2008 TOYOTA AVALON Owners Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS
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AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
1Before drivingAdjusting and operating features such as door locks,
mirrors, and steering column.
2When drivingDriving, stopping and safe-driving information.
3Interior 
featuresAir conditioning and audio systems, as well as other 
interior features for a comfortable driving experience.
4Maintenance
and careCleaning and protecting your vehicle, performing do-it-
yourself maintenance, and maintenance information.
5When trouble
arisesWhat to do if the vehicle needs to be towed, gets a flat
tire, or is involved in an accident.
6Vehicle 
specificationsDetailed vehicle information.
7For ownersReporting safety defects for U.S. owners and seat belt
instructions for Canadian owners.
IndexAlphabetical listing of information contained in this
manual.

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
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AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
1-1. Key information .................. 22Keys ..................................... 22
1-2. Opening, closing and

locking the doors and 
trunk .................................. 24
Smart key system................. 24
Wireless remote control ....... 35
Doors.................................... 39
Trunk .................................... 44
1-3. Adjustable components 
(seats, s teering wheel, 
mirrors) ............................. 46
Front seats ........................... 46
Rear seats ............................ 48
Driving position memory 
system ................................ 50
Head restraints ..................... 53
Seat belts ............................. 54
Steering wheel ..................... 61
Inside rear view mirror.......... 62
Outside rear view mirrors ..... 64
1-4. Opening a nd closing the
windo ws and moon roof .. 66
Power windows .................... 66
Moon roof ............................. 69
1-5. Refueling ............................. 72 Opening the fuel tank cap .... 72 1-6. Theft deterrent system ....... 75
Engine immobilizer system ... 75
Alarm .................................... 77
Theft prevention labels 
(U.S.A.) ............................... 79
1-7. Safety information .............. 80 Correct driving posture ......... 80
SRS airbags ......................... 82
Front passenger occupant 
classification system ........... 93
Child restraint systems ......... 99
Installing child restraints ..... 102
2-1. Driving procedures........... 114 Driving the vehicle .............. 114
Engine (ignition) switch 
(with smart key system) .... 122
Engine (ignition) switch 
(without smart key 
system) ............................. 126
Automatic transmission ...... 129
Turn signal lever ................. 133
Parking brake ..................... 134
2-2. Instrument cluster ............ 135 Gauges and meters ............ 135
Indicators and warning 
lights ................................. 138
Center display..................... 141
1Before driving
2When driving

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AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
2-3. Operating the lights and 
windshield wipers ........... 143
Headlight switch .................. 143
Fog light switch ................... 145
Windshield wipers and 
washer .............................. 146
2-4. Using other driving 
systems ........................... 149
Cruise control ...................... 149
Dynamic laser cruise 
control ............................... 152
Driving assist systems ........ 163
2-5. Driving information ........... 166 Cargo and luggage ............. 166
Vehicle load limits ............... 169
Winter driving tips ............... 170
Trailer towing ...................... 175
Dinghy towing ..................... 176
3-1. Using the air conditioning 
system and defogger...... 178
Automatic air conditioning 
system .............................. 178
Using the steering wheel  climate control switches .... 185
Rear window and outside 
rear view mirror 
defoggers .......................... 187 3-2. Using the audio system ... 188
Audio system type .............. 188
Audio cover ........................ 190
Using the radio ................... 191
Using the CD player ........... 198
Playing MP3 and WMA 
discs ................................. 206
Optimal use of the audio 
system .............................. 214
Using the AUX adapter....... 216
Using the steering wheel 
audio switches.................. 217
3-3. Using the hands-free 
system ............................. 220
Hands-free system 
(for cellular phone) ........... 220
Using the hands-free 
system .............................. 223
Making a phone call ........... 231
Setting a cellular phone ...... 236
Security and system 
setup ................................ 241
Using the phone book ........ 244
3-4. Using the interior lights ... 252 Interior lights list ................. 252
3-5. Using the storage 
features ........................... 255
List of storage features ....... 255
3Interior features

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AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
3-6. Other interior features ..... 263Sun visors .......................... 263
Vanity mirrors ..................... 264
Clock .................................. 265
Outside temperature display .............................. 266
Ashtrays ............................. 267
Power outlets ..................... 268
Climate control seats/seat 
heaters ............................. 270
Armrest............................... 272
Rear sunshade ................... 273
Floor mats .......................... 275
Trunk features .................... 276
Garage door opener ........... 278
Compass ............................ 283
4-1. Maintenance and care...... 288 Cleaning and protecting the 
vehicle exterior ................. 288
Cleaning and protecting the 
vehicle interior .................. 291
4-2. Maintenance ..................... 294 Maintenance 
requirements .................... 294
General maintenance ......... 296
Emission inspection and 
maintenance (I/M) 
programs .......................... 299 4-3. Do-it-yourself

maintenance ................... 300
Do-it-yourself service 
precautions ....................... 300
Hood ................................... 303
Positioning a floor jack........ 304
Engine compartment .......... 306
Tires.................................... 322
Tire inflation pressure ......... 331
Wheels................................ 335
Air conditioning filter ........... 337
Key battery ......................... 340
Checking and replacing 
fuses ................................. 344
Headlight aim (with 
discharge headlights) ....... 353
Light bulbs .......................... 355
5-1. Essential information ....... 362 If your vehicle needs to be 
towed ................................ 362
If you think something is  wrong ................................ 366
Fuel pump shut off 
system .............................. 367
Event data recorder ............ 368
4Maintenance and care
5When trouble arises

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AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
5-2. Steps to take in an 
emergency ....................... 370
If a warning light turns on 
or a warning buzzer 
sounds... ........................... 370
If you have a flat tire............ 382
If the engine will not start .... 391
If the shift lever cannot be 
shifted from P.................... 393
If you lose your keys ........... 394
If the electronic key does 
not operate properly 
(with smart key system) .... 395
If the vehicle battery is 
discharged ........................ 397
If your vehicle overheats ..... 401
If the vehicle becomes  stuck ................................. 404
6-1. Specifications.................... 406 Maintenance data (fuel, 
oil level, etc.) ..................... 406
Fuel information .................. 414
Tire information ................... 417
6-2. Customization ................... 429 Customizable features ........ 429
6-3. Initialization ....................... 433 Items to initialize ................. 433 Reporting safety defects for

U.S. owners...................... 436
Seat belt instructions for  Canadian owners 
(in French) ........................ 437
Abbreviation list ............... 442
Alphabetical index............ 443
What to do if...................... 450
6Vehicle specifications
7For owners
Index

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AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Headlight (high beam) P. 143
Pictorial indexExterior
Turn signal light P. 133
Fog light P. 145
Side marker light P. 143
Headlight (low beam) P. 143
Hood P. 303
Windshield wiper P. 146
Moon roof P. 69
Outside rear view mirror
P. 64

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AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Tire
●Rotation
● Replacement
● Inflation pressure
● Information
P. 322
P. 382
P. 412
P. 417
Tail lights P. 143
Side marker light P. 143
Trunk P. 44
Rear window defogger P. 187
Door P. 39
Fuel filler door P. 72
Turn signal light P. 133
: If equipped
Back-up light
Tail/stop light
P. 143

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AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
A
Power window 
switch
P. 66
Pictorial indexInterior
Seat belt P. 54
Front passenger
airbag
P. 82
SRS knee airbag
P. 82
SRS driver airbag P. 82
Floor mat P. 275
Door pocket P. 262
Front seat P. 46
SRS side airbag P. 82
Console box P. 257
Power outlets P. 268
Ashtray P. 267Cup holders P. 261
Armrest P. 272
AUX adapter P. 216
Head restraint P. 53
Storage compartment 
P. 260