TOYOTA AVALON HYBRID 2020 Owners Manual (in English)

3214-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
Normal mode
Use for normal driving.
While in Eco drive mode or Sport mode, press the “NORMAL” switch to
change the driving mode to normal mode.
Eco drive mode
Use Eco drive mode to help achieve low fuel consumption during
trips that involve frequent accelerating.
When the “ECO” switch is pressed, the “ECO MODE” indicator comes on
in the multi-information display.
Sport mode
Use sport mode when increased acceleration response and precise
handling is desired, for exampl e, when driving on mountain road s.
When the “SPORT” switch is pressed, the “SPORT” indicator comes on in
the multi-information display.
Driving mode select switches
The driving modes can be select ed to suit driving condition.
1
2
3

3224-5. Using the driving support systems
■Operation of the air conditioning system in Eco drive mode
Eco drive mode controls the heating/cooling operations and fan speed of the
air conditioning system to enhance fuel efficiency ( P. 338). To improve air
conditioning performance, adjust the fan speed or turn off Eco drive mode.
■ Auto Glide Control
When Auto Glide Control operates, the AGC indicator light will illuminate.
● Auto Glide Control may not operate in the following situations:
• When the brake pedal is depressed
• When a shift position other than D is selected
• When the vehicle speed is approximately 10 mph (15 km/h) or lo wer
• When the vehicle is accelerating on a downward slope
• When the PCS (Pre-Collision System) is operating
• When the dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed range is operating
• When the Intelligent Clearance Sonar system is operating
• When the TRAC or VSC system is operating
• When the TRAC or VSC system is disabled by pressing the VSC OF F
switch
■ Sport mode automatic deactivation
Sport mode is automatically deactivated if the power switch is turned off after
driving in sport mode. ● While driving in Eco drive mode with D
selected, releasing the accelerator
pedal will activate Auto Glide Control
under certain conditions. (Auto Glide
Control may activate before the acceler-
ator pedal is fully released.)
When Auto Glide Control operates, the
electric motor (traction motor) will be
controlled, reducing the deceleration
force and allowing the vehicle to coast,
enhancing fuel economy.

3234-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
◆ECB (Electronically Controlled Brake System)
The electronically controlled system generates braking force corre-
sponding to the brake operation
◆ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenl y,
or if the brakes are applied while driving on a slippery road surface
◆Brake assist
Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake p edal
is depressed when the system de tects a panic stop situation
◆VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to control skidding when swerving suddenly or
turning on slippery road surfaces.
◆Enhanced VSC (Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control)
Provides cooperative control of the ABS, TRAC, VSC and EPS.
Helps to maintain directional stability when swerving on slippe ry
road surfaces by controlling steering performance.
◆TRAC (Traction Control)
Helps to maintain drive power and prevent the drive wheels from
spinning when starting the vehicl e or accelerating on slippery roads
◆Hill-start assist control
Helps to reduce the backward movement of the vehicle when start -
ing on an uphill
Driving assist systems
To keep driving safety and perf ormance, the following systems
operate automatically in respon se to various driving situations.
Be aware, however, that these systems are supplementary and
should not be relied upon too heav ily when operating the vehi-
cle.

3244-5. Using the driving support systems
◆EPS (Electric Power Steering)
Employs an electric motor to reduce the amount of effort needed to
turn the steering wheel
◆The Secondary Collision Brake
When the SRS airbag sensor detects a collision and the system
operates, the brakes and stop li ghts are automatically controlled to
reduce the vehicle speed and hel p reduce the possibility of further
damage due to a secondary collision.
The slip indicator light will flash
while the TRAC/VSC/ABS sys-
tems are operating.
If the vehicle gets stuck in mud, dirt or snow, the TRAC system may
reduce power from the hybrid sys tem to the wheels. Pressing to
turn the system off may make it easier for you to rock the vehicle in
order to free it.
To turn the TRAC system off,
quickly press and release .
The “Traction Control Turned Off”
will be shown on the multi-informa-
tion display.
Press again to turn the sys-
tem back on.
When the TRAC/VSC/ABS systems are operating
Disabling the TRAC system

3254-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
■Turning off both TRAC and VSC systems
To turn the TRAC and VSC systems off, press and hold for more than 3
seconds while the vehicle is stopped.
The VSC OFF indicator light will come on and the “Traction Cont rol Turned
Off” will be shown on the multi-information display
*.
Press again to turn the system back on.
*: Pre-collision brake assist and pre-collision braking will also be disabled. The PCS warning light will come o n and the message will be shown on the
multi-information display. ( P. 252)
■ When the message is displayed on the multi-information display show-
ing that TRAC has been disabled even if has not been pressed
TRAC is temporary deactivated. If the information continues to show, contact
your Toyota dealer.
■ Operating conditions of hill-start assist control
When the following four conditions are met, the hill-start assi st control will
operate:
● The shift lever is in a position other than P or N (when starting off forward/
backward on an upward incline)
● The vehicle is stopped
● The accelerator pedal is not depressed
● The parking brake is not engaged
■ Automatic system cancelation of hill-start assist control
The hill-start assist control will turn off in any of the follo wing situations:
● The shift lever is shifted to P or N
● The accelerator pedal is depressed
● The parking brake is engaged
● 2 seconds at maximum elapsed after the brake pedal is released

3264-5. Using the driving support systems
■Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, brake assist, VSC, TRAC,
and hill-start assist control systems
● A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the brake pedal
is depressed repeatedly, when the hybrid system is started or just after the
vehicle begins to move. This sound does not indicate that a mal function has
occurred in any of these systems.
● Any of the following conditions may occur when the above system s are
operating. None of these indicates that a malfunction has occur red.
• Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
• A motor sound may be heard also after the vehicle comes to a s top.
■ ECB brake operation
Braking power may be stronger than normal for a short time afte r the hybrid
system is started.
■ ECB operating sound
ECB operating sound may be heard in the following cases, but it does not
indicate that a malfunction has occurred.
● Operating sound heard from the engine compartment when the brak e pedal
is operated.
● Motor sound of the brake system heard from the front part of th e vehicle
when the driver’s door is opened.
● Operating sound heard from the engine compartment when one or t wo min-
utes passed after the stop of the hybrid system.
■ EPS operation sound
When the steering wheel is operated, a motor sound (whirring so und) may be
heard. This does not indicate a malfunction.

3274-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
■Automatic reactivation of TRAC and VSC systems
After turning the TRAC and VSC systems off, the systems will be automati-
cally re-enabled in the following situations:
● When the power switch is turned off
● If only the TRAC system is turned off, the TRAC will turn on wh en vehicle
speed increases
If both the TRAC and VSC systems are turned off, automatic re-e nabling will
not occur when vehicle speed increases
■ Secondary Collision Brake operating conditions
The system operates when the SRS airbag sensor detects a collis ion while
the vehicle is in motion.
However, the system does not operate in any of the following si tuations.
● The vehicle speed is below 6 mph (10 km/h)
● Components are damaged
■ Secondary Collision Brake automatic cancellation
The system is automatically canceled in any of the following si tuations.
● The vehicle speed drops below approximately 6 mph (10 km/h)
● A certain amount of time elapses during operation
● The accelerator pedal is depressed a large amount
■ Reduced effectiveness of the EPS system
The effectiveness of the EPS system is reduced to prevent the s ystem from
overheating when there is frequent steering input over an exten ded period of
time. The steering wheel may feel heavy as a result. Should thi s occur, refrain
from excessive steering input or stop the vehicle and turn the hybrid system
off. The EPS system should return to normal within 10 minutes.

3284-5. Using the driving support systems
WARNING
■The ABS does not operate effectively when
● The limits of tire gripping performance have been exceeded (suc h as
excessively worn tires on a snow covered road).
● The vehicle hydroplanes while driving at high speed on wet or s lick roads.
■ Stopping distance when the ABS is operating may exceed that of nor-
mal conditions
The ABS is not designed to shorten the vehicle’s stopping distance. Always
maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you, espe cially in the
following situations:
● When driving on dirt, gravel or snow-covered roads
● When driving with tire chains
● When driving over bumps in the road
● When driving over roads with potholes or uneven surfaces
■ TRAC/VSC may not operate effectively when
Directional control and power may not be achievable while driving on slip-
pery road surfaces, even if the TRAC/VSC system is operating.
Drive the vehicle carefully in conditions where stability and p ower may be
lost.
■ Hill- start assist control does not operate effectively when
● Do not overly rely on hill-start assist control. Hill-start ass ist control may
not operate effectively on steep inclines and roads covered wit h ice.
● Unlike the parking brake, hill-st art assist control is not intended to hold the
vehicle stationary for an extended period of time. Do not attempt to use
hill-start assist control to hold the vehicle on an incline, as doing so may
lead to an accident.
■ When the TRAC/ABS/VSC is activated
The slip indicator light flashes. Always drive carefully. Reckless driving may
cause an accident. Exercise particular care when the indicator light flashes.
■ When the TRAC/VSC systems are turned off
Be especially careful and drive at a speed appropriate to the r oad condi-
tions. As these are the systems to help ensure vehicle stabilit y and driving
force, do not turn the TRAC/VSC systems off unless necessary.

3294-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
WARNING
■Replacing tires
Make sure that all tires are of the specified size, brand, trea d pattern and
total load capacity. In addition, make sure that the tires are inflated to the
recommended tire inflation pressure level.
The ABS, TRAC and VSC systems will not function correctly if di fferent tires
are installed on the vehicle.
Contact your Toyota dealer for further information when replaci ng tires or
wheels.
■ Handling of tires and the suspension
Using tires with any kind of problem or modifying the suspensio n will affect
the driving assist systems, and may cause a system to malfuncti on.
■ Secondary Collision Brake
Do not rely solely upon the Secondary Collision Brake. This sys tem is
designed to help reduce the possibility of further damage due t o a second-
ary collision, however, that effect changes according to variou s conditions.
Overly relying on the system may result in death or serious inj ury.

3304-6. Driving tips
◆Using Eco drive mode
When using Eco drive mode, the torque corresponding to the accel-
erator pedal depression amount can be generated more smoothly
than it is in normal conditions. In addition, the operation of the air
conditioning system (heating/coo ling) will be minimized, improving
the fuel economy. ( P. 321)
◆Use of Hybrid System Indicator
The Eco-friendly driving is possible by keeping the needle of H ybrid
System Indicator within Eco area. ( P. 100)
◆Shift lever operation
Shift the shift lever to D when stopped at a traffic light, or driving in
heavy traffic etc. Shift the shift lever to P when parking. When using
the N, there is no positive effe ct on fuel consumption. In the N, the
gasoline engine operates but e lectricity cannot be generated. A lso,
when using the air conditioning s ystem, etc., the hybrid battery
(traction battery) power is consumed.
◆Accelerator pedal/brake pedal operation
● Drive your vehicle smoothly. Avoid abrupt acceleration and
deceleration. Gradual accelerat ion and deceleration will make
more effective use of the electric motor (traction motor) witho ut
having to use gaso line engine power.
● Avoid repeated acceleration. Repeated acceleration consumes
hybrid battery (tracti on battery) power, resulting in poor fuel con-
sumption. Battery power can be restored by driving with the
accelerator pedal slightly released.
Hybrid vehicle driving tips
For economical and ecological dri ving, pay attention to the fol-
lowing points: