fuel TOYOTA AVALON 2000 Owner's Guide

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What about do- it- yourself maintenance?
Many of the maintenance items are easy
to do yourself if you have a little mechani-
cal ability and a few basic automotive
tools. Simple instructions for how to per-
form them are presented in Section 7.
If you are a skilled do- it- yourself mechan-
ic, the Toyota service manuals are recom-
mended. Please be aware that do- it- your-
self maintenance can affect your warranty
coverage. See Owner 's Warranty Informa-
tion Bookletº or Owner 's Manual Supple-
mentº for the details.
General maintenance
Listed below are the general maintenance
items that should be performed as fre-
quently as specified. In addition to check-
ing the items listed, if you notice any
unusual noise, smell or vibration, you
should investigate the cause or take your
vehicle to your Toyota dealer or a quali-
fied service shop immediately. It is recom-
mended that any problem you notice be
brought to the attention of your dealer or
the qualified service shop for their advice.
CAUTION
Make these checks only where ade-
quate ventilation can be obtained if
you run the engine.
OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE
Items listed below should be performed
from time to time, unless otherwise
specified.
Tire pressure
Check the pressure with a gauge every
two weeks, or at least once a month. See
Section 7- 2 for additional information.Tire surface and wheel nuts
Check the tires carefully for cuts, damage
or excessive wear. See Section 7- 2 for
additional information. When checking the
tires, make sure no nuts are missing, and
check the nuts for looseness. Tighten
them if necessary.
Tire rotation
Rotate the tires every 12000 km (7500
miles). See Section 7- 2 for additional in-
formation.
Fluid leaks
Check underneath for leaking fuel, oil, wa-
ter or other fluid after the vehicle has
been parked for a while. If you smell fuel
fumes or notice any leak, have the cause
found and corrected immediately.
Doors and engine hood
Check that all doors including trunk lid
operate smoothly and all latches lock se-
curely. Make sure the engine hood sec-
ondary latch secures the hood from open-
ing when the primary latch is released.
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INSIDE THE VEHICLE
Items listed below should be checked
regularly, e.g. while performing periodic
services, cleaning the vehicle, etc.
Lights
Make sure the headlights, stop lights, tail
lights, turn signal lights, and other lights
are all working. Check headlight aim.
Service reminder indicators and warning
buzzers
Check that all service reminder indicators
and warning buzzers function properly.
Steering wheel
Check that it has the specified free play.
Be alert for changes in steering condition,
such as hard steering or strange noise.
Seats
Check that all front seat controls such as
seat adjusters, seatback recliner, etc. op-
erate smoothly and that all latches lock
securely in any position. Check that the
head restraints move up and down
smoothly and that the locks hold securely
in any latched position.
Seat belts
Check that the seat belt system such as
buckles, retractors and anchors operate
properly and smoothly. Make sure the belt
webbing is not cut, frayed, worn or dam-
aged.Accelerator pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and
uneven pedal effort or catching.
Brake pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and
that the pedal has the proper clearance.
Check the brake booster function.
Brakes
At a safe place, check that the brakes do
not pull to one side when applied.
Parking brake
Check that the pedal has the proper travel
and that, on a safe incline, your vehicle
is held securely with only the parking
brake applied.
Automatic transmission Parkº mecha-
nism
Check the lock release button of the se-
lector lever for proper and smooth opera-
tion. On a safe incline, check that your
vehicle is held securely with the selector
lever in Pº position and all brakes re-
leased.
IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT
Items listed below should be checked
from time to time, e.g. each time when
refueling.
Washer fluid
Make sure there is sufficient fluid in the
tank. See Section 7- 3 for additional infor-
mation.
Engine coolant level
Make sure the coolant level is between
the FULLº and LOWº lines on the see-
through reservoir when the engine is cold.
See Section 7- 2 for additional information.
Battery electrolyte level
Make sure the electrolyte level of all bat-
tery cells is between upper and lower lev-
el lines on the case. Add only distilled
water when replenishing. See Section 7- 3
for additional information.
Brake fluid level
Make sure the brake fluid level is correct.
See Section 7- 2 for additional information.
Engine oil level
Check the level on the dipstick with the
engine turned off and the vehicle parked
on a level spot. See Section 7- 2 for addi-
tional information.
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If you perform maintenance by yourself,
be sure to follow the correct procedure
given in this section.
You should be aware that improper or in-
complete servicing may result in operating
problems.
Performing do- it- yourself maintenance
during the warranty period may affect your
warranty coverage. Read the separate
Toyota Warranty statement for details and
suggestions.
This section gives instructions only for
those items that are relatively easy for an
owner to perform. As explained in Section
6, there are still a number of items that
must be done by a qualified technician
with special tools.
For information on tools and parts for do-
it- yourself maintenance, see Parts and
toolsº.
Utmost care should be taken when work-
ing on your vehicle to prevent accidental
injury. Here are a few precautions that
you should be especially careful to ob-
serve:CAUTION

When the engine is running, keep
hands, clothing, and tools away
from the moving fan and engine
drive belts. (Removing rings,
watches, and ties is advisable.)

Right after driving, the engine
compartmentÐthe engine, radiator,
exhaust manifold and spark plug
boots, etc.Ðwill be hot. So be care-
ful not to touch them. Oil, fluids
and spark plugs may also be hot.

If the engine is hot, do not remove
the radiator cap or loosen the drain
plugs to prevent burning yourself.

Do not smoke, cause sparks or al-
low open flames around fuel or the
battery. Their fumes are flammable.

Be extremely cautious when work-
ing on the battery. It contains poi-
sonous and corrosive sulfuric acid.

Do not get under your vehicle with
just the body jack supporting it. Al-
ways use automotive jack stands or
other solid supports.

Be sure that the ignition is off if
you work near the electric cooling
fans or radiator grille. With the
ignition on, the electric cooling fans
will automatically start to run if the
engine coolant temperature is high
and/or the air conditioning is on.

Use eye protection whenever you
work on or under your vehicle
where you may be exposed to flying
or falling material, fluid spray, etc.

Used engine oil contains potentially
harmful contaminants which may
cause skin disorders such as in-
flammation or skin cancer, so care
should be taken to avoid prolonged
and repeated contact with it. To re-
move used engine oil from your
skin, wash thoroughly with soap
and water.
Do- it- yourself service
precautions
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Checking the engine oil level
Low level
Add oil O.K. Too full Full level
With the engine at operating tempera-
ture and turned off, check the oil level
on the dipstick.
1. To get a true reading, the vehicle should be on a level spot. After turning
off the engine, wait a few minutes for
the oil to drain back into the bottom of
the engine.
2. Pull out the dipstick, and wipe it clean with a rag.
3. Reinsert the dipstickÐpush it in as far as it will go, or the reading will not be
correct.
4. Pull the dipstick out and look at the oil level on the end.
CAUTION
Be careful not to touch the hot ex-
haust manifold.
If the oil level is below or only slightly
above the low level, add engine oil of
the same type as already in the engine.
Remove the oil filler cap and add engine
oil in small quantities at a time, checking
the dipstick.
The approximate quantity of oil needed to
fill between the low level and the full level
on the dipstick is indicated below for ref-
erence.
When the level reaches within the correct
range, install the f iller cap hand- tight.
Oil quantity, L (qt., Imp. qt.): 1.5 (1.6, 1.3)
NOTICE

Avoid overfilling, or the engine
could be damaged.

Check the oil level on the dipstickonce again after adding the oil.
Engine oil selection
Use API grade SJ, Energy- Conservingº
or ILSAC multigrade engine oil.
Recommended viscosity (SAE):
SAE 5W- 30 is the best choice for your
vehicle, for good fuel economy and
good starting in cold weather.
If you use SAE 10W- 30 engine oil in
extremely low temperatures, the engine
may become difficult to start, so SAE
5W- 30 engine oil is recommended.
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API service symbol
ILSAC certification mark
Oil identification marks
Either or both API registered marks are
added to some oil containers to help
you select the oil you should use.
The API Service Symbol is located any-
where on the outside of the container.
The top portion of the label shows the oil
quality by API (American Petroleum Insti-
tute) designations such as SJ. The center
portion of the label shows the SAE viscos-
ity grade such as SAE 5W- 30. Energy-
Conservingº shown in the lower portion,
indicates that the oil has fuel- saving ca-
pabilities.
The ILSAC (International Lubricant Stan-
dardization and Approval Committee) Certi-
fication Mark is displayed on the front of
the container.Look at the see- through coolant reser-
voir when the engine is cold. The cool-
ant level is satisfactory if it is between
the FULLº and LOWº lines on the
reservoir. If the level is low, add ethyl-
ene- glycol type coolant for a proper
corrosion protection of aluminum com-
ponents.
The coolant level in the reservoir will vary
with engine temperature. However, if the
level is on or below the LOWº line, add
coolant. Bring the level up to the FULLº
line.
Always use ethylene- glycol type coolant
for a proper corrosion protection of alumi-
num components. See information in the
next column.
If the coolant level drops within a short
time after replenishing, there may be a
leak in the system. Visually check the
radiator, hoses, radiator cap and drain
cock and water pump.
If you can find no leak, have your Toyota
dealer test the cap pressure and check
for leaks in the cooling system.
Checking the engine coolant
level
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Checking tire pressure
Keep your tire pressures at the proper
level.
The recommended cold tire pressures, tire
size and the vehicle capacity weight are
given in Section 8. They are also on the
tire pressure label as shown.
You should check the tire pressures every
two weeks, or at least once a month. And
do not forget the spare!
Incorrect tire pressure can reduce tire
life and make your vehicle less safe to
drive.Low tire pressure results in excessive
wear, poor handling, reduced fuel econo-
my, and the possibility of blowouts from
overheated tires. Also, low tire pressure
can cause poor sealing of the tire bead.
If the tire pressure is excessively low,
there is the possibility of w
heel deforma-
tion and/or tire separation.
High tire pressure produces a harsh ride,
handling problems, excessive wear at the
center of the tire tread, and a greater
possibility of tire damage from road haz-
ards.
If a tire frequently needs ref illing, have it
checked by your Toyota dealer.
The following instructions for checking
tire pressure should be observed:

The pressure should be checked only
when the tires are cold. If your ve-
hicle has been parked for at least 3
hours and has not been driven for
more than 1.5 km or 1 mile since, you
will get an accurate cold tire pressure
reading.

Always use a tire pressure gauge.
The appearance of a tire can be mis-
leading. Besides, tire pressures that
are even just a few pounds off can
degrade ride and handling.

Do not bleed or reduce tire pressure
after driving. It is normal for the tire
pressure to be higher after driving.

Never exceed the vehicle capacity
weight. The passenger and luggage
weight should be located so that the
vehicle is balanced.

Be sure to reinstall the tire inflation
valve caps. Without the valve caps,
dirt or moisture could get into the valve
core and cause air leakage. If the caps
have been lost, have new ones put on
as soon as possible.
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Fuel342
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Fuel
Fuel type:Unleaded gasoline, Octane Rating 87
(Research Octane Number 91) or higher.
For improved vehicle performance, the
use of premium unleaded gasoline with
an Octane Rating of 91 (Research Oc-
tane Number 96) or higher is recom-
mended.
Fuel tank capacity, L (gal., Imp. gal.): 70 (18.5, 15.4)
Service specifications
ENGINE
Valve clearance (engine cold), mm (in.):
Intake 0.15Ð0.25 (0.006Ð0.010)
Exhaust 0.25Ð0.35 (0.010Ð0.014)
Spark plug type: DENSO SK20R11
NGK IFR6A11
Spark plug gap, mm (in.): 1.1 (0.043)
Drive belt tension measured with Bor-
roughs drive belt tension gauge No.
BT- 33- 73F (used belt), Ibf: Generator belt
8822
Power steering pump belt
11 520
ENGINE LUBRICATION
Oil capacity (drain and ref ill), L (qt., Imp.
qt.):
With filter 4.7 (5.0, 4.1)
Without filter 4.5 (4.8, 4.0) Oil grade:
API grade SJ, Energy- Conservingº or
ILSAC multigrade engine oil is recom-
mended.
Recommended oil viscosity (SAE):
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Instrument panel
9. DCC 30 A: DOMEº, ECU- Bº and
RADIOº fuses
10. SRS WRN 5 A: SRS warning light
11. HAZ 15 A: Turn signal lights
12. A/F 25 A: Air/Fuel sensor
13. DOOR NO.2 15 A: Power door lock
system
14. HORN 10 A: Horn, theft- deterrent sys-
tem
15. AM2 10 A: SRS airbag system, multi-
port fuel injection system/sequential
multiport fuel injection system, starter
system, charging system, air/fuel sen-
sor, fuel pump 16. EFI NO.2 7.5 A:
Multiport fuel injection
system/s equential multiport fuel injec-
tion system, air flow meter, oxygen
sensor, evaporative emission control
system, throttle positi oner control sys-
tem, engine control system
17. ABS NO.3 25 A: Anti- lock brake sys-
tem
18. ABS NO.2 25 A: Vehicle skid control
system
19. EFI NO.1 15 A: Multiport fuel injection
system/s equential multiport fuel injec-
tion system, fuel pump
20. IG2 15 A: Multiport fuel injection sys-
tem/sequential multiport fuel injection
system
21. HEAD RH UPR 10 A: No circuit
22. HEAD LH UPR 15 A: No circuit
23. HEAD RH LWR 15 A: Right- hand
headlight (low beam)
24. HEAD LH LWR 15 A: Left- hand head-
light (low beam)
25. DRL 7.5 A: Daytime running light sys-
tem
26. HEAD LH UPR 10 A: Left- hand head-
light (high beam), high beam indicator
light 27. HEAD RH UPR 10 A:
Right- hand
headlight (high beam)
28. ECU- IG NO.1 5 A: Electric cooling
fans
29. ECU- B 7.5 A: Air conditioning system,
theft deterrent system, power seats,
meters, power windows (for driver and
front passenger), multiplex communica-
tion system
30. TAIL 10 A: Parking lights, license plate
lights, tail lights, rear side marker
lights, rear light failure warning light,
engine control system
31. SEAT HTR 20 A: Seat heaters
32. FR P/W 20 A: Power window (for front
passenger)
33. GAUGE NO.1 10 A: Vehicle skid con-
trol system, rear window defogger,
cruise control system, shift lock sys-
tem, anti- lock brake system, auto anti-
glare inside rear view mirror, automatic
light control system, power seats, rear
light failure warning light, automatic
transmission indicator lights, power out-
let, power window (for driver), brake
system warning light, electric moon
roof
34. HTR 10 A: Air conditioning system
35. FOG 15 A: Front fog lights
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36. TURN 7.5 A: Turn signal lights
37. A/C 10 A: Air conditioning system
38. RADIO 15 A: Audio system, multi- in-
formation display
39. PANEL 5 A: Gauges and meters, audio
system, cigarette lighter, air c ondition-
ing system, emergency flasher, elec-
tronically controlled automatic transmis-
sion system, power rear view mirrors,
multi- information display, glove box
light, instrument panel lights, instrument
panel light control, power outlet
40. FL P/W 25 A: Power window (for driv-
er)
41. PWR OUTLET NO.1 15 A: Power out-
let (ACC)
42. ECU- ACC 5 A: Audio system, power
rear view mirrors, multi- information dis-
play, shift lock system, multiplex com-
munication system
43. SRS- ACC 10 A: SRS airbag system
44. MIR HTR 10 A: Outside rear view mir-
ror defoggers, engine control system
45. PWR OUTLET NO.2 15 A: Power out-
let (IG)
46. GAUGE NO.2 10 A: Back- up lights
47. OBD- II 7.5 A: On- board diagnosis sys-
tem 48. STOP 15 A:
Stop lights, high mounted
stoplight, anti- lock brake system, shift
lock system, cruise control system, ve-
hicle skid control system, engine con-
trol system
49. DOME 7.5 A: Interior light, front per-
sonal lights, door courtesy lights, igni-
tion switch light, vanity lights, garage
door opener, open door warning light,
illuminated entry system, rear pers onal
lights, automatic light control system,
trunk light, wireless remote control sys-
tem, multiplex communication system
50. OPNER 5 A: No circuit
51. RL P/W 20 A: Power window (for rear
left passenger)
52. RR P/W 20 A: Power window (for rear
right passenger)
53. WIP 25 A: Windshield wipers and
washer
54. ECU- IG NO.2 10 A: Anti- lock brake
system, cruise control system, multi- in-
formation display, theft deterrent sys-
tem, vehicle skid control system, me-
ters, multiplex communication system
55. CIG 15 A: Cigarette lighter
56. DOOR NO.1 25 A: Theft deterrent sys-
tem, trunk opener, multiplex commu-
nication system 57. SUN ROOF 30 A:
Electric moon roof
Fuses (type B)
58. AM1 40 A: Multiport fuel injection sys-
tem/sequential multiport fuel injection
system
59. HTR 50 A: Air conditioning system
60. CDS 30 A: Electric cooling fans
61. RDI 30 A: Electric cooling fans
62. MAIN 40 A: Starter system
63. DEF 40 A: Rear window defogger,
noise filter
64. PWR SEAT 30 A: Power seats
Fuses (type C)
65. ABS 60 A: Anti- lock brake system,
ABS NO.4º fuse
66. ALT 120 A: HTRº, A/Cº, ABS NO.2º,
ABS NO.3º, RDIº, CDSº, AM1º,
ABSº and ABS NO.4º fuses
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