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1
Part 1
OPERATION OF
INSTRUMENTS
AND CONTROLS—
Chapter 1 −1
Overview of instruments
and controls
Instrument panel overview
Instrument cluster overview
Indicator symbols on the
instrument panel
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Instrument panel overview
1. Side vent
2. Side defroster outlet
3. Tilt steering lock release lever
4. Automatic transmission selector lever
(column shift)
5. Center vents
6. Electric moon roof switch or front interior light, and front personal lights
7. Power door lock switch
8. Power window switches
9. Seat heater switch
10. Glovebox 11. Cup holder
12. Automatic transmission selector lever (floor shift)
13. Lower vent
14. Parking brake release lever
15. Parking brake pedal
16. Hood lock release lever
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1. Instrument panel light control dial
2. Headlight and turn signal switch and
front fog light switch
3. Wiper and washer switches
4. Driving pattern selector button
5. Thermometer
6. Clock
7. Emergency flasher switch
8. Car audio
9. Auxiliary box
10. Rear window and outside rear view mirror defoggers switch
11. Ashtray and cigarette lighter
12. Air conditioning controls
13. Ignition switch
14. Cruise control switch
15. Traction control system off switch
16. Power rear view mirror control switch
17. Headlight cleaner switch
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Instrument cluster overview
1. Engine coolant temperature gauge
2. Tachometer
3. Service reminder indicators or indicator
lights 4. Odometer and two trip meters
5. Speedometer
6. Fuel gauge
7. Trip meter reset knob
8. Theft deterrent system/Engine immobi-
liser system indicator light
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Indicator symbols on the instrument panel
Brake system warning light∗
1
Seat belt reminder light∗1
Discharge warning light∗1
Malfunction indicator lamp∗1
Low oil pressure warning light∗1
Anti-lock brake system warning light∗1(type A)
(type B)
Open door warning light∗1
Rear light failure warning light∗1
(type A)
(type B)
SRS airbag warning light∗1
Low fuel level warning light∗1
Traction control system off indicator/warning light∗1
Low windshield washer and headlight cleaner fluid
level warning light∗1
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Overdrive
−off indicator light
Cruise control indicator light
∗ 2
Automatic transmission indicator lights
∗1: For details, see ”Service reminder indicators and warning
buzzers” in Chapter 1 −5.
∗
2: If this light flashes, see ”Cruise control” in Chapter 1 −6.
Driving
pattern
indicator
light
Headlight high beam indicator light
Slip indicator light
Turn signal indicator lights
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Page 7 of 233

’98 AVALON (USA/CANADA)−U
7
Part 1
OPERATION OF
INSTRUMENTS
AND CONTROLS—
Chapter 1 −2
Keys and Doors
Keys
Engine immobiliser system
Side doors
Power windows
Trunk lid
Hood
Theft deterrent system
Fuel tank cap
Electric moon roof
Your vehicle is supplied with two kinds
of key.
1. Master key—This key works in every lock.
2. Subkey—This key will not work in the glovebox and trunk.
To protect things locked in the glovebox
or trunk when you have your vehicle
parked, leave the subkey with the atten-
dant.
Since the doors and trunk lid can be
locked without a key, you should always
carry a spare master key in case you
accidentally lock your keys inside the ve-
hicle.KEY NUMBER PLATE
Your key number is shown on the plate.
Keep the plate in a safe place such as
your wallet, not in the vehicle.
If you should lose your keys or if you
need additional keys, duplicates can be
made by a Toyota dealer using the key
number.
You should also put a copy of the key
number with your important papers.
Keys (without engine
immobiliser system)
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Your vehicle is supplied with the two
kinds of key.
Master key (black)—This key works in ev-
ery lock. Your Toyota dealer will need it
to make you a new key with built −in
transponder chip.
Subkey (gray)—This key will not work in
the glovebox and trunk.
The master key and subkey each have a
transponder chip in their key head which
is very important for the system function,
so be careful not to lose these keys. If
you make your own duplicate key, you will
not be able to cancel the system or start
the engine.
To protect things locked in the glovebox
or trunk when you have your vehicle
parked, leave the subkey with the atten-
dant.
Since the doors and trunk lid can be
locked without a key, you should always
carry a spare master key in case you
accidentally lock your keys inside the ve-
hicle.
NOTICE
When using a key containing a trans-
ponder chip, observe the following
precautions:
When starting the engine, do not
use the key with a key ring resting
on the key grip and do not press
the key ring against the key grip.
Otherwise the engine may not start,
or may stop soon after it starts.
When starting the engine, do not
use the key in contact with another
transponder key (including keys of
other vehicles) and do not press
another key plate against the key
grip. Otherwise the engine may not
start, or may stop soon after it
starts.
Keys (with engine
immobiliser system)
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