2007 TOYOTA AVALON transmission

162
(b) Normal driving1. Start the engine as instructed in “How to start the engine” on page 296 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, hard towing, 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
To select the “S” mode, put the selec-
tor lever in the sequential position.
In the “S” mode, you can change the
shift range position. The shift range
position can be switched between 5
(fifth range) and 1 (first range) by
pushing the selector lever forward to-
wards “+” or pulling back towards “”.
When the selector lever is moved into
the “S” mode, the initial shift range
position is 4 (fourth range).
The “S” mode indicator light and the cur-
rent shift range position are shown on the
instrument cluster.
1: Upshift range
2: Downshift range

163
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 59 (37)
2 106 (66)
3 165 (103)
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 sequential position, there
may be a problem somewhere in the
system. Have your vehicle checked/re-
paired 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 sequential
position.
When driving in the “5” range within
the sequential 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.
Vehicles with cruise control or dynamic
laser cruise control—When the cruise
control is being used, engine braking
can not be enabled because the cruise
control is not cancelled.

164
For ways to decrease the vehicle speed,
see “Cruise control” on page 176 or “Dy-
namic laser cruise control” on page 179
in this Section.
Move the selector lever down to the
“− ” side to select the “3” range. The
transmission will downshift to third
range when the vehicle speed drops
down to or lower than 147 km/h (91
mph), and stronger engine braking will
be enabled.
Move the selector lever down to the
“ − ” side to select the “2” range. The
transmission will downshift to second
range when the vehicle speed drops
down to or lower than 91 km/h (56
mph), and more powerful engine brak-
ing than that of the “3” range position
will be enabled.
Move the selector lever down to the
“ − ” side to select the “1” range. The
transmission will downshift to first
range when the vehicle speed drops
down to or lower than 39 km/h (24
mph), and maximum engine braking will
be enabled.
CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a
slippery surface. Abrupt shifting
could cause the vehicle to skid or
spin.
(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. 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.

165
(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 into sequential
position.
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.
(h) If you cannot shift the selector le-ver out of “P” position
If you cannot shift the selector lever from
the “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 331 in Section 4. The traction control system automatical-
ly helps prevent the spinning of front
wheels when the vehicle is started or
accelerated on slippery road surfaces.
When the ignition switch is set at ON, the
system automatically turns on.
CAUTION
Under certain slippery road condi-
tions, full traction of the vehicle and
power against front wheels cannot be
maintained, even though the traction
control system is in operation. Do not
drive the vehicle under any speed or
maneuvering conditions which may
cause the vehicle to lose traction
control. In situations where the road
surface is covered with ice or snow,
your vehicle should be fitted with
snow tires or tire chains. Always
drive at an appropriate and cautious
speed for the present road condi-
tions.
Traction control system

176
The cruise control allows you to cruise
the vehicle at a desired speed over 40
km/h (25 mph) with your foot off the
accelerator pedal.
Your cruising speed can be maintained
although a slight speed change may occur
when driving up or down gradient, within
the limits of engine performance. 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
cluster shows that you can now set your
desired cruising speed. Another push will
turn the system completely off.
When the ignition switch is turned off, the
system automatically turned off. To use
the cruise control again, press the “ON −
OFF” button again to turn it on.
Cruise control

177
CAUTION
To avoid accidentally engaging the
cruise control, keep the “ONOFF”
button off when not using the cruise
control.
SETTING AT A DESIRED SPEED
The transmission must be in the “D” posi-
tion or the shift range position must be “4”
(fourth range) or “5” (fifth range) in “S”
mode 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. If you need acceleration—for example,
when passing—depress the accelerator
pedal enough for the vehicle to exceed
the set speed. When you release it, the
vehicle will return to the speed set prior
to the acceleration.
CANCELLING THE PRESET SPEED
You can cancel the preset speed by:
a. Pulling the lever in the “CANCEL” direction.
b. Depressing the brake pedal. c. Pressing the “ON −OFF” button.
If cancelled by c., the “CRUISE” indicator
light goes off in the instrument panel. In
this case, the present speed data is
cleared, and you must set the speed from
the beginning.
In the following cases, the preset speed
automatically cancels out: a. When vehicle speed falls below about 40 km/h (25 mph).
b. When vehicle stability control is acti- vated.
c. When vehicle speed drops 16 km/h (10 mph) below the preset speed.

178
If cancelled by c., the present speed data
is cleared, and you must set the speed
from the beginning.
If the preset speed automatically cancels
out for other than the above reasons, do
not operate the cruise control. Although it
is no problem to continue driving, have
your vehicle checked by your Toyota deal-
er at the earliest opportunity.
RESETTING TO A FASTER SPEED
Push the lever up in the “+ RES” direction
and hold it. Release the lever when the
desired speed is attained. While the lever
is held up, the vehicle will gradually gain
speed.
When the difference between the actual
vehicle speed and the set speed is less
than 5 km/h (3 mph), the set speed can
be increased 1.6 km/h (1 mph) each time
by pushing the lever up in the “+ RES”
direction quickly within 0.5 seconds.
However, a faster way to reset is to ac-
celerate the vehicle and then push the
lever down in the “− SET” direction.RESETTING TO A SLOWER SPEED
Push the lever down in the “
− SET” direc-
tion and hold it. Release the lever when
the desired speed is attained. While the
lever is held down, the vehicle speed will
gradually decrease.
When the difference is 5 km/h (3 mph) or
more, the vehicle will cruise with its
actual speed. When the difference be-
tween the actual vehicle speed and the
set speed is less than 5 km/h (3 mph),
the set speed can be lowered 1.6 km/h (1
mph) each time by pushing the lever down
in the “ − SET” direction quickly within 0.5
seconds.
However, a faster way to reset is to de-
press the brake pedal and then push the
lever down in the “− SET” direction.
Even if you downshift the transmission
from the “D” position or “5” (fifth range)
to “4” (fourth range) in “S” mode with the
cruise control on, engine braking will not
be enabled because the cruise control is
not cancelled. To decrease the vehicle
speed, reset to a slower speed with the
cruise control lever or depress the brake
pedal. If you use the brake pedal, cruise
control is cancelled. RESUMING THE PRESET SPEED
If the preset speed is cancelled by pulling
the control lever or by depressing the
brake pedal or by activating the vehicle
stability control system, pushing the lever
up in the “+ RES” direction will restore
the speed set prior to cancellation.
If the preset speed is cancelled when ve-
hicle speed falls below about 40 km/h (25
mph), the preset speed will be resumed
by pushing the control lever up in the “+
RES” direction when vehicle speed ex-
ceeds about 40 km/h (25 mph) again.
CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE WARNING
If “CRUISE” indicator light in the instru-
ment cluster flashes when using the
cruise control, press the “ON
−OFF” button
to turn the system off and then push it
again to turn it on.
If any of the following conditions then oc-
curs, there is some trouble in the cruise
control system.
The indicator light does not come on.
The indicator light flashes again.
The indicator light goes out after it
comes on.
If this is the case, contact your Toyota
dealer and have your vehicle inspected.

185
When the ignition is turned off, all the
preset data is cleared. When you use the
dynamic laser cruise control again, you
need to reset the data.
CAUTION
To avoid accidentally engaging the
cruise control, keep the “ONOFF”
button off when not using the dynam-
ic laser cruise control.
SETTING THE DESIRED SPEED
The transmission must be in the “D” posi-
tion or the shift range position must be “4”
(fourth range) or “5” (fifth range) in “S”
mode 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. At this time, the display
indicates settings such as the preset ve-
hicle speed, whether a vehicle is present
ahead and selected vehicle −to −vehicle dis-
tance. If there is no vehicle detected
ahead, the display does not indicate the
vehicle ahead. You can now take your foot
off the accelerator pedal. If you need to accelerate—for example,
when passing—depress the accelerator
pedal enough for the vehicle to exceed
the preset speed. When you release the
accelerator pedal, the vehicle will return to
the control prior to acceleration.
You cannot set a desired speed if the
master warning light comes on, the alarm
sounds and the display indicates one of
the warning codes “C1”, “C2” or “E3”. If
any of the above codes appears on the
display, see “VEHICLE
−TO −VEHICLE
DISTANCE CONTROL MODE FAILURE
WARNING” on page 190.
CANCELLING THE PRESET SPEED
You can cancel the preset speed by doing
any of the following:
a. Pulling the lever in the “CANCEL” direction.
b. Depressing the brake pedal. c. Pressing the “ON −OFF” button.
If cancelled by a. or b., the “READY”
indicator comes on and the dynamic laser
cruise control enters the ready mode.
If cancelled by c., the “CRUISE” indicator
light goes off in the instrument panel. In
this case, the preset speed data is
cleared, and you must set the speed from
the beginning.