2012 TOYOTA AVALON lock

180 2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
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
●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.
● Compared to turning on the headlights, the daytime running light system
offers greater durability and consumes less electricity, so it can help
improve fuel economy.
■ 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.

181
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
2
When driving
■
Automatic light off system
Vehicles with smart key system
The headlights and tail lights turn off 30 seconds after a door is opened or
closed if the “ENGINE START STOP ” switch has been turned to ACCES-
SORY or turned OFF while the headlights are turned on. (The lights turn off
immediately if the button on the key is pressed after all doors are
locked.)
To turn the lights on again, turn the “ENGINE START STOP” switch to IGNI-
TION ON mode, or turn the light switch OFF once and then back to the or position.
Vehicles without smart key system
The headlights and tail lights turn off 30 seconds after a door is opened or
closed if the engine switch has been turned to the “ACC” or “LOCK” position
while the headlights are turned on. (The lights turn off immediately if the
button on the key is pressed after all doors are locked.)
To turn the lights on again, turn the engine switch to the “ON” position, or
turn the light switch OFF once and then back to the or position.
■ Automatic headlight leveling system
The level of the headlights is automatically adjusted according to the number
of passengers and the loading condition of the vehicle to ensure that the
headlights do not interfere with other road users.
■ Customization that can be co nfigured at Toyota dealer
Settings (e.g. light sensor sensitivity) can be changed.
(Customizable features P. 545)
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than necessary if the engine is not running.

187
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
2
When driving
■
Effects of vehicle speed on wiper operation
Vehicle speed affects the following even when the wipers are not in “AUTO”
mode.
●Intermittent wiper interval ( mode)
● Wiper operation when the washer is being used
With low speed mode, wiper operation will be switched from low speed to
intermittent wiper operation only when the vehicle is stationary.
■ Rain drop sensor (vehicles equipped with the raindrop detection wind-
shield wipers)
●If the wiper switch is turned to the “AUTO” position while the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch is in ON mode, the wipers will operate once to
show that “AUTO” mode is activated.
● If the temperature of the raindrop sensor is 194 °F (90 °C) or higher, or
14 °F (-10 °C) or lower, automatic operation may not occur. In this case,
operate the wipers in any mode other than “AUTO”.
■ If no windshield washer fluid sprays
Check that the washer nozzles are not blocked if there is washer fluid in the
windshield washer fluid reservoir.
■ Customization that can be co nfigured at Toyota dealer
Settings (e.g. switching operation when the vehicle is stationary) can be
changed. (Customizable features P. 545)
●The sensor judges the amount of rain-
drops.
An optical sensor is adopted. It may not
operate properly when sunlight from the
rising or setting of the sun intermittently
strikes the windshield, or if bugs etc.
are present on the windshield.

188 2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
CAUTION
■Caution regarding the use of windshield wipers in “AUTO” mode
The windshield wipers may operate unexpec tedly if the sensor is touched or
the windshield is subject to vibration in “AUTO” mode. Take care that your
fingers or anything else do not become caught in the windshield wipers.
NOTICE
■ When the windshield is dry
Do not use the wipers, as they may damage the windshield.
■ When there is no washer fluid spray from the nozzle
Damage to the washer fluid pump may be caused if the lever is pulled
toward you and held continually.
■ When a nozzle becomes blocked
In this case, contact your Toyota dealer.
Do not try to clear it with a pin or other object. The nozzle will be damaged.

192 2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
■Effects of vehicle speed on wiper operation
Vehicle speed affects the following even when the wipers are not in “AUTO”
mode.
●Intermittent wiper interval ( mode)
● Wiper operation when the washer is being used
With low speed mode, wiper operation will be switched from low speed to
intermittent wiper operation only when the vehicle is stationary.
■ Rain drop sensor (vehicles equipped with the raindrop detection wind-
shield wipers)
● If the wiper switch is turned to the “AUTO” position while the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch is in ON mode, the wipers will operate once to
show that “AUTO” mode is activated.
● If the temperature of the raindrop sensor is 194 °F (90 °C) or higher, or
14 °F (-10 °C) or lower, automatic operation may not occur. In this case,
operate the wipers in any mode other than “AUTO”.
■ If no windshield washer fluid sprays
Check that the washer nozzles are not blocked if there is washer fluid in the
windshield washer fluid reservoir.
■ Customization that can be co nfigured at Toyota dealer
Settings (e.g. switching operation when the vehicle is stationary) can be
changed. (Customizable features P. 545)
●The sensor judges the amount of rain-
drops.
An optical sensor is adopted. It may not
operate properly when sunlight from the
rising or setting of the sun intermittently
strikes the windshield, or if bugs etc.
are present on the windshield.

193
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
2
When driving
CAUTION
■
Caution regarding the use of windshield wipers in “AUTO” mode
The windshield wipers may operate unexpec tedly if the sensor is touched or
the windshield is subject to vibration in “AUTO” mode. Take care that your
fingers or anything else do not become caught in the windshield wipers.
NOTICE
■ When the windshield is dry
Do not use the wipers, as they may damage the windshield.
■ When there is no washer fluid spray from the nozzle
Damage to the washer fluid pump may be caused if the lever is pulled
toward you and held continually.
■ When a nozzle becomes blocked
In this case, contact your Toyota dealer.
Do not try to clear it with a pin or other object. The nozzle will be damaged.

207
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
Driving assist systems
When the VSC/TRAC/TRC are operatingIf the vehicle is in danger of slip-
ping, or if the front wheels spin,
the slip indicator light flashes to
indicate that the VSC/TRAC/
TRC have been engaged.
To help enhance driving safety and performance, the following sys-
tems operate automatically in res ponse to various driving situations.
Be aware, however, that these systems are supplementary and
should not be relied upon too heavi ly when operating the vehicle.
■ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenly, or if
the brakes are applied while driving on a slippery road surface.
■Brake assist
Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake pedal is
depressed, when the system detects a panic stop situation.
■VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to control skidding when swerving suddenly or turning
on slippery road surfaces.
■TRAC*1/TRC*2 (Traction Control)
Maintains drive power and prevents the front wheels from spinning
when starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads.
*1: U.S.A.
*2:CANADA

209
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
■When the “TRAC OFF” indicator light or “TRC OFF” indicator light
comes on even if the VSC OFF swit ch has not been pressed TRAC or
TRC cannot be operated. Cont act your Toyota dealer.
■ Automatic reactivation of TRAC/TRC and VSC
Vehicles with smart key system
Turning the “ENGINE START STOP” switch off after turning off the
TRAC/TRC and VSC will automatically re-enable them.
Vehicles without smart key system
Turning the engine switch to the “LOCK” position after turning off the
TRAC/TRC and VSC will automatically re-enable them.
■ Automatic TRAC/T RC reactivation
If only the TRAC/TRC is turned off, the TRAC/TRC will turn on when vehicle
speed increases.
■ Automatic TRAC/TRC and VSC reactivation
If the TRAC/TRC and VSC are turned off, the systems will not turn on even
when vehicle speed increases.
■ Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, brake assist, VSC and
TRAC/TRC
● 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.