2008 TOYOTA AVALON parking brake

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.
CanadaU.S.A.

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.

171
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
■
Before driving the vehicle
Perform the following according to the driving conditions.
●Do not try to forcibly open a window or move a wiper that is
frozen. Pour warm water over the frozen area to melt the ice.
Wipe away the water immediately to prevent it from freezing.
● To ensure proper operation of th e climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents
in front of the windshield.
● Remove any ice that has accumu lated on the vehicle chassis.
● Periodically check for and remove any excess ice or snow
that may have accumulated in the wheel well or on the
brakes.
■ When driving the vehicle
Accelerate the vehicle slowly and drive at a reduced speed suit-
able to road conditions.
■ When parking the vehicle
Park the vehicle and move the shift lever to “P” without setting
the parking brake. The parking brake may freeze up, preventing
it from being released.

297
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator pedal • Moves smoothly (without uneven pedal
effort or catching)?
Automatic transmission
“Park” mechanism • Can the vehicle be hold securely on an
incline with the shift lever in “P”?
Brake pedal • Moves smoothly?
• Does it have appropriate clearance and
correct amount of free play?
Brakes • Pulls to one side when applied?
• Loss of brake effectiveness?
• Spongy feeling brake pedal?
• Pedal almost touches floor?
Head restraints • Move smoothly and lock securely?
Indicators/buzzers • Function properly?
Lights • Do all the lights come on?
• Headlights aimed correctly? (
P. 353)
Parking brake • Moves smoothly?
• Can hold the vehicle securely on an
incline?
Seat belts • Does the seat belt system operate
smoothly?
• Are the belts undamaged?
Seats • Do the seat controls operate properly?
Steering wheel • Moves smoothly?
• Has correct free play?
• No strange noises?

4
Maintenance and care
305
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
CAUTION
■
When raising your vehicle
Make sure to observe the following to reduce the possibility of death or\
seri-
ous injury.
● Do not use the jack that was supplied with your vehicle.
● Do not put any part of your body or get underneath the vehicle supported
only by the jack. 
Always use automotive jack stands or a solid, level surface.
● Do not start the engine while the vehicle is supported by the floor jack.
● Stop the vehicle on level firm ground, firmly set the parking brake and put
the shift lever in “P”.
● Make sure to set the floor jack properly at the jack point. 
Raising the vehicle with an improperly positioned floor jack will damage
the vehicle and may cause the vehicle to fall off the floor jack.
● Do not raise the vehicle while someone is in the vehicle.
● When raising the vehicle, do not place any objects on top of or underneath
the floor jack.
●Lift up the vehicle using a floor jack
such as the one shown in the illustra-
tion.

350 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
FuseAmpereCircuit
11S-HTR20 AAir conditioning system
12DOOR No.225 AMultiplex communication system
13S/ROOF30 AMoon roof
14TA I L10 A
Parking lights, license plate lights,
tail lights, front and rear side
marker lights
15PA N E L7.5 A
Seat heaters, navigation system,
emergency flashers, 
electronically controlled 
automatic transmission system,
glove box light, instrument panel
lights, power outlets
16ECU IG No.110 A
Center display, shift lock control
system, moon roof, multiplex 
communication system, tire pres-
sure monitoring (warning) system
17ECU IG No.210 A
Anti-lock brake system, dynamic
laser cruise control system, 
automatic headlight leveling 
system, vehicle stability control
system, multiplex 
communication system
18HTR7.5 A
Air conditioning system, 
instrument panel lights, electric
cooling fan
19A/C COMP7.5 AAir conditioning system
20GAUGE No.110 ABack-up lights, navigation 
system, emergency flashers
21WIP30 AWindshield wipers
22RR S/SHADE10 ARear sunshade

364 5-1. Essential information
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Towing with a wheel lift-type truckFrom front Release the parking brake.
From rear Use a towing dolly under the
front wheel.
NOTICE
■To prevent causing damage to the transmission
Never tow this vehicle from the rear with the front wheel on the ground.
■ To prevent damaging the vehicle
When raising the vehicle, ensure adequate ground clearance for towing at
the opposite end of the raised vehicle. Without adequate clearance, the
vehicle could be damaged while being towed.

370
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If a war ning light tur ns on or a war ning buzzer sounds...
Stop the vehicle immediately. Continuing to drive the vehicle
may be dangerous.The following warning indicates a possible problem in the brake sys-
tem. Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your
Toyota dealer.
*: Parking brake engaged warning buzzer:
A buzzer will sound if the vehicle is driven at a speed of approxi-
mately 3 mph (5 km/h) or more.
Warning lightWarning light/Details

(U.S.A.)

(Canada)
Brake system warning light (warning buzzer)*
• Low brake fluid
• Malfunction in the brake systemThis light also comes on when the parking brake is not
released. If the light turns off after the parking brake is
fully released, the system is operating normally.
Calmly perform the following actions if any of the warning lights turn
on or flash. If a light turns on or flashes, but then turns off, this does
not necessarily indicate a malfunction in the system.