2008 TOYOTA AVALON Owners Manual

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.

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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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)

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Maintenance and care
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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Engine compartment cover
■ Removing the cover
■ Installing the clips
Open
Insert
Press

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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
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5
STEP6

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Maintenance and care
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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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■
Adding engine oil
If the oil level is below or near
the low level mark, add engine
oil of the same type as already in
the engine.
Make sure to check the oil type and prepare the items needed before
adding oil.
Remove the oil filler cap.
Add engine oil slowly, checking the dipstick.
Install the filler cap, turning it clockwise.
Oil gradeILSAC multigrade engine oil
Oil quantity
(Low  Full) 1.6 qt. (1.5 L, 1.3 Imp. qt.)
Items Clean funnel
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

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Recommended viscosity
SAE 5W-30 is the best choice for
good fuel economy, and good
starting in cold weather.
If SAE 5W-30 oil is not available,
SAE 10W-30 oil may be used.
However, it should be replaced
with SAE 5W-30 oil at the next oil
change.
■How to read oil container labels
The ILSAC (International Lubricant Standardization and Approval
Committee) Certification Mark is added to some oil containers to
help you select th e oil you should use.
Outside temperature

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Maintenance and care
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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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■
Engine oil consumption
● The amount of engine oil consumed depends on the oil viscosity, the
quality of the oil and the way the vehicle is driven.
● More oil is consumed under driving conditions such as high speeds, fre-
quent acceleration and deceleration.
● A new engine consumes more oil.
● When judging the amount of oil consumption, keep in mind that the oil
may have become diluted, making it difficult to judge the true level accu-
rately.
● Oil consumption: Max. 1.1 qt./600 miles, 0.9 lmp.qt./600 miles (1.0 L per
1000 km). If the vehicle consumes more than this amount, contact your
Toyota dealer.
■ After changing the engine oil (U.S.A.only)
The oil change system should be reset. Perform the following procedures:
Switch the display to the odometer. ( P. 136)
Turn the “ENGINE START STOP” switch or the engine switch to the
OFF.
While pressing the trip meter reset button, turn the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch or the engine switch to the ON. Continue to
press and hold the button until the trip meter displays 000000.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

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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.