Toyota Avalon 1998 Operating Manual page 86

Engine coolant temperature
gauge
The gauge indicates the engine coolant
temperature when the ignition switch is
on. The engine operating temperature
will vary with changes in weather and
engine load.
If the needle moves into the red zone, your
engine is too hot. If your vehicle overheats,
stop your vehicle and allow the engine to
cool.
Your vehicle may overheat during severe op-
erating conditions, such as:
"
Driving up a long hill on a hot day.
"
Reducing speed or stopping after high
speed driving.
86
"
Idling for a long period with the air
conditioning on in stop- and- go traffic.
"
Towing a trailer.
NOTICE
z Do not remove the thermostat in
the engine cooling system as this
may cause the engine to overheat.
The thermostat is designed to con-
trol the flow of coolant to keep the
temperature of the engine within
the specified operating range.
z Do not continue driving with an
overheated engine. See "If your ve-
hicle overheats" in Part 4.
'98 AVALON (USA/CANADA)- U
Tachometer
The tachometer indicates engine speed
in thousands of rpm (revolutions per
minute). Use it while driving to select
correct shift points and to prevent en-
gine lugging and overrevving.
Driving with the engine running too fast
causes excessive engine wear and poor fuel
economy. Remember, in most cases the
slower the engine speed, the greater the fuel
economy.
NOTICE
Do not let the indicator needle get
into the red zone. This may cause
severe engine damage.