2008 TOYOTA CAMRY Control engine

121
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
CAUTION
●
When stopped on an inclined surface, use the brake pedal and parking
brake to prevent the vehicle from rolling backward or forward and causing
an accident.
● Do not adjust the position of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or
outside rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control that can cause accidents
that may result in death or serious injury.
● Always check that all passengers' arms, heads or other parts of their bod-
ies are not outside the vehicle, as this may result in death or serious injury.
● Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit per-
mits it, do not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicle has high-
speed capability tires. Driving over 85 mph (140 km/h) may result in tire
failure, loss of control and possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer
to determine whether the tires on your vehicle are high-speed capability
tires or not before driving at such speeds.
■ When driving on slippery road surfaces
●Sudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippage and
reduce your ability to control the vehicle, resulting in an accident.
● Sudden changes in engine speed, such as engine braking caused by up-
shifting or down-shifting, may cause the vehicle to skid, resulting in an
accident.
● After driving through a puddle, lightly depress the brake pedal to make
sure that the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent
the brakes from functioning properly. If the brakes on only one side are wet
and not functioning properly, steering control may be affected, resulting in
an accident.
■ When shifting the shift lever
Vehicles with an automatic transmission: Be careful not to shift the shift lever
with the accelerator pedal depressed.
This may lead to unexpected rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may
cause an accident and result in death or serious injury.

125
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
NOTICE
■
If you hear a squealing or scraping noise (brake pad wear limit indica-
tors)
Have the brake pads checked and replaced by your Toyota dealer as soon
as possible.
Rotor damage can result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
It is dangerous to drive the vehicle when the wear limits of the brake pads
and/or that of the brake discs are exceeded.
■ If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering
wheel firmly and gradually press the brake pedal to slow down the vehicle.
●It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
● The vehicle will make abnormal sounds.
● The vehicle will behave abnormally.
Replace a flat tire with a new one. ( P. 403)
■ When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may
cause the following serious damage to the vehicle.
●Engine stalling
● Short in electrical components
● Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be
sure to have your Toyota dealer check the following.
● Brake function
● Changes in quantity and quality of engine oil, and transaxle fluid etc.
● Lubricant condition for the bearings and suspension joints (where possi-
ble) and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.

134 2-1. Driving procedures
■Shift position uses
*1: To improve fuel consumption and reduce noises, set the shift lever in
the D position for normal driving.
*2: Selecting shift ranges using S mode restricts the upper limit of thepossible gear ranges, controls engine braking forces, and prevents
unnecessary upshifting.
Shift positionFunction
Standard typeMulti-mode type
P Parking the vehicle or starting the engine
R Reversing
N Neutral
D Normal driving
*1
S S mode driving*2
(  P. 135)
4 Position for engine
braking
3,2 Position for more
powerful engine braking
L Position for maximum
engine braking

136 2-1. Driving procedures
■Downshifting restrictions
Standard type
The shift lever cannot be downshifted if the following speeds are exceeded.
mph (km/h)
Multi-mode type
To help ensure safety and driving performance, downshifting operation may
sometimes be restricted. In some circumstances, downshifting may not be
possible even when the shift lever is operated. (The warning buzzer will
sound twice.)
■ When driving with the cruise control system
Engine braking will not occur when downshifting from D or 6 to 4. ( P. 159)
■ If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
P. 413
■ If the “S” indicator does not come on even after shifting the shift lever
to S (multi-mode type)
This may indicate a malfunction in the automatic transmission system. Have
the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.
(In this situation, the vehicle will operate as if the shift lever is in D.)
■ AI-SHIFT
The AI-SHIFT automatically shifts the gear to the optimal position according
to the driver performance and driving conditions.
The AI-SHIFT automatically operates when the shift lever is in the D posi-
tion. (Shifting the shift lever to the S position cancels the function.)
DownshiftingMaximum speed
4  3 76 (141)
3  2 48 (89)
2  L 21 (40)

143
2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
Vehicles without multi-information display
The following gauges, meters and displays illuminate when the
engine switch is in “ON” position.
Engine coolant temperature gauge
Displays the engine coolant temperature.
Tachometer
Displays the engine speed in revolutions per minute.
Speedometer
Displays the vehicle speed.
Fuel gauge
Displays the quantity of fuel remaining in the tank.
Odometer/trip meter/instrument p anel light control and trip meter
reset button
Switches between odometer and trip meter displays. Pressing and
holding the button will reset the trip meter when the trip meter is being
displayed. To adjust the brightness of the instrument panel light, turn
the button. ( P. 144)

144 2-2. Instrument cluster
Instrument panel light controlThe brightness of the instrument panel lights can be adjusted.
Darker
Brighter
When the headlight switch is
turned to on, the brightness
will be reduced slightly unless
the control dial is turned fully
clockwise.
Odometer, trip meter and outside temperature display
Odometer: Displays the total distance the vehicle has been driven.
Trip meter: Displays the distance the vehicle has been driven since the
meter was last reset. Trip meters A and B can be used to record and
display different distances independently.
Outside temperature: Displays the outside temperature.
Automatic transmission shift position indicator lights
P. 133
Automatic transmission shift range display (if equipped)
P. 133
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the engine and its components
●Do not let the indicator needle of the tachometer enter the red zone, which
indicates the maximum engine speed.
● The engine may be overheating if the engine coolant temperature gauge is
in the red zone (H). In this case, immediately stop the vehicle in a safe
place, and check the engine after it has cooled completely. (
P. 421)

147
2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
■
Indicators
The indicators inform the driver of the operating state of the
vehicle’s various systems.
Turn signal indicator
(P. 138)
(U.S.A.)
Headlight indicator
( P. 152)
Headlight high beam
indicator ( P. 153)
(CANADA)
Tail light indicator
(P. 152)
Slip indicator
(P. 162)
(if equipped)
Front fog light indicator
( P. 156)
(if equipped)
Engine immobilizer/theft
deterrent system indica-
tor ( P. 77, 79)SRS airbag on-off indi-
cator (P. 96)
Cruise control indicator
(P. 159)
*
*

154 2-3. Operating the lights and wipers
■The headlights can be oper ated automatically when
Vehicles with smart key system
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
Vehicles without smart key system
The engine switch is in “ON” position.
■ Daytime running light system
To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers, the headlights turn on
automatically (at a reduced intensity) whenever the engine is started and the
parking brake is released. Daytime running lights are not designed for use at
night.
For U.S.A.: Daytime running lights can be turned off by operating the switch.
■ Headlight control sensor
The sensor may not function properly if
an object is placed on the sensor, or any-
thing that blocks the sensor is affixed to
the windshield.
Doing so interferes with the sensor
detecting the level of ambient light and
may cause the automatic headlight sys-
tem to malfunction.