2011 TOYOTA AVALON check oil

148 2-1. Driving procedures
AVALON_U (OM41428U)
NOTICE
■When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may
cause the following serious damage to the vehicle.
●Engine stalling
●Short in electrical components
●Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be
sure to have your Toyota dealer check the following.
●Brake function
●Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, trans-
mission, differentials, etc.
●Lubricant condition for the bearings and suspension joints (where possi-
ble) and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.

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.

396 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
AVALON_U (OM41428U)
Engine oil
With the engine at operating temperature and turned off, check the oil
level on the dipstick.
■Checking the engine oil
Park the vehicle on level ground. After turning off the engine,
wait more than five minutes for the oil to drain back into the
bottom of the engine.
Hold a rag under the end and
pull the dipstick out.
Wipe the dipstick clean.
Reinsert the dipstick fully.
Holding a rag under the end, pull the dipstick out and check
the oil level.
Wipe the dipstick and reinsert it fully.
Low
Full

4
Maintenance and care
397 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
AVALON_U (OM41428U)■Adding engine oil
If the oil level is below or near
the low level mark, add engine
oil of the same type as already in
the engine.
Make sure to check the oil type and prepare the items needed before
adding oil.
Remove the oil filler cap.
Add engine oil slowly, checking the dipstick.
Install the filler cap, turning it clockwise.
Engine oil
selectionP. 510
Oil quantity
(Low  Full)1.6 qt. (1.5 L, 1.3 Imp.qt.)
Items Clean funnel

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.

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.

557 Alphabetical index
AVALON_U (OM41428U)
Emergency, in case of
If a warning light turns on ..... 467
If the electronic key does not
operate properly ................. 493
If the engine will not start...... 489
If the shift lever cannot be
shifted from P ..................... 491
If the battery is discharged .. 496
If the warning buzzer
sounds ............................... 467
If the warning light
turns on .............................. 467
If you have a flat tire ............ 479
If you lose your keys............. 492
If you think something is
wrong ................................. 463
If your vehicle becomes
stuck................................... 503
If your vehicle has to be stopped
in an emergency ................ 504
If your vehicle needs to be
towed ................................. 459
If your vehicle overheats ...... 500
Engine
Compartment........................ 394
Engine switch ............... 149, 153
Hood ..................................... 391
How to start the
engine ........................ 149, 153
Identification number ............ 509
If the engine will not start...... 489
Ignition switch ............... 149, 153
Overheating .......................... 500
Engine compartment cover .... 395
Engine coolant
Capacity ............................... 512
Checking .............................. 400
Preparing and checking
before winter ...................... 207
Engine coolant temperature
gauge ..................................... 164
Engine immobilizer system ...... 91Engine oil
Capacity ................................510
Checking ...............................396
Preparing and checking
before winter .......................207
Event data recorder .................465
Floor mats.................................356
Fluid
Brake .....................................402
Washer ..................................408
Fog lights
Switch....................................176
Wattage .................................515
Foot light...................................334
Front passenger occupant
classification system ............114
Front passenger’s seat belt
reminder light.........................470
Front seats
Adjustment ..............................54
Driving position memory..........58
Front turn signal lights
Wattage .................................515
Fuel
Capacity ................................510
Fuel gauge ............................164
Fuel pump shut off system ....464
Gas station information .........564
Information ............................516
Refueling .................................87
Fuel door.....................................87
Fuel filler door ............................87
Fuel pump shut off system .....464
Fuses.........................................432
Garage door opener.................360
Gas station information...........564
Gauges ......................................164
Glove box..................................338
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