Get STARTING AND DRIVING Guide for Toyota Avalon 4 Door Second Generation (2000-2004)

’03 AVALON U (L/O 0206)

SECTION

3

STARTING AND DRIVING

Before starting the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224

How to start the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224

Tips for driving in various conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225

Winter driving tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226

Dinghy towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227

Trailer towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227

How to save fuel and make your vehicle last longer . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233

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How to start the engine—

(a) Before cranking

Before starting the engine

(b) Starting the engine

1. Check the area around the vehicle be-

fore entering it.

1. Apply the parking brake firmly.

Before starting the engine, be sure to fol-

low the instructions in “(a) Before crank-

ing”.

2. Turn off unnecessary lights and acces-

sories.

2. Adjust seat position, seatback angle,

seat cushion angle, head restraint

height and steering wheel angle.

Normal starting procedure

3. Put the selector lever in “P”. If you

need to restart the engine while the

vehicle is moving, put the selector le-

ver in “N”. A starter safety device will

prevent the starter from operating if the

selector lever is in any drive position.

The multiport fuel injection system/sequen-

tial multiport fuel injection system in your

engine automatically controls the proper

air−fuel mixture for starting. You can start

a cold or hot engine as follows:

3. Adjust the inside and outside rear view

mirrors.

4. Lock all the doors.

5. Fasten seat belts.

4. Depress the brake pedal and hold it to

the floor until driving off.

1. With your foot off the accelerator ped-

al, crank the engine by turning the key

to “START”. Release it when the en-

gine starts.

2. After the engine runs for about 10 se-

conds, you are ready to drive.

If the weather is below freezing, let the

engine warm up for a few minutes before

driving.

If the engine stalls...

Simply restart it, using the correct proce-

dure given in normal starting.

If the engine will not start...

See “If your vehicle will not start” in Sec-

tion 4.

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Tips for driving in various

conditions

D Always slow down in gusty crosswinds.

This will allow you much better control.

NOTICE

CAUTION

z Do not crank for more than 30 se-

conds at a time. This may overheat

the starter and wiring systems.

D Drive slowly onto curbs and, if pos-

sible, at a right angle. Avoid driving

onto high, sharp−edged objects and

other road hazards. Failure to do so

can lead to severe tire damage result-

ing in tire bursts.

D Before driving off, make sure the

parking brake is fully released and

the parking brake reminder light is

off.

z Do not race a cold engine.

z If the engine becomes difficult to

start or stalls frequently, have the

engine checked immediately.

D Do not leave your vehicle unat-

tended while the engine is running.

Drive slowly when passing over bumps

or travelling on a bumpy road. Other-

wise, the impact could cause severe

damage to the tires and/or wheels.

D Do not rest your foot on the brake

pedal while driving. It can cause

dangerous overheating, needless

wear, and poor fuel economy.

D When parking on a hill, turn the front

wheels until they touch the curb so

that the vehicle will not roll. Apply the

parking brake, and place the transmis-

sion in “P”. If necessary, block the

wheels.

D To drive down a long or steep hill,

reduce your speed and downshift.

Remember, if you ride the brakes

excessively, they may overheat and

not work properly.

D Be careful when accelerating, up-

shifting, downshifting or braking on

a slippery surface. Sudden accelera-

tion or engine braking, could cause

the vehicle to spin or skid.

D Washing your vehicle or driving through

deep water may get the brakes wet. To

see whether they are wet, check that

there is no traffic near you, and then

press the pedal lightly. If you do not

feel a normal braking force, the brakes

are probably wet. To dry them, drive

the vehicle cautiously while lightly

pressing the brake pedal with the park-

ing brake applied. If they still do not

work safely, pull to the side of the road

and call a Toyota dealer for assistance.

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Winter driving tips

Make sure you have

protection of engine coolant.

a

proper freeze

Make sure the engine oil viscosity is

suitable for the cold weather.

D Do not drive in excess of the speed

limit. Even if the legal speed limit

permits it, do not drive over 140

km/h (85 mph) unless your vehicle

has high−speed capability tires.

Driving over 140 km/h (85 mph) may

result in tire failure, loss of control

and possible injury. Be sure to con-

Your coolant must contain ethylene−glycol

type coolant for

See Section 7−2 for recommended viscos-

ity. Leaving a heavy summer oil in your

vehicle during winter months may cause

harder starting. If you are not sure about

which oil to use, call your Toyota deal-

er—he will be pleased to help.

a

proper corrosion

protection of aluminum components. Use

“Toyota Genuine Long Life Coolant” or

equivalent.

See Section 7−2 for details about coolant

type selection.

Keep the door locks from freezing.

sult

a

tire dealer to determine

whether the tires on your vehicle

are high−speed capability tires or

not before driving at such speeds.

Squirt lock de−icer or glycerine into the

locks to keep them from freezing.

NOTICE

Do not use alcohol type antifreeze or

plain water alone.

Use a washer fluid containing an anti-

freeze solution.

D Do not continue normal driving

when the brakes are wet. If they are

This product is available at your Toyota

dealer and most auto parts stores. Follow

the manufacturer’s directions for how

much to mix with water.

wet, your vehicle will require

a

When it is extremely cold, we recommend

to use 60% solution for your Toyota, to

provide protection down to about −50_C

(−58_F). Do not use more than 70% solu-

tion for better coolant performance.

longer stopping distance, and it

may pull to one side when the

brakes are applied. Also, the park-

ing brake will not hold the vehicle

securely.

NOTICE

Check the condition of the battery and

cables.

Do not use engine antifreeze or any

other substitute because it may dam-

age your vehicle’s paint.

Cold temperatures reduce the capacity of

any battery, so it must be in top shape

to provide enough power for winter start-

ing. Section 7−3 tells you how to visually

inspect the battery. Your Toyota dealer

and most service stations will be pleased

to check the level of charge.

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Dinghy towing

Trailer towing

Do not use your parking brake when

there is a possibility it could freeze.

Your vehicle is designed primarily as a

passenger−carrying vehicle. Towing

a

trailer will have an adverse effect on

handling, performance, braking, durability

and driving economy (fuel consumption,

etc.). Your safety and satisfaction depend

on the proper use of correct equipment

and cautious driving habits. For your

safety and the safety of others, you must

not overload your vehicle or trailer. Toyota

warranties do not apply to damage or

malfunction caused by towing a trailer for

commercial purposes. Ask your local

Toyota dealer for further details before

towing.

When parking, put the transmission into

“P” and block the rear wheels. Do not use

the parking brake, or snow or water accu-

mulated in and around the parking brake

mechanism may freeze, making it hard to

release.

Keep ice and snow from accumulating

under the fenders.

Ice and snow built up under your fenders

can make steering difficult. During bad

winter driving, stop and check under the

fenders occasionally.

Your vehicle is not designed to be

dinghy towed (with four wheels on the

ground) behind a motorhome.

Depending on where you are driving,

we recommend you carry some emer-

gency equipment.

NOTICE

When towing a trailer, be sure to con-

sult your Toyota dealer for further in-

formation on additional requirements

such as a towing kit, etc.

NOTICE

Some of the things you might put in the

vehicle are tire chains, window scraper,

bag of sand or salt, flares, small shovel,

jumper cables, etc.

Do not tow your vehicle with four

wheels on the ground. This may

cause serious damage to your vehicle.

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WEIGHT LIMITS

D Trailer hitch assemblies have differ-

Before towing, make sure the total trail-

er weight, gross vehicle weight, gross

axle weight and trailer tongue load are

all within the limits.

ent weight capacities established by

the hitch manufacturer. Even though

the vehicle may be physically capa-

ble of towing a higher weight, the

operator must determine the maxi-

mum weight rating of the particular

hitch assembly and never exceed

the maximum weight rating speci-

fied for the trailer−hitch. Exceeding

the maximum weight rating set by

the trailer hitch manufacturer can

cause an accident resulting in seri-

ous personal injuries.

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 (trailer

weight plus its cargo load) must

not exceed 907 kg (2000 lb.). Ex-

ceeding this weight is dangerous.

D The gross vehicle weight must not

exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight

Rating (GVWR) indicated on 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 load. It also includes the

weight of any special equipment

installed on your vehicle.

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HITCHES

Tongue load

Total trailer weight

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.

D Use only

a

hitch which is recom-

mended by the hitch manufacturer and

conforms to the total trailer weight re-

quirement.

D Follow the directions supplied by the

hitch manufacturer, and bolt the hitch

securely to the rear bumper. Lubricate

the hitch ball with

grease.

a

light coat of

Tongue load

100 = 9 to 11%

Total trailer weight

D Toyota recommends removing the trail-

er hitch whenever you are not towing

a

trailer to reduce the possibility of

additional damage caused by the hitch

if your vehicle is struck from behind.

After removing the hitch, seal any

mounting holes in the vehicle body to

prevent entry of pollutants such as ex-

haust fumes, dirt, water, etc.

D The trailer cargo load should be

distributed so that the tongue load

is

9

to 11% of the total 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.

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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BRAKES AND SAFETY CHAINS

BREAK−IN SCHEDULE

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.

D Toyota recommends trailers with brakes

that conform to any applicable federal

and state/provincial regulations.

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.

D A safety chain must always be used

between the towing vehicle and the

trailer. Leave sufficient slack in 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, follow the hitch or trailer

manufacturer’s recommendations.

MAINTENANCE

D If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will

require more frequent maintenance due

to the additional load. For this informa-

tion, please refer to the scheduled

maintenance information in the “Sched-

uled Maintenance Guide” or “Owner’s

Manual Supplement”.

TIRES

D Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are

properly inflated. See Section 7−2 and

Section 8 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.

CAUTION

D Retighten all fixing bolts of the towing

ball and bracket after approximately

1000 km (600 miles) of trailer driving.

D If the total trailer weight exceeds

453 kg (1000 lb.), trailer brakes are

required.

TRAILER LIGHTS

D Trailer lights must comply with federal,

state/provincial and local regulations.

See your local 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.

PRE−TOWING SAFETY CHECK

D Check that your vehicle remains level

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 for improper

tongue load, overload, worn suspension

or other possible causes.

D Never tap into your vehicle’s hy-

draulic system as it would lower its

braking effectiveness.

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D Make sure the trailer cargo is securely

loaded so that it can not shift.

D Backing with a trailer is difficult and

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.

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 is generally opposite to that

when backing without a trailer). Also,

just turn the steering wheel a little at

D Check that your rear view mirrors con-

form to any applicable federal, state/

provincial or local regulations. If not,

install the rear view mirrors required

for towing purpose.

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

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:

a

time, avoiding sharp or prolonged

making

radius with your vehicle.

a

larger than normal turning

turning. Have someone guide you when

backing to reduce the risk of an acci-

dent.

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 reduce speed 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.

D Because stopping distance may be in-

creased, vehicle−to−vehicle distance

D Before starting out, check operation of

the lights and all vehicle−trailer connec-

should be increased when 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.

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 Avoid jerky starts or sudden accelera-

tion.

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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.

1. Apply the brakes and hold.

CAUTION

2. Have someone place wheel blocks un-

der both the vehicle and trailer wheels.

D Do not exceed 72 km/h (45 mph) or

the posted towing speed limit,

whichever is lower. Because insta-

bility (swaying) of a towing vehicle−

3. When the wheel blocks are in place,

release your brakes slowly until the

blocks absorb the load.

D In order to maintain engine braking effi-

ciency do not use overdrive.

trailer

combination

usually

in-

4. Apply the parking brake firmly.

creases as the speed increases, ex-

ceeding 72 km/h (45 mph) may

cause loss of control.

5. Shift into “P” and turn off the engine.

D Because of the added load of the trail-

er, your vehicle’s engine may overheat

on hot days (at temperatures over

30_C [85_F]) when going up a long or

steep grade with a trailer. If the engine

coolant temperature gauge 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 Section 4.

When restarting out after parking on a

slope:

D Slow down and downshift before

descending steep or long downhill

grades. Do not make sudden down-

shifts.

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.

D Avoid holding the brake pedal down

too long or too frequently. This

could cause the brakes to overheat

and result in reduced braking effi-

ciency.

3. Release the parking brake and brake

pedal and slowly pull or back away

from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply

your brakes.

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:

4. Have someone retrieve the blocks.

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How to save fuel and make

your vehicle last longer

Improving fuel economy is easy—just take

it 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 Avoid long engine idling. If you have

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.

a long wait and you are not in traffic,

it is better to turn off the engine and

start again later.

D Avoid engine lugging or over−rev-

ving. Use a gear position suitable for

the road on which you are travelling.

D Keep your tires inflated at the cor-

rect pressure. Underinflation causes

tire wear and wastes fuel. See Section

7−2 for instructions.

D Keep the bottom of your vehicle free

from mud, etc. This not only lessens

weight but also helps prevent corro-

sion.

D Avoid continuous speeding up and

slowing down. Stop−and−go driving

wastes fuel.

D Do not carry unneeded weight in

your vehicle. Excess weight puts

a

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 con-

tribute 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

receives more frequent maintenance.

(For scheduled maintenance informa-

tion, please refer to the “Scheduled

Maintenance Guide” or “Owner’s Manu-

al Supplement”.)

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.

heavier load on the engine, causing

greater fuel consumption.

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 Keep the automatic transmission

overdrive turned on when engine

braking is not required. Driving with

the overdrive off will reduce the fuel

economy. (For details, see “Automatic

transmission” in Section 1−6.)

D Avoid heavy traffic or traffic jams

whenever possible.

D Do not rest your foot on the brake

pedal. This causes premature wear,

overheating and poor fuel economy.

D Accelerate slowly and smoothly.

Avoid jackrabbit starts.

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.

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CAUTION

Never turn off the engine to coast

down hills. Your power steering and

brake booster will not function with-

out the engine running. Also, the

emission control system operates

properly only when the engine is run-

ning.

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STARTING AND DRIVING for Your Toyota Avalon 4 Door Second Generation (2000-2004)

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