2010 TOYOTA AVALON maintenance

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
AVALON_U (OM41437U)
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 (OM41437U)
3-6. Other interior featuresSun visors .......................... 286
Vanity mirrors ..................... 287
Clock .................................. 288
Outside temperature display .............................. 289
Ashtrays ............................. 290
Power outlets ..................... 291
Seat heaters/ventilators ..... 293
Armrest............................... 295
Rear sunshade ................... 296
Floor mats .......................... 298
Trunk features .................... 299
Garage door opener ........... 301
Compass ............................ 306
4-1. Maintenance and care Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior ................. 312
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior .................. 315
4-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements .................... 318
General maintenance ......... 320
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs .......................... 323 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service precautions ....................... 324
Hood ................................... 327
Positioning a floor jack........ 328
Engine compartment .......... 330
Tires.................................... 345
Tire inflation pressure ......... 354
Wheels................................ 358
Air conditioning filter ........... 360
Key battery ......................... 363
Checking and replacing fuses ................................. 367
Headlight aim (with discharge headlights) ........................ 376
Light bulbs .......................... 378
5-1. Essential information Emergency flashers ............ 384
If your vehicle needs to be towed ................................ 385
If you think something is wrong ................................ 389
Fuel pump shut off system .............................. 390
Event data recorder ............ 391
4Maintenance and care5When trouble arises

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
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AVALON_U (OM41437U)
5-2. Steps to take in an emergencyIf a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds... ........................... 393
If you have a flat tire............ 405
If the engine will not start ................................... 414
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P.................... 416
If you lose your keys ........... 417
If the electronic key does not operate properly (with smart
key system)....................... 418
If the vehicle battery is discharged ........................ 420
If your vehicle overheats ..... 424
If the vehicle becomes stuck ................................. 427
6-1. Specifications Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.) ............ 430
Fuel information .................. 439
Tire information ................... 442
6-2. Customization Customizable features ........ 454
6-3. Initialization Items to initialize ................. 458 Reporting safety defects
for U.S. owners ................ 460
Seat belt instructions for Canadian owners
(in French) ........................ 461
Abbreviation list ................ 466
Alphabetical index............. 467
What to do if....................... 474
6Vehicle specifications
7For owners
Index

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1
Before driving
AVALON_U (OM41437U)
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.
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.
Vehicles with a smart key
system
The indicator light flashes after
the “ENGINE START STOP”
switch has been turned off to
indicate that the system is
operating.
Vehicles without a smart
key system
The indicator light flashes after
the key has been removed
from the engine switch to indi-
cate that the system is operat-
ing.

Maintenance and care4
311
AVALON_U (OM41437U)
4-1. Maintenance and careCleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior ......... 312
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior .......... 315
4-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements .................. 318
General maintenance....... 320
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs ........................ 323
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance Do-it-yourself service precautions .................... 324
Hood ................................ 327
Positioning a floor jack ................................ 328
Engine compartment ........ 330
Tires ................................. 345
Tire inflation pressure ...... 354
Wheels ............................. 358
Air conditioning filter......... 360
Key battery ....................... 363
Checking and replacing fuses .............................. 367
Headlight aim (with discharge headlights) ..................... 376
Light bulbs........................ 378

312
AVALON_U (OM41437U)
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.

313
4-1. Maintenance and care
4
Maintenance and care
AVALON_U (OM41437U)
■
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.

314 4-1. Maintenance and care
AVALON_U (OM41437U)
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