
3
1
8 7
6
5
4
3
2
9
AVALON (U)_(OM41456U)4-1. Before driving
Driving the vehicle ............. 142
Cargo and luggage............ 153
Vehicle load limits ............. 156
Trailer towing..................... 157
Dinghy towing.................... 158
4-2. Driving procedures Engine (ignition) switch .............................. 159
Automatic  transmission .................... 165
Turn signal lever................ 169
Parking brake .................... 170
Horn .................................. 171
4-3.  Operating the lights and  wipers
Headlight switch ................ 172
Automatic High Beam ....... 176
Fog light switch ................. 181
Windshield wipers and  washer ............................ 183
4-4. Refueling Opening the fuel tank cap .................................. 189 4-5.  Using the driving support 
systems
Cruise control .................... 194
Dynamic radar cruise  control.............................. 198
Driving mode select  switches........................... 213
Driving assist systems ....... 215
PCS (Pre-Collision  System) ........................... 220
BSM  (Blind Spot Monitor)......... 227
4-6. Driving tips Winter driving tips .............. 236
4Driving 

141
Driving4
AVALON (U)_(OM41456U)4-1. Before driving
Driving the vehicle ............. 142
Cargo and luggage ........... 153
Vehicle load limits ............. 156
Trailer towing..................... 157
Dinghy towing ................... 158
4-2. Driving procedures Engine (ignition) switch .............................. 159
Automatic  transmission .................... 165
Turn signal lever................ 169
Parking brake .................... 170
Horn .................................. 171 4-3.  Operating the lights and 
wipers
Headlight switch ................ 172
Automatic High Beam ....... 176
Fog light switch ................. 181
Windshield wipers and  washer ............................ 183
4-4. Refueling Opening the fuel tank cap .................................. 189
4-5.  Using the driving  support systems
Cruise control .................... 194
Dynamic radar cruise  control ............................. 198
Driving mode select  switches .......................... 213
Driving assist systems ...... 215
PCS (Pre-Collision  System)........................... 220
BSM  (Blind Spot Monitor) ........ 227
4-6. Driving tips Winter driving tips ............. 236 

1534-1. Before driving
4
Driving
AVALON (U)_(OM41456U)
Cargo capacity depends on the total weight of the occupants. 
(Cargo capacity) = (Total load capaci ty) — (Total weight of occupants)
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit —
(1) Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your vehicle’s
placard. 
(2) Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be riding in your vehicle. 
(3) Subtract the combined weight  of the driver and passengers from
XXX kg or XXX lbs.
(4) The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and lug- gage load capacity. 
For example, if the “ XXX” amount equals 1400  lbs. and there will be
five 150 lb passengers in your v ehicle, the amount of available
cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400   750 (5150) =
650 lbs.) 
(5) Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight ma y not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4. 
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a tr ailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how
this reduces the available cargo  and luggage load capacity of your
vehicle.
(  P. 156)
Toyota does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle. Your
vehicle is not designed for trailer towing.
Cargo and luggage
Take notice of the following information about storage precau-
tions, cargo capacity and load:
Capacity and distribution 

1564-1. Before driving
AVALON (U)_(OM41456U)
◆Total load capacity (vehicle capacity weight): (P. 430) 
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.  

1574-1. Before driving
4
Driving
AVALON (U)_(OM41456U)
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. 

2114-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
AVALON (U)_(OM41456U)
CAUTION
■When the sensor may not be correct ly detecting the vehicle ahead
Apply the brakes as necessary when any of the following types of vehicle\
s
are in front of you.
As the sensor may not be able to correctly detect these types of vehicles,
the approach warning ( P. 204) will not be activated, and a fatal or serious
accident may result.
● Vehicles that cut in suddenly
● Vehicles traveling at low speeds
● Vehicles that are not moving
● Vehicles with small rear ends (trailers with no load on board etc.)
● Motorcycles traveling in the same lane
■ Conditions under which the vehicle-to-vehicle distance control may
not function correctly
Apply the brakes as necessary in the following conditions as the radar sen-
sor may not be able to correctly detect vehicles ahead, and a fatal or seri-
ous accident may result:
● When water or snow thrown up by the surrounding vehicles hinders the
functioning of the sensor
● When your vehicle is pointing upwards (caused by a heavy load in the
trunk etc.)
● When the road curves or when the lanes are narrow
● When steering wheel operation or your position in the lane is unstable
● When the vehicle ahead of you decelerates suddenly 

2254-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
AVALON (U)_(OM41456U)
CAUTION
■Limitations of the pre-collision system
Do not overly rely on the pre-collision system. Always drive safely, taking
care to observe your surroundings and checking for any obstacles or other
road hazards.
Failure to do so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■ When the sensor may not be correct ly detecting the vehicle ahead
Apply the brakes as necessary in any of the following situations.
● When water or snow thrown up by the surrounding vehicles hinders the
functioning of the sensor
● When your vehicle is pointing upwards (caused by a heavy load in the lug-
gage compartment etc.)
● Vehicles that cut in suddenly
● Vehicles with small rear ends (trailers with no load on board etc.)
● Motorcycles traveling in the same lane
■ Handling the radar sensor
Observe the following to ensure the pre-collision system can function effec-
tively. 
Otherwise, the system may not function correctly and could result in an
accident.
● Keep the sensor and grille cover clean at all times.
Clean the sensor and grille cover with a soft cloth so you do not mark or
damage them.
● Do not subject the sensor or surrounding area to a strong impact.
If the sensor moves even slightly off position, the system may become
inaccurate or malfunction. If the sensor or surrounding area is subject to a
strong impact, always have the area inspected and adjusted by your
Toyota dealer.
● Do not disassemble the sensor.
● Do not attach accessories or stickers to the sensor, grille cover or sur-
rounding area.
● Do not modify or paint the sensor and grille cover.
● Do not replace them with non-genuine parts. 

497Alphabetical index
AVALON (U)_(OM41456U)
Tachometer ................................ 77
Tail lights .................................. 172Light switch ........................... 172
Replacing light bulbs............. 375
Theft deterrent system Alarm ...................................... 68
Engine immobilizer system ..... 66
Tire inflation pressure ............. 437 Maintenance data ................. 437
Warning light ......................... 392
Tire information ....................... 442 Glossary................................ 449
Size ....................................... 445
Tire identification number ..... 444
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................... 447
Tire pressure warning  system .................................... 335 Function ................................ 335
Initializing .............................. 335
Installing tire pressure warning valves and 
transmitters......................... 335
Registering ID codes ............ 337
Tire pressure warning reset  switch ................................. 336
Warning light ......................... 392 Tires .......................................... 334
Chains .................................. 238
Checking............................... 334
If you have a flat tire ............. 400
Inflation pressure .................. 437
Information............................ 442
Replacing.............................. 400
Rotating tires ........................ 334
Size....................................... 437
Snow tires ............................. 239
Spare tire .............................. 400
Tire pressure warning 
system .......... ...................... 335
Warning light......................... 392
Tools ......................................... 401
Top tether strap ......................... 62
Total load capacity .................. 156
Towing Dinghy towing ....................... 158
Emergency towing ................ 382
Trailer towing ........................ 157
TOYOTA PARKING ASSIST  MONITOR
*
TRAC (Traction Control) ......... 215
Transmission ........................... 165
Automatic transmission ........ 165
Driving mode select switch ... 213
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P ..................... 415
Paddle shift switches ............ 166 
S mode ................................. 166
Trip information ......................... 81
Trip meters ................................. 77
T
*: Refer to the “NAVIGATION A ND MULTIMEDIA SYSTEM OWNER’S
MANUAL”.