2006 TOYOTA AVALON engine

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(f) Malfunction Indicator Lamp
This lamp comes on when the ignition
switch is set at ON and goes off after
the engine starts. This means that the
warning light system is operating prop-
erly.
If the lamp remains on, or the lamp
comes on while driving, first check the
followings.
Empty fuel tank
If the fuel tank is empty, refuel immedi-
ately.
Loose fuel tank cap
If the fuel tank cap is loose, securely
tighten it.
These cases are temporary malfunctions.
The malfunction indicator lamp will go off
after taking several driving trips.
If the lamp does not go off even after
several trips, contact your Toyota dealer
as soon as possible. If the fuel tank is not empty or the fuel
tank cap is not loose...
There is a problem somewhere in the
engine, emission control system, elec-
tronic throttle control system, automatic
transmission electrical system or warn-
ing light system itself.
Contact your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible to service the vehicle.
If engine speed does not increase when
the accelerator pedal is depressed, there
may be a problem somewhere in the elec-
tronic throttle control system.
At this time, vibration may occur. Howev-
er, if you depress the accelerator pedal
more firmly and slowly, you can drive your
vehicle at low speeds. Have your vehicle
checked by your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible.
Even if the abnormality of the electronic
throttle control system is corrected during
low speed driving, the system may not be
recovered until the engine is stopped and
the engine off.
CAUTION
Be especially careful to prevent erro-
neous pedal operation.
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
(I/M) programs
Your vehicle may not pass a state
emission inspection if the malfunction
indicator lamp remains on. Contact your
Toyota dealer to check your vehicle’s
emission control system and OBD
(On −Board Diagnostics) system before
taking your vehicle for the inspection.
For details, see “Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance (I/M) programs” on page 340
in Section 6.
(g) 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.

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(k) “VSC” Warning Light
The light warns that there is a problem
somewhere in the vehicle stability control
system or traction control system.
The light will come on when the ignition
switch is set at ON and will go off after
about a few seconds.
If the light comes on while driving, the
vehicle stability control system and trac-
tion control system do not work. However,
as conventional braking operates when ap-
plied, there is no problem to continue your
driving.
In the following cases, contact your Toyota
dealer:
The light does not come on after the
ignition is turned to on.
The light is left on after the ignition is
turned to on.
The light comes on while driving.(l) Low Windshield Washer Fluid Level
Warning Light
The light warns that the windshield washer
fluid level is too low. Add washer fluid at
your earliest opportunity. (For instructions,
see “Adding washer fluid” on page 369 in
Section 7 −3.)
The light will come on when the ignition
switch is set at ON and will go off after
about a few seconds.
(m) Automatic Headlight Leveling Sys- tem Warning Light
This light warns that when there is a
problem somewhere in the automatic
headlight leveling system.
The light will come on when the ignition
switch is set at ON and will go off after
a few seconds.
If it comes on, have your vehicle checked
by your Toyota dealer. (n) Engine Oil Replacement Reminder
Light (for vehicles sold in U.S.A.)
This light acts as a reminder to replace
the engine oil.
This light will come on when the ignition
switch is set at ON and will go off after
about a few seconds.
When you drive for about 7200 km (4500
miles) after the engine oil replacement,
this light illuminates for about 3 seconds
and then flashes for about 15 seconds
with the ignition switch is set at ON. If
you continue driving without replacing the
engine oil, and if the distance driven ex-
ceeds 8000 km (5000 miles), the light will
come on after the ignition switch is set at
ON. The light will remain on thereafter.
If the light is flashing, we recommend that
you replace the engine oil at an early
opportunity depending on the driving and
road conditions. If the light comes on,
replace it as soon as possible.
The system must be reset after the en-
gine oil replacement. Reset the system by
the following procedure: 1. Turn the engine off with the odometer reading shown. (For details, see
“Odometer and two trip meters” on
page 143 in this Section.)

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2. Turn the ignition switch is set at ONwhile holding down the trip meter reset
knob.
Hold down the knob for at least 5 sec-
onds. The odometer indicates “000000”
and the light goes off.
If the system fails to reset, the light will
continue flashing.
(o) Smart Key System Warning Light and Buzzer
The light and buzzer warn that there is a
problem somewhere in the operation of
the smart key system. See “Driving and
parking using smart key system” on page
293 in Section 3. (p) Dynamic Laser Cruise Control Mas-
ter Warning Light
This light warns that there is a problem
somewhere in the dynamic laser cruise
control system.
The light will come on when the ignition
switch is set at ON and go off after a few
seconds.
When the light comes on, the alarm
sounds and the warning code will appear
on the display. At this time, dynamic laser
cruise control is cancelled. For details,
see “Dynamic laser cruise control” on
page 172 in Section 1 −7.
(q) Key Reminder Buzzer (vehicles with key cylindertype ignition switch)
This buzzer act as a reminder to remove
the key when you open the driver’s door
with the engine off. CHECKING SERVICE REMINDER
INDICATORS (except the low fuel level
warning light)
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Open one of the doors. The open door warning light should
come on.
3. Close the door. The open door warning light should go
off.
4. Set the ignition switch at ON, but do not start the engine.
All the service reminder indicators ex-
cept the open door warning light should
come on. The “ABS” and “VSC” warn-
ing lights, low windshield washer fluid
level warning light, automatic headlight
leveling system warning light, engine
oil replacement reminder light and dy-
namic laser cruise master warning light
go off after a few seconds. The SRS
warning light goes off after about 6
seconds. (slip indicator light and
“READY” [dynamic laser cruise ready
mode] indicator light also come on and
go off after a few seconds. Front pas-
senger occupant classification indicator
lights also come on and go off after
about four seconds.)

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“START”—Starter motor on. The key
will return to the “ON” position when
released.
For starting tips, see page 289 in Section
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 at 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.
The selector lever must be put in the “P”
position before turning the key from “ACC”
to the “LOCK” position.
Once you remove the key, the engine im-
mobilizer system is automatically set. (See
“Engine immobilizer system” on page 16
in Section 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.
Approximately five hours after the engine
is turned off, you may hear sound coming
from underneath the luggage compartment
for several minutes. This is normal opera-
tion and does not indicate a malfunction.
(See “Leak detection pump” on page viii.)
It is not a malfunction if the needle on all
meters and gauges move slightly when the
key is turned to the “ACC”, “ON” or
“START” position.
NOTICE
Do not leave the key at the “ON” if
the engine is not running. The battery
will discharge and the ignition could
be damaged.
Ignition switch
(with key cylindertype
ignition switch)

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When the key is in the vehicle, press-
ing the “ENGINE START STOP” switch
(engine switch) allows you to start and
stop the engine or choose at the ACC,
ON, or ignition switch off.
When the brake pedal is not depressed,
pressing the “ENGINE START STOP”
switch changes the ignition switch mode
as follows. Press the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch slowly and firmly.
First time—ACC (accessory) mode (illu-
minate amber)
Accessories such as the radio operate.
Second time—ON mode (illuminate am-
ber)
Power on and all accessories on. Third time—Power off (indicator light
off)
Pressing the “ENGINE START STOP”
switch again returns the ignition switch to
the ACC.If a buzzer sounds and the smart key
system warning light comes on for 5 sec-
onds when pressing the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch, this indicates that the key
is not in the vehicle.
Ignition switch
(engine switch—with smart
key system)

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If the brake pedal is depressed, the in-
dicator light will turn green, regardless
of which mode is selected. When the
indicator light is green, pressing the
“ENGINE START STOP” switch once
starts the engine. (For starting tips, see
“How to start the engine” on page 290
in Section 3.)
If the amber indicator light on the
“ENGINE START STOP” switch blinks, this
indicates a malfunction of the push start
system. Turn off the engine immediately
and contact your Toyota dealer.
Approximately five hours after the engine
is turned off, you may hear sound coming
from underneath the luggage compartment
for several minutes. This is normal opera-
tion and does not indicate a malfunction.
(See “Leak detection pump” on page viii.)
It is not a malfunction if the needle on all
meters and gauges move slightly when the
ignition switch is set at ACC, ON or when
the engine starts.
NOTICE
Do not leave the ignition switch at
ON if the engine is not running. The
battery will discharge and the ignition
could be damaged.
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.

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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 is set at ON).
(a) Selector lever
The shift position is also displayed on the
instrument cluster.
P:Parking, engine starting and
key removal
R: Reverse
N: Neutral
D: Normal driving (shifting into overdrive)
Sequential position: “S” mode driving
+: Upshift range
: Downshift range
Automatic transmission
Shift with the brake pedal
depressed.
(The ignition switch must be
set at ON.)
Shift normally.
To select sequential position or
“D”, lean the selector lever
leftward or rightward. “D” position
Sequential
position
Selector lever

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(b) Normal driving1. Start the engine as instructed in “How to start the engine” on page 290 in
Section 3. The transmission must be in
“P” or “N”.
2. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the selector lever to “D”.
When the lever is in the “D” position, the
automatic transmission system will select
the most suitable gear for running condi-
tions such as normal cruising, hill climb-
ing, hard towing, etc.
Always use the “D” position for better fuel
economy and quieter driving. In this posi-
tion, shifting into the overdrive gear is
possible. If the engine coolant temperature
is low, the transmission will not shift into
the overdrive gear even in the “D” posi-
tion.
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. (c) Driving in “S” mode
To select the “S” mode, put the selec-
tor lever in the sequential position.
In the “S” mode, you can change the
shift range position. The shift range
position can be switched between 5
(fifth range) and 1 (first range) by
pushing the selector lever forward to-
wards “+” or pulling back towards “”.
When the selector lever is moved into
the “S” mode, the initial shift range
position is 4 (fourth range).
The “S” mode indicator light and the cur-
rent shift range position are shown on the
instrument cluster.
1: Upshift range
2: Downshift range