2012 TOYOTA AVALON maintenance

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

97
1-6. Theft deterrent system
1
Before driving
■
System maintenance
The vehicle has a maintenance-free type engine immobilizer system.
■ Conditions that may cause the system to malfunction
● If the grip portion of the key is in contact with a metallic object.
● If the key is in close proximity to or touching a key to the security system
(key with a built-in transponder chip) of another vehicle.
Vehicles without a smart
key system
The indicator light flashes after
the key has been removed
from the engine switch to indi-
cate that the system is operat-
ing.
The indicator light stops flash-
ing after the registered key
has been inserted into the
engine switch to indicate that
the system has been can-
celed.

100 1-6. Theft deterrent system
■System maintenance
The vehicle has a maintenance-free type alarm system.
■ Items to check before locking the vehicle
To prevent unexpected triggering of the alarm and vehicle theft, make sure
of the following:
●Nobody is in the vehicle.
● The windows and moon roof are closed before the alarm is set.
● No valuables or other personal items are left in the vehicle.
■ Deactivating or stopping the alarm
Do one of the following to deactivate or stop the alarm.
Vehicles with a smart key system
●Unlock the doors or trunk.
● Turn the “ENGINE START STOP” switch to ACCESSORY or
IGNITION ON mode, or start the engine. (The alarm will be
deactivated or stopped after a few seconds.)
Vehicles without a smart key system
● Unlock the doors or trunk.
● Turn the engine switch to the “ACC” or “ON” position, or start
the engine. (The alarm will be deactivated or stopped after a
few seconds.)

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

386
4-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior
■Automatic car washes
●Fold the mirrors back before washing the vehicle.
● Brushes used in automatic car washes may scratch the vehicle surface
and harm your vehicle’s paint.
■ High pressure car washes
Do not allow the nozzles of the car wash to come within close proximity \
of
the windows. Before car wash, check that the fuel filler door is closed.\
■ Aluminum wheels
●Remove any dirt immediately by using a neutral detergent. Do not use
hard brushes or abrasive cleaners. Do not use strong or harsh chemical
cleaners. Use the same mild detergent and wax as used on the paint.
● Do not use detergent on the wheels when they are hot, for example after
driving for long distance in the hot weather.
● Wash detergent from the wheels immediately after use.
■ Bumpers and side moldings
Do not scrub with abrasive cleaners.
Perform the following to protect the vehicle and maintain it in prime
condition.
● Working from top to bottom, liber ally apply water to the vehicle
body, wheel wells and underside of the vehicle to remove any
dirt and dust.
Wash the vehicle body using a sponge or soft cloth, such as a cham-
ois.
● For hard-to-remove marks, use car wash soap and rinse thor-
oughly with water.
● Wipe away any water.
● Wax the vehicle when the waterproof coating deteriorates.
If water does not bead on a clean surface, apply wax when the vehicle
body is cool.

387
4-1. Maintenance and care
4
Maintenance and care
CAUTION
■
When cleaning the windshield (veh icles equipped with the raindrop
detection windshield wipers)
Make sure to turn off the wiper switch.
If the switch is left in the “AUTO” position, the windshield wiper may operate
unexpectedly in the following situations. Failure to turn off the wiper switch
may possibly result in hands being caught or other serious injuries and
cause damage to the windshield wiper.
● When the upper part of the windshield where the raindrop sensor is
located is touched by hand
● When a wet rag or similar is held close to the raindrop sensor
● If something bumps against the windshield
● If you directly touch the sensor body or if something bumps into the sensor
■ Caution about the exhaust pipe
Exhaust gasses cause the exhaust pipe to become quite hot.
When washing the vehicle, be careful not to touch the pipe until it has cooled
sufficiently, as touching a hot exhaust pipe can cause burns.