2008 TOYOTA AVALON Owners Manual

137
2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Instrument panel light control
The brightness of the instrument panel lights can be adjusted.
Darker
Brighter
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the engine and its components
● Do not let the indicator needle of the tachometer enter the red zone, which
indicates the maximum engine speed.
● The engine may be overheating if the temperature gauge is in the red
zone (“H”). In this case, immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place.
Check the engine after it has cooled completely. ( P. 401)

138
2-2. Instrument cluster
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Indicators and warning lights
The indicator and warning lights on the instrument cluster and cen-
ter panel inform the driver of the status of the vehicle’s various sys-
tems.
Instrument cluster
The units used on the speedometer and some indicators may differ
depending on the target region.
Center display

139
2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
■
Indicators
The indicators inform the driver of the operating state of the
vehicle’s various systems.
Turn signal indicator 
( P. 133)Cruise control indicator
(P. 149)
Headlight high beam
indicator ( P. 143)Cruise control indicator 
( P. 149, 152)
(U.S.A.)
Headlight indicator 
( P. 143)
(if equipped)
Ready mode indicator 
( P. 152)
(Canada)
Tail light indicator 
( P. 143)
(if equipped)
Conventional cruise
indicator ( P. 152)
Security indicator 
( P. 75, 77)
(if equipped)
Slip indicator ( P. 163)
Shift position and shift
range indicators 
( P. 129)
SRS airbag on-off 
indicator ( P. 93)
*
*
*

140 2-2. Instrument cluster
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
CAUTION
■If a safety system warning light does not come on
Should a safety system light such as ABS and the SRS airbag warning light
not come on when you start the engine, this could mean that these systems
are not available to help protect you in an accident, which could result in
death or serious injury. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately if this occurs.
■ Warning lights
Warning lights inform the driver of malfunctions in the indicated
vehicle’s systems. ( P. 370)
*: These lights turn on when the “ENGINE START STOP” switch or the
engine switch is turned to ON mode to indicate that a system check is
being performed. They will turn off after the engine is started, or after
a few seconds. There may be a malfunction in a system if the lights
do not come on, or turn off. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toy-
ota dealer.
(U.S.A.)(Canada)(U.S.A.)(Canada)(if equipped)
(U.S.A.)(Canada)(if equipped)
(U.S.A.)(if equipped)(if equipped)
*******
*****
****

141
2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Center display
The center display provides information including your vehicle’s
driving condition, outside temperature.
Vehicles with navigation system
Refer to “Navigation System Owner’s Manual”.
Vehicles without navigation system
Audio display
( P. 188)
Air conditioning display ( P. 178)
Outside temperature display ( P. 266)
Trip information display
Displays driving range, fuel consumption and other cruising related
information.
Pattern selector knob
Display items can be switched by pushing the knob. 
All the display  Audio display and air conditioning display  off

142 2-2. Instrument cluster
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Trip information■ Driving range
■ Average fuel consumption after refueling
■ Elapsed time Displays the estimated maximum distance that can be
driven with the quantity of fuel remaining.
●
This distance is computed based on your average fuel
consumption. As a result, the actual distance that can be
driven may differ from that displayed.
● When only a small amount of fuel is added to the tank, the
display may not be updated.
Displays the average fuel consumption since the vehicle
was last refueled.
Displays the elapsed time since the engine was started
or since the function was reset.
The function can be reset when the “ENGINE START STOP”
switch or the engine switch is turned off.
CAUTION
■The center display at low temperatures
Allow the interior of the vehicle to warm up before using the liquid crystal
information display. At extremely low temperatures, the information display
monitor may respond slowly, and display changes may be delayed.

143
2
When driving
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
Headlight switch
Turning on the high beam headlightsWith the headlights on, push
the lever forward to turn on the
high beams.
Pull the lever back to the center
position to turn the high beams
off.
Pull the lever toward you to
turn on the high beams.
Release to turn them off. You can
flash the high beams with the
headlights on or off.
The headlights can be operated manually or automatically.
The side marker, parking, tail, license plate and instrument
panel lights turn on.
The headlights and all lights listed above turn on.
The headlights and all the lights listed above turn on and off
automatically. (When the “ENGINE START STOP” switch or
the engine switch is in ON mode.)
Turn off the daytime running light system.
U.S.A. Canada
(if equipped)

144 2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
■Daytime running light system (if equipped)
To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers, the headlights turn on
automatically (at a reduced intensity) whenever the engine is started and the
parking brake is released. Daytime r unning lights are not designed for use at
night.
■ Headlight control sensor
■ Automatic light off system
The headlights and tail lights turn off 30 seconds after a door is opened or
closed if the “ENGINE START STOP” switch or the engine switch has been
switched to ACC or turned OFF while the headlights are turned on. (The
lights turn off immediately if the button on the key is pressed after all
doors are locked.)
To turn the lights on again, switch to ON mode, or turn the light switch OFF
once and then back to the
or position.
■ Customization that can be co nfigured at Toyota dealer
Settings (e.g. light sensor sensitivity) can be changed. 
(Customizable features P. 429)
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than necessary if the engine is not running.
The sensor may not function properly if
an object is placed on the sensor, or any-
thing that blocks the sensor is affixed to
the windshield. 
Doing so interferes with the sensor
detecting the level of ambient light and
may cause the automatic headlight con-
trol system to malfunction.