2008 TOYOTA AVALON engine

298 4-2. Maintenance
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Vehicle exterior
ItemsCheck points
Doors/trunk • Operate smoothly?
Engine hood • The lock system works properly?
Fluid leaks • Is there any leakage after parking?
Tire • Inflation pressure is correct?
• Tire surfaces not worn or damaged?
• Tires rotated according to the mainte-
nance schedule?
• Wheel nuts are not loose?
CAUTION
■ If the engine is running
Turn off the engine and ensure that there is adequate ventilation before per-
forming maintenance checks.

300
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself ser vice precautions
If you perform maintenance yourself, be sure to follow the correct
procedure given in these sections.
ItemsParts and tools
Battery condition ( P. 318)
•Warm water
• Baking soda
• Grease
• Conventional wrench
(for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level ( P. 315)
• FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE
J1703 brake fluid
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding brake fluid)
Engine coolant level ( P. 313)
• “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”
or similar high quality ethylene
glycol based non-silicate, non-
amine, non-nitrite and non-borate
coolant with long-life hybrid
organic acid technology.
For the U.S.A.: 
“Toyota Super Long Life Cool-
ant” is pre-mixed with 50% cool-
ant and 50% deionized water.
For Canada: 
“Toyota Super Long Life Cool-
ant” is pre-mixed with 55% cool-
ant and 45% deionized water.
• Funnel (used only for adding cool- ant)
Engine oil level ( P. 308)
• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or
equivalent
• Rag or paper towel, funnel (used only for adding engine oil)

4
Maintenance and care
301
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
CAUTION
The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that may
move suddenly, become hot, or become electrically energized. To avoid death
or serious injury, observe the following precautions.
■
When working on the engine compartment
● Keep hands, clothing, and tools away from the moving fan and engine
drive belt.
● Be careful not to touch the engine, radiator, exhaust manifold, etc. right
after driving as they may be hot. Oil and other fluids may also be hot.
● Do not leave anything that may burn easily, such as paper or rags, in the
engine compartment.
● Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose an open flame to fuel or the bat-
tery. Fuel and battery fumes are flammable.
● Be extremely cautious when working on the battery. It contains poisonous
and corrosive sulfuric acid.
ItemsParts and tools
Fuses (P. 344)• Fuse with same amperage rating
as original
Headlight aim ( P. 353)• Phillips-head screwdriver
Power steering fluid level
( P. 316)
• Automatic transmission fluid
DEXRON® II or III
• Rag or paper towel
• Clean funnel
Radiator and condenser (P. 314)
Tire inflation pressure ( P. 331)• Tire pressure gauge
• Compressed air source
Washer fluid (P. 321)
• Water washer fluid containing anti-
freeze (for winter use)
• Funnel

302 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
CAUTION
■When working near the electric cooling fan or radiator grille
Be sure the “ENGINE START STOP” switch or the engine switch is OFF. 
With the “ENGINE START STOP” switch or the engine switch in ON mode,
the electric cooling fan may automatically start to run if the air conditioning is
on and/or the coolant temperature is high. ( P. 314)
■ Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc. from
getting in the eyes.
NOTICE
■If you remove the air cleaner filter
Driving with the air cleaner filter removed may cause excessive engine wear
due to dirt in the air. Also a backfire could cause a fire in the engine compart-
ment.

4
Maintenance and care
305
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
CAUTION
■
When raising your vehicle
Make sure to observe the following to reduce the possibility of death or\
seri-
ous injury.
● Do not use the jack that was supplied with your vehicle.
● Do not put any part of your body or get underneath the vehicle supported
only by the jack. 
Always use automotive jack stands or a solid, level surface.
● Do not start the engine while the vehicle is supported by the floor jack.
● Stop the vehicle on level firm ground, firmly set the parking brake and put
the shift lever in “P”.
● Make sure to set the floor jack properly at the jack point. 
Raising the vehicle with an improperly positioned floor jack will damage
the vehicle and may cause the vehicle to fall off the floor jack.
● Do not raise the vehicle while someone is in the vehicle.
● When raising the vehicle, do not place any objects on top of or underneath
the floor jack.
●Lift up the vehicle using a floor jack
such as the one shown in the illustra-
tion.

306
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Engine compar tment
Engine coolant reservoir
(  P. 313)
Power steering fluid 
reservoir ( P. 316)
Engine oil filler cap 
(  P. 309)
Engine oil level dipstick 
(  P. 308)
Brake fluid reservoir 
(  P. 315)Fuse box ( P. 344)
Battery ( P. 318)
Radiator ( P. 314)
Electric cooling fans
Condenser ( P. 314)
Washer fluid tank 
( P. 321)

4
Maintenance and care
307
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Engine compartment cover
■ Removing the cover
■ Installing the clips
Open
Insert
Press

308 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Engine oilWith the engine at operating temperature and turned off, check the oil
level on the dipstick.
■ Checking the engine oil
Park the vehicle on level ground. After turning off the engine,
wait a few minutes for the oil to drain back into the bottom of
the engine.
Hold a rag under the end and
pull the dipstick out.
Wipe the dipstick clean.
Reinsert the dipstick fully.
Holding a rag under the end, pull the dipstick out and check
the oil level.
Wipe the dipstick and reinsert it fully. Low
Full
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