TOYOTA AVALON 2021 Owners Manual (in English)

1914-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■Shift ranges and their functions
A lower shift range will provide greater engine braking forces than a higher
shift range.
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
8, or D will be displayed on the
multi-information display.
Meter displayFunction
S2 - S8
A gear in the range between 1 and the selected
gear is automatically chosen depending on vehicle
speed and driving conditions
S1Setting the gear at 1
Selecting shift ranges in the D position (vehicles with paddle
shift switches)
1
2

1924-2. Driving procedures
■Automatic deactivation of shift range selection in the D position (vehi-
cles with paddle shift switches)
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
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■S mode
●When the shift range is 7 or lower, holding the shift lever toward “+” sets the
shift range to 8.
●To prevent the engine from over-revving, upshifting may automatically
occur.
●To protect the automatic transmission, a function is adopted that automati-
cally selects a higher shift range when the fluid temperature is high.
■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.)
■When driving with dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed range
activated
Even when performing the following actions with the intent of enabling engine
braking, engine braking will not activate because dynamic radar cruise con-
trol with full-speed range will not be canceled.
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●When switching the driving mode to sport mode while driving in the D posi-
tion. (
P. 305)
■Restraining sudden start (Drive-start Control)
P. 171
■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 the
IGNITION ON mode the brake pedal is depressed and the shift release but-
ton is pushed.

1934-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■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 even though the brake pedal is depressed
and the shift release button is pushed, 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 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.)
■AI-SHIFT
The AI-SHIFT automatically selects the suitable gear according to driver per-
formance and driving conditions.
The AI-SHIFT automatically operates when the shift lever is in D. (Shifting the
shift lever to the S position or paddle shifting cancels the function.) 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 and hold the shift lock override
button and then push the button on the
shift knob.
The shift lever can be shifted while both
buttons are pressed.
1
2
3
4
5

1944-2. 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.

1954-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
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.
Turn signal lever
Operating instructions
1
2
3
4

1964-2. Driving procedures
The parking brake is set or released automatically according to the
shift lever operation.
Even when in automatic mode, the parking brake can be set and
released manually. (P. 197)
Turns automatic mode on
(while the vehicle is stopped,
pull and hold the parking brake
switch until a message is
shown on the multi-information
display)
• When the shift lever is moved
out of P, the parking brake will
be released, and the parking
brake indicator light and parking
brake light turn off.
• When the shift lever is moved
into P, the parking brake will be
set, and the parking brake indi-
cator light and parking brake
light turn on.
Operate the shift lever with the
brake pedal depressed.
Turns automatic mode off (while the vehicle is stopped, press and
hold the parking brake switch until a message is shown on the
multi-information display)
Operate the parking brake switch while depressing the brake pedal.
*1: For U.S.A.
*2: For Canada
Parking brake
A mode can be selected from the following modes.
Automatic mode
*1*2
Parking
brake light
1
2

1974-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
The parking brake can be set and released manually.
Sets the parking brake
The parking brake indicator light
and parking brake light will turn on.
Pull and hold the parking brake
switch if an emergency occurs and
it is necessary to operate the park-
ing brake while driving.
Releases the parking brake
Operate the parking brake switch
while depressing the brake pedal.
Make sure that the parking brake
indicator light or parking brake light
turn off.
If the parking brake indicator light
and parking brake light flashes,
operate the switch again.
(P. 436)
*1: For U.S.A.
*2: For Canada
Manual mode
*1*2
Parking
brake light
1
2

1984-2. Driving procedures
■Parking the vehicle
P. 170
■Parking brake operation
●When the engine switch is not in IGNITION ON mode, the parking brake
cannot be released using the parking brake switch.
●When the engine switch is not in IGNITION 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 engine switch mode, the parking brake indicator light and
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Not in IGNITION ON mode: Stays on for approximately 15 seconds.
●When the engine 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.

1994-2. 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. 434
■Usage in winter time
P. 317
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
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■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.

2004-2. 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