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140 2-1. Driving procedures
AVALON_U (OM41428U)
CAUTION
■When starting the vehicle
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped with the engine run-
ning. This prevents the vehicle from creeping.
■When driving the vehicle
●Do not drive if you are unfamiliar with the location of the brake and accel-
erator pedals to avoid depressing the wrong pedal.
• Accidentally depressing the accelerator pedal instead of the brake
pedal will result in sudden acceleration that may lead to an accident
that could result in death or serious injury.
• When backing up, you may twist your body around, leading to a diffi-
culty in operating the pedals. Make sure to operate the pedals properly.
• Make sure to keep a correct driving posture even when moving the
vehicle only slightly, allowing you to depress the brake and accelerator
pedals properly.
• Depress the brake pedal using your right foot. Depressing the brake
pedal using your left foot may delay response in an emergency, result-
ing in an accident.
●Do not drive the vehicle over or stop the vehicle near flammable materials.
The exhaust system and exhaust gases can be extremely hot. This may
cause a fire if there is any flammable material nearby.
●Do not let the vehicle roll backwards while the shift lever is in a driving
position, or roll forward while the shift lever is in “R”.
Doing so may cause the engine not to operate or lead to poor brake and
steering performance, resulting in an accident or damage to the vehicle.
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142 2-1. Driving procedures
AVALON_U (OM41428U)
CAUTION
■When driving the vehicle
●Do not adjust the position of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or
outside rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control that can cause accidents
that may result in death or serious injury.
●Always check that all passengers’ arms, heads or other parts of their bod-
ies are not outside the vehicle, as this may result in death or serious injury.
●Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit per-
mits it, do not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicle has high
speed capability tires. Driving over 85 mph (140 km/h) may result in tire
failure, loss of control and possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer
to determine whether the tires on your vehicle are high-speed capability
tires or not before driving at such speeds.
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
●Sudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippage and
reduce your ability to control the vehicle, resulting in an accident.
●Sudden changes in engine speed, such as engine braking caused by up-
shifting or down-shifting, may cause the vehicle to skid, resulting in an
accident.
●After driving through a puddle, lightly depress the brake pedal to make
sure that the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent
the brakes from functioning properly. If the brakes on only one side are wet
and not functioning properly, steering control may be affected, resulting in
an accident.
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144 2-1. Driving procedures
AVALON_U (OM41428U)
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 it
is snowing, or snow is expected to fall.
Exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle, leading to death or a
serious health hazard.
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151 2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
AVALON_U (OM41428U)
■When the steering lock cannot be released
■If the engine does not start
The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. (P. 91)
■When the “ENGINE START STOP” switch indicator flashes in amber
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your
Toyota dealer immediately.
■Auto power OFF function
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch will automatically turn OFF when left in
ACCESSORY mode for 1 hour or more.
■Electronic key battery depletion
P. 3 2
■When the electronic key battery is discharged
P. 428
■Conditions affecting operation
P. 3 0
The green indicator light on the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch will flash. Press the
“ENGINE START STOP” switch again
while turning the steering wheel slightly in
either direction.
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154 2-1. Driving procedures
AVALON_U (OM41428U)
■Turning the key from “ACC” to “LOCK”
Shift the shift lever to “P”.
■When the steering lock cannot be released
■If the engine does not start
The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. (P. 91)
■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.
Push in the key and turn to the “LOCK”
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.
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161
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
AVALON_U (OM41428U)
Tur n signal lever
■Turn signals can be operated when
Vehicles with smart key system
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
Vehicles without smart key system
The engine switch is in the “ON” position.
■If the indicators flash faster than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or rear turn signal lights has not burned
out.
Right turn
Left turn
Move and hold the lever
partway to signal a lane
change
The right hand signal will flash
until you release the lever.
Move and hold the lever
partway to signal a lane
change
The left hand signal will flash
until you release the lever.
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164
AVALON_U (OM41428U)
2-2. Instrument cluster
Gauges and meters
The units used on the speedometer may differ depending on the
target region.
Engine coolant temperature gauge
Displays the engine coolant temperature.
Tachometer
Displays the engine speed in revolutions per minute.
Shift position indicator
Displays the shift position
Speedometer
Displays the vehicle speed.
Fuel gauge
Displays the quantity of fuel remaining in the tank.
Low fuel level warning light
P. 470
Odometer/trip meter and trip meter reset button
P. 165
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166 2-2. Instrument cluster
AVALON_U (OM41428U)
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. 500)