TOYOTA AVALON HYBRID 2018 Owners Manual (in English)

3316-1. Maintenance and care
6
Maintenance and care
NOTICE
■Cleaning detergents
● Do not use the following types of detergent, as they may discolor the vehi-
cle interior or cause streaks or damage to painted surfaces:
• Non-seat portions: Organic substances such as benzene or gasoline,
alkaline or acidic solutions, dye, and bleach
• Seats: Alkaline or acidic solutions, such as thinner, benzene, and alco- hol
● Do not use polish wax or polish cleaner. The instrument panel’s or other
interior part’s painted surface may be damaged.
■ Preventing damage to leather surfaces
Observe the following precautions to avoid damage to and deterioration of
leather surfaces:
● Remove any dust or dirt from leather surfaces immediately.
● Do not expose the vehicle to direct sunlight for extended periods of time.
Park the vehicle in the shade, especially during summer.
● Do not place items made of vinyl, plastic, or containing wax on the uphol-
stery, as they may stick to the leather surface if the vehicle interior heats
up significantly.
■ Water on the floor
Do not wash the vehicle floor with water.
Vehicle systems such as the audio system may be damaged if water comes
into contact with electrical components such as the audio system above or
under the floor of the vehicle. Water may also cause the body to rust.
■ When cleaning the inside of the windshield (vehicles with Toyota
Safety Sense P)
Do not allow glass cleaner to contact the lens. Also, do not touch the lens.
(→P. 204)
■ Cleaning the inside of the rear window
● Do not use glass cleaner to clean the rear window, as this may cause
damage to the rear window defogger heater wires or antenna. Use a cloth
dampened with lukewarm water to gently wipe the window clean. Wipe the
window in strokes running parallel to the heater wires or antenna.
● Be careful not to scratch or damage the heater wires or antenna.

3326-2. Maintenance
General maintenance should be performed on a daily basis. This can
be done by yourself or by a Toyota dealer.
Scheduled maintenance should be performed at specified intervals
according to the maintenance schedule.
For details about maintenance items and schedules, refer to the “Sched-
uled Maintenance Guide” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”.
You can perform some maintenance procedures by yourself.
Please be aware that do-it-yourself maintenance may affect warranty
coverage.
The use of Toyota Repair Manuals is recommended.
For details about warranty coverage, refer to the separate “Owner’s War-
ranty Information Booklet” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”.
Maintenance requirements
To ensure safe and economical driv ing, day-to-day care and reg-
ular maintenance are essential. It is the owner’s responsibility to
perform regular checks. Toyota recommends the following main-
tenance:
General maintenance
Scheduled maintenance
Do-it-yourself maintenance

3336-2. Maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
■Repair and replacement
It is recommended that genuine Toyota parts be used for repairs to ensure
performance of each system. If non-Toyota parts are used in replacement or if
a repair shop other than a Toyota dealer performs repairs, confirm the war-
ranty coverage.
■ Resetting the message indicating maintenance is required
After the required maintenance is performed according to the maintenance
schedule, please reset the message.
To reset the message, follow the procedure described below:
Turn the power switch off with the trip meter A reading shown. ( →P. 91)
While pressing the trip meter reset knob ( →P. 91), turn the power switch to
ON mode
Continue to press and hold the knob until the trip meter displays “000000”.
■ Allow inspection and repairs to be performed by a Toyota dealer
●Toyota technicians are well-trained specialists and are kept up to date with
the latest service information. They are well informed about the operations
of all systems on your vehicle.
● Keep a copy of the repair order. It proves that the maintenance that has
been performed is under warranty covera ge. If any problem should arise
while your vehicle is under warranty, your Toyota dealer will promptly take
care of it.
WARNING
■ If your vehicle is not properly maintained
Improper maintenance could result in serious damage to the vehicle and
possible death or serious injury.
■ Handling of the 12-volt battery
● Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and a wide variety of automobile
components contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects and other reproductive harm. Work in a
well ventilated area.
● Oils, fuels and fluids contained in vehicles as well as waste produced by
component wear contain or emit chemic als known to the State of Califor-
nia to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Avoid
exposure and wash any affected area immediately.
● 12-volt battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and
lead compounds which are known to cause brain damage. Wash your
hands after handling. ( →P. 352)
1
2
3

3346-2. 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
Brake fluidIs the brake fluid at the correct
level? ( →P. 350)
Engine/power control unit coolant
Is the engine/power control unit
coolant at the correct level?
(→P. 347)
Engine oilIs the engine oil at the correct level?
(→P. 344)
Exhaust systemThere should not be any fumes or
strange sounds.
Radiator/condenser
The radiator and condenser should
be free from foreign objects.
(→P. 349)
Washer fluidIs there sufficient washer fluid?
(→P. 351)
Luggage compartment
ItemsCheck points
12-volt batteryCheck the connections. ( →P. 352)

3356-2. Maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator pedal
• The accelerator pedal shouldmove smoothly (without uneven
pedal effort or catching).
Hybrid transmission “Park” mecha-
nism• When parked on a slope and the
shift lever is in P, is the vehicle
securely stopped?
Brake pedal
• Does the brake pedal movesmoothly?
• Does the brake pedal have appro-
priate clearance from the floor? (→P. 443)
• Does the brake pedal have the
correct amount of free play? (→P. 443)
Brakes
• The vehicle should not pull to one
side when the brakes are applied.
• The brakes should work effec-
tively.
• The brake pedal should not feel spongy.
• The brake pedal should not get too close to the floor when the
brakes are applied.

3366-2. Maintenance
Head restraints• Do the head restraints movesmoothly and lock securely?
Indicators/buzzers• Do the indicators and buzzersfunction properly?
Lights• Do all the lights come on?
Parking brake
• Moves smoothly?
• When parked on a slope and theparking brake is on, is the vehicle
securely stopped?
Seat belts
• Do the seat belts operatesmoothly?
• The seat belts should not be dam- aged.
Seats• Do the seat controls operate prop-erly?
Steering wheel
• Does the steering wheel rotatesmoothly?
• Does the steering wheel have the
correct amount of free play?
• There should not be any strange sounds coming from the steering
wheel.
ItemsCheck points

3376-2. Maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
Vehicle exterior
ItemsCheck points
Doors/trunk• Do the doors/trunk operatesmoothly?
Engine hood• Does the engine hood lock systemwork properly?
Fluid leaks
• There should not be any signs offluid leakage after the vehicle has
been parked.
Tires
• Is the tire inflation pressure cor-rect?
• The tires should not be dam- aged or excessively worn.
• Have the tires been rotated
according to the maintenance
schedule?
• The wheel nuts should not be
loose.
Windshield wipers
• The wiper blades should not show
any signs of cracking, splitting,
wear, contamination or deforma-
tion.
• The wiper blades should clear the windshield without streaking or
skipping.
WARNING
■If the hybrid system is operating
Turn the hybrid system off and ensure that there is adequate ventilation
before performing maintenance checks.

3386-2. Maintenance
The OBD system determines that a problem exists somewhere in the
emission control system. Your vehi cle may not pass the I/M test and
may need to be repaired. Contact your Toyota dealer to service the
vehicle.
● When the 12-volt battery is disconnected or discharged
Readiness codes that are set duri ng ordinary driving are erased.
Also, depending on your driving habits, the readiness codes may
not be completely set.
● When the fuel tank cap is loose
The malfunction indicator lamp comes on indicating a temporary
malfunction and your vehicle may not pass the I/M test.
The error code in the OBD system will not be cleared unless the vehi-
cle is driven 40 or more times.
Contact your Toyota dealer to prepare the vehicle for re-testing.
Emission inspection an d maintenance (I/M)
programs
Some states have vehicle emission inspection programs which
include OBD (On Board Diagnos tics) checks. The OBD system
monitors the operation of the emission control system.
If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on
Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test in the following situations:
When the malfunction indicator la mp still remains on after sev-
eral driving trips
If your vehicle does not pass the I/M test

339
6
Maintenance and care
6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service precautions
If you perform maintenance by yourself, be sure to follow the
correct procedure as given in these sections.
ItemsParts and tools
12-volt battery condi-
tion (→P. 352)• Grease
• Conventional wrench
(for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level (→P. 350)
• FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake
fluid
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding brake fluid)
Engine/power control
unit coolant level (→P. 347)
• “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or a similar
high quality ethylene glycol-based non-silicate,
non-amine, non-nitrite and non-borate coolant
with long-life hybrid organic acid technology.
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is pre-mixed
with 50% coolant and 50% deionized water.
• Funnel (used only for adding coolant)
Engine oil level
(→P. 344)• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding engine oil)
Fuses ( →P. 375)• Fuse with same amperage rating as original
Light bulbs (→P. 378)
• Bulb with same number and wattage rating as
original
• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Flathead screwdriver
• Wrench
Radiator and con-
denser ( →P. 349)⎯
Tire inflation pressure
(→ P. 365)• Tire pressure gauge
• Compressed air source
Washer fluid
(→P. 351)
• Water or washer fluid containing antifreeze (for
winter use)
• Funnel (used only for adding water or washer fluid)

3406-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
WARNING
The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that may
move suddenly, become hot, or become electrically energized. To avoid death
or serious injury, observe the following precautions.
■When working on the engine compartment
● Make sure that the “READY” indicator is off.
● Keep hands, clothing and tools away from the moving fan and engine
drive belt.
● Be careful not to touch the engine, power control unit, radiator, exhaust
manifold, etc. right after driving as they may be hot. Oil and other fluids
may also be hot.
● Do not leave anything that may burn easily, such as paper and rags, in the
engine compartment.
● Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose an open flame to fuel. Fuel fumes
are flammable.
■ When working near the electric co oling fans or radiator grille
Be sure the power switch is off.
With the power switch in ON mode, t he electric cooling fans may automati-
cally start to run if the air condition ing is on and/or the coolant temperature
is high. ( →P. 349)
■ Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc.
from getting in your eyes.
NOTICE
■If you remove the air cleaner filter
Driving with the air cleaner filter removed may cause excessive engine wear
due to dirt in the air.