tires TOYOTA AVALON 2009 XX30 / 3.G Owners Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
4
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3-6. Other interior features ..... 277Sun visors .......................... 277
Vanity mirrors ..................... 278
Clock .................................. 279
Outside temperature display .............................. 280
Ashtrays ............................. 281
Power outlets ..................... 282
Seat heaters/ventilators ..... 284
Armrest............................... 286
Rear sunshade ................... 287
Floor mats .......................... 289
Trunk features .................... 290
Garage door opener ........... 292
Compass ............................ 297
4-1. Maintenance and care...... 302 Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior ................. 302
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior .................. 305
4-2. Maintenance ..................... 308 Maintenance requirements .................... 308
General maintenance ......... 310
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs .......................... 313 4-3. Do-it-yourself
maintenance ................... 314
Do-it-yourself service precautions ....................... 314
Hood ................................... 317
Positioning a floor jack........ 318
Engine compartment .......... 320
Tires.................................... 336
Tire inflation pressure ......... 345
Wheels................................ 349
Air conditioning filter ........... 351
Key battery ......................... 354
Checking and replacing fuses ................................. 358
Headlight aim (with discharge headlights) ....... 367
Light bulbs .......................... 369
5-1. Essential information ....... 376 Emergency flashers ............ 376
If your vehicle needs to be towed ................................ 377
If you think something is wrong ................................ 381
Fuel pump shut off system .............................. 382
Event data recorder ............ 383
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency ...................... 385
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds... ........................... 385
4Maintenance and care
5When trouble arises

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2-1. Driving procedures
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When driving
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■
Driving in the rain
● Drive carefully when it is raining, because visibility will be reduced, the
windows may become fogged-up, and the road will be slippery.
● Drive carefully when it starts to rain, because the road surface will be
especially slippery.
● Refrain from high speeds when driving on an expressway in the rain,
because there may be a layer of water between the tires and the road
surface, preventing the steering and brakes from operating properly.
■ Breaking in your new Toyota
To extend the life of the vehicle, the following precautions are recommended
to observe:
● For the first 186 miles (300 km):
Avoid sudden stops.
● For the first 1000 miles (1600 km):
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive continuously in the low gears.
• Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods.
■ Operating your vehicle in a foreign country
Comply with the relevant vehicle registration laws and confirm the availability
of the correct fuel. ( P. 424)

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2-1. Driving procedures
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When driving
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CAUTION
■
When driving the vehicle
● Do not shift the shift lever to “N” while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so may cause the engine brake not to operate properly and lead to
an accident.
● Do not turn the engine off while driving.
The power steering and brake booster will not operate properly if the
engine is not running.
● Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving
down a steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose
effectiveness. ( P. 136)
● Be careful when driving on slippery surfaces, as the vehicle may spin or
skid when downshifting, rapidly accelerating, braking or turning.
● Do not adjust the position of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or
outside rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control that can cause accidents
that may result in death or serious injury.
● Always check that all passengers’ arms, heads or other parts of their bod-
ies are not outside the vehicle, as this may result in death or serious injury.
● Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit per-
mits it, do not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicle has high
speed capability tires. Driving over 85 mph (140 km/h) may result in tire
failure, loss of control and possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer
to determine whether the tires on your vehicle are high-speed capability
tires or not before driving at such speeds.

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2-1. Driving procedures
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When driving
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NOTICE
■
While driving the vehicle
Do not use the accelerator pedal or depress accelerator and brake pedals
together to hold the vehicle on a hill.
■ When parking the vehicle
Always put the shift lever in “P”. Failure to do so may cause the vehicle to
move or the vehicle may accelerate suddenly if the accelerator pedal is acci-
dentally depressed.
■ Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
● Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for a
long time.
Doing so may damage the power steering pump.
● When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid
damaging the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.
■ If you hear a squealing or scrapin g noise (brake pad wear limit indica-
tors)
Have your Toyota dealer check and replace the brake pads as soon as pos-
sible.
The rotor damage can result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
■ If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering
wheel firmly and gradually press the brake pedal to slow down the vehicle.
● It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
● The vehicle will make abnormal sounds.
● The vehicle will behave abnormally.
Replace a flat tire with a new one. ( P. 400)
■ If the vehicle becomes stuck or bogged
Do not spin the wheels recklessly when any of the tires is up in the air, or
stuck in sand or mud, etc. This may damage the drive system components
or propel the vehicle forward (or in another direction) and cause an accident.

176 2-4. Using other driving systems
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CAUTION
■TRAC may not operate effectively when
Directional control and power may not be achievable while driving on slip-
pery road surfaces, even if the TRAC is operating.
Do not drive the vehicle in conditions where stability and power may be lost.
■ When the VSC is activated
The slip indicator light flashes and a warning buzzer sounds. Always drive
carefully.
Reckless driving may cause an accident. Exercise particular care when the
indicator light flashes and a buzzer sounds.
■ Replacing tires
Make sure that all tires are of the same size, brand, tread pattern and total
load capacity. In addition, make sure that the tires are inflated to the recom-
mended tire pressure level.
The ABS and VSC systems will not function correctly if different tires are fit-
ted on the vehicle.
Contact your Toyota dealer for further information when replacing tires or
wheels.
■ Handling of tires and suspension
Using tires with any kind of problem or modifying the suspension will affect
the driving assist systems, and may cause the system to malfunction.

181
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
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Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before driving
the vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a manner appropri-
ate to the prevailing weather conditions.
■ Pre-winter preparations
●Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside tem-
peratures.
• Engine oil
• Engine coolant
• Washer fluid
● Have a service technician inspect the level and specific grav-
ity of battery electrolyte.
● Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set
of tire chains for the front tires.
Ensure that all tires are the same size and brand, and that chains
match the size of the tires.

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2-5. Driving information
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When driving
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Selecting snow chains
Use the correct snow chain size when mounting the snow chains.
Chain size is regulated for each tire size.
Side chain:0.12 in. (3.0 mm)
1.18 in. (30.0 mm)
0.39 in. (10.0 mm)
Cross chain: 0.16 in. (4.0 mm)
0.98 in. (25.0 mm)
0.55 in. (14.0 mm)
Regulations on the use of snow chains
● Regulations regarding the use of tire chains vary according to loca-
tion and type of road. Always check local regu lations before install-
ing chains.
● Install the chains on the front tires.
● Retighten the chains after driving 1/4 - 1/2 mile (0.5 - 1.0 km).
■Snow chain installation
Observe the following precautions when installing and removing chains.
● Install and remove tire chains in a safe location.
● Install tire chains on the front tires only.
● Install tire chains following the instructions provided in the accompanying
instructions.

184 2-5. Driving information
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CAUTION
■Driving with snow tires
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failing to do so may result in a loss of vehicle control and cause death or
serious injury.
● Use tires of the size specified for your vehicle.
● Maintain the specified level of tire inflation pressure.
● Do not drive in excess of 75 mph (120 km/h), regardless of the type of
snow tires being used.
● Snow tires should be installed on all wheels.

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2-5. Driving information
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When driving
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CAUTION
■
Driving with snow chains
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failing to do so may result in the vehicle being unable to be driven safely,
and may cause death or serious injury.
● Do not drive in excess of the speed limit specified for the tire chains being
used, or 30 mph (50 km/h), whichever is lower.
● Avoid driving on bumpy road surfaces or over potholes.
● Avoid sudden turns and braking, as use of chains may adversely affect
vehicle handling.
● Slow down sufficiently before entering a curve to ensure that vehicle con-
trol is maintained.
NOTICE
■Repairing or replacing snow tires
Request repairs of and obtain replacement snow tires from Toyota dealers.
This is because the removal and attachment of snow tires affects the opera-
tion of the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters.
■ Fitting tire chains
The tire pressure warning valves and transmitters may not function correctly
when tire chains are fitted.

Maintenance and care4
301
AVALON_U_OM41430U
4-1. Maintenance and care ... 302Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior ......... 302
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior .......... 305
4-2. Maintenance ................... 308 Maintenance requirements .................. 308
General maintenance....... 310
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs ........................ 313
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance ................. 314
Do-it-yourself service precautions .................... 314
Hood ................................ 317
Positioning a floor jack ..... 318
Engine compartment ........ 320
Tires ................................. 336
Tire inflation pressure ...... 345
Wheels ............................. 349
Air conditioning filter......... 351
Key battery ....................... 354
Checking and replacing fuses .............................. 358
Headlight aim (with discharge headlights) ..... 367
Light bulbs........................ 369