2011 TOYOTA AVALON check engine

4
Maintenance and care
399 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
AVALON_U (OM41428U)
CAUTION
■Used engine oil
●Used engine oil contains potentially harmful contaminants which may
cause skin disorders such as inflammation or skin cancer, so care should
be taken to avoid prolonged and repeated contact. To remove used engine
oil from your skin, wash thoroughly with soap and water.
●Dispose of used oil and filters only in a safe and acceptable manner. Do
not dispose of used oil and filters in household trash, in sewers or onto the
ground.
Call your Toyota dealer, service station or auto parts store for information
concerning recycling or disposal.
●Do not leave used engine oil within the reach of children.
NOTICE
■To prevent serious engine damage
Check the oil level on regular basis.
■When replacing the engine oil
●Be careful not to spill engine oil on the vehicle components.
●Avoid overfilling, or the engine could be damaged.
●Check the oil level on the dipstick every time you refill the vehicle.
●Be sure the engine oil filler cap is properly tightened.

400 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
AVALON_U (OM41428U)
Engine coolant
The coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the “F” and “L” lines on
the reservoir when the engine is cold.
Reservoir cap
Full
Low
If the level is on or below the “L”
line, add coolant up to the “F” line.
■If the coolant level drops within a short time after replenishing
Visually check the radiator, hoses, coolant reservoir cap, radiator cap, drain
cock and water pump.
If you cannot find a leak, have your Toyota dealer pressure test the cap and
check for leaks in the cooling system.
■Coolant selection
Only use “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.
U.S.A.: “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 50 % coolant and
50 % deionized water. (Enabled: -31F [-35C])
Canada: “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 55 % coolant
and 45 % deionized water. (Enabled: -44F [-42C])
For more details about coolant, contact your Toyota dealer.

4
Maintenance and care
401 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
AVALON_U (OM41428U)
Radiator and condenser
Check the radiator and condenser and clear any foreign objects.
If either of the above parts are extremely dirty or you are not sure of
their condition, have your vehicle checked by your Toyota dealer.
CAUTION
■When the engine is hot
Do not remove the radiator cap.
The cooling system may be under pressure and may spray hot coolant if the
cap is removed, causing burns or other injuries.
NOTICE
■When adding the coolant
Coolant is neither plain water nor straight antifreeze. The correct mixture of
water and anti freeze must be used to provide proper lubrication, corrosion
protection and cooling. Be sure to read the antifreeze or coolant label.
■If you spill coolant
Be sure to wash it off with water to prevent it from damaging to parts or paint.
CAUTION
■When the engine is hot
Do not touch the radiator or condenser, as they may be hot and you may be
burned.

432
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
AVALON_U (OM41428U)
Checking and replacing fuses
If any of the electrical components do not operate, a fuse may have
blown. If this happens, check and replace the fuses as necessary.
Turn the “ENGINE START STOP” switch or the engine
switch OFF.
Open the fuse box cover.
Engine compartment
Push the tab in and lift the lid
off.
Driver’s side instrument panel
Remove the lid.
After a system failure, see “Fuse layout and amperage rat-
ings” (P. 434) for details about which fuse to check.

443
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
AVALON_U (OM41428U)
Light bulbs
You may replace the following bulbs yourself. The difficulty level of
replacement varies depending on the bulb. If necessary bulb
replacement seems difficult to perform, contact your Toyota dealer.
For more information about replacing other light bulbs, contact your
Toyota dealer.
■Prepare a replacement light bulb.
Check the wattage of the light bulb being replaced. (P. 515)
■Remove the engine compartment cover
P. 395
■Front bulb locations
Front side marker light
Front turn signal/parking light
Front fog light Headlight high beam and
daytime running light Auxiliary lightHeadlight low beam

468 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
AVALON_U (OM41428U)
Stop the vehicle immediately.
The following warning indicates the possibility of damage to the vehi-
cle that may lead to an accident. Immediately stop the vehicle in a
safe place and contact your Toyota dealer.
Have the vehicle inspected immediately.
Failing to investigate the cause of the following warnings may lead to
the system operating abnormally and possibly cause an accident.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.
Warning lightWarning light/Details
Charging system warning light
Malfunction in the vehicle’s charging system.
Low engine oil pressure warning light
Abnormal level of engine oil pressure.
This warning light may turn on if the level of engine oil
declines. The light should turn off after checking the oil
and adding oil if necessary.
Warning lightWarning light/Details

(U.S.A.)

(Canada)
Malfunction indicator lamp
Malfunction in:
• The electronic engine control system;
• The electronic throttle control system; or
• The transmission control system.

5
When trouble arises
471 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
AVALON_U (OM41428U)
*1: Open door warning buzzer:
A buzzer will sound if the vehicle is driven at a speed of approximately 3
mph (5 km/h) or more with any door open.
*2: Driver’s and front passenger’s seat belt reminder buzzer:
The driver’s and front passenger’s seat belts reminder sounds to alert the
driver and front passenger that his or her seat belt is not fastened. The
buzzer sounds intermittently for 10 seconds after the vehicle has reached a
speed of at least 9 mph (15 km/h). Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened,
the buzzer will continue to sound.
Warning lightWarning light/DetailsCorrection procedure
Low washer fluid warning
light
Low level of washer fluidFill the tank.

(U.S.A.)
Engine oil replacement
reminder light
Illuminates for about 3 sec-
onds and then flashes for
about 15 seconds:
Engine oil is scheduled to
be changed.Check the engine oil, and
change if necessary.
Comes on and remains:
Engine oil should be
changed.Check and change the
engine oil.

472 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
AVALON_U (OM41428U)
Have the malfunction repaired immediately. (vehicles with smart
key system)
After taking the specified steps to correct the suspected problem,
check that the warning light turn off.
Interior
buzzerExterior
buzzerWarning lightDetailsCorrection
procedure
Once
(Flashing)
The electronic key
is not detected
when attempting to
start the engine.
• Confirm the
location of the
electronic key.
• The electronic
key battery
maybe dis-
charged.
(P. 428)
Once3 times
(Flashing)
An open door
other than the
driver’s door is
closed while the
electronic key is
outside the detec-
tion range and the
“ENGINE START
STOP” switch is in
ACCESSORY or
IGNITION ON
mode.
Confirm the
location of the
electronic key.