ECU TOYOTA AVALON 1996 Owner's Manual

97
If you pushed any wrong buttons,
Errº and the number of errors you
have made will appear on the display
before SECº does. Go back to step 2
and try again. If the display returns to
- - -º while you are entering the code,
go back to step 3.
To make sure the security code has been
accepted, turn the ignition to LOCKº and
then
back to ACCº. SECº should appear
on the display.
NOTICE
A tenth error will activate the anti-theft system and HELPº will
appear on the display. The audiosystem will be completelyinoperable. At this time, theanti-theft light also comes on. If this
occurs, contact your Toyota dealer.
ILLUMINATION CONTROL LOGIC
When the instrument panel lights are on,
the letters on operable buttons of the
mode in current use light up. On some au-
dio units, the mode selection and eject
buttons also light up.
On some audio-units, when a cassette
tape and compact disc are not in the slot
the letters on the tape and disc mode but-
tons do not light up, but the slot lights up
for easy access. Once a cassette tape or
compact disc is inserted, the letters on the
tape or disc mode buttons light up, and the
slot stops illuminating.
RADIO RECEPTION
Usually, a problem with radio reception
does not mean there is a problem with
your radioÐit is just the normal result of
conditions outside the vehicle.
For example, nearby buildings and terrain
can interfere with FM reception. Power
lines or telephone wires can interfere with
AM signals. And of course, radio signals
have a limited range, and the farther you
are from a station, the weaker its signal
will be. In addition, reception conditions
change constantly as your vehicle moves. Here are some common reception prob-
lems
that probably do not indicate a prob-
lem with your radio:
FM
Fading and drifting stationsÐGenerally,
the effective range of FM is about 40 km
(25 miles). Once outside this range, you
may notice fading and drifting, which in-
crease with the distance from the radio
transmitter. They are often accompanied
by distortion.
Multi-pathÐFM signals are reflective,
making it possible for two signals to reach
your antenna at the same time. If this hap-
pens, the signals will cancel each other
out, causing a momentary flutter or loss of
reception.
Static and flutteringÐThese occur when
signals are blocked by buildings, trees, or
other large objects. Increasing the bass
level may reduce static and fluttering.
Station swappingÐIf the FM signal you
are listening to is interrupted or weak-
ened, and there is another strong station
nearby on the FM band, your radio may
tune in the second station until the original
signal can be picked up again.
ÐCar audio system operating
hints
ProCarManuals.com

11 2The cup holder is designed for holding
cups or drink-cans fit snugly in its
holes.
To use the cup holder, open the armrest
lid, p
ull out the cup holder. Then close the
armrest lid.

Do not leave the armrest lid open
especially when the cup holder
holds a scalding hot drink. If the lid
is forcibly pulled up, the drink may
spill over the seat occupants.

When the cup holder is in use, the
armrest lid must be securely
closed with the lock engaged.

Do not place anything else on the
cup holder, as such items may be
thrown about and possibly injure
people in the vehicle during sud-
den braking or an accident.

Keep the cup holder shut when not
in use.

Do not lift the armrest upright
when the cup holder is pulled out.
CAUTION!
Use a floor mat of the correct size.
If the floor mat has a hole, then it is de-
signed for use with a locking clip. Fix the
floor mat and locking clip into the hole in
the floor carpet.
Make sure the floor mat is properly
placed on the floor carpet. If the
floor mat slips and interferes with
the movement of the pedals during
driving, it may cause an accident. CAUTION
!
Floor mat
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127
CAUTION

Before driving off, make sure that
the parking brake if fully released
and the parking brake reminder
light is off.

Do not leave your vehicle unat-
tended while the engine is run-
ning.

Do not rest your foot on the brake
pedal while driving. It can cause
dangerous overheating, needless
wear, and poor fuel economy.

To drive down a long or steep hill,
reduce your speed and downshift.
Remember, if you ride the brakes
excessively, they may overheat
and not work properly.

Be careful when accelerating, up-
shifting, downshifting or braking
on a slippery surface. Sudden ac-
celeration or engine braking,
could cause the vehicle to spin or
skid.!
Do not drive in excess of the speed
limit. Even if the legal speed limit
permits it, do not drive over 140
km/h (85 mph) unless your vehicle
has high-speed capability tires.
Driving over 140 km/h (85 mph) may
result in tire failure, loss of control
and possible injury. Be sure to con-
sult a tire dealer to determine
whether the tires on your vehicle
are high-speed capability tires or
not before driving at such speeds.

Do not continue normal driving
when the brakes are wet. If they are
wet, your vehicle will require a lon-
ger stopping distance, and it may
pull to one side when the brakes are
applied. Also, the parking brake
will not hold the vehicle securely. Make sure you have ethylene-glycol
antifreeze in the radiator.
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze.
NOTICE
Check the condition of the battery and
cables.
Cold temperatures reduce the capacity of
any battery, so it must be in top shape to
provide enough power for winter starting.
Chapter 7-3 tells you how to visually in-
spect the battery. Your Toyota dealer and
most service stations will be pleased to
check the level of charge.
Make sure the engine oil viscosity is
suitable for the cold weather.
See Chapter 7-2 for recommended vis-
cosity.
Leaving a heavy summer oil in your
vehicle during winter months may cause
harder starting. If you are not sure about
which oil to use, call your Toyota dealerÐ
he will be pleased to help.
Keep the door locks from freezing.
Squirt lock de-icer or glycerine into the
locks to keep them from freezing. To open
a frozen lock, try heating the key before in-
serting it.
Winter driving tips
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129

The gross vehicle weight must not
exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR) indicated on the
Certification Label. The gross ve-
hicle weight is the sum of weights
of the unloaded vehicle, driver,
passengers, luggage, hitch and
trailer tongue load. It also includes
the weight of any special equip-
ment installed on your vehicle.

The load on either the front or rear
axle resulting from distribution of
the gross vehicle weight on both
axles must not exceed the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) listed
on the Certification Label.
The trailer cargo load should be
distributed so that the tongue load
is 9 to 11 % of the total trailer
weight, not exceeding the maxi-
mum of 90 kg (200 lb.). Never load
the trailer with more weight in the
back than in the front. About 60 %
of the trailer load should be in the
front half of the trailer and the re-
maining 40 % in the rear. HITCHES


Use only a hitch which is recom-
mended by the hitch manufacturer and
conforms to the total trailer weight
requirement.

Follow the directions supplied by the
hitch manufacturer, and bolt the hitch
securely to the rear bumper. Lubricate
the hitch ball with a light coat of grease.

Toyota recommends removing the
trailer hitch whenever you are not tow-
ing a trailer to reduce the possibility of
additional damage caused by the hitch
if your vehicle is struck from behind.
After removing the hitch, seal any
mounting holes in the vehicle body to
prevent entry of pollutants such as ex-
haust fumes, dirt, water, etc.
Do not use axle-mounted hitches they can cause damage to the axle
housing, wheel bearings, wheels ortires. Also, never install a hitchwhich may interfere with the normalfunction of an Energy AbsorbingBumper.
NOTICE
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130BRAKES AND SAFETY CHAINS


Toyota recommends trailers with
brakes that conform to any appli-
cable federal and state/provincial
regulations.

A safety chain must always be used
between the towing vehicle and the
trailer. Leave sufficient slack in the
chain for turns. The chain should
cross under the trailer tongue to
prevent the tongue from dropping
to the ground in case it becomes
damaged or separated. For correct
safety chain procedures, follow the
hitch or trailer manufacturer's rec-
ommendations.
CAUTION

If the total trailer weight exceeds
453 kg (1000 lb.), trailer brakes are
required.

Never tap into your vehicle's hy-
draulic system as it would lower its
braking effectiveness.

Never tow a trailer without using a
safety chain securely attached to
both the trailer and the vehicle. If
damage occurs to the coupling
unit or hitch ball, there is danger of
the trailer wandering over into
another lane.!
TIRES

Ensure that your vehicle's tires are
properly inflated. See Chapter 7-2 for
instructions.

The trailer tires should be inflated to
the pressure recommended by the
trailer manufacturer in respect to the
total trailer weight.
TRAILER LIGHTS

Trailer lights must comply with federal,
state/provincial and local regulations.
See your local recreational vehicle
dealer or rental agency for the correct
type of wiring and relays for your trail-
er. Check for correct operation of the
turn signals and stop lights each time
you hitch up. Direct splicing may dam-
age your vehicle's electrical system
and cause a malfunction of your lights.
BREAK-IN SCHEDULE

Toyota recommends that you do not
tow a trailer with a new vehicle or a ve-
hicle with any new power train compo-
nent (engine, transmission, differen-
tial, wheel bearing, etc.) for the first
800 km (500 miles) of driving. MAINTENANCE


If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will re-
quire more frequent maintenance due
to the additional load. For this informa-
tion, please refer to the scheduled
maintenance information in the Own-
er 's Manual Supplement/Maintenance
Scheduleº.

Retighten all fixing bolts of the towing
ball and bracket after approximately
1000 km (600 miles) of trailer driving.
PRE-T OWING SAFETY CHECK

Check that your vehicle remains level
when a loaded or unloaded trailer is
hitched. Do not drive if the vehicle has
an abnormal nose-up or nose-down
condition, and check for improper
tongue load, overload, worn suspen-
sion or other possible causes.

Make sure the trailer cargo is securely
loaded so that it can not shift.

Check that your rear view mirrors con-
form to any applicable federal, state/
provincial or local regulation. If not,
install the rear view mirrors required
for towing purpose.
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140
1. Get the required tools and spare
tire.1 Tool bag
2 Jack
3 Jack handle
4 Spare tire
To prepare yourself for an emergency,
you should familiarize yourself with the
use of the jack, each of the tools and their
storage locations. Turn the jack joint by hand.
To remove: turn the joint in the direction 1
until the jack is free.
To store: turn the joint in the direction 2 un-
til the jack is firmly secured to prevent it
flying forward during a collision or sudden
braking.To remove the spare tire:
1. Loosen the nut and remove it.
2. Remove the spare tire cover.
3. Loosen the bolt and remove it.
4. Remove the spacer.
Then t ake the spare tire out of the vehicle.
When storing the spare tire, put it in place
with the outer side of the wheel facing up.
Then secure the tire by repeating the
above removal steps in reverse order to
prevent it from flying forward during a col-
lision or sudden braking.
ÐRequired tools and spare tire
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144
9. Lower the vehicle completely and
tighten the wheel nuts.
Turn the jack handle counterclockwise to
lower the vehicle.
Use only the wheel nut wrench and turn it
clockwise to tighten the nuts. Do not use
other tools or any additional leverage oth-
er than your hands, such as a hammer,
pipe or your foot. Make sure the wrench is
securely engaged over the nut.
Tighten each nut a little at a time in the or-
der shown. Repeat the process until all
the nuts are tight.Steel wheels
Aluminum wheels 10. Reinstall the wheel ornament.
1. Put the wheel ornament into position.
On some models, align the cutout of the
wheel ornament with the valve stem as
shown.
2. Then tap it firmly with the side or heel
of your hand to snap it into place.
Take due care in handling the orna-
ment to avoid unexpected personal
injury.
CAUTION
!
ÐLowering your vehicle ÐReinstalling wheel ornament
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145
11. Check the air pressure of the
replaced tire.
Adjust
the air pressure to the specification
designated in Part 8. If the pressure is
lower, drive slowly to the nearest service
station and fill to the correct pressure.
Do not forget to reinstall the tire inflation
valve cap as dirt and moisture could get
into the valve core and possibly cause air
leakage. If the cap is missing, have a new
one put on as soon as possible.
12. Restow all the tools, jack and flat
tire securely.
As soon as possible after changing
wheels, tighten the wheel nuts to the
torque specified in Part 8 with a torque
wrench, have a technician repair the flat
tire and replace the spare tire with it.
Before driving, make sure all the
tools, jack and flat tire are securely
in place in their storage location to
reduce the possibility of personal
injury during a collision or sudden
braking. CAUTION
!
If towing is necessary, we recommend
you have it done by your T
oyota dealer
or a commercial tow truck service.
Proper equipment will help ensure that
your vehicle is not damaged while being
towed. Commercial operators are gener-
ally aware of the state/provincial and local
laws pertaining to towing.
Your vehicle can be damaged if it is towed
incorrectly. Although most operators
know the correct procedure, it is possible
to make a mistake. To avoid damage to
your vehicle, make sure the following few
precautions are observed. If necessary,
show this page to the tow truck driver.
TOWING PRECAUTIONS:
Use a safety chain system for all towing,
and abide by the state/provincial and local
laws. The wheels and axle on the ground
must be in good condition. If they are
damaged, use a towing dolly.
(a) Using flat bed truck
Toyota recommends this as the best
method for your vehicle.
ÐAfter changing wheels If your vehicle needs to
be towedÐ
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147
If towing service is not available in an
emergency, your vehicle may be tem-
porarily towed by a cable secured to
one of the emergency towing eyelets
under the vehicle.
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer it
and operate the brakes.
Towing in this manner may be done only
on hard-surfaced roads for a short dis-
tance and at low speeds. Also, the
wheels, axles, drive train, steering and
brakes must all be in good condition.
Before towing, release the parking brake
and put the transmission in Nº. The key
must be in ACCº (engine off) or ONº (en-
gine running).
CAUTION!
If the engine is not running, the
power assist for the brakes and
steering will not work so steering
and braking will be much harder
than usual.
If you cannot shift the selector lever
out of Pº position to other positions
even though the brake pedal is de-
pressed, use the shift lock override
button as follows:
1. Turn the ignition key to LOCKº
position. Make sure the parking brake
is set.
2. Pry up the cover with a flat-bladed
screwdriver or equivalent.3. Insert the screwdriver or equivalent
into the hole to push down the shift
lock override button. You can shift out
of Pº position only while pushing the
button.
4. Shift into Nº position.
5. Insert the cover.
6. Start the engine. For your safety,
keep the brake pedal depressed.
Be sure to have the system checked by
your Toyota dealer as soon as possible.
If you cannot shift automatic
transmission selector lever
(floor shift)
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159
Tire surface and wheel nuts
Check the tires carefully
for cuts, damage
or excessive wear. See Chapter 7-2 for
additional information. When checking
the tires, make sure no nuts are missing,
and check the nuts for looseness. T ighten
them if necessary.
Tire rotation
Rotate the tires every 12000 km (7500
miles). See Chapter 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 op-
erate smoothly and all latches lock se-
curely. M ake sure the engine hood secon-
dary latch secures the hood from opening
when the primary latch is released.
INSIDE THE VEHICLE
Items listed below should be checked
regularly, e.g. while performing peri-
odic 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
warn-
ing buzzers
Check that all service reminder indicators
and warning buzzers function properly.
Steering wheel
Check that it has the specified freeplay.
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 mech-
anism
Check the lock release button of the se-
lector lever for proper and smooth opera-
tion. On a safe incline, check that your ve-
hicle is held securely with the selector
lever in ºPº 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 Chapter 7-3 for additional infor-
mation.ProCarManuals.com