2008 TOYOTA CAMRY Gear

118 2-1. Driving procedures
Starting on a steep uphillAutomatic transmission Firmly set the parking brake and shift the shift lever to D.
Gently depress the accelerator pedal.
Release the parking brake.
Manual transmission
With the parking brake firmly set and the clutch pedal fully
depressed, shift the shift lever to 1.
Lightly depress the accelerator pedal at the same time as
gradually releasing the clutch pedal.
Release the parking brake.
■Driving in the rain
●Drive carefully when it is raining, because visibility will be reduced, the
windows may become fogged-up, and the road will be slippery.
● Drive carefully when it starts to rain, because the road surface will be
especially slippery.
● Refrain from high speeds when driving on an expressway in the rain,
because there may be a layer of water between the tires and the road
surface, preventing the steering and brakes from operating properly.
■ Breaking in your new Toyota
To extend the life of the vehicle, the following precautions are recommended
to observe:
●For the first 186 miles (300 km):
Avoid sudden stops.
● For the first 994 miles (1600 km):
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive continuously in the low gears.
• Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods.
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122 2-1. Driving procedures
CAUTION
■When the vehicle is stopped
●Do not race the engine.
If the vehicle is in any gear other than P (automatic transmission only) or N
the vehicle may accelerate suddenly and unexpectedly, and may cause an
accident.
● Do not leave the vehicle with the engine running for a long time.
If such a situation cannot be avoided, park the vehicle in an open space
and check that exhaust fumes do not enter the vehicle interior.
● Vehicles with an automatic transmission: Always keep a foot on the brake
pedal while the engine is running to prevent an accident caused by the
vehicle moving.
■ When the vehicle is parked
●Do not leave glasses, cigarette lighters, spray cans, or soft drink cans in
the vehicle when it is in the sun.
Doing so may result in the following.
• Gas may leak from a cigarette lighter or spray can, and may lead to a
fire.
• The temperature inside the vehicle may cause the plastic lenses and plastic material of eye glasses to deform or crack.
• Soft drink cans may fracture, causing the contents to spray over the interior of the vehicle, and may also cause a short circuit in the vehi-
cle's electrical components.
● Always apply the parking brake, shift the shift lever to P (automatic trans-
mission only), stop the engine and lock the vehicle.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended while the engine is running.
● Do not touch the exhaust pipe while the engine is running or immediately
after turning the engine off.
Doing so may cause burns.
● Do not leave the engine running in an area with snow build-up, or where it
is snowing. If snowbanks build up around the vehicle while the engine is
running, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle. This may lead
to death or a serious health hazard.

124 2-1. Driving procedures
NOTICE
■When driving the vehicle
Manual transmission
● Do not shift gears unless the clutch pedal is fully depressed. After shifting,
do not release the clutch abruptly. Doing so may damage the clutch, trans-
mission and gears.
● Do not rest your foot on the clutch pedal while driving.
Doing so may cause clutch trouble.
● Do not use any gears other than the first gear when starting off and mov-
ing forward.
Doing so may damage the clutch.
● Do not use the clutch to hold the vehicle when stopping on an uphill grade.
Doing so may damage the clutch.
● Do not shift into reverse when the vehicle is still moving. Doing so may
damage the clutch, transmission and gears.
Automatic transmission
Do not use the accelerator pedal or depress the accelerator and brake ped-
als together to hold the vehicle on a hill.
■ When parking the vehicle
Vehicles with an automatic transmission: Always put the shift lever in P. Fail-
ure to do so may cause the vehicle to move or the vehicle may accelerate
suddenly if the accelerator pedal is accidentally depressed.
■ Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
●Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for a
long time.
Doing so may damage the power steering motor.
● When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid
damaging the wheels, underside of the vehicle, 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

135
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
Changing shift ranges in S mode (multi-mode type)
Shift the shift lever to the S position and operate the shift lever. Upshifting
Downshifting
■ Shift ranges and their functions
A lower shift range will provide greater engine braking forces than a
higher shift range.
Shift rangeFunction
6 A gear between 1 and 6 is automatically selected
according to vehicle speed and driving conditions
5 A gear between 1 and 5 is automatically selected
according to vehicle speed and driving conditions.
4 A gear between 1 and 4 is automatically selected
according to vehicle speed and driving conditions.
3 A gear between 1 and 3 is automatically selected
according to vehicle speed and driving conditions.
2 A gear between 1 and 2 is automatically selected
according to vehicle speed and driving conditions.
1 Setting the gear at 1.

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)

137
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
Manual transmission (if equipped)
■Maximum allowable speeds
Observe the following maximum allowable speeds in each gear when maxi-
mum acceleration is necessary.
mph (km/h)
■Shifting the shift lever
Fully depress the clutch pedal
before operating the shift
lever, and then release the
clutch pedal slowly.
Shift positionMaximum speed
1 33 (54)
2 59 (95)
3 90 (146)
4 124 (200)

179
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
●
In order to maintain efficient engine braking and electrical charging
performance, do not use overdrive (automatic transmission) or the
5th gear (manual transmission).
● Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle's engine may
overheat on hot days (at temperatures over 85°F [30°C]) when
driving up a long or steep grade. If the engine coolant temperature
gauge indicates overheating, immedi ately turn off the air condition-
ing (if in use), pull your vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot.
(  P. 421)
● Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and the trailer
wheels when parking. Apply the parking brake firmly, and put the
transmission in P (automatic transmission) or in first or R (manual
transmission). Avoid parking on a slope, but if unavoidable, do so
only after performing the following:
Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
Have someone place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and
trailer wheels.
When the wheel blocks are in pl ace, release the brakes slowly
until the blocks absorb the load.
Apply the parking brake firmly.
Shift into first or R (manual transmission) or P (automatic
transmission) and turn off the engine.
● When restarting after parking on a slope:
With the transmission in the P position (automatic transmis-
sion) or the clutch pedal (m anual transmission) depressed,
start the engine. On vehicles with an automatic transmission,
be sure to keep the brake pedal pressed.
Shift into a forward gear. If reversing, shift into the R position.
Release the parking brake (also brake pedal on vehicles with
automatic transmission), and sl owly pull or back away from
the wheel blocks. Stop and apply the brakes.
Have someone retrieve the blocks.
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