engine overheat TOYOTA AVALON 2011 XX30 / 3.G Owners Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
6
AVALON_U (OM41428U)
5-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers ........... 458
If your vehicle needs
to be towed ...................... 459
If you think something is
wrong ............................... 463
Fuel pump shut off
system .............................. 464
Event data recorder............ 465
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If a warning light turns
on or a warning buzzer
sounds... .......................... 467
If you have a flat tire ........... 479
If the engine will
not start ............................ 489
If the shift lever cannot be
shifted from P ................... 491
If you lose your keys .......... 492
If the electronic key does
not operate properly (with
smart key system) ............ 493
If the vehicle battery is
discharged ....................... 496
If your vehicle overheats .... 500
If the vehicle becomes
stuck................................. 503
If your vehicle has to be
stopped in an
emergency ....................... 5046-1. Specifications
Maintenance data
(fuel, oil level, etc.) ........... 508
Fuel information .................. 516
Tire information................... 519
6-2. Customization
Customizable features ........ 532
6-3. Initialization
Items to initialize ................. 536
Reporting safety defects
for U.S. owners ................. 538
Seat belt instructions
for Canadian owners
(in French) ........................ 539
SRS airbag instructions
for Canadian owners
(in French) ........................ 542
Abbreviation list ............... 554
Alphabetical index ............ 555
What to do if... ................... 562
5When trouble arises6Vehicle specifications
7For owners
Index

141 2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
AVALON_U (OM41428U)
CAUTION
■When driving the vehicle
●If the smell of exhaust is noticed inside the vehicle, open the windows and
check that the trunk is closed.
Large amounts of exhaust in the vehicle can cause driver drowsiness and
an accident, resulting in death or a serious health hazard. Have the cause
of the problem inspected immediately.
●Do not under any circumstances shift the shift lever to “P”, “R” or “N” while
the vehicle is moving.
Doing so can cause significant damage to the transmission and may result
in a loss of vehicle control.
●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. 158)
●Be careful when driving on slippery surfaces, as the vehicle may spin or
skid when downshifting, rapidly accelerating, braking or turning.

143 2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
AVALON_U (OM41428U)
CAUTION
■When shifting the shift lever
Be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pedal depressed.
This may lead to unexpected rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may
cause an accident and result in death or serious injury.
■When the vehicle is stopped
●Do not race the engine.
If the vehicle is in any gear other than “P” or “N” the vehicle may acceler-
ate suddenly and unexpectedly, and may cause an accident.
●Do not leave the vehicle with the engine on for a long time.
If such a situation cannot be avoided, park the vehicle in an open space
and check that exhaust fumes do not enter the vehicle interior.
●In order to prevent accidents due to the vehicle rolling away, always keep
depressing the brake pedal while the engine is running, and apply the
parking brake as necessary.
●If the vehicle stopped on an incline, in order to prevent accidents caused
by the vehicle rolling forward or backward, always depress the brake pedal
and securely apply the parking brake as needed.
●Avoid revving or racing the engine.
Running the engine at high speed while the vehicle is stopped may cause
the exhaust system to overheat, which could result in a fire if combustible
material is nearby.

145 2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
AVALON_U (OM41428U)
CAUTION
■Exhaust gases
Exhaust gases include harmful carbon monoxide (CO) that is colorless and
odorless. Inhaling exhaust gases may lead to death or a serious health haz-
ard.
●If the vehicle is in a poorly ventilated area, stop the engine. In a closed
area, such as a garage, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle.
This may lead to death or a serious health hazard.
●The exhaust should be checked occasionally. If there is a hole or crack
caused by corrosion, damage to a joint or abnormal exhaust noise, be
sure to have the vehicle inspected and repaired by your Toyota dealer.
Failure to do so may allow exhaust gases to enter the vehicle, resulting in
death or a serious health hazard.
■When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the engine off.
Otherwise, you may accidentally move the shift lever or press the accelera-
tor pedal, which could cause an accident or fire due to abnormal engine
overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked in a poorly ventilated area,
exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle, leading to death or a seri-
ous health hazard.

155 2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
AVALON_U (OM41428U)
CAUTION
■When starting the engine
Always start the engine while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not press the
accelerator pedal while starting the engine under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■While driving
Do not turn the engine switch to the “LOCK” position.
If in an emergency, you must turn the engine off while the vehicle is moving,
turn the key only to the “ACC” position.
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the key in the “ACC” or “ON” position for long periods without
the engine running.
■When starting the engine
●Do not crank for more than 30 seconds at a time. This may overheat the
starter and wiring systems.
●Do not race the cold engine.
●If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have the engine
checked immediately.

166 2-2. Instrument cluster
AVALON_U (OM41428U)
Instrument panel light control
The brightness of the instrument panel lights can be adjusted.
Darker
Brighter
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the engine and its components
●Do not let the indicator needle of the tachometer enter the red zone, which
indicates the maximum engine speed.
●The engine may be overheating if the temperature gauge is in the red
zone (“H”). In this case, immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place.
Check the engine after it has cooled completely. (P. 500)

352 3-7. Other interior features
AVALON_U (OM41428U)
■The seat heaters and ventilators can be used when
Vehicles with smart key system
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
Vehicles without smart key system
The engine switch is in the “ON” position.
CAUTION
■Burns
●Use caution when seating the following persons in a seat with the seat
heater on to avoid the possibility of burns:
• Babies, small children, the elderly, the sick and the disabled
• Persons with sensitive skin
• Persons who are fatigued
• Persons who have taken alcohol or drugs that induce sleep (sleeping
drugs, cold remedies, etc.)
●Do not cover the seat with anything when using the seat heater.
Using the seat heater with a blanket or cushion increases the temperature
of the seat and may lead to overheating.
NOTICE
■To prevent seat heater/ventilator damage
Do not put heavy objects on the seat and do not stick sharp objects (nee-
dles, nails, etc.) into the seat.
■To prevent battery discharge
Turn the switches off when the engine is not running.

When trouble arises5
457
AVALON_U (OM41428U)
5-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers ......... 458
If your vehicle needs
to be towed .................... 459
If you think something is
wrong ............................. 463
Fuel pump shut off
system ........................... 464
Event data recorder ......... 465
5-2. Steps to take in an
emergency
If a warning light turns
on or a warning buzzer
sounds... ........................ 467
If you have a flat tire......... 479
If the engine will
not start .......................... 489
If the shift lever cannot
be shifted from P ............ 491
If you lose your keys ........ 492
If the electronic key does
not operate properly (with
smart key system) .......... 493
If the vehicle battery is
discharged ..................... 496
If your vehicle
overheats ....................... 500
If the vehicle becomes
stuck .............................. 503
If your vehicle has to be
stopped in an
emergency ..................... 504

500
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
AVALON_U (OM41428U)
If your vehicle overheats
If your engine overheats:
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and turn off the air condi-
tioning system.
Check to see if steam is coming out from under the hood.
If you see steam:
Stop the engine. Carefully lift the hood after the steam
subsides and then restart the engine.
If you do not see steam:
Leave the engine running and carefully lift the hood.
Check to see if the cooling fan is operating.
If the fan is operating:
Wait until the engine coolant temperature gauge begins
to fall and then stop the engine.
If the fan is not operating:
Stop the engine immediately and call your local Toyota
dealer.
After the engine has cooled
down sufficiently, check the
coolant level and inspect the
radiator core (radiator) for any
leaks.
If the engine compartment
cover needs to be removed.
(P. 395)

5
When trouble arises
501 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
AVALON_U (OM41428U)
■Overheating
In the following situations, your vehicle may be overheating.
●The engine coolant temperature gauge enters the red zone or a loss of
power is experienced.
●Steam is coming from under the hood.
Add coolant if required.
Water can be used in an emer-
gency measure if coolant is
unavailable. (P. 512)
Have the vehicle checked at your nearest Toyota dealer as soon as
possible.