2004 TOYOTA SOLARA Owners Manual (in English)

’04 Solara_U (L/O 0402)
137
2004 SOLARA from Feb. ’04 Prod. (OM33640U)
OPERATION OF INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLS
Ignition switch, Transmission and Parking brake
Ignition switch with steering lock138 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic transmission139 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Manual transmission146 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Traction control system147 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle stability control system149 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire pressure warning system151 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking brake154 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cruise control155 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 1 7

’04 Solara_U (L/O 0402)
138
2004 SOLARA from Feb. ’04 Prod. (OM33640U)
With manual transmission
With automatic transmission
“START”—Starter motor on. The key
will return to the “ON” position when
released.
For starting tips, see page 247 in Section
3.
“ON”—Engine on and all accessories
on.
This is the normal driving position.
“ACC”—Accessories such as the radio
operate, but the engine is off.
If you leave the key in the “ACC” or
“LOCK” position and open the driver’s
door, a buzzer will remind you to remove
the key.
“LOCK”—Engine is off and the steering
wheel is locked. The key can be re-
moved only at this position.
With manual transmission—You must push
in the key to turn the key from “ACC” to
the “LOCK” position.
With automatic transmission—The selector
lever must be put in the “P” position be-
fore turning the key from “ACC” to the
“LOCK” position.
Once you remove the key, the engine im-
mobilizer system is automatically set. (See
“Engine immobilizer system” on page 14
in Section 1−2.)When starting the engine, the key may
seem stuck at the “LOCK” position. To
free it, first be sure the key is pushed all
the way in, and then rock the steering
wheel slightly while turning the key gently.
CAUTION
For manual transmission:
Never remove the key when the ve-
hicle is moving, as this will lock the
steering wheel and result in loss of
steering control.
NOTICE
Do not leave the key in the “ON”
position if the engine is not running.
The battery will discharge and the
ignition could be damaged.
Ignition switch with steering
lock

’04 Solara_U (L/O 0402)
139
2004 SOLARA from Feb. ’04 Prod. (OM33640U)
Your automatic transmission has a shift
lock system to minimize the possibility of
incorrect operation. This means you can
only shift out of “P” position when the
brake pedal is depressed (with the ignition
switch in the “ON” position).
(a) Selector lever
The shift position is also displayed on the
instrument cluster.
P:Parking, engine starting and key
removal
R:Reverse
N:Neutral
D:Normal driving
3:Engine braking
2:Stronger engine braking
L:Maximum engine braking
Automatic transmission
Standard type (2AZFE engine)
Shift with the brake pedal
depressed.
(The ignition switch must
be in “ON” position.)
Shift normally.Selector lever

’04 Solara_U (L/O 0402)
140
2004 SOLARA from Feb. ’04 Prod. (OM33640U)
(b) Normal driving
1. Start the engine as instructed in “How
to start the engine” on page 248 in
Section 3. The transmission must be in
“P” or “N”.
2. With your foot holding down the brake
pedal, shift the selector lever to “D”.
When the lever is in the “D” position, the
automatic transmission system will select
the most suitable gear for running condi-
tions such as normal cruising, hill climb-
ing, etc.
Always use the “D” position for better fuel
economy and quieter driving. If the engine
coolant temperature is low, the transmis-
sion will not shift into the overdrive gear
even in the “D” position.
CAUTION
Never put your foot on the accelera-
tor pedal while shifting.
3. Release the parking brake and brake
pedal. Depress the accelerator pedal
slowly for smooth starting.(c) Using engine braking
To use engine braking, you can downshift
the transmission as follows:
Shift into the “3” position. The trans-
mission will downshift to third gear.
Shift into the “2” position. The trans-
mission will downshift to second gear
when the vehicle speed drops down to
or lower than 107 km/h (66 mph), and
stronger engine braking will be en-
abled.
Shift into the “L” position. The trans-
mission will downshift to first gear
when the vehicle speed drops down to
or lower than 53 km/h (32 mph), and
maximum engine braking will be en-
abled.
When the cruise control is being used,
even if you down shift from “D” to “3”,
engine braking will not be enabled be-
cause the cruise control is not cancelled.
For ways to decrease the vehicle speed,
see “Cruise control” on page 155 in this
Section.
CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a
slippery surface. Abrupt shifting
could cause the vehicle to spin or
skid.
(d) Using “2” and “L” positions
The “2” and “L” positions are used for
strong engine braking as described pre-
viously.
With the selector lever in “2” or “L”, you
can start the vehicle in motion as with the
lever in “D”.
With the selector lever in “2”, the vehicle
will start in first gear and automatically
shift to second gear.
With the selector lever in “L”, the trans-
mission is engaged in first gear.

’04 Solara_U (L/O 0402)
141
2004 SOLARA from Feb. ’04 Prod. (OM33640U)
NOTICE
Be careful not to overrev the en-
gine. Watch the tachometer to keep
engine rpm from going into the red
zone. The approximate maximum al-
lowable speed for each position is
given below for your reference:
“2” 118 km/h (74 mph). . . . . . . . . . .
“L” 66 km/h (41 mph). . . . . . . . . . . .
Do not continue hill climbing for a
long time in the “2” or “L” posi-
tion. This may cause severe auto-
matic transmission damage from
overheating. To prevent such dam-
age, “D” position should be used in
hill climbing.
(e) 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
“R” position.
NOTICE
Never shift into reverse while the ve-
hicle is moving.
(f) 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 “P” posi-
tion.
CAUTION
Never attempt to move the selector
lever into “P” position under any cir-
cumstances while the vehicle is mov-
ing. Serious mechanical damage and
loss of vehicle control may result.
(g) Good driving practice
If the transmission repeatedly shifts up
and down between third gear and over-
drive when climbing a gentle slope, shift
the selector lever to the “3” position. Be
sure to shift the selector lever to the “D”
position immediately afterward.
CAUTION
Always keep your foot on the brake
pedal while stopped with the engine
running. This prevents the vehicle
from creeping.
NOTICE
Always use the brake pedal or the
parking brake to hold the vehicle on
an upgrade. Do not attempt to hold
the vehicle using the accelerator ped-
al, as this can cause the transmission
to overheat.
(h) If you cannot shift the selector le-
ver out of “P” position
If you cannot shift the selector lever from
“P” position even though the brake pedal
is depressed, use the shift lock override
button. For instructions, see “If you cannot
shift automatic transmission selector lever”
on page 273 in Section 4.

’04 Solara_U (L/O 0402)
142
2004 SOLARA from Feb. ’04 Prod. (OM33640U)
Your automatic transmission has a shift
lock system to minimize the possibility of
incorrect operation. This means you can
only shift out of “P” position when the
brake pedal is depressed (with the ignition
switch in the “ON” position).
(a) Selector lever
The shift position is also displayed on the
instrument cluster.
P:Parking, engine starting and key
removal
R:Reverse
N:Neutral
D:Normal driving (shifting into overdrive)
S:“S” mode driving
+:Upshift range
:Downshift range Multimode type (3MZFE engine)
Shift with the brake pedal
depressed.
(The ignition switch must
be in “ON” position.)
Shift normally.
To select “S” or “D”, lean
the selector lever leftward
or rightward.Selector lever

’04 Solara_U (L/O 0402)
143
2004 SOLARA from Feb. ’04 Prod. (OM33640U)
(b) Normal driving
1. Start the engine as instructed in “How
to start the engine” on page 248 in
Section 3. The transmission must be in
“P” or “N”.
2. With your foot holding down the brake
pedal, shift the selector lever to “D”.
When the lever is in the “D” position, the
automatic transmission system will select
the most suitable gear for running condi-
tions such as normal cruising, hill climb-
ing, etc.
Always use the “D” position for better fuel
economy and quieter driving. In this posi-
tion, shifting into the overdrive gear is
possible. If the engine coolant temperature
is low, the transmission will not shift into
the overdrive gear even in the “D” posi-
tion.
CAUTION
Never put your foot on the accelera-
tor pedal while shifting.
3. Release the parking brake and brake
pedal. Depress the accelerator pedal
slowly for smooth starting.(c) Driving in “S” mode
You can change the shift range position
in the “S” mode. The shift range posi-
tion can be switched between 5 (fifth
range) and 1 (first range) by moving
the selector lever up to the “+” side or
down to the “” side. The first shift
range position is 4 (fourth range) when
the selector lever is shifted to the “S”
position.
The “S” mode indicator and the shift range
position being used are shown on the in-
strument cluster.
1: Upshift range
2: Downshift range

’04 Solara_U (L/O 0402)
144
2004 SOLARA from Feb. ’04 Prod. (OM33640U)
Shift range positions
“5” (Fifth range):
The most suitable gear is selected au-
tomatically between first and overdrive
(fifth) gears according to the vehicle
speed or driving conditions.
“4” (Fourth range):
The most suitable gear is selected au-
tomatically between first and fourth
gears according to the vehicle speed
or driving conditions. Slight engine
braking will be obtained on a downhill
road. Smooth running with less shifting
will be obtained on an uphill road.
“3” (Third range):
The most suitable gear is selected au-
tomatically between first and third
gears according to the vehicle speed
or driving conditions. This range is to
be used when stronger engine braking
is necessary.
“2” (Second range):
First or second gear will be selected
automatically according to the vehicle
speed or driving conditions. This range
is to be used when engine braking
stronger than that of the “3” range
position is necessary.
“1” (First range):
The gear is fixed in first regardless of
vehicle speed or driving conditions.
This range is to be used when maxi-
mum engine braking is necessary.
If you attempt to downshift the transmis-
sion when it is not possible to downshift
due to high vehicle speed, a warning tone
sounds twice.
Maximum allowable speeds
To get on a highway or to pass slower
traffic, maximum acceleration may be nec-
essary. Make sure you observe the follow-
ing maximum allowable speeds in each
range:
range km/h (mph)
1 47 (29)
2 86 (53)
3 133 (83)
NOTICE
Do not downshift if you are going
faster than the maximum allowable
speed for the next lower range.
When the “S” mode indicator light does
not come on even with the selector lever
moved to the “S” position, there may be a
problem somewhere in the system. Have
your vehicle checked/repaired by your
Toyota dealer as soon as possible. In this
case, you can drive in the same condition
as in the “D” position.
(d) Using engine braking
To use engine braking, you can downshift
the transmission as follows:
When driving in the “D” position—
Shift the selector lever to “S” posi-
tion.
When driving in the “5” range within
the “S” position—
Move the selector lever down to the
“−” side to select the “4” range.
The transmission will downshift to
fourth range and engine braking will be
enabled.
When the cruise control is being used,
engine braking can not be enabled be-
cause the cruise control is not can-
celled.
For decreasing the vehicle speed, see
“Cruise control” on page 155 in this
Section.