check oil TOYOTA AVALON 2021 Owners Manual (in English)

17Pictorial index
Windshield wipers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 210
Precautions for winter season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 317
Fuel filler door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 214
Refueling method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 214
Fuel type/fuel tank capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 480
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 394
Tire size/inflation pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 486
Winter tires/tire chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 317
Checking/rotation/tire pressure warning system . . . . . . . . .P. 394
Coping with flat tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 449
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 381
Opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 381
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 481
Coping with overheat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 471
Front turn signal lights/parking lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 195, 202
Headlights/daytime running lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 202
Front side marker lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 202
Headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 202
Front turn signal lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 195
Daytime running lights/parking lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 202
Front turn signal lights/cornering lights . . . . . . . . . . . P. 195, 202
Side turn signal lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 195
Rear turn signal lights/rear side marker lights/
tail lights/stoplights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 195, 202
Back-up lights
Shifting the shift lever to R . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 189
License plate lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 202
4
5
6
7
Light bulbs of the exterior lights for driving
(Replacing method: P. 421, Watts: P. 488)
*: If equipped
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17

1774-1. Before driving
4
Driving
NOTICE
■When driving the vehicle
●Do not depress the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time during
driving, as this may restrain the engine output.
●Do not use the accelerator pedal or depress the accelerator and brake
pedals at the same time to hold the vehicle on a hill.
■When parking the vehicle
Always set the parking brake and shift the shift lever to P. Failure to do so
may cause the vehicle to move or the vehicle may accelerate suddenly if
the accelerator pedal is accidentally depressed.
■Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
●Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for
an extended period of time.
Doing so may damage the power steering motor.
●When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid
damaging the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.
■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 depress the brake pedal to slow down the vehi-
cle.
●It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
●The vehicle will make abnormal sounds or vibrations.
●The vehicle will lean abnormally.
Information on what to do in case of a flat tire (P. 449)
■When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may
cause the following serious damage to the vehicle:
●Engine stalling
●Short in electrical components
●Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be
sure to have your Toyota dealer check the following:
●Brake function
●Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, tran-
saxle, transfer (AWD models), rear differential (AWD models), etc.
●Lubricant condition for the propeller shaft (AWD models), bearings and
suspension joints (where possible), and the function of all joints, bearings,
etc.

317
4
Driving
4-6. Driving tips
●Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside tempera-
tures.
• Engine oil
• Engine coolant
• Washer fluid
●Have a service technician inspect the condition of the battery.
●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.
*: Tire chains cannot be mounted on vehicles with 18 and 19-inch tires.
Perform the following according to the driving conditions:
●Do not try to forcibly open a window or move a wiper that is frozen.
Pour warm water over the frozen area to melt the ice. Wipe away
the water immediately to prevent it from freezing.
●To ensure proper operation of the climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents in
front of the windshield.
●Check for and remove any excess ice or snow that may have accu-
mulated on the exterior lights, vehicle’s roof, chassis, around the
tires or on the brakes.
●Remove any snow or mud from the bottom of your shoes before
getting in the vehicle.
Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before
driving the vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a man-
ner appropriate to the prevailing weather conditions.
Preparation for winter
Before driving the vehicle

3746-2. Maintenance
General maintenance
Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be
performed at the intervals specified in the “Owner’s Warranty
Information Booklet” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement/Sched-
uled Maintenance Guide”. It is recommended that any problem
you notice should be brought to the attention of your Toyota
dealer or qualified service shop for advice.
Engine compartment
ItemsCheck points
BatteryCheck the connections. (P. 391)
Brake fluidIs the brake fluid at the correct
level? (P. 390)
Engine coolantIs the engine coolant at the correct
level? (P. 388)
Engine oilIs the engine oil at the correct level?
(P. 385)
Exhaust systemThere should not be any fumes or
strange sounds.
Radiator/condenser
The radiator and condenser should
be free from foreign objects.
(P. 389)
Washer fluidIs there sufficient washer fluid?
(P. 393)

3856-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
With the engine at operating temperature and turned off, check the oil
level on the dipstick.
■Checking the engine oil
Park the vehicle on level ground. After warming up the engine
and turning it off, wait more than 5 minutes for the oil to drain
back into the bottom of the engine.
Holding a rag under the end, pull the dipstick out.
Wipe the dipstick clean.
Reinsert the dipstick fully.
Holding a rag under the end,
pull the dipstick out and
check the oil level.
Low
Normal
Excessive
The shape of the dipstick may
differ depending on the type of
vehicle or engine.
Wipe the dipstick and reinsert it fully.
Engine oil
1
2
2.5 L 4-cylinder (A25A-FKS)
engine3.5 L V6 (2GR-FKS) engine
3
4
5
1
2
3
6

3866-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■Adding engine oil
If the oil level is below or near
the low level mark, add engine
oil of the same type as that
already in the engine.
Make sure to check the oil type and prepare the items needed
before adding oil.
Remove the oil filler cap by turning it counterclockwise.
Add engine oil slowly, checking the dipstick.
Install the oil filler cap by turning it clockwise.
■Engine oil consumption
A certain amount of engine oil will be consumed while driving. In the following
situations, oil consumption may increase, and engine oil may need to be
refilled in between oil maintenance intervals.
●When the engine is new, for example directly after purchasing the vehicle or
after replacing the engine
●If low quality oil or oil of an inappropriate viscosity is used
●When driving at high engine speeds or with a heavy load, or when driving
while accelerating or decelerating frequently
●When leaving the engine idling for a long time, or when driving frequently
through heavy traffic
Engine oil selectionP. 481
Oil quantity
(Low  Full)
2.5 L 4-cylinder (A25A-FKS) engine
1.6 qt. (1.5 L, 1.3 Imp. qt.)
3.5 L V6 (2GR-FKS) engine
1.9 qt. (1.8 L, 1.6 lmp. qt.)
Items Clean funnel
1
2
3

3876-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
WARNING
■Used engine oil
●Used engine oil contains potentially harmful contaminants which may
cause skin disorders such as inflammation and skin cancer, so care
should be taken to avoid prolonged and repeated contact. To remove used
engine oil from your skin, wash thoroughly with soap and water.
●Dispose of used oil and filters only in a safe and acceptable manner. Do
not dispose of used oil and filters in household trash, in sewers or onto the
ground.
Call your Toyota dealer, service station or auto parts store for information
concerning recycling or disposal.
●Do not leave used engine oil within the reach of children.
NOTICE
■To prevent serious engine damage
Check the oil level on a regular basis.
■When replacing the engine oil
●Be careful not to spill engine oil on the vehicle components.
●Avoid overfilling, or the engine could be damaged.
●Check the oil level on the dipstick every time you refill the vehicle.
●Be sure the engine oil filler cap is properly tightened.
■If oil is spilled on the engine cover
To prevent the engine cover from being damaged, remove any engine oil
from the engine cover as soon as possible using a neutral detergent.
Do not use an organic solvent such as brake cleaner.

4487-2. Steps to take in an emergency
■If “Engine Oil Level Low Add or Replace” is displayed
The engine oil level may be low. Check the level of the engine oil, and add
engine oil if necessary. This message may be displayed if the vehicle is
stopped on a slope. Move the vehicle to a level surface and check if the mes-
sage disappears.
■Warning buzzer
P. 440
NOTICE
■If “High Power Consumption Power to Climate Temporarily Limited” is
frequently shown
There is a possible malfunction relating to the charging system or the bat-
tery may be deteriorating. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer.

4818-1. Specifications
8
Vehicle specifications
■Oil capacity (Drain and refill [Reference*])
*: The engine oil capacity is a reference quantity to be used when changing
the engine oil. Warm up and turn off the engine, wait more than 5 minutes,
and check the oil level on the dipstick.
■
Engine oil selection
2.5 L 4-cylinder (A25A-FKS) engine
“Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” is used in your Toyota vehicle. Use
Toyota approved “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent to sat-
isfy the following grade and viscosity.
Oil grade: API SN/RC multigrade engine oil
Recommended viscosity: SAE 0W-16
SAE 0W-16 is the best choice for
good fuel economy and good start-
ing in cold weather.
If SAE 0W-16 is not available, SAE
0W-20 oil may be used. However,
it must be replaced with SAE 0W-
16 at the next oil change.
Oil viscosity (0W-16 is explained here as an example):
• The 0W in 0W-16 indicates the characteristic of the oil which allows cold
startability. Oils with a lower value before the W allow for easier starting of
the engine in cold weather.
• The 16 in 0W-16 indicates the viscosity characteristic of the oil when the
oil is at high temperature. An oil with a higher viscosity (one with a higher
value) may be better suited if the vehicle is operated at high speeds, or
under extreme load conditions.
Lubrication system
With filterWithout filter
2.5 L 4-cylinder
(A25A-FKS) engine4.8 qt.
(4.5 L, 4.0 Imp. qt.)4.4 qt.
(4.2 L, 3.7 Imp. qt.)
3.5 L V6 (2GR-FKS)
engine5.7 qt.
(5.4 L, 4.8 Imp. qt.)5.6 qt.
(5.3 L, 4.7 Imp. qt.)
Outside temperature

537Alphabetical index
Engine coolant
Capacity ................................ 483
Checking ............................... 388
Preparing and checking
before winter....................... 317
Engine coolant temperature
gauge........................................ 90
Engine immobilizer system ...... 77
Engine oil
Capacity ................................ 481
Checking ............................... 385
Preparing and checking
before winter....................... 317
Engine switch .......................... 184
Enhanced VSC ......................... 309
EPS
(Electric Power Steering)...... 310
Warning light ......................... 436
Event data recorder
(EDR) ........................................ 11Flat tire ..................................... 449
Floor mats .................................. 26
Fluid
Automatic transaxle .............. 484
Brake .................................... 486
Washer ................................. 393
Front interior light ................... 333
Front passenger occupant
classification system .............. 50
Front passenger’s seat belt
reminder light ........................ 438
Front personal lights............... 333
Front seat heaters ................... 329
Front seats ............................... 142
Adjustment............................ 142
Cleaning ............................... 369
Correct driving posture ........... 28
Driving position memory ....... 146
Head restraints ..................... 151
Power easy access
system ................................ 146
Seat heaters ......................... 329
Seat ventilators ..................... 329
Front side marker lights
Light switch ........................... 202
Replacing light bulbs ............ 421F