2008 TOYOTA AVALON check engine light

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
4
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
3-6. Other interior features ..... 263Sun visors .......................... 263
Vanity mirrors ..................... 264
Clock .................................. 265
Outside temperature display .............................. 266
Ashtrays ............................. 267
Power outlets ..................... 268
Climate control seats/seat 
heaters ............................. 270
Armrest............................... 272
Rear sunshade ................... 273
Floor mats .......................... 275
Trunk features .................... 276
Garage door opener ........... 278
Compass ............................ 283
4-1. Maintenance and care...... 288 Cleaning and protecting the 
vehicle exterior ................. 288
Cleaning and protecting the 
vehicle interior .................. 291
4-2. Maintenance ..................... 294 Maintenance 
requirements .................... 294
General maintenance ......... 296
Emission inspection and 
maintenance (I/M) 
programs .......................... 299 4-3. Do-it-yourself

maintenance ................... 300
Do-it-yourself service 
precautions ....................... 300
Hood ................................... 303
Positioning a floor jack........ 304
Engine compartment .......... 306
Tires.................................... 322
Tire inflation pressure ......... 331
Wheels................................ 335
Air conditioning filter ........... 337
Key battery ......................... 340
Checking and replacing 
fuses ................................. 344
Headlight aim (with 
discharge headlights) ....... 353
Light bulbs .......................... 355
5-1. Essential information ....... 362 If your vehicle needs to be 
towed ................................ 362
If you think something is  wrong ................................ 366
Fuel pump shut off 
system .............................. 367
Event data recorder ............ 368
4Maintenance and care
5When trouble arises

116 2-1. Driving procedures
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
CAUTION
■When starting the vehicle
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped with the engine run-
ning. This prevents the vehicle from creeping.
■ When driving the vehicle
● Do not drive if you are unfamiliar with the location of the brake and accel-
erator pedals to avoid depressing the wrong pedal.
• Accidentally depressing the accelerator pedal instead of the brake
pedal will result in sudden acceleration that may lead to an accident
that could result in death or serious injury.
• When backing up, you may twist your body around, leading to a diffi- culty in operating the pedals. Make sure to operate the pedals properly.
• Make sure to keep a correct driving posture even when moving the vehicle only slightly, allowing you to depress the brake and accelerator
pedals properly.
• Depress the brake pedal using your right foot. Depressing the brake pedal using your left foot may delay response in an emergency, result-
ing in an accident.
● Do not drive the vehicle over or st op the vehicle near flammable materials. 
The exhaust system and exhaust gases can be extremely hot. This may
cause a fire if there is any flammable material nearby.
● Do not let the vehicle roll backwards while the shift lever is in a driving
position, or roll forward while the shift lever is in “R”. 
Doing so may cause the engine not to operate or lead to poor brake and
steering performance, resulting in an accident or damage to the vehicle.\
● If the smell of exhaust is noticed inside the vehicle, open the windows and
check that the trunk is closed. 
Large amounts of exhaust in the vehicle can cause driver drowsiness and
an accident, resulting in death or a serious health hazard. Have the cause
of the problem inspected immediately.
● Do not under any circumstances shift the shift lever to “P”, “R” or “N” while
the vehicle is moving. 
Doing so can cause significant damage to the transmission and may result
in a loss of vehicle control.

118 2-1. Driving procedures
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
CAUTION
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
● Sudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippage and
reduce your ability to control the vehicle, resulting in an accident.
● Sudden changes in engine speed, such as engine braking caused by up-
shifting or down-shifting, may cause the vehicle to skid, resulting in an
accident.
● After driving through a puddle, lightly depress the brake pedal to make
sure that the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent
the brakes from functioning properly. If the brakes on only one side are wet
and not functioning properly, steering control may be affected, resulting in
an accident.
■ When shifting the shift lever
Be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pedal depressed. 
This may lead to unexpected rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may
cause an accident and result in death or serious injury.
■ When the vehicle is stopped
● Do not race the engine. 
If the vehicle is in any gear other than “P” or “N” the vehicle may acceler-
ate suddenly and unexpectedly, and may cause an accident.
● Do not leave the vehicle with the engine on for a long time. 
If such a situation cannot be avoided, park the vehicle in an open space
and check that exhaust fumes do not enter the vehicle interior.
● Always keep a foot on the brake pedal while the engine is running to pre-
vent an accident caused by the vehicle moving.

119
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
CAUTION
■
When the vehicle is parked
● Do not leave glasses, cigarette lighters, spray cans, or soft drink cans in
the vehicle when it is in the sun. 
Failure to do so may result in the following:
• Gas may leak from a cigarette lighter or spray can, and may lead to a fire.
• The temperature inside the vehicle may cause the plastic lenses and plastic material of eye glasses to deform or crack.
• Soft drink cans may fracture, causing the contents to spray over the interior of the vehicle, and may also cause a short circuit in the vehi-
cle’s electrical components.
● Always apply the parking brake, shift the shift lever to “P”, stop the engine
and lock the vehicle. 
Do not leave the vehicle unattended while the engine is running.
● Do not touch the exhaust pipe while the engine is running or immediately
after turning the engine off. 
Doing so may cause burns.
● Do not leave the engine running in an area with snow build up, or where
snow is expected to fall. 
Exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle, leading to death or a
serious health hazard.
■ Exhaust gases
Exhaust gases include harmful carbon monoxide (CO) that is colorless and
odorless. Inhaling exhaust gases may lead to death or a serious health haz-
ard.
● If the vehicle is in a poorly ventilated area, stop the engine. In a closed
area, such as a garage, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle.
This may lead to death or a serious health hazard.
● The exhaust should be checked occasionally. If there is a hole or crack
caused by corrosion, damage to a joint or abnormal exhaust noise, be
sure to have the vehicle inspected and repaired by your Toyota dealer.
Failure to do so may allow exhaust gases to enter the vehicle, resulting in
death or a serious health hazard.

133
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Tur n signal lever
■Turn signals can be operated when
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch or the engine switch is in ON mode.
■ If the indicators flash faster than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or rear turn signal lights has not burned
out.
Left turn
Right turn
Move and hold the lever
partway to signal a lane
change
The left hand signal will flash
until you release the lever.
Move and hold the lever
partway to signal a lane
change
The right hand signal will flash
until you release the lever.

137
2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Instrument panel light control
The brightness of the instrument panel lights can be adjusted.
Darker
Brighter
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the engine and its components
● Do not let the indicator needle of the tachometer enter the red zone, which
indicates the maximum engine speed.
● The engine may be overheating if the temperature gauge is in the red
zone (“H”). In this case, immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place.
Check the engine after it has cooled completely. ( P. 401)

140 2-2. Instrument cluster
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
CAUTION
■If a safety system warning light does not come on
Should a safety system light such as ABS and the SRS airbag warning light
not come on when you start the engine, this could mean that these systems
are not available to help protect you in an accident, which could result in
death or serious injury. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately if this occurs.
■ Warning lights
Warning lights inform the driver of malfunctions in the indicated
vehicle’s systems. ( P. 370)
*: These lights turn on when the “ENGINE START STOP” switch or the
engine switch is turned to ON mode to indicate that a system check is
being performed. They will turn off after the engine is started, or after
a few seconds. There may be a malfunction in a system if the lights
do not come on, or turn off. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toy-
ota dealer.
(U.S.A.)(Canada)(U.S.A.)(Canada)(if equipped)
(U.S.A.)(Canada)(if equipped)
(U.S.A.)(if equipped)(if equipped)
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*****
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147
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
2
When driving
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
■
The windshield wiper and washer can be operated when
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch or the engine switch is in ON mode.
■ Dripping prevention wiper sweep
After washing and wiping operation several times, the wipers operate one
more time after a short delay to prevent dripping.
However, the last sweep will not happen if the vehicle is traveling above 106
mph (170 km/h).
■ Effects of vehicle speed on wiper operation
Vehicle speed affects the following even when the wipers are not in “AUTO”
mode.
● Intermittent wiper interval (“INT” mode)
● Wiper operation when the washer is being used (delay until drip preven-
tion wiper sweep occurs)
With “LO” selected, wiper operation will be switched from low speed to inter-
mittent wiper operation only when the vehicle is stationary.
■ Rain drop sensor (vehicles equipped with the raindrop detection wind-
shield wipers)
■ If no windshield washer fluid sprays
Check that the washer nozzles are not blocked if there is washer fluid in the
windshield washer fluid reservoir.
The sensor judges the amount of rain-
drops.