2008 TOYOTA AVALON steering

168 2-5. Driving information
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
CAUTION
■Storage precautions
●Do not place anything on the package tray behind the rear seatback. 
Such items may be thrown about and possibly injure people in the
vehicle during sudden braking or in an accident.
●Do not drive with objects on top of the instrument panel. 
They may interfere with the driver’s field of view or move during sharp
acceleration or turning, thus impairing the driver’s control of the vehi-
cle. In an accident they may injure the vehicle occupants.
●Secure all items in the occupant compartment, as they may shift and
injure someone during an accident or sudden braking.
■Weight of the load
●Improper loading may cause deterioration of steering or braking con-
trol resulting in an accident which may cause death or serious injury.
●Do not exceed the maximum axle weight rating or the total vehicle
weight rating.
●Even if the total load of occupant’s weight and the cargo load is less
than the total load capacity, do not apply the load unevenly. Improper
loading may cause deterioration of steering or braking control which
may cause death or serious injury.

169
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Vehicle load limits
■Total load capacity and seating capacity
These details are also described on the tire and loading information
label. (P. 331)
CAUTION
■Overloading the vehicle
Do not overload the vehicle. 
It may not only cause damage to the ti res, but also degrade steering and
braking ability, resulting in an accident.
Vehicle load limits include total load capacity, seating capacity,
towing capacity and cargo capacity.
■ Total load capacity: 870 lb. (395 kg)
Total load capacity means the combined weight of occupants,
cargo and luggage.
■ Seating capacity: 5 occupants (Front 2, Rear 3)
Seating capacity means the ma ximum number of occupants
whose estimated average weight is 150 lb. (68 kg) per person.
Even if the number of occupants are within the seating capacity,
do not exceed the total load capacity.
■ Towing capacity
Toyota does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle.
■ Cargo capacity
Cargo capacity may increase or decrease depending on the
weight and the number of occupants.

Interior features3
177
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
3-1. Using the air conditioning 
system and defogger... 178
Automatic air conditioning 
system ........................... 178
Using the steering wheel  climate control 
switches ......................... 185
Rear window and outside 
rear view mirror 
defoggers ....................... 187
3-2. Using the audio 
system .......................... 188
Audio system type............ 188
Audio cover ...................... 190
Using the radio ................. 191
Using the CD player ......... 198
Playing MP3 and WMA 
discs............................... 206
Optimal use of the audio 
system ........................... 214
Using the AUX adapter .... 216
Using the steering wheel  audio switches ............... 217
3-3. Using the hands-free 
system .......................... 220
Hands-free system 
(for cellular phone) ........ 220
Using the hands-free 
system ........................... 223 Making a phone call ......... 231
Setting a cellular phone ... 236
Security and system

setup .............................. 241
Using the phone book ...... 244
3-4. Using the interior 
lights ............................. 252
Interior lights list ............... 252
3-5. Using the storage 
features ......................... 255
List of storage features .... 255
3-6. Other interior features ... 263 Sun visors ........................ 263
Vanity mirrors ................... 264
Clock ................................ 265
Outside temperature 
display............................ 266
Ashtrays .......................... 267
Power outlets ................... 268
Climate control seats/seat 
heaters .......................... 270
Armrest ............................ 272
Rear sunshade ................ 273
Floor mats ........................ 275
Trunk features .................. 276
Garage door opener ........ 278
Compass .......................... 283

185
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
3
Interior features
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Using the steering wheel climate control switches
Using the automatic mode
Press .
The air conditioning system will begin to operate. Air outlets and
fan speed are automatically adjusted according to the tempera-
ture setting.
Press “” to increase the temperature and “” to decrease the
temperature on .
The temperature for the driver and passenger seats can be set
separately.
Some air conditioning feature can be controlled using the switches
on the steering wheel.
Temperature control
Automatic mode
Off
STEP1
STEP2

188
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
3-2. Using the audio system
Audio system type
CD player with changer and AM/FM radio
The audio system appearance may differ slightly for vehicles not
equipped with JBL brand audio system.
TitlePage
Using the radioP. 191
Using the CD playerP. 198
Playing MP3 and WMA discsP. 206
Optimal use of the audio systemP. 214
Using the AUX adapterP. 216
Using the steering wheel audio switchesP. 217

217
3-2. Using the audio system
3
Interior features
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Using the steering wheel audio switches
Turning on the powerPress when the audio system is turned off.
The audio system can be turned off by holding the switch down for 1 sec-
ond or more.
Changing the audio sourcePress when the audio system is turned on. The audio source
changes as follows each time the bu tton is pressed. If a CD is not
inserted, that mode will be skipped.
“FM1”  “FM2”  “CD player”  “AUX”  “AM”  “SAT1” 
“SAT2”  “SAT3”
Some audio features can be cont rolled using the switches on the
steering wheel.
Vo l u m e
Radio: Select radio stations
CD: Select tracks, files (MP3 and WMA) and
discs
Power on, select audio
source

219
3-2. Using the audio system
3
Interior features
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
■
Canceling automatic selection of a radio station
Push the same switch.
CAUTION
■To reduce the risk of an accident
Exercise care when operating the audio switches on the steering wheel.

224 3-3. Using the hands-free system (for cellular phone)
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
■Steering wheel
Vo l u m e
End call
Sending/Receiving
Press: Voice command sys-
tem on
Press and hold: Voice com-
mand system off
■ Microphone