2008 TOYOTA SEQUOIA Owners Manual

145
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
Engine (ignition) switch
■Engine switch
LOCK
The steering wheel is locked
and the key can be removed.
ACC
Some electrical components
such as the audio system can
be used.
ON
All electrical components can
be used.
START
For starting the engine.
■Starting the engine
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is set in P.
Sit in the driver’s seat and firmly depress the brake pedal.
Turn the engine switch to the START position and start the
engine.

146 2-1. Driving procedures
■Turning the key from ACC to LOCK
■ Steering lock release
■ If the engine does not start
The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( P. 96)
■ Key reminder function
A buzzer sounds if the driver’s door is opened, while the engine switch is in
the ACC or LOCK position to remind you to remove the key.
CAUTION
■When starting the engine
Always start the engine while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the
accelerator while starting the engine under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
Shift the shift lever to P.
(P. 148, 152)
Push in the key and turn to the
LOCK position.
When starting the engine, the engine
switch may seem stuck in the LOCK posi-
tion. To free it, turn the key while turning
the steering wheel slightly in either direc-
tion.

147
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
CAUTION
■
Caution while driving
Do not turn the engine switch to the LOCK position.
If in an emergency, you must turn the engine off while the vehicle is moving,
turn the engine switch only to the ACC position.
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the engine switch in the ACC or ON position for long periods if
the engine is not running.
■ When starting the engine
●Do not crank for more than 30 seconds at a time. This may overheat the
starter and wiring systems.
● Do not race a cold engine.
● If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have the engine
checked immediately.

148
2-1. Driving procedures
Automatic transmission (6-speed models)
Select a shift position appropriate for the driving conditions.
■Shifting the shift lever
While the engine switch is on, depress the brake pedal and
move the shift lever.
■ Shift position uses
*1: To improve fuel consumption and reduce noises, set the shift lever in
D for normal driving.
*2: Selecting shift ranges S mode restricts the upper limit of the possiblegear ranges, control engine braking forces, and prevents unneces-
sary upshifting.
Shift positionFunction
PParking the vehicle or starting the engine
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*1
SS mode driving*2 (P. 149)

149
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
Changing shift ranges in S mode
Shift the shift lever to the S position and operate the shift lever. Upshifting
Downshifting
The initial shift range in S mode is automatically set to 5 or 4 accord-
ing to vehicle speed. However, the initial shift range may be set to 3
or 2 if the AI-SHIFT has operated while the shift lever was in the D
position. (
P. 150)
■ Shift ranges and their functions
A lower shift range will provide greater engine braking forces than a higher
shift range.
Shift rangeFunction
6Automatically selecting gears between 1 and 6
according to vehicle speed and driving conditions.
5Automatically selecting gears between 1 and 5
according to vehicle speed and driving conditions.
4Automatically selecting gears between 1 and 4
according to vehicle speed and driving conditions.
3Automatically selecting gears between 1 and 3
according to vehicle speed and driving conditions.
2Automatically selecting gears between 1 and 2
according to vehicle speed and driving conditions.
1Setting the gear at 1.

150 2-1. Driving procedures
TOW/HAUL switch (vehicles with towing package)Use TOW/HAUL mode when pulling a trailer or hauling a heavy load. Press the TOW/HAUL switch.
The indicator will come on.
Press the switch once more to
cancel the mode.
■Gear range display when driving in S mode
The current gear range is displayed on the combination meter. ( P. 149)
■ When driving with the cruise control system
The engine brake will not operate in the S mode, even when downshifting to
5 or 4. ( P. 183,186)
■ If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
P. 530
■ If the S indicator does not come on even after shifting the shift lever to
S
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.)

151
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
■
Downshifting restrictions wa rning buzzer (in the S mode)
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.)

152
2-1. Driving procedures
Automatic transmission (5-speed models)
Select a shift position appropriate for the driving conditions.
■Shifting the shift lever
While the engine switch is on, depress the brake pedal and
move the shift lever.
■ Shift position uses
*1: To improve fuel consumption and reduce noises, set the shift lever in
D for normal driving.
*2: Selecting shift ranges S mode restricts the upper limit of the possiblegear ranges, control engine braking forces, and prevents unneces-
sary upshifting.
Shift positionFunction
PParking the vehicle or starting the engine
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*1
SS mode driving*2 (P. 153)