2009 TOYOTA AVALON check engine

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
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AVALON_U_OM41430U
3-6. Other interior features ..... 277Sun visors .......................... 277
Vanity mirrors ..................... 278
Clock .................................. 279
Outside temperature display .............................. 280
Ashtrays ............................. 281
Power outlets ..................... 282
Seat heaters/ventilators ..... 284
Armrest............................... 286
Rear sunshade ................... 287
Floor mats .......................... 289
Trunk features .................... 290
Garage door opener ........... 292
Compass ............................ 297
4-1. Maintenance and care...... 302 Cleaning 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
5-1. Essential information ....... 376 Emergency flashers ............ 376
If your vehicle needs to be towed ................................ 377
If you think something is wrong ................................ 381
Fuel pump shut off system .............................. 382
Event data recorder ............ 383
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency ...................... 385
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds... ........................... 385
4Maintenance and care
5When trouble arises

31
1-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors and trunk
1
Before driving
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■
Note for the smart key system
● Even when the electronic key is within the effective range (detection
areas), the system may not operate properly in the following cases.
• The electronic key is too close to the window or outside door handle,
near the ground, or in a high place when the doors are locked or
unlocked.
• The electronic key is near the ground or in a high place, or too close to the rear bumper center when the trunk is unlocked.
• The electronic key is on the instrument panel, rear package tray or floor, or in the glove box when the engine is started or “ENGINE
START STOP” switch modes are changed.
● As long as the electronic key is within the effective range, the doors may
be locked or unlocked by anyone.
● Even if the electronic key is not inside the vehicle, it may be possible to
start the engine if the electronic key is near the window.
● The doors may unlock if a large amount of water splashes on the door
handle, such as in the rain or in a car wash when the electronic key is
within the effective range. (The doors will automatically be locked after
approximately 60 seconds if the doors are not opened and closed.)
● Gripping the door handle when wearing a glove may not unlock the door.
● If the wireless remote control is used to lock the doors when the elec-
tronic key is near the vehicle, there is a possibility that the door may not
be unlocked by the entry function. (Use the wireless remote control to
unlock the doors.)
● A sudden approach to the effective range or door handle operation may
prevent the doors from being unlocked. In this case, return the door han-
dle to the original position and check that the doors unlock before pulling
the door handle again.
■ When the vehicle is not dr iven for extended periods
To prevent theft of the vehicle, do not leave the electronic key within 6 ft. (2
m) of the vehicle.
■ Security feature
If a door is not opened within approximately 60 seconds after the vehicle is
unlocked, the theft deterrent system automatically locks the vehicle again.

51
1
1-3. Adjustable components (seats, steering wheel, mirrors)
Before driving
AVALON_U_OM41430U
Driving position memor y system (if equipped)
Your preferred driving position (the position of the driver’s seat and
outside rear view mirrors) can be entered into the computer’s mem-
ory and recalled with the touch of a button. It is also possible to set
this function to activate automati cally when the doors are unlocked.
Two different driving positions can be entered into memory.
■ Entering a position to memory
Check that the shift lever is set in “P”.
Vehicles with smart key system: Turn the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch to IGNITION ON mode.
Vehicles without smart key system: Turn the engine switch
to the “ON” position.
Adjust the driver’s seat and outside rear view mirrors to the
desired positions. While pushing the “SET” but-
ton, push button “1” or “2” until
the signal beeps.
If the selected button has
already been preset, the previ-
ously recorded position will be
overwritten.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3STEP3

52 1-3. Adjustable components (seats, steering wheel, mirrors)
AVALON_U_OM41430U
Linking driving position memory with door unlock operation
(vehicles with smart key system)
Memorized driving positions can be recalled when you unlock the
driver’s door using the entry function or wireless remote control and
open the driver’s door.
■ Setting the linked door unlock operation
Set the driving positions into the memory system using the “1”
or “2” buttons. ( P. 5 1 )
Turn the “ENGINE START STOP” switch OFF, then close the
driver’s door.
■ Recalling the memorized position
Check that the shift lever is set in “P”.
Vehicles with smart key system: Turn the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch to IGNITION ON mode.
Vehicles without smart key system: Turn the engine switch
to the “ON” position. Push button “1” or “2” to recall
the memorized position.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP1
STEP2

120 2-1. Driving procedures
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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.

121
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
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CAUTION
■
When driving the vehicle
● Do not shift the shift lever to “N” while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so may cause the engine brake not to operate properly and lead to
an accident.
● Do not turn the engine off while driving.
The power steering and brake booster will not operate properly if the
engine is not running.
● Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving
down a steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose
effectiveness. ( P. 136)
● Be careful when driving on slippery surfaces, as the vehicle may spin or
skid when downshifting, rapidly accelerating, braking or turning.
● Do not adjust the position of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or
outside rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control that can cause accidents
that may result in death or serious injury.
● Always check that all passengers’ arms, heads or other parts of their bod-
ies are not outside the vehicle, as this may result in death or serious injury.
● Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit per-
mits it, do not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicle has high
speed capability tires. Driving over 85 mph (140 km/h) may result in tire
failure, loss of control and possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer
to determine whether the tires on your vehicle are high-speed capability
tires or not before driving at such speeds.

122 2-1. Driving procedures
AVALON_U_OM41430U
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.

123
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
AVALON_U_OM41430U
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 it
is snowing, or 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.