2021 TOYOTA AVALON HYBRID Owners Manual (in English)

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.

1944-1. Before driving
Trailer towing
Toyota does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle.
Toyota also does not recommend the installation of a tow hitch
or the use of a tow hitch carrier for a wheelchair, scooter, bicy-
cle, etc. Your vehicle is not designed for trailer towing or for the
use of tow hitch mounted carriers.

1954-1. Before driving
4
Driving
Dinghy towing
Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with 4 wheels
on the ground) behind a motor home.
NOTICE
■To avoid serious damage to your vehicle
Do not tow your vehicle with four wheels on the ground.

1964-2. Driving procedures
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is in P.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
and a message will be displayed on the multi-information display.
If it is not displayed, the hybrid system cannot be started.
Press the power 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.
Stop the vehicle completely.
Set the parking brake (P. 212), and shift the shift lever to P.
Press the power switch.
Release the brake pedal and check that “ACCESSORY” or “IGNI-
TION ON” is not shown on the meter.
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
1
2
3
4
Stopping the hybrid system
5
1
2
3
4

1974-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
Modes can be changed by pressing the power switch with brake pedal
released. (The mode changes each time the switch is pressed.)
Off
*
The emergency flashers can be
used.
ACCESSORY mode
Some electrical components such
as the audio system can be used.
A message indicating how to start
the hybrid system will be displayed
on the multi-information display.
ON mode
All electrical components can be
used.
A message indicating how to start
the hybrid system will be displayed
on the multi-information display.
*: If the shift lever is in a position other than P when turning off the hybrid sys-
tem, the power switch will be turned to ACCESSORY mode, not to off.
If the hybrid system is stopped with the shift lever in a position other
than P, a message indicating to shift the shift lever to P will be dis-
played on the multi-information display. At this time, the power switch
will not be turned off but instead be turned to ACCESSORY mode.
Perform the following procedure to turn the switch off:
Check that the parking brake is set.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Check that “Turn Power Off” is displayed on the multi-information
display and then press the power switch once.
Check that “Turn Power Off” on the multi-information display is
turned off.
Changing power switch modes
1
2
3
When stopping the hybrid system with the shift lever in a posi-
tion other than P
1
2
3
4

1984-2. Driving procedures
■Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode for more than 20 minutes or ON
mode (with the hybrid system not operating) for more than an hour with the
shift lever in P, the power switch will automatically turn off. However, this func-
tion cannot entirely prevent 12-volt battery discharge. Do not leave the vehi-
cle with the power switch in ACCESSORY or ON mode for long periods of
time when the hybrid system is not operating.
■Automatic hybrid system shut off feature
●The vehicle is equipped with a feature that automatically shuts off the hybrid
system when the shift lever is in P with the hybrid system operating for an
extended period.
●The hybrid system will automatically shut off after approximately 1 hour if it
has been left running while the shift lever is in P.
●The timer for the automatic hybrid system shut off feature will reset if the
brake pedal is depressed or if the shift lever is in a position other than P.
●After the vehicle is parked, if the door is locked with the door lock switch
(P. 140) from the inside or the mechanical key (P. 484) from the outside,
the automatic hybrid system shut off feature will be disabled. The timer for
the automatic hybrid system shut off feature will be re-enabled if the driver’s
door is opened.
■Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicle
P. 78
■Electronic key battery depletion
P. 136
■When the ambient temperature is low, such as during winter driving con-
ditions
●When starting the hybrid system, the flashing time of the “READY” indicator
may be long. Leave the vehicle as it is until the “READY” indicator is steady
on, as steady means the vehicle is able to move.
●When the hybrid battery (traction battery) is extremely cold (below approxi-
mately -22°F [-30°C]) under the influence of the outside temperature, it may
not be possible to start the hybrid system. In this case, try to start the hybrid
system again after the temperature of the hybrid battery increases due to
the outside temperature increase etc.
■Conditions affecting operation
P. 151
■Notes for the entry function
P. 152
■If the hybrid system does not start
●The immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. (P. 86)
Contact your Toyota dealer.
●Check that the shift lever is securely set in P. The hybrid system may not
start if the shift lever is displaced out of P.

1994-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
●If a message related to start-up is shown on the multi-information display,
read the message and follow the instructions.
■Steering lock
After turning the power switch off and opening and closing the doors, the
steering wheel will be locked due to the steering lock function. Operating the
power switch again automatically cancels the steering lock.
■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 hybrid system is turned on and off repeatedly in a short period
of time. In this case, refrain from operating the hybrid system. 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 “READY” indicator does not come on
In the event that the “READY” indicator does not come on even after perform-
ing the proper procedures for starting the vehicle, contact your Toyota dealer
immediately.
■If the hybrid system is malfunctioning
P. 80
■If the electronic key battery is depleted
P. 439
■Operation of the power switch
●If the switch is not pressed shortly and firmly, the power switch mode may
not change or the hybrid system may not start.
●If attempting to restart the hybrid system immediately after turning the power
switch off, the hybrid system may not start in some cases. After turning the
power switch off, wait a few seconds before restarting the hybrid system.
■If the smart key system has been deactivated in a customized setting
P. 484 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 power switch while turning the steer-
ing wheel left and right.

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.