TOYOTA AVALON 1998 Manual Online

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Rear personal lights
To turn on the rear personal light, push
the switch. To turn the light off, push
the switch once again.
Ignition switch light
For easy access to the ignition switch,
the ignition switch light comes on when
any of the doors are opened.
The light remains on for some time after
all the doors are closed.
Windshield wipers and washer
To turn on the windshield wipers, move
the lever to the desired setting.
The key must be in the ”ON” position.
Lever position
Speed setting
Position 1Intermittent
Position 2Slow
Position 3Fast
The ”INT TIME” band lets you adjust the
wiping time interval when the wiper lever
is in the intermittent position (position 1).
Twist the band upward to increase the
time between sweeps, and downward to
decrease it.
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To squirt washer fluid, pull the lever
toward you.
If the windshield wipers are off, they will
operate a couple of times after the washer
squirts.
For instructions on adding washer fluid,
see ”Adding washer fluid” in Chapter 7 −3.
In freezing weather, warm the windshield
with the defroster before using the washer.
This will help prevent the washer fluid
from freezing on your windshield, which
can block your vision.
NOTICE
Do not operate the wipers if the wind-
shield is dry. It may scratch the
glass.
Headlight cleaner
To spray fluid on the headlights, turn
the headlights on and push the switch.
The key must be in the ”ON” position.
Check the fluid level of the see −through
headlight cleaner tank every so often.
Use washer fluid for replenishment. For
information on adding fluid, see ”Adding
washer fluid” in Chapter 7 −3.
NOTICE
Do not turn the headlight cleaner on
with the tank empty. It may cause the
cleaner motor to overheat.
To defog or defrost the rear window,
push the switch.
The key must be in the ”ON” position.
The thin heater wires on the inside of the
rear window will quickly clear the surface.
An indicator light will illuminate to indicate
the defogger is operating.
On some models, the heater panels in the
outside rear view mirrors will also quickly
clear the surfaces. Keep your hands off
the mirror faces when the switch is on.
Push the switch once again to turn the
defoggers off.
Rear window and outside rear
view mirror defoggers
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CAUTION
Since the mirror surfaces can get hot,
keep your hands off them when the
defogger switch is on.
The system will automatically shut off af-
ter the defogger has operated about 15
minutes.
Make sure you turn the defoggers off
when the surfaces are clear. Leaving the
defoggers on for a long time could cause
the battery to discharge, especially during
stop −and− go driving. The defoggers are
not designed for drying rain water or for
melting snow.
If the outside rear view mirror are heavily
coated with ice, use a spray de −icer be-
fore operating the switch.
NOTICE
When cleaning the inside of the rear
window, be careful not to scratch or
damage the heater wires.
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Part 1
OPERATION OF
INSTRUMENTS
AND CONTROLS—
Chapter 1 −5
Gauges, Meters
and Service reminder
indicators
 Fuel gauge
 Engine coolant temperature
gauge
 Tachometer
 Odometer and two trip meters
 Thermometer
 Service reminder indicators and
warning buzzers
Fuel gauge
The gauge works when the ignition
switch is on and indicates the approxi-
mate quantity of fuel remaining in the
tank.
Nearly full—Needle at ”F”
Nearly empty—Needle at ”E”
It is a good idea to keep the tank over 1/4
full.
This fuel gauge has a non −return type needle
which remains at the last indicated position
when the ignition switch is turned off.
If the fuel level approaches ”E” or the low
fuel level warning light comes on, fill the
fuel tank as soon as possible. On inclines or curves, due to the move-
ment of fuel in the tank, the fuel gauge
needle may fluctuate or the low fuel level
warning light may come on earlier than
usual.
If the fuel tank is completely empty, the mal-
function indicator lamp comes on. Fill the
fuel tank immediately.
The indicator lamp goes off after driving sev-
eral times. If the indicator lamp does not
go off, contact your Toyota dealer as soon
as possible.
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The gauge indicates the engine coolant
temperature when the ignition switch is
on. The engine operating temperature
will vary with changes in weather and
engine load.
If the needle moves into the red zone, your
engine is too hot. If your vehicle overheats,
stop your vehicle and allow the engine to
cool.
Your vehicle may overheat during severe op-
erating conditions, such as:
Driving up a long hill on a hot day.
Reducing speed or stopping after high
speed driving.
Idling for a long period with the air
conditioning on in stop −and− go traffic.
Towing a trailer.
NOTICE
Do not remove the thermostat in
the engine cooling system as this
may cause the engine to overheat.
The thermostat is designed to con-
trol the flow of coolant to keep the
temperature of the engine within
the specified operating range.
 Do not continue driving with an
overheated engine. See ”If your ve-
hicle overheats” in Part 4.
Tachometer
The tachometer indicates engine speed
in thousands of rpm (revolutions per
minute). Use it while driving to select
correct shift points and to prevent en-
gine lugging and overrevving.
Driving with the engine running too fast
causes excessive engine wear and poor fuel
economy. Remember, in most cases the
slower the engine speed, the greater the fuel
economy.
NOTICE
Do not let the indicator needle get
into the red zone. This may cause
severe engine damage.
Engine coolant temperature
gauge
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Odometer and two trip meters
This meter displays the odometer and
two trip meters.
1. Odometer—It shows the total distance the vehicle has been driven.
2. Two trip meters—They show two differ- ent distances independently driven
since the last time each trip meter was
set to zero.
You can use one trip meter to calculate
the fuel economy and the other to
measure the distance on each trip. All
trip meter data is cancelled if the elec-
trical power source is disconnected. 3. Trip meter reset knob—It can reset the
two trip meters to zero, and also
change the meter display.
To change the meter display, quickly
push and release the knob. The meter
display changes in the order from the
odometer to trip meter A to trip meter
B, then back to the odometer each
time you push.
To reset the trip meter A to zero, dis-
play the meter A reading, then push
and hold the knob until the meter is
set to zero. The same process can be
applied for resetting the trip meter B.
Thermometer
Ty p e A
Ty p e B
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The thermometer indicates the outside
air temperatures with the ignition key at
the ”ON” position.
When the instrument panel lights are turned
on, the brightness of the display will be re-
duced.
(a) If parking brake
is off, stop and
check.
(b) Fasten seat belts.
If the indicator or Do this.
buzzer comes on...
(c) Stop and check.
(e) Take vehicle to
Toyota dealer.
(type A)
(type B)
(Indicator and buzzer)
(d) Stop and check.
(g) Take vehicle to
Toyota dealer.
If the indicator or Do this.
buzzer comes on...
(h) Close all doors.
(i) Replace bulb.
(j) Take vehicle to Toyota dealer
immediately.
(type A)
(type B)
(f) Fill up tank.
Service reminder indicators
an d warn in g bu zzers
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(k) Take vehicle to
Toyota dealer.
If the indicator or Do this.
buzzer comes on...
(m) Remove key. Key reminder
buzzer
(l)
Add washer fluid.
(a) Brake System Warning Light
This light has the following functions:
Parking brake reminder
If this light is on, make sure the parking
brake is fully released. The light should
go off.
Low brake fluid level warning
If this light comes on and stays on while
you are driving, slow down and pull off the
road. Then stop the vehicle carefully. Re-
member that stopping distance and pedal
effort may be increased. There may be a
problem somewhere in the brake system.
Check the fluid level of the see −through res-
ervoir.
To make sure the parking brake has not
caused the warning light to come on, check
to see that the parking brake is fully re-
leased.
If the brake fluid level is low...
At a safe place, test your brakes by starting
and stopping.
If you judge that the brakes still work
adequately, drive cautiously to your
nearest dealer or shop for repairs.
If the brakes are not working, have the
vehicle towed in for repairs. (For tow-
ing information, see Part 4.)
CAUTION
It is dangerous to continue driving
normally when the brake fluid level is
low.
If the brake fluid level is correct...
Have the warning system checked by your
Toyota dealer.
(b) Seat Belt Reminder Light and Buzz-
er
Once the ignition key is turned to ”ON” or
”START”, the reminder light flashes and
buzzer comes on if the driver’s seat belt
is not fastened. Unless the driver fastens
the belt, the light keep flashing and the
buzzer sounds for about 4 to 8 seconds.
(c) Discharge Warning Light
This light warns that the battery is being
discharged.
If it comes on while you are driving, there
is a problem somewhere in the charging
system.
The engine ignition will continue to oper-
ate, however, until the battery is dis-
charged. Turn off the air conditioning,
blower, radio, etc., and drive directly to
the nearest Toyota dealer or repair shop.
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NOTICE
Do not continue driving if the engine
drive belt is broken or loose.
(d) Low Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light warns that the engine oil pres-
sure is too low.
If it flickers or stays on while you are
driving, pull off the road to a safe place
and stop the engine immediately. Call a
Toyota dealer or qualified repair shop for
assistance.
The light may occasionally flicker when
the engine is idling or it may come on
briefly after a hard stop. There is no
cause for concern if it then goes out when
the engine is accelerated slightly.
The light may come on when the oil level
is extremely low. It is not designed to
indicate low oil level, and the oil level
must be checked using the level dipstick.
NOTICE
Do not drive the vehicle with the
warning light on—even for one block.
It may ruin the engine.
(e) Malfunction indicator lamp
This lamp comes on in the following
cases.
a. The fuel tank is completely empty. (See
”Fuel gauge” in Chapter 1 −5 for instruc-
tions.)
b. The fuel tank cap is not tightened se-
curely. (See ”Fuel tank cap” in Chapter
1 −2 for instructions.)
c. There is a problem somewhere in your
engine or automatic transmission electrical
system.
If it comes on while you are driving in
case c, have your vehicle checked/re-
paired by your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible.
(f) Low Fuel Level Warning Light
This light comes on when the fuel level
in the tank becomes nearly empty. Fill up
the tank as soon as possible.
On inclines or curves, due to the move-
ment of fuel in the tank, the low fuel level
warning light may come on earlier than
usual. (g) ”ABS” Warning Light
This light warns that there is a problem
somewhere in your anti
−lock brake sys-
tem.
If the light comes on while you are driv-
ing, have your vehicle checked by your
Toyota dealer as soon as possible.
The light will come on when the ignition
key is turned to the ”ON” position. After
about 3 seconds, the light will go off.
When the ”ABS” warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
brake system operates conventionally but
the anti −lock brake system is not assisting
brake performance so that the wheels can
lock −up during sudden braking or braking
on slippery road surfaces.
(h) Open Door Warning Light
This light remains on until all the doors
are completely closed.
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