ToyotaTercel1998Overview/toyota/tercel/1998/base/

1998 Toyota Tercel

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1998 Tercel.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 3-spd

The 1998 Toyota Tercel is a compact passenger car equipped with a modest‑capacity powertrain that uses 3 qt of 5W‑30 API‑rated oil and is paired with a three‑speed automatic transmission, delivering EPA ratings of 25 mpg city, 30 mpg highway and 27 mpg combined. Its modest mechanical layout translates into a relatively quiet service‑brake and hydraulic system, which, despite being the most frequently cited issue, contributed to only 13 total owner complaints and a single recall for the model year. Compared with the broader 1990‑2000 Tercel span—where complaints peaked at 59 in 1995 and fell to just one in 2000—1998 sits toward the lower end of the reliability spectrum, indicating a generally dependable iteration within the generation.

Model year199819971996199519941993199219911990

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity3 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy25/30/27 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 21 · 310 CCA battery, OE oil filter 90915YZZN1. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 21 · 310 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnTURNOEM · verified
Tire size155SR13OEM · verified
Wheel / rim5.5-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter90915YZZN1
Engine air filter1780111080
Fuel filter2330019385
Spark plug9091901192
Front wiper blades8521216120 alt 8522260120
Serpentine belt9008091124 alt 9936420920
Thermostat9091603046 alt 1632563011

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 3-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length162.6 in
Overall width65.4 in
Overall height54.3 in
Wheelbase93.7 in
Curb weight2066 lb
Track (front / rear)55.1 / 56.3 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)61/39

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined25 / 30 / 27 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume80 cu ft
Cargo volume9 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Tercel of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

10.4–11.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 10.40 sec — 1995 DX Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1995DX Coupe 1.5L I-410.40 sec17.50 sec93 hpFWD
1995DX Sedan 1.5L I-411.20 sec18.40 sec93 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 3 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, ATF in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 76 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilATF
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3 Pints
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity3 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs9 ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings30 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts112 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts66 ft-lbs
Main Bearings43 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs5 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts76 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub159 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub159 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)750 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.67-1.05 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance9300-16,000-10,200-13,800 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerDenso
Spark Plug TypeSK16R11
Spark Plug Gap0.043 in

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity.99 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity7.61 oz
Standard BCI Group Number21
Standard BCI Cranking Performance310 cca
Optional BCI Group Number25

Service checks

Pressure Test17 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief11-15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
RPM44.0-50.0 rpm
Residual Pressure21 psi
Injector Primary Resistance13.4-14.2 na ohms
Injector Primary Resistance12-16 na ohms
Engine Compression142-185 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket65 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle76 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0028 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.709 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.709 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.63 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages
133 ft. lbs.33 ft. lbs
290 degrees.90 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Final Drive (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Fuel Evaporative Canister (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1998 Toyota Tercel sits near the end of a clear downward trend in owner complaints, which peaked at 59 in 1995 before falling sharply to just 13 in 1998 and then to a mere 3 in 1999. Recalls also declined from a high of two per year in 1995–1997 to a single recall in 1998, while the 52 technical service bulletins indicate that Toyota was actively refining the model. The top complaint area, service brakes, accounted for only four reports, and the two crash-related complaints are minimal in the context of the generation. This year represents a mature, well-sorted version of the Tercel with significantly fewer reported problems than earlier years, making it a prudent choice for a used buyer.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
52
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
13
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 13 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic4
Equipment2
Seat Belts2
Air Bags,Vehicle Speed Control1
Engine & Engine Cooling1
Power Train1
Structure1
Air Bags1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

08E050000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 11/08/2008

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF… Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 52 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB0032202023-08-17Air BagsTSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or…
Toyota PRO19-022022-01-12TiresPOL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all…
Toyota Safety Re2021-03-17Air BagsToyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
T-SB-0032-20 Rev2021-02-03EquipmentTSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or…
T-SB-0304-17 Obs2020-04-07EquipmentTSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE April 07, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Tercel. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1998 Tercel take?

3 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1998 Tercel have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Tercel get?

EPA figures are 25 city / 30 highway / 27 combined mpg.