2008 TOYOTA AVALON check engine

5
When trouble arises
401
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
If your vehicle overheats
If your engine overheats:
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and turn off the air condi-
tioning system.
Check to see if steam is coming out from under the hood.
If you see steam: 
Stop the engine and carefully lift the hood.
If you do not see steam: Leave the engine running and carefully lift the hood.
Remove the engine compartment cover. ( P. 307)
Check to see if the cooling fan is operating.
If the fan is operating: 
Wait until the engine coolant temperature gauge begins
to fall and then stop the engine.
If the fan is not operating: 
Stop the engine immediately and call your local Toyota
dealer.
After the engine has cooled
down sufficiently, check the
coolant level and inspect the
radiator core (radiator) for any
leaks.STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5

402 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
■Overheating
In the following situations, your vehicle may be overheating.
● The engine coolant temperature gauge enters the red zone or a loss of
power is experienced.
● Steam is coming from under the hood.
CAUTION
■To prevent an accident or injury when inspecting under the hood of
your vehicle
● Keep hands and clothing away from the fan and engine drive belt while the
engine is running.
● Do not loosen the radiator cap while the engine and radiator are hot. 
Serious injury, such as burns, may result from hot coolant and steam
released under pressure.
Add coolant if required.
Water can be used in an emer-
gency measure if coolant is
unavailable. ( P. 410)
Have the vehicle checked at your nea rest Toyota dealer as soon as
possible.
STEP6

410 6-1. Specifications
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Cooling system
Ignition system
Electrical system
Capacity8.8 qt. (8.3 L, 7.3 lmp.qt.)
Coolant typeUse either of the following:
• “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”
• Similar high-quality ethylene glycol-based non-
silicate, non-amine, non-nitrite, and non-borate
coolant with long-life hybrid organic acid technol-
ogy
Do not use plain water alone.
Spark plug
Make DENSO
FK20HR11
Gap 0.043 in. (1.1 mm)
NOTICE
■Iridium-tipped spark plugs
Use only iridium-tipped spark plugs. Do not adjust gap when tuning engine.
Battery
Open voltage at
68 F (20 C):
12.6  12.8 V Fully charged 
12.2  12.4 V Half charged 
11 . 8  12.0 V Discharged 
(Voltage is checked 20 minutes after the engine
and all lights are turned off.)
Charging rates 5A max.

445
Alphabetical index
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Engine
Compartment........................ 306
Engine switch ............... 122, 126
Hood ..................................... 303
How to start the engine ........................ 122, 126
Identification number ............ 407
If the engine will not start...... 391
Ignition switch ............... 122, 126
Overheating .......................... 401
Engine compartment cover .... 307
Engine coolant Capacity ............................... 410
Checking .............................. 313
Preparing and checking 
before winter ...................... 170
Engine coolan t temperature 
gauge ..................................... 135
Engine immobilizer system ...... 75
Engine oil Capacity ............................... 409
Checking .............................. 308
Preparing and checking 
before winter ...................... 170
Event data recorder ................ 368
Floor mats ................................ 275
Fluid
Brake .................................... 315
Washer ................................. 321
Fog lights Switch ................................... 145
Wattage ................................ 413
Foot light .................................. 252
Front passenger occupant 
classification system.............. 93
Front passenger’s seat belt 
reminder light ........................ 373
Front seats
Adjustment ............................. 46
Driving position memory ......... 50
Front turn signal lights
Wattage ................................ 413 Fuel
Capacity ................................408
Fuel gauge ............................135
Fuel pump shut off system ....367
Gas station information .........452
Information ............................414
Refueling .................................72
Fuel door.....................................72
Fuel filler door ............................72
Fuel pump shut off system .....367
Fuses.........................................344
Garage door opener.................278
Gas station information...........452
Gauges ......................................135
Glove box..................................256
Hands-free system 
(for cellular phone) ................220
Head restraints ...........................53
Headlight aim ...........................353
Headlights Discharge headlights 
precautions .........................359
Switch....................................143
Wattage .................................413
Heaters Seat heaters ..........................270
Side mirror.............................187
Hood ..........................................303
Hooks Cargo ....................................276
Shopping bag ........................276
F
G
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448 Alphabetical index
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Spark plug ................................410
Specifications...........................406
Speedometer ............................ 135
Steering wheelAdjustment .............................. 61
Audio switches ......................217
Climate switches ...................185
Steering wheel memory .......... 50
Storage compartment ..............260
Storage feature.........................255
Stuck If your vehicle becomes 
stuck ...................................404
Sun visors.................................263
Switch Engine switch ................122, 126
Fog light switch ..................... 145
Ignition switch................122, 126
Light switches........................ 143
Power door lock switch ...........39
Power window switch ..............66
Window lock switch ................. 66
Wipers and washer switch ....146
Tail lights Replacing light bulbs ............. 356
Switch.................................... 143
Wattage .................................413
Theft deterrent system Alarm .......................................77
Engine immobilizer system .....75
Theft prevention labels..............79
Tire inflation pressure ............. 412
Tire information Glossary ................................422
Size ....................................... 419
Tire identification number ......418
Uniform Tire Quality 
Grading ............................... 420 Tires
Chains ................................... 172
Checking ............................... 322
If you have a flat tire.............. 382
Inflation pressure .................. 412
Information ............................ 417
Replacing .............................. 382
Rotating tires ......................... 322
Size ....................................... 412
Snow tires ............................. 173
Tire pressure warning 
system ........................ 323, 373
Tools ......................................... 382
Total load capacity .................. 169
Towing Dinghy towing ....................... 176
Trailer towing ........................ 175
TRAC ......................................... 163
Trip information ....................... 142
Trunk
Extending a space ................ 277
Opener .................................... 44
Wattage................................. 413
Turn signal lights Replacing light bulbs ............. 355
Switch ................................... 133
Wattage................................. 413
Valet key ..................................... 22
Vanity lights Vanity lights........................... 264
Wattage................................. 413
Vanity mirrors .......................... 264
Vehicle identification 
number ................................... 407
Vehicle load limits ................... 169
VSC ........................................... 163
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