1998 TOYOTA AVALON light

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Part 1
OPERATION OF
INSTRUMENTS
AND CONTROLS—
Chapter 1 −5
Gauges, Meters
and Service reminder
indicators
 Fuel gauge
 Engine coolant temperature
gauge
 Tachometer
 Odometer and two trip meters
 Thermometer
 Service reminder indicators and
warning buzzers
Fuel gauge
The gauge works when the ignition
switch is on and indicates the approxi-
mate quantity of fuel remaining in the
tank.
Nearly full—Needle at ”F”
Nearly empty—Needle at ”E”
It is a good idea to keep the tank over 1/4
full.
This fuel gauge has a non −return type needle
which remains at the last indicated position
when the ignition switch is turned off.
If the fuel level approaches ”E” or the low
fuel level warning light comes on, fill the
fuel tank as soon as possible. On inclines or curves, due to the move-
ment of fuel in the tank, the fuel gauge
needle may fluctuate or the low fuel level
warning light may come on earlier than
usual.
If the fuel tank is completely empty, the mal-
function indicator lamp comes on. Fill the
fuel tank immediately.
The indicator lamp goes off after driving sev-
eral times. If the indicator lamp does not
go off, contact your Toyota dealer as soon
as possible.
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The thermometer indicates the outside
air temperatures with the ignition key at
the ”ON” position.
When the instrument panel lights are turned
on, the brightness of the display will be re-
duced.
(a) If parking brake
is off, stop and
check.
(b) Fasten seat belts.
If the indicator or Do this.
buzzer comes on...
(c) Stop and check.
(e) Take vehicle to
Toyota dealer.
(type A)
(type B)
(Indicator and buzzer)
(d) Stop and check.
(g) Take vehicle to
Toyota dealer.
If the indicator or Do this.
buzzer comes on...
(h) Close all doors.
(i) Replace bulb.
(j) Take vehicle to Toyota dealer
immediately.
(type A)
(type B)
(f) Fill up tank.
Service reminder indicators
an d warn in g bu zzers
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(k) Take vehicle to
Toyota dealer.
If the indicator or Do this.
buzzer comes on...
(m) Remove key. Key reminder
buzzer
(l)
Add washer fluid.
(a) Brake System Warning Light
This light has the following functions:
Parking brake reminder
If this light is on, make sure the parking
brake is fully released. The light should
go off.
Low brake fluid level warning
If this light comes on and stays on while
you are driving, slow down and pull off the
road. Then stop the vehicle carefully. Re-
member that stopping distance and pedal
effort may be increased. There may be a
problem somewhere in the brake system.
Check the fluid level of the see −through res-
ervoir.
To make sure the parking brake has not
caused the warning light to come on, check
to see that the parking brake is fully re-
leased.
If the brake fluid level is low...
At a safe place, test your brakes by starting
and stopping.
If you judge that the brakes still work
adequately, drive cautiously to your
nearest dealer or shop for repairs.
If the brakes are not working, have the
vehicle towed in for repairs. (For tow-
ing information, see Part 4.)
CAUTION
It is dangerous to continue driving
normally when the brake fluid level is
low.
If the brake fluid level is correct...
Have the warning system checked by your
Toyota dealer.
(b) Seat Belt Reminder Light and Buzz-
er
Once the ignition key is turned to ”ON” or
”START”, the reminder light flashes and
buzzer comes on if the driver’s seat belt
is not fastened. Unless the driver fastens
the belt, the light keep flashing and the
buzzer sounds for about 4 to 8 seconds.
(c) Discharge Warning Light
This light warns that the battery is being
discharged.
If it comes on while you are driving, there
is a problem somewhere in the charging
system.
The engine ignition will continue to oper-
ate, however, until the battery is dis-
charged. Turn off the air conditioning,
blower, radio, etc., and drive directly to
the nearest Toyota dealer or repair shop.
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NOTICE
Do not continue driving if the engine
drive belt is broken or loose.
(d) Low Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light warns that the engine oil pres-
sure is too low.
If it flickers or stays on while you are
driving, pull off the road to a safe place
and stop the engine immediately. Call a
Toyota dealer or qualified repair shop for
assistance.
The light may occasionally flicker when
the engine is idling or it may come on
briefly after a hard stop. There is no
cause for concern if it then goes out when
the engine is accelerated slightly.
The light may come on when the oil level
is extremely low. It is not designed to
indicate low oil level, and the oil level
must be checked using the level dipstick.
NOTICE
Do not drive the vehicle with the
warning light on—even for one block.
It may ruin the engine.
(e) Malfunction indicator lamp
This lamp comes on in the following
cases.
a. The fuel tank is completely empty. (See
”Fuel gauge” in Chapter 1 −5 for instruc-
tions.)
b. The fuel tank cap is not tightened se-
curely. (See ”Fuel tank cap” in Chapter
1 −2 for instructions.)
c. There is a problem somewhere in your
engine or automatic transmission electrical
system.
If it comes on while you are driving in
case c, have your vehicle checked/re-
paired by your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible.
(f) Low Fuel Level Warning Light
This light comes on when the fuel level
in the tank becomes nearly empty. Fill up
the tank as soon as possible.
On inclines or curves, due to the move-
ment of fuel in the tank, the low fuel level
warning light may come on earlier than
usual. (g) ”ABS” Warning Light
This light warns that there is a problem
somewhere in your anti
−lock brake sys-
tem.
If the light comes on while you are driv-
ing, have your vehicle checked by your
Toyota dealer as soon as possible.
The light will come on when the ignition
key is turned to the ”ON” position. After
about 3 seconds, the light will go off.
When the ”ABS” warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
brake system operates conventionally but
the anti −lock brake system is not assisting
brake performance so that the wheels can
lock −up during sudden braking or braking
on slippery road surfaces.
(h) Open Door Warning Light
This light remains on until all the doors
are completely closed.
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(i) Rear Light Failure Warning Light
If this light comes on when the headlight
switch is turned on (at the position 1 or
position 2), it indicates that one or more
of the tail lights are burned out.
If it comes on when the brake pedal is
depressed, one or more stop lights are
burned out.
Have defective bulbs replaced as soon as
possible.
(j) SRS Airbag Warning Light
This light will come on when the igni-
tion key is turned to the ”ACC” or
”ON” position. After about 6 seconds,
the light will go off. This means the
system of the airbag and front seat belt
pretensioners are operating properly.
The warning light system monitors the air-
bag sensor assembly, seat belt pretension-
er assembly, inflators, warning light, inter-
connecting wiring, power sources.
If either of the following conditions occurs,
this indicates a malfunction somewhere in
the parts monitored by the warning light
system. Contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible to service the vehicle.The light does not come on when the
ignition key is turned to the ”ACC” or
”ON” position or remains on.
The light comes on or flashes while
driving.
(k) ”TRAC OFF” Indicator/Warning light
This light comes on when the ignition key
is turned to ”ON”, and will go off after 3
seconds. This means that the system is
operating properly.
If one of the following conditions occurs,
this indicates a malfunction somewhere in
the parts monitored by the warning light
system. Contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible to service the vehicle.
The light remains on more than 3 se-
conds after the ignition switch is turned
on.
The light comes on while driving even
if the ”TRAC OFF” switch is not
pushed.
The light flashes. (l) Low Windshield Washer and Head-
light Cleaner Fluid Level Warning
Light (on some models)
The light warns that the windshield washer
and headlight cleaner fluid level is too
low. Add washer fluid at your earliest op-
portunity. (For instructions, see ”Adding
washer fluid” in Chapter 7 −3.)
(m) Key Reminder Buzzer
This buzzer reminds you to remove the key
when you open the driver’s door with the
ignition key in the ”ACC” or ”LOCK” position.
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CHECKING SERVICE REMINDER INDICA-
TORS (except the low fuel level warning
light and, low windshield washer and
headlight cleaner fluid level warning
light)
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Open one of the doors. The open door warning light should
come on.
3. Close the door. The open door warning light should go
off.
4. Turn the ignition key to ”ACC”. The SRS airbag warning light should
come on. It goes off after about 6 se-
conds.
5. Turn the ignition key to ”ON”, but do not start the engine.
All the service reminder indicators ex-
cept the open door warning light and
SRS airbag warning light should come
on. The ”ABS” warning light goes off
after about 3 seconds.
If any service reminder indicator or warn-
ing buzzer does not function as described
above, either the bulb is burned out or the
circuit is in need of repair. Have it
checked by your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible.
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Part 1
OPERATION OF
INSTRUMENTS
AND CONTROLS—
Chapter 1 −6
Ignition switch,
Transmission
and Parking brake
 Ignition switch with steering lock
 Automatic transmission
 P ar k ing br ak e
 Cruise control”START”—Starter motor on. The key
will return to the ”ON” position when
released.
For starting tips, see Part 3.
”ON”—Engine on and all accessories
on.
This is the normal driving position.
”ACC”—Accessories such as the radio
operate, but the engine is off.
If you leave the key in the ”ACC” or
”LOCK” position and open the driver’s
door, a buzzer will remind you to remove
the key.
”LOCK”—Engine is off and the steering
wheel is locked. The key can be re-
moved only at this position. You must push in the key to turn the key
from ”ACC” to the ”LOCK” position. The
selector lever must be in the ”P” position
before pushing the key.
Vehicles with engine immobiliser system—
Once you remove the key, the engine im-
mobiliser system is automatically set. (See
”Engine immobiliser system” in Chapter
1
−2.)
When starting the engine, the key may
seem stuck at the ”LOCK” position. To
free it, first be sure the key is pushed all
the way in, and then rock the steering
wheel slightly while turning the key gently.
NOTICE
Do not leave the key in the ”ON”
position if the engine is not running.
The battery will discharge and the
ignition could be damaged.
Ignition switch with steering
lock
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Lock release button
To prevent misshifting
Parking, engine starting and
key removal position
Reverse position
Neutral position
Normal driving positionPosition for engine braking
Position for stronger engine
braking than in “2” position
With the brake pedal depressed, shift
while holding the lock release button in.
(The ignition switch must be in “ON”
position.)
Shift while holding the lock
rel eas e button in
Shift normally Driving pattern selector button
For selecting a driving pattern suited to existing
driving conditions
“NORM” (Normal)
mode for general
driving conditions “PWR”
(Power) mode for
powerful
acceleration“PWR” mode indicator
light on the instrument
panel shows the dri v i ng
pattern selector button is
in “PWR” mode
Overdrive switch
For sel ec ti ng ei ther a three −speed or four −speed
transmission
ON position
(Shifting into
overdrive possible) OFF position
(Shifting into
overdrive not
possible)“O/D OFF” indicator light
S hows the ov erdri v e swi tc h
is in OFF position
When the cruise control is being used, even if you downshift the transmission by turning off the overdrive switch, engine braki
ng will
not be applied because the cruise control is not cancelled. For ways to decrease the vehicle speed, see ”Cruise control” in thi s
chapter.
Automatic transmission
 Floor shift type
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