Toyota Avalon (2018 year). Instruction - part 21

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General maintenance

Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be
performed at the intervals specified in the “Owner’s Warranty
Information Booklet” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement/Sched-
uled Maintenance Guide”. It is recommended that any problem
you notice should be brought to the attention of your Toyota
dealer or qualified service shop for advice.

Engine compartment

Items

Check points

Battery

Check the battery fluid level and 
connections.

(

→P. 338)

Brake fluid

Is the brake fluid at the correct
level? (

→P. 337)

Engine coolant

Is the engine coolant at the correct
level? (

→P. 334)

Engine oil

Is the engine oil at the correct level? 

(

→P. 331)

Exhaust system

There should not be any fumes or
strange sounds.

Radiator/condenser

The radiator and condenser should
be free from foreign objects. 

(

→P. 336)

Washer fluid

Is there sufficient washer fluid?

(

→P. 341)

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Vehicle interior

Items

Check points

Accelerator pedal

• The accelerator pedal should

move smoothly (without uneven
pedal effort or catching).

Automatic transmission “Park”
mechanism

• When parked on a slope and the

shift lever is in P, is the vehicle
securely stopped?

Brake pedal

• Does the brake pedal move

smoothly?

• Does the brake pedal have appro-

priate clearance from the floor? 

(

→P. 430)

• Does the brake pedal have the

correct amount of free play? 

(

→P. 430)

Brakes

• The vehicle should not pull to one

side when the brakes are applied.

• The brakes should work effec-

tively.

• The brake pedal should not feel

spongy.

• The brake pedal should not get

too close to the floor when the
brakes are applied.

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Head restraints

• Do the head restraints move

smoothly and lock securely?

Indicators/buzzers

• Do the indicators and buzzers

function properly?

Lights

• Do all the lights come on?

Parking brake

• Moves smoothly?
• When parked on a slope and the

parking brake is on, is the vehicle
securely stopped?

Seat belts

• Do the seat belts operate

smoothly?

• The seat belts should not be dam-

aged.

Seats

• Do the seat controls operate prop-

erly?

Steering wheel

• Does the steering wheel rotate

smoothly?

• Does the steering wheel have the

correct amount of free play?

• There should not be any strange

sounds coming from the steering
wheel.

Items

Check points

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Vehicle exterior

Items

Check points

Doors/trunk

• Do the doors/trunk operate

smoothly?

Engine hood

• Does the engine hood lock system

work properly?

Fluid leaks

• There should not be any signs of

fluid leakage after the vehicle has
been parked.

Tires

• Is the tire inflation pressure cor-

rect?

• The tires should not be dam-

aged or excessively worn.

• Have the tires been rotated

according to the maintenance
schedule?

• The wheel nuts should not be

loose.

Windshield wipers

• The wiper blades should not show

any signs of cracking, splitting,
wear, contamination or deforma-
tion.

• The wiper blades should clear the

windshield without streaking or
skipping.

WARNING

■

If the engine is running
Turn the engine off and ensure that there is adequate ventilation before per-
forming maintenance checks.

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The OBD system determines that a problem exists somewhere in the
emission control system. Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test and
may need to be repaired. Contact your Toyota dealer to service the
vehicle.

● When the battery is disconnected or discharged

Readiness codes that are set during ordinary driving are erased.
Also, depending on your driving habits, the readiness codes may
not be completely set.

● When the fuel tank cap is loose

The malfunction indicator lamp comes on indicating a temporary
malfunction and your vehicle may not pass the I/M test.

The error code in the OBD system will not be cleared unless the vehi-
cle is driven 40 or more times.

Contact your Toyota dealer to prepare the vehicle for re-testing.

Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M) 

programs

Some states have vehicle emission inspection programs which
include OBD (On Board Diagnostics) checks. The OBD system
monitors the operation of the emission control system.

If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on

Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test in the following situations:

When the malfunction indicator lamp still remains on after sev-
eral driving trips

If your vehicle does not pass the I/M test

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Do-it-yourself service precautions

If you perform maintenance by yourself, be sure to follow the
correct procedure as given in these sections.

Items

Parts and tools

Battery condition 
(

→P. 338)

• Warm water

• Baking soda

• Grease

• Conventional wrench (for terminal clamp bolts)
• Distilled water

Brake fluid level 
(

→P. 337)

• FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake fluid
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding brake fluid)

Engine coolant
level (

→P. 334)

• “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or a similar high

quality ethylene glycol-based non-silicate, non-
amine, non-nitrite and non-borate coolant with long-
life hybrid organic acid technology
For the U.S.A.:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is pre-mixed with
50% coolant and 50% deionized water.
For Canada:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is pre-mixed with
55% coolant and 45% deionized water.

• Funnel (used only for adding coolant)

Engine oil level 
(

→P. 331)

• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding engine oil)

Fuses (

→P. 362)

• Fuse with same amperage rating as original

Light bulbs 
(

→P. 365)

• Bulb with same number and wattage rating as origi-

nal

• Phillips-head screwdriver

• Flathead screwdriver

• Wrench

Radiator and con-
denser (

→P. 336)

⎯

Tire inflation
pressure 
(

→P. 352)

• Tire pressure gauge
• Compressed air source

Washer fluid 
(

→P. 341)

• Water or washer fluid containing antifreeze (for win-

ter use)

• Funnel (used only for adding water or washer fluid)

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WARNING

The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that may
move suddenly, become hot, or become electrically energized. To avoid death
or serious injury, observe the following precautions.

■

When working on the engine compartment

●

Keep hands, clothing and tools away from the moving fan and engine
drive belt.

●

Be careful not to touch the engine, radiator, exhaust manifold, etc. right
after driving as they may be hot. Oil and other fluids may also be hot.

●

Do not leave anything that may burn easily, such as paper and rags, in the
engine compartment.

●

Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose an open flame to fuel or the bat-
tery. Fuel and battery fumes are flammable.

●

Be extremely cautious when working on the battery. It contains poisonous
and corrosive sulfuric acid.

■

When working near the electric cooling fans or radiator grille
Be sure the engine switch is off.
With the engine switch in IGNITION ON mode, the electric cooling fans may
automatically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the coolant tem-
perature is high. (

→P. 336)

■

Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc.
from getting in your eyes.

NOTICE

■

If you remove the air cleaner filter
Driving with the air cleaner filter removed may cause excessive engine wear
due to dirt in the air.

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Pull the hood lock release lever.

The hood will pop up slightly.

Pull up the auxiliary catch lever
and lift the hood.

Hood

Release the lock from the inside of the vehicle to open the hood.

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WARNING

■

Pre-driving check
Check that the hood is fully closed and locked. 
If the hood is not locked properly, it may open while the vehicle is in motion
and cause an accident, which may result in death or serious injury.

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◆

Front

◆

Rear

Positioning a floor jack

When using a floor jack, follow the instructions in the manual
provided with the jack and perform the operation safely.

When raising your vehicle with a floor jack, position the jack cor-
rectly. Improper placement may damage your vehicle or cause
injury.

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Engine compartment

Engine oil filler cap (

→P. 332)

Engine oil level dipstick 

(

→P. 331)

Brake fluid reservoir 

(

→P. 337)

Fuse box 

(

→P. 362)

Battery (

→P. 338)

Radiator (

→P. 336)

Electric cooling fans

Condenser (

→P. 336)

Engine coolant reservoir 

(

→P. 334)

Washer fluid tank  (

→P. 341)

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4
5

6
7
8
9

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With the engine at operating temperature and turned off, check the oil
level on the dipstick.

■

Checking the engine oil

Park the vehicle on level ground. After warming up the engine
and turning it off, wait more than 5 minutes for the oil to drain
back into the bottom of the engine.

Holding a rag under the end,
pull the dipstick out.

Wipe the dipstick clean.

Reinsert the dipstick fully.

Holding a rag under the end,
pull the dipstick out and
check the oil level.

Low

Normal

Excessive

The shape of the dipstick may
differ depending on the type of
vehicle or engine.

Wipe the dipstick and reinsert it fully.

Engine oil

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4
5

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■

Adding engine oil

If the oil level is below or near
the low level mark, add engine
oil of the same type as that
already in the engine.

Make sure to check the oil type and prepare the items needed
before adding oil.

Remove the oil filler cap by turning it counterclockwise.

Add engine oil slowly, checking the dipstick.

Install the oil filler cap by turning it clockwise.

■

Engine oil consumption
A certain amount of engine oil will be consumed while driving. In the following
situations, oil consumption may increase, and engine oil may need to be
refilled in between oil maintenance intervals.

●

When the engine is new, for example directly after purchasing the vehicle or
after replacing the engine

●

If low quality oil or oil of an inappropriate viscosity is used

●

When driving at high engine speeds or with a heavy load, or when driving
while accelerating or decelerating frequently

●

When leaving the engine idling for a long time, or when driving frequently
through heavy traffic

Engine oil selection

→P. 427

Oil quantity
(Low 

→ Full)

1.6 qt. (1.5 L, 1.3 Imp. qt.)

Items

Clean funnel

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WARNING

■

Used engine oil

●

Used engine oil contains potentially harmful contaminants which may
cause skin disorders such as inflammation and skin cancer, so care
should be taken to avoid prolonged and repeated contact. To remove used
engine oil from your skin, wash thoroughly with soap and water.

●

Dispose of used oil and filters only in a safe and acceptable manner. Do
not dispose of used oil and filters in household trash, in sewers or onto the
ground. 
Call your Toyota dealer, service station or auto parts store for information
concerning recycling or disposal.

●

Do not leave used engine oil within the reach of children.

NOTICE

■

To prevent serious engine damage
Check the oil level on a regular basis.

■

When replacing the engine oil

●

Be careful not to spill engine oil on the vehicle components.

●

Avoid overfilling, or the engine could be damaged.

●

Check the oil level on the dipstick every time you refill the vehicle.

●

Be sure the engine oil filler cap is properly tightened.

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The coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the “F” and “L” lines on
the reservoir when the engine is cold.

Reservoir cap

“F” line

“L” line

If the level is on or below the “L”
line, add coolant up to the “F” line.
(

→P. 418)

■

Coolant selection
Only use “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or a similar high quality ethylene
glycol based non-silicate, non-amine, non-nitrite, and non-borate coolant with
long-life hybrid organic acid technology.

U.S.A.:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 50% coolant and 50% deion-
ized water. (Minimum temperature: -31

°F [-35°C])

Canada:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 55% coolant and 45% deion-
ized water. (Minimum temperature: -44

°F [-42°C])

For more details about engine coolant, contact your Toyota dealer.

■

If the coolant level drops within a short time of replenishing
Visually check the radiator, hoses, engine coolant reservoir caps, drain cock
and water pump. 
If you cannot find a leak, have your Toyota dealer test the cap and check for
leaks in the cooling system.

Engine coolant

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3

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WARNING

■

When the engine is hot
Do not remove the engine coolant reservoir cap or the radiator cap. 
(

→P. 420) 

The cooling system may be under pressure and may spray hot coolant if the
cap is removed, causing serious injuries, such as burns.

NOTICE

■

When adding coolant
Coolant is neither plain water nor straight antifreeze. The correct mixture of
water and antifreeze must be used to provide proper lubrication, corrosion
protection and cooling. Be sure to read the antifreeze or coolant label.

■

If you spill coolant
Be sure to wash it off with water to prevent it from damaging parts or paint.

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Check the radiator and condenser and clear away any foreign objects. 
If either of the above parts is extremely dirty or you are not sure of
their condition, have your vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer.

Radiator and condenser

WARNING

■

When the engine is hot
Do not touch the radiator or condenser as they may be hot and cause seri-
ous injuries, such as burns.