2006 TOYOTA AVALON ignition

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Automatic operation (position 1)
The wiper speed is determined by the
amount of raindrops and sunlight detected
by the automatic wiper control sensor.
The automatic wiper control sensor is on
the inside of the windshield as shown
above.
If you feel that the operation of the auto-
matic wiper control is too fast or too slow,
twist the automatic control adjuster in the
“− ” direction to lower sensitivity, and “+”
direction to boost the sensitivity. Even if the wiper lever is in the position
1, the system will switch to intermittent
operations in the following conditions:
When the windshield gets extremely
cold (at less than
−10 C [14 F])
When the system malfunctions
However, when the windshield gets ex-
tremely hot (at more than 90 C [194 F]),
the wipers do not operate even if the
wiper lever is in the position 1.
As soon as the vehicle starts to move,
the wiper will operate once to clear the
driver’s front view if it is set to “INT”.
CAUTION
Be careful not to get your fingers
caught between the wipers and wind-
shield.
When the wiper lever is in the posi-
tion 1 with the ignition switch on, the
wipers could operate automatically in
the following cases:
If you touch the upper center of the
windshield adjacent to the sensor.
If you wipe the upper center of the
windshield (adjacent to which the
sensor is located) with a towel or
other object.
If the windshield vibrates.
If you touch the sensor.
NOTICE
Do not apply detergent to or wet the
automatic wiper control sensor when
cleaning the inside of the windshield.

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To defog or defrost the rear window,
push the switch.
The ignition switch must be set at ON.
The thin heater wires on the inside of the
rear window will quickly clear the surface.
An indicator light will illuminate to indicate
the defogger is operating.
Type B only—The heater panels in the
outside rear view mirrors will also quickly
clear the surfaces. Keep your hands off
the mirror faces when the switch is on.
Push the switch once again to turn the
defoggers off.
The system will automatically shut off af-
ter the defogger has operated about 15
minutes.
CAUTION
Type B only—Since the mirror sur-
faces can get hot, do not touch them
when the defogger switch is on.
Make sure you turn the defoggers off
when the surfaces are clear. Leaving the
defoggers on for a long time could cause
the battery to discharge, especially during
stop−and− go driving. The defoggers are
not designed for drying rain water or for
melting snow.
Type B only—If the outside rear view mir-
rors are heavily coated with ice, use a
spray de −icer before operating the switch.
NOTICE
When cleaning the inside of the rear
window, be careful not to scratch or
damage the heater wires or connec-
tors.

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Low fuel level
warning light
The gauge indicates the approximate
quantity of fuel remaining in the tank
when the ignition switch is set at ON.
Nearly full—Needle at “F”
Nearly empty—Needle at “E”
It is a good idea to keep the tank over
1/4 full.
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
malfunction indicator lamp comes on. Fill
the fuel tank immediately.
The indicator lamp goes off after driving
several times. If the indicator lamp does
not go off, contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible.The gauge indicates the engine coolant
temperature when the ignition switch is
on. The engine operating temperature
will vary with changes in weather and
engine load.
If the needle moves into the red zone,
your engine is too hot. If your vehicle
overheats, stop your vehicle and allow the
engine to cool.
Fuel gauge
Engine coolant temperature
gauge

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Your vehicle may overheat during severe
operating conditions, such as:
Driving up a long hill on a hot day.
Reducing speed or stopping after high
speed driving.
Idling for a long period with the air
conditioning on in stop−and− go traffic.
Towing a trailer.
NOTICE
Do not remove the thermostat in
the engine cooling system as this
may cause the engine to overheat.
The thermostat is designed to con-
trol the flow of coolant to keep the
temperature of the engine within
the specified operating range.
 Do not continue driving with an
overheated engine. See “If your ve-
hicle overheats” on page 312 in
Section 4.
The tachometer indicates engine speed
in thousands of rpm (revolutions per
minute). Use it while driving to select
correct shift points and to prevent en-
gine lugging and overrevving.
Driving with the engine running too fast
causes excessive engine wear and poor
fuel economy. Remember, in most cases
the slower the engine speed, the greater
the fuel economy.
NOTICE
Do not let the indicator needle get
into the red zone. This may cause
severe engine damage.
This meter displays the odometer and
two trip meters when the ignition
switch is set at ON.
1. Odometer—Shows the total distance the vehicle has been driven.
2. Two trip meters—Show two different distances independently driven since
the last time each trip meter was set
to zero.
You can use one trip meter to calculate
the fuel economy and the other to
measure the distance on each trip. All
trip meter data is cancelled if the elec-
trical power source is disconnected.
Tachometer Odometer and two trip meters

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(a) Brake System Warning Light andBuzzer
This light comes on in the following cases
when the ignition switch is set at ON.
When the parking brake is applied...
This light comes on for a few seconds
when the ignition switch is set at ON even
after the parking brake is released.
If the vehicle speed rises above 5 km/h
(3 mph) with the parking brake applied for
1 seconds or more, a buzzer sounds.
When the brake fluid level is low...
CAUTION
It is dangerous to continue driving
normally when the brake fluid level is
low.
Have your vehicle checked at your
Toyota dealer in the following cases:
The light does not come on even if the
parking brake is applied when the igni-
tion switch is set at ON.
The light does not come on even if the
ignition switch is set at ON with the
parking brake released. A warning light turning on briefly during
operation does not indicate a problem.
CAUTION
If either of the following conditions
occurs, immediately stop your vehicle
at a safe place and contact your
Toyota dealer.
The light does not turn off even
after the parking brake is released
while the engine is running.
In this case, the brakes may not
work properly and your stopping
distance will become longer. De-
press the brake pedal firmly and
bring the vehicle to an immediate
stop.
The brake system warning light re-
mains on together with the “ABS”
warning light.
In this case, not only the antilock
brake system will fail but also the
vehicle will become extremely un-
stable during braking.
(b) Driver’s Seat Belt Reminder Light
and Buzzer
The light and buzzer act as a reminder to
buckle up the driver’s seat belt.
Once the ignition switch is set at ON or
engine start, the reminder light flashes
and buzzer sounds if the driver ’s seat belt
is not fastened. Unless the driver fastens
the belt, the light continues flashing and
the buzzer sounds for about 6 seconds.
If the vehicle speed rises above 15 km/h
(9 mph) with the seat belt unfastened, the
buzzer will sound for about 10 seconds.
Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened,
the buzzer will sound in a different tone
for 20 seconds. Even if the vehicle speed
drops below 15 km/h (9 mph), the buzzer
will continue to sound. To stop the buzzer,
fasten the seat belt. If the buzzer still
sounds, make sure the front passenger ’s
seat belt is fastened.

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(c) Front Passenger ’s Seat Belt Re-minder Light and Buzzer
The light and buzzer act as a reminder to
have the front passenger buckle up the
seat belt.
Once the ignition switch is set at ON or
engine start, the reminder light flashes if
a passenger sits in the front passenger
seat and does not fasten the seat belt.
Unless the front passenger fastens the
belt, the light continue flashing.
If the vehicle speed rises above 15 km/h
(9 mph) with the seat belt unfastened, the
buzzer will sound for about 10 seconds.
Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened,
the buzzer will sound in a different tone
for 20 seconds. Even if the vehicle speed
drops below 15 km/h (9 mph), the buzzer
will continue to sound. To stop the buzzer,
fasten the seat belt. If the buzzer still
sounds, make sure the driver ’s seat belt
is fastened.
If luggage or other load is placed on the
front passenger seat, depending on its
weight, the reminder light to flash and
buzzer to sound. (d) Charging System Warning Light
This warning light comes on when the
ignition switch is set at ON, and goes off
when the engine is started.
When there are problems in the charging
system while the engine is r
unning, the
warning light comes on.
NOTICE
When the charging system warning
light comes on while the engine is
running, malfunctions such as the en-
gine drive belt being broken may have
occurred. If the warning light comes
on, immediately stop the vehicle in a
safe place and contact your Toyota
dealer.
(e) Low Engine 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.

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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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(h) “ABS” Warning Light
Vehicles without vehicle stability control
system—
The light comes on with the ignition
switch is set at ON. If the anti−lock brake
system works pr operly, the light turns off
after a few seconds. Thereafter, if the
system malfunctions, the light comes on
again.
When the “ABS” warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
anti −lock brake system does not operate,
but the brake system still operates con-
ventionally.
When the “ABS” warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
anti −lock brake system does not operate
so that the wheels could lock up during
a sudden braking or braking on slippery
road surfaces. If either of the following conditions oc-
curs, this indicates a malfunction some-
where in the components 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 switch is set at ON or remains
on.
The light comes on while you are driv-
ing.
A warning light turning on briefly during
operation does not indicate a problem.
CAUTION
If the “ABS” warning light remains on
together with the brake system warn-
ing light, immediately stop your ve-
hicle at a safe place and contact your
Toyota dealer.
In this case, not only the antilock
brake system will fail but also the
vehicle will become extremely unsta-
ble during braking.
Vehicles with vehicle stability control
system—
The light comes on when the ignition
switch is set at ON. If the anti −lock brake
system and the brake assist system work
properly, the light turns off after a few
seconds. Thereafter, if the system mal-
functions, the light comes on again.
When the “ABS” warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
anti −lock brake system and the brake as-
sist system do not operate, but the brake
system still operates conventi onally.
When the “ABS” warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
anti −lock brake system does not operate
so that the wheels could lock up during
a sudden braking or braking on slippery
road surfaces.