2003 TOYOTA AVALON engine coolant

’03 AVALON U (L/O 0206)
2712003 AVALON (OM41401U)
Be extremely cautious when work-
ing on the battery. It contains poi-
sonous and corrosive sulfuric acid.
Warning: Battery posts, terminals
and related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds, chemicals
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and reproductive
harm. Wash hands after handling.
NOTICE
Remember that battery and ignition
cables carry high currents or volt-
ages. Be careful of accidentally
causing a short circuit.
Add only demineralized or distilled
water to fill the radiator. And if you
spill some of the coolant, be sure
to wash off with water to prevent it
from damaging the parts or paint.
Do not allow dirt or anything else
to fall through the spark plug holes.
Do not pry the outer electrode of a
spark plug against the center elec-
trode.
Use only spark plugs of the speci-
fied type. Using other types will
cause engine damage, loss of per-
formance or radio noise.
Do not reuse iridiumtipped spark
plugs by cleaning or regapping.
Do not overfill automatic transmis-
sion fluid, or the transmission
could be damaged.
Do not drive with the air cleaner
filter removed, or excessive engine
wear could result. Also backfiring
could cause a fire in the engine
compartment.Be careful not to scratch the glass
surface with the wiper frame.
When closing the engine hood,
check to see that you have not for-
gotten any tools, rags, etc.

’03 AVALON U (L/O 0206)
2732003 AVALON (OM41401U)
Here is a list of parts and tools you will
need on performing doityourself mainte-
nance. Remember all Toyota parts are de-
signed in metric sizes, so your tools must
be metric.
CHECKING THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL
Parts (if level is low):
“Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equiva-
lent
See Section 72 for details about en-
gine oil selection.
Tools:
Rag or paper towel
Funnel (only for adding oil)
CHECKING THE ENGINE COOLANT
LEVEL
Parts (if level is low):
“Toyota Genuine Long Life Coolant” or
equivalent
See Section 72 for details about cool-
ant type selection.
Demineralized or distilled water
Tools:
Funnel (only for adding coolant)CHECKING BRAKE FLUID
Parts (if level is low):
SAE J1703 or FMVSS No.116 DOT 3
brake fluid
Tools:
Rag or paper towel
Funnel (only for adding fluid)
CHECKING POWER STEERING FLUID
Parts (if level is low):
Automatic transmission fluid
DEXRONII or III
Tools:
Rag or paper towel
Funnel (only for adding fluid)
CHECKING BATTERY CONDITION
Tools:
Warm water
Baking soda
Grease
Conventional wrench (for terminal
clamp bolts)
CHECKING AND REPLACING FUSES
Parts (if replacement is necessary):
Fuse with same amperage rating as
originalADDING WASHER FLUID
Parts:
Water
Washer fluid containing antifreeze
(for winter use)
Tools:
Funnel
REPLACING LIGHT BULBS
Parts:
Bulb with same number and wattage
rating as original (See charts in “Re-
placing light bulbs” in Section 73.)
Tools:
Screwdriver
Parts and tools

’03 AVALON U (L/O 0206)
2752003 AVALON (OM41401U)
DOITYOURSELF MAINTENANCE
Engine and Chassis
Checking the engine oil level276 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the engine coolant level278 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the radiator and condenser280 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking brake fluid280 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking power steering fluid281 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking tire pressure281 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking and replacing tires282 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rotating tires284 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Installing snow tires and chains284 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing wheels286 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Aluminum wheel precautions286 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 7 2

’03 AVALON U (L/O 0206)
2782003 AVALON (OM41401U)
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 SL. The center
portion of the label shows the SAE viscos-
ity grade such as SAE 5W30. “Energy
Conserving” shown in the lower portion,
indicates that the oil has fuelsaving ca-
pabilities.
The ILSAC (International Lubricant Stan-
dardization and Approval Committee) Certi-
fication Mark is displayed on the front of
the container.
To ensure the best possible lubrication
performance for your engine, the “Toyota
Genuine Motor Oil” range is available,
which has been specifically tested and ap-
proved for all Toyota engines.
Please contact your Toyota dealer for fur-
ther details of the “Toyota Genuine Motor
Oil” range.Look at the seethrough coolant reser-
voir when the engine is cold. The cool-
ant level is satisfactory if it is between
the “FULL” and “LOW” lines on the
reservoir. If the level is low, add ethyl-
eneglycol type coolant for a proper
corrosion protection of aluminum com-
ponents.
The coolant level in the reservoir will vary
with engine temperature. However, if the
level is on or below the “LOW” line, add
coolant. Bring the level up to the “FULL”
line.
Always use ethyleneglycol type coolant
for a proper corrosion protection of alumi-
num components. See information in the
next column.
If the coolant level drops within a short
time after replenishing, there may be a
leak in the system. Visually check the
radiator, hoses, radiator cap and drain
cock and water pump.
If you can find no leak, have your Toyota
dealer test the cap pressure and check
for leaks in the cooling system.
Checking the engine coolant
level

’03 AVALON U (L/O 0206)
2792003 AVALON (OM41401U)
CAUTION
To prevent burning yourself, do not
remove the radiator cap when the en-
gine is hot.
Coolant type selection
Use of improper coolants may damage
your engine cooling system. Your coolant
must contain ethyleneglycol type coolant
for a proper corrosion protection of your
engine that contains aluminum
components.
We have used “Toyota Genuine Long Life
Coolant” in your Toyota vehicle. In order
to avoid technical problems, we strongly
recommend using “Toyota Genuine Long
Life Coolant” or equivalent.
In addition to preventing freezing and
subsequent damage to the engine, this
type of coolant will also prevent corrosion.
Further supplemental inhibitors or additives
are neither needed nor recommended.Read the coolant container for information
on freeze protection. Follow the manufac-
turer’s directions for how much to mix
with plain water (preferably demineralized
water or distilled water). The total capacity
of the cooling system is given in Section
8.
We recommend to use 50% solution for
your Toyota, to provide protection down to
about 35C (31F). When it is extreme-
ly cold, to provide protection down to
about 50C (58F), 60% solution is rec-
ommended. Do not use more than 70%
solution for better coolant performance.
NOTICE
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze or
plain water alone.
The engine cooling system is integral to
maximizing performance of your Toyota
vehicle. In line with this, it is strongly
recommended that you use “Toyota
Genuine Long Life Coolant” for protecting
the system, as it is an ethyleneglycol
based premium antifreeze coolant with
excellent corrosion protection properties
that has been specifically formulated for
use in Toyota vehicles.
Please contact your Toyota dealer for fur-
ther details of the “Toyota Genuine Long
Life Coolant” range.

’03 AVALON U (L/O 0206)
3022003 AVALON (OM41401U)
COOLING SYSTEM
Total capacity, L (qt., Imp. qt.):
9.0 (9.5, 7.9)
Coolant type:
“Toyota Genuine Long Life Coolant” is
filled in your Toyota vehicle. In order to
avoid technical problems, we strongly
recommend using “Toyota Genuine Long
Life Coolant” or equivalent.
With ethyleneglycol type coolant for a
proper corrosion protection of aluminum
components
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze or
plain water alone.
Please contact your Toyota dealer for
further details.
BATTERY
Open voltage
∗ at 20C (68F):
12.6—12.8 V Fully charged
12.2—12.4 V Half charged
11.8—12.0 V Discharged
∗: Voltage that is checked 20 minutes
after the key is removed with all the
lights turned off
Charging rates:
5 A max.AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE
Fluid capacity (drain and refill), L (qt.,
Imp. qt.):
Up to 4.75 (5.0, 4.2)
Fluid type:
Toyota Genuine ATF DII or
DEXRONIII (DEXRONII)
Please contact your Toyota dealer for fur-
ther details.
BRAKES
Minimum pedal clearance when depressed
with the force of 490 N (50 kgf, 110 lbf)
with the engine running, mm (in.):
75 (3.0)
Pedal free play, mm (in.):
1—6 (0.04—0.24)
Pad wear limit, mm (in.):
1.0 (0.04)
Lining wear limit, mm (in.):
1.0 (0.04)
Parking brake adjustment when depressed
with the force of 294 N (30 kgf, 66.1 lbf):
3—6 clicks
Fluid type:
SAE J1703 or FMVSS No.116 DOT 3STEERING
Wheel free play:
Less than 30 mm (1.2 in.)
Power steering fluid type:
Automatic transmission fluid DEXRONII
or III