Page 162 of 492

1624-2. Driving procedures
AVALON (U)_(01999-07001)
■Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode for more than 20 minutes or IGNI-
TION ON mode (the engine is not running) for more than an hour with th\
e
shift lever in P, the engine switch will automatically turn off. However, this
function cannot entirely prevent battery discharge. Do not leave the vehicle
with the engine switch in ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode for long peri-
ods of time when the engine is not running.
■ Electronic key battery depletion
P. 9 4
■ Conditions affecting operation
P. 1 1 4
■ Notes for the entry function
P. 1 1 5
■ If the engine does not start
●The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( P. 68)
Contact your Toyota dealer.
● Check that the shift lever is securely set in P. The engine may not start if the
shift lever is displaced out of P.
■ Steering lock
After turning the engine switch off and opening and closing the doors, the
steering wheel will be locked due to the steering lock function. Operating the
engine switch again automatically cancels the steering lock.
Page 163 of 492

1634-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
AVALON (U)_(01999-07001)■
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 engine is turned on and off repeatedly in a short period of time.
In this case, refrain from operating the engine. 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 electronic key battery is depleted
P. 358
■ Operation of the engine switch
●When operating the engine switch, one short, firm press is enough. If the
switch is pressed improperly, the engine may not start or the engine switch
mode may not change. It is not necessary to press and hold the switch.
● If attempting to restart the engine immediately after turning the engine
switch off, the engine may not start in some cases. After turning the engine
switch off, please wait a few seconds before restarting the engine.
■ If the smart key system has been deactivated in a customized setting
P. 410
■ Customization
The time elapsed before the engine switch related messages on the multi-
information display turn off can be changed.
(Customizable features: P. 449)
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 engine switch while turning the steer-
ing wheel left and right.
Page 164 of 492

1644-2. Driving procedures
AVALON (U)_(01999-07001)
WARNING
■When starting the engine
Always start the engine while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the
accelerator pedal while starting the engine under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■ Caution while driving
If engine failure occurs while the vehicle is moving, do not lock or open the
doors until the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop. Activation of the
steering lock in this circumstance may lead to an accident, resulting in
death or serious injury.
■ Stopping the engine in an emergency
If you want to stop the engine in an emergency while driving the vehicle,
press and hold the engine switch for more than 2 seconds, or press it briefly
3 times or more in succession. ( P. 379)
However, do not touch the engine switch while driving except in an emer-
gency. Turning the engine off while driving will not cause loss of steering or
braking control, but the power assist to these systems will be lost. This will
make it more difficult to steer and brake, so you should pull over and stop
the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
NOTICE
■ To prevent battery discharge
●Do not leave the engine switch in ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode
for long periods of time without the engine running.
● Do not stop the engine when the shift lever is in a position other than P. If
the engine is stopped in another shift lever position, the engine switch will
not be turned off but instead be turned to ACCESSORY mode. If the vehi-
cle is left in ACCESSORY mode, battery discharge may occur.
■ When starting the engine
●Do not race a cold engine.
● If the engine becomes difficult to star t or stalls frequently, have your vehi-
cle checked by your Toyota dealer immediately.
■ Symptoms indicating a malfunction with the engine switch
If the engine switch seems to be operating somewhat differently than usual,
such as the switch sticking slightly, there may be a malfunction. Contact
your Toyota dealer immediately.
Page 172 of 492

1724-3. Operating the lights and wipers
AVALON (U)_(01999-07001)
■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 engine 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.
For the U.S.A.: 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 engine 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
engine switch is turned off and the driver’s door is opened.
To turn the lights on again, turn the engine switch to IGNITION 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 engine 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 182 of 492

1824-3. Operating the lights and wipers
AVALON (U)_(01999-07001)■
Washer/wiper dual operation
Wipers will automatically oper-
ate a couple of times after the
washer squirts.
■
The windshield wiper and washer can be operated when
The engine switch is in IGNITION 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 engine switch is in IGNITION
ON mode, the wipers will operate once to show that AUTO mode is acti-
vated.
● 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.
Page 183 of 492

1834-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
AVALON (U)_(01999-07001)
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.
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 186 of 492
1864-4. Refueling
AVALON (U)_(01999-07001)
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.
Page 187 of 492
1874-4. Refueling
4
Driving
AVALON (U)_(01999-07001)
After refueling, turn the fuel
tank cap until you hear a click.
Once the cap is released, it will
turn slightly in the opposite
direction.
Close the fuel filler door, and
press the center of the rear
edge of the fuel filler door until
you hear a click.
When you lock the doors, the fuel
filler door will lock also.
■Fuel filler door lock condition
The fuel filler door may not be locked even when the vehicle’s doors are
locked in the following conditions:
●When operating the door lock button inside the vehicle
● When the automatic door locking system is operated ( P. 100)
● When the fuel filler door is closed after the vehicle’s doors are locked
Closing the fuel tank cap
1
2
WARNING
■ When replacing the fuel tank cap
Do not use anything but a genuine Toyota fuel tank cap designed for your
vehicle. Doing so may cause a fire or other incident which may result in
death or serious injury.