2021 TOYOTA AVALON HYBRID warning

1934-1. Before driving
4
Driving
◆Total load capacity (vehicle capacity weight): (P. 5 0 2 )
Total load capacity means the combined weight of occupants, cargo
and luggage.
◆Seating capacity: (P. 502)
Seating capacity means the maximum 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. 427)
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, resulting in an accident.

2004-2. Driving procedures
WARNING
■When starting the hybrid system
Always start the hybrid system while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not
depress the accelerator pedal while starting the hybrid system under any
circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■Caution while driving
If hybrid system failure occurs while the vehicle is moving, do not lock or
open the doors until the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop. Activa-
tion of the steering lock in this circumstance may lead to an accident, result-
ing in death or serious injury.
■Stopping the hybrid system in an emergency
●If you want to stop the hybrid system in an emergency while driving the
vehicle, press and hold the power switch for more than 2 seconds, or
press it briefly 3 times or more in succession. (P. 449)
However, do not touch the power switch while driving except in an emer-
gency. Turning the hybrid system off while driving will not cause loss of
steering or braking control, however, power assist to the steering will be
lost. This will make it more difficult to steer smoothly, so you should pull
over and stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
●If the power switch is operated while the vehicle is running, a warning
message will be shown on the multi-information display and a buzzer
sounds.
●When restarting the hybrid system after an emergency shutdown while
driving, press the power switch. When restarting the hybrid system after
stopping the vehicle, change the shift position to P and then press the
power switch.
■When parking
Exhaust gases include harmful carbon monoxide (CO), which is colorless
and odorless. Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may cause exhaust gases to enter the vehicle and may
lead to an accident caused by light-headedness, or may lead to death or a
serious health hazard.
●If the vehicle is in a poorly ventilated area or a closed area, such as a
garage, stop the hybrid system.
●Do not leave the vehicle with the hybrid system operating for a long time. If
such a situation cannot be avoided, park the vehicle in an open space and
ensure that exhaust fumes do not enter the vehicle interior.
●Do not leave the hybrid system operating in an area with snow build-up, or
where it is snowing. If snowbanks build up around the vehicle while the
hybrid system is operating, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehi-
cle.

2044-2. Driving procedures
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 acoustic vehicle alerting
system is active.

2084-2. Driving procedures
To drive using temporary shift range selection, operate the “-” paddle
shift switch. The shift range can then be selected by operating the “-”
and “+” paddle shift switches. Changing the shift range allows restric-
tion of the highest gear, preventing upshifting and enabling the level of
engine braking force to be selected.
Upshifting
Downshifting
The selected shift range, from D1
to D6 will be displayed on the
multi-information display.
■When the “-” paddle shift switch is operated with the shift lever in the D
position (vehicles with paddle shift switches)
The shift range is downshifted to a range that enables engine braking force
that is suitable to driving conditions.
■Automatic deactivation of shift range selection in the D position
Shift range selection in the D position will be deactivated in the following situ-
ations:
●The “+” paddle shift switch is held down for a period of time
●When the vehicle comes to a stop
●If the accelerator pedal is depressed for more than a certain period of time
●<003a004b0048005100030057004b004800030056004b004c004900570003004f00480059004800550003004c005600030056004b004c0049005700480047000300570052000300440003005300520056004c0057004c00520051000300520057004b004800
5500030057004b0044005100030027[
■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-revving, upshifting may automatically
occur.
■Downshift restriction warning buzzer (S mode or paddle shifting)
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 or paddle shift switches (if equipped) are
operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.)
Selecting shift ranges in the D position (vehicles with paddle
shift switches)
1
2

2104-2. 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.)
WARNING
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
Do not accelerate or shift gears suddenly.
Sudden changes in engine braking may cause the vehicle to spin or skid,
resulting in an accident.
■To prevent an accident when releasing the shift lock
Before pressing the shift lock override button, make sure to set the parking
brake and depress the brake pedal.
If the accelerator pedal is accidentally depressed instead of the brake pedal
when the shift lock override button is pressed and the shift lever is shifted
out of P, the vehicle may suddenly start, possibly leading to an accident
resulting in death or serious injury.
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery (traction battery) charge precaution
If the shift lever is in N, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will not be
charged even when the engine is running. Therefore, if the vehicle is left
with the shift lever in N for a long period of time, the hybrid battery (traction
battery) will discharge, and this may result in the vehicle not being able to
start.

2144-2. Driving procedures
■Parking the vehicle
P. 182
■Parking brake operation
●When the power switch is not in ON mode, the parking brake cannot be
released using the parking brake switch.
●When the power switch is not in ON mode, automatic mode (automatic
brake setting and releasing) is not available.
■Automatic release function
The parking brake is automatically released when slowly depress the acceler-
ator pedal.
The parking brake will be released automatically under the following condi-
tions:
●The driver’s door is closed.
●The driver’s seat belt is fastened.
●Shift the shift lever is in a forward or reverse position.
●The malfunction indicator lamp or brake system warning light is not illumi-
nated.
If the automatic release function does not operate, manually release the park-
ing brake.
■If “Parking Brake Temporarily Unavailable” is displayed on the multi-
information display
If the parking brake is operated repeatedly over a short period of time, the
system may restrict operation to prevent overheating. If this happens, refrain
from operating the parking brake. Normal operation will return after about 1
minute.
■If “Parking Brake Unavailable” is displayed on the multi-information dis-
play
Operate the parking brake switch. If the message does not disappear after
operating the switch several times, the system may be malfunctioning. Have
the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.
■Parking brake operation sound
When the parking brake operates, a motor sound (whirring sound) may be
heard. This does not indicate a malfunction.
■Parking brake indicator light and parking brake light
●Depending on the power switch mode, the parking brake indicator light and
<005300440055004e004c0051004a0003004500550044004e00480003004f004c004a004b00570003005a004c004f004f0003005700580055005100030052005100030044005100470003005600570044005c00030052005100030044005600030047004800
5600460055004c004500480047000300450048004f0052005a[:
ON mode: Comes on until the parking brake is released.
Not in ON mode: Stays on for approximately 15 seconds.
●When the power switch is turned off with the parking brake set, the parking
brake indicator light and parking brake light will stay on for about 15 sec-
onds. This does not indicate a malfunction.

2154-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■Parking brake engaged warning buzzer
A buzzer will sound if the vehicle is driven with the parking brake engaged.
“Release Parking Brake” is displayed on the multi-information display.
■Warning messages and buzzers
Warning messages and buzzers are used to indicate a system malfunction or
to inform the driver of the need for caution. If a warning message is shown on
the multi-information display, read the message and follow the instructions.
■If the brake system warning light comes on
P. 455
■Usage in winter time
P. 333
WARNING
■When parking the vehicle
Do not leave a child in the vehicle alone. The parking brake may be
released unintentionally and there is the danger of the vehicle moving that
may lead to an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■Parking brake switch
Do not set any objects near the parking brake switch. Objects may interfere
with the switch and may lead the parking brake to unexpectedly operate.
NOTICE
■When parking the vehicle
Before you leave the vehicle, shift the shift lever to P, set the parking brake
and make sure that the vehicle does not move.
■When the system malfunctions
<003600570052005300030057004b0048000300590048004b004c0046004f00480003004c0051000300440003005600440049004800030053004f004400460048000300440051004700030046004b00480046004e00030057004b00480003005a0044005500
51004c0051004a000300500048005600560044004a00480056[.
■When the parking brake cannot be released due to a malfunction
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to brake components
overheating, which may affect braking performance and increase brake
wear. Contact your Toyota dealer immediately if this occurs.

2164-2. Driving procedures
Turns the brake hold system on
The brake hold standby indicator
(green) comes on. While the sys-
tem is holding the brake, the brake
hold operated indicator (yellow)
comes on.
*1: Brake hold standby indicator
*2: Brake hold operated indicator
■Brake hold system operating conditions
The brake hold system cannot be turned on in the following conditions:
●The driver’s door is not closed.
●The driver is not wearing the seat belt.
If any of the conditions above are detected when the brake hold system is
enabled, the system will turn off and the brake hold standby indicator light will
go off. In addition, if any of the conditions are detected while the system is
holding the brake, a warning buzzer will sound and a message will be shown
on the multi-information display. The parking brake will then be set automati-
cally.
■Brake hold function
●If the brake pedal is left released for a period of about 3 minutes after the
system has started holding the brake, the parking brake will be set automat-
ically. In this case, a warning buzzer sounds and a message is shown on the
multi-information display.
●To turn the system off while the system is holding the brake, firmly depress
the brake pedal and press the button again.
●The brake hold function may not hold the vehicle when the vehicle is on a
steep incline. In this situation, it may be necessary for the driver to apply the
brakes. A warning buzzer will sound and the multi-information display will
inform the driver of this situation. If a warning message is shown on the
multi-information display, read the message and follow the instructions.
Brake Hold
The brake hold system keeps the brake applied when the shift
lever is in D, S or N with the system on and the brake pedal has
been depressed to stop the vehicle. The system releases the
brake when the accelerator pedal is depressed with the shift
lever in D or S to allow smooth start off.
*1*2