2012 TOYOTA AVALON sensor

117
1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
CAUTION
■
SRS airbag precautions
●If the vinyl cover is put on the area where the SRS knee airbag will deploy,
be sure to remove it.
● Do not use seat accessories which cover the parts where the SRS side
airbags inflate as they may interf ere with inflation of the airbags.
● Do not strike or apply significant levels of force to the area of the SRS air-
bag components shown on P. 107. Doing so can cause the SRS airbags to
malfunction.
● Do not touch any of the component parts immediately after the SRS air-
bags have deployed (inflated) as they may be hot.
● If breathing becomes difficult after the SRS airbag has deployed, open a
door or window to allow fresh air in, or leave the vehicle if it is safe to do
so. Wash off any residue as soon as possible to prevent skin irritation.
● If the areas where the SRS airbags are stored, such as the steering wheel
pad and front and rear pillar garnish, are damaged or cracked, have them
replaced by your Toyota dealer.
● Do not place anything, such as a cushion, on the front passenger’s seat.
Doing so will disperse the passenger’s weight, which prevents the sensor
from detecting the passenger’s weight properly. As a result, the SRS front
passenger airbag may not deploy in the event of a collision.

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.

185
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
2
When driving
Wash/wipe operation
Wipers will automatically oper-
ate a couple of times after the
washer squirts.
■
Raindrop detection windshield wipers (if equipped)
With “AUTO” selected, the wi pers will operate automatically
when the sensor detects falling rain. The system automatically
adjusts wiper timing in accordance with rain volume and vehicle
speed.
Raindrop detection
wiper operation
Low speed wiper
operation
High speed wiper
operation
Temporary operation

186 2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
■The windshield wiper and washer 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.
Sensor sensitivity (high)
Sensor sensitivity (low)
Wash/wipe operation
Wipers will automatically oper-
ate a couple of times after the
washer squirts.

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.

190 2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
Wash/wipe operation
Wipers will automatically oper-
ate a couple of times after the
washer squirts.
■Raindrop detection windshield wipers (if equipped)
With “AUTO” selected, the wi pers will operate automatically
when the sensor detects falling rain. The system automatically
adjusts wiper timing in accordance with rain volume and vehicle
speed.
Raindrop detection
wiper operation
Low speed wiper
operation
High speed wiper
operation
Temporary operation