Toyota Avalon (2018 year). Instruction

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7-2. Steps to take in an emergency

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NOTICE

■

To prevent damage to the vehicle when towing using a wheel-lift type
truck

●

Do not tow the vehicle from the rear when the engine switch is off. The
steering lock mechanism is not strong enough to hold the front wheels
straight.

●

When raising the vehicle, ensure adequate ground clearance for towing at
the opposite end of the raised vehicle. Without adequate clearance, the
vehicle could be damaged while being towed.

■

To prevent damage to the vehicle when towing with a sling-type truck
Do not tow with a sling-type truck, either from the front or rear.

■

To prevent damage to the vehicle during emergency towing
Do not secure cables or chains to the suspension components.

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7-2. Steps to take in an emergency

● Fluid leaks under the vehicle.

(Water dripping from the air conditioning after use is normal.)

● Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
● Engine coolant temperature gauge needle continually points higher

than normal.

● Changes in exhaust sound
● Excessive tire squeal when cornering
● Strange noises related to the suspension system
● Pinging or other noises related to the engine

● Engine missing, stumbling or running roughly
● Appreciable loss of power
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when driving on a level road
● Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy feeling, pedal almost touches

the floor

If you think something is wrong

If you notice any of the following symptoms, your vehicle proba-
bly needs adjustment or repair. Contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible.

Visible symptoms

Audible symptoms

Operational symptoms

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7-2. Steps to take in an emergency

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Follow the procedure below to restart the engine after the system is
activated.

Turn the engine switch to ACCESSORY mode or turn it off.

Restart the engine.

Fuel pump shut off system

To minimize the risk of fuel leakage when the engine stalls or
when an airbag inflates upon collision, the fuel pump shut off
system stops the supply of fuel to the engine.

NOTICE

■

Before starting the engine
Inspect the ground under the vehicle.
If you find that fuel has leaked onto the ground, the fuel system has been
damaged and is in need of repair. Do not restart the engine.

1
2

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7-2. Steps to take in an emergency

If a warning light turns on or a warning

buzzer sounds

Calmly perform the following actions if any of the warning lights
comes on or flashes. If a light comes on or flashes, but then
goes off, this does not necessarily indicate a malfunction in the
system. However, if this continues to occur, have the vehicle
inspected by your Toyota dealer.

Warning light and warning buzzer list

Warning light

Warning light/Details/Actions

(U.S.A.)

(Canada)

Brake system warning light (warning buzzer)

• Low brake fluid
• Malfunction in the brake booster system

This light also comes on when the parking brake is not
released. If the light turns off after the parking brake is
fully released the system is operating normally.

→ Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and con-

tact your Toyota dealer. Continuing to drive the vehi-
cle may be dangerous.

Charging system warning light

Indicates a malfunction in the vehicle’s charging system

→ Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and con-

tact your Toyota dealer.

Low engine oil pressure warning light

Indicates that the engine oil pressure is too low.

→ Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and con-

tact your Toyota dealer.

(U.S.A.)

(Canada)

Malfunction indicator lamp

Indicates a malfunction in:
• The electronic engine control system;
• The electronic throttle control system; or
• The electronic automatic transmission control system

→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer

immediately.

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7-2. Steps to take in an emergency

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SRS warning light

Indicates a malfunction in:
• The SRS airbag system;
• The front passenger occupant classification system; or
• The seat belt pretensioner system

→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer

immediately.

(U.S.A.)

(Canada)

ABS warning light

Indicates a malfunction in:
• The ABS; or
• The brake assist system

→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer

immediately.

Electric power steering system warning light (warning
buzzer)

Indicates a malfunction in the EPS (Electric Power Steer-
ing) system

→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer

immediately.

(Flashes)

(If equipped)

PCS warning light
• When the warning light flashes (and a buzzer sounds):

Indicates a malfunction in the PCS (Pre-Collision System)

→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer

immediately.

• When the warning light flashes (and a buzzer does not

sound):
Indicates that the PCS (Pre-Collision System) is temporar-
ily unavailable, possibly due to either of the following:
• An area around the radar sensor or camera sensor

being dirty or covered with condensation, ice, stickers,
etc.

→ Clear the dirt, condensation, ice, stickers, etc.

(

→P. 193, 194)

• Radar sensor or camera sensor operational conditions

(such as temperature etc.) being not met

→ Driving is possible in this case. The PCS (Pre-Colli-

sion System) will be enabled if the operational condi-
tions (such as temperature etc.) are met again.

• When the warning light is illuminated:

Either the VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) system or PCS
(Pre-Collision System) is disabled or both are disabled.

→ To enable the PCS, enable both the VSC system and

PCS. (

→P. 202, 252)

Warning light

Warning light/Details/Actions

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7-2. Steps to take in an emergency

(Amber)

(If equipped)

LDA (Lane Departure Alert with steering control) indica-
tor

Indicates a malfunction in the LDA (Lane Departure Alert

with

steering control

)

The light will flash when the LDA system is operating.

→ P. 220

Slip indicator

Indicates a malfunction in:
• The VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) system; or
• The TRAC (Traction Control) system
The light will flash when the VSC or the TRAC system is
operating.

→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer

immediately.

Open door warning light (warning buzzer)

Indicates that a door or the trunk is not fully closed

→ Check that all the doors and the trunk are closed.

Low fuel level warning light

Indicates remaining fuel is approximately 2.6 gal. (9.7 L,
2.1 Imp. gal.) or less

→ Refuel the vehicle.

Seat belt reminder light (warning buzzer)

Warns the driver and/or front passenger to fasten their
seat belts

→ Fasten the seat belt.

If the front passenger’s seat is occupied, the front
passenger’s seat belt also needs to be fastened to
make the warning light (warning buzzer) off.

Warning light

Warning light/Details/Actions

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: Parking brake engaged warning buzzer: The buzzer sounds to indicate

that the parking brake is still engaged (with the vehicle having reached a
speed of 3 mph [5 km/h]).

: Open door warning buzzer:

A buzzer will sound if the vehicle reaches a speed of 3 mph (5 km/h) or
more with any door open.

: Driver’s seat belt buzzer:

The driver’s seat belt buzzer sounds to alert the driver that his or her seat
belt is not fastened. Once the engine switch is turned to IGNITION ON
mode, the buzzer sounds for 6 seconds. If the vehicle reaches a speed of
12 mph (20 km/h), the buzzer sounds once. If the seat belt is still unfas-
tened after 30 seconds, the buzzer will sound intermittently for 10 seconds.
Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened, the buzzer will sound in a different
tone for 20 more seconds.

Front passenger’s seat belt buzzer:

The front passenger’s seat belt buzzer sounds to alert the front passenger
that his or her seat belt is not fastened. The buzzer sounds once if the
vehicle reaches a speed of 12 mph (20 km/h). If the seat belt is still unfas-
tened after 30 seconds, the buzzer will sound intermittently for 10 seconds.
Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened, the buzzer will sound in a different
tone for 20 more seconds.

Master warning light

A buzzer sounds and the warning light comes on and
flashes to indicate that the master warning system has
detected a malfunction.

→ P. 396

Tire pressure warning light

When the light comes on:
Low tire inflation pressure such as
• Natural causes (

→P. 392)

• Flat tire (

→P. 397)

→ Adjust the tire inflation pressure to the specified

level.
The light will turn off after a few minutes. In case
the light does not turn off even if the tire inflation
pressure is adjusted, have the system checked by
your Toyota dealer.

When the light comes on after blinking for 1 minute:
Malfunction in the tire pressure warning system

→ Have the system checked by your Toyota dealer.

Warning light

Warning light/Details/Actions

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7-2. Steps to take in an emergency

■

SRS warning light
This warning light system monitors the airbag sensor assembly, front impact
sensors, side impact sensors (front door), side impact sensors (front), side
impact sensors (rear), driver’s seat belt buckle switch, front passenger occu-
pant classification system (ECU and sensors), “AIR BAG ON” indicator light,
“AIR BAG OFF” indicator light, front passenger’s seat belt buckle switch, seat
belt pretensioners (front), airbags, interconnecting wiring and power sources.
(

→P. 36)

■

Front passenger detection sensor, seat belt reminder and warning
buzzer
If luggage is placed on the front passenger seat, the front passenger detec-
tion sensor may cause the warning light to flash and the warning buzzer to
sound even if a passenger is not sitting in the seat.

■

If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on while driving
First check the following:

●

Is the fuel tank empty?
If it is, fill the fuel tank immediately.

●

Is the fuel tank cap loose?
If it is, tighten it securely.

The light will go off after several driving trips.
If the light does not go off even after several trips, contact your Toyota dealer
as soon as possible.

■

Electric power steering system warning light (warning buzzer)
When the battery charge becomes insufficient or the voltage temporarily
drops, the electric power steering system warning light may come on and the
warning buzzer may sound.

■

When the tire pressure warning light comes on

Check the tire inflation pressure and adjust to the appropriate level. Push-
ing the tire pressure warning reset switch will not turn off the tire pressure
warning light.

■

The tire pressure warning light may come on due to natural causes

The tire pressure warning light may come on due to natural causes such
as natural air leaks and tire inflation pressure changes caused by tem-
perature. In this case, adjusting the tire inflation pressure will turn off the
warning light (after a few minutes).

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■

When a tire is replaced with a spare tire

The compact spare tire is not equipped with a tire pressure warning valve
and transmitter. If a tire goes flat, the tire pressure warning light will not
turn off even though the flat tire has been replaced with the spare tire.
Replace the spare tire with the repaired tire and adjust the tire inflation
pressure. The tire pressure warning light will go off after a few minutes.

■

Conditions that the tire pressure warning system may not function
properly
→P. 347

■

If the tire pressure warning light frequently comes on after blinking
for 1 minute

If the tire pressure warning light frequently comes on after blinking for 1
minute when the engine switch is turned to IGNITION ON mode, have it
checked by your Toyota dealer.

■

Warning buzzer
In some cases, the buzzer may not be heard because of noisy place or an
audio sound.

WARNING

■

If both the ABS and the brake system warning lights remain on
Stop your vehicle in a safe place immediately and contact your Toyota
dealer. The vehicle will become extremely unstable during braking, and the
ABS system may fail, which could cause an accident resulting in death or
serious injury.

■

When the electric power steering system warning light comes on
The steering wheel may become extremely heavy.
When steering wheel operations are heavier than usual, grip the steering
wheel firmly and operate it using more force than usual.

■

If the tire pressure warning light comes on

Be sure to observe the following precautions. Failure to do so could
cause a loss of vehicle control and result in death or serious injury.

●

Stop your vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible. Adjust the tire
inflation pressure immediately.

●

If the tire pressure warning light comes on even after tire inflation pres-
sure adjustment, it is probable that you have a flat tire. Check the tires.
If a tire is flat, change it with the spare tire and have the flat tire
repaired by the nearest Toyota dealer.

●

Avoid abrupt maneuvering and braking. If the vehicle tires deteriorate,
you could lose control of the steering wheel or the brakes.

■

If a blowout or sudden air leakage should occur
The tire pressure warning system may not activate immediately.

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7-2. Steps to take in an emergency

WARNING

■

Maintenance of the tires

Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked monthly
when cold and inflated to the inflation pressure recommended by the
vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure
label (tire and load information label). (If your vehicle has tires of a dif-
ferent size than the size indicated on the vehicle placard or tire inflation
pressure label [tire and load information label], you should determine
the proper tire inflation pressure for those tires.)

As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS-tire pressure warning system) that
illuminates a low tire pressure telltale (tire pressure warning light) when
one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated. Accordingly,
when the low tire pressure telltale (tire pressure warning light) illumi-
nates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and
inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving on a significantly under-
inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may
affect the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.

Please note that the TPMS (tire pressure warning system) is not a sub-
stitute for proper tire maintenance, and it is the driver’s responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has not reached
the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale (tire
pressure warning light).

Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS (tire pressure warn-
ing system) malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is not
operating properly. The TPMS (tire pressure warning system) malfunc-
tion indicator is combined with the low tire pressure telltale (tire pressure
warning light). When the system detects a malfunction, the telltale will
flash for approximately one minute and then remain continuously illumi-
nated. This sequence will continue upon subsequent vehicle start-ups
as long as the malfunction exists. When the malfunction indicator is illu-
minated, the system may not be able to detect or signal low tire pres-
sure as intended.

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WARNING

TPMS (tire pressure warning system) malfunctions may occur for a vari-
ety of reasons, including the installation of replacement or alternate tires
or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS (tire pressure warning
system) from functioning properly. Always check the TPMS (tire pres-
sure warning system) malfunction telltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the replacement or alter-
nate tires and wheels allow the TPMS (tire pressure warning system) to
continue to function properly.

NOTICE

■

To ensure the tire pressure warning system operates properly

Do not install tires with different specifications or makers, as the tire
pressure warning system may not operate properly.

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7-2. Steps to take in an emergency

Master warning light

The master warning light also
comes on or flashes in order to
indicate that a message is cur-
rently being displayed on the multi-
information display.

Multi-information display

If any of the warning message is shown again after its correction pro-
cedure has been performed, contact your Toyota dealer.

■

Warning buzzer
In some cases, the buzzer may not be heard because of noisy place or an
audio sound.

If a warning message is displayed

The multi-information display shows warnings of system mal-
functions, incorrectly performed operations, messages that indi-
cate a need for maintenance and reminder messages. When a
message is shown, perform the correction procedure appropri-
ate to the message.

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● Stop the vehicle in a safe place on a hard, flat surface.
● Set the parking brake.
● Shift the shift lever to P.
● Stop the engine.
● Turn on the emergency flashers. (→P. 380)

If you have a flat tire

Your vehicle is equipped with a spare tire. The flat tire can be
replaced with the spare tire.

For details about tires:

→P. 342

WARNING

■

If you have a flat tire

Do not continue driving with a flat tire.
Driving even a short distance with a flat tire can damage the tire and the
wheel beyond repair, which could result in an accident.

Before jacking up the vehicle

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WARNING

■

Using the tire jack

Observe the following precautions.
Improper use of the tire jack may cause the vehicle to suddenly fall off
the jack, leading to death or serious injury.

●

Do not use the tire jack for any purpose other than replacing tires or
installing and removing tire chains.

●

Only use the tire jack that comes with this vehicle for replacing a flat
tire.
Do not use it on other vehicles, and do not use other tire jacks for
replacing tires on this vehicle.

●

Put the jack properly in its jack point.

●

Do not put any part of your body under the vehicle while it is supported
by the jack.

●

Do not start the engine or drive the vehicle while the vehicle is sup-
ported by the jack.

●

Do not raise the vehicle while someone is inside.

●

When raising the vehicle, do not put an object on or under the jack.

●

Do not raise the vehicle to a height greater than that required to
replace the tire.

●

Use a jack stand if it is necessary to get under the vehicle.

●

When lowering the vehicle, make sure that there is no-one near the
vehicle. If there are people nearby, warn them vocally before lowering.

Toyota Avalon (2018 year). Instruction - part 25