'01 SOLARA_U (L/O 0009)
1032001 MY SOLARA (OM33527U)
Vehicles with cruise controlÐWhen the
cruise control is being used, even if you
downshift the transmission by pushing and
releasing off the overdrive switch, engine
braking is not enabled because the cruise
control is not cancelled.
For ways to decrease the vehicle speed,
see ªCruise controlº in this section.
CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a
slippery surface. Abrupt shifting
could cause the vehicle to spin or
skid.
(e) Using ª2º and ªLº positions
The ª2º and ªLº positions are used for
strong engine braking as described pre-
viously.
With the selector lever in ª2º or ªLº, you
can start the vehicle in motion as with the
lever in ªDº.
With the selector lever in ª2º, the vehicle
will start in first gear and automatically
shift to second gear.
With the selector lever in ªLº, the trans-
mission is engaged in first gear.
NOTICE
Be careful not to over±rev the en-gine. Watch the tachometer to keepengine rpm from going into the redzone. The approximate maximum al-
lowable speed for each position isgiven below for your reference:
ª2º 125 km/h (77 mph)
. . . . . . . . . . . .
ªLº 69 km/h (42 mph). . . . . . . . . . . . .
Do not continue hill climbing or hard towing for a long time in theª2º or ªLº position. This may causesevere automatic transmission dam-
age from overheating. To preventsuch damage, ªDº position shouldbe used in hill climbing or hard
towing.
(f) Backing up
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. With the brake pedal held down with your foot, shift the selector lever to the
ªRº position.
NOTICE
Never shift into reverse while the ve-
hicle is moving.
(g) Parking
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Pull the parking brake lever up fully to securely apply the parking brake.
3. With the brake pedal pressed down, shift the selector lever to the ªPº posi-
tion.
CAUTION
Never attempt to move the selector
lever into ªPº position under any cir-
cumstances while the vehicle is mov-
ing. Serious mechanical damage and
loss of vehicle control may result.
(h) Good driving practice
If the transmission repeatedly shifts up
and down between third gear and over-
drive when climbing a gentle slope, the
overdrive should be turned off. Be sure
to turn the switch on immediately after-
ward.
When towing a trailer, in order to main-
tain engine braking efficiency, do not
use overdrive.
'01 SOLARA_U (L/O 0009)
1332001 MY SOLARA (OM33527U)
Fan speed selector
Turn the knob to adjust the fan speedÐto
the right to increase, to the left to de-
crease.
Temperature selector
Turn the knob to adjust the temperatureÐ
to the right to warm, to the left to cool.
Air flow selector
Turn the knob to select the vents used for
air flow.1. PanelÐ Air flows mainly from the
instrument panel vents.
2. Bi±levelÐ Air flows from both the floor
vents and the instrument panel vents.
3. FloorÐ Air flows mainly from the floor
vents.
4. Floor/WindshieldÐ Air flows mainly
from the floor vents and windshield
vents.
This position allows the air intake to
select FRESH automatically. This is to
clean up the front view more quickly. If you want to return the setting to
RECIRCULATE mode, press the air in-
take selector button once again.
Press the ªA/Cº button for dehumidified
heating or cooling. This setting clears
the front view more quickly.
5. WindshieldÐ Air flows mainly from the
windshield vents.
Turning the air flow selector to the
windshield position turns on the defog-
ging function with the purpose of clear-
ing the front view.
This position allows the air intake to
select FRESH automatically. This is to
clean up the front view more quickly.
If you want to return the setting to
RECIRCULATE mode, press the air in-
take selector button once again.
Press the ªA/Cº button for dehumidified
heating or cooling. This setting clears
the front view more quickly.
For details about air flow selector settings,
see ªAir flow selector settingsº described
blow.
'01 SOLARA_U (L/O 0009)
1362001 MY SOLARA (OM33527U)
If following another vehicle on a dusty
road, or driving in windy and dusty
conditions, it is recommended that the
air intake selector be temporarily set to
RECIRCULATE, which will close off the
outside passage and prevent outside
air and dust from entering the vehicle
interior.Heating
For best results, set controls to:
Fan speedÐ Any setting except ªOFFº
TemperatureÐ To w a r d s WARM
(red zone)
Air intakeÐFRESH (outside air)
Air flowÐFLOOR
Air conditioningÐOFF
For quick heating, select recirculated
air for a few minutes. To keep the
windows from fogging, select fresh af-
ter the vehicle interior has been
warmed.
Press the ªA/Cº button on for dehumidi-
fied heating.
Choose floor/windshield air flow to heat
the vehicle interior while defrosting or
defogging the windshield. Air conditioning
For best results, set controls to:
Fan speedÐ Any setting except ªOFFº
TemperatureÐ To w a r d s COLD
(blue zone)
Air intakeÐFRESH (outside air)
Air flowÐPANEL
Air conditioningÐON
For quick cooling, select recirculated
air for a few minutes.
Ventilation
For best results, set controls to:
Fan speedÐ Any setting except ªOFFº
TemperatureÐ To w a r d s COLD
(blue zone)
Air intakeÐFRESH (outside air)
Air flowÐPANEL
Air conditioningÐOFF
'01 SOLARA_U (L/O 0009)
1372001 MY SOLARA (OM33527U)
Defogging
The inside of the windshield
For best results, set controls to:Fan speedÐ Any setting except ªOFFº
TemperatureÐ To w a r d s WARM
(red zone) to heat;
COLD (blue zone) to
cool
Air intakeÐFRESH (outside air)
Air flowÐWINDSHIELD
Turning the air flow selector to the wind-
shield position turns on the defogging
function with the purpose of clearing the
front view.
When turning the air flow selector to wind-
shield position, the air intake selects
FRESH automatically. This is to clean up
the front view more quickly.
If you want to return the setting to
RECIRCULATE mode, press the air intake
selector button once again.
Press the ªA/Cº button for dehumidified
heating or cooling. This setting clears the
front view more quickly.
On humid days, do not blow cold air
on the windshieldÐthe difference be-
tween the outside and inside tempera-
tures could make the fogging worse. Defrosting
The outside of the windshield
For best results, set controls to:
Fan speedÐ Any setting except ªOFFº
TemperatureÐ To w a r d s WARM
(red zone)
Air intakeÐFRESH (outside air)
Air flowÐWINDSHIELD
Turning the air flow selector to the wind-
shield position turns on the defrosting
function with the purpose of clearing the
front view.
When turning the air flow selector to wind-
shield position, the air intake selects
FRESH automatically. This is to clean up
the front view more quickly.
If you want to return the setting to
RECIRCULATE mode, press the air intake
selector button once again.
Press the ªA/Cº button for dehumidified
heating. This setting clears the front view
more quickly.
To heat the vehicle interior while de-
frosting the windshield, choose
floor/windshield air flow.
'01 SOLARA_U (L/O 0009)
1432001 MY SOLARA (OM33527U)
If following another vehicle on a dusty
road, or driving in windy and dusty
conditions, it is recommended that the
air intake selector be temporarily set to
RECIRCULATE, which will close off the
outside passage and prevent outside
air and dust from entering the vehicle
interior.
Heating
For best results, set controls to:
For automatic operationÐ
Press in the ªAUTO º button.
TemperatureÐ To the desired
temperature
Air intakeÐFRESH (outside air)
Air conditioningÐOFF
For manual operationÐ
Fan speedÐ To the desired fan speed
TemperatureÐ To w a r d s WARM
(to the right)
Air intakeÐFRESH (outside air)
Air flowÐFLOOR
Air conditioningÐOFF
For quick heating, select recirculated
air for a few minutes. To keep the
windows from fogging, select fresh af-
ter the vehicle interior has been
warmed.
Press the ªA/Cº button on for dehumidi-
fied heating.
Choose floor/windshield air flow to heat
the vehicle interior while defrosting or
defogging the windshield.
Air conditioning
For best results, set controls to:
For automatic operationÐ
Press in the ªAUTO º button .
TemperatureÐ To the desired
temperature
Air intakeÐFRESH (outside air)
Air conditioningÐON
For manual operationÐ
Fan speedÐ To the desired fan speed
TemperatureÐ To w a r d s COLD
(to the left)
Air intakeÐFRESH (outside air)
Air flowÐPANEL
Air conditioningÐON
For quick cooling, select recirculated
air for a few minutes.
Ventilation
For best results, set controls to:
For automatic operationÐ
Press in the ªAUTO º button .
TemperatureÐ To w a r d s COLD
(to the left)
Air intakeÐFRESH (outside air)
Air conditioningÐOFF
For manual operationÐ
Fan speedÐ To the desired fan speed
TemperatureÐ To w a r d s COLD
(to the left)
Air intakeÐFRESH (outside air)
Air flowÐPANEL
Air conditioningÐOFF
'01 SOLARA_U (L/O 0009)
1662001 MY SOLARA (OM33527U)
Engine exhaust cautions
CAUTION
Avoid inhaling the engine exhaust.
It contains carbon monoxide, which
is a colorless and odorless gas. It
can cause unconsciousness or even
death.
Make sure the exhaust system has
no holes or loose connections. The
system should be checked from
time to time. If you hit something,
or notice a change in the sound of
the exhaust, have the system
checked immediately.
Do not run the engine in a garage
or enclosed area except for the
time needed to drive the vehicle in
or out. The exhaust gases cannot
escape, making this a particularly
dangerous situation.
Do not remain for a long time in a
parked vehicle with the engine run-
ning. If it is unavoidable, however,
do so only in an unconfined area
and adjust the heating or cooling
system to force outside air into the
vehicle.
Keep the trunk lid closed while
driving. An open or unsealed trunk
lid may cause exhaust gases to be
drawn into the vehicle.
To allow proper operation of your
vehicle's ventilation system, keep
the inlet grilles in front of the wind-
shield clear of snow, leaves, or oth-
er obstructions.
If you smell exhaust fumes in the
vehicle, drive with the windows
open and the trunk lid closed. Have
the cause immediately located and
corrected.
FUNCTIONS OF ENGINE OIL
Engine oil has the primary functions of
lubricating and cooling the inside of the
engine, and plays a major role in main-
taining the engine in proper working order.
ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION
It is normal that an engine should con-
sume some engine oil during normal
engine operation. The causes of oil
consumption in a normal engine are as
follows.
Oil is used to lubricate pistons, piston
rings and cylinders. A thin film of oil
is left on the cylinder wall when a pis-
ton moves downwards in the cylinder.
High negative pressure generated when
the vehicle is decelerating sucks some
of this oil into the combustion chamber.
This oil as well as some part of the oil
film left on the cylinder wall is burned
by the high temperature combustion
gases during the combustion process.
Facts about engine oil
consumption
'01 SOLARA_U (L/O 0009)
1772001 MY SOLARA (OM33527U)
NOTICE
Do not crank for more than 30 se-conds at a time. This may overheatthe starter and wiring systems.
Do not race a cold engine.
If the engine becomes difficult tostart or stalls frequently, have the
engine checked immediately.
Always slow down in gusty crosswinds.
This will allow you much better control.
Drive slowly onto curbs and, if pos-
sible, at a right angle. Avoid driving
onto high, sharp±edged objects and
other road hazards. Failure to do so
can lead to severe tire damage result-
ing in tire bursts.
When parking on a hill, turn the front
wheels until they touch the curb so
that the vehicle will not roll. Apply the
parking brake, and place the transmis-
sion in ªPº (automatic) or in first or
reverse (manual). If necessary, block
the wheels.
Washing your vehicle or driving through
deep water may get the brakes wet. To
see whether they are wet, check that
there is no traffic near you, and then
press the pedal lightly. If you do not
feel a normal braking force, the brakes
are probably wet. To dry them, drive
the vehicle cautiously while lightly
pressing the brake pedal with the park-
ing brake applied. If they still do not
work safely, pull to the side of the road
and call a Toyota dealer for assistance.
CAUTION
Before driving off, make sure that
the parking brake is fully released
and the parking brake reminder
light is off.
Do not leave your vehicle unat-
tended while the engine is running.
Do not rest your foot on the brake
pedal while driving. It can cause
dangerous overheating, needless
wear, and poor fuel economy.
To drive down a long or steep hill,
reduce your speed and downshift.
Remember, if you ride the brakes
excessively, they may overheat and
not work properly.
Be careful when accelerating, up-
shifting, downshifting or braking on
a slippery surface. Sudden accelera-
tion or engine braking could cause
the vehicle to spin or skid.
Tips for driving in various
conditions
'01 SOLARA_U (L/O 0009)
1852001 MY SOLARA (OM33527U)
Because of the added load of the trail-
er, your vehicle's engine may overheat
on hot days (at temperatures over
30C [85 F]) when going up a long or
steep grade with a trailer. If the engine
coolant temperature gauge indicates
overheating, immediately turn off the air
conditioning (if in use), pull off the road
and stop in a safe spot. Refer to ªIf
your vehicle overheatsº in Section 4.
Always place wheel blocks under both
the vehicle and trailer wheels when
parking. Apply the parking brake firmly.
Put the transmission in ªPº (automatic)
or in first or reverse (manual). Avoid
parking on a slope with a trailer, but
if it cannot be avoided, do so only
after performing the following: 1. Apply the brakes and hold.
2. Have someone place wheel blocks un-
der both the vehicle and trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel blocks are in place, release your brakes slowly until the
blocks absorb the load.
4. Apply the parking brake firmly.
5. Shift into first or reverse (manual) or ªPº (automatic) and turn off the engine.
When restarting out after parking on a
slope: 1. With the transmission in ªPº position (automatic) or the clutch pedal de-
pressed (manual), start the engine.
(With an automatic transmission, be
sure to keep the brake pedal de-
pressed.)
2. Shift into gear.
3. Release the parking brake (also foot brake on automatic transmission ve-
hicles) and slowly pull or back away
from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply
your brakes.
4. Have someone retrieve the blo cks.
CAUTION
Do not exceed 72 km/h (45 mph) or
the posted towing speed lim-
it,whichever is lower. Because insta-
bility (swaying) of a towing vehicle±
trailer combination usually in-
creases as the speed increases,ex-
ceeding 72 km/h (45 mph) may
cause loss of control.
Slow down and downshift before
descending steep or long downhill
grades. Do not make sudden down-
shifts.
Avoid holding the brake pedal down
too long or too frequently. This
could cause the brakes to overheat
and result in reduced braking effi-
ciency.