2007 TOYOTA AVALON engine

153
(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) Tire Pressure Warning Light
This light warns that the tire inflation pres-
sure of one or more of your tires is low.
The light comes on when the ignition
switch is set at ON. It goes off after a
few seconds. This indicates that the tire
pressure warning system is functioning
properly. If the warning light comes on, stop your
vehicle in a safe place as soon as pos-
sible and check that the inflation pressure
of all tires is as specified on the tire and
loading information label. (See “Checking
tire inflation pressure“ on page 361 in
Section 7
−2.) The light should go off a
few minutes after the tire pressure is ad-
justed.
If the warning light comes on after blink-
ing for 1 minute, the tire pressure warning
system may be malfunctioning. Contact
your Toyota dealer.
For details, see “Tire pressure warning
system” on page 169 in Section 1 −7.
(m) 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 375 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. (n) 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.
(o) 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.

154
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.)
2. Turn the ignition switch is set at ON while 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.
(p) 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
300 in Section 3. (q) 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 179 in Section 1 −7.
(r) 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, tire pressure warning light,
low windshield washer fluid level warn-
ing light, automatic headlight leveling
system warning light, engine oil re-
placement reminder light and dynamic
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” [dy-
namic laser cruise ready mode] indica-
tor light also come on and go off after
a few seconds. Front passenger occu-
pant classification indicator lights also
come on and go off after about 4 sec-
onds.)

158
“START”—Starter motor on. The key
will return to the “ON” position when
released.
For starting tips, see page 295 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)

159
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
(with smart key system)

160
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 296
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.

161
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

162
(b) Normal driving1. Start the engine as instructed in “How to start the engine” on page 296 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

163
Shift range positions
“5” (Fifth range):
The most suitable gear is selected au-
tomatically between first and overdrive
(fifth) gears according to the vehicle
speed or driving conditions.
“4” (Fourth range):
The most suitable gear is selected au-
tomatically between first and fourth
gears according to the vehicle speed
or driving conditions. Slight engine
braking will be obtained on a downhill
road. Smooth running with less shifting
will be obtained on an uphill road.
“3” (Third range):
The most suitable gear is selected au-
tomatically between first and third
gears according to the vehicle speed
or driving conditions. This range is to
be used when stronger engine braking
is necessary.
“2” (Second range):
First or second gear will be selected
automatically according to the vehicle
speed or driving conditions. This range
is to be used when engine braking
stronger than that of the “3” range
position is necessary.
“1” (First range):
The gear is fixed in first regardless of
vehicle speed or driving conditions.
This range is to be used when maxi-
mum engine braking is necessary.
If you attempt to downshift the transmis-
sion when it is not possible to downshift
due to high vehicle speed, a warning tone
sounds twice.
Maximum allowable speeds
To get on a highway or to pass slower
traffic, maximum acceleration may be nec-
essary. Make sure you observe the follow-
ing maximum allowable speeds in each
range: range km/h (mph)1 59 (37)
2 106 (66)
3 165 (103)
NOTICE
Do not downshift if you are going
faster than the maximum allowable
speed for the next lower range.
When the “S” mode indicator light does
not come on even with the selector lever
moved to the sequential position, there
may be a problem somewhere in the
system. Have your vehicle checked/re-
paired by your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible. In this case, you can drive in
the same condition as in the “D” position.
(d) Using engine braking
To use engine braking, you can downshift
the transmission as follows:
When driving in the “D” position—Shift the selector lever to sequential
position.
When driving in the “5” range within
the sequential position— Move the selector lever down to the
“− ” side to select the “4” range.
The transmission will downshift to
fourth range and engine braking will be
enabled.
Vehicles with cruise control or dynamic
laser cruise control—When the cruise
control is being used, engine braking
can not be enabled because the cruise
control is not cancelled.