2017 TOYOTA AVALON HYBRID engine

1614-1. Before driving
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Driving
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■If you hear a squealing or scrapi ng noise (brake pad wear limit indica-
tors)
Have the brake pads checked and replaced by your Toyota dealer as soon
as possible.
Rotor damage may result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
It is dangerous to drive the vehicle when the wear limits of the brake pads
and/or those of the brake discs are exceeded.
■ When the vehicle is stopped
● Do not depress the accelerator pedal unnecessarily.
If the shift lever is in any position other than P or N, the vehicle may accel-
erate suddenly and unexpectedly, causing an accident.
● In order to prevent accidents due to the vehicle rolling away, always keep
depressing the brake pedal while stopped with the “READY” indicator is
illuminated, and apply the parking brake as necessary.
● If the vehicle is stopped on an incline, in order to prevent accidents caused
by the vehicle rolling forward or backward, always depress the brake pedal
and securely apply the parking brake as needed.
● Avoid revving or racing the engine.
Running the engine at high speed while the vehicle is stopped may cause
the exhaust system to overheat, which could result in a fire if combusti\
ble
material is nearby.

1654-1. Before driving
4
Driving
NOTICE
■When encounterin g flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may
cause the following serious damage to the vehicle:
● Engine stalling
● Short in electrical components
● Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be
sure to have your Toyota dealer check the following:
● Brake function
● Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, hybrid
transmission, etc.
● Lubricant condition for the bearings and suspension joints (where possi-
ble), and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.

1724-2. Driving procedures
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is in P.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
Messages indicating how to start the hybrid system and how to turn to
ACCESSORY mode will be displayed alternately on the multi-information
display.
Press the engine switch shortly
and firmly.
When operating the power switch,
one short, firm press is enough. It
is not necessary to press and hold
the switch.
If the “READY” indicator turns on,
the hybrid system will operate nor-
mally.
Continue depressing the brake
pedal until the “READY” indicator
is illuminated.
The hybrid system can be started
from any power switch mode.
Check that the “READY” indicator is illuminated.
The vehicle will not move when the “READY” indicator is off.
Power (ignition) switch
Performing the following operations when carrying the elec-
tronic key on your person starts the hybrid system or changes
power switch modes.
Starting the hybrid system
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1784-2. Driving procedures
Turns EV drive mode on/off
When EV drive mode is turned on,
a message indicating the vehicle is
in EV drive mode will be shown on
the multi-information display.
Pressing the switch when in EV
drive mode will return the vehicle to
normal driving (using the gasoline
engine and electric motor [traction
motor]).
■Situations in which EV drive mode cannot be turned on
It may not be possible to turn EV drive mode on in the following situati\
ons. If it
cannot be turned on, a buzzer will sound and a message will be shown on the
multi-information display.
●The temperature of the hybrid system is high.
The vehicle has been left in the sun, driven on a hill, driven at high speeds,
etc.
● The temperature of the hybrid system is low.
The vehicle has been left in temperatures lower than about 68
°F (20°C) for
a long period of time etc.
● The gasoline engine is warming up.
● The hybrid battery (traction battery) is low.
The remaining battery level indicated in the energy monitor on the multi-
information display is low. ( →P. 100)
● Vehicle speed is high.
● The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.
● The windshield defogger is in use.
EV drive mode
In EV drive mode the electric motor (traction motor), powered by
the hybrid battery (traction battery), is used to drive the vehicle.
This mode allows you to drive in residential areas early in the
morning and late at night, or in indoor parking lots etc. without
concern for noises and gas emissions.
However, when the vehicle proximity notification system is
active, the vehicle may produce sound.

1794-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■Switching to EV drive mode when the gasoline engine is cold
If the hybrid system is started while the gasoline engine is cold, the gasoline
engine will start automatically after a short period of time in order to warm up.
In this case, you will become unable to switch to EV drive mode.
After the hybrid system has started and the “READY” indicator has illumi-
nated, press the EV drive mode switch before the gasoline engine starts to
switch to EV drive mode.
■ Automatic cancelatio n of EV drive mode
When driving in EV drive mode, the gasoline engine may automatically restart
in the following situations. When EV drive mode is canceled, a buzzer will
sound and the EV drive mode indicator will flash and go off.
● The hybrid battery (traction battery) becomes low.
The remaining battery level indicated in the energy monitor on the multi-
information display is low. ( →P. 100)
● Vehicle speed is high.
● The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly.
■ Possible driving distance when driving in EV drive mode
EV drive mode’s possible driving distance ranges from a few hundred meters
to approximately 1.3 miles (2 km). However, depending on vehicle conditions,
there are situations when EV drive mode cannot be used.
(The distance that is possible depends on the hybrid battery [traction battery]
level and driving conditions.)
■ Fuel economy
The hybrid system is designed to achieve the best possible fuel economy
during normal driving (using the gasoline engine and electric motor [traction
motor]). Driving in EV drive mode more than necessary may lower fuel econ-
omy.
WARNING
■Caution while driving
When driving in EV drive mode no engine noise is made. As such, pedestri-
ans, people riding bicycles or other people and vehicles in the surrounding
area may not be aware of the vehicle starting off or approaching them.
Therefore, take extra care while driving even if the vehicle proximity notifica-
tion system is active.

1804-2. Driving procedures
While the power switch is in ON mode, move the shift lever
with the brake pedal depressed.
When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the
vehicle is completely stopped.
*1: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noises, set the shift lever in the Dposition for normal driving.
*2: By selecting shift ranges using S mode, you can control engine brakingforce.
Hybrid transmission
Shifting the shift lever
Shift position purpose
Shift positionObjective or function
PParking the vehicle/starting the hybrid system
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*1
SS mode driving*2 ( →P. 181)

1814-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
To enter S mode, shift the shift lever to S. Shift ranges can then be
selected by operating the shift lever, allowing you to drive in the shift
range of your choosing.Upshifting
Downshifting
The selected shift range, from S1
to S6, will be displayed in the
meter.
The initial shift range in S mode is
automatically set to S4 or S5
according to vehicle speed.
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Shift ranges and their functions
● You can choose from 6 levels of engine braking force.
● A lower shift range will provide greater engine braking force than
a higher shift range. The engine speed will also increase.
● If you accelerate while in ranges S1 to S4, the shift range may
automatically range up in accordance with the vehicle’s speed.
■ S mode
●When the shift range is S4 or lower, holding the shift lever toward “+” sets
the shift range to S6.
● To prevent the engine from over-re vving, upshifting may automatically
occur.
■ Tachometer
■ Downshifting restrictions warning buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving performance, downshifting operation may
sometimes be restricted. In some circumstances, downshifting may not be
possible even when the shift lever is operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.)
■ When driving with cruise control or radar cruise control activated
Even if switching the driving mode to power mode with the intent of enabling
engine braking, engine braking will not activate because cruise control or
radar cruise control will not be canceled. ( →P. 233, 246)
Selecting shift ranges in the S position
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When the S mode driving is selected, the
tachometer will be displayed on the multi-
information display. The tachometer dis-
plays the engine speed in revolutions per
minute.

1824-2. Driving procedures
■If the S indicator does not come on or the D indicator is displayed even
after shifting the shift lever to S
This may indicate a malfunction in the automatic transmission system. Have
the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.
(In this situation, the transmission will operate in the same manner as when
the shift lever is in D.)
■ Shift lock system
The shift lock system is a system to prevent accidental operation of the shift
lever in starting.
The shift lever can be shifted from P only when the engine switch is in ON
mode and the brake pedal is being depressed.
■ If the shift lever canno t be shifted from P
First, check whether the brake pedal is being depressed.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted with your foot on the brake pedal, there may
be a problem with the shift lock system. Have the vehicle inspected by y\
our
Toyota dealer immediately.
The following steps may be used as an emergency measure to ensure that
the shift lever can be shifted.
Releasing the shift lock:
Set the parking brake.
Turn the engine switch is off.
Depress the brake pedal.
Pry the cover up with a flathead screw-
driver or equivalent tool.
To prevent damage to the cover, cover
the tip of the screwdriver with a rag.
Press the shift lock override button.
The shift lever can be shifted while the
button is pressed.
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