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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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(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 over rev 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:
Two wheel drive models “3” 135 km/h (84 mph) . . . . . . .
“2” 90 km/h (56 mph) . . . . . . . .
“L” 50 km/h (31 mph) . . . . . . . .
Four wheel 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
Four wheel drive system—
(a) Front drive control
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NOTICE
If the vehicle height is changed fre-
quently when the vehicle is heavily
loaded, the compressor may over-
heat, causing the vehicle height ad-
justment operation to stop.
Before you lower the vehicle height
with the height control switch,
check under the vehicle to make
sure nothing to damage the vehicle
or no one to be injured is there and
that the underbody of the vehicle
does not touch the ground.
After unloading, the height of a ve-
hicle equipped with the rear height
control air suspension becomes
slightly higher than the normal ve-
hicle height. Take sufficient care
where the overhead height is re-
stricted.
Do not select “LO” mode for bumpy
roads. If the underbody of the ve-
hicle touches the road surface, the
vehicle may be damaged.
If you attempt to adjust the vehicle height
with anything such as snow, ice, or stones
in contact with the vehicle body, the ve-
hicle height may not change. In this case,
stop the vehicle, press the height control
mode select switch, and check that manu-
al control mode indicator light comes on.
Then, remove the obstruction.
CAUTION
If you drive through water, set the
vehicle height to “HI” with the height
control switch and then change to
manual control mode by pushing the
height control mode select switch. Do
not exceed 30 km/h (18 mph) or “HI”
mode will automatically change to
“N” mode. Do not drive through water
deeper than about 700 mm (28 in.)
even if the vehicle height is in “HI”
mode.
NOTICE
When jacking up or insta lling tire
chains, be sure to set manual con-
trol mode by pushing the height
control mode select switch and stop
the engine. Otherwise, the vehicle
height may change because of the
automatic leveling function, result-
ing in an accident.
If your vehicle must be towed, set
the vehicle height to “N” and
change to manual control mode.
Otherwise, the vehicle height may
change because of the automatic
leveling function, resulting in an ac-
cident.
If your vehicle gets stuck in a
ditch, set manual control mode by
pushing the height control mode se-
lect switch. Otherwise, the vehicle
height may change because of the
automatic leveling function, result-
ing in an accident.
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195
In manual control mode, the automatic lev-
eling function is turned off. When the ve-
hicle height is changed because of the
conditions (load etc.), you can adjust the
vehicle height with the height control
switch.
In manual control mode, if the vehicle
speed exceeds 30 km/h (18 mph), auto-
matic control mode is activated and “N” is
selected automatically.
If you attempt to adjust the vehicle height
with anything such as snow, ice, or stones
in contact with the vehicle body, the ve-
hicle height may not change. In this case,
stop the vehicle and remove the obstruc-
tion.
CAUTION
If you drive through water, set the
vehicle height to “HI” with the height
control switch and then change to
manual control mode by pushing the
height control mode select switch. Do
not exceed 30 km/h (18 mph) or “HI”
mode will automatically change to
“N” mode. Do not drive through water
deeper than about 700 mm (28 in.)
even if the vehicle height is in “HI”
mode.
NOTICE
When jacking up or insta lling tire
chains, be sure to set manual con-
trol mode by pushing the height
control mode select switch and stop
the engine. Otherwise, the vehicle
height may change because of the
automatic leveling function, result-
ing in an accident.
If your vehicle must be towed, set
the vehicle height to “N” in auto-
matic control mode, then select
manual control mode by pushing
the height control mode select
switch. Otherwise, the vehicle
height may change because of the
automatic leveling function, result-
ing in an accident.
If your vehicle gets stuck in a
ditch, set manual control mode with
the height control mode select
switch. Otherwise, the vehicle
height may change because of the
automatic leveling function, result-
ing in an accident.
(b) Vehicle height adjustment
To change the vehicle height in manual
mode, push the height control switch
on either side of “ ” (higher) or “”
(lower).
A higher vehicle height is suitable when
driving on bumpy roads and through water.
A lower vehicle height allows for easy
access to the vehicle (getting in and out)
and easy loading and unloading.
When you are driving on bumpy roads,
which may cause the suspension to fully
elongate, the rear height control air sus-
pension may not operate.
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231
CONTROLLER HOLDER
The controller can be stowed in the
holder when it is not in use. The holder
can be hooked on the back of the driv-
er ’s or front passenger ’s seatback.
CAUTION
To reduce the chance of injury in
case of an accident or a sudden stop
while driving, stow the controller in
the holder when it is not in use.
NOTICE
Do not leave the controller exposed
to high temperatures (such as on the
instrument panel) for a long time,
otherwise the controller may be dam-
aged.
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241
USING THE CONTROLLER
To use the rear seat entertainment sys-
tem controller, direct the signal output
portion of the controller to the signal
reception portion of the rear seat enter-
tainment system display.
The controller does not operate properly
when the signal reception portion of the
display is exposed to direct sunlight.
Block the display from direct sunlight.
NOTICE
Observe the followings, otherwise the
controller may be damaged.
Do not drop or strongly knock the
controller against hard objects.
Do not sit on or place heavy ob-
jects on the controller.CONTROLLER HOLDER
The controller can be stowed in the
holder when it is not in use. The holder
can be hooked on the back of the driv-
er ’s or front passenger ’s seatback.
CAUTION
To reduce the chance of injury in
case of an accident or a sudden stop
while driving, stow the controller in
the holder when it is not in use.