You are here: Forums Sedans Toyota Avalon Toyota Avalon Basic Maintenance Questions

Toyota Avalon Basic Maintenance Questions

290 messages,  Last post on Jun 16, 2009 at 8:51 AM

You are in the Toyota Avalon Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens

What is this discussion about? Toyota Avalon, Oil, Sedan

Messages Page 2 of 29 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ... 29 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

#11 of 290 rmsachs by nippononly Jan 21, 2003 (9:45 pm)
skip all that other junk - the plugs are made to go 60K, not 30, and they are very expensive to replace ahead of their time. The disc brakes don't need cleaning, unless you notice excessive squeak when you apply them. I can't recall if you have a TPS, but they certainly don't need to adjust the idle speed, the computer controls all that stuff nowadays. This makes me wonder: some of these things only apply to significantly older models than the car you have, and is it possible you are just reading their standard catch-all maintenance list? They use these lists on an "as applicable" basis to cover all models for all years.   The cabin air filter is a tricky one - are you sure it is not supposed to be replaced at some odd maintenance interval like 22.5K or 37.5K? If you have never had it done, just ask them to tack it on to the service you are going to have them perform. And you are allowed to bring your manual with you to the dealership and go through it item by item to show them exactly what services you would like done.   Every dealership has a different idea of what they think is the absolutely perfect maintenance schedule for your car, and how can they all be right??!! With Toyotas, doing what is asked for in the manual will not only ensure you meet the warranty requirements, but it will keep the car running for a long time as well. There is no need for extra stuff.
#12 of 290 msachs by armtdm Feb 04, 2003 (4:16 am)
The dealer is adding on his maintenance items to make a boat payment. Not needed. The only thing I would question that you are doing is the 7500 oil change intervals. If you are using synthetic fine if not the Toyota V6 scares me the way they beat up oil and unless it is highway miles you may be creating a sludge monster out there using dino and 7500.
#13 of 290 98 Avalon spark plugs/online by danbeth Feb 17, 2003 (6:29 am)
My inlaws Avalon have the direct ignition system. How do you remove the ignition coil/wire to access the spark plugs. Is this a simple project? I have changed the old distributor system wires and plugs on all my other cars. This is the first distributorless vehicle I have attempted. Can you give me step by step instructions? Also, Is there a good online toyota parts distributor where I can pick up the platinum plugs at a price cheaper than the dealer? Do they use NGk or Nippondenso? Thank you for your assistance. Dan
#14 of 290 2000 avalon xls major tune-up by wmmunn Feb 18, 2003 (9:47 am)
I just had the pleasure (or displeasure) of dealing with the 60,000 major maintenance items. I started off with a fuel system cleaning using the techron concentrate. Followed up by a pcv valve, and changing out of the plugs. I had originally taken the car in to the dealer, and was more than a little bit shocked by their profit motives. Lets just say they were a bit excessive in their pricing structure. I picked up a copy of the haynes manual in hopes that it would be helpful during the tuneup. While it did have good information, it was not very throrough. For instance it did show the basics of the plug change procedure, it did NOT indicate what needed to be removed to change the rear bank of plugs. The front 3 were very simple to get to, just remove the v-galley cover, which was 3 5mm hex nuts, and spinning the toyota logo to remove it. Then remove the coil hold-down bolts, pull the coil module out, and remove and replace the plugs. once I had removed the front plugs and changed them out, I got a good look at the old plugs. This is when I discovered I was replacing irridium plugs with platinum. Right away alarm bells went off in my head. Weren't the irridium plugs good for 120,000 miles? So why was my toyota dealer insisting my platinum plugs needed to be changed? I had already invested the money to purchase the correct tools, supplies and manuals, and was halfway done with the repairs. So I decided I would forge onward, since the new plugs were of the correct range and type. I am going to hang on to the original iridium plugs and have them cleaned and inspected. If they are still good after this, I will hang onto them and reinstall them at 120,000 miles. Now I continued on the rear bank of plugs. Number 3 cylinder was reasonably easy to get to. I used a standard ratchet and plug socket. I had to reach down between the intake plenum and the throttle body. Number 2 cylinder was just as easy, albeit, I was removing and replacing bolts I could only feel, not see while I was turning them. The real fun ocurred on everybodies favorite, cylinder number 1. I looked at this, and looked at it, in sort of disbelief. I am guess either the dealer techs are very skinny, or they remove the intake plenum. or possibly get at them from underneath on a lift. I certainly didnt have these options available to me in a suburban garage. I tried several times to remove the coil holddown bolt from the same hole I used for 2 and 3. I did manage to get it out, and dropped it into the lower a-arm on the passenger side. This created a 15 minute diversion to retrieve the bolt. It was then I tried to pull the coil off the plug that I discover there was a hose blocking it from moving back enough to remove completely. I then discovered that this was the pcv valve hose. I made a note of this, and then had to remove a nut holding some wires to the end of the intake plenum. Once I removed the wires and bracket, I was able to gain access to cylinder number 1 from the passenger side of the engine compartment. Once I had access I removed the pcv valve and moved the hose out of the way so I could remove the coil and replace the last spark plug. I then removed the original pcv valve, which was encrusted with a black gritty oily substance, I would guess might be oil. if the pcv valve looked like this, what does my engine look like inside? that scares me. I purchased the car at 44,000 former lease miles. Lets say the early ownership of the car lacked regular maintenance. Once I replaced the pcv valve and reattached the hose, clamps and the electrical wires. I then put the galley cover on and checked to be sure I had removed any tools etc... from the engine compartment. I then fired it up and took it for a test drive. Ran just great. I can say pretty confidently that anyone reasonably familiar with a ratchet and tight places can accomplish the plug replacement and pcv valve replacements with ease. While not a totally pleasant experience, you can certainly save a couple of hundred bucks. I know its not nearly as awful as a couple of chevy beretta 3.8 litre v-6 plug jobs I was involved with, those were truly evil jobs to do, involving multiple extension bars and universal joints, ramps and laying underneath the car. Anyone else have some input on this topic? have I done right to continue replacing my iridium plugs with bosch platinums? Feedback is welcomed.
#15 of 290 Plug Change by buckeyedon Feb 18, 2003 (9:27 pm)
My vehicles get the filters changed per schedule and same with fluids/oil at "severe" rate. As to spark plugs...I monitor gas mileage closely and when "highway" mileage drops (5% to 10% range)...and plugs have been in engine more than 60K...then I have plugs changed.   This, of course, doesn't apply to the 120K plugs.
#16 of 290 Avalon Plugs by danbeth Feb 19, 2003 (5:04 am)
Wmmunn, Thank you very much for your detailed description of the plug change. I also bought a haynes manual but was disappointed in the lack of detail. I have owned a 1987 Beretta V-6 and hated changing the plugs on that car. As far as the plugs, I like NGK or Denso plugs. They seem to work well with most Toyota and Hondas. Any idea of a good website to purchase plugs and Toyota parts online? Thanks again. Dan
#17 of 290 avalon plugs by wmmunn Feb 19, 2003 (9:19 am)
One note I forgot to mention in my post about the spark plug change. It is very dark inside the engine compartment, so you should use a trouble light or a nice strong flashlight. I performed the change at night in the dark using a mini mag light. Actually I prefer to do work like this in the dark, as bright daylight tends to wash out the darker recesses of the engine compartment, and makes it difficult to see the bolts and such on the back bank of plugs.
#18 of 290 online sources for spark plugs? by wmmunn Feb 19, 2003 (9:23 am)
Danbeth,   I am not sure what to recommend as far as places online to get spark plugs. I tend to make use of the local auto parts discounters. They have good cross-references for applications, and tend to stock a large quantity of useful late model parts. The best part of local discounters would be local accountability. Who wants to wait on shipping to get needed materials, and even worse, what happens when something goes wrong? Besides, the Bosch platinums I used for my avalon were only $1.99 each over the counter. Thats about as inexpensive as you could desire.
#19 of 290 Wholesale Toyota parts by armtdm Feb 19, 2003 (4:48 pm)
Genuine Toyota parts on line at wholesale prices. Been using these guys a few years and the shipping is usually less then tax but depends on the order. Much cheaper then dealer prices and Genuine toyota Metro toytoa www.toyotaparts.com
#20 of 290 Avalon parts by danbeth Feb 20, 2003 (2:26 pm)
Thank you one and all for your help and assistance. I will check out Toyotaparts.com. This is a very informative board. Dan

Messages Page 2 of 29 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ... 29 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

You are here: Forums Sedans Toyota Avalon Toyota Avalon Basic Maintenance Questions