maintenance TOYOTA AVALON 2008 XX30 / 3.G User Guide

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Maintenance and care
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NOTICE
■
Cleaning detergents
Do not use the following types of detergent, as they may discolor the vehicle
interior or cause streaks or damage to painted surfaces.
● Non-seat portions: Organic substances such as benzine or gasoline, alka-
line or acidic solutions, dye, or bleach.
● Seats: Acidic solutions, such as thinner, benzine, or alcohol.
■ Preventing damage to leather surfaces
Observe the following precautions to avoid damage to and deterioration o\
f
leather surfaces.
● Remove any dust or dirt on leather surfaces immediately.
● Do not expose the vehicle to direct sunlight for extended periods of time.
Park the vehicle in the shade, especially during summer.
● Do not place items made of vinyl, plastic, or that contain wax on the uphol-
stery, as they may stick to the leather surface if the vehicle interior heats
up significantly.
■ Water on the floor
Do not wash the vehicle floor with water. 
Vehicle systems such as the audio system may be damaged if water comes
into contact with electrical components under the floor of the vehicle, and
may also cause the body to rust.
■ Cleaning the inside of the rear window
Be careful not to scratch or damage the heater wires or antenna.

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4-2. Maintenance
Maintenance requirements
■Repair and replacement
It is recommended that genuine Toyota parts be used for repair to ensure
performance of each system. If non-Toyota parts are used in replacement or
if a repair shop other than a Toyota dealer performs repairs, confirm the war-
ranty coverage.
To ensure safe and economical driv ing, day-to-day care and regular
maintenance is essential. It is the owner’s responsibility to perform
regular checks. Toyota recommen ds the following maintenance.
■General maintenance
Should be performed on a daily basis. This can be done by your-
self or by a Toyota dealer.
■ Scheduled maintenance
Should be performed at specified intervals according to the
maintenance schedule.
For details about maintenance items and schedules, refer to the
“Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”.
■Do-it-yourself maintenance
You can perform some maintenance procedures yourself. 
Please be aware that do-it-yourself maintenance may affect war-
ranty coverage.
The use of Toyota Repair Manuals are recommended.
For details about warranty coverage, see the separate “Owner’s War-
ranty Information Booklet” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”.

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■
Allow inspection and repairs to be performed by a Toyota dealer
● Toyota technicians are well-trained specialists and are kept up to date
with the latest service information. They are well informed about the
operations of all systems on your vehicle.
● Keep a copy of the repair order. It proves that the maintenance that has
been performed is under warranty coverage. If any problem should arise
while your vehicle is under warranty, your Toyota dealer will promptly
take care of it.
CAUTION
■Hazardous materials
● Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and a wide variety of automobile
components contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects and other reproductive harm. Work in a
well ventilated area.
● Oils, fuels and fluids contained in vehicles as well as waste produced by
component wear contain or emit chemicals known to the State of Califor-
nia to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Avoid
exposure and wash any affected area immediately.
● Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead
compounds which are known to cause brain damage. Wash your hands
after handling. ( P. 318)
● Used engine oil contains chemicals that have been shown to cause cancer
in laboratory animals. Avoid prolonged and repeated contact. Always pro-
tect your skin by washing thoroughly with soap and water.

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4-2. Maintenance
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General maintenance
Engine compartment
ItemsCheck points
Battery • Maintenance-free ( P. 318)
Brake fluid • At the correct level? ( P. 315)
Engine coolant • At the correct level? ( P. 313)
Engine oil • At the correct level? ( P. 308)
Exhaust system • No fumes or strange sounds?
Power steering fluid • At the correct level? ( P. 316)
Radiator/condenser/hoses • Not blocked with foreign matter?

( P. 314)
Washer fluid • At the correct level? ( P. 321)
Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be per-
formed at the intervals specified in the “Scheduled Maintenance
Guide” or “Owner’s” Manual Supplem ent”. It is recommended that
any problem you notice should be brought to the attention of your
Toyota dealer or qualified service shop for advice.

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Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator pedal • Moves smoothly (without uneven pedal
effort or catching)?
Automatic transmission
“Park” mechanism • Can the vehicle be hold securely on an
incline with the shift lever in “P”?
Brake pedal • Moves smoothly?
• Does it have appropriate clearance and
correct amount of free play?
Brakes • Pulls to one side when applied?
• Loss of brake effectiveness?
• Spongy feeling brake pedal?
• Pedal almost touches floor?
Head restraints • Move smoothly and lock securely?
Indicators/buzzers • Function properly?
Lights • Do all the lights come on?
• Headlights aimed correctly? (
P. 353)
Parking brake • Moves smoothly?
• Can hold the vehicle securely on an
incline?
Seat belts • Does the seat belt system operate
smoothly?
• Are the belts undamaged?
Seats • Do the seat controls operate properly?
Steering wheel • Moves smoothly?
• Has correct free play?
• No strange noises?

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Vehicle exterior
ItemsCheck points
Doors/trunk • Operate smoothly?
Engine hood • The lock system works properly?
Fluid leaks • Is there any leakage after parking?
Tire • Inflation pressure is correct?
• Tire surfaces not worn or damaged?
• Tires rotated according to the mainte-
nance schedule?
• Wheel nuts are not loose?
CAUTION
■ If the engine is running
Turn off the engine and ensure that there is adequate ventilation before per-
forming maintenance checks.

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Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M) programs
Some states have vehicle emission inspection programs which
include OBD (On Board Diagnostics) checks. The OBD system moni-
tors the operation of the emission control system.
■If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on
The OBD system determines that a problem exists somewhere
in the emission control system. Your vehicle may not pass the I/
M test and may need to be repaired. Contact your Toyota dealer
to service the vehicle.
■ Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test:
●When the battery is disconnected or discharged
Readiness codes that are se t during ordinary driving are
erased. 
Also, depending on your driving habits, the readiness codes
may not be completely set.
● When the fuel tank cap is loose
The malfunction indicator lamp comes on as a temporary mal-
function and your vehicle may not pass the I/M test.
■ When the malfunction indicator lamp goes off after several
driving trips
The error code in the OBD system will not be cleared unless the
vehicle is driven 40 or more times.
■ If your vehicle does not pass the I/M test
Contact your Toyota dealer to prepare the vehicle for re-testing.

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself ser vice precautions
If you perform maintenance yourself, be sure to follow the correct
procedure given in these sections.
ItemsParts and tools
Battery condition ( P. 318)
•Warm water
• Baking soda
• Grease
• Conventional wrench
(for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level ( P. 315)
• FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE
J1703 brake fluid
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding brake fluid)
Engine coolant level ( P. 313)
• “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”
or similar high quality ethylene
glycol based non-silicate, non-
amine, non-nitrite and non-borate
coolant with long-life hybrid
organic acid technology.
For the U.S.A.: 
“Toyota Super Long Life Cool-
ant” is pre-mixed with 50% cool-
ant and 50% deionized water.
For Canada: 
“Toyota Super Long Life Cool-
ant” is pre-mixed with 55% cool-
ant and 45% deionized water.
• Funnel (used only for adding cool- ant)
Engine oil level ( P. 308)
• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or
equivalent
• Rag or paper towel, funnel (used only for adding engine oil)

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CAUTION
The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that may
move suddenly, become hot, or become electrically energized. To avoid death
or serious injury, observe the following precautions.
■
When working on the engine compartment
● Keep hands, clothing, and tools away from the moving fan and engine
drive belt.
● Be careful not to touch the engine, radiator, exhaust manifold, etc. right
after driving as they may be hot. Oil and other fluids may also be hot.
● Do not leave anything that may burn easily, such as paper or rags, in the
engine compartment.
● Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose an open flame to fuel or the bat-
tery. Fuel and battery fumes are flammable.
● Be extremely cautious when working on the battery. It contains poisonous
and corrosive sulfuric acid.
ItemsParts and tools
Fuses (P. 344)• Fuse with same amperage rating
as original
Headlight aim ( P. 353)• Phillips-head screwdriver
Power steering fluid level
( P. 316)
• Automatic transmission fluid
DEXRON® II or III
• Rag or paper towel
• Clean funnel
Radiator and condenser (P. 314)
Tire inflation pressure ( P. 331)• Tire pressure gauge
• Compressed air source
Washer fluid (P. 321)
• Water washer fluid containing anti-
freeze (for winter use)
• Funnel

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CAUTION
■When working near the electric cooling fan or radiator grille
Be sure the “ENGINE START STOP” switch or the engine switch is OFF. 
With the “ENGINE START STOP” switch or the engine switch in ON mode,
the electric cooling fan may automatically start to run if the air conditioning is
on and/or the coolant temperature is high. ( P. 314)
■ Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc. from
getting in the eyes.
NOTICE
■If you remove the air cleaner filter
Driving with the air cleaner filter removed may cause excessive engine wear
due to dirt in the air. Also a backfire could cause a fire in the engine compart-
ment.