tow TOYOTA AVALON 1998 Owners Manual

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CAUTION
To avoid serious personal injury, you
must do the following.
Always make sure the head, hands
and other parts of the body of all
occupants are kept completely in-
side the vehicle before you close
the power windows. If someone’s
neck, head or hands gets caught in
a closing window, it could result in
a serious injury. When anyone
closes the power windows, be sure
that they operate the windows safe-
ly.
When small children are in the ve-
hicle, never let them use the power
window switches without supervi-
sion. Use the window lock button to
prevent them from making unex-
pected use of the switches.
Never leave small children alone in
the vehicle, especially with the igni-
tion key still inserted. They could
use the power window switches and
get trapped in a window. Unat-
tended children can become in-
volved in serious accidents.
Tr u n k lid (t yp e A) —
To open the trunk lid from the outside,
insert the master key and turn it clock-
wise.
See ”Luggage stowage precautions” in
Part 2 for precautions to observe in load-
ing luggage.
To close the trunk lid, lower it and press
down on it. After closing the trunk lid, try
pulling it up to make sure it is securely
closed.
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Tr u n k lid (t yp e B) —
To open the trunk lid from the outside,
insert the master key and turn it clock-
wise.
See ”Luggage stowage precautions” in
Part 2 for precautions to observe in load-
ing luggage.
To close the trunk lid, lower it and press
down on it. After closing the trunk lid, try
pulling it up to make sure it is securely
closed.
CAUTION
Keep the trunk lid closed while driv-
ing. This not only keeps the luggage
from being thrown out but also pre-
vents exhaust gases from entering
the vehicle.
—Lock release button
To open the trunk lid from the driver’s
seat, push the lock release button.
To safeguard the lock release button from
unwanted access, lock the glovebox. (See
”Glovebox” in Chapter 1 −8.)
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CAUTION
To reduce the risk of sliding under
the lap belt during a collision, avoid
reclining the seatback any more than
needed. The seat belts provide maxi-
mum protection in frontal or rear col-
lision when the driver and the pas-
senger are sitting up straight and
well back in the seats. If you are re-
clined, the lap belt may slide past
your hips and apply restraint forces
directly to the abdomen. Therefore, in
the event of a frontal collision, the
risk of personal injury may increase
with increasing recline of the seat-
back.
3. DRIVER’S SEAT LUMBAR SUPPORT
ADJUSTING LEVER
Pull the lever forward until you have
reached your desired position. To re-
duce the lumbar support, pull the lever
back toward its original position. The micro computer can memorize the
position of the driver’s seat. Two differ-
ent driving position profiles can be en-
tered into computer’s memory.
Recording a driving position in the
computer’s memory can only be done
when the ignition key is in the ”ON”
position and the automatic transmission
selector lever is in the ”P” position.
SETTING A DRIVING POSITION
1. Adjust the driver’s seat to the de- sired position.
2. While pushing the ”SET” button, push button ”1” or ”2” until the sig-
nal beeps.
The beep sound means that the positions
are recorded in the computer ’s memory.
By repeating these two steps and pressing
the remaining button, the driving position
for another driver can be recorded.
To set a new memorized position, select
the desired position and perform step 2.
The previous memory will be erased and
the new position will be set.
Driving position memory
system
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Keep as low on hips as possible To o h i g h
Adjust to a
snug fit
Remove excess length of the belt and
adjust the belt position.
To shorten the belt, pull the free end of
the belt.
Position the lap belt as low as possible
on your hips–not on your waist, then ad-
just it to a snug fit.
CAUTION
High
−positioned and loose −fitting lap
belt could cause serious injuries due
to sliding under the lap belt during a
collision or other unintended result.
Keep the lap belt positioned as low
on hips as possible.
To release the belt, press the buckle −re-
lease button.The front center seat belts can be
stowed when not in use.
—Stowing the front center
seat belt
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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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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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(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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Parking, engine starting and
key removal position
Reverse position
Neutral position
Normal driving position
Position for engine braking
Position for stronger engine
braking than in “2” position Driving pattern selector button
For selecting a driving pattern suited to existing
driving conditions
“NORM” (Normal)
mode for general
driving conditions “PWR”
(Power) mode for
powerful
acceleration“PWR” mode indicator
light on the instrument
panel shows the dri v i ng
pattern selector button is
in “PWR” mode
Overdrive switch
For sel ec ti ng ei ther a three −speed or four −speed
transmission
“ON” position
(Shifting into
overdrive possible) “OFF” position
(Shifting into
overdrive not
possible)“O/D OFF” indicator light
S hows the ov erdri v e swi tc h
is in OFF position
With the brake pedal depressed, shift
while pulling the selector lever toward
you (The ignition switch must be in
“ON” position.)
Shift while pulling the selector
lever toward you
Shift normally
When the cruise control is being used, even if you downshift the transmission by turning off the overdrive switch, engine braki ng will
not be applied because the cruise control is not cancelled. For ways to decrease the vehicle speed, see ”Cruise control” in thi s
chapter. 
Column shift type
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Your automatic transmission has a shift
lock system to minimize the possibility of
incorrect operation. This means you can
only shift out of ”P” position when the
brake pedal is depressed (with the ignition
switch in ”ON” position, and the lock re-
lease button on the floor shift type trans-
mission depressed or the selector lever on
the column shift type transmission pulled
toward you).
(a) Normal driving
1. Start the engine as instructed in ”How to start the engine” in Part 3. The
transmission must be in ”P” or ”N”.
2. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the selector lever to ”D”.
In ”D” position, the automatic transmission
system will select the most suitable gear
for running conditions such as normal
cruising, hill climbing, hard towing, etc.
Always turn the overdrive switch on for
better fuel economy and quieter driving. If
the engine coolant temperature is low, the
transmission will not shift into the over-
drive gear even with the overdrive switch
on.CAUTION
Never put your foot on the accelera-
tor pedal while shifting.
3. Release the parking brake and brake pedal. Depress the accelerator pedal
slowly for smooth starting.
(b) Using engine braking
To use engine braking, you can downshift
the transmission as follows:
Turn off the overdrive switch. The ”O/D
OFF” indicator light will come on and
the transmission will downshift to the
third gear.
Shift into the ”2” position. The trans-
mission will downshift to the second
gear when the vehicle speed drops
down to or lower than 133 km/h (82
mph), and more powerful engine brak-
ing will be obtained.
Shift into the ”L” position. The trans-
mission will downshift to the first gear
When the vehicle speed drops down to
or lower than 59 km/h (36 mph), and
maximum engine braking will be ap-
plied.
Vehicles with cruise control ⎯When the
cruise control is being used, even if you
downshift the transmission by turning off
the overdrive switch, engine braking is not
applied because the cruise control is not
cancelled. For ways to decrease the ve-
hicle speed, see ”Cruise control” in this
chapter.
CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a
slippery surface. Abrupt shifting
could cause the vehicle to spin or
skid.
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(c) Using ”2” and ”L” positions
The ”2” and ”L” positions are used for
strong engine braking as described pre-
viously.
With the selector lever in ”2” or ”L”, you
can start the vehicle in motion as with the
lever in ”D”.
With the selector lever in ”2”, the vehicle
will start in the first gear and automatical-
ly shift to the second gear.
With the selector lever in ”L”, the trans-
mission is engaged in the first gear.
NOTICE
 Be careful not to overrev the en-
gine. Watch the tachometer to keep
engine rpm from going into the red
zone. The approxmate maximum al-
lowable speed for each position is
given below for your reference:
”2”.......... 126 km/h (77 mph)
”L”.......... 68 km/h (41 mph)
Do not continue hill climbing or
hard towing for a long time in the
”2” or ”L” position. This may cause
severe automatic transmission dam-
age from overheating. To prevent
such damage, ”D” position should
be used in hill climbing or hard
towing.
(d) Backing up
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. With the brake pedal held down with your foot, shift the selector lever to the
”R” position.
NOTICE
Never shift into reverse while the ve-
hicle is moving.
(e) Parking
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. With the brake pedal pressed down, fully depress the parking brake pedal
to apply the parking brake securely.
3. With the brake pedal pressed down, shift the selector lever to the ”P” posi-
tion.
CAUTION
While the vehicle is moving, never at-
tempt to move the selector lever into
”P” position under any circum-
stances. Serious mechanical damage
and loss of vehicle control may re-
sult.
(f) Good driving practice
If the transmission is repeatedly up-
shifted and downshifted between third
gear and overdrive when climbing a
gentle slope, the overdrive switch
should be turned off. Be sure to turn
the switch on immediately afterward.
When towing a trailer, in order to main-
tain engine braking efficiency, do not
use overdrive.
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