Page 441 of 500

4418-1. Specifications
8
Vehicle specifications
AVALON (U)_(OM41456U)■
Non-recommendation of the use of gasoline containing MMT
Some gasoline contains an octane enhancing additive called MMT (Methylcy-
clopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl).
Toyota does not recommend the use of gasoline that contains MMT. If fuel
containing MMT is used, your emission control system may be adversely
affected.
The malfunction indicator lamp on the instrument cluster may come on. If this
happens, contact your Toyota dealer for service.
■ If your engine knocks
●Consult your Toyota dealer.
● You may occasionally notice light knocking for a short time while accelerat-
ing or driving uphill. This is normal and there is no need for concern.
NOTICE
■Notice on fuel quality
● Do not use improper fuels. If improper fuels are used, the engine will be
damaged.
● Do not use leaded gasoline.
Leaded gasoline can cause damage to your vehicle’s three-way catalytic
converters causing the emission control system to malfunction.
● Do not use gasohol other than the type previously stated.
Other gasohol may cause fuel system damage or vehicle performance
problems.
● Using unleaded gasoline with an octane number or rating lower than the
level previously stated will cause persistent heavy knocking.
At worst, this will lead to engine damage.
■ Fuel-related poor driveability
If poor driveability is encountered after using a different type of fuel (poor
hot starting, vaporization, engine knocking, etc.), discontinue the use of that
type of fuel.
■ When refueling with gasohol
Take care not to spill gasohol. It can damage your vehicle’s paint.
Page 442 of 500
4428-1. Specifications
AVALON (U)_(OM41456U)
Full-size tire
Compact spare tire
Tire infor mation
Typical tire symbols
Page 443 of 500

4438-1. Specifications
8
Vehicle specifications
AVALON (U)_(OM41456U)
Tire size (P. 445)
DOT and Tire Identification Number (TIN)( P. 444)
Uniform tire quality grading
For details, see “Uniform Tire Quality Grading” that follows.
Location of treadwear indicators( P. 334)
Tire ply composition and materials
Plies are layers of rubber-coated parallel cords. Cords are the strands
which form the plies in a tire.
Radial tires or bias-ply tires
A radial tire has “RADIAL” on the sidewall. A tire not marked “RADIAL”
is a bias-ply tire.
TUBELESS or TUBE TYPE
A tubeless tire does not have a tube and air is directly put into the tire.
A tube type tire has a tube inside the tire and the tube maintains the air
pressure.
Load limit at maximum cold tire inflation pressure ( P. 449)
Maximum cold tire inflation pressure ( P. 449)
This means the pressure to which a tire may be inflated.
Summer tires or all season tires ( P. 338)
An all season tire has “M+S” on the sidewall. A tire not marked “M+S”
is a summer tire.
“TEMPORARY USE ONLY”
A compact spare tire is identified by the phrase “TEMPORARY USE
ONLY” molded on its sidewall. This tire is designed for temporary
emergency use only.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Page 444 of 500
4448-1. Specifications
AVALON (U)_(OM41456U)
DOT symbol*
Tire Identification Number (TIN)
Tire manufacturer’s identifica-
tion mark
Tire size code
Manufacturer’s optional tire
type code (3 or 4 letters)
Manufacturing week
Manufacturing year
*:The DOT symbol certifies that
the tire conforms to applicable
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards.
Typical DOT and Tire Identification Number (TIN)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Page 445 of 500
4458-1. Specifications
8
Vehicle specifications
AVALON (U)_(OM41456U)■
Typical tire size information
The illustration in
dicates typical
tire size.
Tire use (P = Passenger car,
T = Temporary use)
Section width (millimeters)
Aspect ratio
(tire height to section width)
Tire construction code
(R = Radial, D = Diagonal)
Wheel diameter (inches)
Load index
(2 digits or 3 digits)
Speed symbol
(alphabet with one letter)
■Tire dimensions
Section width
Tire height
Wheel diameter
Tire size
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1
2
3
Page 446 of 500
4468-1. Specifications
AVALON (U)_(OM41456U)
Bead
Sidewall
Shoulder
Tread
Belt
Inner liner
Reinforcing rubber
Carcass
Rim lines
Bead wires
Chafer
Tire section names
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Page 447 of 500

4478-1. Specifications
8
Vehicle specifications
AVALON (U)_(OM41456U)
This information has been prepared in accordance with regulations
issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of the
U.S. Department of Transportation.
It provides the purchasers and/or prospective purchasers of Toyota
vehicles with information on uniform tire quality grading.
Your Toyota dealer will help answer any questions you may have as
you read this information.
■DOT quality grades
All passenger vehicle tires must c onform to Federal Safety Require-
ments in addition to these grades. Quality grades can be found
where applicable on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width.
For example: Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
■Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear
rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a speci-
fied government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 wo uld wear one and a half (1 - 1/2)
times as well on the government course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tire s depends upon the actual condi-
tions of their use. Performance may differ significantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits , service practices and differences
in road characteristics and climate.
■Traction AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B and C,
and they represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as
measured under controlled conditio ns on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete.
A tire marked C may have poor traction performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on braking
(straight ahead) traction tests and does not include cornering (turn-
ing) traction.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Page 448 of 500
4488-1. Specifications
AVALON (U)_(OM41456U)■
Temperature A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the hi
ghest), B, and C, representing
the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissi-
pate heat when tested under cont rolled conditions on a specified
indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire to
degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead
to sudden tire failure.
Grade C corresponds to a level of performance which all passenger
car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Stan-
dard No. 109.
Grades B and A represent higher le vels of performance on the labo-
ratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grades of a tire assume that it is properly
inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, underinflation, or excessive loading, either sepa-
rately or in combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire
failure.