2009 TOYOTA AVALON steering

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

132 2-1. Driving procedures
AVALON_U_OM41430U
■When the steering lock cannot be released
■ If the engine does not start
The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( P. 78)
■ Key reminder function
A buzzer sounds if the driver’s door is opened, while the engine switch is in
the “ACC” or “LOCK” position to remind you to remove the key.
CAUTION
■When starting the engine
Always start the engine while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not press the
accelerator pedal while starting the engine under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■ While driving
Do not turn the engine switch to the “LOCK” position.
If in an emergency, you must turn the engine off while the vehicle is moving,
turn the key only to the “ACC” position.
When starting the engine, the engine
switch may seem stuck in the “LOCK”
position. To free it, turn the key while turn-
ing the steering wheel slightly in either
direction.

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.

175
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
AVALON_U_OM41430U
■Sounds and vibrati ons caused by the ABS, brake assist, VSC and
TRAC
● A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the engine is
started or just after the vehicle begins to move. This sound does not indi-
cate that a malfunction has occurred in any of these systems.
● Any of the following conditions may occur when the above systems are
operating. None of these indicates that a malfunction has occurred.
• Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
• A motor sound may be heard after the vehicle comes to a stop.
• The brake pedal may pulsate slightly after the ABS is activated.
• The brake pedal may move down slightly after the ABS is activated.
CAUTION
■The ABS does not opera te effectively when
● The limits of tire gripping performance have been exceeded.
● The vehicle hydroplanes while driving at high speed on the wet or slick
road.
■ Stopping distance when the ABS is ope rating on the wet or slick roads
The ABS is not designed to shorten the vehicle’s stopping distance. Always
maintain a sufficient distance from the vehicle in front of you in the following
situations.
● When driving on dirt, gravel or snow-covered roads
● When driving with tire chains
● When driving over bumps in the road
● When driving over roads with potholes or roads with uneven pavement

179
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
AVALON_U_OM41430U
CAUTION
■Storage precautions
●Do not place anything on the package tray behind the rear seatback.
Such items may be thrown about and possibly injure people in the
vehicle during sudden braking or in an accident.
●Do not drive with objects on top of the instrument panel.
They may interfere with the driver’s field of view or move during sharp
acceleration or turning, thus impairing the driver’s control of the vehi-
cle. In an accident they may injure the vehicle occupants.
●Secure all items in the occupant compartment, as they may shift and
injure someone during an accident or sudden braking.
■Weight of the load
●Improper loading may cause deterioration of steering or braking con-
trol resulting in an accident which may cause death or serious injury.
●Do not exceed the maximum axle weight rating or the total vehicle
weight rating.
●Even if the total load of occupant’s weight and the cargo load is less
than the total load capacity, do no
t apply the load unevenly. Improper
loading may cause deterioration of st eering or braking control which
may cause death or serious injury.

180
2-5. Driving information
AVALON_U_OM41430U
Vehicle load limits
■Total load capacity and seating capacity
These details are also described on the tire and loading information
label. (P. 345)
CAUTION
■Overloading the vehicle
Do not overload the vehicle.
It may not only cause damage to the ti res, but also degrade steering and
braking ability, resulting in an accident.
Vehicle load limits include total load capacity, seating capacity,
towing capacity and cargo capacity.
■ Total load capacity: 870 lb. (395 kg)
Total load capacity means the combined weight of occupants,
cargo and luggage.
■ Seating capacity: 5 occupants (Front 2, Rear 3)
Seating capacity means the ma ximum number of occupants
whose estimated average weight is 150 lb. (68 kg) per person.
Even if the number of occupants are within the seating capacity,
do not exceed the total load capacity.
■ Towing capacity
Toyota does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle.
■ Cargo capacity
Cargo capacity may increase or decrease depending on the
weight and the number of occupants.

Interior features3
189
AVALON_U_OM41430U
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger... 190
Automatic air conditioning system ........................... 190
Using the steering wheel climate control
switches ......................... 198
Rear window and outside rear view mirror
defoggers ....................... 200
3-2. Using the audio system .......................... 202
Audio system type............ 202
Audio cover ...................... 204
Using the radio ................. 205
Using the CD player ......... 212
Playing MP3 and WMA discs............................... 220
Optimal use of the audio system ........................... 228
Using the AUX adapter .... 230
Using the steering wheel audio switches ............... 231
3-3. Using the hands-free system (for cellular
phone) ........................... 234
Hands-free system (for cellular phone) ............... 234
Using the hands-free system ........................... 237 Making a phone call ......... 245
Setting a cellular phone ... 250
Security and system
setup .............................. 255
Using the phone book ...... 258
3-4. Using the interior lights ............................. 266
Interior lights list ............... 266
3-5. Using the storage features ......................... 269
List of storage features .... 269
3-6. Other interior features ... 277 Sun visors ........................ 277
Vanity mirrors ................... 278
Clock ................................ 279
Outside temperature display............................ 280
Ashtrays ........................... 281
Power outlets ................... 282
Seat heaters/ventilators ... 284
Armrest ............................ 286
Rear sunshade................. 287
Floor mats ........................ 289
Trunk features .................. 290
Garage door opener......... 292
Compass .......................... 297

198
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
AVALON_U_OM41430U
Using the steering wheel climate control switches
Using the automatic mode
Press .
The air conditioning system will begin to operate. Air outlets and
fan speed are automatically adjusted according to the tempera-
ture setting.
Press “” to increase the temperature and “” to decrease the
temperature on .
The temperature for the driver and passenger seats can be set
separately.
Some air conditioning feature can be controlled using the switches
on the steering wheel.
Temperature control
Automatic mode
Off
STEP1
STEP2