2008 TOYOTA AVALON ECU

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
3
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
2-3. Operating the lights and 
windshield wipers ........... 143
Headlight switch .................. 143
Fog light switch ................... 145
Windshield wipers and 
washer .............................. 146
2-4. Using other driving 
systems ........................... 149
Cruise control ...................... 149
Dynamic laser cruise 
control ............................... 152
Driving assist systems ........ 163
2-5. Driving information ........... 166 Cargo and luggage ............. 166
Vehicle load limits ............... 169
Winter driving tips ............... 170
Trailer towing ...................... 175
Dinghy towing ..................... 176
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
3Interior features

31
1-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors and trunk
1
Before driving
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
■
Note for the smart key system
● Even when the electronic key is within the effective range (detection
areas), the system may not operate properly in the following cases.
• The electronic key is too close to the window or outside door handle,
near the ground, or in a high place when the doors are locked or
unlocked.
• The electronic key is near the ground or in a high place, or too close to the rear bumper center when the trunk is unlocked.
• The electronic key is on the instrument panel, rear package tray or floor, or in the glove box when the engine is started or “ENGINE
START STOP” switch modes are changed.
● As long as the electronic key is within the effective range, the doors may
be locked or unlocked by anyone.
● Even if the electronic key is not inside the vehicle, it may be possible to
start the engine if the electronic key is near the window.
● The doors may unlock if a large amount of water splashes on the door
handle, such as in the rain or in a car wash when the electronic key is
within the effective range. (The doors will automatically be locked after
approximately 60 seconds if the doors are not opened and closed.)
● Gripping the door handle when wearing a glove may not unlock the door.
● If the wireless remote control is used to lock the doors when the elec-
tronic key is near the vehicle, there is a possibility that the door may not
be unlocked by the entry function. (Use the wireless remote control to
unlock the doors.)
● A sudden approach to the effective range or door handle operation may
prevent the doors from being unlocked. In this case, return the door han-
dle to the original position and check that the doors unlock before pulling
the door handle again.
■ When the vehicle is not dr iven for extended periods
To prevent theft of the vehicle, do not leave the electronic key within 6 ft. (2
m) of the vehicle.
■ Security feature
If a door is not opened within approximately 60 seconds after the vehicle is
unlocked, the theft deterrent system automatically locks the vehicle again.

36 1-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors and trunk
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
■Operation indicator
Doors: A buzzer sounds and the emergency flashers flash to indicate that
the doors have been locked/unlocked. (Locked: Once; Unlocked:
Tw i c e )
Trunk: A buzzer sounds to indicate that the trunk has been unlocked.
■ Door lock buzzer
 P. 2 8
■ Security feature
 P. 3 1
■ When the key battery is fully depleted
 P. 340
■ Conditions affecting operation
Vehicles with smart key system
 P. 2 8
Vehicles without smart key system The wireless remote control function may not operate normally in the fol-
lowing situations.
●Near a TV tower, radio station, el ectric power plant, airport or other
facility that generates strong radio waves
●When carrying a portable radio, cellular phone or other wireless com- munication device
●When multiple wireless keys are in the vicinity
●When the wireless key has come into contact with, or is covered by a metallic object
●When a wireless key (that emits radio waves) is being used nearby
●When the wireless key has been left near an electrical appliance such as a personal computer

58 1-3. Adjustable components (seats, steering wheel, mirrors)
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
■Seat belt extender
CAUTION
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of injury in the event of
sudden braking or an accident. Failing to do so may cause death or serious
injury.
■Wearing a seat belt
● Ensure that all passengers wear a seat belt.
● Always wear a seat belt properly.
● Each seat belt should be used by one person only. Do not use a seat belt
for more than one person at the same time, including children.
● Toyota recommends that children should be seated in the rear seat and
always use a seat belt and/or an appropriate child restraint system.
● Do not recline the seat any more than necessary to achieve a proper seat-
ing position. The seat belt is most effective when the occupants are sitting
up straight and well back in the seats.
● Do not wear the shoulder belt under your arm.
● Always wear your seat belt low and snug across your hips.
If your seat belts cannot be fastened
securely because they are not long
enough, a personalized seat belt
extender is available from your Toyota
dealer free of charge.

60 1-3. Adjustable components (seats, steering wheel, mirrors)
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
CAUTION
■Using a seat belt comfort guide
● Make sure the belt is not twisted and that it lies flat. The elastic cord must
be behind the belt and the guide must be on the front.
● To reduce the chance of injury in case of an accident or a sudden stop
while driving, remove and store the comfort guide in its pocket when it is
not in use.
● Always make sure the shoulder belt is positioned across the center of the
shoulder. The belt should be kept away from the neck, and should not fall
off the shoulder. 
Failure to observe these precautions could reduce the effectiveness of the
seat belt in an accident, causing death or serious injury.
■ Using a seat belt extender
● Do not wear the seat belt extender, if you can fasten the seat belt without
the extender.
● Do not use the seat belt extender when installing a child restraint system,
because the belt will not securely hold the child restraint system, increas-
ing the risk of death or injury in the event of a collision.
● The personalized extender may not be safe on another vehicle, when
used by another person, or at a different seating position other than the
one originally intended.
NOTICE
■When using a seat belt extender
When releasing the seat belt, press on the buckle release button on the
extender, not on the seat belt. 
This helps prevent damage to the vehicle interior and the extender itself.

75
1
Before driving
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
1-6. Theft deterrent system
Engine immobilizer system
■System maintenance
The vehicle has a maintenance-free type of engine immobilizer system.
■ Conditions that may cause the system to malfunction
● If the grip portion of the key is in contact with a metallic object.
● If the key is in close proximity to or touching a key to the security system
(key with a built-in transponder chip) of another vehicle.
■ Certifications for the engine immobilizer system
For vehicles sold in the U.S.A.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interfer-
ence, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired operation.
The vehicle’s keys have built-in tr ansponder chips that prevent the
engine from starting if the key has not been previously registered in
the vehicle’s on-board computer.
Never leave the keys inside the vehicle when you leave the vehicle.
The indicator light flashes after
the “ENGINE START STOP”
switch or the engine switch
has been turned off to indicate
that the system is operating.
FCC ID: MOZRI-21BTY
FCC ID: NI4TMIMB-1

83
1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Airbag system components
Front airbag sensor
Front passenger airbag
“AIR BAG ON” and “AIR BAG
OFF” indicator lights
Side airbag
Curtain shield airbag
Side and curtain shield airbag
sensor
SRS warning light
Curtain shield airbag sensor Driver’s seat position sensor
Knee airbag
Airbag sensor assembly
Occupant detection system
(ECU and sensors)
Front passenger’s seat belt
buckle switch
Driver airbag
Driver’s seat belt buckle
switch

89
1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
CAUTION
■
SRS airbag precautions
● The SRS front passenger airbag also deploys with considerable force, and
can cause death or serious injury especially if the front passenger is very
close to the airbag. The front passenger seat should be as far from the air-
bag as possible with the seatback adjusted, so the front passenger sits
upright.
● Improperly seated and/or restrained in fants and children can be killed or
seriously injured by a deploying airbag. An infant or child who is too small
to use a seat belt should be properly secured using a child restraint sys-
tem. Toyota strongly recommends that all infants and children be placed in
the rear seats of the vehicle and properly restrained. The rear seats are
the safest for infants and children. (P. 99)
● If the seat belt extender has been con-
nected to the driver’s seat belt buckle
but the seat belt extender has not also
been fastened to the latch plate of the
driver’s seat belt, the SRS driver’s air-
bag system will judge that the driver is
wearing the seat belt even though the
seat belt has not been connected. In
this case, the driver’s airbag may not
activate correctly in a collision, resulting
in death or serious injury in the event of
collision. Be sure to wear the seat belt
with the seat belt extender.