automatic transmission TOYOTA AVALON 2006 XX30 / 3.G Owners Manual

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1. Side vents
2. Side defroster outlets
3. Instrument cluster
4. Center cluster
5. Garage door opener switches
6. Auxiliary boxes
7. Front personal lights, interior lightand/or electric moon roof switches
8. Center vents
9. Glove box
10. Power door lock switches
11. Power window switches
12. Trunk opener main switch
13. Rear console box
14. Rear vents
15. Power outlets
16. Seat ventilator/heater switches
17. Cup holder
18. Automatic transmission selector lever
19. Hood lock release lever
20. Parking brake pedal
21. Window lock switch
22. Driving position memory switches
Instrument panel overview
 View A

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1. Engine coolant temperature gauge
2. Service reminder indicators andindicator lights
3. Tachometer
4. Speedometer 5. Fuel gauge
6. Low fuel level warning light
7. Trip meter reset knob
8. Odometer and two trip meters
9. Automatic transmission shift range
position display
10. Dynamic laser cruise control display
11. Dynamic laser cruise control master warning light
Instrument cluster overview

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∗1: For details, see “Service reminder indicators and warning
buzzers” on page 145 in Section 1 −6.
∗
2: If this light flashes, see “Cruise control” on page 169 in
Section 1 −7.
∗
3: If this light flashes, see “Dynamic laser cruise control” on
page 172 in Section 1 −7.
Turn signal indicator lights
Slip indicator/traction control system off light
Cruise control indicator light∗
2 or dynamic laser
cruise control indicator light∗ 3
Automatic transmission indicator lights Headlight high beam indicator light
Tail light indicator light
Dynamic laser cruise control ready mode
indicator light
Conventional cruise control mode indicator light

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If all the doors are closed and the ignition
switch is set at ACC, the ignition switch
light and interior light will fade out.
If all the doors are locked, all the lights
will fade out.
When the transmission selector lever is
placed out of the “P” position with the
ignition switch is set at ON, the exterior
foot lights will fade out.
To prevent the battery being discharged,
all of the lights will automatically turn off
the key removed (vehicles with key cylin-
der−type ignition switch) or the ignition is
turned off (vehicles with smart key sys-
tem), and the door is left opened for
about 20 minutes.
CENTER CONSOLE ILLUMINATION
The center console illumination comes on
when the ignition switch is set at ACC or
ON.
ILLUMINATIONS OF ENTRY FUNCTION
(vehicles with smart key system)
The interior light and exterior foot lights
come on and remain on for about 15 sec-
onds when you carry the registered key
into the entry function actuation area. For
further information of entry function actua-
tion area, see “Smart key system” on
page 27 in Section 1 −2.
To turn on the windshield wipers, move
the lever to the desired setting.
The ignition switch must be set at ON.
Lever position
Operation
Position 1Intermittent operation
Position 2Low speed operation
Position 3High speed operation
Position 4Single sweep operation
Position 5Washer on
Rotating the band on the lever lets you
adjust the wiper time interval when the
wiper lever is in the intermittent position
(position 1). Twist the band upward to
increase the time between sweeps, and
downward to decrease it.
When the lever is set to the intermittent
position (position 1), the wipers move ac-
cording to the vehicle speed. The higher
the vehicle speed is, the shorter the inter-
mittent time becomes.
When the lever is in the position 2, the
wipers operate at low speed while the
vehicle is moving and, when it stops, they
switch to intermittent operation. If the le-
ver is shifted “LO” position while the ve-
hicle is stopped, the wiper will begin to
work in intermittent operation after a cou-
ple of wipes at low speed.
This feature can be deactivated. For de-
tails, ask your Toyota dealer.
As soon as the vehicle starts to move,
the wiper will operate once to clear the
driver’s front view if it is set to “INT”.
Windshield wipers and washer
(intermittent operation type)

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(f) Malfunction Indicator Lamp
This lamp comes on when the ignition
switch is set at ON and goes off after
the engine starts. This means that the
warning light system is operating prop-
erly.
If the lamp remains on, or the lamp
comes on while driving, first check the
followings.
Empty fuel tank
If the fuel tank is empty, refuel immedi-
ately.
Loose fuel tank cap
If the fuel tank cap is loose, securely
tighten it.
These cases are temporary malfunctions.
The malfunction indicator lamp will go off
after taking several driving trips.
If the lamp does not go off even after
several trips, contact your Toyota dealer
as soon as possible. If the fuel tank is not empty or the fuel
tank cap is not loose...
There is a problem somewhere in the
engine, emission control system, elec-
tronic throttle control system, automatic
transmission electrical system or warn-
ing light system itself.
Contact your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible to service the vehicle.
If engine speed does not increase when
the accelerator pedal is depressed, there
may be a problem somewhere in the elec-
tronic throttle control system.
At this time, vibration may occur. Howev-
er, if you depress the accelerator pedal
more firmly and slowly, you can drive your
vehicle at low speeds. Have your vehicle
checked by your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible.
Even if the abnormality of the electronic
throttle control system is corrected during
low speed driving, the system may not be
recovered until the engine is stopped and
the engine off.
CAUTION
Be especially careful to prevent erro-
neous pedal operation.
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
(I/M) programs
Your vehicle may not pass a state
emission inspection if the malfunction
indicator lamp remains on. Contact your
Toyota dealer to check your vehicle’s
emission control system and OBD
(On −Board Diagnostics) system before
taking your vehicle for the inspection.
For details, see “Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance (I/M) programs” on page 340
in Section 6.
(g) Low Fuel Level Warning Light
This light comes on when the fuel level
in the tank becomes nearly empty. Fill up
the tank as soon as possible.
On inclines or curves, due to the move-
ment of fuel in the tank, the low fuel level
warning light may come on earlier than
usual.

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OPERATION OF INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLS
Ignition switch, Transmission and Parking brake
Ignition switch158
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Automatic transmission 161
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.
Traction control system 165
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. .
Vehicle stability control system 167
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Parking brake 169
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Cruise control 169
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Dynamic laser cruise control 172
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SECTION 1 7

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Your automatic transmission has a shift
lock system to minimize the possibility of
incorrect operation. This means you can
only shift out of “P” position when the
brake pedal is depressed (with the ignition
switch is set at ON).
(a) Selector lever
The shift position is also displayed on the
instrument cluster.
P:Parking, engine starting and
key removal
R: Reverse
N: Neutral
D: Normal driving (shifting into overdrive)
Sequential position: “S” mode driving
+: Upshift range
: Downshift range
Automatic transmission
Shift with the brake pedal
depressed.
(The ignition switch must be
set at ON.)
Shift normally.
To select sequential position or
“D”, lean the selector lever
leftward or rightward. “D” position
Sequential
position
Selector lever

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(b) Normal driving1. Start the engine as instructed in “How to start the engine” on page 290 in
Section 3. The transmission must be in
“P” or “N”.
2. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the selector lever to “D”.
When the lever is in the “D” position, the
automatic transmission system will select
the most suitable gear for running condi-
tions such as normal cruising, hill climb-
ing, hard towing, etc.
Always use the “D” position for better fuel
economy and quieter driving. In this posi-
tion, shifting into the overdrive gear is
possible. If the engine coolant temperature
is low, the transmission will not shift into
the overdrive gear even in the “D” posi-
tion.
CAUTION
Never put your foot on the accelera-
tor pedal while shifting.
3. Release the parking brake and brake pedal. Depress the accelerator pedal
slowly for smooth starting. (c) Driving in “S” mode
To select the “S” mode, put the selec-
tor lever in the sequential position.
In the “S” mode, you can change the
shift range position. The shift range
position can be switched between 5
(fifth range) and 1 (first range) by
pushing the selector lever forward to-
wards “+” or pulling back towards “”.
When the selector lever is moved into
the “S” mode, the initial shift range
position is 4 (fourth range).
The “S” mode indicator light and the cur-
rent shift range position are shown on the
instrument cluster.
1: Upshift range
2: Downshift range

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Shift range positions
“5” (Fifth range):
The most suitable gear is selected au-
tomatically between first and overdrive
(fifth) gears according to the vehicle
speed or driving conditions.
“4” (Fourth range):
The most suitable gear is selected au-
tomatically between first and fourth
gears according to the vehicle speed
or driving conditions. Slight engine
braking will be obtained on a downhill
road. Smooth running with less shifting
will be obtained on an uphill road.
“3” (Third range):
The most suitable gear is selected au-
tomatically between first and third
gears according to the vehicle speed
or driving conditions. This range is to
be used when stronger engine braking
is necessary.
“2” (Second range):
First or second gear will be selected
automatically according to the vehicle
speed or driving conditions. This range
is to be used when engine braking
stronger than that of the “3” range
position is necessary.
“1” (First range):
The gear is fixed in first regardless of
vehicle speed or driving conditions.
This range is to be used when maxi-
mum engine braking is necessary.
If you attempt to downshift the transmis-
sion when it is not possible to downshift
due to high vehicle speed, a warning tone
sounds twice.
Maximum allowable speeds
To get on a highway or to pass slower
traffic, maximum acceleration may be nec-
essary. Make sure you observe the follow-
ing maximum allowable speeds in each
range: range km/h (mph)1 59 (37)
2 106 (66)
3 165 (103)
NOTICE
Do not downshift if you are going
faster than the maximum allowable
speed for the next lower range.
When the “S” mode indicator light does
not come on even with the selector lever
moved to the sequential position, there
may be a problem somewhere in the
system. Have your vehicle checked/re-
paired by your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible. In this case, you can drive in
the same condition as in the “D” position.
(d) Using engine braking
To use engine braking, you can downshift
the transmission as follows:
When driving in the “D” position—Shift the selector lever to sequential
position.
When driving in the “5” range within
the sequential position— Move the selector lever down to the
“− ” side to select the “4” range.
The transmission will downshift to
fourth range and engine braking will be
enabled.
Vehicles with cruise control or dynamic
laser cruise control—When the cruise
control is being used, engine braking
can not be enabled because the cruise
control is not cancelled.

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(g) Good driving practice
If the transmission repeatedly shifts up
and down between third gear and over-
drive when climbing a gentle slope,
shift the selector lever into sequential
position.
When towing a trailer, in order to main-
tain engine braking efficiency, do not
use overdrive.
CAUTION
Always keep your foot on the brake
pedal while stopped with the engine
running. This prevents the vehicle
from creeping.
NOTICE
Always use the brake pedal or the
parking brake to hold the vehicle on
an upgrade. Do not attempt to hold
the vehicle using the accelerator ped-
al, as this can cause the transmission
to overheat.
(h) If you cannot shift the selector le-ver out of “P” position
If you cannot shift the selector lever from
the “P” position even though the brake
pedal is depressed, use the shift lock
override button. For instructions, see “If
you cannot shift automatic transmission
selector lever” on page 325 in Section 4. The traction control system automatical-
ly helps prevent the spinning of front
wheels when the vehicle is started or
accelerated on slippery road surfaces.
When the ignition switch is set at ON, the
system automatically turns on.
CAUTION
Under certain slippery road condi-
tions, full traction of the vehicle and
power against front wheels cannot be
maintained, even though the traction
control system is in operation. Do not
drive the vehicle under any speed or
maneuvering conditions which may
cause the vehicle to lose traction
control. In situations where the road
surface is covered with ice or snow,
your vehicle should be fitted with
snow tires or tire chains. Always
drive at an appropriate and cautious
speed for the present road condi-
tions.
Traction control system