Page 3 of 492

3
1
8 7
6
5
4
3
2
9
AVALON_HV_U (01999-07002)4-1. Before driving
Driving the vehicle ............. 156
Cargo and luggage............ 166
Vehicle load limits ............. 169
Trailer towing..................... 170
Dinghy towing.................... 171
4-2. Driving procedures Power (ignition) switch ...... 172
EV drive mode................... 178
Hybrid transmission........... 180
Turn signal lever................ 183
Parking brake .................... 184
4-3.  Operating the lights and  wipers
Headlight switch ................ 185
Automatic High Beam ....... 188
Windshield wipers and  washer ............................ 192 4-4. Refueling
Opening the fuel tank cap................................... 197
4-5.  Using the driving  support systems
Toyota Safety Sense P ...... 201
PCS (Pre-Collision  System) ........................... 208
LDA (Lane Departure  Alert with steering 
control) ............................ 221
Dynamic radar cruise  control.............................. 232
Cruise control .................... 245
BSM  (Blind Spot Monitor)......... 249
• The Blind Spot Monitor 
function.......................... 251
• The Rear Cross Traffic  Alert function detection 
areas ............................. 256
Driving mode select  switch .............................. 258
Driving assist systems ....... 260
4-6. Driving tips Hybrid vehicle driving tips ................................... 265
Winter driving tips .............. 268
4Driving 
     
        
        Page 77 of 492

771-2. Hybrid system
1
For safety and security
AVALON_HV_U (01999-07002)
WARNING
■High voltage precautions
This vehicle has high voltage DC and AC systems as well as a 12-volt sys-
tem. DC and AC high voltage is very dangerous and can cause severe
burns and electric shock that may result in death or serious injury.
●Never touch, disassemble, remove or replace the high voltage parts,
cables or their connectors.
● The hybrid system will become hot after starting as the system uses high
voltage. Be careful of both the high voltage and the high temperature, and
always obey the caution labels attached to the vehicle.
■ Road accident cautions
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of death or serious
injury:
●Pull your vehicle off the road, apply the parking brake, shift the shift lever
to P, and turn the hybrid system off.
● Do not touch the high voltage parts, cables and connectors.
● If electric wires are exposed inside or outside your vehicle, an electric
shock may occur. Never touch exposed electric wires.
● If a fluid leak occurs, do not touch the fluid as it may be strong alkaline
electrolyte from the hybrid battery (traction battery). If it comes into contact
with your skin or eyes, wash it off immediately with a large amount of water
or, if possible, boric acid solution. Seek immediate medical attention.
● If a fire occurs in the hybrid vehicle, leave the vehicle as soon as possible.
Never use a fire extinguisher that is not meant for electric fires. Using even
a small amount of water may be dangerous.
● If your vehicle needs to be towed, do so with front wheels raised. If the
wheels connected to the electric motor (traction motor) are on the ground
when towing, the motor may continue to generate electricity. This may
cause a fire. ( P. 392)
● Carefully inspect the ground under the vehicle. If you find that liquid has
leaked onto the ground, the fuel system may have been damaged. Leave
the vehicle as soon as possible.
●Never try to open the service plug
access hole located behind the rear
seats. The service plug is used only
when the vehicle is serviced and is sub-
ject to high voltage. 
     
        
        Page 155 of 492

155
Driving4
AVALON_HV_U (01999-07002)4-1. Before driving
Driving the vehicle ............. 156
Cargo and luggage ........... 166
Vehicle load limits ............. 169
Trailer towing..................... 170
Dinghy towing ................... 171
4-2. Driving procedures Power (ignition) switch ...... 172
EV drive mode .................. 178
Hybrid transmission........... 180
Turn signal lever................ 183
Parking brake .................... 184 4-3.  Operating the lights and 
wipers
Headlight switch ................ 185
Automatic High Beam ....... 188
Windshield wipers and  washer ............................ 192
4-4. Refueling Opening the fuel tank cap .................................. 197
4-5.  Using the driving  support systems
Toyota Safety Sense P ..... 201
PCS (Pre-Collision  System) ........................... 208
LDA (Lane Departure  Alert with steering 
control) ............................ 221
Dynamic radar cruise  control ............................. 232
Cruise control .................... 245
BSM  (Blind Spot Monitor) ........ 249
• The Blind Spot Monitor  function ......................... 251
• The Rear Cross Traffic  Alert function detection 
areas ............................. 256
Driving mode select  switch .............................. 258
Driving assist systems ...... 260
4-6. Driving tips Hybrid vehicle driving tips .................................. 265
Winter driving tips ............. 268 
     
        
        Page 166 of 492

1664-1. Before driving
AVALON_HV_U (01999-07002)
Cargo capacity depends on the total weight of the occupants.
(Cargo capacity) = (Total load capacity) — (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. 169)
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 
     
        
        Page 169 of 492
1694-1. Before driving
4
Driving
AVALON_HV_U (01999-07002)
◆Total load capacity (vehicle capacity weight): (P. 436)
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. 364)
Vehicle load limits
Vehicle load limits include total load capacity, seating capacity,
towing capacity and cargo capacity. 
WARNING
■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 170 of 492
1704-1. Before driving
AVALON_HV_U (01999-07002)
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 171 of 492
1714-1. Before driving
4
Driving
AVALON_HV_U (01999-07002)
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 211 of 492

2114-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
AVALON_HV_U (01999-07002)
WARNING
■When to disable the pre-collision system
In the following situations, disable the system, as it may not operate prop-
erly, possibly leading to an accident resulting in death or serious injury:
●When the vehicle is being towed
● When your vehicle is towing another vehicle
● When transporting the vehicle via truck, boat, train or similar means of
transportation
● When the vehicle is raised on a lift with the hybrid system ON and the tires
are allowed to rotate freely
● When inspecting the vehicle using a drum tester such as a chassis dyna-
mometer or speedometer tester, or when using an on vehicle wheel bal-
ancer
● When a strong impact is applied to the front bumper or front grille, due to
an accident or other reasons
● If the vehicle cannot be driven in a stable manner, such as when the vehi-
cle has been in an accident or is malfunctioning
● When the vehicle is driven in  a sporty manner or off-road
● When the tires are not properly inflated
● When the tires are very worn
● When tires of a size other than specified are installed
● When tire chains are installed
● When a compact spare tire or an emergency tire puncture repair kit is used
● If the suspension is modified
● If the front of the vehicle is raised or lowered, such as when loaded with
heavy luggage