1996 TOYOTA AVALON ESP

87
SCAN
Radio
You can either scan all the frequencies on
a band or scan only the preset stations for
that band.
To scan the preset stations: Quickly push
and release SCANº. If you hear a beep,
you held the button too long, and the radio
will scan all the frequencies. The radio will
tune in the next preset station up the
band, stay there for a few seconds, and
then move to the next preset station. To
select a station, push SCANº a second
time.
To scan all the frequencies: Push SCANº
until you hear a beep. The radio will find
the next station up the station band, stay
there for a few seconds, and then scan
again. To select a station, push SCANº a
second time.
Cassette player
The cassette player scan feature is similar
to the radio scan feature and uses the
same button.
Push SCANº. SCANº will appear on the
display. The player will fast forward to the
next cassette track,
play it for 12 seconds,
and then scan again. To select a track,
push SCANº a second time. If the player
reaches the end of one side of a cassette
tape, it will continue scanning on the other
side. Compact disc player
The compact disc player scan feature is
similar to the radio scan feature.
Push SCANº. SCANº will appear on the
display. The compact disc player will play
the first track of the next disc for 10 sec-
onds,
then scan to the next disc. To select
a disc, push SCANº a second time. If the
player has scanned all the discs, it will
stop scanning.
SKIP
The skip feature allows you to fast forward
past long stretches of blank tape. This is
especially useful at the end of cassettes.
Push SKIPº. SKIPº will appear on the
display. The cassette player will keep
track of how much blank space it plays.
Any time it has played about 10 seconds
of blank tape, it will automatically fast for-
ward to the next track and begin to play.
Push the button a second time to turn off
the skip feature. ST (Stereo reception) display
Your radio automatically changes to ste-
reo reception when a stereo broadcast is
received. STº appears on the display. If
the signal becomes weak, the radio re-
duces the amount of channel separation
to prevent the weak signal from creating
noise. If the signal becomes extremely
weak, the radio switches from stereo to
mono reception.
TAPE
Push TAPEº to switch from radio opera-
tion to cassette operation. If the audio
system is off,
you can turn on the cassette
player by pushing TAPEº. In both cases,
a cassette must already be loaded in the
player.
TREB (Treble)
This knob lets you adjust the treble level.
Push TREB/FADEº so that it pops out of
its retracted position. Turn the knob to ad-
just the treble. Push the knob back into its
retracted position.ProCarManuals.com

98AM
FadingÐAM broadcasts are reflected by
the upper atmosphereÐespecially at
night. These reflected signals can inter-
fere with those received directly from the
radio station, causing the radio station to
sound alternately strong and weak.
Station interferenceÐWhen a reflected
signal and a signal received directly from
a radio station are very nearly the same
frequency, they can interfere with each
other,
making it difficult to hear the broad-
cast.
StaticÐAM is easily affected by external
sources of electrical noise, such as high
tension power lines, lightening, or electri-
cal motors. This results in static.
CARING FOR YOUR CASSETTE
PLAYER AND TAPES
For high performance from your cassette
player and tapes:
Clean the tape head and other parts regu-
larly.
 A dirty tape head or tape path can de-
crease sound quality and tangle your
cassette tapes. The easiest way to
clean them is by using a cleaning tape. Use high-quality cassettes.

Low-quality cassette tapes can cause
many problems, including poor sound,
inconsistent playing speed, and
constant auto-reversing. They can
also get stuck or tangled in the cas-
sette player.
 Do not use a cassette if it has been
damaged or tangled or if its label is
peeling off.
 Do not leave a cassette in the player if
you are not listening to it, especially if
it is hot outside.
 Store cassettes in their cases and out
of direct sunlight.
 Avoid using cassettes with a total play-
ing time longer than 100 minutes (50
minutes per side). The tape used in
these cassettes is thin and could get
stuck or tangled in the cassette player.
CARING FOR YOUR COMPACT DISC
PLAYER AND DISCS
 Use only compact discs labeled as
shown.
 Extremely high temperatures can
keep your compact disc player from
working. On hot days, use the air con-
ditioning to cool the vehicle interior be-
fore you listen to a disc.
 Bumpy roads or other vibrations may
make your compact disc player skip.
 If moisture gets into your compact disc
player, you may not hear any sound
even though your compact disc player
appears to be working. Remove the
disc from the player and wait until it
dries.
ProCarManuals.com

99

Handle compact discs carefully, espe-
cially when you are inserting them.
Hold them on the edge and do not
bend them. Avoid getting fingerprints
on them, particularly on the shiny side.
 Dirt, scrapes, warping, pin holes, or
other disc damage could cause the
player to skip or to repeat a section of
a track. (To see a pin hole, hold the disc
up to the light.)
 Remove discs from the compact disc
player when you are not listening to
them. S tore them in their plastic cases
away from moisture, heat, and direct
sunlight.
To clean a compact disc: Wipe it with a
soft, lint-free cloth that has been damp-
ened with water. Wipe in a straight line
from the center to the edge of the disc (not
in circles). Dry it with another soft, lint-
free cloth. Do not use a conventional re-
cord cleaner or anti-static device.
A new disc may have rough edges on
its inner and outer perimeter. Remove
the rough edges by pressing the side
of a ball-point pen or pencil against
the inner and outer perimeter of the
disc as shown.
If you continue to play a disc with rough
edges, flakes will fall on to the signal side
of the disc and cause sound skipping or
other problems.
Compact disc players use invisible
laser beam which could cause haz-
ardous radiation exposure if directed
outside the unit. Be sure to operate
the player correctly as instructed. CAUTION
!
ProCarManuals.com

11 2The cup holder is designed for holding
cups or drink-cans fit snugly in its
holes.
To use the cup holder, open the armrest
lid, p
ull out the cup holder. Then close the
armrest lid.

Do not leave the armrest lid open
especially when the cup holder
holds a scalding hot drink. If the lid
is forcibly pulled up, the drink may
spill over the seat occupants.

When the cup holder is in use, the
armrest lid must be securely
closed with the lock engaged.

Do not place anything else on the
cup holder, as such items may be
thrown about and possibly injure
people in the vehicle during sud-
den braking or an accident.

Keep the cup holder shut when not
in use.

Do not lift the armrest upright
when the cup holder is pulled out.
CAUTION!
Use a floor mat of the correct size.
If the floor mat has a hole, then it is de-
signed for use with a locking clip. Fix the
floor mat and locking clip into the hole in
the floor carpet.
Make sure the floor mat is properly
placed on the floor carpet. If the
floor mat slips and interferes with
the movement of the pedals during
driving, it may cause an accident. CAUTION
!
Floor mat
ProCarManuals.com

11 8
Your engine is fitted with twin ground
electrode spark plugs.
Use only twin ground electrodespark plugs for your engine
performance.
NOTICE
TANDEM MASTER CYLINDER BRAKE
SYSTEM
The tandem master cylinder brake sys-
tem is a hydraulic system with two sepa-
rate sub-systems. If either sub-system
should fa il, the other will still work. Howev-
er, the pedal will be harder to press, and
your stopping distance will be longer.
Also, the brake system warning light may
come on.
CAUTION!
Do not drive your vehicle with only
a single brake system. Have your
brakes fixed immediately.
BRAKE BOOSTER
The brake booster uses engine vacuum to
power-assist the brakes. If the engine
should quit while you are driving, you can
bring the vehicle to a stop with normal
pedal pressure. There is enough reserve
vacuum for one or two stopsÐbut no
more!
CAUTION!

Do not pump the brake pedal if the
engine stalls. Each push on the
pedal uses up your vacuum re-
serve.

Even if the power assist is com-
pletely lost, the brakes will still
work. But you will have to push the
pedal hardÐmuch harder than nor-
mal. And your braking distance will
be longer.
Twin ground electrode
spark plugs Brake system
ProCarManuals.com

130BRAKES AND SAFETY CHAINS


Toyota recommends trailers with
brakes that conform to any appli-
cable federal and state/provincial
regulations.

A safety chain must always be used
between the towing vehicle and the
trailer. Leave sufficient slack in the
chain for turns. The chain should
cross under the trailer tongue to
prevent the tongue from dropping
to the ground in case it becomes
damaged or separated. For correct
safety chain procedures, follow the
hitch or trailer manufacturer's rec-
ommendations.
CAUTION

If the total trailer weight exceeds
453 kg (1000 lb.), trailer brakes are
required.

Never tap into your vehicle's hy-
draulic system as it would lower its
braking effectiveness.

Never tow a trailer without using a
safety chain securely attached to
both the trailer and the vehicle. If
damage occurs to the coupling
unit or hitch ball, there is danger of
the trailer wandering over into
another lane.!
TIRES

Ensure that your vehicle's tires are
properly inflated. See Chapter 7-2 for
instructions.

The trailer tires should be inflated to
the pressure recommended by the
trailer manufacturer in respect to the
total trailer weight.
TRAILER LIGHTS

Trailer lights must comply with federal,
state/provincial and local regulations.
See your local recreational vehicle
dealer or rental agency for the correct
type of wiring and relays for your trail-
er. Check for correct operation of the
turn signals and stop lights each time
you hitch up. Direct splicing may dam-
age your vehicle's electrical system
and cause a malfunction of your lights.
BREAK-IN SCHEDULE

Toyota recommends that you do not
tow a trailer with a new vehicle or a ve-
hicle with any new power train compo-
nent (engine, transmission, differen-
tial, wheel bearing, etc.) for the first
800 km (500 miles) of driving. MAINTENANCE


If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will re-
quire more frequent maintenance due
to the additional load. For this informa-
tion, please refer to the scheduled
maintenance information in the Own-
er 's Manual Supplement/Maintenance
Scheduleº.

Retighten all fixing bolts of the towing
ball and bracket after approximately
1000 km (600 miles) of trailer driving.
PRE-T OWING SAFETY CHECK

Check that your vehicle remains level
when a loaded or unloaded trailer is
hitched. Do not drive if the vehicle has
an abnormal nose-up or nose-down
condition, and check for improper
tongue load, overload, worn suspen-
sion or other possible causes.

Make sure the trailer cargo is securely
loaded so that it can not shift.

Check that your rear view mirrors con-
form to any applicable federal, state/
provincial or local regulation. If not,
install the rear view mirrors required
for towing purpose.
ProCarManuals.com

131
TRAILER TOWING TIPS
When towing a trailer, your vehicle will
handle differently than when not tow-
ing.
The three main causes of vehicle-
trailer accidents are driver error, ex-
cessive speed and improper trailer
loading. Keep these in mind when tow-
ing:

Before starting out, check operation of
the lights and all vehicle-trailer con-
nections. After driving a short dis-
tance, stop and recheck the lights and
connections. Before actually towing a
trailer, practice turning, stopping and
backing with a trailer in an area away
from traffic until you learn the feel.

Backing w ith a trailer is difficult and re-
quires practice. Grip the bottom of the
steering wheel and move your hand to
the left to move the trailer to the left.
Move your hand to the right to move
the trailer to the right. (This procedure
is generally opposite to that when
backing without a trailer). Also, just
turn the steering wheel a little at a time,
avoiding sharp or prolonged turning.
Have someone guide you when back-
ing to reduce the risk of an accident.

Because stopping distance may be in-
creased, vehicle-to-vehicle distance
should be increased when towing a
trailer. For each 16 km/h (10 mph) of
speed, allow at least one vehicle and
trailer length between you and the ve-
hicle ahead. Avoid sudden braking as
you may skid, resulting in jackknifing
and loss of control. This is especially
true on wet or slippery surfaces.

Avoid jerky starts or sudden accelera-
tion.

Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns.
The trailer could hit your vehicle in a
tight turn. Slow down before making a
turn to avoid the necessity of sudden
braking.

Remember that when making a turn,
the trailer wheels will be closer than
the vehicle wheels to the inside of the
turn. Therefore, compensate for this
by making a larger than normal turning
radius with your vehicle.

Crosswinds and rough roads will ad-
versely affect handling of your vehicle
and trailer, causing sway. Pay attention
to the rear from time to time to prepare
yourself for being passed by large
trucks or buses, which may cause your
vehicle and trailer to sway. If swaying
happens, firmly grip the steering wheel
and reduce speed immediately but
gradually. Never increase speed. Steer
straight ahead. If you make no extreme
correction with the steering or brakes,
the vehicle and trailer will stabilize.

Be careful when passing other ve-
hicles. Passing requires considerable
distance. After passing a vehicle, do
not forget the length of your trailer and
be sure you have plenty of room be-
fore changing lanes.

In order to maintain engine braking ef-
ficiency do not use overdrive.

Because of the added load of the trail-
er, your vehicle's engine may overheat
on hot days (at temperatures over
305C [85 5 F]) when going up a long or
steep grade with a trailer. If the engine
coolant temperature gauge indicates
overheating, immediately turn off the
air conditioning (if in use), pull off the
road and stop in a safe spot. Refer to
If your vehicle overheatsº in Part 4 of
this manual.ProCarManuals.com

Part 5
151
CORROSION
PREVENTION AND
APPEARANCE
CARE

Protecting your Toyota from
corrosion

Washing and waxing your
Toyota

Cleaning the interior
Toyota, through its diligent research, de-
sign and use of the most advanced
technology available, has done its part to
help prevent corrosion and has provided
you with the finest quality vehicle
construction. Now, it is up to you. Proper
care of your T oyota can help ensure long-
term corrosion prevention.
The most common causes of corro-
sion to your vehicle are:

The accumulation of road salt, dirt and
moisture in hard-to-reach areas un-
der the vehicle.

Chipping of paint, or undercoating
caused by minor accidents or by
stones and gravel.
Care is especially important if you live
in particular areas or operate your ve-
hicle under certain environmental
conditions:

Road salt or dust control chemicals will
accelerate corrosion, as will the pres-
ence of salt in the air near the sea-
coast or in areas of industrial pollution.

High humidity accelerates corrosion
especially when temperatures range
just above the freezing point.

Wetness or dampness to certain parts
of your vehicle for an extended period
of time, may cause corrosion even
though other parts of the vehicle may
be dry.

High temperatures will cause corro-
sion to those components of the ve-
hicle which are prevented from quick-
drying due to lack of proper ventilation.
The above signifies the necessity to keep
your vehicle, particularly the underside,
as clean as possible and to repair any
damage to paint or protective coatings as
soon as possible.
To help prevent corrosion on your
Toyota, follow these guidelines:
Wash your vehicle frequently: It is, of
course, necessary to keep your vehicle
clean by regular washing, but to prevent
corrosion, the following points should be
observed:

If you drive on salted roads in the win-
ter or if you live near the ocean, you
should hose off the undercarriage at
least once a month to minimize corro-
sion.

High pressure water or steam is effec-
tive for cleaning the vehicle's under-
side and wheel housings. Pay particu-
lar attention to these areas as it is
difficult to see all the mud and dirt. It
will do more harm than good to simply
wet the mud and debris without remov-
ing them. The lower edge of doors,
rocker panels and frame members
have drain holes which should not be
allowed to clog with dirt as trapped wa-
ter in these areas can cause corrosion.
Protecting your Toyota from
corrosion
ProCarManuals.com