1999 TOYOTA AVALON fuel

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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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If you perform maintenance by yourself,
be sure to follow the correct procedure
given in this part.
You should be aware that improper or in-
complete servicing may result in operating
problems.
Performing do −it−yourself maintenance
during the warranty period may affect your
warranty coverage. Read the separate
Toyota Warranty statement for details and
suggestions.
This part gives instructions only for those
items that are relatively easy for an owner
to perform. As explained in Part 6, there
are still a number of items that must be
done by a qualified technician with special
tools.
For information on tools and parts for do −
it −yourself maintenance, see ”Parts and
tools”.
Utmost care should be taken when work-
ing on your vehicle to prevent accidental
injury. Here are a few precautions that
you should be especially careful to ob-
serve:CAUTION
When the engine is running, keep
hands, clothing, and tools away
from the moving fan and engine
drive belts. (Removing rings,
watches, and ties is advisable.)
Right after driving, the engine
compartment—the engine, radiator,
exhaust manifold and spark plug
boots, etc.—will be hot. So be care-
ful not to touch them. Oil, fluids
and spark plugs may also be hot.
If the engine is hot, do not remove
the radiator cap or loosen the drain
plugs to prevent burning yourself.
Do not smoke, cause sparks or al-
low open flames around fuel or the
battery. Their fumes are flammable.
Be extremely cautious when work-
ing on the battery. It contains poi-
sonous and corrosive sulfuric acid.
Do −it −yourself service
precautions
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Engine oil selection
Use API grade SJ, ”Energy −Conserving”
or ILSAC multigrade engine oil.
Recommended viscosity (SAE):
SAE 5W −30 is the best choice for your
vehicle, for good fuel economy and
good starting in cold weather.
If you use SAE 10W −30 engine oil in
extremely low temperatures, the engine
may become difficult to start, so SAE
5W −30 engine oil is recommended.
API service symbol
ILSAC certification mark
Oil identification marks
Either or both API registered marks are
added to some oil containers to help
you select the oil you should use.
The API Service Symbol is located any-
where on the outside of the container.
The top portion of the label shows the oil
quality by API (American Petroleum Insti-
tute) designations such as SJ. The center
portion of the label shows the SAE viscos-
ity grade such as SAE 5W −30. ”Energy −
Conserving” shown in the lower portion,
indicates that the oil has fuel −saving ca-
pabilities.
The ILSAC (International Lubricant Stan-
dardization and Approval Committee) Certi-
fication Mark is displayed on the front of
the container.
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Clean all dirt from outside of the reservoir
tank and look at the fluid level. If the fluid
is cold, the level should be in the ”COLD”
range. Similarly, if it is hot, the fluid level
should be in the ”HOT” range. If the level
is at the low side of either range, add
automatic transmission fluid DEXRON II or
III to bring the level within the range.
To remove the filler cap, turn it c ounter-
clockwise and lift up. To reinstall it, turn
it clockwise. After replacing the filler cap,
visually check the steering box case, vane
pump and hose connections for leaks or
damage.
CAUTION
The reservoir tank may be hot so be
careful not to burn yourself.
NOTICE
Avoid overfilling, or the power steer-
ing could be damaged.
Checking tire pressure
Keep your tire pressures at the proper
level.
The recommended cold tire pressures, tire
size and the vehicle capacity weight are
given in Part 8. They are also on the tire
pressure label as shown.
You should check the tire pressures every
two weeks, or at least once a month. And
do not forget the spare!
Incorrect tire pressure can reduce tire
life and make your vehicle less safe to
drive. Low tire pressure results in excessive
wear, poor handling, reduced fuel econo-
my, and the possibility of blowouts from
overheated tires. Also, low tire pressure
can cause poor sealing of the tire bead.
If the tire pressure is excessively low,
there is the possibility of wheel deforma-
tion and/or tire separation.
High tire pressure produces a harsh ride,
handling problems, excessive wear at the
center of the tire tread, and a greater
possibility of tire damage from road haz-
ards.
If a tire frequently needs refi
lling, have it
checked by your Toyota dealer.
The following instructions for checking
tire pressure should be observed:
The pressure should be checked only
when the tires are cold. If your ve-
hicle has been parked for at least 3
hours and has not been driven for
more than 1.5 km or 1 mile since, you
will get an accurate cold tire pressure
reading.
Always use a tire pressure gauge.
The appearance of a tire can be mis-
leading. Besides, tire pressures that
are even just a few pounds off can
degrade handling and ride.
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Part 8
SPECIFICATIONS
 Dimensions and weight
 Engine
 Fuel
 Service specifications
 Ti r es
 Fuses
Dimensions and weight
Overall length mm (in.) 4875 (192.0)
Overall widthmm (in.) 1790 (70.5)
Overall heightmm (in.) 1440 (56.7)∗
1
Wheelbase mm (in.) 2720 (107.0)
Front treadmm (in.) 1550 (61.0)
Rear treadmm (in.) 1525 (60.0)
∗
1: Unladen vehicle∗2: With floor shift type automatic transmission∗3: With column shift type automatic transmission
Vehicle capacity weight
(occupants  luggage) kg (lb.) 410 (904)∗
2

475 (1047)∗ 3
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Engine
Model:
1MZ −FE
Type: 6 cylinder V type 4 cycle, gasoline
Bore and stroke, mm (in.): 87.5  83.0 (3.44  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 Bor-
roughs 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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Tires
Tire size:
P205/65R15 92H
Tire pressure, kPa (kgf/cm
2 or bar, psi):
220 (2.2, 32)
Wheel size: 15  6JJ
Wheel nut torque, N·m (kgf·m, ft·lbf): 103 (10.5, 76)
Fuses
Engine compartment (without daytime run-
ning light system)
Fuses (type A)
1. SPARE 7.5 A: Spare fuse
2. EFI 15 A: Multiport fuel injection sys-
tem/sequential multiport fuel injection
system, air c onditioning system, electri-
cal idle −up system, electronically con-
trolled automatic transmission system
3. HORN 10 A: Horn
4. OBD. TRAC 7.5 A: On−board diagnosis
system
5. OBD 7.5 A: On−board diagnosis sys-
tem
Engine compartment (with daytime run-
ning light system)
6. HAZ 10 A: Turn signal lights, emergen-
cy flasher
7. DOME 7.5 A: Interior light, personal
light, vanity mirror light, door courtesy
light, ignition switch light, trunk light,
power door lock control, locking with
wireless remote control system, theft
deterrent system, automatic light con-
trol system, daytime running light sys-
tem, service reminder indicators and
warning buzzer, clock
8. HEAD (LH) 15 A: Left−hand headlight
9. HEAD (RH) 15 A: Right−hand headlight
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Engine compartment
10. HEAD HI (LH) 15 A: Left−hand head-
light (high beam)
11. HEAD HI (RH) 15 A: Right−hand head-
light (high beam)
12. ALT −S 5 A: Charging system
13. AM2 30 A: Gauge and meters, SRS
airbag system, seat belt pretensioners,
multiport fuel injection system/sequen-
tial multiport fuel injection system,
starter system
14. ECU −B 5 A: Cruise control system, air
conditioning system
Engine compartment (models with day-
time running light system and models
for California
)
15. SPARE 15 A: Spare fuse
16. SPARE 30 A: Spare fuse
17. TEL 15 A: No circuit
18. HEAD LO (LH) 10 A: Left−hand head-
light (low beam)
19. HEAD LO (RH) 10 A: Right−hand
headlight (low beam)
20. RAD NO.1 15 A: Car audio system
21. FOG 15 A: Front fog lights
22. A/F 25 A (models for California): Air/
fuel heater
Instrument panel
23. DRL 5 A (models with daytime run-
ning light system): Daytime running
light system
24. SRS 5 A: SRS airbag system, seat
belt pretensioners
25. IGN 5 A: Gauge and meters, SRS air-
bag system, seat belt pretensioners,
multiport fuel injection system/sequen-
tial multiport fuel injection system
26. SEAT HEATER 20 A: Seat heater
27. TURN 7.5 A: Turn signal lights, emer-
gency flasher
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