2012 TOYOTA AVENSIS maintenance

548 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
AVENSIS_EE (OM20B44E)
CAUTION
How to recharge the battery
Only perform a slow charge (5 A or less). The battery may explode if
charged at quicker rate.
Emergency measures regarding electrolyte
If electrolyte gets in your eyes
Flush your eyes with clean water for at least 15 minutes and get immedi-
ate medical attention. If possible, continue to apply water with a sponge or
cloth while traveling to the nearest medical facility.
If electrolyte gets on your skin
Wash the affected area thoroughly. If you feel pain or burning, get medical
attention immediately.
If electrolyte gets on your clothes
It can soak through clothing on to your skin. Immediately take off the cloth-
ing and follow the procedure above if necessary.
If you accidentally swallow electrolyte
Drink a large quantity of water or milk. Get emergency medical attention
immediately.
NOTICE
When recharging the battery
Never recharge the battery while the engine is running. Also, be sure all
accessories are turned off.
When adding distilled water
Avoid overfilling. Water spilled during battery recharging may cause corro-
sion.
Do not spill distilled water onto the rubber components.

549 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
AVENSIS_EE (OM20B44E)
Washer fluid
If the fluid level is extremely low,
add washer fluid.
Raise the cap keeping your finger
pressed down on the hole in the
center and check the fluid level in
the tube.
CAUTION
When refilling the washer fluid
Do not refill the washer fluid when the engine is hot or running, as the
washer fluid contains alcohol and may catch fire if spilled on the engine etc.
NOTICE
Do not use any fluid other than washer fluid
Do not use soapy water or engine antifreeze instead of washer fluid.
Doing so may cause streaking on the vehicle’s painted surfaces.
Diluting washer fluid
Dilute washer fluid with water as necessary.
Refer to the freezing temperatures listed on the label of the washer fluid bot-
tle.

550 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
AVENSIS_EE (OM20B44E)
Fuel filter (diesel engine)
You may drain the fuel filter yourself. However, as the operation is dif-
ficult, we recommend having it drained by any authorized Toyota
dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped profes-
sional. Event if you decide to drain it yourself, contact any authorized
Toyota dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped pro-
fessional.
The water in the fuel filter needs to be drained if the “DRAIN WATER
FROM FUEL FILTER” warning message is shown on the multi-infor-
mation display and a buzzer sounds. (P. 629)
Turn the “ENGINE START STOP” switch to off (vehicles with
smart entry & start system) or the engine switch to the “LOCK”
position (vehicles without smart entry & start system).
Place a small tray under the drain plug to catch the water and
any fuel that comes out.
STEP1
STEP2

551 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
AVENSIS_EE (OM20B44E)Turn the drain plug counterclock-
wise about 2 to 2 1/2 turns.
Operate the priming pump until
fuel begins to run out.
After draining, tighten the drain plug by hand.
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5

552
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
AVENSIS_EE (OM20B44E)
Tires
Replace the tires when the treadwear indicators show.
Checking tires
New tread
Treadwear indicator
Worn tread
The location of treadwear indi-
cators is shown by the “TWI” or
“ ” marks, etc., molded on
the sidewall of each tire.
Check spare tire condition and
inflation pressure if not rotated.
Tire rotation
Vehicles with a spare tire of different wheel type from the
installed tires or an emergency puncture repair kit
Rotate the tires in the order
shown.
To equalize tire wear and help
extend tire life, Toyota recom-
mends that you rotate your
tires approximately every
10000 km (6000 miles).
Front

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Maintenance and care
AVENSIS_EE (OM20B44E)
When to replace your vehicle’s tires
Tires should be replaced if:
You have tire damage such as cuts, splits, cracks deep enough to
expose the fabric or bulges indicating internal damage
A tire goes flat repeatedly or cannot be properly repaired due to the size
or location of a cut or other damage
If you are not sure, consult with any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or
another duly qualified and equipped professional.
Tire life
Any tire over 6 years old must be checked by a qualified technician even if
they have seldom or never been used or damage is not obvious.
If the tread wears down 4 mm (0.16 in.) or more on snow tires
The effectiveness of snow tires is lost.
Vehicles with a spare tire of same wheel type as the installed
tires
Front

554 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
AVENSIS_EE (OM20B44E)
Low profile tires (225/45R18 tires)
Generally, low profile tires will wear more rapidly and tire grip performance
will be reduced on snowy and/or icy roads when compared to standard tires.
Be sure to use snow tires or tire chains on snowy and/or icy roads and drive
carefully at a speed appropriate for road and weather conditions.
CAUTION
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 handling characteristics, which may lead to an accident resulting
in death or serious injury.
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 tires (radial, bias-belted or bias-ply
tires).
Do not mix summer, all season and snow 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.

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Maintenance and care
AVENSIS_EE (OM20B44E)
NOTICE
Driving on rough roads
Take particular care when driving on roads with loose surfaces or pot holes.
These conditions may cause losses in tire inflation pressure, reducing the
cushioning ability of the tires. In addition driving on rough roads may cause
damage to the tires themselves, as well as the vehicle’s wheels and body.
Low profile tires (225/45R18 tires)
Low profile tires may cause greater damage than usual to the wheel when
receiving impact from the road surface. Therefore pay attention to the follow-
ing:
Be sure to use proper tire inflation pressure. If tires are under-inflated, they
may be damaged more severely.
Avoid pot holes, uneven pavement, curbs and other road hazards. Failure
to do so can lead to severe tire and wheel damage.
Extra Load tires (225/45R18 95W tires)
2AD-FTV and 2AD-FHV engines: Vehicles fitted with 18 inch tires have
Extra Load capacity (95W) due to front axle weight. When replacing the tires
in after market, the customer should select tires with same load index.
If tire inflation pressures become low while driving
Do not continue driving, or your tires and/or wheels may be ruined.