2008 TOYOTA AVALON service

296
4-2. Maintenance
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
General maintenance
Engine compartment
ItemsCheck points
Battery • Maintenance-free ( P. 318)
Brake fluid • At the correct level? ( P. 315)
Engine coolant • At the correct level? ( P. 313)
Engine oil • At the correct level? ( P. 308)
Exhaust system • No fumes or strange sounds?
Power steering fluid • At the correct level? ( P. 316)
Radiator/condenser/hoses • Not blocked with foreign matter?

( P. 314)
Washer fluid • At the correct level? ( P. 321)
Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be per-
formed at the intervals specified in the “Scheduled Maintenance
Guide” or “Owner’s” Manual Supplem ent”. It is recommended that
any problem you notice should be brought to the attention of your
Toyota dealer or qualified service shop for advice.

299
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M) programs
Some states have vehicle emission inspection programs which
include OBD (On Board Diagnostics) checks. The OBD system moni-
tors the operation of the emission control system.
■If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on
The OBD system determines that a problem exists somewhere
in the emission control system. Your vehicle may not pass the I/
M test and may need to be repaired. Contact your Toyota dealer
to service the vehicle.
■ Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test:
●When the battery is disconnected or discharged
Readiness codes that are se t during ordinary driving are
erased. 
Also, depending on your driving habits, the readiness codes
may not be completely set.
● When the fuel tank cap is loose
The malfunction indicator lamp comes on as a temporary mal-
function and your vehicle may not pass the I/M test.
■ When the malfunction indicator lamp goes off after several
driving trips
The error code in the OBD system will not be cleared unless the
vehicle is driven 40 or more times.
■ If your vehicle does not pass the I/M test
Contact your Toyota dealer to prepare the vehicle for re-testing.

312 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
CAUTION
■Used engine oil
● Used engine oil contains potentially harmful contaminants which may
cause skin disorders such as inflammation or skin cancer, so care should
be taken to avoid prolonged and repeated contact. To remove used engine
oil from your skin, wash thoroughly with soap and water.
● Dispose of used oil and filters only in a safe and acceptable manner. Do
not dispose of used oil and filters in household trash, in sewers or onto the
ground. 
Call your Toyota dealer, service station or auto parts store for information
concerning recycling or disposal.
● Do not leave used engine oil within the reach of children.
NOTICE
■To prevent serious engine damage
Check the oil level on regular basis.
■ When replacing the engine oil
● Be careful not to spill engine oil on the vehicle components.
● Avoid overfilling, or the engine could be damaged.
● Check the oil level on the dipstick every time you refill the vehicle.
● Be sure the engine oil filler cap is properly tightened.

336 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
■When replacing wheels
The wheels of your Toyota are equipped with tire pressure warning
valves and transmitters that allow the tire pressure warning system to
provide advanced warning in the event of a loss in tire inflation pressure.
Whenever wheels are replaced, the tire pressure warning valves and
transmitters must be installed. (P. 323)
CAUTION
■When replacing wheels
●Do not use wheels that are a different size from those recommended in
the Owner’s Manual, as this may re sult in loss of handling control.
●Never use an inner tube in a leaking wheel which is designed for a
tubeless tire. Doing so may result in an accident, causing death or seri-
ous injury.
NOTICE
■Replacing tire pressure warning valves and transmitters
●Because tire repair or replacement may affect the tire pressure warn-
ing valves and transmitters, make sure to have tires serviced by your
Toyota dealer or other qualified service shop. In addition, make sure to
purchase your tire pressure warning valves and transmitters at your
Toyota dealer.
●Ensure that only genuine Toyota wheels are used on your vehicle. 
Tire pressure warning valves and transmitters may not work properly
with non-genuine wheels.

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.

415
6-1. Specifications
6
Vehicle specifications
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
■
Toyota recommends the use of gaso line containing detergent additives
● Toyota recommends the use of gasoline that contains detergent additives
to avoid build-up of engine deposits.
● All gasoline sold in the US contains detergent additives to clean and/or
keep clean intake systems.
■ Toyota recommends the use of cleaner burning gasoline
Cleaner burning gasoline, including reformulated gasoline that contains oxy-
genates such as ethanol or MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether) is available in
many areas.
Toyota recommends the use of cleaner burning gasoline and appropriately
blended reformulated gasoline. These types of gasoline provide excellent
vehicle performance, reduce vehicle emissions and improve air quality.
■ Toyota does not recommend blended gasoline
● Toyota allows the use of oxygenate blended gasoline where the oxygen-
ate content is up to 10% ethanol or 15% MTBE.
● If you use gasohol in your Toyota, be sure that it has an octane rating no
lower than 87.
● Toyota DOES NOT recommend the use of gasoline containing methanol.
■ Toyota does not recommend gasoline containing MMT
Some gasoline contains octane enhancing additive called MMT (Methylcy
clopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl).
Toyota DOES NOT recommend the use of gasoline that contains MMT. If
fuel containing MMT is used, your emission control system may be
adversely affected.
The malfunction indicator lamp on the instrument cluster may come on. If
this happens, contact your Toyota dealer for service.

421
6-1. Specifications
6
Vehicle specifications
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
■
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear
rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a speci-
fied government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and a half (1 - 1/2)
times as well on the government course as a tire graded 100. 
The relative performance of tires de pends upon the actual conditions
of their use, however, and may depart significantly from the norm due
to variations in driving habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.
■ Traction AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B and C,
and they represent the tire’s ab ility to stop on wet pavement as
measured under controlled conditions on specified government
test surfaces of asphalt and concrete.
A tire marked C may have poor traction performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on braking
(straight ahead) traction tests and does not include cornering (turn-
ing) traction.
■ Temperature A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, represent-
ing the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to
dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a speci-
fied indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire to
degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead
to sudden tire failure.
The grade C corresponds to a level of performance which all passen-
ger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Stan-
dard No. 109.
Grades B and A represent higher levels of performance on the labo-
ratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.

447
Alphabetical index
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Overhead console ................... 258
Overheating, Engine ............... 401
Parking brake .......................... 134
Parking lights
Replacing light bulbs ............ 355
Switch ................................... 143
Wattage ................................ 413
Personal light Switch ................................... 254
Wattage ................................ 413
Power outlets........................... 268
Power windows ......................... 66
Radiator.................................... 314
Radio ........................................ 191
Rear seat Adjustment ............................. 48
Rear sunshade ........................ 273
Rear turn signal lights Replacing light bulbs ............ 355
Wattage ................................ 413
Rear window defogger............ 187
Replacing
Fuses.................................... 344
Key battery ........................... 340
Light bulbs ............................ 355
Tires ..................................... 382
Reporting safety defects for 
U.S. owners ........................... 436
Seat belts Adjusting the seat belt ............ 55
Automatic locking retractor................................ 56
Child restraint system 
installation .......................... 102
Cleaning and maintaining 
the seat belts...................... 292
Emergency locking 
retractor................................ 56
How to wear your seat belt ..... 54 How your child should wear

the seat belt ..........................57
Pregnant women, 
proper seat belt use ..............57
Reminder light .......................373
Seat belt extenders .................58
Seat belt pretensioners ...........56
Seat heaters..............................270
Seating capacity.......................169
Seats Adjustment ........................ 46, 48
Adjustment precaution ......47, 49
Child seats/child restraint system installation ..............102
Cleaning ................................291
Climate control ......................270
Climate control seat ..............270
Driver’s seat position 
memory .................................50
Head restraint..........................53
Properly sitting in the seat .......80
Seat heaters ..........................270
Service reminder 
indicators ..............................139
Shift lever
Automatic transmission .........129
If the shift lever cannot be 
shifted from P......................393
Shift lock system .....................393
Shopping bag hooks ...............276
Side airbags................................82
Side marker lights Switch....................................143
Side mirror
Adjustment ..............................64
Mirror position memory ...........50
Smart key system
Antenna location .....................26
Entry function ..........................24
Starting the engine ................122
Spare tire Inflation pressure...................412
Spare tire...............................382
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