TOYOTA AVALON HYBRID 2022 Owners Manual
Page 191 of 584
1914-1. Before driving
4
Driving
WARNING
Observe the following precautions. 
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■If you hear a squealing or scraping noise (brake pad wear limit indica-
tors)
Have the brake pads checked and replaced by your Toyota dealer  as soon
as possible. 
Rotor damage may result if the pads are not replaced when neede d.
It  is  dangerous  to  drive  the  vehicle  when  the  wear  limits  of  the  brake  pads
and/or those of the brake discs are exceeded.
■ When the vehicle is stopped
● Do not depress the accelerator pedal unnecessarily.
If the shift lever is in any position other than P or N, the vehicle may accel-
erate suddenly and unexpectedly, causing an accident.
● In order to prevent accidents due to the vehicle rolling away,  always keep
depressing  the  brake  pedal  while  stopped  with  the  “READY”  indicator  is
illuminated, and apply the parking brake as necessary.
● If the vehicle is stopped on an incline, in order to prevent ac cidents caused
by the vehicle rolling forward or backward, always depress the  brake pedal
and securely apply the parking brake as needed.
● Avoid revving or racing the engine. 
Running the engine at high speed while the vehicle is stopped may cause
the exhaust system to overheat, which could result in a fire if combustible
material is nearby.
■ When the vehicle is parked
● Do  not  leave  glasses,  cigarette  lighters,  spray  cans,  or  soft  drink  cans  in
the vehicle when it is in the sun.
Doing so may result in the following:
• Gas  may  leak  from  a  cigarette  lighter  or  spray  can,  and  may  le ad  to  a
fire.
• The  temperature  inside  the  vehicle  may  cause  the  plastic  lenses  and
plastic material of glasses to deform or crack.
• Soft  drink  cans  may  fracture,  causing  the  contents  to  spray  ov er  the
interior of the vehicle, and may also cause a short circuit in the vehicle’s
electrical components.
● Do  not  leave  cigarette  lighters  in  the  vehicle.  If  a  cigarette  lighter  is  in  a
place such as the glove box or on the floor, it may be lit accidentally when
luggage is loaded or the seat is adjusted, causing a fire.
● Do  not  attach  adhesive  discs  to  the  windshield  or  windows.  Do  not  place
containers  such  as  air  fresheners  on  the  instrument  panel  or  da shboard.
Adhesive discs or containers may act as lenses, causing a fire  in the vehi-
cle. 
Page 192 of 584
1924-1. Before driving
WARNING
Observe the following precautions. 
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When the vehicle is parked
● Do  not  leave  a  door  or  window  open  if  the  curved  glass  is  coated  with  a
metallized film such as a silver-colored one. Reflected sunligh t may cause
the glass to act as a lens, causing a fire.
● Always  apply  the  parking  brake,  shift  the  shift  lever  to  P,  stop  the  hybrid
system and lock the vehicle.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended while the “READY” indicator is illumi-
nated. 
If the vehicle is parked with the shift lever in P but the park ing brake is not
set, the vehicle may start to move, possibly leading to an accident.
● Do not touch the exhaust pipes while the “READY” indicator is illuminated
or immediately after turning the hybrid system off.
Doing so may cause burns.
■ When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always  turn  the  hybrid  system  off.  Otherwise,  if  you  accidentally  move  the
shift lever or depress the accelerator pedal, this could cause an accident or
fire due to hybrid system overheating. Additionally, if the veh icle is parked in
a  poorly  ventilated  area,  exhaust  gases  may  collect  and  enter  the  vehicle,
leading to death or a serious health hazard.
■ When braking
● When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously.
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and this may cause
one  side  of  the  vehicle  to  brake  differently  than  the  other  side. Also,  the
parking brake may not securely hold the vehicle.
● If  the  electronically  controlled  brake  system  does  not  operate,  do  not  fol-
low other vehicles closely and avoid hills or sharp turns that  require brak-
ing.
In  this  case,  braking  is  still  possible,  but  the  brake  pedal  should  be
depressed more firmly than usual. Also, the braking distance will increase.
Have your brakes fixed immediately.
● The  brake  system  consists  of  2  or  more  individual  hydraulic  systems;  if
one  of  the  systems  fails,  the  other(s)  will  still  operate.  In  this  case,  the
brake  pedal  should  be  depressed  more  firmly  than  usual  and  the  braking
distance will increase. Have your brakes fixed immediately.  
Page 193 of 584
1934-1. Before driving
4
Driving
NOTICE
■When driving the vehicle
● Do not depress the accelerator and brake pedals at the same tim e during
driving, as this may restrain the hybrid system output.
● Do  not  use  the  accelerator  pedal  or  depress  the  accelerator  and  brake
pedals at the same time to hold the vehicle on a hill.
■ When parking the vehicle
Always  set  the  parking  brake  and  shift  the  shift  lever  to  P.  Failure  to  do  so
may  cause  the  vehicle  to  move  or  the  vehicle  may  accelerate  sud denly  if
the accelerator pedal is accidentally depressed.
■ Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
● Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and ho ld it there for
an extended period of time. 
Doing so may damage the power steering motor.
● When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid
damaging the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.
■ If you get a flat tire while driving 
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering
wheel firmly  and  gradually  depress  the  brake  pedal to  slow  down  the  vehi-
cle.
● It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
● The vehicle will make abnormal sounds or vibrations.
● The vehicle will lean abnormally.
Information on what to do in case of a flat tire ( P. 494)
■ When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. D oing so may
cause the following serious damage to the vehicle:
● Engine stalling
● Short in electrical components
● Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle i s flooded, be
sure to have your Toyota dealer check the following:
● Brake function
● Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, hybrid
transmission, etc.
● Lubricant  condition  for  the  bearings  and  suspension  joints  (where  possi-
ble), and the function of all joints, bearings, etc. 
Page 194 of 584
1944-1. Before driving
Cargo capacity depends on the total weight of the occupants. 
(Cargo capacity) = (Total load capacity) — (Total weight of occ upants)
Steps for Determining  Correct Load Limit —
(1) Locate  the  statement  “The  co mbined  weight  of  occupants  and
cargo  should  never  exceed  XXX  kg  or  XXX  lbs.”  on  your  vehicle’s
placard. 
(2) Determine  the  combined  weight  of  the  driver  and  passengers  t hat
will be riding in your vehicle. 
(3) Subtract  the  combined  weight  of  the  driver  and  passengers  fr om
XXX kg or XXX lbs.
(4) The  resulting  figure  equals  the  available  amount  of  cargo  an d  lug-
gage load capacity. 
For example, if the “XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs. and there wil l be
five  150  lb  passengers  in  your  vehicle,  the  amount  of  available
cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400   750 (5150) =
650 lbs.) 
(5) Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loa ded
on  the  vehicle.  That  weight  may  n ot  safely  exceed the  available
cargo and luggage load capac ity calculated in Step 4. 
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your tra iler  will  be
transferred  to  your  vehicle.  Consult  this  manual  to  determine  h ow
this reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of y our
vehicle.
(  P. 197)
Toyota  does  not  recommend  towing  a  trailer  with  your  vehicle.  Y our
vehicle is not desig ned for trailer towing.
Cargo and luggage
Take  notice  of  the  following  information  about  storage  precau-
tions, cargo capacity and load:
Capacity and distribution 
Page 195 of 584
1954-1. Before driving
4
Driving
Cargo capacity
Total  load  capacity  (vehicle
capacity weight) (P. 524)
When  2  people  with  the  combined  weight  of  A  lb.  (kg)  are  riding  in
your vehicle, which has a total load capacity (vehicle capacity weight)
of B lb. (kg), the available amount of cargo and luggage load c apacity
will be C lb. (kg) as follows: 
B
*2 lb. (kg) - A*1 lb. (kg) = C*3 lb. (kg)
*1: A =Weight of people 
*2: B =Total load capacity 
*3: C =Available cargo and luggage load
In  this  condition,  if  3  more  passengers  with  the  combined  weigh t  of  D
lb. (kg) get on, the available  cargo and luggage load will be r educed E
lb. (kg) as follows:
C lb. (kg) - D*4 lb. (kg) = E*5 lb. (kg)
*4: D =Additional we ight of people 
*5: E =Available cargo and luggage load
As  shown  in  the  example  above,  if  the  number  of  occupants
increases, the cargo and luggage load will be reduced  by an  amo unt
that  equals  the  increased  weight  due  to  the  additional  occupant s.  In
other  words,  if  an  increase  in  the  number  of  occupants  causes  a n
excess of the total load capacity  (combined weight of  occupants plus
cargo and luggage load), you must reduce the cargo and luggage  on
your vehicle. 
Calculation formul a for your vehicle
1
2 
Page 196 of 584
1964-1. Before driving
WARNING
■Things that must not be carried in the trunk
The following things may cause a fire if loaded in the trunk:
●Receptacles containing gasoline
●Aerosol cans
■Storage precautions
Observe the following precautions. 
Failure to do so may prevent the pedals from being depressed pr operly,
may block the driver’s vision, or may result in items hitting t he driver or
passengers, possibly causing an accident.
●Stow cargo and luggage in the trunk whenever possible.
●To  prevent  cargo  and  luggage  from  sliding  forward  during  brakin g,  do
not stack anything in the enlarged trunk. Keep cargo and luggag e low,
as close to the floor as possible.
●Do not place cargo or luggage in  or on the following locations.
• At the feet of the driver
• On the front passenger or rea r seats (when stacking items)
• On the package tray
• On the instrument panel
• On the dashboard
• Tray that has no lid
●Secure all items in the occupant compartment.
●When  you  fold  down  the  rear  seats,  long  items  should  not  be  pla ced
directly behind the front seats.
●Never allow anyone to ride in the enlarged trunk. It is not designed for
passengers. They  should  ride  in  their  seats  with  their  seat  bel ts  prop-
erly fastened.
■Capacity and distribution
●Do  not  exceed  the  maximum  axle  weight  rating  or  the  total  vehic le
weight rating. 
●Even  if  the  total  load  of  occupant's  weight  and  the  cargo  load  is  less
than  the  total  load  capacity,  do  not  apply  the  load  unevenly.  I mproper
loading  may  cause  deterioration  of  steering  or  braking  control  which
may cause death or  serious injury. 
Page 197 of 584
1974-1. Before driving
4
Driving
◆Total load capacity (vehicle capacity weight): (P. 524)
Total load capacity means the co mbined weight of occupants, cargo
and luggage. 
◆Seating capacity: ( P. 524)
Seating capacity means the max imum 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 inform ation label.
(  P. 449)
Vehicle load limits
Vehicle  load  limits  include  total  load  capacity,  seating  capaci t y,
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.  
Page 198 of 584
1984-1. 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,  bi cy-
cle, etc. Your vehicle is not des igned for trailer towing or for the
use of tow hitch  mounted carriers. 
Page 199 of 584
1994-1. 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. 
Page 200 of 584
2004-2. 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 displ ay. 
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 “R EADY” indicator is illuminated.
The vehicle will not move when the “READY” indicator is off.
Stop the vehicle completely.
Set the parking brake ( P. 216), 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  opera tions  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