2009 TOYOTA AVALON engine overheat

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AVALON_U_OM41430U
If you have a flat tire............ 397
If the engine will not start .... 406
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P.................... 408
If you lose your keys ........... 409
If the electronic key does not operate properly
(with smart key system) .... 410
If the vehicle battery is discharged ........................ 412
If your vehicle overheats ..... 416
If the vehicle becomes stuck ................................. 419
6-1. Specifications.................... 422 Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.) ..................... 422
Fuel information .................. 430
Tire information ................... 433
6-2. Customization ................... 445 Customizable features ........ 445
6-3. Initialization ....................... 449 Items to initialize ................. 449
Reporting safety defects for U.S. owners ...................... 452
Seat belt instructions for Canadian owners
(in French) ........................ 453 Abbreviation list ............... 458
Alphabetical index............ 459
What to do if...................... 466
6Vehicle specifications
7For owners
Index

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2-1. Driving procedures
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When driving
AVALON_U_OM41430U
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.

124 2-1. Driving procedures
AVALON_U_OM41430U
CAUTION
■When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the engine off.
Otherwise, you may accidentally move the shift lever or press the accelera-
tor pedal, which could cause an accident or fire due to abnormal engine
overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked in a poorly ventilated area,
exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle, leading to death or a seri-
ous health hazard.
■ When braking the vehicle
● When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously.
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and may cause one
side of the vehicle to brake differently than the other side. Also the parking
brake may not securely hold the vehicle.
● If the power brake assist function does not operate, do not follow other
vehicles closely and avoid downhill or sharp turns that require making.
In this case, braking is still possible, but it will require more force on the
pedal than usual. Braking distance may also increase.
● Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls.
Each push on the pedal uses up the reserve for the power-assisted
brakes.
● The brake system consists of 2 individual hydraulic systems: if one of the
systems fails, the other will still operate. In this case, the brake pedal
should be depressed more firmly than usual and braking distance
becomes longer.
Do not drive your vehicle with only a single brake system. Have your
brakes fixed immediately.

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2-1. Driving procedures
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When driving
AVALON_U_OM41430U
NOTICE
■
To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the key in the “ACC” or “ON” position for long periods without
the engine running.
■ When starting the engine
● Do not crank for more than 30 seconds at a time. This may overheat the
starter and wiring systems.
● Do not race the cold engine.
● If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have the engine
checked immediately.

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2-2. Instrument cluster
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When driving
AVALON_U_OM41430U
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. 416)

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3-6. Other interior features
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Interior features
AVALON_U_OM41430U
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The seat heaters and ventilators can be used when
Vehicles with smart key system
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in IGNITION ON mode. Vehicles without smart key system
The engine switch is in the “ON” position.
CAUTION
■ Burns
● Use caution when seating the following persons in a seat with the seat
heater on to avoid the possibility of burns:
• Babies, small children, the elderly, the sick and the disabled
• Persons with sensitive skin
• Persons who are fatigued
• Persons who have taken alcohol or drugs that induce sleep (sleeping
drugs, cold remedies, etc.)
● Do not cover the seat with anything when using the seat heater.
Using the seat heater with a blanket or cushion increases the temperature
of the seat and may lead to overheating.
NOTICE
■To prevent seat heater/ventilator damage
Do not put heavy objects on the seat and do not stick sharp objects (nee-
dles, nails, etc.) into the seat.
■ To prevent battery discharge
Turn the switches off when the engine is not running.

When trouble arises5
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AVALON_U_OM41430U
5-1. Essential information .... 376Emergency 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
If you have a flat tire......... 397
If the engine will not start ................................ 406
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P ................. 408
If you lose your keys ........ 409
If the electronic key does not operate properly
(with smart key
system) .......................... 410
If the vehicle battery is discharged ..................... 412
If your vehicle overheats ....................... 416
If the vehicle becomes stuck .............................. 419

416
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
AVALON_U_OM41430U
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. Carefully lift the hood after the steam
subsides and then restart the engine.
If you do not see steam: Leave the engine running and carefully lift the hood.
Remove the engine compartment cover. ( P. 321)
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
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