Page 151 of 496

1514-1. Before driving
4
Driving
AVALON (U)_(OM41440U)
CAUTION
■Things that must not be carried in the trunk
The following things may cause a fire if loaded in the trunk:
●Receptacles containing gasoline
●Aerosol cans
■Storage precautions
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may prevent the pedals from being depressed properly,
may block the driver’s vision, or may result in items hitting the driver or
passengers, possibly causing an accident.
●Stow cargo and luggage in the trunk whenever possible.
●Do not place cargo or luggage in or on the following locations.
• At the feet of the driver
• On the front passenger or rear seats (when stacking items)
• On the package tray
• On the instrument panel
• On the dashboard
●Secure all items in the occupant compartment.
■Capacity and distribution
●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 not apply the load unevenly. Improper
loading may cause deterioration of steering or braking control which
may cause death or serious injury. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 152 of 496
1524-1. Before driving
AVALON (U)_(OM41440U)
◆Total load capacity (vehicle capacity weight): (P. 428) 
Total load capacity means the combined weight of occupants, cargo
and luggage. 
◆Seating capacity: 5 occupants (Front 2, Rear 3)
Seating capacity means the maxi mum number of occupants whose
estimated average weight is 150 lb. (68 kg) per person. 
◆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. 
■Total load capacity and seating capacity
These details are also described on the tire and loading information label.
(  P. 342)
Vehicle load limits
Vehicle load limits include total load capacity, seating capacity,
towing capacity and cargo capacity. 
CAUTION
■Overloading the vehicle
Do not overload the vehicle.
It may not only cause damage to the tires, but also degrade steering
and braking ability, resu lting in an accident.  
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 153 of 496
1534-1. Before driving
4
Driving
AVALON (U)_(OM41440U)
Trailer towing
Toyota does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle.
Toyota also does not recommend th e installation of a tow hitch
or the use of a tow hitch carrier  for a wheelchair, scooter, bicy-
cle, etc. Your vehicle is not designed for trailer towing or for the
use of tow hitch mounted carriers. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 154 of 496
1544-1. Before driving
AVALON (U)_(OM41440U)
Dinghy towing
Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with 4 wheels
on the ground) behind a motor home. 
NOTICE
■To avoid serious damage to your vehicle
Do not tow your vehicle with the four wheels on the ground. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 164 of 496

1644-2. Driving procedures
AVALON (U)_(OM41440U)
■S mode
●When the shift range is “4” or lower, holding the shift lever toward “+” sets
the shift range to “6”.
● To prevent the engine from over-revving, upshifting may automatically
occur.
● To protect the automatic transmission, a function is adopted that automati-
cally shifts to the top range when the temperature is too hot.
■ AI-SHIFT
AI-SHIFT automatically selects the suitable gear according to driver input and
the driving situation.
AI-SHIFT automatically operates when the shift lever is in the D position.
(Shifting the shift lever to the S position or paddle shifting cancels the func-
tion.)
■ When driving with cruise control  or radar cruise control activated
When downshifting to 5 or 4 by shifting the shift lever to the S position or pad-
dle shifting, cruise control or radar cruise control will not be canceled. 
(  P. 190, 194)
■ If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
P. 414
■ If the “S” indicator does not come  on or the “D” indicator is displayed
even after shifting the shift lever to S
This may indicate a malfunction in the automatic transmission system. Have
the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately. 
(In this situation, the transmission will operate in the same manner as when
the shift lever is in D.)
■ Downshift restriction warning buzze r (S mode or paddle shifting)
To help ensure safety and driving performance, downshifting operation may
sometimes be restricted. In some circumstances, downshifting may not be
possible even when the shift lever or paddle shift switches are operated. (A
buzzer will sound twice.) 
CAUTION
■ When driving on slippery road surfaces
Be careful of downshifting and sudden acceleration, as this could result in
the vehicle skidding to the side or spinning. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 169 of 496
1694-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
AVALON (U)_(OM41440U)
Ty p e  BThe headlights, parking
lights, daytime running
lights and so on turn on
and off automatically
(when the engine switch
is in IGNITION ON
mode).
The side marker, park-
ing, tail, license plate,
daytime running lights
and instrument panel
lights turn on.
The headlights and all
the lights listed above
(except daytime running
lights) turn on.
The daytime running
lights turn on.
With the headlights on, push
the lever away from you to turn
on the high beams. 
Pull the lever toward you to the
center position to turn the high
beams off.
Pull the lever toward you and
release it to flash the high
beams once. 
You can flash the high beams with
the headlights on or off.
1
2
3
4
Turning on the high beam headlights
1
2 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 184 of 496

1844-3. Operating the lights and wipers
AVALON (U)_(OM41440U)
CAUTION
■Caution regarding the use of windsh ield wipers in AUTO mode (vehi-
cles with rain-sensing windshield wipers)
The windshield wipers may operate unexpectedly if the sensor is touched or
the windshield is subject to vibration in  AUTO mode. Take care that your fin-
gers or anything else do not become caught in the windshield wipers.
■ Caution regarding the use of washer fluid
When it is cold, do not use the washer fluid until the windshield becomes
warm. The fluid may freeze on the windshield and cause low visibility. This
may lead to an accident, resulting in death or serious injury.
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\
. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 191 of 496
1914-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
AVALON (U)_(OM41440U)
To change the set speed, operate the lever until the desired set speed
is obtained.Increases the speed
Decreases the speed
Fine adjustment: Momentarily
move the lever in the desired direc-
tion.
Large adjustment: Hold the lever in
the desired direction.
The set speed will be increased or decreased as follows:
Fine adjustment: By approximately 1 mph (1.6 km/h) each time the lever is
operated.
Large adjustment: The set speed can be increased or decreased continu-
ally until the lever is released.
Pulling the lever toward you
cancels the constant speed
control.
The speed setting is also canceled
when the brakes are applied.
Pushing the lever up resumes
the constant speed control.
Resuming is available when the
vehicle speed is more than approx-
imately 25 mph (40 km/h).
Adjusting the set speed
1
2
Canceling and resuming the constant speed control
1
2