snow driving TOYOTA AVENSIS 2012 Owners Manual

95 1-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors
1
Before driving
AVENSIS_EE (OM20B44E)
CAUTION
When children are in the vehicle
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
Do not leave children alone in the luggage compartment.
If a child is accidentally locked in the luggage compartment, they could
have heat exhaustion.
Do not allow a child to open or close the back door.
Doing so may cause the back door to move unexpectedly, or cause the
child’s hands, head, or neck to be caught by the closing back door.
Operating the back door
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may cause parts of the body to be caught, resulting in death
or serious injury.
Remove any heavy loads, such as snow and ice, from the back door
before opening it. Failure to do so may cause the back door to fall closed
again after it is opened.
When opening or closing the back door, thoroughly check to make sure
the surrounding area is safe.
If anyone is in the vicinity, make sure they are safe and let them know that
the back door is about to open or close.
Use caution when opening or closing the back door in windy weather as it
may move abruptly in strong wind.

151 1-6. Theft deterrent system
1
Before driving
AVENSIS_EE (OM20B44E)
Unstable items, such as dangling accessories or clothes hanging on the
coat hooks, are in the vehicle.
A window is open.
The vehicle is inside an automatic or high-pressure car washer.
The vehicle experiences impacts, such as hail, lightning strikes, or other
kinds of repeated impacts or vibrations.
The vehicle is parked in a place where
extreme vibrations or noises occur,
such as in a parking garage.
Ice or snow is removed from the vehi-
cle, causing the vehicle to receive
repeated impacts or vibrations.
The wind or something similar causes a
frost cover to move.

167 1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
AVENSIS_EE (OM20B44E)
CAUTION
SRS airbag precautions
If breathing becomes difficult after the SRS airbag has deployed, open a
door or window to allow fresh air in, or leave the vehicle if it is safe to do
so. Wash off any residue as soon as possible to prevent skin irritation.
If the areas where the SRS airbags are stored, such as the steering wheel
pad and front and rear pillar garnishes, are damaged or cracked, have
them replaced by any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or another duly
qualified and equipped professional.
Modification and disposal of SRS airbag system components
Do not dispose of your vehicle or perform any of the following modifications
without consulting any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or another duly
qualified and equipped professional.
The SRS airbags may malfunction or deploy (inflate) accidentally, causing
death or serious injury.
Installation, removal, disassembly and repair of the SRS airbags.
Repairs, modifications, removal or replacement of the steering wheel,
instrument panel, dashboard, seats or seat upholstery, front, center and
rear pillars or roof side rail.
Repairs or modifications of the front fender, front bumper, or side of the
occupant compartment.
Installation of snow plows, winches, etc. to the front grille (bull bars, kan-
garoo bar etc.).
Modifications to the vehicle’s suspension system.
Installation of electronic devices such as RF-transmitter radios or CD play-
ers.

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.

280 2-4. Using other driving systems
AVENSIS_EE (OM20B44E)
CAUTION
To avoid operating the cruise control by mistake
Switch the cruise control off using the “ON-OFF” button when not in use.
Situations unsuitable for cruise control
Do not use cruise control in any of the following situations.
Doing so may result in loss of control and could cause an accident resulting
in death or serious injury.
In heavy traffic
On roads with sharp bends
On winding roads
On slippery roads, such as those covered with rain, ice or snow
On steep hills
Vehicle speed may exceed the set speed when driving down a steep hill.
When your vehicle is towing a trailer or during emergency towing

293 2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
AVENSIS_EE (OM20B44E)
Automatic cancelation of constant speed control
The cruise control will stop maintaining the vehicle speed in the following sit-
uations:
Actual vehicle speed is more than approximately 16 km/h (10 mph)
below the set vehicle speed.
At this time, the memorized set speed is not retained.
Actual vehicle speed falls below approximately 40 km/h (25 mph).
VSC is activated.
Speed limiter is activated. (if equipped)
Radar sensor and grille cover
Always keep the sensor and grille cover clean to ensure that the vehicle-to-
vehicle distance control operates properly. (Some obstructions, such as
snow, ice and plastic objects, cannot be detected by the obstruction sensor.)
Dynamic radar cruise control is canceled if an obstruction is detected.
Warning lights, messages and buzzers for dynamic radar cruise con-
trol
Warning lights, messages and buzzers are used to indicate a system mal-
function or to inform the driver of the need for caution while driving.
(P. 624)
Grille cover
Radar sensor

297 2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
AVENSIS_EE (OM20B44E)
CAUTION
To avoid inadvertent cruise control activation
Switch the cruise control off using the “ON-OFF” button when not in use.
Situations unsuitable for dynamic radar cruise control
Do not use dynamic radar cruise control in any of the following situations.
Doing so may result in inappropriate speed control and could cause an acci-
dent resulting in death or serious injury.
In heavy traffic
On roads with sharp bends
On winding roads
On slippery roads, such as those covered with rain, ice or snow
On steep downhills, or where there are sudden changes between sharp up
and down gradients
Vehicle speed may exceed the set speed when driving down a steep hill.
At entrances to expressways
When weather conditions are bad enough that they may prevent the sen-
sors from functioning correctly (fog, snow, sandstorm, heavy rain, etc.)
When an approach warning buzzer is heard often
When your vehicle is towing a trailer or during emergency towing

298 2-4. Using other driving systems
AVENSIS_EE (OM20B44E)
CAUTION
When the sensor may not be correctly detecting the vehicle ahead
Apply the brakes as necessary when any of the following types of vehicles
are in front of you.
As the sensor may not be able to correctly detect these types of vehicles,
the approach warning (P. 289) will not be activated, and a fatal or serious
accident may result.
Vehicles that cut in suddenly
Vehicles traveling at low speeds
Vehicles that are not moving
Vehicles with small rear ends (trailers with no load on board etc.)
Motorcycles traveling in the same lane
Conditions under which the vehicle-to-vehicle distance control may
not function correctly
Apply the brakes as necessary in the following conditions as the radar sen-
sor may not be able to correctly detect vehicles ahead, and a fatal or serious
accident may result:
When water or snow thrown up by the surrounding vehicles hinders the
functioning of the sensor
When your vehicle is pointing upwards (caused by a heavy load in the
trunk etc.)
When the road curves or when the lanes are narrow
When steering wheel operation or your position in the lane is unstable
When the vehicle ahead of you decelerates suddenly

302 2-4. Using other driving systems
AVENSIS_EE (OM20B44E)
Exceeding the set speed
In the following situations, the vehicle speed exceeds the set speed:
Automatic speed limiter cancellation
The set speed is automatically canceled when the cruise control is activated.
If the speed limiter indicator flashes
It may indicate a malfunction in the system. Contact any authorized Toyota
dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.
CAUTION
To avoid operating the speed limiter by mistake
Keep the speed limiter switch off when not in use.
Situations unsuitable for speed limiter
Do not use the speed limiter in either of the following situations.
Doing so may result in control of the vehicle being lost and could cause a
serious or fatal accident.
On slippery roads, such as those covered with rain, ice or snow
On steep hills
When towing a trailer or emergency towing
When fully depressing the accelerator
pedal
When driving down a hill

306 2-4. Using other driving systems
AVENSIS_EE (OM20B44E)
The Toyota parking assist-sensor can be operated when
Vehicles with smart entry & start system
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in IGNITION ON mode, and the
shift lever is in the “R” position.
Vehicles without smart entry & start system
The engine switch is in the “ON” position, and the shift lever is in the “R”
position.
Sensor detection information
Certain vehicle conditions and the surrounding environment may affect
the ability of the sensor to correctly detect obstacles. Particular instances
where this may occur are listed below.
• There is dirt, snow or ice on the sensor. (Wiping the sensor will resolve
this problem.)
• The sensor is frozen. (Thawing the sensor will resolve this problem.)
• The sensor is covered in any way.
• In harsh sunlight or intense cold weather.
• When driving on bumpy, sloped or gravel roads, or over grass.
• If there is something producing ultrasonic waves nearby, such as
another vehicle’s horn, motorcycle engine noise, air braking sound
from heavy-duty vehicles, or another vehicle using the park assist sys-
tem.
• In heavy rain, or if water is splashed on the sensors.
• The vehicle is leaning considerably to one side.
• If a commercial fender pole or radio antenna is installed.
• If moving towards a high curb or a curb corner.
• If towing eyelet is installed on your vehicle.
• The bumper or sensor receives a strong impact.
• A non-genuine Toyota suspension (lowered suspension etc.) is
installed.
In addition to the examples above, there are instances in which, because of
their shapes, signs and other objects may be judged by the sensor to be
closer than they are.