Page 401 of 580
4
Maintenance and care
401
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
CAUTION
The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that may
move suddenly, become hot, or become electrically energized. To avoid death
or serious injury, observe the following precautions.
■
When working on the engine compartment
●Keep hands, clothing, and tools away from the moving fan and engine
drive belt.
● Be careful not to touch the engine, radiator, exhaust manifold, etc. right
after driving as they may be hot. Oil and other fluids may also be hot.
● Do not leave anything that may burn easily, such as paper or rags, in the
engine compartment.
● Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose an open flame to fuel or the bat-
tery. Fuel and battery fumes are flammable.
● Be extremely cautious when working on the battery. It contains poisonous
and corrosive sulfuric acid.
Page 428 of 580

428 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
CAUTION
■Tire pressure warning system operation
The tire pressure warning system may not provide warning immediately
if a tire bursts or if sudden air leakage occurs.
■When inspecting or replacing tires
Observe the following precautions to prevent accidents. Failure to do so
may cause damage to parts of the drive train, as well as dangerous han-
dling characteristics, which may le ad to fatal injury or accidents.
●Do not mix tires of different makes, models or tread patterns.
Also, do not mix tires of remarkably different treadwear.
●Do not use tire sizes other than those recommended by Toyota.
●Do not mix differently constructed ti res (radial, bias-belted or bias-ply
tires).
●Do not mix summer, all season and winter tires.
●Do not use tires that have been used on another vehicle.
Do not use tires if you do not know how they were used previously.
■When initializing the tire pressure warning system
Do not push the tire pressure warnin g reset switch without first adjusting
the tire inflation pressure to the spec ified level. Otherwise, the tire pres-
sure warning light may not come on ev en if the tire inflation pressure is
low, or it may come on when the tire inflation pressure is actually normal.
Page 481 of 580
5
When trouble arises
481
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Have the malfunction repaired immediately.
After taking the specified steps to correct the suspected problem,
check that the warning light turns off.
Warning lightWarning light/Details
SRS warning light Malfunction in:
• The SRS airbag system;
• Front passenger occupant classification system; or
• The seat belt pretensioner system.
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
ABS warning lightMalfunction in:
• The ABS; or
• The brake assist system.
(if equipped) Automatic headlight level
ing system warning light
Malfunction in the automatic headlight leveling system.
Slip indicator light
Malfunction in the VSC system or TRAC or TRC sys-
tem.
Warning lightWarning light/DetailsCorrection procedure
Open door warning light
(warning buzzer)
*1
A door or a trunk is not
fully closed. Check that all doors and the
trunk are closed.
Page 482 of 580
![TOYOTA AVALON 2012 XX40 / 4.G Owners Manual 482 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Warning lightWarning light/DetailsCorrection procedure
Low fuel level warning
light Remaining fuel
(Approximately 2.6 gal. [10
L, 2.2 Imp.gal.] or less) Refuel TOYOTA AVALON 2012 XX40 / 4.G Owners Manual 482 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Warning lightWarning light/DetailsCorrection procedure
Low fuel level warning
light Remaining fuel
(Approximately 2.6 gal. [10
L, 2.2 Imp.gal.] or less) Refuel](/manual-img/14/6170/w960_6170-481.png)
482 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Warning lightWarning light/DetailsCorrection procedure
Low fuel level warning
light Remaining fuel
(Approximately 2.6 gal. [10
L, 2.2 Imp.gal.] or less) Refuel the vehicle.
Driver’s seat belt
reminder light (warning
buzzer)
*2
Warns the driver to fasten
his/her seat belt. Fasten the seat belt.
Front passenger’s seat
belt reminder light
(warning buzzer)
*2
Warns the front passen-
ger to fasten his/her seat
belt. Fasten the seat belt.
Tire pressure warning
light
When the light comes on:
Low tire inflation pressure
such as
• Natural causes (
P. 488)
• Flat tire ( P. 491)
Adjust the tire inflation
pressure to the specified
level.
The light will turn off after a
few minutes. In case the
light does not turn off even
if the tire inflation pressure
is adjusted, have the sys-
tem checked by your Toy-
ota dealer.
When the light comes on
after blinking for 1 minute:
Malfunction in the tire
pressure warning system.
( P. 488)
Have the system checked
by your Toyota dealer.
Page 483 of 580

5
When trouble arises
483
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
*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.
*3: Refer to the separate “Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or “Owner’s
Manual Supplement” for the maintenance interval applicable to your
vehicle.
Warning lightWarning light/DetailsCorrection procedure
Low washer fluid warning
light Low level of washer fluid Fill the tank.
(U.S.A.)
Maintenance required
reminder light Indicates that maintenance
is required according to the
driven distance on the
maintenance schedule.
*3
Illuminates for about 3 sec-
onds and then flashes for
about 15 seconds approxi-
mately 4500 miles (7200
km) after the maintenance
data has been reset. If necessary, perform main-
tenance.
Comes on and remains on if
the distance driven exceeds
5000 miles (8000 km) after
the maintenance data has
been reset.
(The indicator will not work
properly unless the mainte-
nance data has been reset.) Perform the necessary
maintenance.
Please reset the mainte-
nance data after the mainte-
nance is performed.
(
P. 393)
Page 486 of 580

486 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
■If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on while driving
First check the following:
● Is your vehicle low on gas?
If it is, refuel the vehicle immediately.
● Is the fuel tank cap loose?
If it is, tighten it securely.
The light will go off after taking several driving trips.
If the light does not go off even after several trips, contact your Toyota dealer
as soon as possible.
■ SRS warning light
This warning light system monitors the following:
●The airbag sensor assembly
● Front airbag sensors
● The curtain shield airbag sensors
● The side and curtain shield airbag sensor assemblies
● The driver’s seat position sensor
● Driver’s seat belt buckle switch
● The front passenger occupant classification ECU
● The pressure sensor
● The belt tension sensor
● “AIR BAG ON” and “AIR BA G OFF” indicator lights
● Front passenger’s seat belt buckle switch
● The inflators
● The warning light
● The interconnecting wiring and power sources
■ Front passenger detect ion sensor and passenger seat belt reminder
If luggage is placed on the front passenger seat, the front passenger detec-
tion sensor may cause the warning light to flash, even if a passenger is not
sitting in the seat.
Page 511 of 580

5
When trouble arises
511
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CAUTION
■
Battery precautions
The battery contains poisonous and corrosive acidic electrolyte, while
related parts contain lead and lead compounds. Observe the following pre-
cautions when handling the battery:
●When working with the battery, always wear safety glasses and take care
not to allow any battery fluids (acid) to come into contact with skin, clothing
or the vehicle body.
● Do not lean over the battery.
● In the event that battery fluid comes into contact with the skin or eyes,
immediately wash the affected area with water and seek medical attention.
Place a wet sponge or cloth over the affected area until medical attention
can be received.
● Always wash your hands after handling the battery support, terminals, and
other battery-related parts.
● Do not allow children near the battery.
NOTICE
■When handling jumper cables
Be careful that the jumper cables do not become tangled in the cooling fan
or any of the belts when connecting or disconnecting them.
Page 514 of 580
514 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CAUTION
■To prevent an accident or injury when inspecting under the hood of
your vehicle
● If steam is seen coming from under the hood, do not open the hood until
the steam has subsided. The engine compartment may be very hot, caus-
ing serious injury such as burns.
● Keep hands and clothing away from t he fan and engine drive belt while the
engine is running.
● Do not loosen the radiator cap while the engine and radiator are hot.
Serious injury, such as burns, may result from hot coolant and steam
released under pressure.
NOTICE
■When adding engine coolant
Wait until the engine has cooled down before adding engine coolant.
When adding coolant, do so slowly. Adding cool coolant to a hot engine too
quickly can cause damage to the engine.