2005 TOYOTA AVALON check engine

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Tires and loading on yourTo y o t a
Underinflated or overinflated tire pressure and the
excess load may result in the deterioration of
steering ability and braking ability, leading to an
accident. Check the tire inflation pressure periodi-
cally and be sure to keep the load limits given in
this Owner ’s Manual. For details about tire inflation
pressure and load limits, see pages 281 and 353.
Scrapping of your Toyota
The SRS airbag and seat belt pretensioner devices in your
Toyota contain explosive chemicals. If the vehicle is
scrapped with the airbags and pretensioners left as they
are, this may cause an accident such as fire. Be sure to
have the systems of the SRS airbag and seat belt preten-
sioner removed and disposed of by the qualified service
shop or by your Toyota dealer before you dispose of your
vehicle.
Leak detection pump
This pump performs fuel evaporation leakage check. This
check is done approximately five hours after the engine is
turned off. So you may hear sound coming from under-
neath the luggage compartment for several minutes. It
does not indicate a malfunction.

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NOTICE
Make sure the positive side and
negative side of the battery are
faced correctly.
 Do not replace the battery with wet
hands. Water may cause unexpected
rust.
 Do not touch or move any compo-
nents inside the transmitter, or it
may interfere with proper operation.
 Be careful not to bend the electrode
when inserting the transmitter bat-
tery and that dust or oils do not
adhere to the case.
 Close the transmitter case securely.
After replacing the battery, check that the
transmitter operates properly. If the trans-
mitter still does not operate properly, con-
tact your Toyota dealer. The smart key system consists mainly
of the following functions.
Engine immobilizer function (For de-
tails, see “Engine immobilizer system”
on page 16 in this Section.)
Wireless remote control function (For
details, see “Wireless remote control”
on page 18 in this Section.)
Push button start function (For details,
see “How to start the engine” on page
288 in Section 3.)
Entry function and start function (See
“ENTRY FUNCTION AND START
FUNCTION” described below.)
Steering lock function (See “STEERING
LOCK FUNCTION” described below.)
CAUTION
Weak radio waves emitted from the
smart key system may affect pace-
makers. If you or other passengers
use a pacemaker, use the vehicle only
after checking the pacemaker manual
to confirm that it is safe. If neces-
sary, the entry function can be dis-
abled. See “DISABLING THE SMART
KEY SYSTEM” on page 32 in this
Section.
Smart key system

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Automatic light cut off system
Position 1 or “AUTO” position with the
tail lights on—
The lights automatically turn off when the
driver ’s door is opened with the engine
off.
Position 2 or “AUTO” position with the
headlights on—
The lights automatically turn off after 30
seconds when any of the doors or trunk
lid is opened and closed with the engine
off.
The lights can be turned off immediately
by pushing the lock switch on the wireless
remote control transmitter with all the
doors locked and the trunk lid closed.
If any of the doors or trunk lid is kept
open, the lights automatically turn off after
20 minutes.
To turn on the lights again, turn the igni-
tion switch is set at ON or actuate the
headlight switch. If you are going to park
for over one week, make sure the knob
is in the “AUTO” position.NOTICE
To prevent the battery from being dis-
charged, do not leave the lights on
for a long period when the engine is
not running.
Daytime Running Light (DRL) system
The Daytime Running Light (DRL) system
can make it easier for others to see the
front of your vehicle during the day. The
DRL system can be helpful in many differ-
ent driving conditions, but they can be
especially helpful in the short periods after
dawn and before sunset.
The DRL system will make your headlights
come on at a reduced brightness when:
The engine is running.
The light switch is in the “AUTO” posi-
tion.
The parking brake is released.
To turn on the other exterior lights and
instrument panel lights, twist the knob to
position 1.
Twist the knob to position 2 to turn the
headlights to full intensity for night driving.
To turn off the DRL system, twist the knob
to the position 3 (“DRL OFF”) or turn the
ignition switch off.
Automatic headlight leveling system
(with discharge headlights)
Vehicle position changes according to
loading condition, passengers getting on
and off, vehicle acceleration and decelera-
tion, etc. However, the headlight beam
level is always maintained automatically
by the system at the proper level so that
your headlights do not dazzle other road
users.
The warning light will come on when the
ignition switch is set at ON and will go off
after a few second.
If this system fails, the warning light in
the instrument panel comes on. If this
occurs, have your vehicle checked by
your Toyota dealer.

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If the indicator or buzzer comes on...Do this.
(o)
(indicator and buzzer)
Shift selector lever to “P” and turn off engine. Check key.
(p)Dynamic laser cruise control
master warning lightCheck condition according to warning code. If system malfunctions, contact Toyota
dealer.
(q)Key reminder buzzerRemove key.

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(a) Brake System Warning Light andBuzzer
This light comes on in the following cases
when the ignition switch is set at ON.
When the parking brake is applied...
This light comes on for a few seconds
when the ignition switch is set at ON even
after the parking brake is released.
If the vehicle speed rises above 5 km/h
(3 mph) with the parking brake applied for
1 seconds or more, a buzzer sounds.
When the brake fluid level is low...
CAUTION
It is dangerous to continue driving
normally when the brake fluid level is
low.
Have your vehicle checked at your
Toyota dealer in the following cases:
The light does not come on even if the
parking brake is applied when the igni-
tion switch is set at ON.
The light does not come on even if the
ignition switch is set at ON with the
parking brake released. A warning light turning on briefly during
operation does not indicate a problem.
CAUTION
If either of the following conditions
occurs, immediately stop your vehicle
at a safe place and contact your
Toyota dealer.
The light does not turn off even
after the parking brake is released
while the engine is running.
In this case, the brakes may not
work properly and your stopping
distance will become longer. De-
press the brake pedal firmly and
bring the vehicle to an immediate
stop.
The brake system warning light re-
mains on together with the “ABS”
warning light.
In this case, not only the antilock
brake system will fail but also the
vehicle will become extremely un-
stable during braking.
(b) Driver’s Seat Belt Reminder Light
and Buzzer
The light and buzzer act as a reminder to
buckle up the driver’s seat belt.
Once the ignition switch is set at ON or
engine start, the reminder light flashes
and buzzer sounds if the driver ’s seat belt
is not fastened. Unless the driver fastens
the belt, the light continues flashing and
the buzzer sounds for about 6 seconds.
If the vehicle speed rises above 15 km/h
(9 mph) with the seat belt unfastened, the
buzzer will sound for about 10 seconds.
Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened,
the buzzer will sound in a different tone
for 20 seconds. Even if the vehicle speed
drops below 15 km/h (9 mph), the buzzer
will continue to sound. To stop the buzzer,
fasten the seat belt. If the buzzer still
sounds, make sure the front passenger ’s
seat belt is fastened.

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(c) Front Passenger ’s Seat Belt Re-minder Light and Buzzer
The light and buzzer act as a reminder to
have the front passenger buckle up the
seat belt.
Once the ignition switch is set at ON or
engine start, the reminder light flashes if
a passenger sits in the front passenger
seat and does not fasten the seat belt.
Unless the front passenger fastens the
belt, the light continue flashing.
If the vehicle speed rises above 15 km/h
(9 mph) with the seat belt unfastened, the
buzzer will sound for about 10 seconds.
Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened,
the buzzer will sound in a different tone
for 20 seconds. Even if the vehicle speed
drops below 15 km/h (9 mph), the buzzer
will continue to sound. To stop the buzzer,
fasten the seat belt. If the buzzer still
sounds, make sure the driver ’s seat belt
is fastened.
If luggage or other load is placed on the
front outside passenger seat, depending
on its weight and how it is placed on the
seat, built −in sensors in the seat cushion
may detect the pressure, causing the re-
minder light to flash and buzzer to sound. (d) 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.
NOTICE
Do not continue driving if the engine
drive belt is broken or loose.
(e) Low Engine 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.

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(f) Malfunction Indicator Lamp
This lamp comes on when the ignition
switch is set at ON and goes off after
the engine starts. This means that the
warning light system is operating prop-
erly.
If the lamp remains on, or the lamp
comes on while driving, first check the
followings.
Empty fuel tank
If the fuel tank is empty, refuel immedi-
ately.
Loose fuel tank cap
If the fuel tank cap is loose, securely
tighten it.
These cases are temporary malfunctions.
The malfunction indicator lamp will go off
after taking several driving trips.
If the lamp does not go off even after
several trips, contact your Toyota dealer
as soon as possible. If the fuel tank is not empty or the fuel
tank cap is not loose...
There is a problem somewhere in the
engine, emission control system, elec-
tronic throttle control system, automatic
transmission electrical system or warn-
ing light system itself.
Contact your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible to service the vehicle.
If engine speed does not increase when
the accelerator pedal is depressed, there
may be a problem somewhere in the elec-
tronic throttle control system.
At this time, vibration may occur. Howev-
er, if you depress the accelerator pedal
more firmly and slowly, you can drive your
vehicle at low speeds. Have your vehicle
checked by your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible.
Even if the abnormality of the electronic
throttle control system is corrected during
low speed driving, the system may not be
recovered until the engine is stopped and
the engine off.
CAUTION
Be especially careful to prevent erro-
neous pedal operation.
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
(I/M) programs
Your vehicle may not pass a state
emission inspection if the malfunction
indicator lamp remains on. Contact your
Toyota dealer to check your vehicle’s
emission control system and OBD
(On −Board Diagnostics) system before
taking your vehicle for the inspection.
For details, see “Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance (I/M) programs” on page 338
in Section 6.
(g) 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.

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(k) “VSC” Warning Light
The light warns that there is a problem
somewhere in the vehicle stability control
system or traction control system.
The light will come on when the ignition
switch is set at ON and will go off after
about a few seconds.
If the light comes on while driving, the
vehicle stability control system and trac-
tion control system do not work. However,
as conventional braking operates when ap-
plied, there is no problem to continue your
driving.
In the following cases, contact your Toyota
dealer:
The light does not come on after the
ignition is turned to on.
The light is left on after the ignition is
turned to on.
The light comes on while driving.(l) Low Windshield Washer Fluid Level
Warning Light
The light warns that the windshield washer
fluid level is too low. Add washer fluid at
your earliest opportunity. (For instructions,
see “Adding washer fluid” on page 367 in
Section 7 −3.)
The light will come on when the ignition
switch is set at ON and will go off after
about a few seconds.
(m) Automatic Headlight Leveling Sys- tem Warning Light
This light warns that when there is a
problem somewhere in the automatic
headlight leveling system.
The light will come on when the ignition
switch is set at ON and will go off after
a few seconds.
If it comes on, have your vehicle checked
by your Toyota dealer. (n) Engine Oil Replacement Reminder
Light (for vehicles sold in U.S.A.)
This light acts as a reminder to replace
the engine oil.
This light will come on when the ignition
switch is set at ON and will go off after
about a few seconds.
When you drive for about 7200 km (4500
miles) after the engine oil replacement,
this light illuminates for about 3 seconds
and then flashes for about 15 seconds
with the ignition switch is set at ON. If
you continue driving without replacing the
engine oil, and if the distance driven ex-
ceeds 8000 km (5000 miles), the light will
come on after the ignition switch is set at
ON. The light will remain on thereafter.
If the light is flashing, we recommend that
you replace the engine oil at an early
opportunity depending on the driving and
road conditions. If the light comes on,
replace it as soon as possible.
The system must be reset after the en-
gine oil replacement. Reset the system by
the following procedure: 1. Turn the engine off with the odometer reading shown. (For details, see
“Odometer and two trip meters” on
page 143 in this Section.)