2008 TOYOTA AVALON Owners Manual

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Installation of a mobile two-way radio system
As the installation of a mobile two-way radio system in your vehicle could
affect electronic systems such as the multiport fuel injection system/sequen-
tial multiport fuel injection system, electronic throttle control system, cruise
control system, dynamic laser cruise control system, vehicle stability control
system, SRS airbag system and seat belt pretensioner system, be sure to
check with your Toyota dealer for precautionary measures or special instruc-
tions regarding installation.
Scrapping of your Toyota
The SRS airbag and seat belt pretensioner devices in your Toyota contain
explosive chemicals. If the vehicle is scrapped with the airbags and seat belt
pretensioners left as they are, this may cause an accident such as fire. Be
sure to have the systems of the SRS airbag and seat belt pretensioner
removed and disposed of by a qualified service shop or by your Toyota
dealer before you scrap your vehicle.
Perchlorate Material
Special handling may apply, 
See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate. 
Your vehicle has components that may contain perchlorate. These compo-
nents may include airbag, seat belt pretensioners, and wireless remote con-
trol batteries.

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CAUTION
■General precautions while driving
Driving under the influence: Never drive your vehicle when under the influ-
ence of alcohol or drugs that have impaired your ability to operate your vehi-
cle. Alcohol and certain drugs delay reaction time, impair judgment and
reduce coordination, which could lead to an accident that will hurt or kill you,
your occupants or others.
Defensive driving: Always drive defensively. Anticipate mistakes that other
drivers or pedestrians might make and be ready to avoid accidents.
Driver distraction: Always give your full attention to driving. Anything that dis-
tracts the driver, such as adjusting controls, talking on a cellular phone or
reading can result in a collision with resulting death or serious injury to you,
your occupants or others.
■ General precautions regarding children’s safety
Never leave children unattended in the vehicle, and never allow children to
have or use the key.
When left unattended, children may be able to start the vehicle or shift the
vehicle into neutral. There is also a danger that children may injure them-
selves by playing with the cigarette lighter, the windows, the moon roof, or
other features of the vehicle. In addition, heat build-up or extremely cold
temperatures inside the vehicle can be fatal to children.

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Symbols used throughout this manual
Cautions & Notices
Safety symbol
CAUTION
This is a warning against anything which may cause injury to people if the
warning is ignored. You are informed about what you must or must not do in
order to reduce the risk of injury to yourself and others.
NOTICE
This is a warning against anything which may cause damage to the vehicle or
its equipment if the warning is ignored. You are informed about what you must
or must not do in order to avoid or reduce the risk of damage to your Toyota
and its equipment.Throughout this manual, you will also see the symbol of a circle with
a slash through it. This means “Do not”, “Do not do this”, or “Do not
let this happen”.

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Before driving1
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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, steering 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 and closing the

windows 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

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1-1. Key information
Keys
The following keys are provided with the vehicle.
Vehicles with smart key system
Electronic keys
• Operating the smart key system ( P. 24)
• Operating the wireless
remote control function 
( P. 35)
Mechanical keys
Key number plate
Vehicles without smart key system
Master keys
Operating the wireless remote
control function (
P. 35)
Va l e t k e y
Key number plate

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1-1. Key information
1
Before driving
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Using the mechanical key (vehicles with smart key system)
Take out the mechanical key.
After using the mechanical key,
store it in the electronic key. Carry
the mechanical key together with
the electronic key. If the electronic
key battery is depleted or the
smart key system does not oper-
ate properly, you will need the
mechanical key.
■When required to leave a key to th e vehicle with a parking attendant
Turn the trunk opener main switch OFF, lock the glove box and trunk storage
extension door as circumstances demand. ( P. 44, 277)
● Vehicles with smart key system: Remove the mechanical key for your
own use and provide the attendant with the electronic key only.
● Vehicles without smart key system: Provided the attendant with the valet
key.
■ Key number plate
Keep the plate in a safe place such as your wallet, not in the vehicle. In the
event that a key is lost, a new key can be made at your Toyota dealer using
the key number plate. ( P. 394)
NOTICE
■To prevent key damage
● Do not disassemble the key.
● Do not subject the keys to strong shocks, expose them to high tempera-
tures by placing them in direct sunlight, or get them wet.
● Do not expose the keys to electromagnetic materials or attach any mate-
rial that blocks electromagnetic waves to the key surface.

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1-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors and trunk
Smart key system (if equipped)
The following operations can be performed simply by carrying the
electronic key on your person, for example in your pocket.
(The driver should always carry the electronic key.)
Locks and unlocks the doors ( P. 2 5 )
Unlocks the trunk ( P. 2 5 )
Starts and stops the engine ( P. 122)