2008 TOYOTA AVALON engine

337
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Air conditioning filter
The air conditioning filter must be cleaned or changed regularly to
maintain air conditioning efficiency.
■ Removal method
Set the air conditioning system to recirculated mode.
The air conditioning filter case cannot be removed with the sys-
tem in the outside air mode.
Turn the “ENGINE START STOP” switch or the engine
switch to OFF mode.
Open the glove box. Remove
the screw with a Phillips-head
screwdriver and slide off the
damper.
Push in each side of the glove
box to disconnect the claws.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4

344
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Checking and replacing fuses
If any of the electrical components do not operate, a fuse may have
blown. If this happens, check and replace the fuses as necessary.
Turn the “ENGINE START STOP” switch or the engine
switch to OFF mode.
Open the fuse box cover.
Engine compartment
Push the tab in and lift the lid
off.
Driver’s side instrument panel Remove the lid.
After a system failure, see “Fuse layout and amperage rat-
ings” ( P. 346) for details about which fuse to check.STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

346 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Fuse layout and amperage ratings■ Engine compartment
FuseAmpereCircuit
1 RR DEF 50 A Rear window defogger, outside
rear view mirror defogger
2 ABS/VSC No.2 30 A Anti-lock brake system, vehicle
stability control system
3 RDI FAN 50 A Electric cooling fan
4 ABS/VSC No.1 50 A Anti-lock brake system, vehicle
stability control system
5 HEATER 50 A Air conditioning system
6 ST/AM2 30 A Starter system
7 MAIN 40 A Headlights

When trouble arises5
361
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
5-1. Essential information .... 362If your vehicle needs to be 
towed ............................. 362
If you think something is 
wrong ............................. 366
Fuel pump shut off  system ........................... 367
Event data recorder ......... 368
5-2. Steps to take in an 
emergency .................... 370
If a warning light turns on  or a warning buzzer 
sounds... ........................ 370
If you have a flat tire......... 382
If the engine will not  start ................................ 391
If the shift lever cannot be 
shifted from P ................. 393
If you lose your keys ........ 394
If the electronic key does 
not operate properly 
(with smart key 
system) .......................... 395
If the vehicle battery is 
discharged ..................... 397
If your vehicle overheats .. 401
If the vehicle becomes 
stuck .............................. 404

362
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
5-1. Essential information
If your vehicle needs to be towed
Before towingThe following may indicate a problem with your transmission. Contact
your Toyota dealer before towing.
● The engine is running, but the vehicle will not move.
● The vehicle makes an abnormal sound.
If towing is necessary, we recommend having your vehicle towed by
your Toyota dealer or a commerci al towing service, using a lift-type
truck or a flat bed truck. 
Use a safety chain system for all to wing, and abide by all state/pro-
vincial and local laws.
If towing from the front, the vehicle ’s rear wheel and axles must be in
good condition. ( P. 364)
If they are damaged, use a towing dolly or flat bed truck.

366
5-1. Essential information
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
If you think something is wrong
If you notice any of the following symptoms, your vehicle probably
needs adjustment or repair. Contact your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible.
■ Visible symptoms
●Fluid leaks under the vehicle 
(Water dripping from the air cond itioning after use is normal.)
● Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
● Engine coolant temperature gauge needle continually points
higher than normal
■ Audible symptoms
●Changes in exhaust sound
● Excessive tire squeal when cornering
● Strange noises related to the suspension system
● Pinging or other noises related to the engine
■ Operational symptoms
●Engine missing, stumbling or running rough
● Appreciable loss of power
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when driving on a level road
● Loss of brake effectiveness, s pongy feeling, pedal almost
touches the floor

5
When trouble arises
367
5-1. Essential information
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Fuel pump shut off system
Follow the procedure below to restart the engine after the system is
activated.
Switch to ACC mode or OFF.
Restart the engine.
NOTICE
■Before starting the engine
Inspect the ground under the vehicle. 
If you find that fuel has leaked on to the ground, the fuel system has been
damaged and is in need of repair. Do not restart the engine.
To minimize the risk of fuel leakage when the engine stalls or an air-
bag inflates upon collision, the fuel pump shut off system stops sup-
plying fuel to the engine.
STEP1
STEP2

368
5-1. Essential information
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Event data recorder
In a crash or a near car crash eventThe SRS airbag sensor assembly contains the EDR. In a crash or a
near car crash event, this device may record some or all of the follow-
ing information:
● Engine speed
● Whether the brake pedal was applied or not
● Vehicle speed
● To what extent the accelerator pedal was depressed
● Position of the transmission shift lever
● Whether the driver and front passenger wore seat belts or not
● Driver’s seat position
● Front passenger’s occupant classification
● SRS airbag deployment data
● SRS airbag system diagnostic data
If your vehicle is equipped with a vehicle stability control (VSC) sys-
tem, its Electronic C ontrol Unit (ECU) may contain another EDR.
There are a variety of driving sit uations which include activating the
vehicle stability control (VSC) under which the VSC EDR will record
certain information. The VSC EDR may record some or all of the fol-
lowing information:
Your vehicle has computers that monitor and control certain aspects
of your vehicle. These computers assi st in driving and maintaining
optimal vehicle performance.
Besides storing data useful for tr oubleshooting, there is a system to
record data in a crash or a near car crash event. This is called an
Event Data Recorder (EDR).