2009 TOYOTA AVALON Owners Manual

297
3-6. Other interior features
3
Interior features
AVALON_U_OM41430U
Compass (if equipped)
The compass on the inside rear view mirror indicates the direction in
which the vehicle is heading.
■ Operation
To turn the compass on or off,
press the switch.
■ Displays and directions
DisplayDirection
NNorth
NENortheast
EEast
SESoutheast
SSouth
SWSouthwest
WWest
NWNorthwest

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Calibrating the compassThe direction display deviates fr om the true direction determined by
the earth’s magnetic field. The amoun t of deviation varies according
to the geographic position of the vehicle.
If you cross over a map boundary shown in illustration, the compass will
deviate.
To obtain higher precision or perfect calibration, refer to the following.
■ Deviation calibration
Stop the vehicle where it is safe to drive in a circle.
Press the switch until a number
(1 to 15) appears on the com-
pass display.
Press the switch, and referring to the map above, select the
number of the zone where you are.
Samoa: 5 Guam: 8 Saipan: 8
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

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AVALON_U_OM41430U
Wait a few seconds until the compass direction is displayed.
The calibration is complete.
■
Circling calibration
If “CAL” appears on the display,
drive the vehicle at 5 mph (8 km/
h) or less in a circle until a direc-
tion is displayed.
If there is not enough space to
drive in a circle, drive around the
block until the direction is dis-
played.
STEP4
■Conditions unfavorable to correct operation
The compass may not show the correct direction in the following conditions:
● The vehicle is stopped immediately after turning.
● The vehicle is on an inclined surface.
● The vehicle is in a place where the earth’s magnetic field is subject to
interference by artificial magnetic fields (underground car park/parking
lot, under a steel tower, between buildings, roof car park/parking lot, near
an intersection, near a large vehicle, etc.).
● The vehicle has become magnetized.
(There is a magnet or metal object near the inside rear view mirror.)
● The battery has been disconnected.
● A door is open.

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CAUTION
■While driving
Do not adjust the display.
Be sure to adjust the display only when the vehicle is stopped.
■ When doing the circling calibration
Be sure to secure a wide space, and watch out for people and vehicles in the
neighborhood. Do not violate any local traffic rules while performing circling
calibration.
NOTICE
■To avoid the compass malfunctions
Do not place magnets or any metal objects near the inside rear view mirror.
Doing this may cause a malfunction of the compass sensor.
■ To ensure normal operation of the compass
● Do not perform circling calibration of the compass in a place where the
earth’s magnetic field is subject to inte rference by artificial magnetic fields.
● During calibration, do not operate electric systems (moon roof, power win-
dows, etc.) as they may interfere with the calibration.

Maintenance and care4
301
AVALON_U_OM41430U
4-1. Maintenance and care ... 302Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior ......... 302
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior .......... 305
4-2. Maintenance ................... 308 Maintenance requirements .................. 308
General maintenance....... 310
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs ........................ 313
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance ................. 314
Do-it-yourself service precautions .................... 314
Hood ................................ 317
Positioning a floor jack ..... 318
Engine compartment ........ 320
Tires ................................. 336
Tire inflation pressure ...... 345
Wheels ............................. 349
Air conditioning filter......... 351
Key battery ....................... 354
Checking and replacing fuses .............................. 358
Headlight aim (with discharge headlights) ..... 367
Light bulbs........................ 369

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AVALON_U_OM41430U
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.

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Maintenance and care
AVALON_U_OM41430U
■
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.

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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)
Turn off the wiper switch.
If the wiper switch is in “AUTO”, the wip-
ers may operate and the wiper blades
may be damaged.
AUTO