2006 TOYOTA AVALON Owners Manual

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STARTING AND DRIVING
Starting and driving
Before starting the engine290
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How to start the engine 290
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Driving and parking using smart key system 293
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Tips for driving in various conditions 297
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Winter driving tips 298
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Dinghy towing 299
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Trailer towing 299
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How to save fuel and make your vehicle last longer 305
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SECTION 3

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1. Check the area around the vehicle be-fore entering it.
2. Adjust seat position, seatback angle, seat cushion angle, seat cushion
length, head restraint height, steering
wheel angle and length.
3. Adjust the inside and outside rear view mirrors.
4. Lock all the doors.
5. Fasten seat belts. With smart key system only—
Once you press “ENGINE START STOP”
switch (engine switch) and release it, the
cranking hold function continues to crank
the engine until it starts.
The function stops cranking the engine
after about 25 seconds maximum if the
engine has not started yet. When you
crank the engine again, wait a few sec-
onds and restart it.
If you press and hold the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch, the function will
keep cranking for about 30 seconds maxi-
mum. 1. Apply the parking brake firmly.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and acces-
sories.
3. Put the selector lever in “P”. If you need to restart the engine while the
vehicle is moving, put the selector le-
ver in “N”. A starter safety device will
prevent the starter from operating if the
selector lever is in any drive position.
4. Depress the brake pedal and hold it to the floor until driving off.
Before starting the engine How to start the engine—
—Cranking hold function
(a) Before cranking

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Before starting the engine, be sure to fol-
low the instructions in “(a) Before crank-
ing”.
Normal starting procedure
The multiport fuel injection system/sequen-
tial multiport fuel injection system in your
engine automatically controls the proper
air−fuel mixture for starting. You can start
a cold or hot engine as follows:
With your foot off the accelerator pedal,
crank the engine by turning the key to
“START” position. Release it when the en-
gine starts.
Engine should be warmed up by driving,
not in idle. For warming up, drive with
smoothly turning engine until engine cool-
ant temperature is within normal range.
If the engine stalls...
Simply restart it, using the correct proce-
dure given in normal starting.
If the engine will not start...
See “If your vehicle will not start” on page
308 in Section 4.NOTICE
 Do not crank for more than 30 se-
conds at a time. This may overheat
the starter and wiring systems.
 Do not race a cold engine.
 If the engine becomes difficult to
start or stalls frequently, have the
engine checked immediately.
PUSH BUTTON START FUNCTION
The engine can be started by pressing the
“ENGINE START STOP” switch.
Before starting the engine, be sure to fol-
low the instructions in “(a) Before crank-
ing”.
Normal starting procedure
The multiport fuel injection system/sequen-
tial multiport fuel injection system in your
engine automatically controls the proper
air −fuel mixture for starting. You can start
a cold or hot engine as follows:
(b) Starting the engine
(with key cylindertype
ignition switch) (b) Starting the engine
(with smart key system)

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When the key is in the vehicle (on your
person), it is possible to start the engine.
With the brake pedal firmly depressed, the
indicator light on the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch will turn green. Check that
the automatic transmission selector lever
is in the “P” position. Pressing the “EN-
GINE START STOP” switch once starts
the engine.
Press the “ENGINE START STOP” switch
slowly and firmly.
Engine should be warmed up by driving,
not in idle. For warming up, drive with
smoothly turning engine until engine cool-
ant temperature is within normal range.
If the engine stalls...
Simply restart it, using the correct proce-
dure given in normal starting.
If the engine will not start...
In the following cases, the engine will not
start.
If a buzzer sounds from the vehicle
and the smart key system warning light
comes on when pressing the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch, this indicates
that the key is not in the vehicle.
If the key is placed in the trunk, the
engine cannot be started.
There are instances in which the en-
gine will not start, even if the key is
in the vehicle (e.g. on the floor, in the
cup holder or glove box).When the push button start function
does not operate properly, the following
may be causes:
The key battery may be discharged if
the electronic key does not work.
You can start the engine by touching
the Toyota logo side of the electronic
key to the “ENGINE START STOP”
switch. For derails, see “Smart key
system” on page 27 in Section 1
−2.
Replace the key battery as soon as
possible. (See “—Replacing battery” on
page 25 in Section 1 −2.)
The engine was repeatedly turned on
and off over a short period.
Wait 10 seconds and then start the
engine.
If the green indicator light on the
“ENGINE START STOP” switch flashes
and the smart key system warning light
on the instrument cluster comes on,
the steering wheel is locked.
To free it, rock the steering wheel
slightly while pressing the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch.

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If the amber indicator light on the
“ENGINE START STOP” switch flashes
and the smart key system warning light
on the instrument cluster comes on,
there is a problem in the push button
start function or the steering lock func-
tion.
Contact your Toyota dealer and have
your vehicle and all keys inspected.
In addition to the above, there are
instances in which the smart key sys-
tem does not operate properly because
of the circumstances of use. For de-
tails, see “Smart key system” on page
27 in Section 1
−2.
In cases other than those described
above, it is possible that a problem has
occurred in an area other than the start
system. See “If your vehicle will not start”
on page 308 in Section 4. When the battery is disconnected or
run down,
the push button start function
memorizes the current mode. After you
reconnect, replace, or recharge the bat-
tery, the memorized mode is selected au-
tomatically. In any of these cases, turn off
the engine if the engine comes on.
Wait 10 seconds to start the engine after
the battery has been reconnected. The
engine may not start on the first try. This
does not indicate a malfunction.
NOTICE
 Do not race a cold engine.
 If the engine becomes difficult to
start or stalls frequently, have the
engine checked immediately.
TIPS FOR USING SMART KEY SYSTEM
When using the smart key system, it is
possible to start or stop the engine as
long as the key is on your person.
For this reason, it is possible that a pas-
senger may remove the key from the ve-
hicle without the driver being aware of the
fact. In such a case, it is not possible to
restart the engine after having turned it
off. In addition, it is possible that one may
get out of the vehicle without being aware
that the ignition switch has not been
turned off completely.
When driving or getting in or out of the
vehicle, drivers should make sure that
they are carrying the key.
CAUTION
Do not touch the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch (engine switch) while
driving.
If you have to make an emergency stop,
press and hold the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch for more than 3 seconds.
Driving and parking using
smart key system

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Smart key system warning light
SYSTEM FUNCTION REMINDERS
Follow the instructions described below if
any of the following warnings occur:(A) A warning buzzer sounds once from
the instrument cluster when the igni-
tion switch is turned on
This indicates that the driver has gotten
into the vehicle without the key. The smart
key system warning light on the instru-
ment panel will come on.
Operate the ignition switch only after tak-
ing care that the key is in the vehicle.
(B) A warning buzzer beeps repeatedly from the instrument cluster when
opening the driver ’s door
This indicates that the ignition switch is
not set at OFF although the transmission
selector lever has been set in the “P”
position.
Get out of the vehicle only after turning
off the engine by pressing the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch and checking that
the ignition switch indicator light has gone
off. (C) A warning buzzer sounds once from
the instrument cluster, accompanied
by three warning sounds from the
vehicle when the driver gets out of
the vehicle and closes the door
This indicates that the driver is attempting
to leave the vehicle carrying the key, ne-
glecting to follow the instructions for case
(B) above. In addition, the smart key sys-
tem warning light on the instrument panel
will come on.
Get out of the vehicle only after turning
off the engine by pressing the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch and checking that
the ignition switch indicator light has gone
off. If the driver returns to the vehicle
without carrying the key and begins driv-
ing, a warning buzzer will sound once
more.

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(D) A warning buzzer sounds from thevehicle for two seconds after locking
the door with the door handle switch
This indicates that the driver is attempting
to lock the doors while carrying the key,
neglecting to follow the instructions for
cases (B) and (C) above.
Lock the doors only after turning off the
engine by pressing the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch and checking that the igni-
tion switch indicator light has gone off.
A warning buzzer that sounds even though
the engine has been turned off indicates
that you are attempting to lock the vehicle
with the keys still in the vehicle.
Leave the vehicle only after making sure
that you are carrying the key. (E) A warning buzzer sounds continu-
ously from the instrument cluster
when opening the driver ’s door
This indicates that the transmission selec-
tor lever is in a position other than “P”
and that the ignition switch is not set at
OFF.
Get out of the vehicle only after setting
the transmission selector lever in the “P”
position, turning off the engine by pressing
the “ENGINE START STOP” switch and
checking that the ignition switch indicator
light has gone off. (F) A warning buzzer sounds continu-
ously from the instrument cluster
and from the vehicle when closing
the door after getting out of the ve-
hicle
This indicates that the driver is attempting
to leave the vehicle carrying the key, ne-
glecting to follow the instructions for case
(E) above. The smart key system warning
light on the instrument panel will come on.
Get out of the vehicle only after setting
the transmission selector lever in the “P”
position, turning off the engine by pressing
the “ENGINE START STOP” switch and
checking that the ignition switch indicator
light has gone off.

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(G) A warning buzzer sounds once fromthe instrument cluster and three
times from the vehicle when a pas-
senger is getting out of the vehicle
This indicates that the passenger is at-
tempting to leave the vehicle carrying the
key, without the ignition switch is not set
at OFF. The smart key system warning
light on the instrument panel will also
come on.
When passengers get out of the vehicle,
care should be taken to leave the key
with the driver. If the driver begins driving
after a passenger gets out of the vehicle
carrying the key, a warning buzzer will
sound once more.
(H) A warning buzzer sounds from the vehicle for two seconds when lock-
ing the vehicle from the outside with
the door handle switch
This indicates that the driver is attempting
to lock the door with the key still in the
vehicle.
Leave the vehicle only after making sure
that you are carrying the key. (I) A warning buzzer sounds once from
the instrument cluster when turning
off the ignition switch
This indicates that the key battery is low.
(This warning buzzer sounds only when
the engine has been on or the ignition
switch has been set at the ON for 20
minutes or more.)
Change the key battery ahead of time in
order to ensure that the smart key system
properly.
(J) A warning buzzer sounds continu- ously from the instrument cluster
when opening the driver’s door with
the ignition switch turned off.
This indicates that the steering wheel is
not locked. Turn the engine off and then
open the door in order to lock the steering
wheel. (K) The “ENGINE START STOP” switch
flashes green once every second.
This indicates that the steering lock is
stuck. To free it, rock the steering wheel
slightly while pressing the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch.
(L) The “ENGINE START STOP” switch flashes amber once every 2 seconds.
This indicates a problem with the push
button start function or the steering lock
function. Have your vehicle checked at a
Toyota dealer.