Auto lock TOYOTA AVALON 2000 Owner's Manual

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Vehicle skid control system
The vehicle skid control system helps
provide comprehensive control of the
systems such as an anti- lock brake
system, brake assist system, traction
control, engine control, etc. This sys-
tem automatically controls the output of
the brakes or engine to help prevent
the vehicle from skidding when corner-
ing on a slippery road surface or
abrupt steering wheel operation occurs.If the vehicles is going to skid during
driving, the slip indicator light flashes and
an alarm sounds intermittently.
The vehicle skid control system activates
when the vehicle speed is about more
than 15 km/h (9 mph).
While the VSCº warning light and VSC
OFFº indicator light come on, the vehicle
skid control system cannot be operated.
You may hear a sound in the engine
compartment for a few seconds when the
engine is started or just after the vehicle
is started. This means that the vehicle
skid control is in the self- check mode and
does not indicate a malfunction.You can turn off the vehicle skid con-
trol system by pushing the VSC OFFº
switch. The VSC OFFº indicator light
will come on. Pushing the VSC OFFº
switch a second time turns the system
again and the VSC OFFº indicator light
will go off. At this time, the traction
control also turns off and on simulta-
neously.
When you turn the ignition switch on, this
system always turns on.
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Preset buttons
These buttons are used to preset and
tune in radio stations.
To preset a station to a button: Tune in
the desired station (see TUNEº or SEEKº
button). Push and hold down the button
until you hear a beepÐthis will set the
station to the button. The button number
will appear on the display.
To tune in to a preset station: Push the
button for the station you want. The but-
ton number and station frequency will ap-
pear on the display.
These systems can store one AM and two
FM stations for each button (The display
will show AMº, FM1º or FM2º when you
push AMº FMº).
(Eject button)
Push the cassette tape eject button to
eject a cassette. Push the compact disc
eject button to eject a compact disc.
After you turn the ignition to LOCKº, you
will be able to eject a cassette or disc,
but you will not be able to reinsert it. PROG (Program)
Push 
º to select the other side of a
cassette tape. The display indicates which
side is currently selected (
º indicates
top side, 
º indicates bottom side).
Auto- reverse feature: After the cassette
player reaches the end of a tape side, it
automatically reverses and begins to play
the other side. This is true whether the
cassette was playing or fast forwarding.
(Reverse/Fast forward button)
Cassette Player
Push the fast forward button to fast for-
ward a cassette tape. 
º will appear
on the display. Push the reverse button to
rewind a tape. 
º will appear on the
display.
To stop the tape while it is fast forward-
ing, push the fast forward button or
TAPEº; to stop the tape while it is re-
winding, push the reverse button or
TAPEº.
If a tape side rewinds completely, the cas-
sette player will stop and then play that
same side. If a tape fast forwards com-
pletely, the cassette player will play the
other side of the tape, using the auto- re-
verse feature. Compact Disc Player
If you want to fast forward or reverse
through a compact disc track, push and
hold in the fast forward or reverse button.
When you release the button, the compact
disc player will resume playing.
AM
Push AMº to turn on the radio and select
the AM band. AMº will appear on the
display.
If the audio system is off, you can turn
on the radio by pushing AMº. Also, push
AMº to switch from cassette or compact
disc operation to radio operation.
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Preset buttons
These buttons are used to preset and
tune in radio stations.
To preset a station to a button: Tune in
the desired station (see TUNEº or SEEKº
button). Push and hold down the button
until you hear a beepÐthis will set the
station to the button. The button number
will appear on the display.
To tune in to a preset station: Push the
button for the station you want. The but-
ton number and station frequency will ap-
pear on the display.
These systems can store one AM and two
FM stations for each button (The display
will show AMº, FM1º or FM2º when you
push AMº FMº).
(Eject button)
Cassette tape
Push the cassette tape eject button to
eject a cassette.
After you turn the ignition to LOCKº, you
will be able to eject a cassette, but you
will not be able to reinsert it. Compact disc
To eject one compact disc only: Push and
release the compact disc eject button. If
you hold the button too long (if the audio
system is on at this time, you hear a
beep.), the mechanism will change to the
mode for ejecting all the discs loaded in
the changer. You can also eject any spe-
cific one of the discs loaded in the chang-
er as follows:
1. Push either side of the DISCº button until the number of the disc you want
to eject is displayed.
2. Push and release the compact disc eject button.
To eject all the discs loaded in the chang-
er: Push and hold the compact disc eject
button (until you hear a beep when the
audio system is on). The last compact
disc played before pushing the button will
be ejected first. If a disc is left in the slot
for a long time, the function to eject all
the discs will be automatically cancelled.
After you turn the ignition to LOCKº, you
will be able to eject one compact disc
only or all the discs loaded in the chang-
er, but you will not be able to reinsert it
or them. PROG (Program)
Push 
º to select the other side of a
cassette tape. The display indicates which
side is currently selected (
º indicates top
side,  º indicates bottom side).
Auto- reverse feature: After the cassette
player reaches the end of a tape side, it
automatically reverses and begins to play
the other side. This is true whether the
cassette was playing or fast forwarding.
(Reverse/Fast forward button)
Cassette Player
Push the fast forward button to fast for-
ward a cassette tape. 
º will appear
on the display. Push the reverse button to
rewind a tape. 
º will appear on the
display.
To stop the tape while it is fast forward-
ing, push the fast forward button or
TAPEº; to stop the tape while it is re-
winding, push the reverse button or
TAPEº.
If a tape side rewinds completely, the cas-
sette player will stop and then play that
same side. If a tape fast forwards com-
pletely, the cassette player will play the
other side of the tape, using the auto- re-
verse feature.
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Clock (type A)
The digital clock indicates the time.
The key must be in the ONº position.
To reset the hour: Push the MODEº but-
ton until the hour display blinks. Then
push the ADJº button.
To reset the minutes: Push the MODEº
button until the minute display blinks.
Then push the ADJº button.
If the electrical power source has been
disconnected from the clock, the time dis-
play will automatically be set to 1:00 (one
o'clock).
When the instrument panel lights are
turned on, the brightness of the time in-
dication will be reduced.
Clock (type B)
For details, see Multi- information dis-
playк in Section 1- 5.
Outside temperature gauge
Ty p e A
Ty p e B
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Before starting the engine
1. Check the area around the vehicle be-fore entering it.
2. Adjust seat position, seatback angle, seat cushion angle, head restraint
height and steering wheel angle.
3. Adjust the inside and outside rear view mirrors.
4. Lock all the doors.
5. Fasten seat belts. 1. Apply the parking brake firmly.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and acces-
sories.
3. Put the selector lever in Pº. If you need to restart the engine while the
vehicle is moving, put the selector le-
ver in Nº. A starter safety device will
prevent the starter from operating if the
selector lever is in any drive position.
4. Depress the brake pedal and hold it to the floor until driving off.
(b) Starting the engine
Before starting the engine, be sure to fol-
low the instructions in (a) Before crank-
ingº.
Normal starting procedure
The multiport fuel injection system/sequen-
tial multiport fuel injection system in your
engine automatically controls the proper
air- fuel mixture for starting. You can start
a cold or hot engine as follows:
1. With your foot off the accelerator ped- al, crank the engine by turning the key
to STARTº. Release it when the en-
gine starts.
2. After the engine runs for about 10 se- conds, you are ready to drive.
If the weather is below freezing, let the
engine warm up for a few minutes before
driving.
If the engine stalls...
Simply restart it, using the correct proce-
dure given in normal starting.
If the engine will not start...
See If your vehicle will not startº in Sec-
tion 4.
How to start the engineÐ
(a) Before cranking
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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
longer stopping distance, and it
may pull to one side when the
brakes are applied. Also, the park-
ing brake will not hold the vehicle
securely.
Winter driving tips
Make sure you have a proper freeze
protection of engine coolant.
Your coolant must contain ethylene- glycol
type coolant for a proper corrosion
protection of aluminum components. Use
TOYOTA Long Life Coolantº or equivalent.
See Section 7- 2 for details about coolant
type selection.
NOTICE
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze orplain water alone.
When it is extremely cold, we recommend
to use 60% solution for your Toyota, to
provide protection down to about -50 C
(- 58 F). Do not use more than 70% solu-
tion for better coolant performance.
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 start-
ing. Section 7- 3 tells you how to visually
inspect 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 Section 7- 2 for recommended viscos-
ity. 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 deal-
erÐhe 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.
Use a washer fluid containing an anti-
freeze solution.
This product is available at your Toyota
dealer and most auto parts stores. Follow
the manufacturer 's directions for how
much to mix with water.
NOTICE
Do not use engine antifreeze or any
other substitute because it may dam-age your vehicle's paint.
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1. Apply the brakes and hold.
2. Have someone place wheel blocks un-der both the vehicle and trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel blocks are in place, release your brakes slowly until the
blocks absorb the load.
4. Apply the parking brake firmly.
5. Shift into Pº and turn off the engine. When restarting out after parking on a
slope:
1. With the transmission in Pº position, start the engine. Be sure to keep the
brake pedal depressed.
2. Shift into the 2º, Lº or Rº position.
3. Release the parking brake and brake pedal and slowly pull or back away
from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply
your brakes.
4. Have someone retrieve the blo cks.CAUTION

Do not exceed 72 km/h (45 mph) or
the posted towing speed limit,
whichever is lower. Because insta-
bility (swaying) of a towing vehicle-
trailer combination usually in-
creases as the speed increases, ex-
ceeding 72 km/h (45 mph) may
cause loss of control.

Slow down and downshift before
descending steep or long downhill
grades. Do not make sudden down-
shifts.

Avoid holding the brake pedal down
too long or too frequently. This
could cause the brakes to overheat
and result in reduced braking effi-
ciency.
Getting more kilometers/mileage from a
liter/gallon of fuel is easyÐjust take it
easy. It will help make your vehicle last
longer, too. Here are some specific tips
on how to save money on both fuel and
repairs:

Keep your tires inflated at the cor-
rect pressure. Underinflation causes
tire wear and wastes fuel. See 7- 2 for
instructions.

Do not carry unneeded weight in
your vehicle. Excess weight puts a
heavier load on the engine, causing
greater fuel consumption.

Avoid lengthy warm- up idling. Once
the engine is running smoothly, begin
drivingÐbut gently. Remember, howev-
er, that on cold winter days this may
take a little longer.

Keep the automatic transmission
overdrive turned on when engine
braking is not required. Driving with
the overdrive off will reduce the fuel
economy. (For details, see Automatic
transmissionº in Section 1- 6.)

Accelerate slowly and smoothly.
Avoid jackrabbit starts.
How to save fuel and make
your vehicle last longer, too
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If towing is necessary, we recommend
you to have it done by your Toyota
dealer or a commercial tow truck ser-
vice.
If towing service is not available in an
emergency, your vehicle may be tempo-
rarily towed by a cable or chain se-
cured to one of the emergency towing
eyelets under the vehicle. Use extreme
caution when towing vehicles.
NOTICE
Only use specified towing eyelet;otherwise your vehicle may be dam-aged.
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.
CAUTION
Use extreme caution when towing ve-
hicles. Avoid sudden starts or erratic
driving maneuvers which would place
excessive stress on the emergency
towing eyelets and towing cable or
chain. The eyelets and towing cable
or chain may break and cause serious
injury or damage.
NOTICE
Use only a cable or chain specifically
intended for use in towing vehicles.Securely fasten the cable or chain tothe towing eyelets provided.
Before towing, release the parking brake
and put the transmission in Nº. The key
must be in ACCº (engine off) or ONº
(engine running).
CAUTION
If the engine is not running, the pow-
er 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 but-
ton 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.
If you cannot shift automatic
transmission selector lever
(floor shift)
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3. Insert your finger into the hole topush down the shift lock override
button. You can shift out of Pº
position only while pushing the but-
ton.
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 the selector lever
out of Pº position to other positions
even though the brake pedal is de-
pressed, use the shift lock override but-
ton 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 equivalentinto the hole to pull down the shift
lock override button. You can shift
out of Pº position only while push-
ing 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
(column shift)
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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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