Get DO-IT-YOURSELF MAINTENANCE Introduction Guide for Toyota Avalon 4 Door Second Generation (2000-2004)

’03 AVALON U (L/O 0206)

SECTION 7− 1

DO−IT−YOURSELF MAINTENANCE

Introduction

Engine compartment overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268

Fuse locations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269

Do−it−yourself service precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270

Positioning the jack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272

Parts and tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273

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Engine compartment overview

1. Engine coolant reservoir

2. Power steering fluid reservoir

3. Engine oil level dipstick

4. Engine oil filler cap

5. Brake fluid reservoir

6. Fuse blocks

7. Battery

8. Radiator

9. Electric cooling fans

10. Condenser

11. Windshield washer fluid tank

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Fuse locations

Spare fuses

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Do−it−yourself service

precautions

If you perform maintenance by yourself,

be sure to follow the correct procedure

given in this section.

D Be sure that the ignition is off if

CAUTION

you work near the electric cooling

fans or radiator grille. With the

ignition on, the electric cooling fans

will automatically start to run if the

engine coolant temperature is high

and/or the air conditioning is on.

D When the engine is running, keep

hands, clothing, and tools away

from the moving fan and engine

You should be aware that improper or in-

complete servicing may result in operating

problems.

drive

belts.

(Removing

watches, and ties is advisable.)

rings,

Performing

do−it−yourself

maintenance

during the warranty period may affect your

warranty coverage. Read the separate

Toyota Warranty statement for details and

suggestions.

D Right after driving, the engine

compartment—the engine, radiator,

exhaust manifold and spark plug

boots, etc.—will be hot. So be care-

ful not to touch them. Oil, fluids

and spark plugs may also be hot.

D Use eye protection whenever you

work on or under your vehicle

where you may be exposed to flying

or falling material, fluid spray, etc.

This section gives instructions only for

those items that are relatively easy for an

owner to perform. As explained in Section

6, there are still a number of items that

must be done by a qualified technician

with special tools.

D Used engine oil contains potentially

harmful contaminants which may

cause skin disorders such as in-

flammation or skin cancer, so care

should be taken to avoid prolonged

and repeated contact with it. To re-

move used engine oil from your

skin, wash thoroughly with soap

and water.

D If the engine is hot, do not remove

the radiator cap or loosen the drain

plugs to prevent burning yourself.

D Do not smoke, cause sparks or al-

low open flames around fuel or the

battery. Their fumes are flammable.

For information on tools and parts for do−

it−yourself maintenance, see “Parts and

tools” in this section.

D Do not get under your vehicle with

just the body jack supporting it. Al-

ways use automotive jack stands or

other solid supports.

Utmost care should be taken when work-

ing on your vehicle to prevent accidental

D Do not leave used oil within the

reach of children.

injury. Here are

a

few precautions that

D Dispose of used oil and filter only

in a safe and acceptable manner.

Do not dispose of used oil and fil-

ter in household trash, in sewers or

onto the ground. Call your dealer or

you should be especially careful to ob-

serve:

a service station for information

concerning recycling or disposal.

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z Do not allow dirt or anything else

to fall through the spark plug holes.

z Be careful not to scratch the glass

surface with the wiper frame.

D Be extremely cautious when work-

ing on the battery. It contains poi-

sonous and corrosive sulfuric acid.

z Do not pry the outer electrode of a

spark plug against the center elec-

trode.

z When closing the engine hood,

check to see that you have not for-

gotten any tools, rags, etc.

D Warning: Battery posts, terminals

and related accessories contain lead

and lead compounds, chemicals

known to the State of California to

z Use only spark plugs of the speci-

fied type. Using other types will

cause engine damage, loss of per-

formance or radio noise.

cause cancer and reproductive

harm. Wash hands after handling.

z Do not reuse iridium−tipped spark

plugs by cleaning or regapping.

NOTICE

z Do not overfill automatic transmis-

sion fluid, or the transmission

could be damaged.

z Remember that battery and ignition

cables carry high currents or volt-

ages. Be careful of accidentally

causing a short circuit.

z Do not drive with the air cleaner

filter removed, or excessive engine

wear could result. Also backfiring

z Add only demineralized or distilled

water to fill the radiator. And if you

spill some of the coolant, be sure

to wash off with water to prevent it

from damaging the parts or paint.

could cause

compartment.

a

fire in the engine

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Positioning the jack

When jacking up your vehicle with the

jack, position the jack correctly as

shown in the illustrations.

D Never get under the vehicle when

the vehicle is supported by the jack

alone; use vehicle support stands.

D Do not raise the vehicle with some-

one in the vehicle.

CAUTION

When jacking, be sure to observe the

following to reduce the possibility of

personal injury:

D When raising the vehicle, do not

put an object on or under the jack.

D Follow jacking instructions.

NOTICE

D Do not put any part of your body

under the vehicle supported by the

jack. Personal injury may occur.

Make sure to place the jack correctly,

or your vehicle may be damaged.

Front

D Do not start or run the engine while

your vehicle is supported by the

jack.

D Stop the vehicle on

a

level firm

ground, firmly set the parking brake

and put the transmission in “P”.

Block the wheels on the opposite

side of the jack up point if neces-

sary.

D Make sure to set the jack properly

in the jack point. Raising the ve-

hicle with jack improperly posi-

tioned will damage the vehicle or

may allow the vehicle to fall off the

jack and cause personal injury.

Rear

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Parts and tools

Here is a list of parts and tools you will

need on performing do−it−yourself mainte-

nance. Remember all Toyota parts are de-

signed in metric sizes, so your tools must

be metric.

CHECKING BRAKE FLUID

ADDING WASHER FLUID

Parts (if level is low):

Parts:

D SAE J1703 or FMVSS No.116 DOT 3

brake fluid

D Water

D Washer fluid containing antifreeze

(for winter use)

Tools:

CHECKING THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL

Parts (if level is low):

D Rag or paper towel

Tools:

D Funnel (only for adding fluid)

CHECKING POWER STEERING FLUID

Parts (if level is low):

D Funnel

D “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equiva-

lent

REPLACING LIGHT BULBS

Parts:

See Section 7−2 for details about en-

gine oil selection.

D Automatic transmission

DEXRONrII or III

fluid

D Bulb with same number and wattage

rating as original (See charts in “Re-

placing light bulbs” in Section 7−3.)

Tools:

D Rag or paper towel

D Funnel (only for adding oil)

Tools:

D Rag or paper towel

D Funnel (only for adding fluid)

CHECKING BATTERY CONDITION

Tools:

D Screwdriver

CHECKING THE ENGINE COOLANT

LEVEL

Parts (if level is low):

D “Toyota Genuine Long Life Coolant” or

equivalent

D Warm water

D Baking soda

See Section 7−2 for details about cool-

ant type selection.

D Grease

D Conventional

clamp bolts)

wrench

(for

terminal

D Demineralized or distilled water

Tools:

CHECKING AND REPLACING FUSES

Parts (if replacement is necessary):

D Funnel (only for adding coolant)

D Fuse with same amperage rating as

original

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DO-IT-YOURSELF MAINTENANCE Introduction for Your Toyota Avalon 4 Door Second Generation (2000-2004)

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