Get INFORMATION BEFORE DRIVING YOUR TOYOTA -> Fuel Guide for Toyota Avalon 4 Door Second Generation (2000-2004)

’03 AVALON U (L/O 0206)

Break−in period

Fuel

Drive gently and avoid high speeds.

FUEL TYPE

OCTANE RATING

Your vehicle does not need an elaborate

break−in. But following a few simple tips

for the first 1600 km (1000 miles) can add

to the future economy and long life of

your vehicle:

Your new vehicle must use only un-

leaded gasoline.

Select Octane Rating 87 (Research Oc-

tane Number 91) or higher. For im-

proved vehicle performance, the use of

premium unleaded gasoline with an Oc-

tane Rating of 91 (Research Octane

Number 96) or higher is recommended.

To help prevent gas station mix−ups, your

Toyota has a smaller fuel tank opening.

The special nozzle on pumps with un-

leaded fuel will fit it, but the larger stan-

dard nozzle on pumps with leaded gas will

not.

D Avoid full throttle acceleration when

starting and driving.

Use of unleaded gasoline with an octane

rating or research octane number lower

than stated above will cause persistent

heavy knocking. If it is severe, this will

lead to engine damage.

D Avoid racing the engine.

minimum, the gasoline you use

D Try to avoid hard stops during the first

300 km (200 miles).

should meet specifications of ASTM

D4814 in the U.S.A. and CGSB 3.5−M93

in Canada.

D Do not drive for a long time at any

single speed, either fast or slow.

If your engine knocks...

If you detect heavy knocking even when

using the recommended fuel, or if you

NOTICE

D Do not tow a trailer during the first 800

km (500 miles).

hear steady knocking while holding

Do not use leaded gasoline. Use of

leaded gasoline will cause the three−

way catalytic converter to lose its ef-

fectiveness and the emission control

system to function improperly. Also,

this can increase maintenance costs.

steady speed on level roads, consult your

Toyota dealer.

However, now and then, you may notice

light knocking for a short time while accel-

erating or driving up hills. This is no need

of concern.

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’03 AVALON U (L/O 0206)

GASOLINE CONTAINING DETERGENT

ADDITIVES

CLEANER BURNING GASOLINE

GASOLINE CONTAINING MMT

Cleaner burning gasoline, including re-

formulated gasoline that contains oxy-

genates such as ethanol or MTBE is

available in many areas.

Some gasoline contain an octane en-

hancing additive called MMT (Methylcy-

clopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl).

Toyota recommends the use of gasoline

that contains detergent additives to

avoid build−up of engine deposits.

Toyota does not recommend the use of

gasoline that contains MMT. If fuel con-

taining MMT is used, your emission con-

trol system may be adversely affected.

The Malfunction Indicator Lamp on the in-

strument cluster may come on. If this hap-

pens, contact your Toyota dealer for ser-

vice.

However, all gasoline sold in the U.S.

contains detergent additives to keep clean

and/or clean intake systems.

Toyota recommends the use of cleaner

burning gasoline and appropriately blended

reformulated gasoline. These types of gas-

oline provide excellent vehicle perfor-

mance, reduce vehicle emissions, and im-

prove air quality.

QUALITY GASOLINE

Automotive manufacturers in the U.S.,

Europe and Japan have developed

OXYGENATES IN GASOLINE

specification for quality fuel named

World−Wide Fuel Charter (WWFC) that

is expected to be applied world wide.

The WWFC consists of three categories

that depend on required emission lev-

els. In the U.S., category 3 has been

adopted. The WWFC improves air quali-

ty by providing for better emissions in

vehicle fleets, and customer satisfaction

through better vehicle performance.

GASOLINE QUALITY

Toyota allows the use of oxygenate

blended gasoline where the oxygenate

content is up to 10% ethanol or 15%

MTBE. If you use gasohol in your

Toyota, be sure that it has an octane

rating no lower than 87.

In a very few cases, you may experience

driveability problems caused by the partic-

ular gasoline that you are using. If you

continue to have unacceptable driveability,

try changing gasoline brands. If this does

not rectify your problem, then consult your

Toyota dealer.

Toyota does not recommend the use of

gasoline containing methanol.

NOTICE

z Do not use gasohol other than

stated above. It will cause fuel sys-

tem damage or vehicle performance

problems.

z If driveability problems occur (poor

hot starting, vaporizing, engine

knock, etc.), discontinue the use.

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’03 AVALON U (L/O 0206)

Operation in foreign countries

Three−way catalytic converters

If you plan to drive your Toyota in

another country...

z Take care not to spill gasohol dur-

ing refueling. Gasohol may cause

paint damage.

First, comply with the vehicle registration

laws.

Second, confirm the availability of the cor-

rect fuel (unleaded and minimum octane

number).

FUEL TANK CAPACITY

70 L (18.5 gal., 15.4 Imp. gal.)

The three−way catalytic converter is an

emission control device installed in the

exhaust system.

The purpose is to reduce pollutants in the

exhaust gas.

CAUTION

D Keep people and combustible mate-

rials away from the exhaust pipe

while the engine is running. The

exhaust gas is very hot.

D Do not drive, idle or park your ve-

hicle over anything that might burn

easily such as grass, leaves, paper

or rags.

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INFORMATION BEFORE DRIVING YOUR TOYOTA -> Fuel for Your Toyota Avalon 4 Door Second Generation (2000-2004)

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