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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)
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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 (2AZ FE 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)
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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.