1999 TOYOTA AVALON chapter 7

’99 AVALON (USA/CANADA)−U
87
Part 1
OPERATION OF
INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLS—
Chapter 1 −5
Gauges, Meters and
Service reminder
indicators
 Fuel gauge
 Engine coolant temperature
gauge
 Tachometer
 Odometer and two trip meters
 Thermometer
 Service reminder indicators and
warning buzzers
Fuel gauge
The gauge works when the ignition
switch is on and indicates the approxi-
mate quantity of fuel remaining in the
tank.
Nearly full—Needle at ”F”
Nearly empty—Needle at ”E”
It is a good idea to keep the tank over 1/4
full.
This fuel gauge has a non −return type needle
which remains at the last indicated position
when the ignition switch is turned off.
If the fuel level approaches ”E” or the low
fuel level warning light comes on, fill the
fuel tank as soon as possible. On inclines or curves, due to the move-
ment of fuel in the tank, the fuel gauge
needle may fluctuate or the low fuel level
warning light may come on earlier than
usual.
If the fuel tank is completely empty, the mal-
function indicator lamp comes on. Fill the
fuel tank immediately.
The indicator lamp goes off after driving sev-
eral times. If the indicator lamp does not
go off, contact your Toyota dealer as soon
as possible.
ProCarManuals.com

’99 AVALON (USA/CANADA)−U
92
NOTICE
Do not continue driving if the engine
drive belt is broken or loose.
(d) Low Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light warns that the engine oil pres-
sure is too low.
If it flickers or stays on while you are
driving, pull off the road to a safe place
and stop the engine immediately. Call a
Toyota dealer or qualified repair shop for
assistance.
The light may occasionally flicker when
the engine is idling or it may come on
briefly after a hard stop. There is no
cause for concern if it then goes out when
the engine is accelerated slightly.
The light may come on when the oil level
is extremely low. It is not designed to
indicate low oil level, and the oil level
must be checked using the level dipstick.
NOTICE
Do not drive the vehicle with the
warning light on—even for one block.
It may ruin the engine.
(e) Malfunction indicator lamp
This lamp comes on in the following
cases.
a. The fuel tank is completely empty. (See
”Fuel gauge” in Chapter 1 −5 for instruc-
tions.)
b. The fuel tank cap is not tightened se-
curely. (See ”Fuel tank cap” in Chapter
1 −2 for instructions.)
c. There is a problem somewhere in your
engine or automatic transmission electrical
system.
If it comes on while you are driving in
case c, have your vehicle checked/re-
paired by your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible.
(f) Low Fuel Level Warning Light
This light comes on when the fuel level
in the tank becomes nearly empty. Fill up
the tank as soon as possible.
On inclines or curves, due to the move-
ment of fuel in the tank, the low fuel level
warning light may come on earlier than
usual. (g) ”ABS” Warning Light
This light warns that there is a problem
somewhere in your anti
−lock brake sys-
tem.
If the light comes on while you are driv-
ing, have your vehicle checked by your
Toyota dealer as soon as possible.
The light will come on when the ignition
key is turned to the ”ON” position. After
a few seconds, the light will go off.
When the ”ABS” warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
brake system operates conventionally but
the anti −lock brake system is not assisting
brake performance so that the wheels can
lock −up during sudden braking or braking
on slippery road surfaces.
(h) Open Door Warning Light
This light remains on until all the doors
are completely closed.
ProCarManuals.com

’99 AVALON (USA/CANADA)−U
93
(i) Rear Light Failure Warning Light
If this light comes on when the headlight
switch is turned on (at the position 1 or
position 2), it indicates that one or more
of the tail lights are burned out.
If it comes on when the brake pedal is
depressed, one or more stop lights are
burned out.
Have defective bulbs replaced as soon as
possible.
(j) SRS Airbag Warning Light
This light will come on when the igni-
tion key is turned to the ”ACC” or
”ON” position. After about 6 seconds,
the light will go off. This means the
system of the airbag and front seat belt
pretensioners are operating properly.
The warning light system monitors the air-
bag sensor assembly, seat belt pretension-
er assembly, inflators, warning light, inter-
connecting wiring and power sources.
If either of the following conditions occurs,
this indicates a malfunction somewhere in
the parts monitored by the warning light
system. Contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible to service the vehicle.The light does not come on when the
ignition key is turned to the ”ACC” or
”ON” position or remains on.
The light comes on or flashes while
driving.
(k) ”TRAC OFF” Indicator/Warning light
This light comes on when the ignition key
is turned to ”ON”, and will go off after a
few seconds. This means that the system
is operating properly.
If one of the following conditions occurs,
this indicates a malfunction somewhere in
the parts monitored by the warning light
system. Contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible to service the vehicle.
The light remains on more than a few
seconds after the ignition switch is
turned on.
The light comes on while driving even
if the ”TRAC OFF” switch is not
pushed.
The light flashes. (l) Low Windshield Washer and Head-
light Cleaner Fluid Level Warning
Light (on some models)
The light warns that the windshield washer
and headlight cleaner fluid level is too
low. Add washer fluid at your earliest op-
portunity. (For instructions, see ”Adding
washer fluid” in Chapter 7 −3.)
(m) Key Reminder Buzzer
This buzzer reminds you to remove the key
when you open the driver’s door with the
ignition key in the ”ACC” or ”LOCK” position.
ProCarManuals.com

’99 AVALON (USA/CANADA)−U
95
Part 1
OPERATION OF
INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLS—
Chapter 1 −6
Ignition switch,
Transmission and
Parking brake
 Ignition switch with steering lock
 Automatic transmission
 P ar k ing br ak e
 Cruise control”START”—Starter motor on. The key
will return to the ”ON” position when
released.
For starting tips, see Part 3.
”ON”—Engine on and all accessories
on.
This is the normal driving position.
”ACC”—Accessories such as the radio
operate, but the engine is off.
If you leave the key in the ”ACC” or
”LOCK” position and open the driver’s
door, a buzzer will remind you to remove
the key.
”LOCK”—Engine is off and the steering
wheel is locked. The key can be re-
moved only at this position. You must push in the key to turn the key
from ”ACC” to the ”LOCK” position. The
selector lever must be in the ”P” position
before pushing the key.
Vehicles with engine immobiliser system—
Once you remove the key, the engine im-
mobiliser system is automatically set. (See
”Engine immobiliser system” in Chapter
1
−2.)
When starting the engine, the key may
seem stuck at the ”LOCK” position. To
free it, first be sure the key is pushed all
the way in, and then rock the steering
wheel slightly while turning the key gently.
NOTICE
Do not leave the key in the ”ON”
position if the engine is not running.
The battery will discharge and the
ignition could be damaged.
Ignition switch with steering
lock
ProCarManuals.com

’99 AVALON (USA/CANADA)−U
96
Lock release button
To prevent misshifting
Parking, engine starting
and key removal position
Reverse position
Neutral position Normal driving position
Position for engine
braking
Position for stronger
engine braking than that
in ”2” position
With the brake pedal depressed, shift
while holding the lock release button
in. (The ignition switch must be in
”ON” position.)
Shift while holding the lock
release button in
Shift normally Driving pattern selector button
For selecting a driving pattern suited to
existing driving conditions
”NORM” (Normal)
mode for general
driving conditions ”PWR”
(Power) mode
for powerful
acceleration”PWR” mode indicator
light on the instrument
panel shows the driving
pattern selector button
is in ”PWR” mode
Overdrive switch
For selecting either a three −speed or
four −speed transmission
ON position
(Shifting into
overdrive
possible)
OFF position
(Shifting into
overdrive not
possible) ”O/D OFF” indicator light
Shows the overdrive
switch is in OFF position
When the cruise control is being used, even if you downshift the transmission by turning off the overdrive switch, engine braki
ng will
not be applied because the cruise control is not cancelled. For ways to decrease the vehicle speed, see ”Cruise control” in thi s
chapter.
Automatic transmission
 Floor shift type
ProCarManuals.com

’99 AVALON (USA/CANADA)−U
97
Parking, engine starting
and key removal position
Reverse position
Neutral position
Normal driving position
Position for engine
braking
Position for stronger
engine braking than that
in ”2” position Driving pattern selector button
For selecting a driving pattern suited to
existing driving conditions
”NORM”
(Normal) mode
for general
driving conditions ”PWR”
(Power) mode
for powerful
acceleration”PWR” mode indicator
light on the instrument
panel shows the driving
pattern selector button
is in “PWR” mode
Overdrive switch
For selecting either a three −speed or
four −speed transmission
”ON” position
(Shifting into
overdrive
possible)
”OFF” position
(Shifting into
overdrive not
possible)
”O/D OFF” indicator light
Shows the overdrive switch
is in ”OFF” position
With the brake pedal depressed,
shift while pulling the selector
lever toward you (The ignition
0switch must be in ”ON” position.)
Shift while pulling the
selector lever toward you
Shift normally
When the cruise control is being used, even if you downshift the transmission by turning off the overdrive switch, engine braki ng will
not be applied because the cruise control is not cancelled. For ways to decrease the vehicle speed, see ”Cruise control” in thi s
chapter. 
Column shift type
ProCarManuals.com

’99 AVALON (USA/CANADA)−U
98
Your automatic transmission has a shift
lock system to minimize the possibility of
incorrect operation. This means you can
only shift out of ”P” position when the
brake pedal is depressed (with the ignition
switch in ”ON” position, and the lock re-
lease button on the floor shift type trans-
mission depressed or the selector lever on
the column shift type transmission pulled
toward you).
(a) Normal driving
1. Start the engine as instructed in ”How to start the engine” in Part 3. The
transmission must be in ”P” or ”N”.
2. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the selector lever to ”D”.
In ”D” position, the automatic transmission
system will select the most suitable gear
for running conditions such as normal
cruising, hill climbing, hard towing, etc.
Always turn the overdrive switch on for
better fuel economy and quieter driving. If
the engine coolant temperature is low, the
transmission will not shift into the over-
drive gear even with the overdrive switch
on.CAUTION
Never put your foot on the accelera-
tor pedal while shifting.
3. Release the parking brake and brake pedal. Depress the accelerator pedal
slowly for smooth starting.
(b) Using engine braking
To use engine braking, you can downshift
the transmission as follows:
Turn off the overdrive switch. The ”O/D
OFF” indicator light will come on and
the transmission will downshift to the
third gear.
Shift into the ”2” position. The trans-
mission will downshift to the second
gear when the vehicle speed drops
down to or lower than 133 km/h (82
mph), and more powerful engine brak-
ing will be obtained.
Shift into the ”L” position. The trans-
mission will downshift to the first gear
When the vehicle speed drops down to
or lower than 59 km/h (36 mph), and
maximum engine braking will be ap-
plied.
Vehicles with cruise control—When the
cruise control is being used, even if you
downshift the transmission by turning off
the overdrive switch, engine braking is not
applied because the cruise control is not
cancelled. For ways to decrease the ve-
hicle speed, see ”Cruise control” in this
chapter.
CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a
slippery surface. Abrupt shifting
could cause the vehicle to spin or
skid.
ProCarManuals.com

’99 AVALON (USA/CANADA)−U
105
Part 1
OPERATION OF
INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLS—
Chapter 1 −7
Car audio system and
Air conditioning
system
Car audio system
 Reference
 Using your audio system:
some basics
 Using your audio system:
controls and features
 Car audio system operating
hints Air conditioning system

Controls
 Air flow selector settings
 Operating tips
 Instrument panel ventsTy p e 1 −1: AM·FM ETR radio/cassette player/
compact disc auto changer controller
Ty p e 1 −2: AM·FM ETR radio/cassette player/
compact disc auto changer controller
Car audio system—
—Reference
ProCarManuals.com