2008 TOYOTA AVALON brake light

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
2
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
1-1. Key information .................. 22Keys ..................................... 22
1-2. Opening, closing and

locking the doors and 
trunk .................................. 24
Smart key system................. 24
Wireless remote control ....... 35
Doors.................................... 39
Trunk .................................... 44
1-3. Adjustable components 
(seats, s teering wheel, 
mirrors) ............................. 46
Front seats ........................... 46
Rear seats ............................ 48
Driving position memory 
system ................................ 50
Head restraints ..................... 53
Seat belts ............................. 54
Steering wheel ..................... 61
Inside rear view mirror.......... 62
Outside rear view mirrors ..... 64
1-4. Opening a nd closing the
windo ws and moon roof .. 66
Power windows .................... 66
Moon roof ............................. 69
1-5. Refueling ............................. 72 Opening the fuel tank cap .... 72 1-6. Theft deterrent system ....... 75
Engine immobilizer system ... 75
Alarm .................................... 77
Theft prevention labels 
(U.S.A.) ............................... 79
1-7. Safety information .............. 80 Correct driving posture ......... 80
SRS airbags ......................... 82
Front passenger occupant 
classification system ........... 93
Child restraint systems ......... 99
Installing child restraints ..... 102
2-1. Driving procedures........... 114 Driving the vehicle .............. 114
Engine (ignition) switch 
(with smart key system) .... 122
Engine (ignition) switch 
(without smart key 
system) ............................. 126
Automatic transmission ...... 129
Turn signal lever ................. 133
Parking brake ..................... 134
2-2. Instrument cluster ............ 135 Gauges and meters ............ 135
Indicators and warning 
lights ................................. 138
Center display..................... 141
1Before driving
2When driving

12
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Pictorial indexInstrument panel
Headlight switch
Turn signal lever
Fog light switch P. 143
P. 133
P. 145
Gauges and meters P. 135
Windshield wipers and 
washer switch
P. 146
Trunk opener main switch P. 44
Glove box P. 256
Telescopic lock release 
lever
P. 61
Parking brake pedal
P. 134
Tilt lock release lever
P. 61
Driving position 
memory switches
 
P. 50
Tire pressure warning
system
P. 323

When driving2
113
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
2-1. Driving procedures ........ 114Driving the vehicle............ 114
Engine (ignition) switch 
(with smart key 
system) .......................... 122
Engine (ignition) switch 
(without smart key 
system) .......................... 126
Automatic transmission .... 129
Turn signal lever .............. 133
Parking brake ................... 134 2-2. Instrument cluster.......... 135
Gauges and meters ......... 135
Indicators and warning 
lights .............................. 138
Center display .................. 141
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

116 2-1. Driving procedures
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
CAUTION
■When starting the vehicle
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped with the engine run-
ning. This prevents the vehicle from creeping.
■ When driving the vehicle
● Do not drive if you are unfamiliar with the location of the brake and accel-
erator pedals to avoid depressing the wrong pedal.
• Accidentally depressing the accelerator pedal instead of the brake
pedal will result in sudden acceleration that may lead to an accident
that could result in death or serious injury.
• When backing up, you may twist your body around, leading to a diffi- culty in operating the pedals. Make sure to operate the pedals properly.
• Make sure to keep a correct driving posture even when moving the vehicle only slightly, allowing you to depress the brake and accelerator
pedals properly.
• Depress the brake pedal using your right foot. Depressing the brake pedal using your left foot may delay response in an emergency, result-
ing in an accident.
● Do not drive the vehicle over or st op the vehicle near flammable materials. 
The exhaust system and exhaust gases can be extremely hot. This may
cause a fire if there is any flammable material nearby.
● Do not let the vehicle roll backwards while the shift lever is in a driving
position, or roll forward while the shift lever is in “R”. 
Doing so may cause the engine not to operate or lead to poor brake and
steering performance, resulting in an accident or damage to the vehicle.\
● If the smell of exhaust is noticed inside the vehicle, open the windows and
check that the trunk is closed. 
Large amounts of exhaust in the vehicle can cause driver drowsiness and
an accident, resulting in death or a serious health hazard. Have the cause
of the problem inspected immediately.
● Do not under any circumstances shift the shift lever to “P”, “R” or “N” while
the vehicle is moving. 
Doing so can cause significant damage to the transmission and may result
in a loss of vehicle control.

118 2-1. Driving procedures
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
CAUTION
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
● Sudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippage and
reduce your ability to control the vehicle, resulting in an accident.
● Sudden changes in engine speed, such as engine braking caused by up-
shifting or down-shifting, may cause the vehicle to skid, resulting in an
accident.
● After driving through a puddle, lightly depress the brake pedal to make
sure that the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent
the brakes from functioning properly. If the brakes on only one side are wet
and not functioning properly, steering control may be affected, resulting in
an accident.
■ When shifting the shift lever
Be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pedal depressed. 
This may lead to unexpected rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may
cause an accident and result in death or serious injury.
■ When the vehicle is stopped
● Do not race the engine. 
If the vehicle is in any gear other than “P” or “N” the vehicle may acceler-
ate suddenly and unexpectedly, and may cause an accident.
● Do not leave the vehicle with the engine on for a long time. 
If such a situation cannot be avoided, park the vehicle in an open space
and check that exhaust fumes do not enter the vehicle interior.
● Always keep a foot on the brake pedal while the engine is running to pre-
vent an accident caused by the vehicle moving.

119
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
CAUTION
■
When the vehicle is parked
● Do not leave glasses, cigarette lighters, spray cans, or soft drink cans in
the vehicle when it is in the sun. 
Failure to do so may result in the following:
• Gas may leak from a cigarette lighter or spray can, and may lead to a fire.
• The temperature inside the vehicle may cause the plastic lenses and plastic material of eye glasses to deform or crack.
• Soft drink cans may fracture, causing the contents to spray over the interior of the vehicle, and may also cause a short circuit in the vehi-
cle’s electrical components.
● Always apply the parking brake, shift the shift lever to “P”, stop the engine
and lock the vehicle. 
Do not leave the vehicle unattended while the engine is running.
● Do not touch the exhaust pipe while the engine is running or immediately
after turning the engine off. 
Doing so may cause burns.
● Do not leave the engine running in an area with snow build up, or where
snow is expected to fall. 
Exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle, leading to death or a
serious health hazard.
■ Exhaust gases
Exhaust gases include harmful carbon monoxide (CO) that is colorless and
odorless. Inhaling exhaust gases may lead to death or a serious health haz-
ard.
● If the vehicle is in a poorly ventilated area, stop the engine. In a closed
area, such as a garage, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle.
This may lead to death or a serious health hazard.
● The exhaust should be checked occasionally. If there is a hole or crack
caused by corrosion, damage to a joint or abnormal exhaust noise, be
sure to have the vehicle inspected and repaired by your Toyota dealer.
Failure to do so may allow exhaust gases to enter the vehicle, resulting in
death or a serious health hazard.

144 2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
■Daytime running light system (if equipped)
To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers, the headlights turn on
automatically (at a reduced intensity) whenever the engine is started and the
parking brake is released. Daytime r unning lights are not designed for use at
night.
■ Headlight control sensor
■ Automatic light off system
The headlights and tail lights turn off 30 seconds after a door is opened or
closed if the “ENGINE START STOP” switch or the engine switch has been
switched to ACC or turned OFF while the headlights are turned on. (The
lights turn off immediately if the button on the key is pressed after all
doors are locked.)
To turn the lights on again, switch to ON mode, or turn the light switch OFF
once and then back to the
or position.
■ Customization that can be co nfigured at Toyota dealer
Settings (e.g. light sensor sensitivity) can be changed. 
(Customizable features P. 429)
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than necessary if the engine is not running.
The sensor may not function properly if
an object is placed on the sensor, or any-
thing that blocks the sensor is affixed to
the windshield. 
Doing so interferes with the sensor
detecting the level of ambient light and
may cause the automatic headlight con-
trol system to malfunction.

150 2-4. Using other driving systems
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
■Cruise control can be set when
● The shift lever is in the “D” or “4”, “5”, or “6” range of “S” mode.
● Vehicle speed is between approximately 25 mph (40 km/h) and 125 mph
(200 km/h).
■ Accelerating
The vehicle can be accelerated normally. After acceleration, the set speed
resumes.
■ Automatic cruise control cancelation
The set speed is automatically canceled in any of the following situations.
● Actual vehicle speed falls more than 10 mph (16 km/h) below the preset
vehicle speed 
At this time, the memorized set speed is not retained.
● Actual vehicle speed is below 25 mph (40 km/h)
● VSC is activated
■ If the cruise control indicator light flashes
Turn the “ON-OFF” button off once, and then reactivate the system. 
If the cruise control speed cannot be set or if the cruise control cancels
immediately after being activated, there may be a malfunction in the cruise
control system. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer.
■ Canceling and resuming regular acceleration
Cancel
Push the lever towards you to
cancel cruise control.
The setting is also canceled
when the brake pedal is
depressed.
Resume
To resume cruise control and
return to the set speed, push
the lever up.