stop start TOYOTA AVALON 2021 Owners Manual (in English)
Page 5 of 548
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6-1.  Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting 
the vehicle exterior .......... 366
Cleaning and protecting 
the vehicle interior ........... 369
6-2.  Maintenance
Maintenance 
requirements ................... 372
General maintenance ........ 374
Emission inspection and 
maintenance (I/M) 
programs ......................... 378
6-3.  Do-it-yourself 
maintenance
Do-it-yourself service 
precautions ..................... 379
Hood.................................. 381
Positioning a floor jack ...... 382
Engine compartment ......... 383
Tires .................................. 394
Tire inflation pressure........ 408
Wheels .............................. 411
Air conditioning filter .......... 413
Electronic key battery ........ 415
Checking and replacing 
fuses ............................... 418
Light bulbs ......................... 4217-1.  Essential information
Emergency flashers ........... 424
If your vehicle has to be 
stopped in an 
emergency....................... 425
If the vehicle is trapped 
in rising water .................. 426
7-2.  Steps to take in 
an emergency
If your vehicle needs to 
be towed .......................... 427
If you think something 
is wrong ........................... 432
Fuel pump shut off 
system ............................. 433
If a warning light turns on 
or a warning buzzer 
sounds ............................. 434
If a warning message is 
displayed ......................... 444
If you have a flat tire .......... 449
If the engine will 
not start ........................... 461
If the electronic key does 
not operate properly ........ 463
If the vehicle battery is 
discharged ....................... 466
If your vehicle overheats.... 471
If the vehicle becomes 
stuck ................................ 474
6Maintenance and care7When trouble arises 
Page 18 of 548
18Pictorial index
■Instrument panel
Engine switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 184
Starting the engine/changing the positions or modes  . . . . . . .  P. 184
Emergency stop of the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 425
When the engine will not start  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 461
Shift lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 189
Changing the shift position  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 189
Precautions for towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 427
When the shift lever does not move  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 193
Meters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 90
Reading the meters/adjusting the instrument panel lights . . . . .  P. 90
Warning lights/indicator lights  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 84
When a warning light comes on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 434
Multi-information display  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 93
Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 93
When the warning messages are displayed  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 4441
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291-1. For safe use
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For safety and security
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
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4c004f0048000300470055004c0059004c0051004a0011[
Doing so could cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
●Do not place a cushion between the driver or passenger and the seatback.
A  cushion  may  prevent  correct  posture  from  being  achieved,  and reduce
the effectiveness of the seat belt and head restraint.
●Do not place anything under the front seats.
Objects  placed  under  the  front  seats  may  become  jammed  in  the  seat
tracks  and  stop  the  seat  from  locking  in  place.  This  may  lead  to  an  acci-
dent and the adjustment mechanism may also be damaged.
●Always observe the legal speed limit when driving on public roads.
●When  driving  over  long distances, take  regular breaks  before you  start  to
feel tired.
Also, if  you feel  tired  or  sleepy  while driving,  do not force yourself  to con-
tinue driving and take a break immediately. 
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For safety and security
1-3. Theft deterrent system
The  indicator  light  flashes  after
the engine switch has been turned
off  to  indicate  that  the  system  is
operating.
The  indicator  light  stops  flashing
after  the  engine  switch  has  been
turned  to  ACCESSORY  or  IGNI-
TION  ON  mode  to  indicate  that
the system has been canceled.
■System maintenance
The vehicle has a maintenance-free type engine immobilizer system.
■Conditions that may cause the system to malfunction
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4400030050004800570044004f004f004c0046000300520045[ject
●If  the  key  is  in  close  proximity  to  or  touching  a  key  to  the  security  system
(key with a built-in transponder chip) of another vehicle
Engine immobilizer system
The  vehicle’s  keys  have  built-in  transponder chips  that  prevent
the  engine  from  starting  if  a  key  has  not  been  previously  regis-
tered in the vehicle’s on-board computer. 
Never leave the keys inside the vehicle when you leave the vehi-
cle.
This  system  is  designed  to  help prevent  vehicle  theft  but  does
not guarantee absolute security against all vehicle thefts. 
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801-3. Theft deterrent system
The  alarm  uses  light  and  sound  to  give  an  alert  when  an  intrusion  is
detected.
The  alarm  is  triggered  in  the  following  situations  when  the  alarm  is
set:
●A  locked  door  is  unlocked  or  opened  in  any  way  other  than  using
the entry function, wireless remote control or mechanical key. (The
doors will lock again automatically.)
●The trunk is opened in any way other than using the entry function
or wireless remote control.
●The hood is opened.
Close  the  doors,  trunk  and  hood,
and lock all the doors. The system
will  be  set  automatically  after  30
seconds.
The  indicator  light  changes  from
being  on  to  flashing  when  the  sys-
tem is set.
Do one of the following to deactivate or stop the alarm:
●Unlock the doors.
●Open the trunk using the entry function or wireless remote control.
●Turn the engine switch to ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode, or
start  the  engine.  (The  alarm  will  be  deactivated  or  stopped  after  a
few seconds.)
Alar m
The alarm
Setting the alarm system
Deactivating or stopping the alarm 
Page 139 of 548
1393-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors
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Operation of each component
●The  lock  sensor  may  not  work  properly  if  it  comes  into  contact with  ice,
snow, mud, etc. Clean the lock sensor and attempt to operate it again.
●A  sudden  approach  to  the  effective  range  or  door  handle  may  prevent  the
doors from being unlocked. In this case, return the door handle to the origi-
nal position and check that the doors unlock before pulling the door handle
again.
●If  there  is  another  electronic  key  in  the  detection  area,  it  may  take  slightly
longer to unlock the doors after the door handle is gripped.
●Fingernails  may  scrape  against  the  door  during  operation  of  the  door  han-
dle. Be careful not to injure fingernails or damage the surface of the door.
*: This setting can be customized at your Toyota dealer.
■When the vehicle is not driven for extended periods
●To prevent theft of the vehicle, do not leave the electronic key within 6 ft. (2
m) of the vehicle.
●The smart key system can be deactivated in advance. (P. 505)
●Setting  the  electronic  key  to  battery-saving  mode  helps  to  reduce  key  bat-
tery depletion. (P. 137)
■To operate the system properly
Make sure to carry the electronic key when operating the system. Do not get
the electronic key too close to the vehicle when operating the system from the
outside of the vehicle.
Depending on the position and holding condition of the electronic key, the key
may not be detected correctly and the system may not operate properly. (The
alarm  may  go  off  accidentally,  or  the  door  lock  prevention  function  may  not
operate.)
■If the smart key system does not operate properly
●Locking and unlocking the doors and opening the trunk: Use the mechanical
key. (P. 463)
●Starting the engine: P. 464
■Customization
Some functions can be customized. (P. 505)
■If the smart key system has been deactivated in a customized setting
●Locking and unlocking the doors and opening the trunk:
Use the wireless remote control or mechanical key. (P. 125, 131, 463)
●Starting the engine and changing engine switch modes: P. 464
●Stopping the engine: P. 184 
Page 161 of 548
1613-5. Opening and closing the windows
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Operation of each component
■When the window cannot be opened or closed
When  the  jam  protection  function  or  catch  protection  function  operates
unusually and the door window cannot be opened or closed, perform the fol-
lowing operations with the power window switch of that door.
●Stop  the  vehicle.  With  the  engine  switch  in  IGNITION  ON  mode,  within  4
seconds  of  the  jam  protection  function  or  catch  protection  function  activat-
ing, continuously operate the power window switch in the one-touch closing
direction  or  one-touch  opening  direction  so  that  the  door  window  can  be
opened and closed.
●If the door window cannot be opened and closed even when performing the
above operations, perform the following procedure for function initialization.
Turn the engine switch to IGNITION ON mode.
Pull and hold the power window switch in the one-touch closing direction
and completely close the door window.
Release  the  power  window  switch  for  a  moment,  resume  pulling  the
switch  in  the  one-touch  closing  direction,  and  hold  it  there  for  approxi-
mately 6 seconds or more.
Press and hold the power window switch in the one-touch opening direc-
tion.  After  the  door  window  is  completely  opened,  continue  holding  the
switch for an additional 1 second or more.
Release  the  power  window  switch  for  a  moment,  resume  pushing  the
switch  in  the  one-touch  opening  direction,  and  hold  it  there  for  approxi-
mately 4 seconds or more.
Pull and hold the power window switch in the one-touch closing direction
again. After  the  door  window  is  completely  closed,  continue  holding  the
switch for a further 1 second or more.
If  you  release  the  switch  while  the  window  is  moving,  start  again  from  the
beginning.
If the window reverses and cannot be fully closed or opened, have the vehicle
inspected by your Toyota dealer.
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1704-1. Before driving
P.   1 8 4
With the brake pedal depressed, shift the shift lever to D. 
(P. 189)
Release the parking brake. (P.   1 9 7 )
Gradually release the brake pedal and gently depress the accelera-
tor pedal to accelerate the vehicle.
With the shift lever in D, depress the brake pedal.
If necessary, set the parking brake.
If the vehicle is to be stopped for an extended period of time, shift the shift
lever to P or N. (P. 189)
With the shift lever in D, depress the brake pedal.
Set the parking brake (P. 196), and shift the shift lever to P (P.
189).
Press the engine switch to stop the engine.
Lock the door, making sure that you have the key on your person.
If parking on a hill, block the wheels as needed.
Make sure that the parking brake is set and shift the shift lever to D.
Gently depress the accelerator pedal.
Release the parking brake.
Driving the vehicle
The  following  procedures  should be  observed  to  ensure  safe
driving: 
Starting the engine
Driving
Stopping
Parking the vehicle
Starting off on a steep uphill
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1714-1. Before driving
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Driving
■When starting off on a uphill
The hill-start assist control will activate. (P. 309)
■Driving in the rain
●Drive carefully when it is raining, because visibility will be reduced, the win-
dows may become fogged-up, and the road will be slippery.
●Drive carefully when it starts to rain, because the road surface will be espe-
cially slippery.
●Refrain  from  high  speeds  when  driving  on  an  expressway  in  the  rain,
because there may be  a layer of  water  between the tires  and  the road sur-
face, preventing the steering and brakes from operating properly.
■Engine speed while driving
In the following conditions, the engine speed may become high while driving.
This is due to automatic up-shifting control or down-shifting implementation to
meet driving conditions. It does not indicate sudden acceleration.
●The vehicle is judged to be driving uphill or downhill
●When the accelerator pedal is released
■Restraining the engine output (Brake Override System)
●When the accelerator and brake pedals are depressed at the same time, the
engine output may be restrained.
●A  warning  message  is  displayed  on  the  multi-information  display while the
system is operating.
■Restraining sudden start (Drive-Start Control)
●When  the following  unusual operation is performed,  the  engine  output  may
be restrained.
• When the shift lever is shifted from R to D, D to R, N to R, P to D, or P to
R  (D  includes  S)  with  the  accelerator  pedal  depressed,  a  warning  mes-
sage appears on the multi-information display.
• When the accelerator pedal is depressed too much while the vehicle is in
reverse.
●While  Drive-Start  Control  is  being  activated,  your  vehicle  may have  trouble
escaping from the mud or fresh snow. In such case, deactivate TRAC (P.
311)  to  cancel  Drive-Start  Control  so  that  the  vehicle  may  become  able  to
escape from the mud or fresh snow.
■Breaking in your new Toyota
To extend the life of the vehicle, observing the following precautions is recom-
mended:
●For the first 186 miles (300 km):
Avoid sudden stops.
●For the first 621 miles (1000 km):
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive continuously in low gears.
• Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods. 
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1734-1. Before driving
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Driving
WARNING
Observe the following precautions. 
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When starting the vehicle
Always  keep  your  foot  on  the  brake  pedal  while  stopped  with  the  engine
running. This prevents the vehicle from creeping.
■When driving the vehicle
●Do not drive if you are unfamiliar with the location of the brake and accel-
erator pedals to avoid depressing the wrong pedal. 
• Accidentally  depressing  the  accelerator  pedal  instead  of  the  brake
pedal will result in sudden acceleration that may lead to an accident.
• When  backing  up,  you  may  twist  your  body  around,  leading  to  a diffi-
culty in operating the pedals. Make sure to operate the pedals properly.
• Make  sure  to  keep  a  correct  driving  posture  even  when  moving  the
vehicle only slightly. This allows you to depress the brake and accelera-
tor pedals properly.
• Depress  the  brake  pedal  using  your  right  foot.  Depressing  the brake
pedal using your left foot may delay response in an emergency, result-
ing in an accident.
●Do not drive the vehicle over or stop the vehicle near flammable materials.
The  exhaust  system  and  exhaust  gases  can  be  extremely  hot. These  hot
parts may cause a fire if there is any flammable material nearby.
●During  normal  driving,  do  not  turn  off  the  engine.  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. 
However, in  the  event of  an emergency, such  as if  it becomes  impossible
to stop the vehicle in the normal way: P. 425
●Use  engine  braking  (downshift)  to  maintain  a  safe  speed  when  driving
down a steep hill. 
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose
effectiveness. (P. 190)
●Do  not adjust  the display, the  positions  of  the steering  wheel, the  seat, or
the inside or outside rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control.
●Always check that all passengers’ arms, heads or other parts of their body
are not outside the vehicle.
●AWD models: Do not drive the vehicle off-road.
This is not an AWD  vehicle designed  for  off-road driving.  Proceed with  all
due caution if it becomes unavoidable to drive off-road.