TOYOTA AVALON 2012 XX40 / 4.G Owners Manual

381
3-7. Other interior features
3
Interior features
Calibrating the compass
The direction display deviates fr om the true direction determined by
the earth’s magnetic field. The amoun t of deviation varies according
to the geographic position of the vehicle.
If you cross over a map boundary shown in illustration, the compass will
deviate.
To obtain higher precision or perfect calibration, refer to the following.
■ Displays and directions
DisplayDirection
NNorth
NENortheast
EEast
SESoutheast
SSouth
SWSouthwest
WWest
NWNorthwest
Samoa: 5 Guam: 8 Saipan: 8

382 3-7. Other interior features
■Deviation calibration
Stop the vehicle where it is safe to drive in a circle.
Press the switch until a number
(1 to 15) appears on the com-
pass display.
Press the switch, and referring to the map above, select the
number of the zone where you are.
Wait a few seconds until the compass direction is displayed.
The calibration is complete.
■ Circling calibration
If “CAL” appears on the display,
drive the vehicle at 5 mph (8 km/h)
or less in a circle until a direction
is displayed.
If there is not enough space to
drive in a circle, drive around the
block until the direction is dis-
played.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4

383
3-7. Other interior features
3
Interior features
■
Conditions unfavorable to correct operation
The compass may not show the correct direction in the following conditions:
●The vehicle is stopped immediately after turning.
● The vehicle is on an inclined surface.
● The vehicle is in a place where the earth’s magnetic field is subject to
interference by artificial magnetic fields (underground car park/parking
lot, under a steel tower, between buildings, roof car park/parking lot, near
an intersection, near a large vehicle, etc.).
● The vehicle has become magnetized.
(There is a magnet or metal object near the inside rear view mirror.)
● The battery has been disconnected.
● A door is open.
CAUTION
■While driving
Do not adjust the display.
Be sure to adjust the display only when the vehicle is stopped.
■ When doing the circling calibration
Be sure to secure a wide space, and watch out for people and vehicles in the
neighborhood. Do not violate any local traffic rules while performing circling
calibration.

384 3-7. Other interior features
NOTICE
■To avoid the compass malfunctions
Do not place magnets or any metal objects near the inside rear view mirror.
Doing this may cause a malfunction of the compass sensor.
■ To ensure normal operation of the compass
●Do not perform circling calibration of the compass in a place where the
earth’s magnetic field is subject to inte rference by artificial magnetic fields.
● During calibration, do not operate electric systems (moon roof, power win-
dows, etc.) as they may interfere with the calibration.

Maintenance and care4
385
4-1. Maintenance and careCleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior ......... 386
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior .......... 389
4-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements .................. 392
General maintenance....... 395
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs........................ 398
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance Do-it-yourself service precautions .................... 399
Hood ................................ 403
Positioning a floor jack ..... 404
Engine compartment ........ 406
Tires ................................. 421
Tire inflation pressure ...... 430
Wheels ............................. 434
Air conditioning filter......... 437
Key battery ....................... 440
Checking and replacing fuses .............................. 444
Headlight aim (with discharge headlights) ..... 453
Light bulbs........................ 455

386
4-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior
■Automatic car washes
●Fold the mirrors back before washing the vehicle.
● Brushes used in automatic car washes may scratch the vehicle surface
and harm your vehicle’s paint.
■ High pressure car washes
Do not allow the nozzles of the car wash to come within close proximity \
of
the windows. Before car wash, check that the fuel filler door is closed.\
■ Aluminum wheels
●Remove any dirt immediately by using a neutral detergent. Do not use
hard brushes or abrasive cleaners. Do not use strong or harsh chemical
cleaners. Use the same mild detergent and wax as used on the paint.
● Do not use detergent on the wheels when they are hot, for example after
driving for long distance in the hot weather.
● Wash detergent from the wheels immediately after use.
■ Bumpers and side moldings
Do not scrub with abrasive cleaners.
Perform the following to protect the vehicle and maintain it in prime
condition.
● Working from top to bottom, liber ally apply water to the vehicle
body, wheel wells and underside of the vehicle to remove any
dirt and dust.
Wash the vehicle body using a sponge or soft cloth, such as a cham-
ois.
● For hard-to-remove marks, use car wash soap and rinse thor-
oughly with water.
● Wipe away any water.
● Wax the vehicle when the waterproof coating deteriorates.
If water does not bead on a clean surface, apply wax when the vehicle
body is cool.

387
4-1. Maintenance and care
4
Maintenance and care
CAUTION
■
When cleaning the windshield (veh icles equipped with the raindrop
detection windshield wipers)
Make sure to turn off the wiper switch.
If the switch is left in the “AUTO” position, the windshield wiper may operate
unexpectedly in the following situations. Failure to turn off the wiper switch
may possibly result in hands being caught or other serious injuries and
cause damage to the windshield wiper.
● When the upper part of the windshield where the raindrop sensor is
located is touched by hand
● When a wet rag or similar is held close to the raindrop sensor
● If something bumps against the windshield
● If you directly touch the sensor body or if something bumps into the sensor
■ Caution about the exhaust pipe
Exhaust gasses cause the exhaust pipe to become quite hot.
When washing the vehicle, be careful not to touch the pipe until it has cooled
sufficiently, as touching a hot exhaust pipe can cause burns.

388 4-1. Maintenance and care
NOTICE
■To prevent paint deterioration and corrosion on the body and compo-
nents (aluminum wheels etc.)
● Wash the vehicle immediately in the following cases:
• After driving near the sea coast
• After driving on salted roads
• If you see coal tar or tree sap on the paint surface
• If you see dead insects, insect droppings or bird droppings on the paint
• After driving in an area contaminated with soot, oily smoke, mine dust,
iron powder or chemical substances
• If the vehicle becomes heavily soiled in dust or mud
• If liquids such as benzine and gasoline are spilled on the paint surface
● If the paint is chipped or scratched, have it repaired immediately.
● To prevent the wheels from corroding, remove any dirt and store in a place
with low humidity when storing the wheels.
■ Cleaning the exterior lights
●Wash carefully. Do not use organic substances or scrub with a hard brush.
This may damage the surfaces of the lights.
● Do not apply wax on the surface of the lights. Wax may cause damage to
the lenses.
■ When using an automatic car wash
(vehicles equipped with the raindrop detection windshield wipers)
Turn off the wiper switch.
If the wiper switch is in “AUTO”, the wip-
ers may operate and the wiper blades
may be damaged.
Off

389
4-1. Maintenance and care
4
Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior
The following procedures will help protect your vehicle’s interior and
keep it in top condition:
■Protecting the vehicle interior
Remove dirt and dust using a vacuum cleaner. Wipe dirty sur-
faces with a cloth dampened with lukewarm water.
■ Cleaning the leather areas
●Remove dirt and dust using a vacuum cleaner.
● Wipe any excess dirt and dust with a soft cloth dampened with
diluted detergent.
Use a diluted water solution of approximately 5% neutral wool deter-
gent.
●Wring out any excess water from the cloth and thoroughly
wipe off all remaining traces of detergent.
● Wipe the surface with a dry, soft cloth to remove any remain-
ing moisture. Allow the leather to dry in a shaded and venti-
lated area.
■ Synthetic leather areas
●Remove loose dirt using a vacuum cleaner.
● Apply a mild soap solution to the synthetic leather using a
sponge or soft cloth.
● Allow the solution to soak in for a few minutes. Remove the
dirt and wipe off the solution with a clean, damp cloth.

390 4-1. Maintenance and care
■Caring for leather areas
Toyota recommends cleaning the interior of the vehicle at least twice a year
to maintain the quality of the vehicle’s interior.
■ Shampooing the carpets
There are several commercial foaming-type cleaners available. Use a
sponge or brush to apply the foam. Rub in overlapping circles. Do not apply
water. The excellent results are obtained by keeping the carpet as dry as
possible.
■ Seat belts
Clean with mild soap and lukewarm water using a cloth or sponge. Also
check the belts periodically for excessive wear, fraying or cuts.
CAUTION
■Water in the vehicle
●Do not splash or spill liquid in the vehicle. Doing so may cause electrical
components to malfunction or catch fire.
● Do not get any of the SRS components or wiring in the vehicle interior wet.
( P. 107)
Electrical malfunction may cause the airbags to deploy or not function
properly, resulting in death or serious injury.
■ Cleaning the interior (esp ecially instrument panel)
Do not use polish wax or polish cleaner. The instrument panel may reflect off
the windshield, obstructing the driver’s view and leading to an accident,
resulting in death or serious injury.