2011 TOYOTA AVALON maintenance

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
AVALON_U (OM41428U)
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
and SRS airbag instructions for Canadian owners.
IndexAlphabetical listing of information contained in this
manual.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
5
AVALON_U (OM41428U)
3-6. Using the storage features
List of storage features ....... 337
3-7. Other interior features
Sun visors ........................... 345
Vanity mirrors ...................... 346
Clock ................................... 347
Ashtrays .............................. 348
Power outlets ...................... 349
Seat heaters/ventilators ...... 351
Armrest ............................... 353
Rear sunshade.................... 354
Floor mats ........................... 356
Trunk features ..................... 358
Garage door opener............ 360
Compass ............................. 3684-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting
the vehicle exterior ........... 374
Cleaning and protecting
the vehicle interior ............ 377
4-2. Maintenance
Maintenance
requirements .................... 380
General maintenance ......... 383
Emission inspection and
maintenance (I/M)
programs .......................... 386
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service
precautions....................... 387
Hood ................................... 391
Positioning a floor jack ....... 392
Engine compartment .......... 394
Tires ................................... 409
Tire inflation pressure ......... 418
Wheels ............................... 422
Air conditioning filter ........... 425
Key battery ......................... 428
Checking and replacing
fuses................................. 432
Headlight aim (with
discharge headlights) ....... 441
Light bulbs .......................... 443
4Maintenance and care

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
6
AVALON_U (OM41428U)
5-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers ........... 458
If your vehicle needs
to be towed ...................... 459
If you think something is
wrong ............................... 463
Fuel pump shut off
system .............................. 464
Event data recorder............ 465
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If a warning light turns
on or a warning buzzer
sounds... .......................... 467
If you have a flat tire ........... 479
If the engine will
not start ............................ 489
If the shift lever cannot be
shifted from P ................... 491
If you lose your keys .......... 492
If the electronic key does
not operate properly (with
smart key system) ............ 493
If the vehicle battery is
discharged ....................... 496
If your vehicle overheats .... 500
If the vehicle becomes
stuck................................. 503
If your vehicle has to be
stopped in an
emergency ....................... 5046-1. Specifications
Maintenance data
(fuel, oil level, etc.) ........... 508
Fuel information .................. 516
Tire information................... 519
6-2. Customization
Customizable features ........ 532
6-3. Initialization
Items to initialize ................. 536
Reporting safety defects
for U.S. owners ................. 538
Seat belt instructions
for Canadian owners
(in French) ........................ 539
SRS airbag instructions
for Canadian owners
(in French) ........................ 542
Abbreviation list ............... 554
Alphabetical index ............ 555
What to do if... ................... 562
5When trouble arises6Vehicle specifications
7For owners
Index

92 1-6. Theft deterrent system
AVALON_U (OM41428U)
■System maintenance
The vehicle has a maintenance-free type 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.
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.
The indicator light stops flash-
ing after the registered key
has been inserted into the
engine switch to indicate that
the system has been can-
celed.

95 1-6. Theft deterrent system
1
Before driving
AVALON_U (OM41428U)
■System maintenance
The vehicle has a maintenance-free type alarm system.
■Items to check before locking the vehicle
To prevent unexpected triggering of the alarm and vehicle theft, make sure
of the following:
●Nobody is in the vehicle.
●The windows and moon roof are closed before the alarm is set.
●No valuables or other personal items are left in the vehicle.
■Deactivating or stopping the alarm
Do one of the following to deactivate or stop the alarm.
Vehicles with a smart key system
●Unlock the doors or trunk.
●Turn the “ENGINE START STOP” switch to ACCESSORY or
IGNITION ON mode, or start the engine. (The alarm will be
deactivated or stopped after a few seconds.)
Vehicles without a smart key system
●Unlock the doors or trunk.
●Turn the engine switch to the “ACC” or “ON” position, or start
the engine. (The alarm will be deactivated or stopped after a
few seconds.)

Maintenance and care4
373
AVALON_U (OM41428U)
4-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting
the vehicle exterior ......... 374
Cleaning and protecting
the vehicle interior .......... 377
4-2. Maintenance
Maintenance
requirements .................. 380
General maintenance....... 383
Emission inspection and
maintenance (I/M)
programs ........................ 386
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service
precautions .................... 387
Hood ................................ 391
Positioning a floor jack ..... 392
Engine compartment ........ 394
Tires ................................. 409
Tire inflation pressure ...... 418
Wheels ............................. 422
Air conditioning filter......... 425
Key battery ....................... 428
Checking and replacing
fuses .............................. 432
Headlight aim (with
discharge headlights) ..... 441
Light bulbs........................ 443

374
AVALON_U (OM41428U)
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, liberally 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.

375 4-1. Maintenance and care
4
Maintenance and care
AVALON_U (OM41428U)
■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.
●Do not use detergent on the wheels when they are hot, for example after
driving for long distance in the hot weather.
●Wash detergent from the wheels immediately after use.
■Bumpers and side moldings
Do not scrub with abrasive cleaners.
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.