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Toyota Avalon Fuel and Fuel System Questions

77 messages,  Last post on Nov 13, 2011 at 8:26 PM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Avalon, Fuel System, Sedan

Messages Page 5 of 8

#41 of 77 Fuel Range Guage Question by suzanne6

Apr 24, 2005 (9:31 pm)

I recently purchased a 2002 Avalon XLS, 29K miles, from a Toyota dealer with a certified used car certificate. The FUEL RANGE GUAGE on the information area of the dash read 260 miles and the fuel guage itself was at the 3/4 mark when I filled with gas for the first time. I topped the tank and the fuel gauage went just beyond the full mark and the FUEL RANGE GUAGE read 210 miles. What gives??? Shouldn't my fuel range be greater than 210? Shouldn't the number be about 370, the total after multiplying 18.5 gallon capacity times about 20 mpg?
 
     How can my fuel range be 260 miles with 3/4 tank and then drop to 210 miles with a full tank?

#42 of 77 Fuel for Avalon? by lazarous

Aug 23, 2005 (4:59 pm)

Is anyone using regular unleaded to drive his/her Avalon? I would like to know if the car runs fine with regular unleaded? Thanks much

#43 of 77 Re: Fuel for Avalon? [lazarous] by fin

Aug 23, 2005 (6:58 pm)

Replying to: lazarous (Aug 23, 2005 4:59 pm)
All Avalons can use 87 octane regular or anything higher. The knock sensor will retard the spark to prevent problems. You lose a little horsepower. Many people, myself included, say gas mileage improves if 89 octane is used and the increase in mileage pays the difference in price per gallon. Some disagree.
 
The new 2005 will drop more power on 87 octane as it has more power built into the engine. And it gains more if you upgrade. Going to 91 or more does nothing for the '04 and older but has benefits for the '05. Your warranty is good, regardless.
 
But, why put cheap gas in a nice car...? Go 89 (or more) and enjoy it.

#44 of 77 Re: Fuel for Avalon? [fin] by abfisch

Aug 25, 2005 (8:35 am)

Replying to: fin (Aug 23, 2005 6:58 pm)
Fin:
 
Next year to replace my timing belt, water pump, and 2 other belts. What is your take on replacing the timing belt tensioner as well. It is an $78 part, and not sure if it goes that often. Can you tell me if you know or if anyone knows if this is usually replaced with the timing belt service.
 
Thanks.
 
abfisch

#45 of 77 Re: Fuel for Avalon? [abfisch] by fin

Aug 25, 2005 (4:48 pm)

Replying to: abfisch (Aug 25, 2005 8:35 am)
Timing belt tensioner: Here's an opinion based on the situation, research and a little mathematics, not a manual for car care.
 
This project is not easy or cheap, even DIY. How much does another $78 really mean these days?
 
If you change the timing belt at 60k or 90k miles and leave the tensioner in place, you are asking the tensioner to go 120k or even 180k miles before replacing it at the next belt change. Hmmmmmm ??
 
To cover themselves, Toyota dealers mention this part replacement when they perform this type service, but will generally do what the customer says, unless they see a failed tensioner. I have never had a belt replaced, but if you order racing timing belts (DIY) most of them come with a new tensioner too.
 
All things considered...money, possible roadside failures, time, etc.... spend the $78. The thing might last 150k miles. But why not enjoy driving with a lowered risk of problems.

#46 of 77 Re: Fuel for Avalon? [fin] by abfisch

Aug 26, 2005 (6:40 am)

Replying to: fin (Aug 25, 2005 4:48 pm)
Fin:
 
Thanks. That is what I was going to do, but wanted a second unbiased opinion. For that amount of money, I am just going to get it all done. This is not going to be done by me. I just don't have the knowledge to do this without taking a week to figure it out via the service manual and I have other fish to fry. I will get the parts and sit on them until I hit 90K.
 
I did take a chance and had an Infinity Basslink put in to replace the subwoofer in the deck. The place did such an amateurish job, crapo job, I had to take the dash apart myself, fix the cable to the temp. controls re-run wires, etc. What a mess but finally got it back straight and uniform. Very painful. I would NOT do it again. The only thing that I can say this amplified subwoofer does better is when your source is a CD or tape, but radio just makes things more boomy and not tight like I like my bass to be when listening to "C" jazz. Not worth the aggrevation. Sound have at least done it myself. Oh well. No harm done now.
 
PU bushing groan after 10K miles. Need lubrication every once and awhile. Some may not want to bother relubing them. Just a CON I wanted to mention about PU bushing on the sway bars. They do provide my more neutral control in cornering even at low speeds (35-40mph).
 
Thanks man.
 
abfisch

#47 of 77 Re: Fuel for Avalon? [lazarous] by johndjr

Sep 30, 2005 (8:23 am)

Replying to: lazarous (Aug 23, 2005 4:59 pm)
lazarous,
I have an 05 limited, have just over 4k on it. It runs just fine on regular.
I tried one tank of hi-test. It gave me the next to lowest mpg I've had on the car.

#48 of 77 average fuel economy indicator by fbarber

Oct 29, 2005 (1:16 pm)

I recently purchased a 2003 AVALON XLS and the average fuel economy indicator only resets on fill-ups. The manual says that I can reset at any time. The dealer ( Bev Smith in Ft. Pierce, Fl) says that there is a misprint in the 2003 manual. Are they correct or just trying to blow me off?

#49 of 77 Re: average fuel economy indicator [fbarber] by hamcarman

Oct 30, 2005 (10:17 pm)

Replying to: fbarber (Oct 29, 2005 1:16 pm)
I have never been able to reset my 2003 indicator except at fill ups and as far as I have been able to research the dealer is telling you the truth

#50 of 77 Drive on empty? by will16

Nov 04, 2005 (7:45 pm)

When the blue screen says you have 0 miles left for driving, how far has anyone gone?

Messages Page 5 of 8

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