2008 TOYOTA AVALON ECO mode

125
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
CAUTION
■
When starting the engine
Always start the engine while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not press the
accelerator pedal while starting the engine under any circumstances. 
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■ While driving
Do not touch the “ENGINE START STOP” switch while driving. 
Pressing and holding the “ENGINE START STOP” switch will stop the
engine, which may lead to an accident.
NOTICE
■ To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the “ENGINE START STOP” switch in ACC or ON mode for
long periods if the engine is not running.
■ When starting the engine
● Do not race the engine.
● If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have the engine
checked immediately.

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)
*******
*****
****

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.

148 2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
■In extremely hot or cold weather
The system will turn off if the windshield gets extremely hot (at more than
176°F [80°C]) or cold (at less than 14°F [-10°C]).
■ Customization that can be co nfigured at Toyota dealer
Settings (e.g. drip prevention function) can be changed. 
(Customizable features P. 432)
CAUTION
■Caution regarding the use of windshield wipers in “AUTO” mode
The windshield wipers may operate unexpect edly if the sensor is touched or
the windshield is subject to vibration in “AUTO” mode. Take care that your
fingers or anything else do not become caught in the windshield wipers.
NOTICE
■ When the windshield is dry
Do not use the wipers, as they may damage the windshield.
■ When there is no washer fluid spray from the nozzle
Damage to the washer fluid pump may be caused if the lever is pulled
toward you and held continually.

153
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
■Selecting conventional constant speed control mode
Press the “ON-OFF” button
to operate the cruise con-
trol.
Switch to constant speed
control mode.
(Push and hold for approxi-
mately 1 second.)
Push the button once more to
deactivate.
Vehicle-to-vehicle distance
control mode is always reset
when the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch or the engine
switch is switched to ON
mode.
■ Adjusting the speed setting
Increase speed
Decrease speed
Hold the lever until the desired
speed setting is displayed.
In the constant speed control
mode, fine adjustment of the
set speed (approximately 1.0
mph [1.6 km/h]) can be made
by lightly pressing the lever up
or down and releasing it.

157
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
■Dynamic laser cruise control warning lights, display and buzzers
Warning lights, display and buzzers are used to indicate a system malfunc-
tion or to alert you to the need for caution while driving.
The warning codes indicate the following.
If the same code appears again after implementing the correction procedure,
or if the cruise control cannot be set, contact your Toyota dealer.
■ Switching modes
The mode cannot be switched to constant speed control mode if vehicle-to-
vehicle distance control mode has been used. The mode also cannot be
switched from constant speed control to vehicle-to-vehicle control mode.
Turn the system off by pressing the “ON-OFF” button, and turn it on again.
“CRUISE” indicator light
Master warning light
Warning code
Warning codeDetailsCorrection procedures
C1 Indicates that the laser
radar sensor is dirty or
covered with ice. Clean the sensor.
C2 Indicates that the system
is unable to judge the vehi-
cle-to-vehicle distance. • Stop the wiper or switch
the wiper to variable inter-
mittent operation.
• Avoid direct sunlight.
• Wait until the weather becomes clear.
E3 (Flashing) Indicates that a system
malfunction has been
detected. Turn off and restart the
“ENGINE START STOP”
switch or the engine
switch.

187
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
3
Interior features
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Rear window and outside rear view mirror defoggers
■Operating conditions
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch or the engine switch must be in the ON
mode.
CAUTION
■When the outside rear view mirr or defoggers are on (if equipped)
Do not touch the rear view mirror surfaces, as they can become very hot and
burn you.
NOTICE
■ To prevent battery discharge
Turn the defoggers off when the engine is not running.
These features are used to defog the rear window, and to remove
raindrops, dew and frost from the outside rear view mirrors.
With outside rear view mir-
ror defoggers
Without outside rear view
mirror defoggers
Press the button to turn on the
rear window (and outside rear
view mirror) defoggers. The
defoggers will automatically turn
off after approximately 15 min-
utes. Pressing the button again
also turns the defoggers off.
The operation time changes
according to the ambient tem-
perature and vehicle speed.

210 3-2. Using the audio system
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
■MP3 and WMA files
MP3 (MPEG Audio LAYER 3) is a standard audio compression format.
Files can be compressed to approximately 1/10 of their original size by using
MP3 compression.
WMA (Windows Media
TMAudio) is a Microsoft audio compression format.
This format compresses audio data to a size smaller than that of the MP3
format.
There is a limit to the MP3 and WMA file standards and to the media/formats
recorded by them that can be used.
● MP3 file compatibility
• Compatible standards
MP3 (MPEG1 LAYER3, MPEG2 LSF LAYER3)
• Compatible sampling frequencies 
MPEG1 LAYER3: 32, 44.1, 48 (kHz) 
MPEG2 LSF LAYER3: 16, 22.05, 24 (kHz)
• Compatible bit rates 
MPEG1 LAYER3: 64, 80, 96, 112, 128, 160, 192, 224, 256, 320 (kbps)
• MPEG2 LSF LAYER3: 64, 80, 96, 112, 128, 144, 160 (kbps)
*: Compatible with VBR
• Compatible channel modes: stereo, joint stereo, dual channel and monaural
● WMA file compatibility
• Compatible standards
WMA Ver. 7, 8, 9
• Compatible sampling frequencies 
32, 44.1, 48 (kHz)
• Compatible bit rates 
Ver. 7, 8: CBR 48, 64, 80, 96, 128, 160, 192 (kbps) 
Ver. 9: CBR 48, 64, 80, 96, 128, 160, 192, 256, 320 (kbps)
*: Only compatible with 2-channel playback
● Compatible media
Media that can be used for MP3 and WMA playback are CD-Rs and CD-
RWs.
Playback in some instances may not be possible, depending on the status
of the CD-R or CD-RW. Playback may not be possible or the audio may
jump if the disc is scratched or marked with fingerprints.