2017 TOYOTA AVALON HYBRID Owners Manual

2574-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
The areas that vehicles can be detected in are outlined below.
To give the driver a more consistent time to react, the buzzer can alert
for faster vehicles from farther away.
Example:
■ The Rear Cross Traffic Alert function is operational when
● The BSM main switch is set to on.
● The shift lever is in R.
● Vehicle speed is less than approximately 5 mph (8 km/h).
● Approaching vehicle speed is between approximately 5 mph (8 km/h) and
18 mph (28 km/h).
The Rear Cross Traffic Aler t function detection areas
Approaching vehicleSpeedApproximate
alert distance
Fast 18 mph (28 km/h) 65 ft. (20 m)
Slow 5 mph (8 km/h) 18 ft. (5.5 m)1

2584-5. Using the driving support systems
■Conditions under which the Rear Cr oss Traffic Alert function will not
detect a vehicle
The Rear Cross Traffic Alert function is not designed to detect the following
types of vehicles and/or objects.
● Small motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians etc.
*
●Vehicles approaching from directly behind
● Guardrails, walls, signs, parked vehicles and similar stationary objects\
*
●Vehicles moving away from your vehicle
● Vehicles approaching from the parking spaces next to your vehicle
*
●Vehicles backing up in the parking space next to your vehicle*
*
: Depending on conditions, detection of a vehicle and/or object may occur.
■ Conditions under which the Rear Cr oss Traffic Alert function may not
function correctly
The Rear Cross Traffic Alert function may not detect vehicles correctly in the
following conditions:
● When ice or mud etc. is attached to the rear bumper
● During bad weather such as heavy rain, fog, snow etc.
● When ice or mud etc. is attached to the rear bumper
● When multiple vehicles approach continuously
● Shallow angle parking
● When a vehicle is approaching at high speed
● When parking on a steep incline, such as hills, a dip in the road etc.
● Directly after the BSM main switch is set to on
● Vehicles that the sensors cannot detect
because of obstacles

2594-5. Using the driving support systems
4
DrivingEV drive mode →P. 1 7 8
Eco drive mode
Use Eco drive mode to help achi eve low fuel consumption during
trips that involve frequent accelerating.
When the “ECO” switch is pressed, the “ECO MODE” indicator comes on
in the instrument cluster and message is shown on the multi-information
display. To turn off Eco drive mode, press the “ECO” switch again.
Sport mode
Assists acceleration response by controlling the hybrid system.
Suitable for when precise handling is desirable, for example when
driving on mountain roads.
When the “SPORT” switch is pressed, the “SPORT” indicator comes on in
the instrument cluster. To turn off the sport mode, press the “SPORT”
switch again.
Driving mode select switch
The driving modes can be selected to suit driving condition.
1
2
3

2604-5. Using the driving support systems
■Operation of the air conditio ning system in Eco drive mode
Eco drive mode controls the heating/cooling operations and fan speed of the
air conditioning system to enhance fuel efficiency ( →P. 274). To improve air
conditioning performance, adjust the fan speed or turn off Eco drive mode.
■ Sport mode automatic deactivation
Sport mode is automatically deactivated if the power switch is turned off after
driving in sport mode.

2614-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
◆ECB (Electronically Controlled Brake System)
The electronically controlled system generates braking force corre-
sponding to the brake operation
◆ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenly,
or if the brakes are applied while driving on a slippery road surface
◆Brake assist
Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake pedal
is depressed when the system detects a panic stop situation
◆VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to control skidding when swerving suddenly or
turning on slippery road surfaces
◆Enhanced VSC (Enhanced Ve hicle Stability Control)
Provides cooperative control of the ABS, TRAC, VSC and EPS.
Helps to maintain directional stability when swerving on slippery
road surfaces by controllin g steering performance.
◆TRAC (Traction Control)
Helps to maintain drive power and prevent the drive wheels from
spinning when starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads
◆Hill-start assist control
Helps to reduce the backward move ment of the vehicle when start-
ing on an uphill
Driving assist systems
To help enhance driving safety and performance, the following
systems operate automatically in response to various driving
situations. Be aware, however, that these systems are supple-
mentary and should not be relied upon too heavily when operat-
ing the vehicle.

2624-5. Using the driving support systems
◆EPS (Electric Power Steering)
Employs an electric motor to redu ce the amount of effort needed to
turn the steering wheel
◆BSM (Blind Spot Monitor) (if equipped)
→ P. 2 5 0
The slip indicator light will flash
while the TRAC/VSC/ABS sys-
tems are operating.
If the vehicle gets stuck in mud, dirt or snow, the TRAC systems may
reduce power from the hybrid syst em to the wheels. Pressing the
switch to turn the system off may make it easier for you to rock the
vehicle in order to free it.
To turn the TRAC system off,
quickly press and release the
switch.
The “TRAC OFF” and a message
will be shown on the multi-informa-
tion display.
Press the switch again to turn the
system back on.
When the TRAC/VSC/ABS systems are operating
Disabling the TRAC system

2634-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
■Turning off both TRAC and VSC systems
To turn the TRAC and VSC systems off, press and hold the switch for more
than 3 seconds while the vehicle is stopped.
The VSC OFF and “TRAC OFF” and a message will be shown on the mult\
i-
information display
*.
Press the switch again to turn the systems back on.
*: On vehicles with pre-collision system, pre-collision brake assist and pre- collision braking will also be disabled. The pre-collision system warning
light will come on and the message will be shown on the multi-information
display. ( →P. 221)
■ When the message is displayed on th e multi-information display show-
ing that TRAC has been disabled even if the TRAC/VSC OFF switch has
not been pressed
TRAC and hill-start assist control cannot be operated. Contact your Toyota
dealer.
■ Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, brake assist, TRAC, VSC
systems
Any of the following conditions may occur when the above systems are oper-
ating. None of these indicates that a malfunction has occurred.
● Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
● A motor sound may be heard after the vehicle comes to a stop.
● The brake pedal may pulsate slightly after the ABS is activated.
● The brake pedal may move down slightly after the ABS is activated.
■ ECB operating sound
ECB operating sound may be heard in the following cases, but it does not
indicate that a malfunction has occurred.
●Operating sound heard from engine compartment when the brake pedal is
operated.
● Motor sound of the brake system heard from the front part of the vehicle
when the driver’s door is opened.
● Operating sound heard from the engine compartment when one or two min-
utes passed after the stop of the hybrid system.
■ EPS operation sound
When the steering wheel is operated, a motor sound (whirring sound) may be
heard. This does not indicate a malfunction.

2644-5. Using the driving support systems
■Automatic reactivation of TRAC and VSC systems
After turning the TRAC and VSC systems off, the systems will be automati-
cally re-enabled in the following situations:
● When the power switch is turned off
● If only the TRAC system is turned off, the TRAC will turn on when vehicle
speed increases
If both the TRAC and VSC systems are turned off, automatic re-enabling will
not occur when vehicle speed increases.
■ Reduced effectiveness of the EPS system
The effectiveness of the EPS system is reduced to prevent the system from
overheating when there is frequent steering input over an extended period of
time. The steering wheel may feel heavy as a result. Should this occur, refrain
from excessive steering input or stop the vehicle and turn the hybrid system
off. The EPS system should return to normal within 10 minutes.
■ Hill-start assist control operating conditions
●The system operates in the following situations:
• The shift lever is in a position other than P or N.
• The parking brake is not applied.
• The accelerator pedal is not depressed.
● Hill-start assist control cannot be operated while the slip indicator light is illu-
minated.
■ Hill-start assist control
●While hill-start assist control is operating, the brakes remain automatically
applied after the driver releases the brake pedal. The stop lights and the
high mounted stoplight turn on.
● Hill-start assist control operates for about 2 seconds after the brake pedal is
released.
■ If the slip indicator comes on
It may indicate a malfunction in the system. Contact your Toyota dealer.
WARNING
■The ABS does not operate effectively when
● The limits of tire gripping performance have been exceeded (such as
excessively worn tires on a snow covered road).
● The vehicle hydroplanes while driving at high speed on wet or slick roads.