2008 TOYOTA AVALON maintenance

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
1Before drivingAdjusting and operating features such as door locks,
mirrors, and steering column.
2When drivingDriving, stopping and safe-driving information.
3Interior 
featuresAir conditioning and audio systems, as well as other 
interior features for a comfortable driving experience.
4Maintenance
and careCleaning and protecting your vehicle, performing do-it-
yourself maintenance, and maintenance information.
5When trouble
arisesWhat to do if the vehicle needs to be towed, gets a flat
tire, or is involved in an accident.
6Vehicle 
specificationsDetailed vehicle information.
7For ownersReporting safety defects for U.S. owners and seat belt
instructions for Canadian owners.
IndexAlphabetical listing of information contained in this
manual.

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

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
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AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
5-2. Steps to take in an 
emergency ....................... 370
If a warning light turns on 
or a warning buzzer 
sounds... ........................... 370
If you have a flat tire............ 382
If the engine will not start .... 391
If the shift lever cannot be 
shifted from P.................... 393
If you lose your keys ........... 394
If the electronic key does 
not operate properly 
(with smart key system) .... 395
If the vehicle battery is 
discharged ........................ 397
If your vehicle overheats ..... 401
If the vehicle becomes  stuck ................................. 404
6-1. Specifications.................... 406 Maintenance data (fuel, 
oil level, etc.) ..................... 406
Fuel information .................. 414
Tire information ................... 417
6-2. Customization ................... 429 Customizable features ........ 429
6-3. Initialization ....................... 433 Items to initialize ................. 433 Reporting safety defects for

U.S. owners...................... 436
Seat belt instructions for  Canadian owners 
(in French) ........................ 437
Abbreviation list ............... 442
Alphabetical index............ 443
What to do if...................... 450
6Vehicle specifications
7For owners
Index

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1
Before driving
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
1-6. Theft deterrent system
Engine immobilizer system
■System maintenance
The vehicle has a maintenance-free type of engine immobilizer system.
■ Conditions that may cause the system to malfunction
● If the grip portion of the key is in contact with a metallic object.
● If the key is in close proximity to or touching a key to the security system
(key with a built-in transponder chip) of another vehicle.
■ Certifications for the engine immobilizer system
For vehicles sold in the U.S.A.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interfer-
ence, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired operation.
The vehicle’s keys have built-in tr ansponder chips that prevent the
engine from starting if the key has not been previously registered in
the vehicle’s on-board computer.
Never leave the keys inside the vehicle when you leave the vehicle.
The indicator light flashes after
the “ENGINE START STOP”
switch or the engine switch
has been turned off to indicate
that the system is operating.
FCC ID: MOZRI-21BTY
FCC ID: NI4TMIMB-1

Maintenance and care4
287
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
4-1. Maintenance and care ... 288Cleaning 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

288
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
4-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior
Perform the following to protect the vehicle and maintain it in prime
condition.
● Working from top to bottom, liber ally apply water to the vehicle
body, wheel wells and underside of the vehicle to remove any
dirt and dust.
Wash the vehicle body using a sponge or soft cloth, such as a cham-
ois.
● For hard-to-remove marks, use car wash soap and rinse thor-
oughly with water.
● Wipe away any water.
● Wax the vehicle when the waterproof coating deteriorates.
If water does not bead on a clean surface, apply wax when the vehicle
body is cool.

289
4-1. Maintenance and care
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Maintenance and care
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
■
Automatic car washes
● Fold the mirrors back before washing the vehicle.
● Brushes used in automatic car washes may scratch the vehicle surface
and harm your vehicle’s paint.
■ High pressure car washes
Do not allow the nozzles of the car wash to come within close proximity \
of
the windows. Before car wash, check that the fuel filler door is closed.
■ Aluminum wheels
Remove any dirt immediately by using a neutral detergent. Do not use hard
brushes or abrasive cleaners. Do not use strong or harsh chemical cleaners.
Use the same mild detergent and wax as used on the paint.
■ Bumpers and side moldings
Do not scrub with abrasive cleaners.
■ To prevent paint deterioratio n and corrosion on the body
● Wash the vehicle immediately in the following cases:
• After driving near the sea coast
• After driving on salted roads
• If you see coal tar or tree sap on the paint surface
• If you see dead insects, insect droppings or bird droppings on the paint
• After driving in an area contaminated with soot, oily smoke, mine dust,
iron powder or chemical substances
• If the vehicle becomes heavily soiled in dust or mud
• If liquids such as benzine and gasoline are spilled on the paint surface
● If the paint is chipped or scratched, have it repaired immediately.

290 4-1. Maintenance and care
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
CAUTION
■Caution about the exhaust pipe
Exhaust gasses cause the exhaust pipe to become quite hot. 
When washing the vehicle, be careful not to touch the pipe until it has cooled
sufficiently, as touching a hot exhaust pipe can cause burns.
NOTICE
■ To protect your vehicle’s painted surfaces
Do not use organic cleaners such as benzine or gasoline.
■ Cleaning the exterior lights
● Wash carefully. Do not use organic substances or scrub with a hard brush. 
This may damage the surfaces of the lights.
● Do not apply wax on the surface of the lights. Wax may cause damage to
the lenses.
■ When using an automatic car wash 
(vehicles equipped with the raindrop detection windshield wipers)
Set the wiper switch to OFF.
If the wiper switch is in “AUTO”, the wip-
ers may operate and the wiper blades
may be damaged. OFF
AUTO