. During this process, your coolant picks up particles of circulating rust and dirt, and also breaks down over time. It should be kept at the proper level, and should also be drained and refilled at the intervals listed in your manual.

Like the engine oil, coolant should be checked when the car is cold. Check the level on the coolant tank and follow your manual’s directions for topping it up and the proper coolant to add.

Checking Automatic Or Manual Transmission Fluid

Your transmission fluid lubricates the moving parts inside your transmission. Due to contamination and degradation of the fluid over time, it should be changed at the recommended interval in your manual. Again, check the manual for the location of the dipstick and how and when to check the level. It will also specify the type of fluid to use if it needs topping up.

Checking Brake Fluid

The brake fluid transmits the braking effort of your foot on the brake pedal to the actual brake on each wheel. The fluid absorbs moisture over time, which could result in damage to your brake system. It should be checked regularly and changes at your manual’s suggested intervals. Your manual will show you where the reservoir is and will tell you the proper type of brake fluid to use for topping it up.

Checking Power Steering Fluid

Similar to the brake fluid, the power steering fluid hydraulically sends the commands from your hands on the steering wheel to the front wheels of your vehicle. It gets contaminated over time and should be replaced at intervals specified by your model year’s manual.

Like the transmission fluid, the power steering will have a reservoir with a dipstick to check the fluid level. Check your manual for the recommended fluid to use if it needs any.

Checking Belts & Hoses

When the engine is off, check the belts for signs of fraying or cracking – these mean that replacement is probably needed. Inspect and squeeze the radiator hoses – if they look or feel brittle or spongy, it may be time to replace them. Consult your Toyota mechanic and make a service appointment before the affected items deteriorate any further, which could result in leaving you stranded.

Checking Tires

Check your tire pressures regularly, at least once each month. Maintain the pressures listed in your manual or on the sticker on the inside of your vehicle’s door. While you are checking the pressures, inspect the tires for signs of low tread, uneven wear or foreign objects like nails and screws (DO NOT remove these items, as you may immediately lose all the air in that tire). If you see a problem, call a mechanic.

Your Toyota Corolla Is A Great Car – Keep It That Way!

Your Toyota Corolla will give you many happy years of ownership if you take care of it properly. This Toyota Corolla Repair Guide, combined with regular servicing by our skilled Toyota Corolla mechanics in London, Ontario, will help you perform the proper check-ups and repairs that it needs to run smoothly.

Here at Steel Horse, we specialize in Toyota repairs and maintenance, providing fair, reliable and efficient service. If your vehicle is in need of service, or you’d like to schedule a check-up, contact us by phone or email or drop by and visit our mechanics in London, Ontario today!