tow TOYOTA AVALON 2009 XX30 / 3.G Owners Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
AVALON_U_OM41430U
1Before drivingAdjusting and operating features such as door locks,
mirrors, and steering column.
2When drivingDriving, stopping and safe-driving information.
3Interior
featuresAir conditioning and audio systems, as well as other
interior features for a comfortable driving experience.
4Maintenance
and careCleaning and protecting your vehicle, performing do-it-
yourself maintenance, and maintenance information.
5When trouble
arisesWhat to do if the vehicle needs to be towed, gets a flat
tire, or is involved in an accident.
6Vehicle
specificationsDetailed vehicle information.
7For ownersReporting safety defects for U.S. owners and seat belt
instructions for Canadian owners.
IndexAlphabetical listing of information contained in this
manual.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
3
AVALON_U_OM41430U
2-3. Operating the lights andwindshield wipers ........... 149
Headlight switch .................. 149
Fog light switch ................... 152
Windshield wipers and washer .............................. 153
2-4. Using other drivin g
systems ........................... 158
Cruise control ...................... 158
Dynamic laser cruise control ............................... 161
Driving assist systems ........ 174
2-5. Driving information ........... 177 Cargo and luggage ............. 177
Vehicle load limits ............... 180
Winter driving tips ............... 181
Trailer towing ...................... 186
Dinghy towing ..................... 187
3-1. Using the air conditioning
system a nd defogger...... 190
Automatic air conditioning system .............................. 190
Using the steering wheel climate control switches .... 198
Rear window and outside rear view mirror
defoggers .......................... 200 3-2. Using the audio system ... 202
Audio system type .............. 202
Audio cover ........................ 204
Using the radio ................... 205
Using the CD player ........... 212
Playing MP3 and WMA discs ................................. 220
Optimal use of the audio system .............................. 228
Using the AUX adapter....... 230
Using the steering wheel audio switches.................. 231
3-3. Using the ha nds-free
system (for cellular
phone) ............................. 234
Hands-free system (for cellular phone) ........... 234
Using the hands-free system .............................. 237
Making a phone call ........... 245
Setting a cellular phone ...... 250
Security and system setup ................................ 255
Using the phone book ........ 258
3-4. Using the interior lights ... 266 Interior lights list ................. 266
3-5. Using the storage
features ........................... 269
List of storage features ....... 269
3Interior features

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
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AVALON_U_OM41430U
3-6. Other interior features ..... 277Sun visors .......................... 277
Vanity mirrors ..................... 278
Clock .................................. 279
Outside temperature display .............................. 280
Ashtrays ............................. 281
Power outlets ..................... 282
Seat heaters/ventilators ..... 284
Armrest............................... 286
Rear sunshade ................... 287
Floor mats .......................... 289
Trunk features .................... 290
Garage door opener ........... 292
Compass ............................ 297
4-1. Maintenance and care...... 302 Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior ................. 302
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior .................. 305
4-2. Maintenance ..................... 308 Maintenance requirements .................... 308
General maintenance ......... 310
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs .......................... 313 4-3. Do-it-yourself
maintenance ................... 314
Do-it-yourself service precautions ....................... 314
Hood ................................... 317
Positioning a floor jack........ 318
Engine compartment .......... 320
Tires.................................... 336
Tire inflation pressure ......... 345
Wheels................................ 349
Air conditioning filter ........... 351
Key battery ......................... 354
Checking and replacing fuses ................................. 358
Headlight aim (with discharge headlights) ....... 367
Light bulbs .......................... 369
5-1. Essential information ....... 376 Emergency flashers ............ 376
If your vehicle needs to be towed ................................ 377
If you think something is wrong ................................ 381
Fuel pump shut off system .............................. 382
Event data recorder ............ 383
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency ...................... 385
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds... ........................... 385
4Maintenance and care
5When trouble arises

28 1-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors and trunk
AVALON_U_OM41430U
■Operation signals
A buzzer sounds and the emergency flashers flash to indicate that the doors
have been locked/unlocked. (Locked: Once; Unlocked: Twice)
■ Conditions affecting operation
The smart key system uses weak radio waves. In the following situations,
the communication between the electronic key and the vehicle may be
affected, preventing the smart key system and wireless remote control from
operating properly. (Way of coping:
P. 410)
● When the electronic key battery is depleted
● Near a TV tower, electric power plant, gas station, radio station, large dis-
play, airport or other facility that generates strong radio waves or electri-
cal noise
● When carrying a portable radio, ce llular phone, cordless phone or other
wireless communication devices
● When the electronic key has come into contact with, or is covered by a
metallic object
● When multiple electronic keys are in the vicinity
● When carrying or using the electronic key together with the following
devices that emit radio waves
• Another vehicle’s electronic key
• A wireless key that emits radio waves
• Personal computer
● If window tint with a metallic content or metallic objects are attached to
the rear window

36 1-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors and trunk
AVALON_U_OM41430U
■Operation indicator
Doors: A buzzer sounds and the emergency flashers flash to indicate that
the doors have been locked/unlocked. (Locked: Once; Unlocked:
Tw i c e )
Trunk: A buzzer sounds to indicate that the trunk has been unlocked.
■ Door lock buzzer (vehicl es with smart key system)
If a door is not fully closed, a buzzer sounds continuously for 10 seconds if
an attempt to lock the door is made. Fully close the door to stop the buzzer,
and lock the vehicle once more.
■ Security feature
 P. 3 1
■ When the key battery is fully depleted
 P. 354
■ Conditions affecting operation
Vehicles with smart key system
 P. 2 8
Vehicles without smart key system The wireless remote control function may not operate normally in the fol-
lowing situations.
●Near a TV tower, radio station, el ectric power plant, airport or other
facility that generates strong radio waves
●When carrying a portable radio, cellular phone or other wireless com- munication device
●When multiple wireless keys are in the vicinity
●When the wireless key has come into contact with, or is covered by a metallic object
●When a wireless key (that emits radio waves) is being used nearby
●When the wireless key has been left near an electrical appliance such as a personal computer

55
1
1-3. Adjustable components (seats, steering wheel, mirrors)
Before driving
AVALON_U_OM41430U
Head restraints
■Removing the head restraints
■ Adjusting the height of the head restraints
■ Adjusting the center r ear seat head restraint
Always raise the head restraint one level from the stowed position when
using.
Up
Down
Push and hold the lock release
button when lowering the head
restraint.
Lock
release button
Pull the head restraint up while pushing
the lock release button.
Make sure that the head restraints are
adjusted so that the center of the head
restraint is closest to the top of your ears.

62 1-3. Adjustable components (seats, steering wheel, mirrors)
AVALON_U_OM41430U
CAUTION
■Seat belt pretensioners
● Do not place anything, such as a cushion, on the front passenger’s seat.
Doing so will disperse the passenger’s weight, which prevents the sensor
from detecting the passenger’s weight properly. As a result, the seat belt
pretensioner for the front passenger’s seat may not activate in the event of
a collision.
● If the pretensioner has activated, the seat belt becomes locked: it cannot
be further extended, nor will it return to the stowed position. The seat belt
cannot be used again and must be replaced at your Toyota dealer.
■ Child restraint lock function belt
Do not allow children to play with the child restraint lock function bel\
t.
■ Seat belt damage and wear
● Do not damage the seat belts by allowing the belt, plate or buckle to be
jammed in the door.
● Inspect the seat belt system periodically. Check for cuts, fraying, and loose
parts. Do not use a damaged seat belt until it is replaced. Damaged seat
belts cannot protect an occupant from injury.
● Ensure that the belt and tab are locked and the belt is not twisted. If the
seat belt does not function correctly, immediately contact your Toyota
dealer.
● Replace the seat assembly, including the belts, if your vehicle has been
involved in a serious accident, even if there is no obvious damage.
● Do not attempt to install, remove, modify, disassemble or dispose of a seat
belt. Have any necessary repairs carried out by your Toyota dealer. Inap-
propriate handling of the pretensioner may cause it to activate or operate
improperly and may cause death or serious injury.

64
1-3. Adjustable components (seats, steering wheel, mirrors)
AVALON_U_OM41430U
Steering wheel
CAUTION
■After adjusting the steering wheel
Make sure that the steering wheel is locked.
Otherwise, the steering wheel may move suddenly, possibly causing an
accident and resulting in death or serious injury.
■ While driving
Do not adjust the steering wheel.
Doing so may cause the driver to mishandle the vehicle and an accident,
resulting in death or serious injury.
The steering wheel can be adjust ed to a comfortable position.
■To change the angle
Up
Down
■ To change the column length
Toward the driver
Away from the driver

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1-7. Safety information
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Before driving
AVALON_U_OM41430U
CAUTION
■
SRS airbag precautions
Observe the following precautions regarding the airbags. Failure to do so
may cause death or serious injury.
● The driver and all passengers in the vehicle must wear their seat belts
properly.
The SRS airbags are supplemental devices to be used with the seat belts.
● The SRS driver airbag deploys with considerable force, and can cause
death or serious injury especially if the driver is very close to the airbag.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) advises:
Since the risk zone for driver airbag is the first 2 - 3 in. (50 - 75 mm) of
inflation, placing yourself 10 in. (250 mm) from your driver airbag provides
you with a clear margin of safety. This distance is measured from the cen-
ter of the steering wheel to your breastbone. If you sit less than 10 in. (250
mm) away now, you can change your driving position in several ways:
• Move your seat to the rear as far as you can while still reaching the
pedals comfortably.
• Slightly recline the back of the seat. Although vehicle designs vary, many drivers can achieve the 10 in. (250 mm) distance, even with the
driver seat all the way forward, simply by reclining the back of the seat
somewhat. If reclining the back of your seat makes it hard to see the
road, raise yourself by using a firm, non-slippery cushion, or raise the
seat if your vehicle has that feature.
• If your steering wheel is adjustable, tilt it downward. This points the air- bag toward your chest instead of your head and neck.
The seat should be adjusted as recommended by NHTSA above, while still
maintaining control of the foot pedals, steering wheel, and your view of the
instrument panel controls.

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1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
AVALON_U_OM41430U
CAUTION
■
SRS airbag precautions
●Do not sit on the edge of the seat or
lean against the dashboard.
● Do not allow a child to stand in front of
the SRS front passenger airbag unit or
sit on the knees of a front passenger.
● Do not drive the vehicle while the driver
or passenger have items resting on
their knees.
● Do not lean against the door, the roof
side rail or the front, side and rear pil-
lars.
● Do not allow anyone to kneel on the
passenger seat toward the door or put
their head or hands outside the vehicle.