1997 TOYOTA AVALON instrument panel

133

Keep the trunk lid closed while
driving. An open or unsealed
trunk lid may cause exhaust
gases to be drawn into the ve-
hicle. If you must drive with the
trunk lid open to accommodate a
large object, close the windows,
open all the instrument panel
vents and have the heating or
cooling system deliver fresh air
into the vehicle by turning the fan
to high speed with the air intake
control button set at the outside
air mode.

To allow proper operation of your
vehicle's ventilation system, keep
the inlet grilles in front of the
windshield clear of snow, leaves,
or other obstructions.

If you smell exhaust fumes in the
vehicle, drive with the windows
open and the trunk lid closed.
Have the cause immediately lo-
cated and corrected. FUNCTIONS OF ENGINE OIL
Engine oil has the primary functions of lu-
bricating and cooling the inside of the en-
gine,
and plays a major role in maintaining
the engine in proper working order.
ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION
It is normal that an engine should con-
sume some engine oil during normal
engine operation. The causes of oil
consumption in a normal engine are
as follows.

Oil is used to lubricate pistons, piston
rings and cylinders. A thin film of oil is
left on the cylinder wall when a piston
moves downwards in the cylinder.
High negative pressure generated
when the vehicle is decelerating sucks
some of this oil into the combustion
chamber. This oil as well as some part
of the oil film left on the cylinder wall is
burned by the high temperature com-
bustion gases during the combustion
process.

Oil is also used to lubricate the stems
of the intake valves. Some of this oil
is sucked into the combustion cham-
ber together with the intake air and is
burned along with the fuel. High tem-
perature exhaust gases also burn the
oil used to lubricate the exhaust valve
stems.
The amount of engine oil consumed de-
pends on the viscosity of the oil, the
quality of the oil and the conditions the
vehicle is driven under.
More oil is consumed by high-speed driv-
ing and frequent acceleration and decel-
eration.
A new engine consumes more oil, since
its pistons, piston rings and cylinder walls
have not become conditioned.
When judging the amount of oil con-
sumption, note that the oil may become
diluted and make it difficult to judge the
true level accurately.
As an example, if a vehicle is used for re-
peated short trips, and consumes a nor-
mal amount of oil, the dipstick may not
show any drop in the oil level at all, even
after 1000 km (600 miles) or more. This
is because the oil is gradually becoming
diluted with the fuel or moisture, making it
appear that the oil level has not changed.
Facts about engine oil
consumption
ProCarManuals.com

137
The brake pad wear limit indicators on
your disc brakes give a warning noise
when the brake pads are worn to
where replacement is required.
If you hear a squealing or scraping noise
while driving, have the brake pads
checked and replaced by your Toyota
dealer as soon as possible. Expensive ro-
tor damage can result if the pads are not
replaced when necessary.When stowing luggage or cargo in the ve-
hicle, observe the following:


Put luggage or cargo in the trunk when
at all possible. Be sure all items are se-
cured in place.

Be careful to keep the vehicle
balanced. Locating the weight as far
forward as possible helps maintain
balance.

For better fuel economy, do not carry
unneeded weight.
CAUTION!

Do not place anything on the filler
panel behind the rear seatback.
Such items may be thrown about
and possibly injure people in the
vehicle during sudden braking or
an accident.

Do not drive with objects left on
top of the instrument panel. They
may interfere with the driver's
field of veiw. Or they may move
during sharp vehicle acceleration
or turning, and impair the driver's
control of the vehicle. In an acci-
dent they may injure the vehicle
occupants.
Do not load the vehicle beyond the
vehicle capacity weight specified in
Part 8.
NOTICE
Brake pad wear limit indicators Luggage stowage precautions
ProCarManuals.com

138
The vehicle identification number
(VIN) is the legal identifier for your ve-
hicle. This number is on the left top of
the instrument panel, and can be seen
through the windshield from outside.
This is the primary identification number
for your Toyota. It is used in registering the
ownership of your vehicle.The vehicle identification number (VIN) is
also on the Certification Label.The engine number is stamped on the
engine block as shown.
-Engine number
Your Toyota's identificationÐ
ÐVehicle identification
number
ProCarManuals.com

172
Do not use solvent, thinner,gasoline or window cleaner on the
interior.
NOTICE
Carpets
Use a good foam-type shampoo to
clean the carpets.
Begin by vacuuming thoroughly to re-
move as much dirt as possible. Several
types of foam cleaners are available;
some are in aerosol cans and others are
powders or liquids which you mix with wa-
ter to produce a foam. To shampoo the
carpets, use a sponge or brush to apply
the foam. Rub in overlapping circles.
Do not apply water ± the best results are
obtained by keeping the carpet as dry as
possible. Read the shampoo instructions
and follow them closely.
Seat belts
The seat belts may be cleaned with
mild soap and water or with lukewarm
water. Use a cloth or sponge. As you are clean-
ing, check the belts for excessive wear,
fraying, or cuts.Do not use dye or bleach on the
beltsÐit may weaken them.
NOTICE
Windows
The windows may be cleaned with any
household window cleaner.
When cleaning the inside of the windows, be careful not to scratch
or damage the heater wires on therear window.
NOTICE
Air conditioning control panel, car au-
dio, instrument panel, console panel,
and switches
Use a soft damp cloth for cleaning.
Soak a clean soft cloth in water or luke-
warm water then lightly wipe off any dirt. 
Do not use organic substances
(solvents, kerosene, alcohol, gas-
oline, etc.) or alkaline or acidicsolutions. These chemicals cancause discoloring, staining or
peeling of the surface.
If you use cleaners or polishingagents, make sure their ingredi-
ents do not include the sub-stances mentioned above.
If you use a liquid car freshener,do not apply the liquid onto the ve-
hicle's interior surfaces. It may contain the ingredients men-
tioned above. Immediately cleanany spill using the method men-tioned above.
NOTICE
Leather Interior
The leather uphostery may be cleaned
with neutral detergent for wool.
Remove dirt using a soft cloth dampened
with 5 % Solution of neutral detergent for
wool. Then thoroughly wipe off all traces
of detergent with a clean damp cloth.
ProCarManuals.com

214
Instrument panel
25.SEAT HEATER 20 A: Seat heater
26.TURN 7.5 A: Turn signal lights, emer-
gency flasher
27.ECU-IG 10 A: Cruise control system, anti-lock brake system, shift lock sys-
tem, power antenna, power door lock
system, electric cooling fan
28.WIPER 20 A: Windshield wipers and washer, headlight cleanerPassenger 's side kick panel
29.GAUGE 7.5 A: Gaugue and meter,
buck-up lights, interior lights, charging
system, electronically controlled auto-
matic transmission system, cruise
control system, power door lock sys-
tem, service reminder indicators and
warning buzzer, automatic light control
system, daytime running light system
30.TAIL 15 A: Parking lights, license plate lights, tail lights, front side mark-
er lights 31. STOP 15 A: Stop lights, cruise control
system, high mounted stoplight, anti/
lock brake system, shift lock system,
multiport fuel injection system/se-
quential multiport fuel injection system
32.PANEL 5 A: Gauge and meter, Audio
system, cigarette lighter, glovebox
light, clock, electronically controlled
automatic transmission system, air
conditioning control system, service
reminder indicators, turn signal lights,
emergency flasher, headlight cleaner,
seat heater
33.MIRROR HEATER 10 A: Mirror heat- ers
34.CIG/RADIO 15 A: Cigarette lighter,
interior lights, clock, SRS airbag sys-
tem, shift lock system, power antenna,
electronically controlled automatic
transmission sytstem, air conditioning
control system, ignition system, theft
deterrent system, outside rear view
mirror control system, Audio system,
service reminder indicators
35.HEATER 10 A: Air conditioning con- trol system, rear window defogger,
starter system
36.STARTER 5 A: Starter system
37. A.C 10 A: Air conditioning control sys- tem
ProCarManuals.com