2011 TOYOTA AVALON brake

383
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
AVALON_U (OM41428U)
General maintenance
Engine compartment
ItemsCheck points
Battery • Maintenance-free (P. 405)
Brake fluid • At the correct level? (P. 402)
Engine coolant • At the correct level? (P. 400)
Engine oil • At the correct level? (P. 396)
Exhaust system • No fumes or strange sounds?
Power steering fluid • At the correct level? (P. 403)
Radiator/condenser/hoses• Not blocked with foreign matter?
(P. 401)
Washer fluid • At the correct level? (P. 408)
Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be per-
formed at the intervals specified in the “Scheduled Maintenance
Guide” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”. It is recommended that
any problem you notice should be brought to the attention of your
Toyota dealer or qualified service shop for advice.

384 4-2. Maintenance
AVALON_U (OM41428U)
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator pedal• Moves smoothly (without uneven pedal
effort or catching)?
Automatic transmission
“Park” mechanism• Can the vehicle be hold securely on an
incline with the shift lever in “P”?
Brake pedal• Moves smoothly?
• Does it have appropriate clearance and
correct amount of free play?
Brakes• Pulls to one side when applied?
• Loss of brake effectiveness?
• Spongy feeling brake pedal?
• Pedal almost touches floor?
Head restraints • Move smoothly and lock securely?
Indicators/buzzers • Function properly?
Lights• Do all the lights come on?
• Headlights aimed correctly? (P. 441)
Parking brake• Moves smoothly?
• Can hold the vehicle securely on an
incline?
Seat belts• Does the seat belt system operate
smoothly?
• Are the belts undamaged?
Seats • Do the seat controls operate properly?
Steering wheel• Moves smoothly?
• Has correct free play?
• No strange noises?

387
4
Maintenance and care
AVALON_U (OM41428U)
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself ser vice precautions
If you perform maintenance yourself, be sure to follow the correct
procedure given in these sections.
ItemsParts and tools
Battery condition (P. 405)
•Warm water
• Baking soda
• Grease
• Conventional wrench
(for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level (P. 402)
• FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE
J1703 brake fluid
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding
brake fluid)
Engine coolant level (P. 400)
• “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”
or similar high quality ethylene
glycol based non-silicate, non-
amine, non-nitrite and non-borate
coolant with long-life hybrid
organic acid technology.
For the U.S.A.:
“Toyota Super Long Life Cool-
ant” is pre-mixed with 50 % cool-
ant and 50 % deionized water.
For Canada:
“Toyota Super Long Life Cool-
ant” is pre-mixed with 55 % cool-
ant and 45 % deionized water.
• Funnel (used only for adding cool-
ant)

4
Maintenance and care
393 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
AVALON_U (OM41428U)
CAUTION
■When raising your vehicle
Make sure to observe the following to reduce the possibility of death or seri-
ous injury.
●When using a floor jack, follow the instructions of the manual provided with
the jack.
●Do not use the jack that was supplied with your vehicle.
●Do not put any part of your body or get underneath the vehicle supported
only by the jack.
●Always use floor jack and/or automotive jack stands on a solid, flat, level
surface.
●Do not start the engine while the vehicle is supported by the floor jack.
●Stop the vehicle on level firm ground, firmly set the parking brake and put
the shift lever in “P”.
●Make sure to set the floor jack properly at the jack point.
Raising the vehicle with an improperly positioned floor jack will damage
the vehicle and may cause the vehicle to fall off the floor jack.
●Do not raise the vehicle while someone is in the vehicle.
●When raising the vehicle, do not place any objects on top of or underneath
the floor jack.
●Lift up the vehicle using a floor jack
such as the one shown in the illustra-
tion.

394
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
AVALON_U (OM41428U)
Engine compar tment
Engine coolant reservoir
(P. 400)
Power steering fluid
reservoir (P. 403)
Engine oil filler cap
(P. 397)
Engine oil level dipstick
(P. 396)Brake fluid reservoir
(P. 402)
Fuse box (P. 432)
Battery (P. 405)
Radiator (P. 401)
Electric cooling fans
Condenser (P. 401)
Washer fluid tank
(P. 408)

402 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
AVALON_U (OM41428U)
Brake fluid
■Checking fluid level
The brake fluid level should be
between the “MAX” and “MIN”
lines on the tank.
Make sure to check the fluid type and prepare the necessary items.
■Adding fluid
Fluid typeFMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake fluid
ItemsClean funnel
■Brake fluid can absorb moisture from the air
Excess moisture in the fluid can cause a dangerous loss of braking effi-
ciency. Use only newly opened brake fluid.
CAUTION
■When filling the reservoir
Take care because brake fluid can harm your hands or eyes and damage
painted surfaces.
If fluid gets in your eyes, flush your eyes with clean water immediately.
If you still experience discomfort, see a doctor.

4
Maintenance and care
403 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
AVALON_U (OM41428U)
Power steering fluid
■Fluid level
The fluid level should be within the appropriate range.
Full (when hot)
Add fluid (when hot)
Full (when cold)
Add fluid (when cold)
Hot: The vehicles has been driven around 50 mph (80 km/h) for 20
minutes, or slightly longer in frigid temperatures. (Fluid tem-
perature, 140 F - 175 F [60 C - 80 C]).
Cold: The engine has not been run for about 5 hours. (Room tem-
perature, 50 F - 85 F [10 C - 30 C]).
NOTICE
■If the fluid level is low or high
It is normal for the brake fluid level to go down slightly as the brake pads
wear or when the fluid level in the accumulator is high.
If the reservoir needs frequent refilling, it may indicate a serious problem.

434 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
AVALON_U (OM41428U)
Fuse layout and amperage ratings
■Engine compartment
FuseAmpereCircuit
1 RR DEF 50 ARear window defogger, outside
rear view mirror defogger
2 ABS/VSC No.2 30 AAnti-lock brake system, vehicle
stability control system
3 RDI FAN 50 A Electric cooling fan
4 ABS/VSC No.1 50 AAnti-lock brake system, vehicle
stability control system
5 HEATER 50 A Air conditioning system
6 ST/AM2 30 A Starter system
7 MAIN 40 A Headlights
8ALT140 A
or
120 ACharging system, RR DEF, ABS/
VSC No.2, HEATER, ABS/VSC
No.1, RDI FAN, WASHER,
S-HORN