Get Maintenance and care -> Engine compartment Guide for Toyota Avalon 4 Door Fourth Generation (2013-2018)

330

6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

Engine compartment

Engine oil filler cap(→P. 332)

Radiator

(→P. 336)

1

6

7

8

9

Engine oil level dipstick

Electric cooling fans

2

(→P. 331)

Condenser

(→P. 336)

Brake fluid reservoir

3

Engine coolant reservoir

(→P. 337)

(→P. 334)

Washer fluid tank (→P. 341)

Fuse box

Battery

(→P. 362)

(→P. 338)

4

5

10

331

6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

Engine oil

With the engine at operating temperature and turned off, check the oil

level on the dipstick.

■ Checking the engine oil

1

Park the vehicle on level ground. After warming up the engine

and turning it off, wait more than 5 minutes for the oil to drain

back into the bottom of the engine.

2

Holding a rag under the end,

pull the dipstick out.

3

Wipe the dipstick clean.

4

Reinsert the dipstick fully.

5

Holding a rag under the end,

pull the dipstick out and

check the oil level.

6

Low

1

Normal

2

Excessive

3

The shape of the dipstick may

differ depending on the type of

vehicle or engine.

6

Wipe the dipstick and reinsert it fully.

332

■ Adding engine oil

6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

If the oil level is below or near

the low level mark, add engine

oil of the same type as that

already in the engine.

Make sure to check the oil type and prepare the items needed

before adding oil.

Engine oil selection

→P. 427

Oil quantity

(Low → Full)

1.6 qt. (1.5 L, 1.3 Imp. qt.)

Clean funnel

Items

1

Remove the oil filler cap by turning it counterclockwise.

Add engine oil slowly, checking the dipstick.

Install the oil filler cap by turning it clockwise.

2

3

■Engine oil consumption

A certain amount of engine oil will be consumed while driving. In the following

situations, oil consumption may increase, and engine oil may need to be

refilled in between oil maintenance intervals.

●When the engine is new, for example directly after purchasing the vehicle or

after replacing the engine

●If low quality oil or oil of an inappropriate viscosity is used

●When driving at high engine speeds or with a heavy load, or when driving

while accelerating or decelerating frequently

●When leaving the engine idling for a long time, or when driving frequently

through heavy traffic

333

6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

WARNING

■Used engine oil

●Used engine oil contains potentially harmful contaminants which may

cause skin disorders such as inflammation and skin cancer, so care

should be taken to avoid prolonged and repeated contact. To remove used

engine oil from your skin, wash thoroughly with soap and water.

●Dispose of used oil and filters only in a safe and acceptable manner. Do

not dispose of used oil and filters in household trash, in sewers or onto the

ground.

Call your Toyota dealer, service station or auto parts store for information

concerning recycling or disposal.

●Do not leave used engine oil within the reach of children.

NOTICE

■To prevent serious engine damage

Check the oil level on a regular basis.

■When replacing the engine oil

●Be careful not to spill engine oil on the vehicle components.

●Avoid overfilling, or the engine could be damaged.

●Check the oil level on the dipstick every time you refill the vehicle.

●Be sure the engine oil filler cap is properly tightened.

6

334

Engine coolant

6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

The coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the “F” and “L” lines on

the reservoir when the engine is cold.

Reservoir cap

1

“F” line

2

“L” line

3

If the level is on or below the “L”

line, add coolant up to the “F” line.

(→P. 418)

■Coolant selection

Only use “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or a similar high quality ethylene

glycol based non-silicate, non-amine, non-nitrite, and non-borate coolant with

long-life hybrid organic acid technology.

U.S.A.:

“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 50% coolant and 50% deion-

ized water. (Minimum temperature: -31°F [-35°C])

Canada:

“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 55% coolant and 45% deion-

ized water. (Minimum temperature: -44°F [-42°C])

For more details about engine coolant, contact your Toyota dealer.

■If the coolant level drops within a short time of replenishing

Visually check the radiator, hoses, engine coolant reservoir caps, drain cock

and water pump.

If you cannot find a leak, have your Toyota dealer test the cap and check for

leaks in the cooling system.

335

6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

WARNING

■When the engine is hot

Do not remove the engine coolant reservoir cap or the radiator cap.

(→P. 420)

The cooling system may be under pressure and may spray hot coolant if the

cap is removed, causing serious injuries, such as burns.

NOTICE

■When adding coolant

Coolant is neither plain water nor straight antifreeze. The correct mixture of

water and antifreeze must be used to provide proper lubrication, corrosion

protection and cooling. Be sure to read the antifreeze or coolant label.

■If you spill coolant

Be sure to wash it off with water to prevent it from damaging parts or paint.

6

336

Radiator and condenser

6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

Check the radiator and condenser and clear away any foreign objects.

If either of the above parts is extremely dirty or you are not sure of

their condition, have your vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer.

WARNING

■When the engine is hot

Do not touch the radiator or condenser as they may be hot and cause seri-

ous injuries, such as burns.

337

6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

Brake fluid

■ Checking fluid level

The brake fluid level should be

between the “MAX” and “MIN”

lines on the tank.

“MAX” line

1

“MIN” line

2

■ Adding fluid

Make sure to check the fluid type and prepare the necessary item.

Fluid type

Items

FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake fluid

Clean funnel

■Brake fluid can absorb moisture from the air

Excess moisture in the brake fluid can cause a dangerous loss of braking effi-

ciency. Use only newly opened brake fluid.

6

WARNING

■When filling the reservoir

Take care as brake fluid can harm your hands and eyes and damage

painted surfaces.

If fluid gets on your hands or in your eyes, flush the affected area with clean

water immediately.

If you still experience discomfort, see a doctor.

NOTICE

■If the fluid level is low or high

It is normal for the brake fluid level to go down slightly as the brake pads

wear out or when the fluid level in the accumulator is high.

If the reservoir needs frequent refilling, there may be a serious problem.

338

Battery

6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

Check the battery as follows.

■ Battery exterior

Make sure that the battery terminals are not corroded and that

there are no loose connections, cracks, or loose clamps.

Terminals

1

Hold-down clamp

2

■Before recharging

When recharging, the battery produces hydrogen gas which is flammable and

explosive. Therefore, observe the following before recharging:

●If recharging with the battery installed on the vehicle, be sure to disconnect

the ground cable.

●Make sure the power switch on the charger is off when connecting and dis-

connecting the charger cables to the battery.

339

6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

■After recharging/reconnecting the battery

The engine may not start. Follow the procedure below to initialize the system.

1

Shift the shift lever to P.

Open and close any of the doors.

Restart the engine.

2

3

●Unlocking the doors using the smart key system may not be possible imme-

diately after reconnecting the battery. If this happens, use the wireless

remote control or the mechanical key to lock/unlock the doors.

●Start the engine with the engine switch in ACCESSORY mode. The engine

may not start when the engine switch turned from off. However, the engine

will operate normally from the second attempt.

●The engine switch mode is recorded by the vehicle. If the battery is recon-

nected, the vehicle will return the engine switch mode to the status it was in

before the battery was disconnected. Make sure to turn off the engine

before disconnect the battery. Take extra care when connecting the battery

if the engine switch mode prior to discharge is unknown.

If the system will not start even after multiple attempts, contact your Toyota

dealer.

WARNING

■Chemicals in the battery

Batteries contain poisonous and corrosive sulfuric acid and may produce

hydrogen gas which is flammable and explosive. To reduce the risk of death

or serious injury, take the following precautions while working on or near the

battery:

6

●Do not cause sparks by touching the battery terminals with tools.

●Do not smoke or light a match near the battery.

●Avoid contact with eyes, skin and clothes.

●Never inhale or swallow electrolyte.

●Wear protective safety glasses when working near the battery.

●Keep children away from the battery.

340

6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

WARNING

■Where to safely charge the battery

Always charge the battery in an open area. Do not charge the battery in a

garage or closed room where there is insufficient ventilation.

■How to recharge the battery

Only perform a slow charge (5 A or less). The battery may explode if

charged at a quicker rate.

■Emergency measures regarding electrolyte

●If electrolyte gets in your eyes

Flush your eyes with clean water for at least 15 minutes and get immedi-

ate medical attention. If possible, continue to apply water with a sponge or

cloth while traveling to the nearest medical facility.

●If electrolyte gets on your skin

Wash the affected area thoroughly. If you feel pain or burning, get medical

attention immediately.

●If electrolyte gets on your clothes

It can soak through clothing on to your skin. Immediately take off the cloth-

ing and follow the procedure above if necessary.

●If you accidentally swallow electrolyte

Drink a large quantity of water or milk. Get emergency medical attention

immediately.

NOTICE

■When recharging the battery

Never recharge the battery while the engine is operating. Also, be sure all

accessories are turned off.

341

6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

Washer fluid

If any washer does not work or the

warning message appears on the

multi-information

display,

the

washer tank may be empty. Add

washer fluid.

WARNING

■When adding washer fluid

Do not add washer fluid when the engine is hot or running as washer fluid

contains alcohol and may catch fire if spilled on the engine etc.

NOTICE

■Do not use any fluid other than washer fluid

Do not use soapy water or engine antifreeze instead of washer fluid.

Doing so may cause streaking on the vehicle’s painted surfaces.

6

■Diluting washer fluid

Dilute washer fluid with water as necessary.

Refer to the freezing temperatures listed on the label of the washer fluid bot-

tle.

Maintenance and care -> Engine compartment for Your Toyota Avalon 4 Door Fourth Generation (2013-2018)

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