TOYOTA AVENSIS 2012 Owners Manual

201 2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
AVENSIS_EE (OM20B44E)
CAUTION
If the smell of exhaust is noticed inside the vehicle, open the windows and
check that the trunk or back door is closed.
Large amounts of exhaust in the vehicle can cause driver drowsiness and
an accident, resulting in death or a serious health hazard. Have the vehi-
cle inspected by any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or another duly
qualified and equipped professional immediately.
On vehicles with a Multidrive or automatic transmission, do not shift the
shift lever to “P” while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle
control.
Do not shift the shift lever to “R” while the vehicle is moving forward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle
control.
Do not shift the shift lever to “D” (vehicles with a Multidrive or automatic
transmission) or “1” (vehicles with a manual transmission) while the vehi-
cle is moving backward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle
control.
Moving the shift lever to “N” while the vehicle is moving will disengage the
engine from the transmission. Engine braking is not available when “N” is
selected.
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. 716

202 2-1. Driving procedures
AVENSIS_EE (OM20B44E)
CAUTION
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. 220, 226)
When stopped on an inclined surface, use the brake pedal and parking
brake to prevent the vehicle from rolling backward or forward and causing
an accident.
Do not adjust the position 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 that can cause accidents
that may result in death or serious injury.
Always check that all passengers’ arms, heads or other parts of their bod-
ies are not outside the vehicle, as this may result in death or serious injury.
When driving on slippery road surfaces
Sudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippage and
reduce your ability to control the vehicle, resulting in an accident.
Sudden acceleration, engine braking due to shift changing, or changes in
engine speed could cause the vehicle to skid, resulting in an accident.
After driving through a puddle, lightly depress the brake pedal to make
sure that the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent
the brakes from functioning properly. If the brakes on only one side are wet
and not functioning properly, steering control may be affected, resulting in
an accident.

203 2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
AVENSIS_EE (OM20B44E)
CAUTION
When shifting the shift lever (vehicles with a Multidrive or automatic
transmission)
Be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pedal depressed.
This may lead to unexpected rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may
cause an accident and result in death or serious injury.
When the vehicle is stopped
Do not race the engine.
If the vehicle is in any shift positions other than “P” (vehicles with a Multid-
rive or automatic transmission) or “N”, the vehicle may accelerate sud-
denly and unexpectedly, and may cause an accident.
Do not leave the vehicle with the engine running for a long time.
If such a situation cannot be avoided, park the vehicle in an open space
and check that exhaust fumes do not enter the vehicle interior.
Vehicles with a Multidrive or automatic transmission: In order to prevent
accidents due to the vehicle rolling away, always keep depressing the
brake pedal while the engine is running, and apply the parking brake as
necessary.
If the vehicle is stopped on an incline, in order to prevent accidents 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.

204 2-1. Driving procedures
AVENSIS_EE (OM20B44E)
CAUTION
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 lead to a
fire.
• The temperature inside the vehicle may cause the plastic lenses and
plastic material of eye glasses to deform or crack.
• Soft drink cans may fracture, causing the contents to spray over the
interior of the vehicle, and may also cause a short circuit in the vehi-
cle’s electrical components.
Always apply the parking brake, shift the shift lever to “P” (vehicles with a
Multidrive or automatic transmission), stop the engine and lock the vehi-
cle.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended while the engine is running.
Do not touch the exhaust pipe while the engine is running or immediately
after turning the engine off.
Doing so may cause burns.
Do not leave the engine running in an area with snow build up, or where it
is snowing. If snowbanks build up around the vehicle while the engine is
running, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle. This may lead
to death or a serious health hazard.

205 2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
AVENSIS_EE (OM20B44E)
CAUTION
Exhaust gases
Exhaust gases include harmful carbon monoxide (CO) that is colorless and
odorless. Inhaling exhaust gases may lead to death or a serious health haz-
ard.
If the vehicle is in a poorly ventilated area, stop the engine. In a closed
area, such as a garage, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle.
This may lead to death or a serious health hazard.
The exhaust should be checked occasionally. If there is a hole or crack
caused by corrosion, damage to a joint or abnormal exhaust noise, be
sure to have the vehicle inspected and repaired by any authorized Toyota
dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.
Failure to do so may allow exhaust gases to enter the vehicle, resulting in
death or a serious health hazard.
When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the engine off.
Otherwise, you may accidentally move the shift lever or depress the acceler-
ator pedal, which could cause an accident or fire due to engine overheating.
Additionally, if the vehicle is parked in a poorly ventilated area, exhaust
gases may collect and enter the vehicle, leading to death or a serious health
hazard.

206 2-1. Driving procedures
AVENSIS_EE (OM20B44E)
CAUTION
When braking the vehicle
When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously.
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and 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 power brake assist function does not operate, do not follow other
vehicles closely and avoid downhills or sharp turns that require braking.
In this case, braking is still possible, but it will require more force on the
pedal than usual. Braking distance may also increase.
Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls.
Each push on the pedal uses up the reserve for the power-assisted
brakes.
The brake system consists of 2 individual hydraulic systems: If one of the
systems fails, the other will still operate. In this case, the brake pedal
should be depressed more firmly than usual and braking distance
becomes longer.
Do not drive your vehicle with only a single brake system. Have your
brakes fixed immediately.

207 2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
AVENSIS_EE (OM20B44E)
NOTICE
When driving the vehicle
Do not depress the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time during
driving. If the brake pedal is depressed while driving with the accelerator
pedal depressed, driving torque may be restrained.
Vehicles with a Multidrive or automatic transmission:
Do not use the accelerator pedal or depress accelerator and brake pedals
together to hold the vehicle on a hill.
Vehicles with a manual transmission:
Observe the following precautions to prevent damage to the clutch, trans-
mission and gears.
• Do not shift gears unless the clutch pedal is fully depressed. After shift-
ing, do not release the clutch abruptly.
• Do not rest your foot on the clutch pedal while driving.
• Do not use any gears other than the first gear when starting off and
moving forward.
• Do not use the clutch to hold the vehicle when stopping on an uphill
grade.
• Do not shift into “R” when the vehicle is still moving.
When parking the vehicle (vehicles with a Multidrive or automatic
transmission)
Always put the shift lever in “P”. Failure to do so may cause the vehicle to
move or the vehicle may accelerate suddenly if the accelerator pedal is acci-
dentally depressed.

208 2-1. Driving procedures
AVENSIS_EE (OM20B44E)
NOTICE
Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for a
long 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.
Diesel engine only: Make sure to idle the engine immediately after high-
speed driving or hill climbing. Stop the engine only after the turbocharger
has cooled down.
Failure to do so may cause damage to the turbocharger.
If you hear a squealing or scraping noise (brake pad wear indicators)
Have the brake pads checked and replaced by any authorized Toyota dealer
or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional, as soon as
possible.
The rotor damage can result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
It is dangerous to drive the vehicle when the wear limits of the brake pads
and/or that of the brake discs are exceeded.
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 press the brake pedal to slow down the vehicle.
It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
The vehicle will make abnormal sounds.
The vehicle will behave abnormally.
Information on what to do in case of a flat tire. (P. 648, 662, 676)

209 2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
AVENSIS_EE (OM20B44E)
NOTICE
When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing 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 is flooded, be
sure to have any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or another duly quali-
fied and equipped professional check the following.
Brake function
Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, trans-
mission etc.
Lubricant condition for the bearings and suspension joints (where possi-
ble) and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.

210
2-1. Driving procedures
AVENSIS_EE (OM20B44E)
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles with smar t entr y & star t system)
Performing the following operations when carrying the electronic
key on your person starts the engine or changes “ENGINE START
STOP” modes.
Starting the engine
Multidrive or automatic transmission
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is set in “P”.
Sit in the driver’s seat and firmly depress the brake pedal.
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch indicator turns green.
Press the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch.
The engine can be started
from any “ENGINE START
STOP” switch mode.
Continue depressing the brake
pedal until the engine is com-
pletely started. The engine will
crank until it starts or for up to
30 seconds, whichever is less.
Diesel engine only: indi-
cator turns on. The engine
begins starting after the indica-
tor light goes out.
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