Page 2 of 233
’98 AVALON (USA/CANADA)−U
2
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
ProCarManuals.com
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)
ProCarManuals.com
Page 8 of 233

’98 AVALON (USA/CANADA)−U
8
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)
ProCarManuals.com
Page 19 of 233
’98 AVALON (USA/CANADA)−U
19
Tr u n k lid (t yp e B) —
To open the trunk lid from the outside,
insert the master key and turn it clock-
wise.
See ”Luggage stowage precautions” in
Part 2 for precautions to observe in load-
ing luggage.
To close the trunk lid, lower it and press
down on it. After closing the trunk lid, try
pulling it up to make sure it is securely
closed.
CAUTION
Keep the trunk lid closed while driv-
ing. This not only keeps the luggage
from being thrown out but also pre-
vents exhaust gases from entering
the vehicle.
—Lock release button
To open the trunk lid from the driver’s
seat, push the lock release button.
To safeguard the lock release button from
unwanted access, lock the glovebox. (See
”Glovebox” in Chapter 1 −8.)
ProCarManuals.com
Page 20 of 233
’98 AVALON (USA/CANADA)−U
20
—Luggage security system
This system helps protect things locked
in the trunk by safeguarding the lock
release button from unwanted access.
After closing the glovebox lid, insert
the master key into the glovebox lock
and turn it clockwise to safeguard the
lock release button.
After closing the trunk lid, try pulling it up
to make sure it is securely locked.
Hood
To open the hood, do the following.
1. Pull the hood lock release lever. The hood will spring up slightly.
CAUTION
Before driving, be sure that the hood
is securely closed and locked. Other-
wise, the hood may open unexpected-
ly while driving and an accident may
occur.
2. In front of the vehicle, pull up onthe auxiliary catch lever and lift the
hood.
Before closing the hood, check to see that
you have not forgotten any tools, rags,
etc. Then lower the hood and make sure
it locks into place. If necessary, press
down gently on the front edge to lock it.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 70 of 233

’98 AVALON (USA/CANADA)−U
70
If your child restraint system requires
the use of a top strap, latch the hook
onto the anchor bracket and tighten the
top strap.
See the following instructions to install the
anchor bracket.
Spacer Bolt
Anchor bracket
47 mm (1.9 in.)
67.5 mm (2.7 in.)
380 mm (15.0 in.)
a. Using the illustration as a guide, run
your fingers across the trim of the filler
panel itself to locate the position of the
holes underneath.
b. Make a hole in the covering directly
above the hole in the filler panel.
c. Insert a 15 mm (0.6 in.) spacer and
tighten down the anchor bracket for your
child restraint system with a bolt. Torque
the bolt to 16.5—24.7 N ⋅m (1.68—2.52
kgf ⋅m, 12.2—18.2 ft ⋅lbf). To comply with Canada Motor Vehicle
Safety Standards, vehicles sold in Canada
are provided with a bracket set in the
glovebox, designed for use with any of the
3 anchor locations shown in the illustra-
tion.
If your child restraint system does not
provide any of the necessary parts, ask
your Toyota dealer. (See ”—Child restraint
system”.)
—Top strap anchors and
locations
ProCarManuals.com
Page 138 of 233
’98 AVALON (USA/CANADA)−U
138
Part 1
OPERATION OF
INSTRUMENTS
AND CONTROLS—
Chapter 1 −8
Other equipment
Clock
Cigarette lighter and ashtray
Glovebox
Auxiliary box
Cup holder
Traction control system
Floor mat
Clock
The digital clock indicates the time.
The key must be in the ”ACC” or ”ON”
position.
To reset the hour: Push the ”H” button.
To reset the minutes: Push the ”M” button.
If quick adjustment to a full hour is de-
sired, push the ”:00” button.
For example, if the ”:00” button is de-
pressed when the time is between
1:01—1:29, the time will change to 1:00.
If the time is between 1:30—1:59, the
time will change to 2:00. Once the electrical power source has
been disconnected from the clock, the
time is automatically set to 1:00 (one
o’clock).
When the instrument panel lights are
turned on, the brightness of the time in-
dication will be reduced.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 139 of 233

’98 AVALON (USA/CANADA)−U
139
Cigarette lighter and ashtray
CIGARETTE LIGHTER
To use the cigarette lighter, first pull
the ashtray lid, then press in the light-
er. When it becomes heated, it automat-
ically pops out ready for use.
If the engine is not running, the key must
be in the ”ACC” position.
Do not hold the cigarette lighter pressed
in.
Use a Toyota genuine cigarette lighter or
equivalent for replacement. ASHTRAY
To use the ashtray, pull out the lid.
When finished with your cigarette, thor-
oughly extinguish it in the ashtray to pre-
vent other cigarette butts from catching
fire. After using the ashtray, push it back
in completely.
To remove the ashtray, pull the ashtray lid
and pull it out.
CAUTION
To reduce the chance of injury in
case of an accident or sudden stop
while driving, always push the ash-
tray back in completely after using.
Glovebox
To use the glovebox, do this.
To open: Pull the lever.
With the instrument panel lights on, the
glovebox light will come on when the glo-
vebox is open.
To lock: Insert the master key and turn it
clockwise.
CAUTION
To reduce the chance of injury in
case of an accident or a sudden stop,
always keep the glovebox door closed
while driving.
ProCarManuals.com