Toyota Yaris Owners' Guide

The Toyota Yaris may not be the most exciting small car on the market, but it’s dependable and economical, making it an appealing choice for motorists who need to get from A to B without any fuss. Now in its fourth generation, it’s available with a range of efficient hybrid powertrains and generous standard kit. 

This owners’ guide compiles key information about your Yaris in one convenient place, covering service intervals, recommended tyre pressures, and answers to frequently asked questions to help you keep your car running smoothly. 

Toyota Yaris generations

Toyota Yaris Mk1 1999-2006 

The first generation of the Yaris replaced the Starlet, a car renowned for being dull and unmemorable. It brought heaps of character and a dash of quirkiness, competing directly with the Ford Fiesta, and immediately won both European and Japanese Car of the Year awards. Even entry-level models came with the latest tech, plus driver and passenger airbags as standard. 

A facelift in 2003 brought small cosmetic changes. The 1.3-litre petrol engine was also upgraded. 

Body styles: 

• Three-door hatchback 

• Five-door hatchback 

Key engine options: 

• 1.0-litre 68bhp petrol 

• 1.3-litre 85bhp petrol 

• 1.4-litre 75bhp diesel  

• 1.5-litre 105bhp petrol  

Toyota Yaris Mk2 2006-2011 

The second-generation Yaris had a sleeker and slightly more upmarket appearance while enhancing its reputation for practicality and safety. It had a clever rear seat setup with a flexible layout that allowed the seats to be folded down flat and repositioned.  

Toyota abandoned the 1.5-litre T-Sport model and replaced it with a 1.8-litre version of the SR. A 2009 facelift brought minor styling changes, engine upgrades, revised trim levels and stop-start technology to reduce CO2 emissions. 

Body styles: 

• Three-door hatchback 

• Five-door hatchback 

Key engine options: 

• 1.0-litre 70bhp petrol 

• 1.3-litre 100bhp petrol 

• 1.4-litre 90bhp diesel 

• 1.8-litre 132bhp petrol 

Toyota Yaris Mk3 2011-2020 

Debuting in September 2011, the Mk3 Yaris earned a five-star Euro NCAP rating and introduced Toyota’s Touch multimedia system. It was the first Yaris to be available with a five-year warranty from launch and the first one to be offered as a hybrid, quickly becoming the UK’s best-selling hybrid car.  

Facelifts in 2014 and 2017 introduced new technology and improved styling. The high-performance Yaris GRMN was introduced towards the end of this generation, with just 100 available in the UK. It had upgraded suspension, stiffer body components, and a supercharged 1.8-litre engine. 

Body styles: 

• Three-door hatchback 

• Five-door hatchback 

Key engine options: 

• 1.0-litre 69 bhp petrol 

• 1.33-litre 99 bhp petrol 

• 1.5-litre 110 bhp petrol (post‑2017 update) 

• 1.4-litre 90 bhp diesel (until ~2013) 

• 1.5-litre 100 bhp hybrid petrol‑electric 

• 1.8-litre 209 bhp supercharged petrol  

Toyota Yaris Mk4 2020-present 

The fourth-generation model, built on the GA-B platform, represents a new direction for the Yaris. Its tame styling has been abandoned in favour of a sharper front end that appears to scowl, and inside, it has regained its sense of fun with a quirky-looking instrument cluster.  

Available as a hybrid only (except for the GR model), the Mk4 offers smooth and quiet powertrain options, along with a larger 7-inch infotainment screen and a range of advanced safety features. The range also includes the rally-derived GR Yaris hot hatch, with 261bhp.  

In 2021, the Yaris was crowned European Car of the Year. 

Body styles: 

• Three-door hatchback 

• Five-door hatchback 

Key engine options: 

• 1.5-litre 115bhp hybrid petrol-electric 

• 1.5-litre 130bhp hybrid petrol-electric 

• 1.6-litre 261bhp turbo petrol 

Service intervals

Toyota recommends booking a full service for the Yaris every 12 months or 10,000 miles, whichever comes first. If you book your service with a Toyota dealer, it will include the following items.  

Parts replaced:  

✅ Engine oil and filter  

✅  Screenwash  

✅  Air filter  

✅  Pollen filter  

✅  Key fob battery  

Fluid checks:  

✅  Coolant  

✅  Brake fluid  

✅  Transmission fluid   

✅  Power steering fluid  

✅  System inspections:  

✅  Battery condition  

✅  Brake pipes and hoses  

✅  Exhaust system  

✅  Cooling and fuel systems  

✅  Steering and suspension  

Safety and operation checks:  

✅ Handbrake and brake pedal function  

✅  Dashboard warning lights  

✅  Exterior lights and horn  

✅  Wipers  

✅  Tyres (including tread and pressure)  

✅  Wheel rims and wheel nut tightness  

✅  Seat belt condition and operation  

✅  Safety systems (e.g. airbags, sensors) 

Want to learn more about vehicle servicing? Check out the following guides:  

• What's the difference between a full service and an interim service?  

• How much should a full service cost?  

• How much should an interim service cost?  

• The ultimate guide to car maintenance 

Tyre pressure

What are the tyre pressures for a Toyota Yaris? 

The recommended tyre pressure varies depending on the spec and engine of your car. The table below shows tyre sizes and pressures listed for the Yaris on TyrePressures.com. 

However, you should always check this information before adjusting your tyres. You can find the correct pressures: 

• In your vehicle handbook/owner’s manual. 

• Printed on the sill of the driver’s door. 

• On the inside of the fuel tank cap. 

Read our guide to tyre pressure for more information. 

How to reset the Toyota Yaris tyre pressure light 

The tyre pressure reset method varies depending on the year and spec of your Yaris. If unsure, check your owner’s manual. 

2020-present models 

• Make sure your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure. 

• Switch the ignition on. 

• Navigate to vehicle settings using the steering wheel controls. 

• Scroll through the options until you find ‘TPMS settings’. Press ‘OK’ to enter. 

• Select ‘setting pressure’. 

• You will see a message saying ‘set pressure accepted’. 

• The warning light should now be reset. 

2011-2020 models 

• Make sure your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure. 

• Switch the ignition on. 

• Locate the TPMS reset button on the driver’s side under the dashboard, just above the accelerator pedal. It shows the tyre pressure warning symbol alongside the word ‘SET’. 

• Press and hold the button. When the TPMS warning light has flashed three times, you can release it. 

• The reset process is complete. 

Engine oil

It’s crucial to use the correct engine oil – find out why in this guide. 

The recommended oil can vary between different Yaris engine configurations and depending on whether the car uses petrol or diesel. Your owner’s manual will provide information about the right oil for your vehicle. 

5W-30 and 0W-20 are two common oil grades used in some versions of the Yaris. 

What is the oil capacity of a Toyota Yaris? 

Oil capacity varies depending on the engine size and model year. The Yaris requires between 3.1 and 4.2 litres of oil. 

When topping up, remember to add oil gradually and check the dipstick to avoid overfilling. Too much oil puts more pressure on seals and gaskets and can lead to increased friction between parts.   

Battery

What battery do I need for my Toyota Yaris? 

The table below shows the battery requirements of Toyota Yaris engine variants using information from What Battery. The base hold-down depends on the engine. 

Things to consider when choosing a battery for your Toyota Yaris 

• Check your engine type and year. Battery requirements can vary. 

• Identify if your car has a start-stop system. If it does, you’ll need an AGM or EFB battery. 

• Match the physical dimensions. It’s important to choose a battery that fits your car. 

• Check battery specifications. Ampere hours (Ah) is a measure of capacity; cold cranking amps (CCA) indicates starting power. 

• Check the hold-down type. Most models use B13.  

• Verify compatibility. Cross-reference with your owner’s manual to ensure you choose the right battery. 

Want to make your new battery last longer? Check out our maintenance tips in this guide. 

Warning lights

What do the warning lights mean on a Toyota Yaris? 

Dashboard warning lights are triggered by the car’s electronic control unit (ECU) when a problem is detected. You can learn some information by looking at the shape and colour of the light, but for a detailed diagnosis, you’ll usually need to book a diagnostic test. 

• Red lights indicate a severe problem. You should stop driving and contact a mechanic. 

• Yellow lights are less urgent – you can continue driving to your destination, but you should book your car into a garage. 

Learn more about car warning lights and what they mean in this guide. 

Toyota Yaris warning lights you might not know 

Toyota master warning light 

The master warning light is a yellow or red triangle with an exclamation point inside. It lights up when the car's computer detects a malfunction and is accompanied by a message on the multi-information display with instructions.  

 Issues that can trigger this warning light include:  

• Low engine oil  

• An open door  

• Braking system malfunction  

• Engine problem  

 If the warning light remains on after you’ve followed the instructions, contact a Toyota specialist for advice. 

Toyota timing belt warning light 

Some Yaris models have a timing belt warning light that activates after a preset distance, indicating that you need to replace the belt. This light is a word rather than a symbol: T-BELT.   

 The timing belt in a Toyota Yaris needs to be replaced approximately every 90,000 miles. It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s recommended replacement intervals, as failure to do so could result in the timing belt snapping while you’re driving, potentially damaging the engine.  

 Signs of a worn timing belt include:  

• Engine misfires  

• Difficulty starting the engine   

• Unusual noises, such as ticking or squealing  

• Rough idling  

 This guide explains how to tell if your car has a timing chain or a timing belt. 

 Spotted a warning light but don’t know what’s causing it? Don’t guess – book a diagnostic test! 

Common problems

Whether you’re already a proud Yaris owner or you’re in the market for one, it’s helpful to know what kind of problems the model experiences.      

 Our Toyota Yaris common problems guide explores this topic in detail, so we’ll just cover two top issues here. 

1. Clutch wear 

Worn clutches are common in high-mileage Yaris models, particularly those used in urban stop-and-start driving conditions. Owners have reported issues ranging from clutch judder to difficulty changing gears. Worn synchromesh in well-used models can also cause gear crunching between shifts.  

 If you’re in the market for a used Yaris, be sure to take it for a test drive and pay close attention to how the clutch feels. Read this guide for detailed advice about how to tell if your car needs a new clutch. 

2. Peeling paint 

Toyota Yaris models can experience paintwork issues that typically begin after a few years of ownership. The clear coat and top layers of paint on the bonnet and roof start to peel or bubble, exposing the base colour or primer beneath. This problem primarily affects first- and second-generation models, leaving them vulnerable to rust, which eats away at the metal bodywork.  

Respraying is often expensive, so this is one issue you definitely want to avoid when buying a used car. 

Top Toyota Yaris questions and topics

Can you fit a tow bar to a Toyota Yaris hybrid? 

It’s possible to use a Mk4 Yaris hybrid for towing. The maximum capacity of the latest model is 450kg. 

How to open the bonnet on Toyota Yaris 

The location of the bonnet release lever may vary slightly depending on the model year. 

• Pull the bonnet release lever located on the driver’s side under the bonnet. The lever shows a picture of a car with the bonnet open. 

• Slide your fingers under the bonnet above the Toyota badge to locate the second lever, which is attached to the engine bay. 

• Lift the lever and bonnet at the same time, then secure the bonnet in place. 

Where are Toyota Yaris cars made? 

Yaris models are manufactured in multiple countries: France, Japan, and the Czech Republic. 

How to open the petrol cap on a Toyota Yaris 

You can find out which side the fuel filler cap is located on by looking at the arrow next to the fuel icon on the dashboard. Pull the fuel cap release lever on the floor in the driver’s footwell close to the door, and the cover will pop open. 

What insurance group is a Toyota Yaris in? 

The Toyota Yaris falls into insurance groups from 2 to 16, excluding the GRMN limited edition version. 

• 1999-2006 models: group 5 to 11 

• 2006-2011 models: group 2 to 10 

• 2011-2020 models: group 2 to 12* 

• 2020-present models: group 13 to 16 

*GRMN limited edition = group 36 

Examples: 

• 1.0 VVT-i T2 3d (2006-2011): group 2 

• 1.0 VVT-i T2 3d (1999-2006): group 5 

• 1.4 D-4D T Spirit (6speed) 5d (2006-2011): group 10 

• 1.3 16v VVT-i SR 3d (1999-2006): group 11 

• Orange Edition (Toyota Touch 2 with Go) 1.33 VVT-i 5d (2011-2020): group 12 

• 1.5 Hybrid Icon 5dr CVT [Nav] (2020-present): group 13 

• 1.5 Hybrid 130 Excel 5dr CVT [Panoramic Roof] (2020-present): group 16 

Learn more about car insurance and how to get it cheaper. 

Does the Toyota Yaris have cruise control? 

Many Yaris models, especially those of the newer generations, come with adaptive cruise control (ACC). Some earlier models also have cruise control. You can find out if your car is equipped with this feature by checking your owner’s manual. 

If you found this guide helpful, you might also like:

• Car ownership 101: everything you need to know

• The ultimate guide to car maintenance

• How does a car work?

• Common problems with the Toyota Yaris

• Common problems with the Toyota Aygo

• Toyota Aygo owners' guide