2008 TOYOTA AVALON brake

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.

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.

380 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
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.

382
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
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

392 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Emergency start function (vehicles with smart key system)When the engine does not start, th e following steps can be used as
an interim measure to start the engine if the “ENGINE START STOP”
switch is functioning normally.
Set the parking brake.
Shift the shift lever to “P”.
Set the “ENGINE START STOP” switch to the ACC mode.
Push and hold the “ENGINE START STOP” switch about 15
seconds while depressing the brake pedal firmly.
Even if the engine can be started using the above steps, the system
may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle checked by your Toyota
dealer.
■ The starter motor does not turn over (vehicles with smart
key system).
The engine starting system may be malfunctioning due to an
electrical problem such as an open circuit or a blown fuse. How-
ever, an interim measure is available to start the engine. 
(  P. 122)
■ The starter motor does not turn over, the interior lights and
headlights do not turn on, or the horn does not sound
One of the following may be the cause of the problem.
● One or both of the battery terminals may be disconnected.
● The battery may be discharged. ( P. 397)
● There may be a malfunction in the steering lock system (vehi-
cles with smart key system).
Contact your Toyota dealer if the problem cannot be repaired, or if
repair procedures are unknown.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4

5
When trouble arises
393
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
If the shift lever cannot be shifted with your foot on the brake, there
may be a problem with the shif t lock system (a system to prevent
accidental operation of the shift lever). Have the vehicle inspected by
your Toyota dealer immediately. 
The following steps may be used as an emergency measure to
ensure that the shift lever can be shifted.
Set the parking brake.
Turn the “ENGINE START STOP” switch or the engine
switch to the ACC mode.
Depress the brake pedal.
Pry the cover up with a flat-
head screwdriver or equiva-
lent.
To prevent damage to the
cover, cover the tip of the
screwdriver with a rag.
Press the shift lock override
button.
The shift lever can be shifted
while the button is pressed.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5

5
When trouble arises
395
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
If the electronic key does not operate properly (with smart key system)
Locking and unlocking the doors key linked functionsUsing the mechanical key in
order to perform the following
operations:Locks all doors
Unlocks the door
Turning the key rearward unlocks
the driver’s door. Turning the key
once again unlocks the other
doors.
Changing “ENGINE START STOP” switch modes and starting the
engine
Put the shift lever in “P” and apply the brakes. Touch the Toyota emblem side of
the electronic key to the
“ENGINE START STOP” switch.
An alarm will sound to indicate
that the start function cannot
detect the electronic key that is
touched to the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch if any of the doors
is opened and closed while the
key is touched to the switch.
If communication between the elect ronic key and vehicle is inter-
rupted ( P. 28) or the electronic key cannot be used because the
battery is depleted, the smart key system and wireless remote con-
trol cannot be used. In such cases, the doors can be opened or the
engine can be started by following the procedure below.
STEP1
STEP2

396 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)To change the “ENGINE START STOP” switch modes: Within
5 seconds of the buzzer soundi
ng, release the brake pedal
and press the “ENGINE START STOP” switch. Modes can be
changed each time the sw itch is pressed. (P. 122) 
To start the engine: Press the “ENGINE START STOP” switch
within 5 seconds after the buzzer sounds, keeping the brake
pedal depressed.
If the “ENGINE START STOP” switch still cannot be operated, con-
tact your Toyota dealer.
■ Stopping the engine
Shift the shift lever to “P” and press the “ENGINE START STOP” switch as
you normally do when stopping the engine.
■ Replacing the key battery
As the above procedure is the temporary measure, it is recommended that
the electronic key battery be replaced immediately when the battery
depletes. ( P. 340)
STEP3