2008 TOYOTA AVALON Owners Manual

5
When trouble arises
377
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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■
If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on while driving
First check the following:
● Is your vehicle low on gas? 
If it is, refuel the vehicle immediately.
● Is the fuel tank cap loose? 
If it is, tighten it securely.
The light will go off after taking several driving trips. 
If the light does not go off even after several trips, contact your Toyota dealer
as soon as possible.
■ SRS warning light
This warning light system monitors the following:
● The airbag sensor assembly
● Front airbag sensors
● The curtain shield airbag sensors
● The side and curtain shield airbag sensor assemblies
● The driver’s seat position sensor
● Driver’s seat belt buckle switch
● The front passenger occupant classification ECU
● The pressure sensor
● The belt tension sensor
● “AIR BAG ON” and “AIR BA G OFF” indicator lights
● Front passenger’s seat belt buckle switch
● The inflators
● The warning light
● The interconnecting wiring and power sources

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■Front passenger detect ion sensor and passenger seat belt reminder
If luggage is placed on the front passenger seat, the front passenger detec-
tion sensor may cause the warning light to flash, even if a passenger is not
sitting in the seat.
■
If the tire pressure warning system is inoperative
The tire pressure warning system will be disabled in the following condi-
tions:
(When the condition becomes normal, the system will work properly.)
●If tires not equipped with tire pressure warning valves and transmit-
ters are used.
●If the ID code on the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters is
not registered in the tire pressure warning computer.
●If the tire inflation pressure is 73 psi (500 kPa, 5.1 kgf/cm2 or bar) or
higher.
The tire pressure warning system may be disabled in the following condi-
tions: 
(When the condition becomes normal, the system will work properly.)
●If electronic devices or facilities using similar radio wave frequencies
are nearby.
●If a radio set at similar frequencies is in use in the vehicle.
●If a window tint that affects the radio wave signals is installed.
●If there is a lot of snow or ice on the vehicle, in particular around the
wheels or wheel housings.
●If non-genuine Toyota wheels are used. (Even if you use Toyota
wheels, the tire pressu re warning system may not work properly with
some types of tires.)
●If tire chains are used.
●If the spare tire is in a location subject to poor radio wave signal
reception.
●If a large metallic object which can in terfere with signal reception is
put in the trunk.

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When trouble arises
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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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■If the tire pressure warning light continues to comes on after blink-
ing for 1 minute frequently
If the tire pressure warning light comes on after blinking for 1 minute
when the “ENGINE START STOP” switch
or the engine switch is turned
to ON mode, have it checked by your Toyota dealer.
■When the tire pressure warning light comes on
Check the tire inflation pressure and adjust to the appropriate level.
Pushing the tire pressure warning reset switch does not turn off the tire
pressure warning light.
■The tire pressure warning light may turn on due to natural causes
The tire pressure warning light may turn on due to natural causes such
as natural air leaks or tire inflation pressure changes caused by temper-
ature. In this case, adjusting the ti re inflation pressure will turn off the
light (after a few minutes).
■When a tire is replaced with a spare tire
The spare tire is also equipped with the tire pressure warning valve and
transmitter. The tire pressure warning li ght will turn on if the tire inflation
pressure of the spare tire is low. If a tire goes flat, even though the flat
tire is replaced with the spare tire, the tire pressure warning light does
not turn off. Replace the spare tire with the repaired tire and adjust the
proper tire inflation pressure. The ti re pressure warning light will turn off
after a few minutes.

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CAUTION
■If the tire pressure warning light comes on
Be sure to observe the following precautions. Failure to do so could
cause loss of vehicle control and re sult in death or serious injury.
●Stop your vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible. Adjust the tire
inflation pressure immediately.
●If the tire pressure warning light comes on even after tire inflation pres-
sure adjustment, it is pr obable that you have a flat tire. Check the tires.
If the tire is flat, change to the spare tire and have the flat tire repaired
by the nearest Toyota dealer.
●Avoid abrupt maneuvering and braking. If the vehicle tires deteriorate,
you could lose control of the steering wheel or the brakes.
■If a blowout or sudden air leakage should occur
The tire pressure warning syste m may not activate immediately.
■Maintenance of the tires
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked monthly
when cold and inflated to the inflation pressure recommended by the
vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle pl acard or tire inflation pressure
label (tire and load information label). (If your vehicle has tires of a differ-
ent size than the size indicated on th e vehicle placard or tire inflation
pressure label [tire and load informa tion label], you should determine the
proper tire inflation pr essure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your v ehicle has been equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS-tire pressure warning system) that
illuminates a low tire pressure telltal e (tire pressure warning light) when
one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated. Accordingly,
when the low tire pressu re telltale (tire pressure warning light) illumi-
nates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and
inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving on a significantly under-
inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inflation also reduces fuel effi ciency and tire tread life, and may
affect the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.

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When trouble arises
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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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CAUTION
Please note that the TPMS (tire pressure warning system) is not a sub-
stitute for proper tire main
tenance, and it is the driver’s responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has not reached the
level to trigger illu mination of the TPMS low ti re pressure telltale (tire
pressure warning light).
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS (tire pressure warning
system) malfunction indicator to indi cate when the system is not operat-
ing properly. The TPMS (tire pressure warning system) malfunction indi-
cator is combined with the low tire pressure telltale (tire pressure
warning light). When the system detec ts a malfunction, the telltale will
flash for approximately one minute an d then remain continuously illumi-
nated. This sequence will continue upon subsequent vehicle start-ups as
long as the malfunction exists. When the malfunction indi cator is illumi-
nated, the system may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure
as intended.
TPMS (tire pressure warning system) malfunctions may occur for a vari-
ety of reasons, including the installati on of replacement or alternate tires
or wheels on the vehicle that prev ent the TPMS (tire pressure warning
system) from functioning properly. Always check the TPMS (tire pres-
sure warning system) malfunction tellt ale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the replacement or alter-
nate tires and wheels allow the TPMS (tire pressure warning system) to
continue to function properly.
NOTICE
■Precaution when installing a different tire
When a tire of a different specification or maker is installed, the tire pres-
sure warning system may not operate properly.

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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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If you have a flat tire
Remove the flat tire and replace it with the spare provided.
■Before jacking up the vehicle
●Stop the vehicle on a hard, flat surface.
● Set the parking brake.
● Shift the shift lever to “P”.
● Stop the engine.
● Turn on the emergency flashers.
■ Location of the spare tire, jack and tools
Jack handle
Jack
Wheel nut

wrench
Spare tire

cover Luggage floor

cover
Spare tire

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When trouble arises
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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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Take out the jack
Remove the cover.
To remove the jack, turn the jack
joint by hand until the jack
becomes free.
Taking out the spare tire
Remove the luggage floor cover.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP1

384 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)Loosen the center fastener that
secures the spare tire.
Remove the spare tire cover.
STEP2
STEP3