2008 TOYOTA AVALON ESP

16
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
For your information
Main Owner’s Manual
Please note that this manual applies to all models and explains all equip-
ment, including options. Therefore, you may find some explanations for
equipment not installed on your vehicle.
All specifications provided in this manual are current at the time of printing.
However, because of the Toyota policy of continual product improvement, we
reserve the right to make changes at any time without notice.
Depending on specifications, the vehicle shown in the illustration may differ
from your vehicle in terms of equipment.
Accessories, spare parts and modification of your Toyota
A wide variety of non-genuine spare parts and accessories for Toyota vehi-
cles are currently available in the market. You should know that Toyota does
not warrant these products and is not responsible for their performance,
repair, or replacement, or for any damage they may cause to, or adverse
effect they may have on, your Toyota vehicle.
This vehicle should not be modified with non-genuine Toyota products. Mod-
ification with non-genuine Toyota products could affect its performance,
safety or durability, and may even violate governmental regulations. In addi-
tion, damage or performance problems resulting from the modification may
not be covered under warranty.

33
1-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors and trunk
1
Before driving
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
■
If the smart key system does not operate properly
● Locking and unlocking the doors: Use the mechanical key. ( P. 395)
● Starting the engine: P. 395
■ When the electronic key battery is fully depleted
 P. 340
■ Customization that can be co nfigured at Toyota dealer
Settings (e.g. smart key system) can be changed. 
(Customizable features P. 429)
■ Certification for the smart key system
For vehicles sold in the U.S.A.
NOTE: 
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.
FCC WARNING: 
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible
for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
AlarmSituationCorrection procedure
Interior alarm
rings continu-
ously Switched to ACC mode
while the driver’s door is
open (Opened the driver’s
door when the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch is in
ACC mode.)
Turn the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch
off and close the
driver’s door.
Turned the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch off
while the driver’s door is
open Close the driver’s
door.
FCC ID: NI4TMLF-1

37
1-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors and trunk
1
Before driving
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
■
Customization that can be co nfigured at Toyota dealer
Settings (e.g. 2-step unlocking function, trunk unlocking function) can be
changed. 
(Customizable features P. 429)
■ Certification for wireless remote control
For vehicles sold in the U.S.A.
NOTE: 
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.
NOTICE: 
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a
Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits
are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference
in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate
radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. How-
ever, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off
and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or
more of the following measures:
● Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
● Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
● Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to
which the receiver is connected.
● Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
FCC WARNING: 
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible
for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

42 1-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors and trunk
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)■
Setting and canceling the functions
To switch between setting and canceling, follow the procedure
below:
Close all the doors and switch the “ENGINE START STOP”
switch or the engine switch to ON mode. (Perform step 2
within 10 seconds.) Shift the shift lever to “P” or “N”,
press and hold the driver’s door
lock switch (
or ) for about 5
seconds then release.
The shift lever and switch posi-
tions corresponding to the
desired function to be set or can-
celed are shown as follows.
When the setting or canceling operation is complete, all doors are
locked and then unlocked.
STEP1
STEP2
FunctionShift lever positionSwitch position
Shift position linked door lock-
ing function “P”
Shift position linked door
unlocking function
Speed linked door locking func-
tion “N”
Driver’s door linked door unlock-
ing function

53
1
1-3. Adjustable components (seats, steering wheel, mirrors)
Before driving
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Head restraints
■Adjusting the height of the head restraints
■ Adjusting the center r ear seat head restraint
Always raise the head restraint one level from the stowed position when
using.
CAUTION
■ Head restraint precautions
Observe the following precautions regarding the head restraints. Failure to
do so may result in death or serious injury.
● Use the head restraints designed for each respective seat.
● Adjust the head restraints to the correct position at all times.
● Do not drive with the head restraints removed.
Removal
Grip head restraint and remove
while holding the lock release
button.
Vertical adjustment
Push and hold the lock release
button when lowering the head
restraint.
Lock
release 
button
Make sure that the head restraints are
adjusted so that the center of the head
restraint is closest to the top of your ears.

76 1-6. Theft deterrent system
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
For vehicles sold in Canada
Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not
cause interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference, includ-
ing interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.
CAUTION
■ Certifications for the engine immobilizer system
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible
for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
NOTICE
■ For proper system operation
Do not modify, remove or disable the engine immobilizer system. If any
unauthorized changes or modifications are made, the proper operation of
the system cannot be guaranteed.

88 1-7. Safety information
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
CAUTION
■SRS airbag precautions
Observe the following precautions regarding the airbags. Failure to do so
may cause death or serious injury.
● The driver and all passengers in the vehicle must wear their seat belts
properly. 
The SRS airbags are supplemental devices to be used with the seat belts.
● The SRS driver airbag deploys with considerable force, and can cause
death or serious injury especially if the driver is very close to the airbag.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) advises:
Since the risk zone for driver airbag is the first 2 - 3 in. (50 - 75 mm) of
inflation, placing yourself 10 in. (250 mm) from your driver airbag provides
you with a clear margin of safety. This distance is measured from the cen-
ter of the steering wheel to your breastbone. If you sit less than 10 in. (250
mm) away now, you can change your driving position in several ways:
• Move your seat to the rear as far as you can while still reaching the pedals comfortably.
• Slightly recline the back of the seat. Although vehicle designs vary, many drivers can achieve the 10 in. (250 mm) distance, even with the
driver seat all the way forward, simply by reclining the back of the seat
somewhat. If reclining the back of your seat makes it hard to see the
road, raise yourself by using a firm, non-slippery cushion, or raise the
seat if your vehicle has that feature.
• If your steering wheel is adjustable, tilt it downward. This points the air- bag toward your chest instead of your head and neck.
The seat should be adjusted as recommended by NHTSA above, while still
maintaining control of the foot pedals, steering wheel, and your view of the
instrument panel controls.

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.