1997 TOYOTA AVALON fuel

Spark ignition system of yourToyota
The spark ignition system of your Toyota meets all re-
quirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing
Equipment Standard.
Installation of a mobiletwo-way radio system
As the installation of a mobile two-way radio system
in your vehicle could affect electronic systems such
as multiport fuel injection systems/sequential multi-
port fuel injection system, cruise control system, anti-
lock brake system and SRS airbag system, be sure
to check with your Toyota dealer for precautionary
measures or special instructions regarding installa-
tion.
Scrapping of your Toyota
The SRS airbag devices in your Toyota contains ex-
plosive chemicals. If the vehicle is scrapped with the
airbag left as it is, it may cause an accident such as
a fire. Be sure to have the SRS airbag system re-
moved and disposed of by a qualified service shop or
by your Toyota dealer before you dispose of your ve-
hicle.
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Publication No. OM22482U
Part No. 01999-22482
Printed in Japan 04- 9711- 02
Quick index

If a service reminder indicator or warning buzzer comes on 70 . . . . .

If your vehicle will not start 151 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

If your engine stalls while driving 154 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

If your vehicle overheats 155 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
.

If you have a flat tire 156 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . .

If your vehicle needs to be towed 163 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Tips for driving during break- in period 129 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

How to start the engine 141 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. .

General maintenance 176 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . .

Complete index 219 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . . . .
Gas station information
Fuel type:
UNLEADED gasoline, Research Octane Number 91 (Octane Rating 87) or
higher. For improved vehicle performance, the use of premium unleaded gaso-
line with a Research Octane Number of 96 (Octane Rating 91) or higher is
recommended.
See page 129 for detailed information.
Fuel tank capacity:
70 L (18.5 gal., 15.4 lmp. gal.)
Engine oil: API SH, Energy- Conservint IIº multigrade engine oil or ILSAC multigrade
engine oil is recommended.
See page 186 for detailed information.
Automatic transmission fluid: Automatic transmission fluid D- ll or DEXRON lll (DEXRON ll)
Tire information: See pages 189 through 193.
Tire pressure: See page 212.
B-1
B
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4
1. Engine coolant temperature gauge
2. Tachometer
3. Service reminder indicators or indicator lights 4. Odometer
5. Trip meter
6. Speedometer
7. Fuel gauge
8. Trip meter reset knob
9. Theft deterrent system indicator
light
Instrument cluster overview
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Indicator symbols on the instrument panel5
Anti-lock brake system warning light *1Brake system warning light *1
Seat belt reminder light*1
Discharge warning light*1
Low oil pressure warning light*1
Malfunction indicator lamp*1
Low fuel level warning light *1
Open door warning light*1
SRS airbag warning light*1
Turn signal indicator lightsTraction control system off
indicator/warning light*
1
Rear light failure warning light*1
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Part 1Keys7
OPERATION OF
INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLSÐ
Chapter 1-2
Keys and Doors

Keys

Side doors

Power windows

Trunk lid

Hood

Theft deterrent system

Fuel tank cap

Electric moon roof
Your vehicle is supplied with two
kinds of key.
1. Master key- This key works in every
lock.
2. Subkey- This key will not work in the glovebox.
To protect things locked in the glovebox
when you have your vehicle parked, leave
the subkey with the attendant.
Since the side doors and trunk lid can be
locked without a key, you should always
carry a spare master key in case you acci-
dentally lock your keys inside the vehicle.KEY NUMBER PLATE
Your key number is shown on the
plate. Keep the plate in a safe place
such as your wallet, not in the vehicle.
If you should lose your keys of if you need
additional keys, duplicates can be made
by a Toyota dealer using the key number.
You should also put a copy of the key
number with your important papers.
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19
TESTING THE SYSTEM
1. Open all the windows
2. Set the system as described above.
The doors should be locked with the key
or wireless remote control transmitter. Be
sure to wait until the indicator light starts
flashing.
3. Unlock any door from the inside. The
system should activate the alarm.
4. Cancel the system by unlocking any
of the doors with the key or wireless re-
mote control transmitter.
5. Repeart this operation for the other
doors, trunk and hood. When testing on
the hood, also check that the system is ac-
tivated when the battery terminal is dis-
connected and then reconnected.
If the system does not work properly, have
it checked by your Toyota dealer.
1. To open the fuel filler door, pull thelever up.
CAUTION!

Do not smoke, cause sparks or al-
low open flames when refuelling.
The fumes are flammable.

When opening the cap, do not re-
move the cap quickly. In hot
weather, fuel under pressure
could cause injury by spraying
out of the filler neck if the cap is
suddenly removed.
2. To remove the fuel tank cap, turn
the cap slowly counterclockwise,
then pause slightly before remov-
ing it. After removing the cap, hang
it on the cap hanger.
It is not unusual to hear a slight swoosh
when the cap is opened. When installing,
turn the cap clockwise till you hear a click.
If the cap is not tightened securely, the
malfunction indicator lamp comes on.
Make sure the cap is tightened securely.
The indicator lamp goes off after driving
several times. If the indicator lamp does
not go off, contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible.
Fuel tank cap
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20
CAUTION!

Make sure the cap is tightened se-
curely to prevent fuel spillage in
case of an accident.

Use only a genuine Toyota fuel
tank cap for replacement. It has a
built in check valve to reduce fuel
tank vacuum.
Sliding operation
Tilting operation To operate the moon roof, use the
switches beside the internal light.
The moon roof works when the ignition
switch is in the ONº position. However, if
all the doors are closed, it works for 60
seconds even after the ignition switch is
turned off. It stops working when any of
the doors are opened.
Sun shade operationÐ
The sun shade can be opened or closed
by hand.
Sliding operationÐ
To open: Push the switch on the SLIDEº
side.
The sun shade will be opened together
with the roof.
To close: Push the switch on the opposite
side of the SLIDEº side.
As a precaution when closing, the roof
stops at the three-quarters closed posi-
tion before fully closing. Therefore, re-
lease the switch and then push it again to
close it completely.
Tilting operationÐ
To tilt up: Push the switch on the UPº
side.
To lower: Push the switch on the opposite
side of the UPº side.
Electric moon roof
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Part 1Fuel gauge
67
OPERATION OF
INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLSÐ
Chapter 1-5
Gauges, Meters
and Service reminder
indicators

Fuel gauge

Engine coolant temperature
gauge

Tachometer

Odometer and two trip meter

Thermometer

Service reminder indicators and
warning buzzers
The gauge works when the ignition
switch is on and indicates the approxi-
mate quantity of fuel remaining in the
tank.
Nearly fullÐNeedle at Fº
Nearly emptyÐNeedle at Eº
It is a good idea to keep the tank over 1/4
full.
This fuel gauge has a non-return type
needle wh ich remains at the last indicated
position when the ignition switch is turned
off.
If the level approaches Eº or the low fuel
level warning light comes on, fill the fuel
tank as soon as possible. If the fuel tank is completely empty, the
malfunction
indicator lamp comes on. Fill
the fuel tank immediately.
The indicator lamp goes off after driving
several times. If the indicator lamp does
not go off, contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible.
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