Get STARTING AND DRIVING -> Tips for driving in various conditions Guide for Toyota Avalon 4 Door Second Generation (2000-2004)

’03 AVALON U (L/O 0206)

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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’03 AVALON U (L/O 0206)

Winter driving tips

Make sure you have

protection of engine coolant.

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.

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

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

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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STARTING AND DRIVING -> Tips for driving in various conditions for Your Toyota Avalon 4 Door Second Generation (2000-2004)

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