2008 TOYOTA AVALON engine overheat

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AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
5-2. Steps to take in an 
emergency ....................... 370
If a warning light turns on 
or a warning buzzer 
sounds... ........................... 370
If you have a flat tire............ 382
If the engine will not start .... 391
If the shift lever cannot be 
shifted from P.................... 393
If you lose your keys ........... 394
If the electronic key does 
not operate properly 
(with smart key system) .... 395
If the vehicle battery is 
discharged ........................ 397
If your vehicle overheats ..... 401
If the vehicle becomes  stuck ................................. 404
6-1. Specifications.................... 406 Maintenance data (fuel, 
oil level, etc.) ..................... 406
Fuel information .................. 414
Tire information ................... 417
6-2. Customization ................... 429 Customizable features ........ 429
6-3. Initialization ....................... 433 Items to initialize ................. 433 Reporting safety defects for

U.S. owners...................... 436
Seat belt instructions for  Canadian owners 
(in French) ........................ 437
Abbreviation list ............... 442
Alphabetical index............ 443
What to do if...................... 450
6Vehicle specifications
7For owners
Index

117
2-1. Driving procedures
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When driving
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
CAUTION
■
When driving the vehicle
● Do not shift the shift lever to “N” while the vehicle is moving. 
Doing so may cause the engine brake not to operate properly and lead to
an accident.
● Do not turn the engine off while driving. 
The power steering and brake booster will not operate properly if the
engine is not running.
● Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving
down a steep hill. 
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose
effectiveness. ( P. 131)
● Be careful when driving on slippery surfaces, as the vehicle may spin or
skid when downshifting, rapidly accelerating, braking or turning.
● Do not adjust the position of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or
outside rear view mirrors while driving. 
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control that can cause accidents
that may result in death or serious injury.
● Always check that all passengers’ arms, heads or other parts of their bod-
ies are not outside the vehicle, as this may result in death or serious injury.

120 2-1. Driving procedures
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
CAUTION
■When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the engine off. 
Otherwise, you may accidentally move the shift lever or press the accelera-
tor pedal, which could cause an accident or fire due to abnormal engine
overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked in a poorly ventilated area,
exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle, leading to death or a seri-
ous health hazard.
■ When braking the vehicle
● If the power brake assist function does not operate, do not follow other
vehicles closely and avoid downhill or sharp turns that require making. 
In this case, braking is still possible, but it will require more force on the
pedal than usual. Braking distance may also increase.
● Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls. 
Each push on the pedal uses up the reserve for the power-assisted
brakes.
● The brake system consists of 2 individual hydraulic systems: if one of the
systems fails, the other will still operate. In this case, the brake pedal
should be depressed more firmly than usual and braking distance
becomes longer. 
Do not drive your vehicle with only a single brake system. Have your
brakes fixed immediately.
NOTICE
■ While driving the vehicle
Do not use the accelerator pedal or depress accelerator and brake pedals
together to hold the vehicle on a hill.
■ When parking the vehicle
Always put the shift lever in “P”. Failure to do so may cause the vehicle to
move or the vehicle may accelerate suddenly if the accelerator pedal is acci-
dentally depressed.

128 2-1. Driving procedures
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the key in the “ACC” or “ON” position for long periods without
the engine running.
■ When starting the engine
● Do not crank for more than 30 seconds at a time. This may overheat the
starter and wiring systems.
● Do not race the cold engine.
● If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have the engine
checked immediately.

137
2-2. Instrument cluster
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When driving
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Instrument panel light control
The brightness of the instrument panel lights can be adjusted.
Darker
Brighter
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the engine and its components
● Do not let the indicator needle of the tachometer enter the red zone, which
indicates the maximum engine speed.
● The engine may be overheating if the temperature gauge is in the red
zone (“H”). In this case, immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place.
Check the engine after it has cooled completely. ( P. 401)

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3-6. Other interior features
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Interior features
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
■
The seat heaters and ventilators can be used when
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch or the engine switch is in ON mode.
CAUTION
■Burns
● Use caution when seating the following persons in a seat with the seat
heater on to avoid the possibility of burns:
• Babies, small children, the elderly, the sick and the disabled
• Persons with sensitive skin
• Persons who are fatigued
• Persons who have taken alcohol or drugs that induce sleep (sleeping
drugs, cold remedies, etc.)
● Do not cover the seat with anything when using the seat heater. 
Using the seat heater with a blanket or cushion increases the temperature
of the seat and may lead to overheating.
NOTICE
■ To prevent seat heater/ventilator damage
Do not put heavy objects on the seat and do not stick sharp objects (nee-
dles, nails, etc.) into the seat.
■ To prevent battery discharge
Turn the switches off when the engine is not running.

When trouble arises5
361
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
5-1. Essential information .... 362If your vehicle needs to be 
towed ............................. 362
If you think something is 
wrong ............................. 366
Fuel pump shut off  system ........................... 367
Event data recorder ......... 368
5-2. Steps to take in an 
emergency .................... 370
If a warning light turns on  or a warning buzzer 
sounds... ........................ 370
If you have a flat tire......... 382
If the engine will not  start ................................ 391
If the shift lever cannot be 
shifted from P ................. 393
If you lose your keys ........ 394
If the electronic key does 
not operate properly 
(with smart key 
system) .......................... 395
If the vehicle battery is 
discharged ..................... 397
If your vehicle overheats .. 401
If the vehicle becomes 
stuck .............................. 404

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When trouble arises
401
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
If your vehicle overheats
If your engine overheats:
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and turn off the air condi-
tioning system.
Check to see if steam is coming out from under the hood.
If you see steam: 
Stop the engine and carefully lift the hood.
If you do not see steam: Leave the engine running and carefully lift the hood.
Remove the engine compartment cover. ( P. 307)
Check to see if the cooling fan is operating.
If the fan is operating: 
Wait until the engine coolant temperature gauge begins
to fall and then stop the engine.
If the fan is not operating: 
Stop the engine immediately and call your local Toyota
dealer.
After the engine has cooled
down sufficiently, check the
coolant level and inspect the
radiator core (radiator) for any
leaks.STEP1
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