VEHICLE MAINTENANCE AND CARE -> Does your vehicle need repairing? for Your Toyota Avalon 4 Door Second Generation (2000-2004)

’03 AVALON U (L/O 0206)  
Does your vehicle need  
repairing?  
Engine oil level  
Be on the alert for changes in perfor-  
mance, sounds, and visual tip−offs that  
indicate service is needed. Some impor-  
tant clues are as follows:  
If you notice any of these clues, take your  
vehicle to your Toyota dealer as soon as  
possible. It probably needs adjustment or  
repair.  
Check the level on the dipstick with the  
engine turned off and the vehicle parked  
on a level spot. See Section 7−2 for addi-  
tional information.  
D Engine missing, stumbling, or pinging  
D Appreciable loss of power  
D Strange engine noises  
CAUTION  
Power steering fluid level  
Check the level through the reservoir. The  
level should be in the “HOT” or “COLD”  
range depending on the fluid temperature.  
See Section 7−2 for additional information.  
Do not continue driving with the ve-  
hicle unchecked. It could result in se-  
rious vehicle damage and possibly  
personal injury.  
D A leak under the vehicle (however, wa-  
ter dripping from the air conditioning  
after use is normal.)  
Exhaust system  
If you notice any change in the sound of  
the exhaust or smell exhaust fumes, have  
the cause located and corrected immedi-  
ately. (See “Engine exhaust cautions” in  
Section 2.)  
D Change in exhaust sound (This may  
indicate a dangerous carbon monoxide  
leak. Drive with the windows open and  
have the exhaust system checked im-  
mediately.)  
D Flat−looking tire; excessive tire squeal  
when cornering; uneven tire wear  
D Vehicle pulls to one side when driving  
straight on a level road  
D Strange noises related to suspension  
movement  
D Loss of brake effectiveness; spongy  
feeling brake; pedal almost touches  
floor; vehicle pulls to one side when  
braking  
D Engine coolant temperature continually  
higher than normal  
2003 AVALON (OM41401U)  
265