2008 TOYOTA AVALON heating

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.

134
2-1. Driving procedures
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Parking brake
NOTICE
■Before driving
Fully release the parking brake. 
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to brake components
overheating, which may affect braking performance and increase brake
wear.
Sets the parking brake*
(Depressing the pedal again
releases the parking brake.)
*: Fully depress the parking brake pedal with your left
foot while depressing the
brake pedal with your right
foot.
CanadaU.S.A.

137
2-2. Instrument cluster
2
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)

271
3-6. Other interior features
3
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.

402 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
■Overheating
In the following situations, your vehicle may be overheating.
● The engine coolant temperature gauge enters the red zone or a loss of
power is experienced.
● Steam is coming from under the hood.
CAUTION
■To prevent an accident or injury when inspecting under the hood of
your vehicle
● Keep hands and clothing away from the fan and engine drive belt while the
engine is running.
● Do not loosen the radiator cap while the engine and radiator are hot. 
Serious injury, such as burns, may result from hot coolant and steam
released under pressure.
Add coolant if required.
Water can be used in an emer-
gency measure if coolant is
unavailable. ( P. 410)
Have the vehicle checked at your nea rest Toyota dealer as soon as
possible.
STEP6

444 Alphabetical index
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Child safetyAirbag precautions ..................88
Child-protectors ....................... 41
Child restraint syst em..............99
How your child should wear 
the seatbelt ...........................57
Installing child restraints ........ 102
Moon roof ................................71
Power window lock switch....... 66
Power window precautions .....68
Removed key battery 
precautions .........................342
Seat belt comfort guide ........... 55
Seat belt precautions ..............58
Seat heater precautions ........ 271
Trunk .......................................45
Cleaning Exterior .................................. 288
Interior ...................................291
Seat belts ..............................292
Climate control seat.................270
Clock ......................................... 265
Compass ...................................283
Condenser ................................314
Console box ............................. 257
Cooling system Engine overheating ............... 401
Cruise control
Cruise control ........................149
Dynamic laser cruise 
control .................................152
Cup holders ..............................261
Curtain shield airbags ............... 82
Customizable features............. 429
Daytime running light 
system .................................... 144
Defogger Rear window .........................187
Side mirror............................. 187
Dimension.................................406
Dinghy towing .......................... 176 Display
Trip information ..................... 142
Do-it-yourself maintenance .... 300
Door pocket .............................. 262
Doors Door lock ........................... 24, 35
Rear door child-protector ........ 41
Driver’s seat belt reminder 
light ......................................... 373
Driving Break-in tips .......................... 115
Correct posture ....................... 80
Procedures............................ 114
Winter driving tips ................. 170
Electronic key If the electronic key does not 
operate properly ................. 395
Emergency, in case of If a warning light turns on ...... 370
If the electronic key does not 
operate properly ................. 395
If the engine will not start ...... 391
If the shift lever cannot be 
shifted from P ..................... 393
If the battery is discharged ... 397
If the warning buzzer 
sounds ................................ 370
If the warning light 
turns on............................... 370
If you have a flat tire ............. 382
If you lose your keys ............. 394
If you think something is 
wrong .................................. 366
If your vehicle becomes 
stuck ................................... 404
If your vehicle needs to be 
towed .................................. 362
If your vehicle overheats ....... 401
D
E

445
Alphabetical index
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Engine
Compartment........................ 306
Engine switch ............... 122, 126
Hood ..................................... 303
How to start the engine ........................ 122, 126
Identification number ............ 407
If the engine will not start...... 391
Ignition switch ............... 122, 126
Overheating .......................... 401
Engine compartment cover .... 307
Engine coolant Capacity ............................... 410
Checking .............................. 313
Preparing and checking 
before winter ...................... 170
Engine coolan t temperature 
gauge ..................................... 135
Engine immobilizer system ...... 75
Engine oil Capacity ............................... 409
Checking .............................. 308
Preparing and checking 
before winter ...................... 170
Event data recorder ................ 368
Floor mats ................................ 275
Fluid
Brake .................................... 315
Washer ................................. 321
Fog lights Switch ................................... 145
Wattage ................................ 413
Foot light .................................. 252
Front passenger occupant 
classification system.............. 93
Front passenger’s seat belt 
reminder light ........................ 373
Front seats
Adjustment ............................. 46
Driving position memory ......... 50
Front turn signal lights
Wattage ................................ 413 Fuel
Capacity ................................408
Fuel gauge ............................135
Fuel pump shut off system ....367
Gas station information .........452
Information ............................414
Refueling .................................72
Fuel door.....................................72
Fuel filler door ............................72
Fuel pump shut off system .....367
Fuses.........................................344
Garage door opener.................278
Gas station information...........452
Gauges ......................................135
Glove box..................................256
Hands-free system 
(for cellular phone) ................220
Head restraints ...........................53
Headlight aim ...........................353
Headlights Discharge headlights 
precautions .........................359
Switch....................................143
Wattage .................................413
Heaters Seat heaters ..........................270
Side mirror.............................187
Hood ..........................................303
Hooks Cargo ....................................276
Shopping bag ........................276
F
G
H

447
Alphabetical index
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Overhead console ................... 258
Overheating, Engine ............... 401
Parking brake .......................... 134
Parking lights
Replacing light bulbs ............ 355
Switch ................................... 143
Wattage ................................ 413
Personal light Switch ................................... 254
Wattage ................................ 413
Power outlets........................... 268
Power windows ......................... 66
Radiator.................................... 314
Radio ........................................ 191
Rear seat Adjustment ............................. 48
Rear sunshade ........................ 273
Rear turn signal lights Replacing light bulbs ............ 355
Wattage ................................ 413
Rear window defogger............ 187
Replacing
Fuses.................................... 344
Key battery ........................... 340
Light bulbs ............................ 355
Tires ..................................... 382
Reporting safety defects for 
U.S. owners ........................... 436
Seat belts Adjusting the seat belt ............ 55
Automatic locking retractor................................ 56
Child restraint system 
installation .......................... 102
Cleaning and maintaining 
the seat belts...................... 292
Emergency locking 
retractor................................ 56
How to wear your seat belt ..... 54 How your child should wear

the seat belt ..........................57
Pregnant women, 
proper seat belt use ..............57
Reminder light .......................373
Seat belt extenders .................58
Seat belt pretensioners ...........56
Seat heaters..............................270
Seating capacity.......................169
Seats Adjustment ........................ 46, 48
Adjustment precaution ......47, 49
Child seats/child restraint system installation ..............102
Cleaning ................................291
Climate control ......................270
Climate control seat ..............270
Driver’s seat position 
memory .................................50
Head restraint..........................53
Properly sitting in the seat .......80
Seat heaters ..........................270
Service reminder 
indicators ..............................139
Shift lever
Automatic transmission .........129
If the shift lever cannot be 
shifted from P......................393
Shift lock system .....................393
Shopping bag hooks ...............276
Side airbags................................82
Side marker lights Switch....................................143
Side mirror
Adjustment ..............................64
Mirror position memory ...........50
Smart key system
Antenna location .....................26
Entry function ..........................24
Starting the engine ................122
Spare tire Inflation pressure...................412
Spare tire...............................382
P
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