2012 TOYOTA AVALON check engine

174 2-2. Instrument cluster
CAUTION
■If a safety system warning light does not come on
Should a safety system light such as ABS and the SRS airbag warning light
not come on when you start the engine, this could mean that these systems
are not available to help protect you in an accident, which could result in
death or serious injury. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately if this occurs.
■ Warning lights
Warning lights inform the driver of malfunctions in the indicated
vehicle’s systems. ( P. 479)
*1: These lights turn on when the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is
turned to IGNITION ON mode (vehicles with smart key system) or
the engine switch is turned to the “ON” position (vehicles without
smart key system) to indicate that a system check is being per-
formed. They will turn off after the engine is started, or after a few
seconds. There may be a malfunction in a system if the lights do not
come on, or turn off. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota
dealer.
*2: The light flashes to indicate that the system is operating.
(U.S.A.)(Canada)(U.S.A.)(Canada)(if equipped)
(U.S.A.)(Canada)(U.S.A.)
(if equipped)
*1*1*1*1*1*1*1
*1*1*1*1*1, 2*1
*1*1

187
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
2
When driving
■
Effects of vehicle speed on wiper operation
Vehicle speed affects the following even when the wipers are not in “AUTO”
mode.
●Intermittent wiper interval ( mode)
● Wiper operation when the washer is being used
With low speed mode, wiper operation will be switched from low speed to
intermittent wiper operation only when the vehicle is stationary.
■ Rain drop sensor (vehicles equipped with the raindrop detection wind-
shield wipers)
●If the wiper switch is turned to the “AUTO” position while the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch is in ON mode, the wipers will operate once to
show that “AUTO” mode is activated.
● If the temperature of the raindrop sensor is 194 °F (90 °C) or higher, or
14 °F (-10 °C) or lower, automatic operation may not occur. In this case,
operate the wipers in any mode other than “AUTO”.
■ If no windshield washer fluid sprays
Check that the washer nozzles are not blocked if there is washer fluid in the
windshield washer fluid reservoir.
■ Customization that can be co nfigured at Toyota dealer
Settings (e.g. switching operation when the vehicle is stationary) can be
changed. (Customizable features P. 545)
●The sensor judges the amount of rain-
drops.
An optical sensor is adopted. It may not
operate properly when sunlight from the
rising or setting of the sun intermittently
strikes the windshield, or if bugs etc.
are present on the windshield.

192 2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
■Effects of vehicle speed on wiper operation
Vehicle speed affects the following even when the wipers are not in “AUTO”
mode.
●Intermittent wiper interval ( mode)
● Wiper operation when the washer is being used
With low speed mode, wiper operation will be switched from low speed to
intermittent wiper operation only when the vehicle is stationary.
■ Rain drop sensor (vehicles equipped with the raindrop detection wind-
shield wipers)
● If the wiper switch is turned to the “AUTO” position while the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch is in ON mode, the wipers will operate once to
show that “AUTO” mode is activated.
● If the temperature of the raindrop sensor is 194 °F (90 °C) or higher, or
14 °F (-10 °C) or lower, automatic operation may not occur. In this case,
operate the wipers in any mode other than “AUTO”.
■ If no windshield washer fluid sprays
Check that the washer nozzles are not blocked if there is washer fluid in the
windshield washer fluid reservoir.
■ Customization that can be co nfigured at Toyota dealer
Settings (e.g. switching operation when the vehicle is stationary) can be
changed. (Customizable features P. 545)
●The sensor judges the amount of rain-
drops.
An optical sensor is adopted. It may not
operate properly when sunlight from the
rising or setting of the sun intermittently
strikes the windshield, or if bugs etc.
are present on the windshield.

369
3-7. Other interior features
3
Interior features
CAUTION
■
Before driving
●Check that the floor mat is securely
fixed in the correct place with all the
provided retaining hooks (clips). Be
especially careful to perform this check
after cleaning the floor.
● With the engine stopped and the shift
lever in P, fully depress each pedal to
the floor to make sure it does not inter-
fere with the floor mat.

Maintenance and care4
385
4-1. Maintenance and careCleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior ......... 386
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior .......... 389
4-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements .................. 392
General maintenance....... 395
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs........................ 398
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance Do-it-yourself service precautions .................... 399
Hood ................................ 403
Positioning a floor jack ..... 404
Engine compartment ........ 406
Tires ................................. 421
Tire inflation pressure ...... 430
Wheels ............................. 434
Air conditioning filter......... 437
Key battery ....................... 440
Checking and replacing fuses .............................. 444
Headlight aim (with discharge headlights) ..... 453
Light bulbs........................ 455

395
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
General maintenance
Engine compartment
ItemsCheck points
Battery • Maintenance-free ( P. 417)
Brake fluid • At the correct level? ( P. 414)
Engine coolant • At the correct level? ( P. 412)
Engine oil • At the correct level? ( P. 408)
Exhaust system • No fumes or strange sounds?
Power steering fluid • At the correct level? ( P. 415)
Radiator/condenser/hoses • Not blocked with foreign matter?
(P. 413)
Washer fluid • At the correct level? ( P. 420)
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 Supp lement”. It is recommended that
any problem you notice should be brought to the attention of your
Toyota dealer or qualified service shop for advice.

397
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Vehicle exterior
ItemsCheck points
Doors/trunk • Operate smoothly?
Engine hood • The lock system works properly?
Fluid leaks • Is there any leakage after parking?
Tire • Inflation pressure is correct?
• Tire surfaces not worn or damaged?
• Tires rotated according to the mainte-
nance schedule?
• Wheel nuts are not loose?
CAUTION
■ If the engine is running
Turn off the engine and ensure that there is adequate ventilation before per-
forming maintenance checks.

408 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Engine oilWith the engine at operating temperature and turned off, check the oil
level on the dipstick.
■ Checking the engine oil
Park the vehicle on level gro und. 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
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