2009 TOYOTA SEQUOIA Owners Manual

153
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.

154
2-1. Driving procedures
Automatic transmission
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. 155)

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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. Upshift range
Downshift range
The initial shift range in S mode is automatically set to 5 or 4 (6-speed
models) or 4 (5-speed models) according to vehicle speed. However,
the initial shift range may be set to 3 or 2 (6-speed models) or 3 (5-
speed models) if the AI-SHIFT has operated while the shift lever was
in the D position. (
P. 156)
■ Shift ranges and their functions
A lower shift range will provide greater engine braking forces than a higher
shift range.
Shift rangeFunction
6-speed models5-speed models
6
Automatically 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.

156 2-1. Driving procedures
TOW/HAUL switch (6-speed models 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. 155)
■ When driving with the cruise control system
The engine brake will not operate in the S mode, even when downshifting to
5 or 4 (6-speed models) or 4 or 3 (5-speed models). ( P. 188,191)
■ If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
P. 544
■ 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.)

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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.)

158
2-1. Driving procedures
Tur n signal lever
■Turn signals can be operated when
The engine switch is in the ON position.
■ If the indicators flash faster than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or rear turn signal lights has not burned
out.
Right turn
Left turn
Move and hold the lever
partway to signal a lane
change.
The right hand signal will flash
until you release the lever.
Move and hold the lever
partway to signal a lane
change.
The left hand signal will flash
until you release the lever.

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2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
Parking brake
■Parking brake engaged warning buzzer
The buzzer sounds to indicate that parking brake is still engaged (with the
vehicle having reached a speed of 3 mph [5 km/h]).
NOTICE
■Before driving
Fully release the parking brake.
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to brake components
overheating, which may affect braking performance and increase brake
wear.
Set the parking brake*.
(Depressing the pedal again
releases the parking brake.)
At this time, the indicator will
come on.
*: Fully depress the parking
brake pedal with your left
foot while depressing the
brake pedal with your right
foot.
Canada U.S.A.

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2-1. Driving procedures
Hor n
■After adjusting the steering wheel (veh icles with manual tilt and tele-
scopic steering)
Make sure that the steering wheel is securely locked.
The horn may not sound if the steering wheel is not securely locked.
( P. 77)
To sound the horn, press on or
close to the mark.