Page 162 of 492

1624-1. Before driving
AVALON_HV_U (01999-07002)
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When the vehicle is parked
●Do not leave glasses, cigarette lighters, spray cans, or soft drink cans in
the vehicle when it is in the sun.
Doing so may result in the following:
• Gas may leak from a cigarette lighter or spray can, and may lead to a
fire.
• The temperature inside the vehicle may cause the plastic lenses and plastic material of glasses to deform or crack.
• Soft drink cans may fracture, causing the contents to spray over the interior of the vehicle, and may also cause a short circuit in the vehicle’s
electrical components.
● Do not leave cigarette lighters in the vehicle. If a cigarette lighter is in a
place such as the glove box or on the floor, it may be lit accidentally when
luggage is loaded or the seat is adjusted, causing a fire.
● Do not attach adhesive discs to the windshield or windows. Do not place
containers such as air fresheners on the instrument panel or dashboard.
Adhesive discs or containers may act as lenses, causing a fire in the vehi-
cle.
● Do not leave a door or window open if the curved glass is coated with a
metallized film such as a silver-colored one. Reflected sunlight may cause
the glass to act as a lens, causing a fire.
● Always apply the parking brake, shift the shift lever to P, stop the hybrid
system and lock the vehicle.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended while the “READY” indicator is illumi-
nated.
● Do not touch the exhaust pipes while the “READY” indicator is illuminated
or immediately after turning the hybrid system off.
Doing so may cause burns.
Page 168 of 492

1684-1. Before driving
AVALON_HV_U (01999-07002)
WARNING
■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 175 of 492

1754-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
AVALON_HV_U (01999-07002)■
If the hybrid system does not start
●The immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( P. 79)
Contact your Toyota dealer.
● Check that the shift lever is securely set in P. The hybrid system may not
start if the shift lever is displaced out of P.
■ Steering lock
After turning the power switch off and opening and closing the doors, the
steering wheel will be locked due to the steering lock function. Operating the
power switch again automatically cancels the steering lock.
■ When the steering lock cannot be released
■ Steering lock motor overheating prevention
To prevent the steering lock motor from overheating, the motor may be sus-
pended if the hybrid system is turned on and off repeatedly in a short period
of time. In this case, refrain from operating the hybrid system. After about 10
seconds, the steering lock motor will resume functioning.
■ When a message requesting the smart key system be inspected is dis-
played on the multi-information display
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your
Toyota dealer immediately.
■ If the “READY” indicator does not come on
In the event that the “READY” indicator does not come on even after perform-
ing the proper procedures for starting the vehicle, contact your Toyota dealer
immediately.
■ If the hybrid system is malfunctioning
P. 7 5
■ If the electronic key battery is depleted
P. 372 A message informing the driver that the
steering wheel is locked will be displayed
on the multi-information display.
Check that the shift lever is set in P. Press
the power switch while turning the steer-
ing wheel left and right.
Page 176 of 492

1764-2. Driving procedures
AVALON_HV_U (01999-07002)■
Operation of the power switch
●When operating the power switch, one short, firm press is enough. If the
switch is pressed improperly, the hybrid system may not start or the power
switch mode may not change. It is not necessary to press and hold the
switch.
● If attempting to restart the hybrid system immediately after turning the power
switch off, the hybrid system may not start in some cases. After turning the
power switch off, please wait a few seconds before restarting the hybrid sys-
tem.
■ If the smart key system has been deactivated in a customized setting
P. 421
■ Customization
The time elapsed before the power switch related messages on the multi-
information display turn off can be changed.
(Customizable features: P. 461)
WARNING
■When starting the hybrid system
Always start the hybrid system while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not
depress the accelerator pedal while starting the hybrid system under any
circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■ Caution while driving
If hybrid system failure occurs while the vehicle is moving, do not lock or
open the doors until the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop. Activa-
tion of the steering lock in this circumstance may lead to an accident, result-
ing in death or serious injury.
■ Stopping the hybrid syst em in an emergency
If you want to stop the hybrid system in an emergency while driving the
vehicle, press and hold the power switch for more than 2 seconds, or press
it briefly 3 times or more in succession. ( P. 391)
However, do not touch the power switch while driving except in an emer-
gency. Turning the hybrid system off while driving will not cause loss of
steering or braking control, however, power assist to the steering will be
lost. This will make it more difficult to steer smoothly, so you should pull over
and stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
Page 186 of 492

1864-3. Operating the lights and wipers
AVALON_HV_U (01999-07002)
■Daytime running light system ( vehicles with halogen headlights)
● To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers during daytime driving,
the daytime running lights turn on automatically whenever the hybrid system
is started and the parking brake is released with the headlight switch off or in
the “AUTO” position. (Illuminate dimmer than the headlight high beam.)
Daytime running lights are not designed for use at night.
Daytime running lights can be turned off by operating the switch.
● 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
■ Automatic light off system
●When the headlights are on: The headlights and tail lights turn off 30 sec-
onds after the power switch is turned off and a door is opened and all of the
doors and trunk are closed. (The lights turn off immediately if on the
key is pressed twice after all the doors are closed.)
● When only the tail lights are on: The tail lights turn off automatically if the
power switch is turned off and the driver’s door is opened.
To turn the lights on again, turn the power switch to ON mode, or turn the light
switch off once and then back to or .
If any of the doors or trunk lid is kept open, the lights automatically turn off
after 20 minutes.
■ Light reminder buzzer
A buzzer sounds when the power switch is turned off or turned to ACCES-
SORY mode and the driver’s door is opened while the lights are turned on. The sensor may not function properly if an
object is placed on the sensor, or anything
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 sys-
tem to malfunction.
Page 195 of 492

1954-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
AVALON_HV_U (01999-07002)
■The windshield wiper and washer can be operated when
The power switch is in ON mode.
■ Effects of vehicle speed on wiper operation (vehicles with rain-sensing
windshield wipers)
With low speed windshield wiper operat ion selected, wiper operation will be
switched from low speed to intermittent wiper operation only when the vehicle
is stationary.
■ Raindrop sensor (vehicles with ra in-sensing windshield wipers)
● If the wiper is turned to AUTO mode while the power 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 mode.
■ 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. ●The raindrop sensor judges the amount
of raindrops.
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.
WARNING
■ 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.
CTY43AX032
Page 196 of 492
1964-3. Operating the lights and wipers
AVALON_HV_U (01999-07002)
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 199 of 492
1994-4. Refueling
4
Driving
AVALON_HV_U (01999-07002)
With the doors unlocked, press
the center of the rear edge of
the fuel filler door.
Push until you hear a click and take
your hand away to slightly open the
fuel filler door. Then open the door
fully by hand.
Turn the fuel tank cap slowly to
remove it and hang it on the
back of the fuel filler door.
■If the fuel filler door cannot be opened
Opening the fuel tank cap
1
2
Remove the cover inside the trunk and
pull the lever to unlock the fuel filler door.
Then press the center of the rear edge of
the fuel filler door to open it.