2012 TOYOTA AVALON flat tire

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
1Before drivingAdjusting and operating features such as door locks,
mirrors, and steering column.
2When drivingDriving, stopping and safe-driving information.
3Interior
featuresAir conditioning and audio systems, as well as other
interior features for a comfortable driving experience.
4Maintenance
and careCleaning and protecting your vehicle, performing do-it-
yourself maintenance, and maintenance information.
5When trouble
arisesWhat to do if the vehicle needs to be towed, gets a flat
tire, or is involved in an accident.
6Vehicle
specificationsDetailed vehicle information.
7For ownersReporting safety defects for U.S. owners, and seat belt
and SRS airbag instructions for Canadian owners.
IndexAlphabetical listing of information contained in this
manual.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
5
3-6. Using the storage featuresList of storage features ....... 349
3-7. Other interior features Sun visors ........................... 357
Vanity mirrors ...................... 358
Clock ................................... 359
Ashtrays .............................. 360
Power outlets ...................... 361
Seat heaters/ventilators ...... 363
Armrest ............................... 365
Rear sunshade.................... 366
Floor mats ........................... 368
Trunk features ..................... 370
Garage door opener............ 372
Compass ............................. 380 4-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning 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
4Maintenance and care

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
6
5-1. Essential informationEmergency flashers ........... 472
If your vehicle needs to be towed ...................... 473
If you think something is wrong ............................... 477
Fuel pump shut off system .............................. 478
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds... ......................... 479
If you have a flat tire ........... 491
If the engine will not start ............................ 501
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P ................... 503
If you lose your keys .......... 504
If the electronic key does not operate properly (with
smart key system) ............ 505
If the vehicle battery is discharged ....................... 508
If your vehicle overheats .... 512
If the vehicle becomes stuck................................. 515
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an
emergency ....................... 516 6-1. Specifications
Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.) ........... 520
Fuel information .................. 528
Tire information................... 532
6-2. Customization Customizable features ........ 545
6-3. Initialization Items to initialize ................. 549
Reporting safety defects for U.S. owners ................. 552
Seat belt instructions for Canadian owners
(in French) ........................ 553
SRS airbag instructions for Canadian owners
(in French) ........................ 556
Abbreviation list ............... 568
Alphabetical index ............ 569
What to do if... .................. 576
5When trouble arises6Vehicle specifications
7For owners
Index

9
Tire
●Rotation
● Replacement
● Inflation pressure
● Information
P. 421
P. 491
P. 526
P. 532
Tail lights P. 178
Side marker light P. 178
Trunk P. 54
Rear window defogger P. 237
Door P. 47
Fuel filler door P. 92
Turn signal light P. 166
: If equipped
Back-up light
Tail/stop light
P. 178

152 2-1. Driving procedures
NOTICE
■When parking the vehicle
Always put the shift lever in “P”. Failure to do so may cause the vehicle to
move or the vehicle may accelerate suddenly if the accelerator pedal is acci-
dentally depressed.
■ Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
●Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for a
long time.
Doing so may damage the power steering pump.
● When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid
damaging the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.
■ If you hear a squealing or scrapin g noise (brake pad wear limit indica-
tors)
Have your Toyota dealer check and replace the brake pads as soon as pos-
sible.
The rotor damage can result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
■ If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering
wheel firmly and gradually press the brake pedal to slow down the vehicle.
●It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
● The vehicle will make abnormal sounds.
● The vehicle will behave abnormally.
Replace a flat tire with a new one. ( P. 493)
■ If the vehicle becomes stuck or bogged
Do not spin the wheels recklessly when any of the tires is up in the air, or
stuck in sand or mud, etc. This may damage the drive system components
or propel the vehicle forward (or in another direction) and cause an accident.

211
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
CAUTION
■When the VSC is activated
The slip indicator light flashes. Always drive carefully.
Reckless driving may cause an accident. Exercise particular care when the
indicator light flashes.
■ Replacing tires
Make sure that all tires are of the same size, brand, tread pattern and total
load capacity. In addition, make sure that the tires are inflated to the recom-
mended tire pressure level.
The ABS and VSC systems will not function correctly if different tires are fit-
ted on the vehicle.
Contact your Toyota dealer for further information when replacing tires or
wheels.
■ Handling of tires and suspension
Using tires with any kind of problem or modifying the suspension will affect
the driving assist systems, and may cause the system to malfunction.

222 2-5. Driving information
■Snow chain installation
Observe the following precautions when installing and removing chains.
●Install and remove tire chains in a safe location.
● Install tire chains on the front tires only.
● Install tire chains following the instructions provided in the accompanying
instructions.
CAUTION
■Driving with snow tires
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failing to do so may result in a loss of vehicle control and cause death or
serious injury.
●Use tires of the size specified for your vehicle.
● Maintain the specified level of tire inflation pressure.
● Do not drive in excess of 75 mph (120 km/h), regardless of the type of
snow tires being used.
● Snow tires should be installed on all wheels.
■ Driving with snow chains
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failing to do so may result in the vehicle being unable to be driven safely,
and may cause death or serious injury.
●Do not drive in excess of the speed limit specified for the tire chains being
used, or 30 mph (50 km/h), whichever is lower.
● Avoid driving on bumpy road surfaces or over potholes.
● Avoid sudden turns and braking, as use of chains may adversely affect
vehicle handling.
● Slow down sufficiently before entering a curve to ensure that vehicle con-
trol is maintained.

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