2008 TOYOTA AVALON parking brake

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

114
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
2-1. Driving procedures
Driving the vehicle
Starting on a steep inclineFirmly set the parking brake and shift the shift lever to “D”.
Gently depress the accelerator pedal.
Release the parking brake.
The following procedures should be observed to ensure safe driv-
ing.
■ Starting the engine
P. 122, 126
■ Driving
With the brake pedal depressed, shift the shift lever to “D”. 
(  P. 129)
Release the parking brake. ( P. 134)
Gradually release the brake pedal and gently push the
accelerator pedal to accelerate the vehicle.
■ Stopping
With the shift lever in “D”, push the brake pedal.
If necessary, set the parking brake.
When the vehicle is stopped for an extended period of time, shift
the shift lever to “P”. (
P. 129)
■Parking the vehicle
With the shift lever in “D”, push the brake pedal.
Set the parking brake. ( P. 134)
Shift the shift lever to “P”. ( P. 129)
Stop the engine.
Lock the door, making sure that you have the key on your
person.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP1
STEP2
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

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.

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.

122
2-1. Driving procedures
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Engine (ignition) switch (with smar t key system)
■Starting the engine
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is set in “P”.
Sit in the driver’s seat and firmly depress the brake pedal.
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch indicator turns green.
Press the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4

126
2-1. Driving procedures
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Engine (ignition) switch (without smar t key system)
■Turning the key from “ACC” to “LOCK”
■ Starting the engine
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is set in “P”.
Sit in the driver’s seat and firmly depress the brake pedal.
Turn the engine switch to the “START” position and start
the engine.
■ Engine (ignition) switch
“LOCK” (OFF)
The steering wheel is locked
and the key can be removed.
“ACC” (ACC mode)
Some electrical components
such as the audio system can
be used.
“ON” (ON mode)
All electrical components can
be used.
“START”
For starting the engine.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
Shift the shift lever to “P”.
Push in the key and turn to
the “LOCK” position.STEP1
STEP2