2009 TOYOTA AVALON brake

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.

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.

159
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
AVALON_U_OM41430U
■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.
■ Adjusting the speed setting
Increase speed
Decrease speed
Hold the lever until the desired
speed setting is obtained.
Fine adjustment of the set
speed (approximately 1.0 mph
[1.6 km/h]) can be made by
lightly pressing the lever up or
down and releasing it.
■Canceling and resuming regular acceleration
Cancel
Pull 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.

164 2-4. Using other driving systems
AVALON_U_OM41430U
■Adjusting the speed setting
Increase speed
Decrease speed
Hold the lever until the desired
speed setting is displayed.
In the constant speed control
mode, fine adjustment of the
set speed (approximately 1.0
mph [1.6 km/h]) can be made
by lightly pressing the lever up
or down and releasing it.
■Canceling and resuming the speed setting
Cancel
Pull 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.

166 2-4. Using other driving systems
AVALON_U_OM41430U
Cruising in vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode
This mode employs a laser radar sensor to detect the presence of
vehicles within 400 ft. (120 m) ahead and to judge the distance
between your vehicle and those vehicles.
Note that vehicle-to-vehicle distanc e will close when traveling on long
downhill slopes.
Example of constant speed cruising
When there are no vehicles ahead
The vehicle travels at the speed set by the driver. The desired vehicle-to-
vehicle distance can also be set by operating the vehicle-to-vehicle dis-
tance switch.
Example of deceleration cruising
When the vehicle ahead is driving slower than the set speed
When a vehicle is detected running ahead of you, in the same lane, the
system automatically decelerates your vehicle. When a greater reduction
in vehicle speed is necessary, the system applies the brakes. A warning
tone warns you when the system cannot decelerate sufficiently to prevent
your vehicle from closing on the vehicle ahead.

167
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
AVALON_U_OM41430UExample of follow-up cruising
When following a vehicle drivi
ng slower than the set speed
The system continues follow-up cruising while adjusting for changes in the
speed of the vehicle ahead in order to maintain the vehicle-to-vehicle dis-
tance set by the driver.
Example of acceleration
When there are no longer vehicles driving slower than the set
speed in the lane ahead
When the vehicle ahead of you executes a lane change, the system
slowly accelerates until the set vehicle speed is reached. The system then
returns to fixed speed cruising.
Approach warning
When your vehicle is too close to a vehicle ahead, and sufficient
automatic deceleration via the cruise control is not possible, the dis-
play will flash and buzzer will sound to alert the driver. An example of
this would be if another driver cuts in front of you while you are follow-
ing a vehicle. Apply the brake to ensure an appropriate vehicle-to-
vehicle distance.

171
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
AVALON_U_OM41430U
CAUTION
■Before using dynamic laser cruise control
Do not overly rely on vehicle-to-vehicle distance control.
Be aware of the set vehicle speed. If automatic deceleration/acceleration is
not appropriate, adjust the vehicle speed, as well as the distance between
your vehicle and vehicles ahead by applying the brakes, etc.
■ To avoid operating the dynamic laser cruise control by mistake
Keep the “ON-OFF” button off when not in use.
■ Situations unsuitable for dynamic laser cruise control
Do not use dynamic laser cruise control in any of the following situations.
Doing so may result in inappropriate control of speed and could cause seri-
ous or fatal accident.
● In heavy traffic
● On roads with sharp bends
● On winding roads
● On slippery roads, such as those covered with rain, ice or snow
● Where there are sudden changes between sharp up and down gradients
● At entrances to expressways
● When weather conditions are bad enough that they may prevent the sen-
sors from functioning correctly (fog, snow, sandstorm, heavy rain, etc.)
● When the approach warning buzzer can be heard often

172 2-4. Using other driving systems
AVALON_U_OM41430U
CAUTION
■When the laser radar sensor may not be correctly detecting the vehicle
ahead
Apply the brakes as necessary when any of the following types of vehicles
are in front of you.
As the sensor may not be able to correctly detect these types of vehicles,
the proximity alarm ( P. 168) will not be activated, and an accident may
result.
● Vehicles that cut in suddenly
● Vehicles traveling at low speeds
● Vehicles that are not moving
● Vehicles with small rear ends (trailers with no load on board etc.)
● Motorcycles traveling in the same lane
■ Conditions under which the vehicle -to-vehicle distance control may
not function correctly
Apply the brakes as necessary in the following conditions as the laser radar
sensor may not be able to correctly detect vehicles ahead, and an accident
may result.
● When water or snow thrown up by the surrounding vehicles hinders the
functioning of the sensor
● When your vehicle is pointing upwards (caused by a heavy load in the
trunk etc.)
● When the road curves or when the lanes are narrow
● When steering wheel operation or your position in the lane is unstable
● When the vehicle ahead of you decelerates suddenly.