2684-6. Driving tips
AVALON_HV_U (01999-07002)
●Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside tempera-
tures.
• Engine oil
• Engine/power control unit coolant
• Washer fluid
● Have a service technician inspec t the condition of the 12-volt bat-
tery.
● Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set of tire
chains for the front tires.
Ensure that all tires are the specified size and brand, and that chains
match the size of the tires.
Perform the following accordin g to the driving conditions:
● Do not try to forcibly open a window or move a wiper that is frozen.
Pour warm water over the frozen area to melt the ice. Wipe away
the water immediately to prevent it from freezing.
● To ensure proper operation of the climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents in
front of the windshield.
● Check for and remove any excess ice or snow that may have accu-
mulated on the exterior lights, ve hicle’s roof, chassis, around the
tires or on the brakes.
● Remove any snow or mud from the bottom of your shoes before
getting in the vehicle.
Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before
driving the vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a man-
ner appropriate to the prevailing weather conditions.
Preparation for winter
Before driving the vehicle
2765-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
AVALON_HV_U (01999-07002)■
Switching between outside air and recirculated air modes
Press .
The mode switches between outside air mode and recirculated air mode
each time the button is pressed.
■
Defogging the windshield
Defoggers are used to defog the windshield and front side win-
dows.
Press .
The dehumidification function operates and fan speed increases.
Set the outside/recirculated air mode button to the outside air mode if
the recirculated air mode is used. (It may switch automatically.)
To defog the windshield and the side windows early, turn the air flow and
temperature up.
To return to the previous mode, press again when the windshield
is defogged.
■
Defogging the rear window and outside rear view mirrors
Defoggers are used to defog the rear window, and to remove rain-
drops, dew and frost from the outside rear view mirrors.
Press .
The defoggers will automatically turn off after a period of time.
Other functions
2785-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
AVALON_HV_U (01999-07002)
■Operation of the air conditioning system in Eco drive mode
In Eco drive mode, the air conditioning system is controlled as follows to pri-
oritize fuel efficiency:
●When the outside temperature exceeds 68°F (20°C), the air conditioning
system may switch to recirculated air mode automatically. This may also
reduce fuel consumption.
● It is possible to switch to outside air mode at any time by pressing
.
●Engine speed and compressor operation controlled to restrict heating/cool-
ing capacity
● Fan speed restricted when automatic mode is selected
To improve air conditioning performance, perform the following operations:
● Adjust the fan speed
● Turn off Eco drive mode
■ Using automatic mode
Fan speed is adjusted automatically according to the temperature setting and
the ambient conditions.
Therefore, the fan may stop for a while until warm or cool air is ready to flow
immediately after is touched.
■ Fogging up of the windows
●The windows will easily fog up when the humidity in the vehicle is high.
Turning on will dehumidify the air from the outlets and defog the wind-
shield effectively.
● If you turn off, the windows may fog up more easily.
● The windows may fog up if the recirculated air mode is used.
■ Windshield fog detection function
When automatic mode is set, the humidity sensor (P. 280) detects fog on
the windshield and controls the air conditioning system to prevent fog.
■ Outside/recirculated air mode
●When driving on dusty roads such as tunnels or in heavy traffic, set the out-
side/recirculated air mode to the recirculated air mode. This is effective in
preventing outside air from entering the vehicle interior. During cooling oper-
ation, setting the recirculated air mode will also cool the vehicle interior
effectively.
● Outside/recirculated air mode may automatically switch depending on the
temperature setting, outside temperature, pressure, engine coolant temper-
ature or inside temperature.
324
AVALON_HV_U (01999-07002)
6-1. Maintenance and care
●Working from top to bottom, liber ally apply water to the vehicle
body, wheel wells and underside of the vehicle to remove any dirt
and dust.
● Wash the vehicle body using a sponge or soft cloth, such as a
chamois.
● For hard-to-remove marks, use car wash soap and rinse thoroughly
with water.
● Wipe away any water.
● Wax the vehicle when the wate rproof coating deteriorates.
If water does not bead on a clean surface, apply wax when the vehicle
body is cool.
■Automatic car washes
●Fold the mirrors before washing the vehi cle. Start washing from the front of
the vehicle. Make sure to extend the mirrors before driving.
● Brushes used in automatic car washes may scratch the vehicle surface and
harm your vehicle’s paint.
■ High pressure car washes
●Do not allow the nozzles of the car wash to come within close proximity of
the windows.
● Before using the car wash, check that the fuel filler door on your vehicle is
closed properly.
■ When using a car wash
If the door handle becomes wet while the electronic key is within the ef\
fective
range, the door may lock and unlock repeatedly. In that case, follow the fol-
lowing correction procedures to wash the vehicle:
●Place the key in a position 6 ft. (2 m) or more separate from the vehicle
while the vehicle is being washed. (Take care to ensure that the key is not
stolen.)
● Set the electronic key to battery-saving mode to disable the smart key sys-
tem. ( P. 125)
Cleaning and prot ecting the vehicle
exterior
Perform the following to protect the vehicle and maintain it in
prime condition:
3296-1. Maintenance and care
6
Maintenance and care
AVALON_HV_U (01999-07002)
NOTICE
■Cleaning detergents
●Do not use the following types of detergent, as they may discolor the vehi-
cle interior or cause streaks or damage to painted surfaces:
• Non-seat portions: Organic substances such as benzene or gasoline,
alkaline or acidic solutions, dye, and bleach
• Seats: Alkaline or acidic solutions, such as thinner, benzene, and alco- hol
● Do not use polish wax or polish cleaner. The instrument panel’s or other
interior part’s painted surface may be damaged.
■ Preventing damage to leather surfaces
Observe the following precautions to avoid damage to and deterioration of
leather surfaces:
●Remove any dust or dirt from leather surfaces immediately.
● Do not expose the vehicle to direct sunlight for extended periods of time.
Park the vehicle in the shade, especially during summer.
● Do not place items made of vinyl, plastic, or containing wax on the uphol-
stery, as they may stick to the leather surface if the vehicle interior heats
up significantly.
■ Water on the floor
Do not wash the vehicle floor with water.
Vehicle systems such as the audio system may be damaged if water comes
into contact with electrical components such as the audio system above or
under the floor of the vehicle. Water may also cause the body to rust.
■ When cleaning the inside of the windshield (vehicles with Toyota
Safety Sense P)
Do not allow glass cleaner to contact the lens. Also, do not touch the lens.
(P. 221)
■ Cleaning the inside of the rear window
● Do not use glass cleaner to clean the rear window, as this may cause
damage to the rear window defogger heater wires or antenna. Use a cloth
dampened with lukewarm water to gently wipe the window clean. Wipe the
window in strokes running parall el to the heater wires or antenna.
● Be careful not to scratch or damage the heater wires or antenna.
3596-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
AVALON_HV_U (01999-07002)■
Situations in which the tire pressure warning system may not oper-
ate properly (vehicles with a tire pressure warning system)
●In the following cases, the tire pr
essure warning system may not operate
properly.
• If non-genuine Toyota wheels are used.
• A tire has been replaced with a tire that is not an OE (Original Equip- ment) tire.
• A tire has been replaced with a tire that is not of the specified size.
• Tire chains etc. are equipped.
• If a window tint that affects the radio wave signals is installed.
• If there is a lot of snow or ice on the vehicle, particularly around the
wheels or wheel housings.
• If the tire inflation pressure is extremely higher than the specified
level.
• If tires not equipped with tire pressure warning valves and transmit- ters are used.
• If the ID code on the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters is not registered in the tire pressure warning computer.
●Performance may be affected in the following situations.
• Near a TV tower, electric power plant, gas station, radio station, large
display, airport or other facility that generates strong radio waves or
electrical noise
• When carrying a portable radio, cellular phone, cordless phone or
other wireless communication device
Vehicles with a tire inflation pressure display function: If tire position
information is not correctly displayed due to the radio wave conditions,
the display may be corrected by driving and changing the radio wave
conditions.
●When the vehicle is parked, the time taken for the warning to start or go
off could be extended.
●When tire inflation pressure declines rapidly for example when a tire has
burst, the warning may not function.
4558-1. Specifications
8
Vehicle specifications
AVALON_HV_U (01999-07002)
Glossary of tire terminology
Tire related termMeaning
Cold tire inflation pres-
sure
Tire pressure when the vehicle has been
parked for three hours or more, or has not
been driven more than 1 mile or 1.5 km under
that condition
Maximum inflation
pressureThe maximum cold inflated pressure to which
a tire may be inflated, shown on the sidewall
of the tire
Recommended infla-
tion pressureCold tire inflation pressure recommended by a
manufacturer
Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those stan-
dard items which may be replaced) of hybrid
transmission, power steering, power brakes,
power windows, power seats, radio and
heater, to the extent t hat these items are avail-
able as factory-installed equipment (whether
installed or not)
Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with standard
equipment, including the maximum capacity of
fuel, oil and coolant, and if so equipped, air
conditioning and additional weight optional
engine
Maximum loaded vehi-
cle weight
The sum of:
(a) Curb weight
(b) Accessory weight
(c) Vehicle capacity weight
(d) Production options weight
Normal occupant
weight150 lb. (68 kg) times the number of occupants
specified in the second column of Table 1
*
that follows
Occupant distributionDistribution of occupants in a vehicle as speci-
fied in the third column of Table 1
* below
473What to do if... (Troubleshooting)
AVALON_HV_U (01999-07002)
●Did you press the power switch while firmly depressing the brake pedal?
( P. 172)
●Is the shift lever in P? ( P. 175)
●Is the electronic key anywhere detectable inside the vehicle? ( P. 122)
●Is the steering wheel unlocked? (P. 175)
●Is the electronic key battery weak or depleted?
In this case, the hybrid system can be started in a temporary way.
( P. 422)
●Is the 12-volt battery discharged? ( P. 423)
●Is the power switch in ON mode?
If you cannot release the shift lever by depressing the brake pedal
with the power switch in ON mode ( P. 420)
●
It is locked automatically to prevent theft of the vehicle. ( P. 175)
●Is the window lock switch pressed?
The power window except for the one at the driver’s seat cannot be oper-
ated if the window lock switch is pressed. (P. 148)
●The auto power off function will be operated if the vehicle is left in ACCES-
SORY or ON mode (the hybrid system is not operating) for a period of
time. (P. 174)
If you think something is wrong
The hybrid system does not start
The shift lever cannot be shifted from P even if you depress
the brake pedal
The steering wheel cannot be tu rned after the hybrid system
is stopped
The windows do not open or close by operating the power
window switches
The power switch is turned off automatically