2012 TOYOTA AVALON winter tires

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2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before driving
the vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a manner appropri-
ate to the prevailing weather conditions.
■ Pre-winter preparations
●Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside tem-
peratures.
• Engine oil
• Engine coolant
• Washer fluid
● Have a service technician inspect the level and specific grav-
ity of battery electrolyte.
● Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set
of tire chains for the front tires.
Ensure that all tires are the same size and brand, and that chains
match the size of the tires.

426 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■Tire types
1 Summer tiresSummer tires are high-speed performance tires best suited to highway
driving under dry conditions. Sinc e summer tires do not have the same
traction performance as snow tire s, summer tires are inadequate for
driving on snow-covered or icy roads. For driving on snow-covered
roads or icy roads, the use of snow tires is recommended. When
installing snow tires, be sure to replace all four tires.
2 All season tires All season tires are designed to provide better traction in snow and to
be adequate for driving in most winter conditions, as well as for use
year round. All season tires, however, do not have adequate traction
performance compared with snow tires in heavy or loose snow. Also,
all season tires fall short in acceleration and handling performance
compared with summer tires in highway driving.
3Snow tires For driving on snow-covered roads or icy roads, we recommend using
snow tires. If you need snow tires, select tires of the same size, con-
struction and load capacity as the or iginally installed tires. Since your
vehicle has radial tires as original equipment, make sure your snow
tires also have radial construction. Do not install studded tires without
first checking local regulations for possible restriction. Snow tires
should be installed on all wheels. ( P. 219)
■Initializing the tire pr essure warning system
Initialize the tire pressure warning sy stem with the tire inflation pressure
adjusted to the specified level.
■If you push the tire pressure warning reset switch accidentally
If initialization is performed, adjust the tire in flation pressure to the speci-
fied level and initialize the tire pressure warning system again.

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.

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Alphabetical index
Tires
Chains .................................. 221
Checking .............................. 421
If you have a flat tire ............. 491
Inflation pressure .................. 526
Information ........................... 532
Replacing ............................. 491
Rotating tires ........................ 421
Size ...................................... 526
Snow tires............................. 222
Tire pressure warning
system........................ 422, 482
Tools......................................... 491
Total load capacity .................. 217
Towing Dinghy towing ....................... 225
Trailer towing ........................ 224
TRAC ........................................ 207
Trip information....................... 175
Trunk Extending a space ................ 371
Opener ................................... 54
Wattage ................................ 527
Turn signal lights Replacing light bulbs ............ 455
Switch ................................... 166
Wattage ................................ 527
Vanity lights Vanity lights .......................... 358
Wattage ................................ 527
Vanity mirrors .......................... 358
Vehicle identification number................................... 521
Vehicle data recording.............. 20
Vehicle load limits ................... 217
VSC ........................................... 207 Warning buzzers
Brake system ........................479
Downshifting..........................164
Open door ............................481
Seat belt reminder .................482
Warning lights Anti-lock brake system ..........481
Automatic heading light leveling system .... ...............481
Brake system ........................479
Charging system .... ...............480
Low fuel level ........................482
Malfunction indicator lamp ....480
Open door .............................481
Seat belt reminder light .........482
SRS airbags ..........................481
Tire pressure warning light .....................................482
Vehicle stability control..........481
Washer
Checking ...............................420
Preparing and checking before winter .......................219
Switch....................................189
Washing and waxing ...............386
Weight Cargo capacity ......................212
Load limits .............................217
Weight ...................................520
Wheels ......................................434
Window glasses ........................85
Window lock switch ...................85
Windows Power windows .......................85
Rear window defogger ..........237
Washer ..................................189
Windshield wipers ...................189
Winter driving tips ...................219
Wireless remote control key Locking/Unlocking ...................42
Replacing the battery ............440
WMA disc ..................................259
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