2005 TOYOTA SEQUOIA transmission

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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” or “ACC” position and
the selector lever pulled toward you).
(a) Selector lever
The shift position is displayed on the in-
strument cluster.
P:Parking, engine starting and
key removal
R: Reverse
N: Neutral
D: Normal driving (with overdrive on)
3, 2: Stronger engine braking
(b) Shift position “L” switch (“SHIFT L” switch)
To downshift to first gear (“L” position),
push this switch with the shift lever in the
“2” position. The “
L” is displayed on the
instrument cluster and engine braking will
be maximized.
To shift up to the “2” position, push this
switch again.
To shift up to a position other than “2”,
move the selector lever to that position.
Automatic transmission
With the brake pedal depressed,
shift while pulling the selector lever
toward you. (The ignition switch
must be in “ON” or “ACC” position.)
Shift while pulling the
selector lever toward you.
Shift normally. Selector leverOverdrive switch
Shift position
“L” switch
Push the shift position “L” switch.
To shift from the “L” position to a
position other than “2”, move the
selector lever to that position.

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(c) Overdrive switch
You can select either fourth gear (with
overdrive off) or fifth gear (with overdrive
on) by pushing this switch.
To turn the overdrive off, push the switch.
The “O/D OFF” indicator light should come
on. To turn the overdrive on again, push
the switch again. The “O/D OFF” indicator
light should go off.
Always drive your vehicle with the over-
drive on for better fuel economy and
quieter driving.
If the engine is turned off when the over-
drive is off and restarted, the overdrive
will be on automatically.When the cruise control is being used,
even if you downshift the transmission by
pushing and releasing the overdrive
switch, engine braking will not be enabled
because the cruise control is not can-
celled.
For ways to decrease the vehicle speed,
see “Cruise control” on page 205 in this
Section.
(d) Normal driving
1. Start the engine as instructed in “How to start the engine” on page 364 in
Section 3. The transmission must be in
“P” or “N”.
When the front drive control is in “4LO”
mode (low speed, four −wheel drive), the
driving pattern selector setting has no ef-
fect on gear shift timing. (See “Four −wheel
drive system” on page 177 in this Section
for information on the front drive control.)
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, hard towing, etc. If the engine coolant temperature is low
or when the front drive control is in “4LO”
mode (low speed, four
−wheel drive), the
transmission will not shift into the over-
drive gear even with the overdrive on.
(See “Four −wheel drive system” on page
177 in this Section for information of the
front drive control.)
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.
If the automatic locking operation linked to
shift lever position is set, all doors are
automatically locked when the shift lever
is moved out of “P” position after the
ignition switch is turned to the “ON” posi-
tion and all the doors are closed. For
details, see “—Automatic door locking and
unlocking functions” on page 27 in Section
1 −2.

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(e) Using engine braking
To use engine braking, you can downshift
the transmission as follows:
Push the overdrive switch. The “O/D
OFF” indicator light will come on and
the transmission will downshift to fourth
gear.
Shift into the “3” position. The trans-
mission will downshift to third gear
when the vehicle speed drops down to
or lower than the following speed, and
stronger engine braking will be en-
abled.Tw o −wheel drive models
121 km/h (75 mph)
Four −wheel drive models
“2WD” or “4HI” mode 121 km/h (75 mph)
“4LO” mode 47 km/h (29 mph)
Shift into the “2” position. The trans-
mission will downshift to second gear
when the vehicle speed drops down to
or lower than the following speed, and
stronger engine braking will be en-
abled. Tw o −wheel drive models
80 km/h (49 mph)
Four −wheel drive models
“2WD” or “4HI” mode 80 km/h (49 mph)
“4LO” mode 31 km/h (19 mph)
Push the “SHIFT L” switch. The trans-
mission will downshift to first gear
when the vehicle speed drops down to
or lower than the following speed, and
maximum engine braking will be en-
abled. Tw o −wheel drive models
35 km/h (21 mph)
Four −wheel drive models
“2WD” or “4HI” mode 35 km/h (21 mph)
“4LO” mode 13 km/h (8 mph) When the cruise control is being used,
even if you downshift the transmission by
pushing and releasing the overdrive
switch, engine braking will not be enabled
because the cruise control is not can-
celled.
For ways to decrease the vehicle speed,
see “Cruise control” on page 205 in this
Section.
CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a
slippery surface. Abrupt shifting
could cause the vehicle to skid or
spin.

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(f) Using the “3”, “2” and “L”, posi-tions
The “3”, “2” and “L” positions are used for
strong engine braking as described pre-
viously.
With the selector lever in “3”, “2” or
“SHIFT L” switch depressed, the vehicle
can start just as if the lever was in “D”.
With the selector lever in “3” or “2”, the
vehicle will start in first gear and automat-
ically shift to second gear.
With the “SHIFT L” switch depressed, the
transmission is engaged in first gear.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 above for your reference:
Twowheel drive models “3” 135 km/h (84 mph) . . . . . . .
“2” 90 km/h (56 mph) . . . . . . . .
“L” 50 km/h (31 mph) . . . . . . . .
Fourwheel drive models “2WD” or “4HI” mode“3” 135 km/h (84 mph) . . . . . . .
“2” 90 km/h (56 mph) . . . . . . . .
“L” 50 km/h (31 mph) . . . . . . . .
“4LO” mode “3” 50 km/h (31 mph) . . . . . . . .
“2” 35 km/h (21 mph) . . . . . . . .
“L” 20 km/h (12 mph) . . . . . . . .
 Do not continue hill climbing or
hard towing for a long time in the
“3”, “2” or “L” position. This may
cause severe automatic transmis-
sion damage from overheating. To
prevent such damage, “D” position
should be used in hill climbing or
hard towing.
(g) 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.
(h) Parking
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. With the brake pedal pressed down, fully depress the parking brake pedal
to apply the parking brake securely.
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.

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If the automatic unlocking operation linked
to shift lever position is set, all doors are
automatically unlocked when the selector
lever is moved to “P” position after the
ignition switch is turned to “ON” position.
For details, see “—Automatic door locking
and unlocking functions” on page 27 in
Section 1−2.
(i) Good driving practice
If the transmission repeatedly shifts up
and down between fourth gear and
overdrive when climbing a gentle slope,
the overdrive should be turned off. Be
sure to turn the switch on immediately
afterward.
When towing a trailer, in order to main-
tain engine braking efficiency, do not
use overdrive.
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.
Front drive control switches
Center differential lock switch
Fourwheel drive system—
(a) Front drive control

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“4LO” mode (low speed, fourwheel
drive, center differential locked)
To select this mode, press the “4LO”
switch, and then press the center differen-
tial lock switch. The “4LO” and the center
differential lock indicator lights come on.
Use this for maximum power and traction.
Use this for hard pulling in situations the
vehicle cannot negotiate even in “4LO”
(low speed, four−wheel drive, center differ-
ential unlocked) mode. Also, using this
mode when driving down steep off −road
inclines will help contribute to increased
vehicle stability.
The indicator light tells when the differen-
tial lock is engaged. Note that the differ-
ential is not still locked as long as the
indicator light remains off.
When the operation is not completed, the
indicator blinks. If the indicator light does
not go off when you push out the center
differential lock switch, drive straight
ahead while accelerating or decelerating,
or drive in reverse.
If the center differential lock system op-
eration is not completed within 5 seconds
while the cruise control system is set,
cancel the cruise control system. To can-
cel the cruise control system, see “Cruise
control” on page 205 in Section 1 −7. If the indicator blinks even if doing so,
contact your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible. There may be a trouble in the
center differential lock system.
See “(c) Shifting procedure” for further in-
structions.
Advice for driving on slippery roads in
“4LO” (low speed, fourwheel drive)
mode
If you press the “4LO” switch and shift
the automatic transmission lever to “2”
when you drive in steep off
−road areas,
the output of the brake can be controlled
effectively by the active traction control
system, which assists the driver to control
the driving power of 4 wheels.
Use the “L” position of the automatic
transmission for maximum power and trac-
tion when your wheels get stuck or when
you drive down a steep incline. The output
of the brake can be controlled by the
active traction control system if the engine
speed is under 3000 rpm (normally engine
speed is under 3000 rpm when the wheels
get unstuck), in the following cases:
The front drive control in “4LO” mode
and the automatic transmission in “L”
or the automatic transmission in “D”,
“3” or “2” with the transmission down-
shifting to the first gear
The front drive control in “4LO” mode
and the automatic transmission in “R”
(As for the automatic transmission shift
positions, see “Automatic transmission” on
page 173 in this Section.)

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NOTICE
Do not drive on a dry paved surface
in “4HI” (LOCKED) mode. This may
damage the locking mechanism and
the drive system.
To shift from “4HI” (LOCKED) to “4HI”
(UNLOCKED), press the center differential
lock switch again to turn off it.
This can be done at any vehicle speed.
If the center differential lock indicator light
flashes when you press the center differ-
ential lock switch, drive straight ahead
while accelerating or decelerating, or drive
in reverse.
SHIFTING BETWEEN “2WD” OR “4HI”
AND “4LO”
To shift between “2WD” or “4HI” mode and
“4LO” mode, stop the vehicle and put the
transmission in “N”. With your foot holding
down the brake pedal, press the “4LO”
switch. If the “4LO” indicator light flashes and the
buzzer sounds three times when you
press the “4LO” switch, stop the vehicle
completely, put the transmission securely
into “N” and press the switch again.
CAUTION
Never press the “4LO” switch if
wheels are slipping. Stop the slipping
or spinning before shifting.
NOTICE
Do not drive on a dry paved surface
in “4LO” (LOCKED) mode. This may
damage the locking mechanism and
the drive system.
SHIFTING BETWEEN “4LO”
(UNLOCKED) AND “4LO” (LOCKED)
To shift between “4LO” (UNLOCKED)
mode and “4LO” (LOCKED) mode,
press
the center differential lock switch.
This can be done at any vehicle speed.
If the center differential lock indicator light
flashes when you press the center differ-
ential lock switch, drive straight ahead
while accelerating or decelerating.
CAUTION
Never press the center differential
lock switch if wheels are slipping.
Stop the slipping or spinning before
shifting.
NOTICE
Do not drive on a dry paved surface
in “4LO” (LOCKED) mode. This may
damage the locking mechanism and
the drive system.

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The cruise control allows you to cruise
the vehicle at a desired speed over 40
km/h (25 mph) even with your foot off
the accelerator pedal.
Your cruising speed can be maintained up
or down grades within the limits of engine
performance, although a slight speed
change may occur when driving up or
down the grades. On steeper hills, a
greater speed change will occur so it is
better to drive without the cruise control.
CAUTION
To help maintain maximum control
of your vehicle, do not use the
cruise control when driving in
heavy or varying traffic, or on slip-
pery (rainy, icy or snowcovered) or
winding roads.
Avoid vehicle speed increases when
driving downhill. If the vehicle
speed is too fast in relation to the
cruise control set speed, cancel the
cruise control then downshift the
transmission to use engine braking
to slow down.
TURNING THE SYSTEM ON
To operate the cruise control, press the
“ON−OFF” button. This turns the system
on. The indicator light in the instrument
panel shows that you can now set the
vehicle at a desired cruising speed. Anoth-
er press will turn the system completely
off.
CAUTION
To avoid accidental cruise control en-
gagement, keep the “ONOFF” button
off when not using the cruise control.
SETTING AT A DESIRED SPEED
The transmission must be in “D” before
you set the cruise control speed.
Bring your vehicle to the desired speed,
push the lever down in the “ − SET” direc-
tion and release it. This sets the vehicle
at that speed. If the speed is not satisfac-
tory, tap the lever up for a faster speed,
or tap it down for a slower speed. Each
tap changes the set speed by 1.6 km/h
(1.0 mph). You can now take your foot off
the accelerator pedal.
Cruise control