2008 TOYOTA AVALON brake

119
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
CAUTION
■
When the vehicle is parked
● Do not leave glasses, cigarette lighters, spray cans, or soft drink cans in
the vehicle when it is in the sun. 
Failure to do so may result in the following:
• Gas may leak from a cigarette lighter or spray can, and may lead to a fire.
• The temperature inside the vehicle may cause the plastic lenses and plastic material of eye glasses to deform or crack.
• Soft drink cans may fracture, causing the contents to spray over the interior of the vehicle, and may also cause a short circuit in the vehi-
cle’s electrical components.
● Always apply the parking brake, shift the shift lever to “P”, stop the engine
and lock the vehicle. 
Do not leave the vehicle unattended while the engine is running.
● Do not touch the exhaust pipe while the engine is running or immediately
after turning the engine off. 
Doing so may cause burns.
● Do not leave the engine running in an area with snow build up, or where
snow is expected to fall. 
Exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle, leading to death or a
serious health hazard.
■ Exhaust gases
Exhaust gases include harmful carbon monoxide (CO) that is colorless and
odorless. Inhaling exhaust gases may lead to death or a serious health haz-
ard.
● If the vehicle is in a poorly ventilated area, stop the engine. In a closed
area, such as a garage, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle.
This may lead to death or a serious health hazard.
● The exhaust should be checked occasionally. If there is a hole or crack
caused by corrosion, damage to a joint or abnormal exhaust noise, be
sure to have the vehicle inspected and repaired by your Toyota dealer.
Failure to do so may allow exhaust gases to enter the vehicle, resulting in
death or a serious health hazard.

120 2-1. Driving procedures
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
CAUTION
■When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the engine off. 
Otherwise, you may accidentally move the shift lever or press the accelera-
tor pedal, which could cause an accident or fire due to abnormal engine
overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked in a poorly ventilated area,
exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle, leading to death or a seri-
ous health hazard.
■ When braking the vehicle
● If the power brake assist function does not operate, do not follow other
vehicles closely and avoid downhill or sharp turns that require making. 
In this case, braking is still possible, but it will require more force on the
pedal than usual. Braking distance may also increase.
● Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls. 
Each push on the pedal uses up the reserve for the power-assisted
brakes.
● The brake system consists of 2 individual hydraulic systems: if one of the
systems fails, the other will still operate. In this case, the brake pedal
should be depressed more firmly than usual and braking distance
becomes longer. 
Do not drive your vehicle with only a single brake system. Have your
brakes fixed immediately.
NOTICE
■ While driving the vehicle
Do not use the accelerator pedal or depress accelerator and brake pedals
together to hold the vehicle on a hill.
■ When parking the vehicle
Always put the shift lever in “P”. Failure to do so may cause the vehicle to
move or the vehicle may accelerate suddenly if the accelerator pedal is acci-
dentally depressed.

121
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
NOTICE
■
Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
● Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for a
long time. 
Doing so may damage the power steering pump.
● When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid
damaging the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.
■ If you hear a squealing or scrapin g noise (brake pad wear limit indica-
tors)
Have your Toyota dealer check and replace the brake pads as soon as pos-
sible. 
The rotor damage can result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
■ If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering
wheel firmly and gradually press the brake pedal to slow down the vehicle.
● It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
● The vehicle will make abnormal sounds.
● The vehicle will behave abnormally.
Replace a flat tire with a new one. ( P. 385)
■ When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may
cause the following serious damage to the vehicle.
● Engine stalling
● Short in electrical components
● Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be
sure to have your Toyota dealer check the following.
● Brake function
● Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, trans-
mission, differentials, etc.
● Lubricant condition for the bearings and suspension joints (where possi-
ble) and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.

122
2-1. Driving procedures
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Engine (ignition) switch (with smar t key system)
■Starting the engine
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is set in “P”.
Sit in the driver’s seat and firmly depress the brake pedal.
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch indicator turns green.
Press the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4

126
2-1. Driving procedures
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Engine (ignition) switch (without smar t key system)
■Turning the key from “ACC” to “LOCK”
■ Starting the engine
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is set in “P”.
Sit in the driver’s seat and firmly depress the brake pedal.
Turn the engine switch to the “START” position and start
the engine.
■ Engine (ignition) switch
“LOCK” (OFF)
The steering wheel is locked
and the key can be removed.
“ACC” (ACC mode)
Some electrical components
such as the audio system can
be used.
“ON” (ON mode)
All electrical components can
be used.
“START”
For starting the engine.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
Shift the shift lever to “P”.
Push in the key and turn to
the “LOCK” position.STEP1
STEP2

129
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Automatic transmission
Select a shift position appropriate for the driving conditions.
■Shifting the shift lever
While the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch
or the engine switch is
in ON mode, depress
the brake pedal and
move the shift lever.
“S” mode driving position

132 2-1. Driving procedures
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
■Down shifting restrictions wa rning buzzer (in the “S” mode)
To help ensure safety and driving performance, downshifting operation may
sometimes be restricted. In some circumstances, downshifting may not be
possible even when the shift lever is operated. (The warning buzzer will
sound twice.)
■ When driving with the cruise contro l system (or dynamic laser cruise
control system)
The engine brake will not operate in t he “S” mode, even when downshifting
to “5” or “4”. ( P. 149, 152)
■ If the shift lever cannot be shifted from “P”
 P. 393
■ If the “S” indicator does not come on even after shifting the shift lever
to “S” mode driving position
This may indicate a malfunction in the automatic transmission system. Have
the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately. 
(In this situation, the vehicle will operate as if the shift lever is in “D”.)
■ AI-SHIFT
The AI-SHIFT automatically shifts the gear to the optimal position according
to the driver’s input and driving conditions. 
The AI-SHIFT automatically operates when the shift lever is in the “D” posi-
tion. (Shifting the shift lever to the “S” mode driving position cancels the func-
tion.)

134
2-1. Driving procedures
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Parking brake
NOTICE
■Before driving
Fully release the parking brake. 
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to brake components
overheating, which may affect braking performance and increase brake
wear.
Sets the parking brake*
(Depressing the pedal again
releases the parking brake.)
*: Fully depress the parking brake pedal with your left
foot while depressing the
brake pedal with your right
foot.
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