2008 TOYOTA AVALON Owners Manual

5
When trouble arises
369
5-1. Essential information
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
●
Behavior of the vehicle
● Steering wheel angle
● Vehicle speed
● To what extent the accelerator pedal was depressed
● To what extent the brake pedal was applied
● To what extent the ECU controlled the condition of the 4 wheels
● Vehicle stability contro l system diagnostic data
The information above is intended to be used for the purpose of
improving vehicle safety performan ce. Unlike general data recorders,
the EDR does not record sound data such as conversation between
passengers.
Disclosure of the data
Toyota will not disclose the data re corded in an EDR to a third party
except when:
● An agreement from the vehicle’s ow ner (or the leasing company for
a leased vehicle) is obtained
● Officially requested by the police or other authorities
● Used as a defense for Toyota in a law suit
● Ordered by a court
However, if necessary Toyota will:
● Use the data for research on Toyota vehicle safety performance
● Disclose the data to a third party for research purposes without dis-
closing details of the vehicle ow ner, and only when it is deemed
necessary
● Disclose summarized data cleared of vehicle identification informa-
tion to a non-Toyota organization for research purposes

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.

5
When trouble arises
371
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Stop the vehicle immediately.
The following warning indicates the possibility of damage to the vehi-
cle that may lead to an accident. Immediately stop the vehicle in a
safe place and contact your Toyota dealer.
Have the vehicle inspected immediately.Failing to investigate the cause of the following warnings may lead to
the system operating abnormally and possibly cause an accident.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.
Warning lightWarning light/Details
Charging system warning light Malfunction in the vehicle’s charging system.
Low engine oil pressure warning light Abnormal level of engine oil pressure. 
This warning light may turn on if the level of engine oil
declines. The light should turn off after checking the oil
and adding oil if necessary.
Warning lightWarning light/Details

(U.S.A.)

(Canada)
Malfunction indicator lampMalfunction in:
• The electronic engine control system;
• The electronic throttle control system; or
• The transmission control system.
SRS warning light Malfunction in:
• The SRS airbag system;
• Front passenger occupant classification system; or
• The seat belt pretensioner system.

372 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Have the malfunction repaired immediately.After taking the specified steps to correct the suspected problem,
check that the warning light turns off.
Warning lightWarning light/Details

(U.S.A.)

(Canada)
ABS warning lightMalfunction in:
• The ABS; or
• The brake assist system.

(if equipped) Automatic headlight leveling system warning light
Malfunction in the automatic headlight leveling system.
Tire pressure warning lightMalfunction in the tire pressure warning system.

(if equipped) Vehicle stability contro
l system warning light
Malfunction in the VSC system or TRAC system.
Warning lightWarning light/DetailsCorrection procedure
Open door warning light 
(warning buzzer)
*1
A door or a trunk is not
fully closed. Check that all doors and the
trunk are closed.
Low fuel level warning
light Remaining fuel
(Approximately 2.6 gal. [10
L, 2.2 Imp.gal.] or less) Refuel the vehicle.

5
When trouble arises
373
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Warning lightWarning light/DetailsCorrection procedure
Driver’s seat belt
reminder light (warning
buzzer)
*2
Warns the driver to fasten
his/her seat belt. Fasten the seat belt.
Front passenger’s seat
belt reminder light
(warning buzzer)
*2
Warns the front passen-
ger to fasten his/her seat
belt. Fasten the seat belt.
Tire pressure warning
light
When the light comes on:
Low tire inflation pressure.
Adjust the tire inflation
pressure.
When the light stays on
after blinking for 1 minute:
Malfunction in the tire
pressure warning system. Have the system checked
by your Toyota dealer.
Low washer fluid warning
light
Low level of washer fluid Fill the tank.

374 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
*1: Open door warning buzzer:
A buzzer will sound if the vehicle is driven at a speed of approximately 3
mph (5 km/h) or more with any door open.
*2: Driver’s and front passenger’s seat belt reminder buzzer:
The driver’s and front passenger’s seat belts reminder sounds to alert the
driver and front passenger that his or her seat belt is not fastened. The
buzzer sounds intermittently for 10 seconds after the vehicle has reached a
speed of at least 9 mph (15 km/h). Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened,
the buzzer will continue to sound.
Warning lightWarning light/DetailsCorrection procedure

(U.S.A.)
Engine oil replacement
reminder light
Illuminates for about 3 sec-
onds and then flasher for
about 15 seconds: 
Engine oil is scheduled to
be changed. Check and the engine oil,
and change if necessary.
Comes on and remains:
Engine oil should be
changed. Check and change the
engine oil.

(if equipped) Dynamic laser cruise con-
trol master warning light
Malfunction in the dynamic
laser cruise control sys-
tem. When the light comes
on, the alarm sounds and
the warning code will
appear on the display. P. 157

5
When trouble arises
375
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Have the malfunction repaired immediately. (vehicles with smart
key system)
After taking the specified steps to correct the suspected problem,
check that the warning light turn off.
Interior buzzerExterior buzzerWarning lightDetailsCorrection procedure
Once
(Flashing)
The electronic key
is not detected
when attempting to
start the engine.
• Confirm the location of the
electronic key.
• The electronic key battery
maybe dis-
charged. 
( P. 340)
Once3 times
(Flashing)
An open door
other than the
driver’s door is
closed while the
electronic key is
outside the detec-
tion range and the
“ENGINE START
STOP” switch is in
ACC or ON mode.
Confirm the
location of the
electronic key.

376 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
InteriorbuzzerExterior buzzerWarning lightDetailsCorrection procedure
Once3 times
(Flashing)
An open door
other than the
driver’s door is
closed while the
electronic key is
outside the detec-
tion range and the
“ENGINE START
STOP” switch is in
ACC or ON mode
with the shift lever
in “P”.
Turn the
“ENGINE
START STOP”
switch off or
confirm the
location of the
electronic key.
Contin-
uousContin-
uous
(Flashing)
An open door
other than the
driver’s door is
closed while the
electronic key is
outside the detec-
tion range and the
“ENGINE START
STOP” switch is in
ACC or ON mode
with the shift lever
not in “P”.
Shift the shift
lever to “P”.
Confirm the
location of the
electronic key.