
9
FEATURES & OPERATIONS
The Hybrid Synergy Drive System utilizes a computer-controlled gasoline \
engine 
and electric motor to provide the most efficient combination of power fo\
r the 
vehicle. To conserve energy, when the brakes are applied the braking for\
ce 
generates electricity which is then sent to the traction battery. In add\
ition, the 
engine shuts off when the vehicle is stopped. The benefits are better fu\
el economy, 
reduced vehicle emissions and improved performance.
NOTE: Fuel consumption and energy information of the Hybrid System are 
shown on the Multi-Information Display (MID) and/or Audio Multimedia System 
screen.
1. Ensure tire pressures are maintained at levels specified in the Owner\
’s Manual.
2. Link trips to reduce engine cold starts whenever possible. 
3. Avoid driving at speeds that are higher than necessary, especially on\
 the highway. 
4. When possible, avoid sudden stops to maximize regenerative braking en\
ergy.
5. Minimize use of the air conditioning.
OVERVIEW
FEATURES & OPERATIONS
TOYOTA SAFETY SENSE
SAFETY & EMERGENCY FEATURES
Hybrid Synergy Drive System
TIPS FOR IMPROVED FUEL ECONOMY
(1)  Put the selector lever in “P.”
(2)  Depress the brake pedal, and messages will be displayed on the Multi-
Information Display.
(3) Press the “POWER” switch briefly and firmly.    
(4) The “READY” light will blink. After a few seconds, when the light remains steady  and a beep sounds, you may begin driving.
STARTING THE HYBRID SYSTEM 

26
FEATURES & OPERATIONS
The VSC OFF switch can be used to help free a stuck vehicle in surroundi\
ngs like 
mud, dirt or snow. While the vehicle is stopped, press switch to disable\
 the TRAC 
system.
To disable both VSC and TRAC systems, press and hold the switch for at l\
east 3 
seconds.
Refer to the Owner’s Manual for limitations and more details.
Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)/ 
TRAC OFF switch
When parking, this available system scans for stationary objects, like w\
alls or 
lampposts. Should the system anticipate a collision, it will emit an aud\
ible and 
visible alert, reduce engine or motor output, and automatically apply th\
e brakes 
if needed. If your vehicle is equipped with ICS, the RCTA system will al\
so have a 
braking function that may apply the vehicle’s brakes if the system de\
tects crossing 
vehicles while the Avalon HV is backing up. 
Note: Use “” or “” and “” of the meter control switches to select 
 and  in the Multi-Information Display (MID) to change settings. The 
system will continue in the last state it was in (ON or OFF) when the engine is 
started again.
Refer to the Owner‘s Manual for limitations and more details on this system.
CHANGE SETTINGS
Intelligent Clearance Sonar with Rear Cross 
Traffic Braking (ICS w/RCTB) 
(if equipped) 

29
Pre-Collision System with  
Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD)
OVERVIEW
FEATURES & OPERATIONS
TOYOTA SAFETY SENSE
SAFETY & EMERGENCY FEATURES
The Pre-Collision System uses a radar sensor and camera sensor to help d\
etect a 
vehicle or pedestrian in front of your vehicle.
As there is a limit to the degree of recognition accuracy and control pe\
rformance 
that this system can provide, do not overly rely on this system. This sy\
stem will not 
prevent collisions or lessen collision damage or injury in every situati\
on. Do not use 
PCS instead of normal braking operations under any circumstances. Do not\
 attempt 
to test the operation of the pre-collision system yourself, as the syste\
m may not 
operate or engage, possibly leading to an accident. In some situations, \
such as 
when driving in inclement weather such as heavy rain, fog, snow or a san\
dstorm or 
while driving on a curve and for a few seconds after driving on a curve,\
 a vehicle or 
pedestrian may not be detected by the radar and camera sensors, preventi\
ng the 
system from operating or engaging properly.
Refer to the Toyota Owner’s Manual for a list of additional situation\
s in which the 
system may not operate properly.
Refer to the Toyota Owner’s Manual for additional information on PCS \
w/PD 
operation, settings adjustments, limitations, and precautions before att\
empting to 
use it. Pre-Collision Warning
When the system determines that the possibility of a frontal collision i\
s high, a 
buzzer will sound and a warning message will be displayed on the Multi-I\
nformation 
Display (MID) to urge the driver to take evasive action.
Pre-Collision Brake Assist
If the driver notices the hazard and brakes, the system may provide addi\
tional 
braking force using Brake Assist. This system may prime the brakes and m\
ay apply 
greater braking force in relation to how strongly the brake pedal is dep\
ressed.
Pre-Collision Braking
If the driver does not brake in a set time and the system determines tha\
t the 
possibility of a frontal collision with a preceding vehicle is extremely\
 high, the 
system may automatically apply the brakes, reducing speed in order to he\
lp the 
driver reduce the impact and in certain cases avoid the collision. 

36
TOYOTA SAFETY SENSE™
ADJUSTING DISTANCE
This mode employs a radar sensor to detect the presence of a preceding v\
ehicle 
up to approximately 328 ft (100 m) ahead, determines the current vehicle-to-vehicle 
following distance and operates to maintain a preset following distance \
from the 
vehicle ahead. These distances vary based on vehicle speed.
(1) (2) (3) 
(1)  Constant speed cruising when there are no vehicles ahead
The vehicle travels at the speed set by the driver. The desired vehicle-\
to-     
vehicle distance can also be set by operating the vehicle-to-vehicle dis\
tance   
control.
(2)  Deceleration cruising and follow-up cruising when a preceding vehicle      
     driving slower than the set speed appears When a vehicle is detected running ahead of you, the system automaticall\
y
decelerates your vehicle. When a greater reduction in vehicle speed is 
necessary, the system applies the brakes (the brake lights will come on at this 
time). The system will respond to changes in the speed of the vehicle ahead 
in order to maintain the vehicle-to-vehicle distance set by the driver. \
A warning 
tone warns you when the system cannot decelerate sufficiently to prevent\
 your 
vehicle from closing in on the vehicle ahead.
Note: Vehicle-to-vehicle distance will close in when traveling on long downhill 
slopes.
To change the vehicle-to-vehicle distance
 
Push the “
” button to cycle
through the settings, which will
change progressively.  LONG
(default  setting) MIDDLE
SHORT
Preceding vehicle 
mark 

43
Star Safety System™
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS)
Toyota’s ABS sensors detect which wheels are locking up and limits wh\
eel lockup 
by “pulsing” each wheel’s brakes independently. Pulsing release\
s brake pressure 
repeatedly for fractions of a second. This helps the tires attain the tr\
action that 
current road conditions will allow, helping you to stay in directional c\
ontrol.
BRAKE ASSIST (BA)
Brake Assist is designed to detect sudden or “panic” braking, and \
then add braking 
pressure to help decrease the vehicle’s stopping distance. When there\
’s only a split 
second to react, Brake Assist can add additional brake pressure more qui\
ckly than 
just the driver alone can.
ELECTRONIC BRAKE FORCE DISTRIBUTION (EBD)
Toyota’s ABS technology has Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) to help 
maintain control and balance when braking. EBD responds to sudden stops \
by 
redistributing brake force to enhance the braking effectiveness of all f\
our wheels.
Your vehicle comes standard with the Star Safety System
TM, which combines Anti-
lock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist (BA), Electronic Brake-force Distribution 
(EBD), Smart Stop Technology (SST), Traction Control (TRAC) and Vehicle Stability 
Control (VSC). 
Refer to the Owner’s Manual for more details and important information on limitations 
to these systems.
SMART STOP TECHNOLOGY (SST)
Smart Stop Technology automatically reduces engine power when the accele\
rator 
and brake pedals are pressed simultaneously under certain conditions. 
SST engages when the accelerator is depressed first and the brakes are a\
pplied 
firmly for longer than one-half second at speeds greater than five miles\
 per hour.  
SST doesn’t engage if the brake pedal is depressed before the acceler\
ator pedal, 
allowing vehicles to start on a steep hill and safely accelerate without\
 rolling 
backward.
OVERVIEW
FEATURES & OPERATIONS
TOYOTA SAFETY SENSE
SAFETY & EMERGENCY FEATURES
ENHANCED VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL (VSC)
Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control provides cooperative control of the A\
BS, TRAC, 
VSC and EPS.
Enhanced VSC helps to maintain directional stability when loss of tracti\
on occurs 
during a turn. 

44
Floor mat installation
There are two types of Toyota floor mats: carpeted and all-weather. Each\
 vehicle 
has model-specific floor mats. Installation is easy. 
To keep your floor mat properly positioned, follow these steps:
• Only use Toyota floor mats designed for your specific model.
• Use only one floor mat at a time, using the retaining hooks to keep the mat in  place.
• Install floor mats right side up. 
Always align the  Δ marks
SAFETY & EMERGENCY FEATURES
TRACTION CONTROL (TRAC)
VSC helps prevent loss of traction during cornering by reducing engine p\
ower, and 
Traction Control helps maintain traction on loose gravel and wet, icy, o\
r uneven 
surfaces by applying brake force to the spinning wheel(s). 
Toyota’s TRAC sensors are activated when one of the drive wheels star\
ts to slip. 
TRAC limits engine output and applies the brakes to the spinning wheel. \
This 
transfers power to the wheels that still have traction to help keep you \
on track.