Toyota 1997 Avalon User manual

Foreword
Welcome to the growing group of value-conscious people who drive Toyotas. We
are proud of the advanced engineering and quality construction of each vehicle we
build.
This Owner’s Manual explains the features of your new Toyota. Please read it and
follow the instructions carefully so that you can enjoy many years of safe motoring.
When it comes to service, remember that your Toyota dealer knows your vehicle
best and is interested in your complete satisfaction. He will provide quality mainte-
nance and any other assistance you may require.
Please leave this Owner’s Manual in this vehicle at the time of resale. The next
owner will need this information also.
All information and specifications in this manual are current at the time of
printing. However, because of Toyota’s policy of continual product improve-
ment, we reserve the right to make changes at any time without notice.
Please note that this manual applies to all models and explains all equipment,
including options. Therefore, you may find some explanations for equipment
not installed on your vehicle.
TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION
1997 TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION
All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or copied, in whole or in
part, without the written permission of Toyota Motor Corporation.

New vehicle warranty
Your new vehicle is covered by the following Toyota
limited warranties:
For further information, please refer to the separate
“Owner’s Guide”, “Owner’s Manual Supplement” or
“Warranty Booklet”.
New vehicle warranty
Emission control systems warranty
Others
Your responsiblity for maintenance
It is the owner’s responsibility to make sure that the
specified maintenance is performed. Part 6 gives de-
tails of these maintenance requirements. Also in-
cluded in Part 6 is general maintenance. For sched-
uled maintenance information, please refer to the
separate “Owner’s Manual Supplement/Mainte-
nance Schedule”.
Accessories, spare parts and
modification of your Toyota
A wide variety of non genuine spare parts and acces-
sories for Toyota vehicles are currently available in
the market. You should know that Toyota does not
warrant these products and is not responsible either
for their performance, repair or replacement, or for
any damage they may cause to, or adverse effect
they may have on, your Toyota vehicle.
This vehicle should not be modified with non genuine
Toyota products. Modification with non genuine Toyo-
ta products could affect its performance, safety or du-
rability, and may even violate governmental regula-
tions. In addition, damage or performance problems
resulting from the modification may not be covered
under warranty.

Spark ignition system of your
Toyota
The spark ignition system of your Toyota meets all re-
quirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing
Equipment Standard.
Installationof a mobile
two-way radio system
As the installation of a mobile two-way radio system
in your vehicle could affect electronic systems such
as multiport fuel injection systems/sequential multi-
port fuel injection system, cruise control system, anti-
lock brake system and SRS airbag system, be sure
to check with your Toyota dealer for precautionary
measures or special instructions regarding installa-
tion.
Scrapping of your Toyota
The SRS airbag devices in your Toyota contains ex-
plosive chemicals. If the vehicle is scrapped with the
airbag left as it is, it may cause an accident such as
a fire. Be sure to have the SRS airbag system re-
moved and disposed of by a qualified service shop or
by your Toyota dealer before you dispose of your ve-
hicle.

Publication No. OM22482U
Part No. 01999-22482
Printed in Japan 04- 9711- 02
Quick index
If a service reminder indicator or warning buzzer comes on 70. . . . .
If your vehicle will not start 151. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If your engine stalls while driving 154. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If your vehicle overheats 155. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If you have a flat tire 156. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If your vehicle needs to be towed 163. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tips for driving during break- in period 129. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How to start the engine 141. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
General maintenance 176. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Complete index 219. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gas station information
Fuel type:
UNLEADED gasoline, Research Octane Number 91 (Octane Rating 87) or
higher. For improved vehicle performance, the use of premium unleaded gaso-
line with a Research Octane Number of 96 (Octane Rating 91) or higher is
recommended.
See page 129 for detailed information.
Fuel tank capacity:
70 L (18.5 gal., 15.4 lmp. gal.)
Engine oil:
API SH, “Energy-Conservint II” multigrade engine oil or ILSAC multigrade
engine oil is recommended.
See page 186 for detailed information.
Automatic transmission fluid:
Automatic transmission fluid D-ll or DEXRON lll (DEXRON ll)
Tire information: See pages 189 through 193.
Tire pressure: See page 212.
B−1
B

Part 1
1
OPERATION OF
INSTRUMENTS
AND CONTROLS—
Chapter 1-1
Overview of instruments
and controls
Instrument panel overview
Instrument cluster overview
Indicator symbols on the
instrument panel

2
1. Side vent
2. Side defroster outlet
3. Tilt steering lock release lever
4. Automatic transmission selector
lever (column shift)
5. Center vents
6. Electric moon roof switch or front
interior light, and personal lights
7. Power door lock switch
8. Power window switches
9. Seat heater switch
10. Glovebox
11. Automatic transmission selector
lever (column shift)
12. Lower vent
13. Parking brake release lever
14. Parking brake pedal
Instrument panel overview

3
1. Instrument panel light control dial
2. Headlight and turn signal switch
3. Wiper and washer switches
4. Driving pattern selector button
5. Thermometer
6. Clock
7. Emergency flasher switch
8. Car audio
9. Miscellany box
10. Air conditioning controls
11. Ashtray and cigarette lighter
12. Rear window defogger switch
13. Ignition switch
14. Cruise control switch
15. Traction control system off switch
16. Power rear view mirror control
switch
17. Headlight cleaner switch

4
1. Engine coolant temperature gauge
2. Tachometer
3. Service reminder indicators or
indicator lights
4. Odometer
5. Trip meter
6. Speedometer
7. Fuel gauge
8. Trip meter reset knob
9. Theft deterrent system indicator
light
Instrument cluster overview

Indicator symbols on the instrument panel
5
Anti-lock brake system warning light*1
Brake system warning light *1
Seat belt reminder light*1
Discharge warning light*1
Low oil pressure warning light*1
Malfunction indicator lamp*1
Low fuel level warning light *1
Open door warning light*1
SRS airbag warning light*1
Turn signal indicator lights
Traction control system off
indicator/warning light*1
Rear light failure warning light*1

6
Driving pattern indicator light
Cruise control indicator light *2
*1: For details, see “Service reminder indicators and
warning buzzers” in Chapter 1-5.
*2: If this light flashes, see “Cruise control” in Chapter 1-6.
Slip indicator light
Automatic transmission indicator lights
Overdrive-off indicator light
Headlight high beam indicator light

Part 1 Keys
7
OPERATION OF
INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLS—
Chapter 1-2
Keys and Doors
Keys
Side doors
Power windows
Trunk lid
Hood
Theft deterrent system
Fuel tank cap
Electric moon roof
Your vehicle is supplied with two
kinds of key.
1. Master key- This key works in every
lock.
2. Subkey- This key will not work in the
glovebox.
To protect things locked in the glovebox
when you have your vehicle parked, leave
the subkey with the attendant.
Since the side doors and trunk lid can be
locked without a key, you should always
carry a spare master key in case you acci-
dentally lock your keys inside the vehicle.
KEY NUMBER PLATE
Your key number is shown on the
plate. Keep the plate in a safe place
such as your wallet, not in the vehicle.
If you should lose your keys of if you need
additional keys, duplicates can be made
by a Toyota dealer using the key number.
You should also put a copy of the key
number with your important papers.

8
LOCKING AND UNLOCKING WITH
KEY
Insert the key into the keyhole and turn
it.
To lock: Turn the key forward.
To unlock: Turn the key backward.
All the doors lock and unlock simulta-
neously with either front door. In the driv-
er’s door lock, turning the key once will un-
lock the driver’s door and twice in
succession will unlock all the doors simul-
taneously.
LOCKING AND UNLOCKING WITH IN-
SIDE LOCK BUTTON
Move the lock button.
To lock: Push the button forward.
To unlock: Pull the button backward.
Closing the door with the lock button
pushed in will also lock the door. Be care-
ful not to lock your keys in the vehicle.
The door cannot be locked if you leave the
key in the ignition switch.
Driver’s side
Passenger’s side
Side doors—

9
LOCKING AND UNLOCKING WITH
POWER DOOR LOCK SWITCH
Push the switch.
To lock: Push the switch on the front side.
To unlock: Push the switch on the rear
side.
All the doors lock or unlock simultaneous-
ly.
REAR DOOR CHILD-PROTECTORS
Turn the lock knob to the “LOCK”
position as shown on the label.
This feature allows you to lock a rear door
so it can be opened from the outside only,
not from inside. We recommend using
this feature whenever small children are in
the vehicle.
CAUTION
!
Before driving, be sure that the
doors are closed and locked, espe-
cially when small children are in the
vehicle. Along with the proper use of
seat belts, locking the doors helps
prevent the driver and passengers
from being thrown out from the ve-
hicle during an accident. It also
helps prevent the doors from being
opened unintentionally.

10
Locking operation
Unlocking operations
Your vehicle has a wireless remote
control system that can lock or unlock
all the doors, or open the trunk lid from
a distance within approximately 1 m (3
ft.) of the vehicle.
LOCKING AND UNLOCKING THE
DOORS
To lock and unlock all the doors, push
the “LOCK” switch or “UNLOCK”
switch of the transmitter slowly and
surely.
To lock: Push the “LOCK” switch. All the
doors are locked simultaneously. At this
time, parking lights, side marker lights and
tail lights flash once.
Check to see that the doors are securely
locked.
If any of the doors is not securely closed,
or if the key is in the ignition switch, locking
cannot be performed by the “LOCK”
switch.
To unlock: Push the “UNLOCK” switch
once to unlock the driver’s door alone.
Pushing the switch twice within 5 seconds
unlocks all the doors simultaneously. At
this time, parking lights, side marker lights
and tail lights flash twice.
If the key is in the ignition switch, unlock-
ing cannot be performed by the “UN-
LOCK” switch.
You have 30 seconds to open a door after
using the wireless remote unlock feature.
If a door is not opened by then, all the
doors will be automatically locked again.
If the “LOCK” or “UNLOCK” switch is kept
pressed in, the locking or unlocking
opeartion is not repeated. Release the
button and then push again.
—Wireless remote control

11
OPENING THE TRUNK LID
To open the trunk lid, push the trunk
lid open switch of the transmitter
slowly and surely.
If the key is in the ignition switch, the trunk
lid cannot be opened by the trunk lid open
switch.
To open the trunk lid with the master key,
see “Trunk lid” in this chapter.
WIRELESS REMOTE CONTROL
TRANSMITTER
The wireless remote control transmitter is
an electronic component. Observe the fol-
lowing instructions in order not to cause
damage on the transmitter.
Do not leave the transmitter on the
places where the temperature becomes
high such as on the dashboard.
Do not disaassemble it.
Avoid knocking it hard against other ob-
jects or dropping it.
Avoid putting it in water.
You can use up to 2 wireless remote con-
trol transmitters for the same vehicle.
Contact your Toyota dealer for detailed in-
formation.
If the wireless remote control transmitter
does not actuate the doors or trunk lid, or
operate from a normal distance:
Check for closeness to a radio transmit-
ter such as a radio station or an airport
which can interfer with normal operation
of the transmitter.
The batteries may have been con-
sumed. Check the batteries in the trans-
mitter. To replace the batteries, see “Re-
placing transmitter batteries.”
Replacing tranmsitter batteries
The expected life of your transmitter bat-
teries is about one year. For replacement,
use DURACELL DL2016 or equivalent.
a. Using a screwdriver, separate the two
halves of the transmitter with the transmit-
ter buttons facing down.
b. Remove and replace the transmitter
batteries.
If you touch a new battery with your fin-
gers, clean it with rubbing alcohol. Skin
oils may shorten the batteries’ life.
c. Reassemble the transmitter case.
Make sure the gasket is properly installed.
After replacing batteries, check that the
transmitter operates properly. If the trans-
mitter still does not operate properly, con-
tact your Toyota dealer.
If you lose your transmitter, contact your
Toyota dealer as soon as possible to avoid
the possibility of theft, or an accident.

12
MODEL/FCC ID: GQ43VT7T
ISC: 1470 K1361
MADE IN U.S.A.
This complies with part 15 of the FCC
rules. Operation is subject to the follow-
ing two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful
interference, and (2) This device must
accept any interference recieved, in-
cluding interference that may caused
undesired operation.
The windows can be operated with the
switch on each door.
The power windows work when the igni-
tion switch is in the “ON” position. Howev-
er, if both front doors are closed, they work
for 60 seconds even after the ignition
switch is turned off. They stop working
when either front side door is opened.
OPERATING THE DRIVER’S WINDOW
Use the switch on the driver’s door.
Normal operation: The window moves
as long as you hold the switch.
To open: Lightly push down the switch.
To close: Pull up the switch.
Automatic operation (to open only):
Push the switch completely down and
then release it. The window will fully open.
To stop the window partway, lightly pull the
switch up and then release it.
Power windows

13
OPERATING THE PASSENGERS’ WIN-
DOWS
Use the switches on the passengers’
doors. The driver’s door also has
switches that control the passengers’
windows.
The window moves as long as you hold
the switch.
To open: Push down the switch.
To close: Pull up the switch.
If you push in the window lock button on
the driver’s door, the passenger’s win-
dows cannot be operated.
CAUTION
!
To avoid serious personal injury, you
must do the following.
Always make sure the head, hands
and other parts of the body of all oc-
cupants are kept completely inside
the vehicle before you close the
power windows. If someone’s
neck, head or hands gets caught in
a closing window, it could result in
a serious injury. When anyone
closes the power windows, be sure
that they operate the windows safe-
ly.
When small children are in the ve-
hicle, never let them use the power
window switches without supervi-
sion. Use the window lock button
to prevent them from making unex-
pected use of the switches.
Never leave small children alone in
the vehicle, especially with the igni-
tion key still inserted. They could
use the power window switches
and get trapped in a window. Unat-
tended children can become in-
volved in serious accidents.

14
To open the trunk lid from the outside,
insert the master key and turn it clock-
wise.
See “Luggage stowage precautions” in
Part 2 for precautions to observe in load-
ing luggage.
To close the trunk lid, lower it and press
down on it. After closing the trunk lid, try
pulling it up to make sure it is securely
closed.
Keep the trunk lid closed while driv-
ing. This not only keeps the luggage
from being thrown out but also pre-
vents exhaust gases from entering
the vehicle.
CAUTION
!
To open the trunk lid from the driver’s
seat, pull up on the lock release lever.
—Lock release leverTrunk lid (type A)

15
This system deactivates the lock re-
lease lever so that things locked in the
trunk can be protected.
After closing the trunk lid, insert the
master key and turn it counterclock-
wise to deactivate the lock release lev-
er.
After closing the trunk lid, try pulling it up
to make sure it is securely locked.
To open the trunk lid from the outside,
insert the master key and turn it clock-
wise.
See “Luggage stowage precautions” in
Part 2 for precautions to observe in load-
ing luggage.
To close the trunk lid, lower it and press
down on it. After closing the trunk lid, try
pulling it up to make sure it is securely
closed.
Keep the trunk lid closed while driv-
ing. This not only keeps the luggage
from being thrown out but also pre-
vents exhaust gases from entering
the vehicle.
CAUTION
!
—Luggage security system Trunk lid (type B)