1998 TOYOTA AVALON open hood

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—Luggage security system
This system helps protect things locked
in the trunk by safeguarding the lock
release button from unwanted access.
After closing the glovebox lid, insert
the master key into the glovebox lock
and turn it clockwise to safeguard the
lock release button.
After closing the trunk lid, try pulling it up
to make sure it is securely locked.
Hood
To open the hood, do the following.
1. Pull the hood lock release lever. The hood will spring up slightly.
CAUTION
Before driving, be sure that the hood
is securely closed and locked. Other-
wise, the hood may open unexpected-
ly while driving and an accident may
occur.
2. In front of the vehicle, pull up onthe auxiliary catch lever and lift the
hood.
Before closing the hood, check to see that
you have not forgotten any tools, rags,
etc. Then lower the hood and make sure
it locks into place. If necessary, press
down gently on the front edge to lock it.
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Theft deterrent system
To deter the vehicle theft, The system
is designed to give an alarm if any of
the doors, trunk or hood is forcibly un-
locked or the battery terminal is discon-
nected and then reconnected when the
vehicle is locked.
The alarm blows the horn intermittently
and flashes the headlights and tail lights.SETTING THE SYSTEM
1. Turn the ignition key to the ”LOCK” position and remove it.
The indicator light will start flashing every
1 second when the key is removed from
the ignition switch. (See ”Engine
immobiliser system” for details.)
2. Have all passengers get out of the vehicle.
3. Close and lock all the doors, trunk and hood.
The indicator light will come on when all
the doors, trunk and hood are closed and
locked. The system will automatically be set after
30 seconds. When the system is set, the
indicator light will start flashing again.
4. After making sure the indicator light starts flashing, you may leave the ve-
hicle.
Never leave anyone in the vehicle when
you set the system, because unlocking
from the inside will activate the system.
WHEN THE SYSTEM IS SET
Activating the system
The system will give the alarm under the
following conditions:If any of the doors is unlocked or if
the trunk or hood is forcibly opened
without the key or wireless remote con-
trol transmitter
If the battery terminal is disconnected
and then reconnected
The indicator light will come on when the
system is activating.
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If any of the door is unlocked without the
key or wireless remote control transmitter
and the key is not in the ignition switch,
all the doors will be automatically locked
again.
After one minute, the alarm will automati-
cally stop and the indicator light will starts
flashing again.
Reactivating the alarm
Once set, the system automatically resets
the alarm after the alarm stops.
The alarm will activate again under the
same circumstances described in
”Activating the system”.
Stopping the alarm
The alarm will be stopped by the following
three ways:
Turn the ignition key from the ”LOCK”
to ”ON” position.
Unlock any of the doors with the key
or wireless remote control transmitter.
Open the trunk with the key or wireless
remote control transmitter.
These ways cancel the system at the
same time. 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 transmit-
ter. Be sure to wait until the indicator
light starts flashing.
3. Unlock any door from the inside. The system s hould activate the alarm.
4. Stopping the alarm as described above.
5. Repeat this operation for the other doors, trunk and hood. When testing on
the hood, also check that the system
is activated when the battery terminal
is disconnected and then reconnected.
If the system does not work properly,
have it checked by your Toyota dealer.
Fuel tank cap
1. To open the fuel filler door, pull the lever up.
When refueling, turn off the engine.
CAUTION
Do not smoke, cause sparks or al-
low open flames when refueling.
The fumes are flammable.
When opening the cap, do not re-
move the cap quickly. In hot weath-
er, fuel under pressure could cause
injury by spraying out of the filler
neck if the cap is suddenly re-
moved.
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If your vehicle overheats
If your engine coolant temperature
gauge indicates overheating, if you ex-
perience a loss of power, or if you hear
a loud knocking or pinging noise, the
engine has probably overheated. You
should follow this procedure...
1. Pull safely off the road, stop the ve- hicle and turn on your emergency
flashers. Put the transmission in ”P”
and apply the parking brake. Turn off
the air conditioning if it is being used.
2. If coolant or steam is boiling out of the radiator or reservoir, stop the engine.
Wait until the steam subsides before
opening the hood. If there is no coolant
boiling over or steam, leave the engine
running and make sure the electric
cooling fan is operating. If it is not,
turn the ignition off.
CAUTION
To help avoid personal injury, keep
the hood closed until there is no
steam. Escaping steam or coolant is
a sign of very high pressure.
3. Look for obvious coolant leaks from theradiator, hoses, and under the vehicle.
However, note that water draining from
the air conditioning is normal if it has
been used.
CAUTION
When the engine is running, keep
hands and clothing away from the
moving fan and engine drive belts.
4. If the coolant is leaking, stop the en-gine immediately. Call a Toyota dealer
for assistance.
5. If there are no obvious leaks, check the coolant reservoir. If it is dry, add
coolant to the reservoir while the en-
gine is running. Fill it about half full.
CAUTION
Do not attempt to remove the radiator
cap when the engine and radiator are
hot. Serious injury could result from
scalding hot fluid and steam blown
out under pressure.
6. After the engine coolant temperaturehas cooled to normal, again check the
coolant level in the reservoir. If neces-
sary, bring it up to half full again. Seri-
ous coolant loss indicates a leak in the
system. You s hould have it checked as
soon as possible at your Toyota dealer.
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Tire surface and wheel nuts
Check the tires carefully for cuts, damage
or excessive wear. See Chapter 7 −2 for
additional information. When checking the
tires, make sure no nuts are missing, and
check the nuts for looseness. Tighten
them if necessary.
Tire rotation
Rotate the tires every 12000 km (7500
miles). See Chapter 7 −2 for additional in-
formation.
Fluid leaks
Check underneath for leaking fuel, oil, wa-
ter or other fluid after the vehicle has
been parked for a while. If you smell fuel
fumes or notice any leak, have the cause
found and corrected immediately.
Doors and engine hood
Check that all doors including trunk lid
operate smoothly and all latches lock se-
curely. Make sure the engine hood sec-
ondary latch secures the hood from open-
ing when the primary latch is released.
INSIDE THE VEHICLE
Items listed below should be checked
regularly, e.g. while performing periodic
services, cleaning the vehicle, etc. Lights
Make sure the headlights, stop lights, tail
lights, turn signal lights, and other lights
are all working. Check headlight aim.
Service reminder indicators and warning
buzzers
Check that all service reminder indicators
and warning buzzers function properly.
Steering wheel
Check that it has the specified freeplay.
Be alert for changes in steering condition,
such as hard steering or strange noise.
Seats
Check that all front seat controls such as
seat adjusters, seatback recliner, etc. op-
erate smoothly and that all latches lock
securely in any position. Check that the
head restraints move up and down
smoothly and that the locks hold securely
in any latched position.
Seat belts
Check that the seat belt system such as
buckles, retractors and anchors operate
properly and smoothly. Make sure the belt
webbing is not cut, frayed, worn or dam-
aged.
Accelerator pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and
uneven pedal effort or catching.Brake pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and
that the pedal has the proper clearance.
Check the brake booster function.
Brakes
At a safe place, check that the brakes do
not pull to one side when applied.
Parking brake
Check that the pedal has the proper travel
and that, on a safe incline, your vehicle
is held securely with only the parking
brake applied.
Automatic transmission ”Park” mecha-
nism
Check the lock release button of the se-
lector lever for proper and smooth opera-
tion. On a safe incline, check that your
vehicle is held securely with the selector
lever in ”P” position and all brakes re-
leased.
IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT
Items listed below should be checked
from time to time, e.g. each time when
refueling.
Washer fluid
Make sure there is sufficient fluid in the
tank. See Chapter 7
−3 for additional infor-
mation.
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