1999 Toyota Avalon Owners Manual

the Certification Label. The gross ve- hicle weight is the sum of weights of the unloaded vehicle, driver, pas- sengers, luggage, hitch and trailer tongue includes the weight of any special equipment installed on your vehicle.

It also

load.

WEIGHT LIMITS Before towing, make sure the total trailer weight, gross vehicle weight, gross axle weight and trailer tongue load are all with- in the limits. The total trailer weight and tongue load can be measured with platform scales found at a highway weighing station, build- ing supply company, trucking company, junk yard, etc.

CAUTION

D The

total

trailer weight its cargo

(trailer weight plus load) must not exceed 907 kg (2000 lb.). Ex- ceeding this weight is dangerous.

162

D The load on either the front or rear axle resulting from distribution of the gross vehicle weight on both axles must not exceed the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) listed on the Certification Label.

Total trailer weight

Tongue load

Tongue load

Total trailer weight

100 = 9 to 11%

D The trailer cargo

the

total

to 11% of

load should be distributed so that the tongue load is 9 trailer weight, not exceeding the maximum of 90 kg (200 lb.). Never load the trailer with more weight in the back than in the front. About 60% of the trailer load should be in the front half of the trailer and the remaining 40% in the rear.

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HITCHES D Use only a hitch which

recom- mended by the hitch manufacturer and conforms to the total trailer weight re- quirement.

is

D Follow the directions supplied by the hitch manufacturer, and bolt the hitch securely to the rear bumper. Lubricate the hitch ball with a light coat of grease.

trailer

D Toyota recommends removing the trail- er hitch whenever you are not towing to reduce the possibility of additional damage caused by the hitch if your vehicle is struck from behind. After the hitch, seal any mounting holes in the vehicle body to prevent entry of pollutants such as ex- haust fumes, dirt, water, etc.

removing

NOTICE

Do not use axle−mounted hitches as they can cause damage to the axle housing, wheel bearings, wheels or tires. Also, never install a hitch which may interfere with the normal function of an Energy Absorbing Bumper.

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BREAK−IN SCHEDULE D Toyota recommends

that you do not tow a trailer with a new vehicle or a vehicle with any new power train com- ponent (engine, transmission, differen- tial, wheel bearing, etc.) for the first 800 km (500 miles) of driving.

MAINTENANCE D If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent maintenance due to the additional load. For this informa- tion, please the scheduled maintenance information in the ”Sched- uled Maintenance Guide” or ”Owner’s Manual Supplement”.

refer

to

D Retighten all fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approximately 1000 km (600 miles) of trailer driving.

PRE−TOWING SAFETY CHECK D Check that your vehicle remains a lev- el when a loaded or unloaded trailer is hitched. Do not drive if the vehicle has an abnormal nose−up or nose−down condition, and check improper tongue load, overload, worn suspension or other possible causes.

for

BRAKES AND SAFETY CHAINS D Toyota recommends trailers with brakes that conform to any applicable federal and state/provincial regulations.

the

towing vehicle and in

D A safety chain must always be used the between trailer. Leave sufficient slack the chain for turns. The chain should cross under the trailer tongue to prevent the tongue from dropping to the ground in case it becomes damaged or sepa- rated. For correct safety chain proce- dures, trailer the hitch or manufacturer’s recommendations.

follow

CAUTION

D If the total trailer weight exceeds 453 kg (1000 lb.), trailer brakes are required.

D Never tap

into your vehicle’s hy- draulic system as it would lower its braking effectiveness.

164

D Never tow a trailer without using a safety chain securely attached to both the trailer and the vehicle. If damage occurs to the coupling unit or hitch ball, there is danger of the trailer wandering over into another lane.

TIRES D Ensure

that your vehicle’s

tires are properly inflated. See Chapter 7−2 for instructions.

D The trailer tires should be inflated to the pressure recommended by the trail- er manufacturer in respect to the total trailer weight.

local

local

TRAILER LIGHTS D Trailer lights must comply with federal, regulations. state/provincial and See your recreational vehicle dealer or rental agency for the correct type of wiring and relays for your trail- er. Check for correct operation of the turn signals and stop lights each time you hitch up. Direct splicing may dam- age your vehicle’s electrical system and cause a malfunction of your lights.

D Make sure the trailer cargo is securely

loaded so that it can not shift.

D Check that your rear view mirrors con- form to any applicable federal, state/ provincial or If not, install the rear view mirrors required for towing purpose.

local regulation.

TRAILER TOWING TIPS When towing a trailer, your vehicle will handle differently than when not tow- ing. The three main causes of vehicle− trailer accidents are driver error, exces- sive speed and improper trailer loading. Keep these in mind when towing: D Before starting out, check operation of the lights and all vehicle−trailer connec- tions. After driving a short distance, stop and recheck the lights and con- nections. Before actually towing a trail- er, practice turning, stopping and back- ing with a trailer in an area away from traffic until you learn the feel.

D Backing with a trailer is difficult and requires practice. Grip the bottom of the steering wheel and move your hand to the left to move the trailer to the left. Move your hand to the right to move the trailer to the right. (This pro- cedure that when backing without a trailer). Also, just turn the steering wheel a little at time, avoiding sharp or prolonged turning. Have someone guide you when backing to reduce the risk of an acci- dent.

is generally opposite

to

increased when

D Because stopping distance may be in- vehicle−to−vehicle distance creased, should be towing a trailer. For each 16 km/h (10 mph) of speed, allow at least one vehicle and trailer length between you and the ve- hicle ahead. Avoid sudden braking as you may skid, resulting in jackknifing and loss of control. This is especially true on wet or slippery surfaces.

D Avoid jerky starts or sudden accelera-

tion.

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D Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns. The trailer could hit your vehicle in a tight turn. Slow down before making a turn to avoid the necessity of sudden braking.

D Remember that when making a turn, the trailer wheels will be closer than the vehicle wheels to the inside of the turn. Therefore, compensate for this by making a turning radius with your vehicle.

than normal

larger

D Crosswinds and rough roads will ad- versely affect handling of your vehicle and trailer, causing sway. Pay attention to the rear from time to time to pre- pare yourself for being passed by large trucks or buses, which may cause your vehicle and trailer to sway. If swaying happens, firmly grip the steering wheel and immediately but gradually. Never increase speed. Steer straight ahead. If you make no extreme correction with the steering or brakes, the vehicle and trailer will stabilize.

reduce speed

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’99 AVALON (USA/CANADA)−U

CAUTION

towing speed

D Do not exceed 72 km/h (45 mph) or the posted limit, whichever is lower. Because insta- bility (swaying) of a towing vehicle− trailer in- creases as the speed increases, ex- ceeding 72 km/h (45 mph) may cause loss of control.

combination

usually

D Slow down and downshift before descending steep or long downhill grades. Do not make sudden down- shifts.

long or

D Avoid holding the brake pedal down too frequently. This could cause the brakes to overheat and result in reduced braking effi- ciency.

too

1. Apply the brakes and hold. 2. Have someone place wheel blocks un- der both the vehicle and trailer wheels. 3. When the wheel blocks are in place, the

release your brakes slowly until blocks absorb the load.

4. Apply the parking brake firmly. 5. Shift into ”P” and turn off the engine. When restarting out after parking on a slope:

1. With the transmission in ”P” position, start the engine. Be sure to keep the brake pedal depressed.

2. Shift into the ”2”, ”L” or ”R” position. 3. Release the parking brake and brake pedal and slowly pull or back away from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply your brakes.

4. Have someone retrieve the blocks.

D Be careful when passing other ve- hicles. Passing requires considerable distance. After passing a vehicle, do not forget the length of your trailer and be sure you have plenty of room be- fore changing lanes.

D In order to maintain engine braking effi-

ciency do not use overdrive.

(at

D Because of the added load of the trail- er, your vehicle’s engine may overheat on hot days temperatures over 30_C [85_F]) when going up a long or steep grade with a trailer. If the engine coolant indicates overheating, immediately turn off the air conditioning (if in use), pull off the road and stop in a safe spot. Refer to ”If your vehicle overheats” in Part 4 of this manual.

temperature gauge

D Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and trailer wheels when parking. Apply the parking brake firmly. Put the transmission in ”P”. Avoid park- ing on a slope with a trailer, but if it cannot be avoided, do so only after performing the following:

166

fuel

How to save fuel and make your vehicle last longer, too Getting more kilometers/mileage from a liter/gallon of take it is easy—just easy. It will help make your vehicle last longer, too. Here are some specific tips on how to save money on both fuel and repairs: D Keep your tires inflated at the cor- rect pressure. Underinflation causes tire wear and wastes fuel. See Chapter 7−2 for instructions.

D Do not carry unneeded weight

in your vehicle. Excess weight puts a heavier the engine, causing greater fuel consumption.

load on

D Avoid lengthy warm−up idling. Once the engine is running smoothly, begin driving—but gently. Remember, howev- er, that on cold winter days this may take a little longer.

D Accelerate

slowly

and

smoothly.

Avoid jackrabbit starts.

D Avoid long engine idling. If you have a long wait and you are not in traffic, it is better to turn off the engine and start again later.

D Avoid engine lug or overrevving. Use a gear position suitable for the road on which you are travelling.

D Avoid continuous speeding up and slowing down. Stop−and−go driving wastes fuel.

D Avoid unnecessary stopping and braking. Maintain a steady pace. Try to time the traffic signals so you only need to stop as little as possible or take advantage of through streets to avoid traffic lights. Keep a proper dis- tance from other vehicles to avoid sud- den braking. This will also reduce wear on your brakes.

D Avoid heavy traffic or traffic

whenever possible.

jams

D Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal. This causes needless wear, overheating and poor fuel economy.

D Maintain a moderate speed on high- ways. The faster you drive, the greater the fuel consumption. By reducing your speed, you will cut down on fuel con- sumption.

D Keep

the

front wheels

in proper alignment. Avoid hitting the curb and slow down on rough roads. Improper alignment not only causes faster tire wear but also puts an extra load on the engine, which, in turn, wastes fuel.

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D Keep the bottom of your vehicle free from mud, etc. This not only lessens weight but also helps prevent corro- sion.

D Keep your vehicle tuned−up and in top shape. A dirty air cleaner, improp- er valve clearance, dirty plugs, dirty oil and grease,brakes not adjusted, etc. all lower engine performance and contrib- ute to poor fuel economy. For longer life of all parts and lower operating costs, keep all maintenance work on schedule, and if you often drive under severe conditions, see that your vehicle frequent maintenance receives more (For scheduled maintenance informa- tion, please the separate ”Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or ”Owner’s Manual Supplement”).

refer

to

CAUTION

Never turn off the engine to coast down hills. Your power steering and brake booster will not function with- out the emission control system operates properly only when the engine is run- ning.

the engine running. Also,

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’99 AVALON (USA/CANADA)−U

NOTICE

Do not pull− or push−start the ve- hicle. It may damage the vehicle or the engine cause a collision when starts. Also the three−way catalytic converter may overheat and become a fire hazard.

If the engine turns over at its normal speed but will not start— 1. Check that all the push−on connectors are tight. (For example, connectors at the spark plugs, ignition coil and/or dis- tributor)

2. If the connectors are O.K., the engine may be flooded because of repeated cranking. See ”(b) Starting a flooded engine” for further instructions.

Part 4
IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY

D If your vehicle will not start D If your engine stalls while

driving

D If your vehicle overheats D If you have a flat tire D If your vehicle needs to

be towed

D If you cannot shift automatic

transmission selector lever

D If you lose your keys D If you lose your wireless remote control transmitter

168

If your vehicle will not start— (a) Simple checks Before making these checks, make sure you have followed the correct starting pro- cedure given in ”How to start the engine” in Part 3 and that you have sufficient fuel. If your vehicle is equipped with the engine immobiliser system, also check whether the other keys will start the engine. If they work, your key may be broken. Have the key checked at your Toyota dealer. If none of your keys work, the system is possibly broken. Call your Toyota dealer. (See ”Keys (with engine immobiliser sys- tem)” in Chapter 1−2.) If the engine is not turning over or is turn- ing over too slowly— 1. Check

terminals are

the battery

that

tight and clean.

2. If the battery terminals are O.K., switch

on the interior light.

3. If the light

is out, dim or goes out when the starter is cranked, the battery is discharged. You may try jump start- ing. See ”(c) Jump starting” for further instructions.

If the light is O.K., but the engine still will not start, it needs adjustment or repair. Call a Toyota dealer or qualified repair shop.

(b) Starting a flooded engine If the engine will not start, your engine may be flooded because of repeated cranking. If this happens, turn the key to ”START” with the accelerator pedal held down. Keep the key and accelerator pedal so for 15 seconds and release them. Then try starting the engine with your foot off the accelerator pedal. If the engine does not start after 30 se- conds of cranking, release the key, wait a few minutes and try again. If the engine still will not start, it needs adjustment or repair. Call a Toyota dealer or qualified repair shop for assistance.

NOTICE

Do not crank for more than 30 se- conds at a time. This may overheat the starter and wiring systems.

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D The gas normally produced by a battery will explode if a flame or spark is brought near. Use only standardized jumper cables and do not smoke or light a match while jump starting.

NOTICE

The battery used for boosting must be 12 V. Do not jump start unless you are sure that the booster battery is correct.

(c) Jump starting To avoid serious personal injury and damage to your vehicle which might re- sult from battery explosion, acid burns, electrical burns, or damaged electronic components, these instructions must be followed precisely. If you are unsure about how to follow this procedure, we strongly that you seek the help of a competent me- chanic or towing service.

recommend

CAUTION

D Batteries

contain

sulfuric

acid which is poisonous and corrosive. Wear protective safety glasses when jump starting, and avoid spilling acid on your skin, clothing, or ve- hicle.

D If you should accidentally get acid on yourself or in your eyes, remove any contaminated clothing and flush the affected area with water im- mediately. Then get immediate medi- cal attention. If possible, continue to apply water with a sponge or cloth while en route to the medical office.

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’99 AVALON (USA/CANADA)−U

Discharged battery

Jumper cable

Booster battery

Positive terminal (”+” mark)

Jumper cable

Positive terminal (”+” mark)

Discharged battery

Booster battery

Negative terminal (”−” mark)

4. Make the cable connections in the or-

der a, b, c, d. a. Connect the clamp of the positive (red) jumper cable to the positive ( ) terminal on the discharged battery. b. Connect the clamp at the other end of the positive (red) jumper cable to the positive ( ) terminal on the booster battery.

jumper cable to

c. Connect the clamp of the negative (black) the negative (−) terminal on the booster battery. d. Connect the clamp at the other end of the negative (black) jumper cable to a solid, stationary, unpainted, metallic point of the vehicle with the discharged battery. The recommended connecting point is shown in the following illustration:

JUMP STARTING PROCEDURE 1. If

the booster battery

installed in another vehicle, make sure the vehicles are not touching. Turn off all unneces- sary lights and accessories.

is

2. If required, remove all the vent plugs from the booster and discharged batter- ies. Lay a cloth over the open vents on the batteries. (This helps reduce the explosion hazard, personal injuries and burns.)

3. If the engine in the vehicle with the booster battery is not running, start it and let it run for a few minutes. During jump starting, run the engine at about 2000 rpm with the accelerator pedal lightly depressed.

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5. Start your engine in the normal way. After starting, run it at about 2000 rpm for several minutes with the accelerator pedal lightly depressed.

6. Carefully disconnect the cables in the exact reverse order: the negative cable and then the positive cable.

7. Carefully dispose of the battery cover cloths—they may now contain sulfuric acid.

8. If removed, replace all the battery vent

plugs.

If the cause of your battery discharging is not apparent (for example, lights left on), you should have it checked.

If your engine stalls while driving If your engine stalls while driving... 1. Reduce your speed gradually, keeping a straight line. Move cautiously off the road to a safe place.

2. Turn on your emergency flashers. 3. Try starting the engine again. If the engine will not start, see ”If your vehicle will not start”.

CAUTION

If the engine is not running, the pow- er assist for the brakes and steering will not work so steering and braking will be much harder than usual.

171

Connecting point

Do not connect the cable to or near any part that moves when the engine is cranked.

CAUTION

the connections,

to When making avoid serious injury, do not lean over the battery or accidentally the jumper cables or clamps touch any- thing except the correct battery termi- nals or the ground.

let

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6. After

the engine coolant

temperature has cooled to normal, again check the coolant level in the reservoir. If neces- sary, bring it up to half full again. Seri- ous coolant loss indicates a leak in the system. You should have it checked as soon as possible at your Toyota dealer.

If your vehicle overheats If your engine coolant temperature gauge indicates overheating, if you ex- perience a loss of power, or if you hear a loud knocking or pinging noise, the engine has probably overheated. You should follow this procedure... 1. Pull safely off the road, stop the ve- turn on your emergency hicle and flashers. Put the transmission in ”P” and apply the parking brake. Turn off the air conditioning if it is being used. 2. If coolant or steam is boiling out of the radiator or reservoir, stop the engine. Wait until the steam subsides before opening the hood. If there is no coolant boiling over or steam, leave the engine running and make sure the electric cooling fan is operating. If it is not, turn the ignition off.

3. Look for obvious coolant leaks from the radiator, hoses, and under the vehicle. However, note that water draining from the air conditioning is normal if it has been used.

CAUTION

the engine

When is running, keep hands and clothing away from the moving fan and engine drive belts.

4. If the coolant is leaking, stop the en- gine immediately. Call a Toyota dealer for assistance.

5. If there are no obvious leaks, check the coolant reservoir. If it is dry, add coolant to the reservoir while the en- gine is running. Fill it about half full.

CAUTION

CAUTION

injury, keep To help avoid personal the hood closed until there is no steam. Escaping steam or coolant is a sign of very high pressure.

Do not attempt to remove the radiator cap when the engine and radiator are hot. Serious injury could result from scalding hot fluid and steam blown out under pressure.

172

If you have a flat tire— 1. Reduce your speed gradually, keeping a straight line. Move cautiously off the road to a safe place well away from the traffic. Avoid stopping on the center divider of a highway. Park on a level spot with firm ground.

2. Stop

the engine and

turn on your

emergency flashers.

3. Firmly set the parking brake and put

the transmission in ”P”.

4. Have everyone get out of the vehicle

on the side away from traffic.

5. Read oughly.

the

following

instructions

thor-

CAUTION

When jacking, be sure to observe the following to reduce the possibility of personal injury: D Follow jacking instructions. D Do not start or run the engine while is supported by the

your vehicle jack.

D Stop the vehicle on a

level firm ground, firmly set the parking brake and put the transmission in ”P”. Block the wheel diagonally opposite to the one being changed if neces- sary.

D Make sure to set the jack properly in the jack point. Raising the ve- hicle with improperly posi- tioned will damage the vehicle or may allow the vehicle to fall off the jack and cause personal injury.

jack

D Never get under the vehicle when the vehicle is supported by the jack alone.

D Use the jack only for lifting your

vehicle during wheel changing.

D Do not raise the vehicle with some-

one in the vehicle.

D When raising the vehicle, do not put an object on or under the jack. D Raise the vehicle only high enough

to remove and change the tire.

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NOTICE

Do not continue driving with a de- flated tire. Driving even a short dis- tance can damage a tire beyond re- pair.

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’99 AVALON (USA/CANADA)−U

—Required tools and spare tire

tools and spare

the required

1. Get tire. 1. Tool bag 2. Jack 3. Jack handle 4. Spare tire

To prepare yourself for an emergency, you should familiarize yourself with the use of the jack, each of the tools and their stor- age locations.

Turn the jack joint by hand. To remove: Turn the joint in the direction 1 until the jack is free. To store: Turn the joint in the direction 2
until the jack is firmly secured to prevent it from flying forward during a collision or sudden braking.

174

To remove the spare tire: 1. Loosen the nut and remove it. 2. Remove the spare tire cover. 3. Loosen the bolt and remove it. 4. Remove the spacer. Then take the spare tire out of the ve- hicle. When storing the spare tire, put it in place with the outer side of the wheel facing up. Then secure the above removal steps in reverse order to prevent forward during a collision or sudden braking.

repeating

tire by

flying

from

the

it

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3. Remove the wheel ornament. Pry off the beveled end of the wheel nut wrench as shown.

the wheel ornament, using

CAUTION

Do not try to pull off the ornament by hand. Take due care in handling the ornament to avoid unexpected person- al injury.

—Blocking the wheel

—Removing wheel ornament

Steel wheels

2. Block the wheel diagonally opposite the flat tire to keep the vehicle from rolling when it is jacked up.

When blocking the wheel, place a wheel block from the front for the front wheels or from the rear for the rear wheels.

Aluminum wheels

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—Loosening wheel nuts

—Positioning the jack

—Raising your vehicle

5. Position the jack at the correct jack

point as shown.

Make sure the jack level and solid place.

is positioned on a

6. After making sure that no one is in the vehicle, raise it high enough so that the spare tire can be installed. Remember you will need more ground clearance when putting on the spare tire than when removing the flat tire. To raise the vehicle, insert the jack handle into the jack (it is a loose fit) and turn it clockwise. As the jack touches the vehicle and begins to lift, double−check that it is properly positioned.

4. Loosen all the wheel nuts. Always loosen the wheel nuts before rais- ing the vehicle. The nuts turn counterclockwise to loosen. To get maximum leverage, fit the wrench to the nut so that the handle is on the right side, as shown above. Grab the wrench near the end of the handle and pull up on the handle. Be careful that the wrench does not slip off the nut. Do not remove the nuts yet—just unscrew them about one−half turn.

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—Changing wheels

CAUTION

Never get under the vehicle when the vehicle jack alone.

is supported by

the

7. Remove the wheel nuts and change

tires. the

it

flat

the spare wheel

tire straight off and put

Lift aside. Roll into position and align the holes in the wheel with the bolts. Then lift up the wheel and get at least the top bolt started through its hole. Wiggle the tire and press it back over the other bolts.

Before putting on wheels, remove any cor- rosion on the mounting surfaces with a wire brush or such. Installation of wheels without good metal−to−metal contact at the mounting surface can cause wheel nuts to loosen and eventually cause a wheel to come off while driving. Therefore after the first 1600 km (1000 miles), check to see that the wheel nuts are tight.

177

—Reinstalling wheel nuts

—Lowering your vehicle

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CAUTION

When lowering the vehicle, make sure all portions of your body and all oth- er persons around will not be injured as the ground.

the vehicle

lowered

to

is

8. Reinstall all the wheel nuts finger

tight.

Reinstall the wheel nuts (tapered end in- ward) and tighten them as much as you can by hand. Press back on the tire back and see if you can tighten them more.

178

9. Lower

the vehicle completely and

tighten the wheel nuts.

Turn the jack handle counterclockwise to lower the vehicle. Use only the wheel nut wrench and turn it clockwise to tighten the nuts. Do not use other tools or any additional leverage other than your hands, such as a hammer, pipe or your foot. Make sure the wrench is securely engaged over the nut. Tighten each nut a little at a time in the order shown. Repeat the process until all the nuts are tight.

10. Reinstall the wheel ornament. 1. Put the wheel ornament into position. On some models, align the cutout of the wheel ornament with the valve stem as shown. 2. Then tap it firmly with the side or heel

of your hand to snap it into place.

CAUTION

Take due care in handling the orna- ment to avoid unexpected personal injury.

—Reinstalling wheel ornament

Steel wheels

Aluminum wheels

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—After changing wheels 11. Check the air pressure of the re-

placed tire.

Adjust the air pressure to the specification designated in Part 8. If the pressure is lower, drive slowly to the nearest service station and fill to the correct pressure. Do not forget to reinstall the tire inflation valve cap as dirt and moisture could get into the valve core and possibly cause air leakage. If the cap is missing, have a new one put on as soon as possible. 12. Restow all the tools, jack and flat

tire securely.

As soon after changing wheels as pos- sible, tighten the wheel nuts to the torque specified in Part 8 with a torque wrench, have a technician repair the flat tire and replace the spare tire with it.

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If towing is necessary, we recommend you to have it done by your Toyota dealer or a commercial tow truck ser- vice. In consultation with them, have your vehicle towed using either (a) or (b). Only when you cannot receive a towing service from a Toyota dealer or com- mercial tow truck service, tow your ve- hicle carefully in accordance with the instructions given in ”—Emergency tow- ing” in this part. Proper equipment will help ensure that your vehicle is not damaged while being towed. Commercial operators are generally aware of local laws pertaining to towing. Your vehicle can be damaged is towed incorrectly. Although most operators know the correct procedure, it is possible to make a mistake. To avoid damage to your vehicle, make sure the following few precautions are observed. If necessary, show this page to the tow truck driver.

the state/provincial and

it

if

CAUTION

Before driving, make sure all the tools, jack and flat tire are securely in place in their storage location to reduce the possibility of personal in- jury during a collision or sudden braking.

If your vehicle needs to be towed—

(a) Towing with wheel lift type truck—

—From front

—From rear

(b) Using flat bed truck

180

TOWING PRECAUTIONS: Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by the state/provincial and local laws. The wheels and axle on the ground must be in good condition. If they are damaged, use a towing dolly. (a) Towing with wheel lift type truck From front— Release the parking brake.

NOTICE

When lifting wheels, take care to en- sure adequate ground clearance for towing at the opposite end of the raised vehicle. Otherwise, the bumper and/or underbody of the towed vehicle will be damaged during towing.

From rear— Use a towing dolly under the front wheels.

NOTICE

z Never tow from the rear with the front wheels on the ground, as this may cause serious damage to the transmission.

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z Do not tow with the key removed or in the ”LOCK” position when tow- ing from the rear without a towing dolly. The steering lock mechanism is not strong enough to hold the front wheels straight.

(b) Using flat bed truck

(c) Towing with sling type

truck

(c) Towing with sling type truck

NOTICE

Do not tow with sling type truck, ei- ther from the front or rear. This may cause body damage.

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If towing is necessary, we recommend you to have it done by your Toyota dealer or a commercial tow truck ser- vice. If towing service is not available in an emergency, your vehicle may be tempo- rarily towed by a cable or chain se- cured to one of the emergency towing eyelets under the vehicle. Use extreme caution when towing vehicles. A driver must be in the vehicle to steer it and operate the brakes. Towing in this manner may be done only on hard−surfaced roads for a short dis- tance and at the wheels, axles, drive train, steering and brakes must all be in good condition.

low speeds. Also,

CAUTION

Use extreme caution when towing ve- hicles. Avoid sudden starts or erratic driving maneuvers which would place excessive stress on the emergency towing eyelets and towing cable or chain. The eyelets and towing cable or chain may break and cause serious injury or damage.

NOTICE

Use only a cable or chain specifically intended for use in towing vehicles. Securely fasten the cable or chain to the towing eyelets provided.

Before towing, release the parking brake and put the transmission in ”N”. The key must be in ”ACC” (engine off) or ”ON” (engine running).

—Emergency towing

Front

Rear (except U.S. mainland)

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If you cannot shift automatic transmission selector lever (floor shift)

CAUTION

If the engine is not running, the pow- er assist for the brakes and steering will not work so steering and braking will be much harder than usual.

though

If you cannot shift the selector lever out of ”P” position to other positions even is de- pressed, use the shift lock override but- ton as follows: 1. Turn

the brake pedal

ignition key

the

to ”LOCK” the parking

position. Make sure brake is set.

2. Pry up the cover with a flat−bladed

screwdriver or equivalent.

3. Insert the screwdriver or equivalent into the hole to push down the shift lock override button. You can shift out of ”P” position only while push- ing the button.

4. Shift into ”N” position. 5. Insert the cover. 6. Start the engine. For your safety,

keep the brake pedal depressed.

Be sure to have the system checked by your Toyota dealer as soon as possible.

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If you lose your keys You can purchase a new key at your Toyota dealer if you can give them the key number. If your vehicle is equipped with the engine immobiliser system, the dealer will also need your master key. Vehicles with engine immobiliser system— Even if you lose only one key, contact your Toyota dealer to make a new key. If you lose all your master keys, you cannot make new keys; the whole system must be replaced. See Chapter 1−2. If your keys are locked in the vehicle and you cannot get a duplicate, many Toyota dealers can still open the door for you, using If you must break a window in, we suggest breaking the smallest side window be- cause it is the least expensive to replace. Be extremely cautious to avoid cuts from the glass.

the suggestion given

their special

in ”Keys”

to get

tools.

in

3. Insert the screwdriver or equivalent into the hole to pull down the shift lock override button. You can shift out of ”P” position only while push- ing the button.

4. Shift into ”N” position. 5. Insert the cover. 6. Start the engine. For your safety,

keep the brake pedal depressed.

Be sure to have the system checked by your Toyota dealer as soon as possible.

If you cannot shift automatic transmission selector lever (column shift)

though

If you cannot shift the selector lever out of ”P” position to other positions even is de- pressed, use the shift lock override but- ton as follows: 1. Turn

the brake pedal

ignition key

the

to ”LOCK” the parking

position. Make sure brake is set.

2. Pry up the cover with a flat−bladed

screwdriver or equivalent.

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If you lose your wireless remote control transmitter You can purchase a new wireless re- mote control transmitter at your Toyota dealer. You can use the wireless remote control system with the new transmitter. Contact your Toyota dealer for detailed information.

185

Part 5
CORROSION PREVENTION AND APPEARANCE CARE

D Protecting your Toyota from

corrosion

D Washing and waxing your Toyota D Cleaning the interior

186

the

Protecting your Toyota from corrosion Toyota, through its diligent research, de- sign and use of the most advanced technology available, has done its part to help prevent corrosion and has provided you with vehicle construction. Now, it is up to you. Proper care of your Toyota can help ensure long− term corrosion prevention. The most common causes of corrosion to your vehicle are: D The accumulation of road salt, dirt and moisture in hard−to−reach areas under the vehicle.

quality

finest

D Chipping of paint, or undercoating caused by minor accidents or by stones and gravel.

Care is especially important if you live in particular areas or operate your ve- hicle under certain environmental condi- tions: D Road salt or dust control chemicals will accelerate corrosion, as will the pres- ence of salt in the air near the sea− coast or in areas of industrial pollution. D High humidity accelerates corrosion es- pecially when temperatures range just above the freezing point.

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D Wetness or dampness to certain parts of your vehicle for an extended period of time, may cause corrosion even though other parts of the vehicle may be dry.

those components of

D High temperatures will cause corrosion to the vehicle which are prevented from quick−drying due to lack of proper ventilation.

The above signifies the necessity to keep your vehicle, particularly the underside, as clean as possible and to repair any dam- age to paint or protective coatings as soon as possible. To help prevent corrosion on your Toyota, follow these guidelines: Wash your vehicle frequently. It is, of course, necessary to keep your vehicle clean by regular washing, but to prevent corrosion, the following points should be observed: D If you drive on salted roads

the winter or if you live near the ocean, you should hose off the undercarriage at least once a month to minimize cor- rosion.

in

D High pressure water or steam is effec- tive for cleaning the vehicle’s underside and wheel housings. Pay particular attention to these areas as it is difficult to see all the mud and dirt. It will do more harm than good to simply wet the mud and debris without removing them. The lower edge of doors, rocker panels and frame members have drain holes which should not be allowed to clog with dirt as these areas can cause corrosion.

trapped water

in

D Wash the underside of the vehicle thor-

oughly when winter is over.

See ”Washing and waxing your Toyota” for more tips. Check the condition of your vehicle’s paint and trim. If you find any chips or scratches in the paint, touch them up im- mediately to prevent corrosion from start- ing. If the chips or scratches have gone through the bare metal, have a qualified body shop make the repair.

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Washing and waxing your Toyota Washing your Toyota Keep your vehicle clean by regular washing. The following cases may cause weakness to the paint or corrosion to the body and parts. Wash your vehicle as soon as pos- sible. D When driving in a coastal area D When driving on a road sprinkled with

antifreeze

D When having stuck of coal

tree sap, bird droppings and carcass of an insect

tar,

D When driving in the areas where there is a lot of smoke, soot, dust, iron dust and chemical substance

D When the vehicle becomes remarkably

dirty with dust and mud Hand−washing your Toyota Work in the shade and wait until the vehicle body is not hot to the touch.

CAUTION

When cleaning under floor or chassis, be careful not to injure your hands.

187

Check the interior of your vehicle. Wa- ter and dirt can accumulate under the floor mats and could cause corrosion. Oc- casionally check under the mats to make sure the area is dry. Be particularly care- ful when transporting chemicals, cleans- ers, fertilizers, salt, etc.; these should be transported in proper containers. If a spill or leak should occur, immediately clean and dry the area. Use mud shields on your wheels. If you drive on salted or gravel roads, mud shields help protect your vehicle. Full−size shields, which come as near to the ground as possible, are the best. We recommend that the fittings and the area where the shields are installed be treated to resist corrosion. Your Toyota dealer will be happy to assist in supplying and installing the shields if they are recommended for your area. Keep your vehicle in a well ventilated garage or a roofed place. Do not park your vehicle in a damp, poorly venti- lated garage. If you wash your vehicle in the garage, or if you drive it in covered with water or snow, your garage may be so damp it will cause corrosion. Even if your garage is heated, a wet vehicle can corrode if the ventilation is poor.

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Waxing your Toyota Polishing and waxing is recommended to maintain the original beauty of your Toyota’s finish. Once a month or if the vehicle does not repel water well, apply wax. 1. Always wash and dry the vehicle be- fore you begin waxing, even if you are using a combined cleaner and wax.

2. Use a good quality polish and wax. If the finish has become extremely weath- ered, use a car−cleaning polish, fol- lowed by a separate wax. Carefully fol- low the manufacturer’s instructions and precautions. Be sure to polish and wax the chrome trim as well as the paint. the vehicle again when water does not bead but remains on the sur- face in large patches.

3. Wax

NOTICE

Always remove the plastic bumpers if your vehicle is re−painted and placed in a high heat paint waxing booth. High temperatures could damage the bumpers.

1. Rinse off loose dirt with a hose. Re- move any mud or road salt from the underside of the wheel wells.

the vehicle or

in

3. Rinse

thoroughly—dried

can cause streaking. In hot weather you may need to rinse each section right after you wash it.

soap

2. Wash with a mild car−wash soap, mixed according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Use a soft cotton mitt and keep it wet by dipping it frequently into the wash water. Do not rub hard–let the soap and water remove the dirt.

Aluminum wheels: Use only a mild soap or neutral detergent. Plastic bumpers: Wash carefully. Do not scrub with abrasive cleaners. The bumper faces are soft. Road turpentine or cleaners that are marked safe for painted surfaces.

tar: Remove with

NOTICE

Do not use gasoline or strong sol- vents, which may be toxic or cause damage.

4. To prevent water spots, dry the vehicle using a clean soft cotton towel. Do not rub or press hard—you might scratch the paint.

Automatic car wash Your vehicle may be washed in an auto- matic car wash, but remember that the paint can be scratched by some type of brushes, unfiltered washing water, or the washing process itself. Scratching reduces paint durability and gloss, especially on darker colors. The manager of the car wash should be able to advise you wheth- er the process is safe for the paint on your vehicle.

188

Cleaning the interior

CAUTION

D Vehicles with side airbags:

Be careful not to splash water or spill liquid on the floor. This may prevent the side airbags from acti- vating correctly, resulting in serious injury.

D Do not wash the vehicle floor with water, or allow water to get onto the floor when cleaning the vehicle interior or exterior. Water may get into audio components or other electrical components above or un- der the floor carpet (or mat) and cause a malfunction; and it may cause body corrosion.

Vinyl interior The vinyl upholstery may be easily cleaned with a mild soap or detergent and water.

First vacuum over the upholstery to re- move loose dirt. Then, using a sponge or soft cloth, apply the soap solution to the vinyl. After allowing it to soak in for a few minutes to loosen the dirt, remove the dirt and wipe off the soap with a clean damp cloth. If all the dirt do not come off, re- peat the procedure. Commercial foaming− type vinyl cleaners are also available which work well. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

NOTICE

Do not use solvent, thinner, gasoline or window cleaner on the interior.

to

foam−type shampoo

Carpets Use a good clean the carpets. Begin by vacuuming thoroughly to remove as much dirt as possible. Several types of foam cleaners are available; some are in aerosol cans and others are powders or liquids which you mix with water to pro- duce a foam. To shampoo the carpets, use a sponge or brush to apply the foam. Rub in overlapping circles.

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Do not apply water—the best results are obtained by keeping the carpet as dry as possible. Read the shampoo instructions and follow them closely. Seat belts The seat belts may be cleaned with mild soap and water or with lukewarm water. Use a cloth or sponge. As you are clean- ing, check the belts for excessive wear, fraying, or cuts.

NOTICE

z Do not use dye or bleach on the

belts—it may weaken them.

z Do not use the belts until they be-

come dry.

Windows The windows may be cleaned with any household window cleaner.

NOTICE

When cleaning the inside of the win- dows, be careful not to scratch or damage the heater wires on the rear window.

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’99 AVALON (USA/CANADA)−U

z Mildew may develop on soiled leath- er upholstery. Be especially careful to avoid oil spots. Try to keep your upholstery always clean.

to direct sunlight z Long exposure may cause the leather surface to harden and shrink. Keep your ve- hicle in a shaded area, especially in the summer.

z The interior of your vehicle is apt to heat up on hot summer days, so avoid placing on the upholstery items made of vinyl or plastic or containing wax as these tend to stick to leather when warm.

z Improper cleaning of the leather up- in discolor-

holstery could result ation or staining.

If you have any questions about the cleaning of your Toyota, your local Toyota dealer will be pleased to answer them.

Air conditioning control panel, car au- dio, instrument panel, console panel, and switches Use a soft damp cloth for cleaning. Soak a clean soft cloth in water or luke- warm water then lightly wipe off dirt.

NOTICE

z Do not use organic substances (sol- vents, kerosene, alcohol, gasoline, etc.) or alkaline or acidic solutions. These chemicals can cause discol- oring, staining or peeling of the surface.

z If you use cleaners or polishing agents, make sure their ingredients do not include the substances men- tioned above.

z If you use a liquid car freshener, do not spill the liquid onto the ve- hicle’s interior surfaces. It may con- tain ingredients mentioned above. Immediately clean any spill using the method mentioned above.

the

190

Leather Interior The leather upholstery may be cleaned with neutral detergent for wool. Remove dirt using a soft cloth dampened with 5% solution of neutral detergent for wool. Then thoroughly wipe off all traces of detergent with a clean damp cloth. After cleaning or whenever any part of the leather gets wet, dry with a soft clean cloth. Allow the leather to dry in a venti- lated shaded area.

NOTICE

z If a stain should fail to come out with a neutral detergent, apply a cleaner that does not contain an organic solvent.

z Never use organic substances such as benzine, alcohol or gasoline, o r alkaline or acid solutions for clean- ing these could c ause discoloring.

leather

the

as

z Use of a nylon brush or synthetic fiber cloth, etc. may scratch the fine grained surface of the leather.

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Scheduled maintenance The scheduled maintenance items listed in the ”Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or ”Owner’s Manual Supplement” are those required to be serviced at regular inter- vals. For details of your maintenance schedule, read the separate ”Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or ”Owner’s Manual Supplement”. It is recommended that any replacement parts used for maintenance or for the repair of the emission control system be Toyota supplied. The owner may elect to use non−Toyota supplied parts replacement pur- poses without invalidating the emission control system warranty. However, use of replacement parts which are not of equivalent quality may impair the effec- tiveness of the emission control sys- tems.

for

Part 6
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE AND CARE

D Maintenance requirements D General maintenance D Does your vehicle need

repairing?

For scheduled maintenance information, please refer to the sep- arate ”Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or ”Owner’s Manual Supplement”.

Maintenance requirements Your Toyota vehicle has been designed to for fewer maintenance requirements with longer service intervals to save both your time and money. However, each regular maintenance, as well as day−to−day care, is more important than ever before to en- sure smooth, and trouble−free, safe, and economical drivings. It is the owner’s responsibility to make sure the specified maintenance, including general maintenance service, is performed. Note that both the new vehicle and emis- sion control system warranties specify that proper maintenance and care must be per- formed. See ”Owner’s Warranty Informa- tion Booklet” or ”Owner’s Manual Supple- ment” for complete warranty information. General maintenance General maintenance items are those day− to−day care practices that are important to your vehicle for proper operation. It is the owner’s responsibility to insure that the general maintenance items are performed regularly. These checks or inspections can be done either by yourself or a qualified technician, or if you prefer, your Toyota dealer will be pleased to do them at a nominal cost.

192

What about do−it−yourself maintenance? Many of the maintenance items are easy to do yourself if you have a little mechani- cal ability and a few basic automotive tools. Simple instructions for how to per- form them are presented in Part 7. If you are a skilled do−it−yourself mechan- ic, the Toyota service manuals are recom- mended. Please be aware that do−it−your- self maintenance can affect your warranty coverage. See ”Owner’s Warranty Informa- tion Booklet” or ”Owner’s Manual Supple- ment” for the details.

You may also elect to have mainte- nance, replacement, or repair of the emission control devices and system performed by any automotive repair es- tablishment or individual without invali- dating this warranty. See ”Owner’s War- ranty Information Booklet” or ”Owner’s Manual Supplement” for complete war- ranty information. Where to go for service? Toyota technicians are well−trained spe- cialists and are kept up to date with the latest service information through technical bulletins, service tips, and in−dealership training programs. They learn to work on Toyotas before they work on your vehicle, rather than while they are working on it. You can be confident that your Toyota dealer’s service department performs the best job to meet the maintenance require- ments on your vehicle—reliably and eco- nomically. Your copy of the repair order is proof that all required maintenance has been per- formed for warranty coverage. And if any problems should arise with your vehicle while under warranty, your Toyota dealer will promptly take care of it. Again, be sure to keep a copy of the repair order for any service performed on your Toyota.

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the

items

listed,

General maintenance Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be performed as fre- quently as specified. In addition to check- ing if you notice any unusual noise, smell or vibration, you should investigate the cause or take your vehicle to your Toyota dealer or a quali- fied service shop immediately. It is recom- mended that any problem you notice be brought to the attention of your dealer or the qualified service shop for their advice.

CAUTION

Make these checks only where ade- quate ventilation can be obtained if you run the engine.

to

time

OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE Items listed below should be performed from time, unless otherwise specified. Tire pressure Check the pressure with a gauge every two weeks, or at least once a month. See Chapter 7−2 for additional information.

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Lights Make sure the headlights, stop lights, tail lights, turn signal lights, and other lights are all working. Check headlight aim. Service reminder indicators and warning buzzers Check that all service reminder indicators and warning buzzers function properly. Steering wheel Check that it has the specified freeplay. Be alert for changes in steering condition, such as hard steering or strange noise. Seats Check that all front seat controls such as seat adjusters, seatback recliner, etc. op- erate smoothly and that all latches lock securely in any position. Check that the head restraints move up and down smoothly and that the locks hold securely in any latched position. Seat belts Check that the seat belt system such as buckles, retractors and anchors operate properly and smoothly. Make sure the belt webbing is not cut, frayed, worn or dam- aged. Accelerator pedal Check the pedal for smooth operation and uneven pedal effort or catching.

Brake pedal Check the pedal for smooth operation and that the pedal has the proper clearance. Check the brake booster function. Brakes At a safe place, check that the brakes do not pull to one side when applied. Parking brake Check that the pedal has the proper travel and that, on a safe incline, your vehicle is held securely with only the parking brake applied. Automatic transmission ”Park” mecha- nism Check the lock release button of the se- lector lever for proper and smooth opera- tion. On a safe incline, check that your vehicle is held securely with the selector lever in ”P” position and all brakes re- leased. IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT Items listed below should be checked from time to time, e.g. each time when refueling. Washer fluid Make sure there is sufficient fluid in the tank. See Chapter 7−3 for additional infor- mation.

for

the nuts

Tire surface and wheel nuts Check the tires carefully for cuts, damage or excessive wear. See Chapter 7−2 for additional information. When checking the tires, make sure no nuts are missing, and check looseness. Tighten them if necessary. Tire rotation Rotate the tires every 12000 km (7500
miles). See Chapter 7−2 for additional in- formation. Fluid leaks Check underneath for leaking fuel, oil, wa- ter or other the vehicle has been parked for a while. If you smell fuel fumes or notice any leak, have the cause found and corrected immediately. Doors and engine hood Check that all doors including trunk lid operate smoothly and all latches lock se-