2008 TOYOTA AVALON brakes

171
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
■
Before driving the vehicle
Perform the following according to the driving conditions.
●Do not try to forcibly open a window or move a wiper that is
frozen. Pour warm water over the frozen area to melt the ice.
Wipe away the water immediately to prevent it from freezing.
● To ensure proper operation of th e climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents
in front of the windshield.
● Remove any ice that has accumu lated on the vehicle chassis.
● Periodically check for and remove any excess ice or snow
that may have accumulated in the wheel well or on the
brakes.
■ When driving the vehicle
Accelerate the vehicle slowly and drive at a reduced speed suit-
able to road conditions.
■ When parking the vehicle
Park the vehicle and move the shift lever to “P” without setting
the parking brake. The parking brake may freeze up, preventing
it from being released.

297
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator pedal • Moves smoothly (without uneven pedal
effort or catching)?
Automatic transmission
“Park” mechanism • Can the vehicle be hold securely on an
incline with the shift lever in “P”?
Brake pedal • Moves smoothly?
• Does it have appropriate clearance and
correct amount of free play?
Brakes • Pulls to one side when applied?
• Loss of brake effectiveness?
• Spongy feeling brake pedal?
• Pedal almost touches floor?
Head restraints • Move smoothly and lock securely?
Indicators/buzzers • Function properly?
Lights • Do all the lights come on?
• Headlights aimed correctly? (
P. 353)
Parking brake • Moves smoothly?
• Can hold the vehicle securely on an
incline?
Seat belts • Does the seat belt system operate
smoothly?
• Are the belts undamaged?
Seats • Do the seat controls operate properly?
Steering wheel • Moves smoothly?
• Has correct free play?
• No strange noises?

380 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
CAUTION
■If the tire pressure warning light comes on
Be sure to observe the following precautions. Failure to do so could
cause loss of vehicle control and re sult in death or serious injury.
●Stop your vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible. Adjust the tire
inflation pressure immediately.
●If the tire pressure warning light comes on even after tire inflation pres-
sure adjustment, it is pr obable that you have a flat tire. Check the tires.
If the tire is flat, change to the spare tire and have the flat tire repaired
by the nearest Toyota dealer.
●Avoid abrupt maneuvering and braking. If the vehicle tires deteriorate,
you could lose control of the steering wheel or the brakes.
■If a blowout or sudden air leakage should occur
The tire pressure warning syste m may not activate immediately.
■Maintenance of the tires
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked monthly
when cold and inflated to the inflation pressure recommended by the
vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle pl acard or tire inflation pressure
label (tire and load information label). (If your vehicle has tires of a differ-
ent size than the size indicated on th e vehicle placard or tire inflation
pressure label [tire and load informa tion label], you should determine the
proper tire inflation pr essure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your v ehicle has been equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS-tire pressure warning system) that
illuminates a low tire pressure telltal e (tire pressure warning light) when
one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated. Accordingly,
when the low tire pressu re telltale (tire pressure warning light) illumi-
nates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and
inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving on a significantly under-
inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inflation also reduces fuel effi ciency and tire tread life, and may
affect the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.

5
When trouble arises
395
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
If the electronic key does not operate properly (with smart key system)
Locking and unlocking the doors key linked functionsUsing the mechanical key in
order to perform the following
operations:Locks all doors
Unlocks the door
Turning the key rearward unlocks
the driver’s door. Turning the key
once again unlocks the other
doors.
Changing “ENGINE START STOP” switch modes and starting the
engine
Put the shift lever in “P” and apply the brakes. Touch the Toyota emblem side of
the electronic key to the
“ENGINE START STOP” switch.
An alarm will sound to indicate
that the start function cannot
detect the electronic key that is
touched to the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch if any of the doors
is opened and closed while the
key is touched to the switch.
If communication between the elect ronic key and vehicle is inter-
rupted ( P. 28) or the electronic key cannot be used because the
battery is depleted, the smart key system and wireless remote con-
trol cannot be used. In such cases, the doors can be opened or the
engine can be started by following the procedure below.
STEP1
STEP2

411
6-1. Specifications
6
Vehicle specifications
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Automatic transaxle
*: The fluid capacity is the quantity of reference. If replacement is necessary,
contact your Toyota dealer.
Brakes
*1: Minimum pedal clearance when depressed with a force of 110 lbf (490 N, 50 kgf) while the engine is running.
*2: Parking brake pedal travel when depressed with a force of 66 lbf (294 N, 30 kgf).
Fluid capacity*6.8 qt. (6.4 L, 5.6 lmp.qt.)
Fluid type Toyota Genuine ATF WS
NOTICE
■Automatic transmission fluid type
Using automatic transmission fluid other than “Toyota Genuine ATF WS”
may cause deterioration in shift quality, locking up of your transmission
accompanied by vibration, and ultimately damage the automatic transmis-
sion of your vehicle.
Pedal clearance *12.4 in. (61 mm) Min.
Pedal free play Less than 0.04  0.24 in. (1.0  6.0 mm)
Brake pad wear limit 0.04 in. (1.0 mm)
Parking brake pedal 
travel *29  11 c l i c k s
Parking brake lining wear
limit 0.04 in. (1.0 mm)
Fluid type
SAE J1703 or FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3

422 6-1. Specifications
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Warning: The temperature grades for this tire are established for a
tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, underinflation, or excessive loading, either sepa-
rately or in combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire fail-
ure.
Glossary of tire terminology
Tire related termMeaning
Cold tire inflation 
pressure Tire pressure when the vehicle has been
parked for three hours or more, or has not
been driven more than 1 mile or 1.5 km under
that condition
Maximum inflation
pressure The maximum cold inflated
pressure to which a
tire may be inflated, s hown on the sidewall of
the tire
Recommended 
inflation pressure Cold tire inflation pressure recommended by a
manufacturer.
Accessory weight The combined weight (in excess of those stan-
dard items which may be replaced) of trans-
mission, power steering, power brakes, power
windows, power seats, radio and heater, to the
extent that these items are available as factory-
installed equipment (whether installed or not)
Curb weight The weight of a motor vehicle with standard
equipment, including the maximum capacity of
fuel, oil and coolant, and if so equipped, air
conditioning and additional weight optional
engine
Maximum loaded 
vehicle weight The sum of:

(a) Curb weight 
(b) Accessory weight 
(c) Vehicle capacity weight 
(d) Production options weight
Normal occupant
weight 150 lb. (68 kg) times the number of occupants
specified in the second column of Table 1
* that
follows

423
6-1. Specifications
6
Vehicle specifications
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Tire related termMeaning
Occupant distribution Distribution of occupants in a vehicle as speci-
fied in the third column of Table 1
* below
Production options
weight The combined weight of installed regular pro-
duction options weighing over 5 lb. (2.3 kg) in
excess of the standard items which they
replace, not previously considered in curb
weight or accessory weight, including heavy
duty brakes, ride levelers, roof rack, heavy duty
battery, and special trim
Rim A metal support for a tire or a tire and tube
assembly upon which the tire beads are seated
Rim diameter 
(Wheel diameter) Nominal diameter of the bead seat
Rim size designation Rim diameter and width
Rim type designation The industry manufacturer’s designation for a
rim by style or code
Rim width Nominal distance between rim flanges
Vehicle capacity
weight (Total load
capacity) The rated cargo and luggage load plus 150 lb.
(68 kg) times the vehicle’s designated seating
capacity
Vehicle maximum load
on the tire The load on an individual tire that is determined
by distributing to each axle its share of the
maximum loaded vehicle weight, and dividing
by two
Vehicle normal load
on the tire The load on an individual tire that is determined
by distributing to each axle its share of curb
weight, accessory weight, and normal occu-
pant weight (distributed in accordance with
Ta b l e 1
* below), and dividing it by two
Weather side The surface area of the rim not covered by the
inflated tire