brake light TOYOTA AVALON 1996 Owner's Manual

133


Avoid continuous speeding up and
slowing down. Stop-and-go driving
wastes fuel.

Avoid unnecessary stopping and
braking. Maintain a steady pace. Try
to time the traffic signals so you only
need to stop as little as possible or take
advantage of through streets to avoid
traffic lights. Keep a proper distance
from other vehicles to avoid sudden
braking. This will also reduce wear on
your brakes.

Avoid heavy traffic or traffic jams
whenever possible.

Do not rest your foot on the clutch
or brake pedal. This causes needless
wear, overheating and poor fuel econ-
omy.

Maintain a moderate speed on
highways. The faster you drive, the
greater the fuel consumption. By re-
ducing your speed, you will cut down
on fuel consumption.

Keep the front wheels in proper
alignment. Avoid hitting the curb and
slow down on rough roads. Improper
alignment not only causes faster tire
wear but also puts an extra load on the
engine, which, in turn, wastes fuel.

Keep the bottom of your vehicle
free from mud, etc. This not only
lessens weight but also helps prevent
corrosion.

Keep your vehicle tuned-up and in
top shape. A dirty air cleaner, improp-
er valve clearance, dirty plugs, dirty oil
and grease, brakes not adjusted, etc.
all lower engine performance and con-
tribute to poor fuel economy. For lon-
ger life of all parts and lower operating
costs, keep all maintenance work on
schedule, and if you often drive under
severe conditions, see that your ve-
hicle receives more frequent mainte-
nance (For scheduled maintenance in-
formation, please refer to the separate
Owner 's Manual Supplement/Main-
tenance Scheduleº).
CAUTION
Never turn off the engine to coast
down hills. Your power steering and
brake booster will not function
without the engine running. Also,
the emission control system
operates properly only when the
engine is running.!
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1385. Start your engine in the normal way.
After starting, run it at about 2000 rpm for
several minutes with the accelerator ped-
al lightly depressed.
6. Carefully disconnect the cables in the
exact reverse order: the negative cable
and then the positive cable.
7. Carefully dispose of the battery cover
clothsÐthey may now contain sulfuric
acid.
8. If removed, replace all the battery vent
plugs.
If the cause of your battery discharging is
not apparent (for example, lights left on),
you should have it checked.
If your engine stalls while driving
0
1. Reduce your speed gradually, keeping
a straight line. Move cautiously off the
road to a safe place.
2. Turn on your emergency flashers.
3. Try starting the engine again.
If the engine will not start, see If your ve-
hicle will not startº.
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. CAUTION
!
If your engine coolant temperature
gauge indicates overheating, if you
experience a loss of power, or if you
hear a loud knocking or pinging noise,
the engine has probably overheated.
You should follow this procedure
0
1. Pull safely off the road, stop the vehicle
and turn on your emergency flashers. Put
the transmission in Pº and apply the park-
ing brake. Turn off the air conditioning if it
is being used.
2. If coolant or steam is boiling out of the
radiator or reservoir, stop the engine. Wait
until the steam subsides before opening
the hood. If there is no coolant boiling over
or steam, leave the engine running and
make sure the electric cooling fan is oper-
ating. If it is not, turn the ignition off.
To help avoid personal injury, keep
the hood closed until there is no
steam. Escaping steam or coolant is
a sign of very high pressure. CAUTION
!
3. Look for obvious coolant leaks from
the radiator, hoses, and under the vehicle.
However, note that water draining from
the air conditioning is normal if it has been
used.
If your vehicle overheats
If your engine stalls while
driving
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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

1621. Engine coolant reservoir
2. Power steering fluid reservoir
3. Engine oil filler cap
4. Brake fluid reservoir
5. Fuse blocks
6. Battery
7. Engine cooling fans
8. Engine oil level dipstick
9. Windshield washer and headlight
cleaner fluid tank
Engine compartment overview
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166Here is a list of parts and tools you will
need on performing do-it-yourself main-
tenance. Remember all Toyota parts are
designed in metric sizes, so your tools
must be metric.
Checking the engine oil level
Parts (if level is low):


Engine oil API SH, Energy- Conserving
IIº multigrade or ILSAC multigrade hav-
ing viscosity proper for your climate
Tools:

Rag or paper towel

Funnel (only for adding oil)
Checking the engine coolant level
Parts (if level is low):

Ethylene-glycol antifreeze

Demineralized or distilled water
Tools:

Funnel (only for adding coolant)
Checking brake fluid
Parts (if level is low):

SAE J1703 or FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3
brake fluid
Tools:

Rag or paper towel

Funnel (only for adding fluid) Checking power steering fluid
Parts (if level is low):


Automatic transmission fluid DEX-
RON
[-II or -III
Tools:

Rag or paper towel

Funnel (only for adding fluid)
Checking battery condition
Non-maintenance batteriesÐ
Tools:

Warm water

Baking soda

Grease

Conventional wrench (for terminal
clamp bolts)
Maintenance type batteriesÐ
Parts (if level is low):

Distilled water
Tools:

Warm water

Baking soda

Grease

Conventional wrench (for terminal
clamp bolts)

Coin (for vent plugs)

Funnel (only for adding distilled water) Checking and replacing fuses
Parts (if replacement is necessary):


Fuse with same amperage rating as
original
Tools:

Screwdriver (for passenger's side kick
panel screw)
Adding washer fluid
Parts:

Water

Washer fluid containing antifreeze (for
winter use)
Tools:

Funnel
Replacing light bulbs
Parts:

Bulb with same number and wattage
rating as original (See charts in Re-
placing light bulbsº in Chapter 7-3.)
Tools:

Screwdriver

Conventional wrench
Parts and tools
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Part 7
167
DO-IT-YOURSELF
MAINTENANCEÐ
Chapter 7-2
Engine and Chassis

Checking the engine oil level

Checking the engine coolant
level

Checking brake fluid

Checking power steering fluid

Checking tire pressure

Checking and replacing tires

Rotating tires

Installing snow tires and chains

Replacing wheels

Aluminum wheel precautions
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 en-
gine.
2. Pull out the dipstick, and wipe it clean
with a rag.
3. Reinsert the dipstick 'push it in as far
as it will go, or the reading will not be cor-
rect.
4. Pull the dipstick out and look at the oil
level on the end.
CAUTION
Be careful not to touch the hot
exhaust manifold.!
If the oil level is below or only slightly
above the low level line, add engine oil
of the same type as already in the en-
gine.
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 refer-
ence.
When the level reaches within the correct
range, install the filler cap hand-tight.
Oil quantity, L (qt., Imp. qt.): 1.5 (1.6, 1.3)

Avoid overfilling, or the engine could be damaged.
Check the oil level on the dipstick
once again after adding the oil.
NOTICE
Checking the engine oil level
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169
Look at the see-through coolant res-
ervoir when the engine is cold. The
coolant level is satisfactory if it is be-
tween the FULLº and LOWº lines on
the reservoir. If the level is low, add
ethylene-glycol type coolant.
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.
Use only ethylene-glycol type coolant.
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 ra-
diator, 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.
To prevent burning yourself, do not
remove the radiator cap when the
engine is hot.
CAUTION!
Coolant type selection
Your coolant must contain ethylene-gly-
col antifreeze. In addition to preventing
freezing and subsequent damage to the
engine, this will also prevent corrosion.
Further supplemental inhibitors or addi-
tives are neither needed nor recom-
mended.
Read the antifreeze container for informa-
tion on freeze protection. Follow the
manufacturer 's directions for how much
to mix with water. The total capacity of the
cooling system is given in Part 8. We rec-
ommend 50% solution be used for your
Toyota, or a sufficient quantity to provide
protection to about -35 C (-31 C).
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze
or plain water alone.
NOTICE
To check the fluid level, simply look at
the see-through reservoir. The level
should be between the MAXº and
MINº lines on the reservoir.
It is normal for the brake fluid level to go
down slightly as the brake pads wear. So
be sure to keep the reservoir filled.
If the reservoir needs frequent refilling, it
may indicate a serious mechanical prob-
lem.
Checking brake fluid
Checking the engine coolant
level
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174

Do not exceed 50 km/h (30 mph) or
the chain manufacturer's recom-
mended speed limit, whichever is
lower.

Drive carefully avoiding bumps,
holes, and sharp turns, which may
cause the vehicle to bounce.

Avoid sharp turns or locked-wheel
braking, as use of chains may ad-
versely affect vehicle handling.
CAUTION!
WHEN TO REPLACE YOUR WHEELS
If you have wheel damage such as
bending, cracks or heavy corrosion,
the wheel should be replaced.
If you fail to replace damaged wheels, the
tire may slip off the wheel or they may
cause loss of handling control.
WHEEL SELECTION
When replacing wheels, care should
be taken to ensure that the wheels are
replaced by ones with the same load
capacity, diameter, rim width, and off-
set.
Correct replacement wheels are available
at your Toyota dealer.
A wheel of a different size or type may ad-
versely affect handling, wheel and bear-
ing life, brake cooling, speedometer/
odometer calibration, stopping ability,
headlight aim, bumper height, vehicle
ground clearance, and tire or snow chain
clearance to the body and chassis.
Replacement with used wheels is not rec-
ommended as they may have been sub-
jected to rough treatment or high mileage
and could fail without warning. Also, bent
wheels which have been straightened
may have structural damage and there-
fore should not be used. Never use an in-
ner tube in a leaking wheel which is de-
signed for a tubeless tire.

After driving your vehicle the first 1600
km (1000 miles), check that the wheel
nuts are tight.

If you have rotated, repaired, or
changed your tires, check that the
wheel nuts are still tight after driving
1600 km (1000 miles).

When using tire chains, be careful not
to damage the aluminum wheels.

Use only the Toyota wheel nuts and
wrench designed for your aluminum
wheels.

When balancing your wheels, use only
Toyota balance weights or equivalent
and a plastic or rubber hammer.

As with any wheel, periodically check
your aluminum wheels for damage. If
damaged, replace immediately.
Replacing wheels Aluminum wheel precautions
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191
Oil grade:
API SH, Energy-Conserving IIº mul-
tigrade engine oil or ILSAC multi-
grade engine oil is recommended.
Recommended oil viscosity (SAE):
COOLING SYSTEM
Total capacity, L (qt., Imp. qt.): 9.3 (9.8, 8.2)
Coolant type: With ethylene-glycol antifreeze
(Do not use alcohol type.) BATTERY
ÐMaintenance type battery
Specific gravity reading at 20
5C (685 F)
1.260 Fully charged
1.160 Half charged
1.060 Discharged
ÐNon-maintenance type battery
Open voltage* at 205 C (685F)
12.7 V Fully charged
12.3 V Half charged
11.9 V Discharged
*: Voltage that is checked 20 minutes af-
ter the key is removed with all the lights
turned off
Charging Rates: Non-maintenance battery 5 A max.
Maintenance type battery
Quick charge 15 A max.
Slow charge 5 A max.
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE
Automatic transmission Fluid capacity (drain and refill),
L (qt., Imp. qt.):
Up to 3.5 (3.7, 3.1) Differential
Fluid capacity, L (qt., Imp. qt.):
0.85 (0.9, 0.7)
Fluid type: Automatic transmission fluid
DEXRON
[-II
BRAKES
Minimum pedal clearance when de-
pressed with the pressure of 490 N (50
kgf, 110 lbf) with the engine running, mm
(in.): 70 (2.8)
Pedal freeplay, mm (in.): 1' 6 (0.04' 0.24)
Pad wear limit, mm (in.): 1.0 (0.04)
Lining wear limit, mm (in.):
1.0 (0.04)
Parking brake adjustment when
depressed with the force of 294 N (30 kgf,
66.1 lbf):
3Ð6 clicks
Fluid type:
SAE J1703 or
FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3
STEERING
Wheel freeplay:
Less than 30 mm (1.2 in.)
Power steering fluid type:
Automatic transmission fluid
DEXRON
[-II or -III
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193
Engine compartment
13. AM2 30 A: Gauge and meters, SRS
airbag system, Multiport fuel injection sys-
tem/sequential multiport fuel injection
system, starter system
14. ECU-B 5 A: Cruise control system,
air conditioning control system
15. 15 A: Spare fuse
16. 30 A: Spare fuse
17. TEL 15 A: No circuit
18. HEAD LO (LH) 10 A: Left-hand
headlight (low beam)
19. HEAD LO (RH) 10 A: Right-hand
headlight (low beam)
20. RAD NO.1 15 A: Audio system
21. FOG 15 A: No circuitEngine compartment (Canada only)
22. DRL 5 A: Daytime running light sys-
tem
23. SRS 5 A: SRS airbag system
24. IGN 5 A: Gauge and meters, SRS air-
bag system, Multiport fuel injection sys-
tem/sequential multiport fuel injection
system
25. SEAT HEATER 20 A: Seat heater
26. TURN 7.5 A: Turn signal lights, emer-
gency flasher
27. ECU-IG 10 A: Cruise control system,
anti-lock brake system, shift lock system,
power antenna, power door lock system,
electric cooling fan
28. WIPER 20 A: Windshield wipers and
washer, headlight cleanerInstrument panel
29. GAUGE 7.5 A: Gauge and meter,
back-up lights, interior lights, charging
system, electronically controlled auto-
matic transmission system, cruise control
system, power door lock system, service
reminder indicators and warning buzzer,
automatic light control system, daytime
running light system
30. TAIL 15 A: Parking lights, license
plate lights, tail lights, front side marker
lights
31. STOP 15 A: Stop lights, cruise con-
trol system, high mounted stoplight, anti-
lock br ake system, shift lock system, mul-
tiport fuel injection system/sequential
multiport fuel injection system
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