2004 TOYOTA AVALON trunk release

’04 AVALON U (L/O 0408)
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2004 AVALON from Aug. ’04 Prod. (OM41412U)
To open the trunk lid from the driver’s
seat, pull up on the lock release lever.
To deactivate this lock release lever from
opening the trunk lid, see “—Luggage se-
curity system” described below.This system deactivates the lock re-
lease lever so that things locked in the
trunk can be protected.1. After closing the armrest door, insert the master key and turn it clockwise
to lock the armrest door.2. After closing the trunk lid, insert themaster key and turn it counterclock-
wise to deactivate the lock release
lever.
After closing the trunk lid, try pulling it up
to make sure it is securely locked.
—Lock release lever —Luggage security system

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2004 AVALON from Aug. ’04 Prod. (OM41412U)
If a person is locked in the trunk,
he/she can pull down the phosphores-
cent handle on the inside of trunk lid
to open the trunk lid.
The phosphorescent (glowinthedark)
handle will continue to glow for a time
after the trunk lid is closed. Exposing the
handle to stronger light will cause it to
glow longer.
CAUTION
Always lock the trunk lid and all
doors, and keep away the vehicle
keys out of children’s reach.
Never leave children unattended in
the vehicle. Unsupervised children
may lock themselves in the vehicle
or trunk and suffer serious injuries
or death.
To open the trunk lid from the outside,
insert the master key and turn it clock-
wise.
See “Cargo and luggage” in Section 2 for
precautions when loading 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.
Vehicles with wireless remote control sys-
tem—The trunk lid can be opened with the
wireless remote control transmitter, see
“—Wireless remote control” in this Sec-
tion.
—Internal trunk release handleTr u n k lid
(lock release switch type)—

’04 AVALON U (L/O 0408)
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2004 AVALON from Aug. ’04 Prod. (OM41412U)
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.
To open the trunk lid from the driver’s
seat, push the lock release switch.
To deactivate this lock release switch from
opening the trunk lid, see “—Trunk opener
main switch” described below.
On Off
If you do not want to activate the trunk
lid opener system, turn off the trunk
opener main switch in the glove box.
To turn it on, push in the trunk opener
main switch.
—Lock release switch—Trunk opener main switch

’04 AVALON U (L/O 0408)
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2004 AVALON from Aug. ’04 Prod. (OM41412U)
This system helps protect things locked
in the trunk by safeguarding the trunk
opener main switch from unwanted ac-
cess.1. To cancel the lock release switch, turn off the trunk opener main
switch in the glove box.2. After closing the glove box lid, in-sert the master key into the glove
box lock and turn it clockwise to
safeguard the lock release switch.3. After closing the armrest door, insertthe master key and turn it clockwise
to lock the armrest door.
After closing the trunk lid, try pulling it up
to make sure it is securely locked.
—Luggage security system

’04 AVALON U (L/O 0408)
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2004 AVALON from Aug. ’04 Prod. (OM41412U)
If a person is locked in the trunk,
he/she can pull down the phosphores-
cent handle on the inside of trunk lid
to open the trunk lid.
The phosphorescent (glowinthedark)
handle will continue to glow for a time
after the trunk lid is closed. Exposing the
handle to stronger light will cause it to
glow longer.
CAUTION
Always lock the trunk lid and all
doors, and keep away the vehicle
keys out of children’s reach.
Never leave children unattended in
the vehicle. Unsupervised children
may lock themselves in the vehicle
or trunk and suffer serious injuries
or death.
To open the hood:1. Pull the hood lock release lever. The hood will spring up slightly.
CAUTION
Before driving, be sure that the hood
is closed and securely locked. Other-
wise, the hood may open unexpected-
ly while driving and an accident may
occur.
—Internal trunk release handle Hood

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2004 AVALON from Aug. ’04 Prod. (OM41412U)
Automatic light cut off system
Position 1 or “AUTO” position with the
tail lights on—
The lights automatically turn off when the
driver ’s door is opened with the ignition
key in the “ACC” or “LOCK” position.
Position 2 or “AUTO” position with the
headlights on—
The lights automatically turn off after 30
seconds when any of the doors or trunk
lid is opened and closed with the ignition
key in the “ACC” or “LOCK” position.
Vehicles with wireless remote control sys-
tem—The lights can be turned off immedi-
ately by pushing the “LOCK” switch on the
wireless remote control transmitter with all
the doors locked and the trunk lid closed.
If any of the doors or trunk lid is kept
open, the lights automatically turn off after
20 minutes.
To turn on the lights again, turn the igni-
tion key to the “ON” position or actuate
the headlight switch. If you are going to
park for over one week, make sure the
knob is in the “AUTO” position.NOTICE
To prevent the battery from being dis-
charged, do not leave the lights on
for a long period when the engine is
not running.
Daytime Running Light (DRL) system
The Daytime Running Light (DRL) system
can make it easier for others to see the
front of your vehicle during the day. The
DRL system can be helpful in many differ-
ent driving conditions, but they can be
especially helpful in the short periods after
dawn and before sunset.
The DRL system will make your headlights
come on at a reduced brightness when:
The ignition is on with the engine run-
ning.
The light switch is in the “AUTO” posi-
tion.
The parking brake is released.
To turn on the other exterior lights and
instrument panel lights, twist the knob to
position 1.
Twist the knob to position 2 to turn the
headlights to full intensity for night driving. To turn off the DRL system, twist the knob
to the position 3 (“DRL OFF”) or turn the
ignition switch off.

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2004 AVALON from Aug. ’04 Prod. (OM41412U)
Exhaust system
If you notice any change in the sound of
the exhaust or smell exhaust fumes, have
the cause located and corrected immedi-
ately. (See “Engine exhaust cautions” in
Section 2.)
INSIDE THE VEHICLE
Items listed below should be checked
regularly, e.g. while performing periodic
services, cleaning the vehicle, etc.
Lights
Make sure the headlights, stop lights, tail
lights, turn signal lights, and other lights
are all working. Check headlight aim.
Service reminder indicators and warning
buzzers
Check that all service reminder indicators
and warning buzzers function properly.
Steering wheel
Check that it has the specified free play.
Be alert for changes in steering condition,
such as hard steering or strange noise.
Seats
Check that all front seat controls such as
seat adjusters, seatback recliner, etc. op-
erate smoothly and that all latches lock
securely in any position. Check that the
head restraints move up and down
smoothly and that the locks hold securely
in any latched position.Seat belts
Check that the seat belt system such as
buckles, retractors and anchors operate
properly and smoothly. Make sure the belt
webbing is not cut, frayed, worn or dam-
aged.
Accelerator pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and
uneven pedal effort or catching.
Brake pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and
that the pedal has the proper clearance.
Check the brake booster function.
Brakes
In a safe place, check that the brakes do
not pull to one side when applied.
Parking brake
Check that the pedal has the proper travel
and that, on a safe incline, your vehicle
is held securely with only the parking
brake applied.
Automatic transmission “Park” mecha-
nism
Check the lock release button of the se-
lector lever for proper and smooth opera-
tion. On a safe incline, check that your
vehicle is held securely with the selector
lever in “P” position and all brakes re-
leased.
OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE
Items listed below should be performed
from time to time, unless otherwise
specified.
Fluid leaks
Check underneath for leaking fuel, oil, wa-
ter or other fluid after the vehicle has
been parked for a while. If you smell fuel
fumes or notice any leak, have the cause
found and corrected immediately.
Doors and engine hood
Check that all doors including trunk lid
operate smoothly and all latches lock se-
curely. Make sure the engine hood sec-
ondary latch secures the hood from open-
ing when the primary latch is released.
Tire inflation pressure
Check the pressure with a gauge ev-
ery two weeks, or at least once a
month. See Section 72 for additional
information.
Tire surface and wheel nuts
Check the tires carefully for cuts,
damage or excessive wear. See Sec-
tion 72 for additional information.
When checking the tires, make sure
no nuts are missing, and check the
nuts for looseness. Tighten them if
necessary.