’98 AVALON (USA/CANADA)−U
144
Part 2
INFORMATION
BEFORE DRIVING
YOUR TOYOTA
Break −in period
Fuel
Operation in foreign countries
Three −way catalytic converter
Engine exhaust cautions
Facts about engine oil
consumption
Twin ground electrode
platinum −tipped spark plugs
Brake system
Brake pad wear limit indicators
Luggage stowage precautions
Your Toyota’s identification
Theft prevention labels
Suspension and chassis
Types of tires
Break −in period
Drive gently and avoid high speeds.
Your vehicle does not need an elaborate
break −in. But following a few simple tips
for the first 1600 km (1000 miles) can add
to the future economy and long life of
your vehicle:
Do not drive over 88 km/h (55 mph).
Run the engine at moderate speed be-
tween 2000 and 4000 rpm.
Avoid full −throttle starts.
Try to avoid hard stops during the first
300 km (200 miles).
Do not drive for a long time at any
single speed, either fast or slow.
Do not tow a trailer during the first 800
km (500 miles).
Fuel
FUEL TYPE
Your new vehicle must use only un-
leaded gasoline.
To help prevent gas station mixups, your
Toyota has a new smaller fuel tank open-
ing. The special nozzle on pumps with
unleaded fuel will fit it, but the larger
standard nozzle on pumps with leaded gas
will not.
At a minimum, the gasoline you use
should meet specifications of ASTM
D4814 in the U.S.A. and CGSB 3.5 −M93
in Canada.
NOTICE
Do not use leaded gasoline. Use of
leaded gasoline will cause the three −
way catalytic converter to lose its ef-
fectiveness and the emission control
system to function improperly. Also,
this can increase maintenance costs.
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’98 AVALON (USA/CANADA)−U
225
Engine
Model:
1MZ −FE
Type: 6 cylinder V type 4 cycle, gasoline
Bore and stroke, mm (in.): 87.5 x 83.0 (3.44 x 3.27)
Displacement, cm
3 (cu. in.):
2995 (182.8)
Fuel
Fuel type: Unleaded gasoline, Octane Rating 87
(Research Octane Number 91) or higher.
For improved vehicle performance, the
use of premium unleaded gasoline with
an Octane Rating of 91 (Research Oc-
tane Number 96) or higher is recom-
mended.
Fuel tank capacity, L (gal., Imp. gal.): 70 (18.5, 15.4)
Service specifications
ENGINE
Valve clearance (engine cold), mm (in.):
Intake 0.15—0.25 (0.006—0.010)
Exhaust 0.25—0.35 (0.010—0.014)
Spark plug type: DENSO PK20TR11
NGK BKR6EKPB11
Spark plug gap, mm(in.): 1.1 (0.043)
Drive belt tension measured with Borroughs
drive belt tension gauge No. BT −33− 73F
(used belt), Ibf: Generator belt
11 510
Power steering pump belt 11 520
ENGINE LUBRICATION
Oil capacity (drain and refill), L (qt., Imp.
qt.): With filter 4.7 (5.0, 4.1)
Without filter 4.5 (4.8, 4.0)
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