2006 TOYOTA AVALON trunk release

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1. Side vents
2. Side defroster outlets
3. Instrument cluster
4. Center cluster
5. Garage door opener switches
6. Auxiliary boxes
7. Front personal lights, interior lightand/or electric moon roof switches
8. Center vents
9. Glove box
10. Power door lock switches
11. Power window switches
12. Trunk opener main switch
13. Rear console box
14. Rear vents
15. Power outlets
16. Seat ventilator/heater switches
17. Cup holder
18. Automatic transmission selector lever
19. Hood lock release lever
20. Parking brake pedal
21. Window lock switch
22. Driving position memory switches
Instrument panel overview
 View A

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16. Telescopic steering lock release lever
17. Glass breakage sensor
18. Rear electric sunshade switch
19. Trunk opener switch
20. Fuel filler door opener switch
21. Power rear view mirror control switches

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Never leave anyone (particularly a
small child) alone in your vehicle,
with the key left in the vehicle.
Otherwise, he/she could use the
power window switches and get
trapped in a window. Unattended
person (particularly a small child)
can be involved in a serious acci-
dent.
To open the trunk lid from the driver’s
seat, push the trunk opener switch.
See “Cargo and luggage” on page 284 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.
To deactivate this lock release switch from
opening the trunk lid, see “—Trunk opener
main switch” described below.
The trunk lid can be opened with the wire-
less remote control transmitter, see
“—Opening trunk lid” on page 22 in this
Section.
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.
Trunk lid—

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2. After closing the glove box lid, in-sert the master key (vehicles with
key cylindertype ignition switch) or
mechanical key (vehicles with smart
key system) and turn it clockwise to
safeguard the lock release switch.3. After closing the door located behindthe rear seat armrest, insert the
master key (vehicles with key cylin-
dertype ignition switch) or mechani-
cal key (vehicles with smart key sys-
tem) and turn it clockwise to lock
the door.
After closing the trunk lid, try pulling it up
to make sure it is securely locked.If a person is locked in the trunk,
he/she can pull down the phosphores-
cent strap on the inside of trunk lid to
open the trunk lid.
The phosphorescent (glow −in −the −dark)
strap will continue to glow for a time after
the trunk lid is closed. Exposing the strap
to stronger light will cause it to glow lon-
ger.
—Internal trunk release strap

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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.
2. In front of the vehicle, pull up theauxiliary catch l ever and lift the
hood.
Before closing the hood, check to see that
you have not forgotten any tools, rags,
etc. Then lower the hood and make sure
it locks into place. If necessary, press
down gently on the front edge to lock it.
Hood

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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 engine is
turned off.
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 engine
is turned off.
The lights can be turned off immediately
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 switch is set at ON 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 engine is running.
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.
Automatic headlight leveling system
(with discharge headlights)
Vehicle position changes according to
loading condition, passengers getting on
and off, vehicle acceleration and decelera-
tion, etc. However, the headlight beam
level is always maintained automatically
by the system at the proper level so that
your headlights do not dazzle other road
users.
The warning light will come on when the
ignition switch is set at ON and will go off
after a few second.
If this system fails, the warning light in
the instrument panel comes on. If this
occurs, have your vehicle checked by
your Toyota dealer.

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Position 2 or position 3 with the head-
lights on—
The lights automatically turn off after 30
seconds when any of the door or trunk lid
is opened and closed with the engine off.
The lights can be turned off immediately
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 door or trunk lid is kept
opened, the lights automatically turn off
after 20 minutes.
To turn on the lights again, turn the igni-
tion switch is set at ON or actuate the
headlight switch. If you are going to park
for over one week, make sure the head-
light switch is off.
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 headlights turn on when the parking
brake is released with the engine started,
even with the light switch in the “OFF”
position. They will not go off until the
ignition switch is turned off.
To turn on the other exterior lights and
instrument panel lights, twist the knob to
position 1.
Twist the knob to the position 2 to turn
the headlights to full intensity for night
driving.
Automatic headlight leveling system
(with discharge headlights)
Vehicle position changes according to
loading condition, passengers getting on
and off, vehicle acceleration and decelera-
tion, etc. However, the headlight beam
level is always maintained automatically
by the system at the proper level so that
your headlights do not dazzle other road
users.
The warning light will come on when the
ignition switch is set at ON and will go off
after a few second.
If this system fails, the warning light in
the instrument panel comes on. If this
occurs, have your vehicle checked by
your Toyota dealer.

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338
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” on
page 264 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.
Wiper blades
Check for wear or cracks whenever they
do not wipe cleanly. See page 369 in
Section 7
−3 for additional information.
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 page 355 in Section 7 −2
for additional information.