engine overheat TOYOTA AVALON 2012 XX40 / 4.G Owners Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
6
5-1. Essential informationEmergency flashers ........... 472
If your vehicle needs to be towed ...................... 473
If you think something is wrong ............................... 477
Fuel pump shut off system .............................. 478
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds... ......................... 479
If you have a flat tire ........... 491
If the engine will not start ............................ 501
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P ................... 503
If you lose your keys .......... 504
If the electronic key does not operate properly (with
smart key system) ............ 505
If the vehicle battery is discharged ....................... 508
If your vehicle overheats .... 512
If the vehicle becomes stuck................................. 515
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an
emergency ....................... 516 6-1. Specifications
Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.) ........... 520
Fuel information .................. 528
Tire information................... 532
6-2. Customization Customizable features ........ 545
6-3. Initialization Items to initialize ................. 549
Reporting safety defects for U.S. owners ................. 552
Seat belt instructions for Canadian owners
(in French) ........................ 553
SRS airbag instructions for Canadian owners
(in French) ........................ 556
Abbreviation list ............... 568
Alphabetical index ............ 569
What to do if... .................. 576
5When trouble arises6Vehicle specifications
7For owners
Index

146 2-1. Driving procedures
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 shift the shift lever to P while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle\
control.
● Do not shift the shift lever to R while the vehicle is moving forward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle\
control.
● Do not shift the shift lever to D while the vehicle is moving backward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle\
control.
● Moving the shift lever to N while the vehicle is moving will disengage the
engine from the transmission. Engine braking is not available when N is
selected.
● During normal driving, do not turn off the engine. Turning the engine off
while driving will not cause loss of steering or braking control, but the
power assist to these systems will be lost. This will make it more difficult to
steer and brake, so you should pull over and stop the vehicle as soon as it
is safe to do so.
However, in the event of an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible
to stop the vehicle in the normal way: P. 516
● 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. 163)
● Be careful when driving on slippery surfaces, as the vehicle may spin or
skid when downshifting, rapidly accelerating, braking or turning.

148 2-1. Driving procedures
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.

150 2-1. Driving procedures
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.

160 2-1. Driving procedures
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.

171
2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
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. 512)

364 3-7. Other interior features
■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
471
5-1. Essential informationEmergency flashers ......... 472
If your vehicle needs to be towed .................... 473
If you think something is wrong ............................. 477
Fuel pump shut off system ........................... 478
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds... ....................... 479
If you have a flat tire......... 491
If the engine will not start .......................... 501
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P............ 503
If you lose your keys ........ 504
If the electronic key does not operate properly (with
smart key system) .......... 505
If the vehicle battery is discharged ..................... 508
If your vehicle overheats ....................... 512
If the vehicle becomes stuck .............................. 515
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an
emergency ..................... 516

512
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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. 407)
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4

5
When trouble arises
513
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
■
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. 524)
Have the vehicle checked at your nearest Toyota dealer as soon as
possible.
STEP5