2012 TOYOTA AVALON tow

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
1Before drivingAdjusting and operating features such as door locks,
mirrors, and steering column.
2When drivingDriving, stopping and safe-driving information.
3Interior
featuresAir conditioning and audio systems, as well as other
interior features for a comfortable driving experience.
4Maintenance
and careCleaning and protecting your vehicle, performing do-it-
yourself maintenance, and maintenance information.
5When trouble
arisesWhat to do if the vehicle needs to be towed, gets a flat
tire, or is involved in an accident.
6Vehicle
specificationsDetailed vehicle information.
7For ownersReporting safety defects for U.S. owners, and seat belt
and SRS airbag instructions for Canadian owners.
IndexAlphabetical listing of information contained in this
manual.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
3
2-1. Driving proceduresDriving the vehicle............... 142
Engine (ignition) switch (with smart key
system) ............................. 154
Engine (ignition) switch (without smart key
system) ............................. 158
Automatic transmission ....... 161
Turn signal lever ................. 166
Parking brake ...................... 167
Horn .................................... 168
2-2. Instrument cluster Gauges and meters ............ 169
Indicators and warning lights ................................. 172
Multi-information display ..... 175
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
Headlight switch .................. 178
Fog light switch ................... 182
Windshield wipers and washer (Type A) ............... 184
Windshield wipers and washer (Type B) ............... 189 2-4. Using other driving systems
Cruise control ..................... 194
Rear view monitor system .............................. 198
Driving assist systems ........ 207
2-5. Driving information Cargo and luggage ............. 212
Vehicle load limits............... 217
Winter driving tips ............... 219
Trailer towing ...................... 224
Dinghy towing ..................... 225
2When driving

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
6
5-1. Essential informationEmergency flashers ........... 472
If your vehicle needs to be towed ...................... 473
If you think something is wrong ............................... 477
Fuel pump shut off system .............................. 478
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds... ......................... 479
If you have a flat tire ........... 491
If the engine will not start ............................ 501
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P ................... 503
If you lose your keys .......... 504
If the electronic key does not operate properly (with
smart key system) ............ 505
If the vehicle battery is discharged ....................... 508
If your vehicle overheats .... 512
If the vehicle becomes stuck................................. 515
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an
emergency ....................... 516 6-1. Specifications
Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.) ........... 520
Fuel information .................. 528
Tire information................... 532
6-2. Customization Customizable features ........ 545
6-3. Initialization Items to initialize ................. 549
Reporting safety defects for U.S. owners ................. 552
Seat belt instructions for Canadian owners
(in French) ........................ 553
SRS airbag instructions for Canadian owners
(in French) ........................ 556
Abbreviation list ............... 568
Alphabetical index ............ 569
What to do if... .................. 576
5When trouble arises6Vehicle specifications
7For owners
Index

34 1-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors and trunk
■Operation signals
A buzzer sounds and the emergency flashers flash to indicate that the doors
have been locked/unlocked. (Locked: Once; Unlocked: Twice)
■ Conditions affecting operation
The smart key system uses weak radio waves. In the following situations,
the communication between the electronic key and the vehicle may be
affected, preventing the smart key system and wireless remote control from
operating properly. (Way of coping:
P. 505)
● When the electronic key battery is depleted
● Near a TV tower, electric power plant, gas station, radio station, large dis-
play, airport or other facility that generates strong radio waves or electri-
cal noise
● When carrying a portable radio, ce llular phone, cordless phone or other
wireless communication devices
● When the electronic key has come into contact with, or is covered by a
metallic object
● When multiple electronic keys are in the vicinity
● When carrying or using the electronic key together with the following
devices that emit radio waves
• Another vehicle’s electronic key
• A wireless key that emits radio waves
• Personal computer
● If window tint with a metallic content or metallic objects are attached to
the rear window

44 1-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors and trunk
■Security feature
P. 3 8
■ When the key battery is fully depleted
P. 440
■ Conditions affecting operation
Vehicles with smart key system
P. 3 4 Vehicles without smart key systemThe wireless remote control function may not operate normally in the fol-
lowing situations.
●Near a TV tower, radio station, el ectric power plant, airport or other
facility that generates strong radio waves
●When carrying a portable radio, cellular phone or other wireless com- munication device
●When multiple wireless keys are in the vicinity
●When the wireless key has come into contact with, or is covered by a metallic object
●When a wireless key (that emits radio waves) is being used nearby
●When the wireless key has been left near an electrical appliance such as a personal computer
■ Customization that can be co nfigured at Toyota dealer
Settings (e.g. 2-step unlocking function, trunk unlocking function) can be
changed. (Customizable features P. 545)

68 1-3. Adjustable components (seats, steering wheel, mirrors)
■Removing the head restraints
■ Installing the head restraints
■ Adjusting the height of the head restraints
■ Adjusting the center rear seat head restraint
Always raise the head restraint one level from the stowed position when
using.
Pull the head restraint up while pushing
the lock release button.
Align the head restraint with the installa-
tion holes and push it down to the lock
position.
Press and hold the lock release button
when lowering the head restraint.
Make sure that the head restraints are
adjusted so that the center of the head
restraint is closest to the top of your ears.

113
1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
CAUTION
■
SRS airbag precautions
Observe the following precautions regarding the airbags.
Failure to do so may cause death or serious injury.
●The driver and all passengers in the vehicle must wear their seat belts
properly.
The SRS airbags are supplemental devices to be used with the seat belts.
● The SRS driver airbag deploys with considerable force, and can cause
death or serious injury especially if the driver is very close to the airbag.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) advises:
Since the risk zone for driver airbag is the first 2 - 3 in. (50 - 75 mm) of
inflation, placing yourself 10 in. (250 mm) from your driver airbag provides
you with a clear margin of safety. This distance is measured from the cen-
ter of the steering wheel to your breastbone. If you sit less than 10 in. (250
mm) away now, you can change your driving position in several ways:
• Move your seat to the rear as far as you can while still reaching the
pedals comfortably.
• Slightly recline the back of the seat. Although vehicle designs vary, many drivers can achieve the 10 in.
(250 mm) distance, even with the driver seat all the way forward, sim-
ply by reclining the back of the seat somewhat. If reclining the back of
your seat makes it hard to see the road, raise yourself by using a firm,
non-slippery cushion, or raise the seat if your vehicle has that feature\
.
• If your steering wheel is adjustable, tilt it downward. This points the air- bag toward your chest instead of your head and neck.
The seat should be adjusted as recommended by NHTSA above, while
still maintaining control of the foot pedals, steering wheel, and your view of
the instrument panel controls.

115
1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
CAUTION
■
SRS airbag precautions
●Do not sit on the edge of the seat or
lean against the dashboard.
● Do not allow a child to stand in front of
the SRS front passenger airbag unit or
sit on the knees of a front passenger.
● Do not drive the vehicle while the driver
or passenger have items resting on
their knees.
● Do not lean against the door, the roof
side rail or the front, side and rear pil-
lars.
● Do not allow anyone to kneel on the
passenger seat toward the door or put
their head or hands outside the vehicle.