power steering TOYOTA AVALON 2003 XX20 / 2.G Owners Manual

’03 AVALON U (L/O 0206)
32003 AVALON (OM41401U)
1. Power rear view mirror control switches
2. Headlight and turn signal switch and
front fog light switch
3. Wiper and washer switches
4. Emergency flasher switch
5. Car audio
6. Air conditioning controls
7. Rear window and outside rear view
mirror defogger switch
8. Cigarette lighter and ashtray
9. Ignition switch
10. Power outlet main switch
11. Traction control system off switch
12. Cruise control switch
13. Tilt steering lock release lever
14. Trunk lid lock release switch
15. Instrument panel light control knob With bucket front seat (view B with manual air conditioning controls)

’03 AVALON U (L/O 0206)
42003 AVALON (OM41401U)
1. Power rear view mirror control switches
2. Headlight and turn signal switch and
front fog light switch
3. Wiper and washer switches
4. Emergency flasher switch
5. Car audio
6. Air conditioning controls
7. Rear window and outside rear view
mirror defogger switch
8. Cigarette lighter and ashtray
9. Seat heater switches
10. Ignition switch
11. Power outlet main switch
12. Traction control system off switch
13. Cruise control switch
14. Tilt steering lock release lever
15. Trunk lid lock release switch
16. Instrument panel light control knob With bucket front seat (view B with automatic air conditioning controls)

’03 AVALON U (L/O 0206)
62003 AVALON (OM41401U)
1. Power rear view mirror control switches
2. Headlight and turn signal switch and
front fog light switch
3. Wiper and washer switches
4. Emergency flasher switch
5. Car audio
6. Air conditioning controls
7. Rear window and outside rear view
mirror defogger switch
8. Cigarette lighter and ashtray
9. Power outlet (115 VAC)
10. Power outlet (12 VDC)
11. Ignition switch
12. Power outlet main switch
13. Traction control system off switch
14. Cruise control switch
15. Tilt steering lock release lever
16. Trunk lid lock release switch
17. Instrument panel light control knob With bench type front seat (view B with manual air conditioning controls)

’03 AVALON U (L/O 0206)
72003 AVALON (OM41401U)
1. Power rear view mirror control switches
2. Headlight and turn signal switch and
front fog light switch
3. Wiper and washer switches
4. Emergency flasher switch
5. Car audio
6. Air conditioning controls
7. Rear window and outside rear view
mirror defogger switch
8. Seat heater switches
9. Cigarette lighter and ashtray
10. Power outlet (115 VAC)
11. Power outlet (12 VDC)
12. Ignition switch
13. Power outlet main switch
14. Traction control system off switch
15. Cruise control switch
16. Tilt steering lock release lever
17. Trunk lid lock release switch
18. Instrument panel light control knob With bench type front seat (view B with automatic air conditioning controls)

’03 AVALON U (L/O 0206)
2162003 AVALON (OM41401U)
CAUTION
Do not pump the brake pedal if the
engine stalls. Each push on the
pedal uses up your reserved vacu-
um.
Even if the power assist is com-
pletely lost, the brakes will still
work. But you will have to push the
pedal hard, much harder than nor-
mal. And your braking distance will
be longer.
ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
(with “ABS” warning light)
The antilock brake system is designed
to help prevent lockup of the wheels
during a sudden braking or braking on
slippery road surfaces. This assists in
providing directional stability and steer-
ing performance of the vehicle under
these circumstances.
Effective way to press the ABS brake
pedal: When the antilock brake system
function is in action, you may feel the
brake pedal pulsating and hear a noise.
In this situation, to let the antilock
brake system work for you, just hold the
brake pedal down more firmly. Do not
pump the brake in a panic stop. This
will result in reduced braking performan-
ce.
The antilock brake system becomes op-
erative after the vehicle has accelerated
to a speed in excess of approximately 10
km/h (6 mph). It stops operating when the
vehicle decelerates to a speed below
approximately 5 km/h (3 mph).Depressing the brake pedal on slippery
road surfaces such as on the manhole
cover, the steel plate under the construc-
tion, joints in the bridge, etc. on a rainy
day tends to activate the antilock brake
system.
You may hear a click or motor 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
antilock brake system is in the self
check mode, and does not indicate a mal-
function.
When the antilock brake system is ac-
tivated, the following conditions may
occur. They do not indicate a malfunc-
tion of the system:
You may hear the antilock brake sys-
tem operating and feel the brake pedal
pulsating and the vibrations of the ve-
hicle body and steering wheel. You
may also hear the motor sound in the
engine compartment even after the ve-
hicle is stopped.
At the end of the antilock brake sys-
tem activation, the brake pedal may
move a little forward.

’03 AVALON U (L/O 0206)
2342003 AVALON (OM41401U)
CAUTION
Never turn off the engine to coast
down hills. Your power steering and
brake booster will not function with-
out the engine running. Also, the
emission control system operates
properly only when the engine is run-
ning.

’03 AVALON U (L/O 0206)
2392003 AVALON (OM41401U)
5. Start your engine in the normal way.
After starting, run it at about 2000 rpm
for several minutes with the accelerator
pedal 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
cloths—they 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 at your Toyota
dealer.If your engine stalls while driving...
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
vehicle will not start” in this section.
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 your engine coolant temperature
gauge indicates overheating, if you ex-
perience a loss of power, or if you hear
a loud knocking or pinging noise, the
engine has probably overheated. You
should follow this procedure...
1. Pull safely off the road, stop the ve-
hicle and turn on your emergency
flashers. Put the transmission in “P”
and apply the parking 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 operating. If it is not,
turn the ignition off.
CAUTION
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.
If your engine stalls while
drivingIf your vehicle overheats

’03 AVALON U (L/O 0206)
2652003 AVALON (OM41401U)
Engine oil level
Check the level on the dipstick with the
engine turned off and the vehicle parked
on a level spot. See Section 72 for addi-
tional information.
Power steering fluid level
Check the level through the reservoir. The
level should be in the “HOT” or “COLD”
range depending on the fluid temperature.
See Section 72 for additional information.
Exhaust system
If you notice any change in the sound of
the exhaust or smell exhaust fumes, have
the cause located and corrected immedi-
ately. (See “Engine exhaust cautions” in
Section 2.)Be on the alert for changes in perfor-
mance, sounds, and visual tipoffs that
indicate service is needed. Some impor-
tant clues are as follows:
Engine missing, stumbling, or pinging
Appreciable loss of power
Strange engine noises
A leak under the vehicle (however, wa-
ter dripping from the air conditioning
after use is normal.)
Change in exhaust sound (This may
indicate a dangerous carbon monoxide
leak. Drive with the windows open and
have the exhaust system checked im-
mediately.)
Flatlooking tire; excessive tire squeal
when cornering; uneven tire wear
Vehicle pulls to one side when driving
straight on a level road
Strange noises related to suspension
movement
Loss of brake effectiveness; spongy
feeling brake; pedal almost touches
floor; vehicle pulls to one side when
braking
Engine coolant temperature continually
higher than normalIf you notice any of these clues, take your
vehicle to your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible. It probably needs adjustment or
repair.
CAUTION
Do not continue driving with the ve-
hicle unchecked. It could result in se-
rious vehicle damage and possibly
personal injury.
Does your vehicle need
repairing?

’03 AVALON U (L/O 0206)
2682003 AVALON (OM41401U)
1. Engine coolant reservoir
2. Power steering fluid reservoir
3. Engine oil level dipstick
4. Engine oil filler cap
5. Brake fluid reservoir
6. Fuse blocks
7. Battery
8. Radiator
9. Electric cooling fans
10. Condenser
11. Windshield washer fluid tank
Engine compartment overview

’03 AVALON U (L/O 0206)
2732003 AVALON (OM41401U)
Here is a list of parts and tools you will
need on performing doityourself mainte-
nance. Remember all Toyota parts are de-
signed in metric sizes, so your tools must
be metric.
CHECKING THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL
Parts (if level is low):
“Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equiva-
lent
See Section 72 for details about en-
gine oil selection.
Tools:
Rag or paper towel
Funnel (only for adding oil)
CHECKING THE ENGINE COOLANT
LEVEL
Parts (if level is low):
“Toyota Genuine Long Life Coolant” or
equivalent
See Section 72 for details about cool-
ant type selection.
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
DEXRONII or III
Tools:
Rag or paper towel
Funnel (only for adding fluid)
CHECKING BATTERY CONDITION
Tools:
Warm water
Baking soda
Grease
Conventional wrench (for terminal
clamp bolts)
CHECKING AND REPLACING FUSES
Parts (if replacement is necessary):
Fuse with same amperage rating as
originalADDING 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 bulbs” in Section 73.)
Tools:
Screwdriver
Parts and tools