Toyota Avalon (2018 year). Instruction — part 11

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4-2. Driving procedures

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Modes can be changed by pressing the engine switch with brake
pedal released. (The mode changes each time the switch is pressed.)

Off

*

The emergency flashers can be
used.

The multi-information display will
not be displayed.

ACCESSORY mode

Some electrical components such
as the audio system can be used.

A message indicating how to start
the engine will be displayed on the
multi-information display.

IGNITION ON mode

All electrical components can be
used.

*

: If the shift lever is in a position

other than P when turning off the
engine, the engine switch will be
turned to ACCESSORY mode, not
to off.

If the engine is stopped with the shift lever in a position other than P, a
message indicating to shift the shift lever to P will be displayed on the
multi-information display. At this time, the engine 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 engine switch once.

Check that “Turn Power OFF” on the multi-information display is
turned off.

Changing engine switch modes

When stopping the engine with the shift lever in a position other
than P

1
2
3

4

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4-2. Driving procedures

■

Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode for more than 20 minutes or IGNI-
TION ON mode (the engine is not running) for more than an hour with the
shift lever in P, the engine switch will automatically turn off. However, this
function cannot entirely prevent battery discharge. Do not leave the vehicle
with the engine switch in ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode for long peri-
ods of time when the engine is not running.

■

Electronic key battery depletion
→P. 94

■

Conditions affecting operation
→P. 114

■

Notes for the entry function
→P. 115

■

If the engine does not start

●

The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. (

→P. 68)

Contact your Toyota dealer.

●

Check that the shift lever is securely set in P. The engine may not start if the
shift lever is displaced out of P.

■

Steering lock
After turning the engine switch off and opening and closing the doors, the
steering wheel will be locked due to the steering lock function. Operating the
engine switch again automatically cancels the steering lock.

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■

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 engine is turned on and off repeatedly in a short period of time.
In this case, refrain from operating the engine. 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 electronic key battery is depleted
→P. 360

■

Operation of the engine switch

●

If the switch is not pressed shortly and firmly, the engine switch mode may
not change or the engine may not start.

●

If attempting to restart the engine immediately after turning the engine
switch off, the engine may not start in some cases. After turning the engine
switch off, please wait a few seconds before restarting the engine.

■

If the smart key system has been deactivated in a customized setting
→P. 411

■

Customization
The time elapsed before the engine switch related messages on the multi-
information display turn off can be changed.
(Customizable features:

→P. 449)

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 engine switch while turning the steer-
ing wheel left and right.

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4-2. Driving procedures

WARNING

■

When starting the engine
Always start the engine while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the
accelerator pedal while starting the engine under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.

■

Caution while driving
If engine failure occurs while the vehicle is moving, do not lock or open the
doors until the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop. Activation of the
steering lock in this circumstance may lead to an accident, resulting in
death or serious injury.

■

Stopping the engine in an emergency
If you want to stop the engine in an emergency while driving the vehicle,
press and hold the engine switch for more than 2 seconds, or press it briefly
3 times or more in succession. (

→P. 381)

However, do not touch the engine switch while driving except in an emer-
gency. Turning the engine off while driving will not cause loss of steering or
braking control, but the power assist to these systems will be lost. This will
make it more difficult to steer and brake, so you should pull over and stop
the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.

NOTICE

■

To prevent battery discharge

●

Do not leave the engine switch in ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode
for long periods of time without the engine running.

●

Do not stop the engine when the shift lever is in a position other than P. If
the engine is stopped in another shift lever position, the engine switch will
not be turned off but instead be turned to ACCESSORY mode. If the vehi-
cle is left in ACCESSORY mode, battery discharge may occur.

■

When starting the engine

●

Do not race a cold engine.

●

If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have your vehi-
cle checked by your Toyota dealer immediately.

■

Symptoms indicating a malfunction with the engine switch
If the engine switch seems to be operating somewhat differently than usual,
such as the switch sticking slightly, there may be a malfunction. Contact
your Toyota dealer immediately.

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While the engine switch is in IGNITION 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 D

position for normal driving.

*

2

: Selecting shift ranges using S mode restricts the upper limit of the possible

gear ranges, controls engine braking force, and prevents upshifting above
the selected range.

Automatic transmission

Shifting the shift lever

Shift position purpose

Shift position

Objective or function

P

Parking the vehicle/starting the engine

R

Reversing

N

Neutral

D

Normal driving

*

1

S

S mode driving

*

2

(

→P. 166)

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4-2. Driving procedures

When the shift lever is in the S position, the shift lever or paddle shift
switches can be operated as follows:

The initial shift range in S mode is set automatically to “4” or “5”
according to vehicle speed. However, the initial shift range may be set
to “3” if AI-SHIFT has operated while the shift lever was in the D posi-
tion. (

→P. 168)

■

Shift ranges and their functions
● The vehicle is allowed to shift up and down to provide the most

suitable gear selection based on your driving situation. (e.g. S4:
1 to 4 or, 4 to 1)

● 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, and the engine speed will also increase.

● You can choose the gear range you want for different levels of

acceleration. (e.g. uphill, sporty driving, etc.)

Changing shift ranges in S mode



Shift lever



Paddle shift switches

Upshifting

Downshifting

1

2

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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 “1”
to “5”, or D will be displayed in the
meter.

To return to normal D position
driving, the “+” paddle shift switch
must be held down for a period of
time.

When a shift range higher than “5” is selected, the shift range will
return to the normal D position.

When the vehicle comes to a stop, the shift range will return to the
normal D position.

Selecting shift ranges in the D position

1
2

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4-2. Driving procedures

■

S mode

●

When the shift range is “4” or lower, holding the shift lever toward “+” sets
the shift range to “6”.

●

To prevent the engine from over-revving, upshifting may automatically
occur.

●

To protect the automatic transmission, a function is adopted that automati-
cally shifts to the top range when the temperature is too hot.

■

AI-SHIFT
AI-SHIFT automatically selects the suitable gear according to driver input and
the driving situation.
AI-SHIFT automatically operates when the shift lever is in the D position.
(Shifting the shift lever to the S position or paddle shifting cancels the func-
tion.)

■

When driving with cruise control or radar cruise control activated
When downshifting to 5 or 4 by shifting the shift lever to the S position or pad-
dle shifting, cruise control or radar cruise control will not be canceled.
(

→P. 222, 235)

■

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.

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■

If the shift lever cannot 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 your
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.

■

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.)

■

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 are operated. (A
buzzer will sound twice.)

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.

1

2

3

4

5

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4-2. Driving procedures

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.

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The lever will return to its original position after operation.

Right turn

Lane change to the right (move
the lever partway and release
it)

The right hand signals will flash 3
times.

Lane change to the left (move
the lever partway and release
it)

The left hand signals will flash 3
times.

Left turn

■

Turn signals can be operated when
The engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode.

■

If the indicator flashes faster than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or rear turn signal lights has not burned
out.

■

If the turn signals stop flashing before a lane change has been per-
formed
Operate the lever again.

■

To discontinue flashing of the turn signals during a lane change
Operate the lever in the opposite direction.

■

When the lever is pushed and held partway
The turn signals will keep flashing until the lever is released.

■

Customization
The number of times the turn signals flash during a lane change can be
changed. (Customizable feature

→P. 449)

Turn signal lever

Operating instructions

1
2

3

4

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4-2. Driving procedures

To set the parking brake, fully
depress the parking brake pedal
with your left foot while depress-
ing the brake pedal with your right
foot.
(Depressing the pedal again
releases the parking brake.)

■

Parking the vehicle
→P. 144

■

Usage in winter time
→P. 256

Parking brake

U.S.A. Canada

NOTICE

■

Before driving
Fully release the parking brake.
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to brake components
overheating, which may affect braking performance and increase brake
wear.

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4-3. Operating the lights and wipers

Turning the end of the lever turns on the lights as follows:

The headlights, parking
lights, daytime running
lights (

→P. 174) and so

on turn on and off auto-
matically (when the
engine switch is in IGNI-
TION ON mode).

The side marker, park-
ing, tail, license plate,
daytime running lights
(

→P. 174) and instru-

ment panel lights turn
on.

The headlights and all the lights listed above (except day-
time running lights) turn on.

*

1

The daytime running lights turn off.

*

2

The daytime running lights turn on. (

→P. 174)

*

1

: For the U.S.A.

*

2

: For Canada

With the headlights on, push
the lever away from you to turn
on the high beams.

Pull the lever toward you to the
center position to turn the high
beams off.

Pull the lever toward you and
release it to flash the high
beams once.

You can flash the high beams with the headlights on or off.

Headlight switch

The headlights can be operated manually or automatically.

Operating instructions

1

2

3

4

Turning on the high beam headlights

1

2

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4-3. Operating the lights and wipers

■

Daytime running light system

●

Vehicles with halogen headlights (low beam):
The daytime running lights illuminate the headlight high beams, and they
are darker than the headlight high beams.
Vehicles with discharge headlights (low beam) or LED headlights:
The daytime running lights illuminate the parking lights, and they are
brighter than parking lights.

●

To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers during daytime driving,
the daytime running lights turn on automatically when all of the following
conditions are met. (The daytime running lights are not designed for use at
night.)

• The engine is running
• The parking brake released
• The headlight switch is in

(Canada only),

or

(when the

surroundings are bright) position

The daytime running lights remain on after they illuminate due to the condi-
tions above, even if the parking brake is set again.

●

For the U.S.A.: Daytime running lights can be turned off by operating the
switch.

●

Compared to turning on the headlights, the daytime running light system
offers greater durability and consumes less electricity, so it can help improve
fuel economy.

■

Headlight control sensor

■

Automatic light off system

●

When the headlights are on: The headlights and tail lights turn off 30 sec-
onds after the engine switch is turned off and a door is opened and all of the
doors and trunk are closed. (The lights turn off immediately if

on the

key is pressed twice after all the doors are closed.)

●

When only the tail lights are on: The tail lights turn off automatically if the
engine switch is turned off and the driver’s door is opened.

To turn the lights on again, turn the engine switch to IGNITION ON mode, or
turn the light switch off once and then back to

or

.

If any of the doors or trunk lid is kept open, the lights automatically turn off
after 20 minutes.

The sensor may not function properly if an
object is placed on the sensor, or anything
that blocks the sensor is affixed to the
windshield.
Doing so interferes with the sensor
detecting the level of ambient light and
may cause the automatic headlight sys-
tem to malfunction.

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■

Light reminder buzzer
A buzzer sounds when the engine switch is turned off or turned to ACCES-
SORY mode and the driver’s door is opened while the lights are turned on.

■

Automatic headlight leveling system (if equipped)
The level of the headlights is automatically adjusted according to the number
of passengers and the loading condition of the vehicle to ensure that the
headlights do not interfere with other road users.

■

Customization
Settings (e.g. light sensor sensitivity) can be changed.
(Customizable features:

→P. 449)

NOTICE

■

To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than necessary when the engine is not
running.

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4-3. Operating the lights and wipers

Put the headlight switch in the
“AUTO” position.

Push the lever away from you.

The Automatic High Beam indica-
tor will come on when the head-
lights are turned on automatically
to indicate that the system is
active.

Automatic High Beam

∗

∗

: If equipped

The Automatic High Beam uses an in-vehicle camera sensor to
assess the brightness of streetlights, the lights of vehicles
ahead etc., and automatically turns the high beam on or off as
necessary.

WARNING

■

Limitations of the Automatic High Beam
Do not rely on the Automatic High Beam. Always drive safely, taking care to
observe your surroundings and turning the high beam on or off manually if
necessary.

■

To prevent incorrect operation of the Automatic High Beam system
Do not overload the vehicle.

Activating the Automatic High Beam system

1

2