Page 131 of 468
131
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
AVALON_U_OM41430U
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”
The steering wheel is locked
and the key can be removed. 
“ACC”
Some electrical components
such as the audio system can
be used. 
“ON”
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 
     
        
        Page 139 of 468
139
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
AVALON_U_OM41430U
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. 
     
        
        Page 150 of 468
150 2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
AVALON_U_OM41430U
Turning on the high beam headlights
With the headlights on, push
the lever forward to turn on the
high beams. 
Pull the lever back to the center
position to turn the high beams
off.
Pull the lever toward you to
turn on the high beams. 
Release to turn them off. You can
flash the high beams with the
headlights on or off.
■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  running lights are not designed for use at
night.
■ Headlight control sensor
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.  
     
        
        Page 182 of 468
182 2-5. Driving information
AVALON_U_OM41430U
■Before driving the vehicle
Perform the following according to the driving conditions. 
●Do not try to forcibly open a window or move a wiper that is
frozen. Pour warm water over the frozen area to melt the ice.
Wipe away the water immediately  to prevent it from freezing. 
● To ensure proper operation of th e climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents
in front of the windshield. 
● Remove any ice that has accumu lated on the vehicle chassis. 
● Periodically check for and remove any excess ice or snow
that may have accumulated in the wheel well or on the
brakes. 
■ When driving the vehicle
Accelerate the vehicle slowly and drive at a reduced speed suit-
able to road conditions. 
■ When parking the vehicle
Park the vehicle and move the shift lever to “P” without setting
the parking brake. The parking  brake may freeze up, preventing
it from being released.  
     
        
        Page 311 of 468
311
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
AVALON_U_OM41430U
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator pedal • Moves smoothly (without uneven pedal 
effort or catching)?
Automatic transmission 
“Park” mechanism • Can the vehicle be hold securely on an 
incline with the shift lever in “P”?
Brake pedal • Moves smoothly?
• Does it have appropriate clearance and 
correct amount of free play?
Brakes • Pulls to one side when applied?
• Loss of brake effectiveness?
• Spongy feeling brake pedal?
• Pedal almost touches floor?
Head restraints • Move smoothly and lock securely?
Indicators/buzzers • Function properly?
Lights • Do all the lights come on?
• Headlights aimed correctly? (
P. 367)
Parking brake • Moves smoothly?
• Can hold the vehicle securely on an 
incline?
Seat belts • Does the seat belt system operate 
smoothly?
• Are the belts undamaged?
Seats • Do the seat controls operate properly?
Steering wheel • Moves smoothly?
• Has correct free play?
• No strange noises? 
     
        
        Page 319 of 468

4
Maintenance and care
319
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
AVALON_U_OM41430U
CAUTION
■
When raising your vehicle
Make sure to observe the following to reduce the possibility of death or\
 seri-
ous injury.
● Do not use the jack that was supplied with your vehicle.
● Do not put any part of your body or get underneath the vehicle supported
only by the jack.
Always use automotive jack stands or a solid, level surface.
● Do not start the engine while the vehicle is supported by the floor jack.
● Stop the vehicle on level firm ground, firmly set the parking brake and put
the shift lever in “P”.
● Make sure to set the floor jack properly at the jack point.
Raising the vehicle with an improperly positioned floor jack will damage
the vehicle and may cause the vehicle to fall off the floor jack.
● Do not raise the vehicle while someone is in the vehicle.
● When raising the vehicle, do not place any objects on top of or underneath
the floor jack.
●Lift up the vehicle using a floor jack
such as the one shown in the illustra-
tion. 
     
        
        Page 364 of 468

364 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
AVALON_U_OM41430U
FuseAmpereCircuit
11S-HTR20 AAir conditioning system
12DOOR No.225 AMultiplex communication system
13S/ROOF30 AMoon roof
14TA I L10 A
Parking lights, license plate lights, 
tail lights, front and rear side 
marker lights
15PA N E L7.5 A
Seat heaters, navigation system, 
emergency flashers, 
electronically controlled 
automatic transmission system, 
glove box light, instrument panel 
lights, power outlets
16ECU IG No.110 A
Center display, shift lock control 
system, moon roof, multiplex 
communication system, tire pres-
sure monitoring (warning) system
17ECU IG No.210 A
Anti-lock brake system, dynamic 
laser cruise control system, 
automatic headlight leveling 
system, vehicle stability control 
system, multiplex 
communication system
18HTR7.5 A
Air conditioning system, 
instrument panel lights, electric 
cooling fan
19A/C COMP7.5 AAir conditioning system
20GAUGE No.110 ABack-up lights, navigation 
system, emergency flashers
21WIP30 AWindshield wipers
22RR S/SHADE10 ARear sunshade 
     
        
        Page 379 of 468
5
When trouble arises
379
5-1. Essential information
AVALON_U_OM41430U
Towing with a wheel lift-type truck
From front Release the parking brake.
From rear Use a towing dolly under the
front wheel.
NOTICE
■To prevent causing damage to the transmission
Never tow this vehicle from the rear with the front wheel on the ground.
■ To prevent damaging the vehicle
When raising the vehicle, ensure adequate ground clearance for towing at
the opposite end of the raised vehicle. Without adequate clearance, the
vehicle could be damaged while being towed.