Page 6 of 386
4
OVERVIEW
Driver seatbelt reminder
(alarm will sound if speed is over 12 mph)
Front passenger seatbelt reminder
(alarm will sound if speed is over 12 mph)
Brake system warning
1
Charging system warning1
1If indicator does not turn off within a few seconds of starting engine, there may be a
malfunction. Have vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer.
2For details, refer to “If your vehicle overheats,” Section 5-2, 2010 Owner’s Manual
Indicator symbols
Service indicator and reminder
Gear shift position indicator (if equipped)
Tachometer
Speedometer
Clock
Odometer and two trip meters
Fuel gauge
Instrument cluster
With optitron type meter
Without optitron type meter
For details, refer to “Indicators and warning lights,” Section 2-2, 2010
Owner’s Manual .
Page 117 of 386

104 2-1. Driving procedures
CAUTION
lDo not shift the shift lever to D (vehicles with an automatic transmission) or
1 (vehicles with a manual transmission) while the vehicle is moving back-
ward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle\
control.
l Moving the shift lever to N while the vehicle is moving will disengage the
engine from the transmission. Engine braking is not available when N is
selected.
l During normal driving, do not turn off the engine. Turning the engine off
while driving will not cause loss of steering or braking control, but the
power assist to these systems will be lost. This will make it more difficult to
steer and brake, so you should pull over and stop the vehicle as soon as it
is safe to do so.
However, in the event of an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible
to stop the vehicle in the normal way: →P. 297
l Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving
down a steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose
effectiveness. ( →P. 114,116)
l 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.
l 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.
l 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.
l 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.
Page 119 of 386

106 2-1. Driving procedures
CAUTION
lAvoid revving or racing the engine. Running the engine at high speed
while the vehicle is stopped may cause the exhaust system to overheat,
which could result in a fire if combustible material is nearby.
n When the vehicle is parked
lDo 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.
l 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.
l Do not touch the exhaust pipe while the engine is running or immediately
after turning the engine off.
Doing so may cause burns.
l 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.
n Exhaust gases
Exhaust gases include harmful carbon monoxide (CO) that is colorless and
odorless. Inhaling exhaust gases may lead to death or a serious health haz-
ard.
lIf the vehicle is in a poorly ventilated area, stop the engine. In a closed
area, such as a garage, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle.
This may lead to death or a serious health hazard.
Page 120 of 386

107
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
CAUTION
l
The exhaust should be checked occasionally. If there is a hole or crack
caused by corrosion, damage to a joint or abnormal exhaust noise, be
sure to have the vehicle inspected and repaired by your Toyota dealer.
Failure to do so may allow exhaust gases to enter the vehicle, resulting in
death or a serious health hazard.
n When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the engine off. Otherwise, you may accidentally move the shift
lever or depress the accelerator pedal, which could cause an accident or fire
due to engine overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked in a poorly
ventilated area, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle, leadin\
g to
death or a serious health hazard.
n When braking the vehicle
lWhen the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously.
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and may cause one
side of the vehicle to brake differently than the other side. Also the parking
brake may not securely hold the vehicle.
l If the power brake assist function does not operate, do not follow other
vehicles closely and avoid downhills or sharp turns that require braking.
In this case, braking is still possible, but it will require more force on the
pedal than usual. Braking distance may also increase.
l Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls.
Each push on the brake pedal uses up the reserve for the power-assisted
brakes.
l The brake system consists of 2 individual hydraulic systems: If one of the
systems fails, the other will still operate. In this case, the brake pedal
should be depressed more firmly than usual and braking distance
becomes longer.
Do not drive your vehicle with only a single brake system. Have your
brakes fixed immediately.
Page 126 of 386
113
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
CAUTION
n
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
nTo prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the engine switch in the ACC or ON position for long periods if
the engine is not running.
n When starting the engine
lDo not crank for more than 30 seconds at a time. This may overheat the
starter and wiring systems.
l Do not race a cold engine.
l If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have the engine
checked immediately.
Page 138 of 386
125
2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
Instrument panel light control
The brightness of the instrument panel lights can be adjusted.
Brighter
Darker
With the dial turned fully up, the
intensity of the instrument panel
lights will not be reduced even
when the tail lights/headlights are
turned on.
NOTICE
nTo prevent damage to the engine and its components
lDo not let the indicator needle of the tachometer enter the red zone, which
indicates the maximum engine speed.
l The engine may be overheating if the high engine coolant temperature
warning light comes on. In this case, immediately stop the vehicle in a safe
place, and check the engine after it has cooled completely. (
→P. 325)
Page 154 of 386

141
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
nVSC OFF mode
Stop the vehicle completely, and
press the VSC OFF switch for
more than 3 seconds.
The TRAC OFF and VSC OFF
indicators will come on.
The system is in TRAC off and
VSC off mode.
nSounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, TRAC, VSC and brake
assist system
lA sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the engine is
started or just after the vehicle begins to move. This sound does not indi-
cate that a malfunction has occurred in any of these systems
l Any of the following conditions may occur when the above systems are
operating. None of these indicates that a malfunction has occurred.
• Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
• A motor sound may be heard after the vehicle comes to a stop.
• The brake pedal may pulsate slightly after the ABS is activated.
• The brake pedal may move down slightly after the ABS is activated.
n If the brake system overheats
TRAC will cease operation and a buzzer will sound to alert the driver. Stop
the vehicle in a safe place. (There is no problem with continuing normal driv-
ing.)
Page 155 of 386

142 2-4. Using other driving systems
nAutomatic reactivation of TRAC and VSC
Turning the engine switch OFF after turning off the TRAC and VSC systems
will automatically re-enable them.
n Automatic TRAC reactivation
If only the TRAC system is turned off, the TRAC system will turn on when
vehicle speed increases.
n Automatic TRAC and VSC reactivation
If the TRAC and VSC systems are turned off, the systems will not turn on
even when vehicle speed increases.
n If the slip indicator light up
There is a malfunction in the TRAC and VSC systems. Contact your Toyota
dealer and have your Toyota inspected.
n EPS operation sound
When the steering wheel operates, a motor sound (whirring sound) may be
heard.
This does not indicate a malfunction.
n Reduced effectiveness of EPS
The effectiveness of EPS is reduced to prevent the system from overheating
when there is frequent steering input over an extended period of time. The
steering wheel may feel heavy as a result. Should this occur, refrain from
excessive steering input or stop the vehicle and turn the engine off. The sys-
tem should return to normal within 10 minutes.
CAUTION
nThe ABS does not operate effectively when
lTires with inadequate gripping ability are used (such as excessively worn
tires on a snow covered road).
l The vehicle hydroplanes while driving at high speed on the wet or slick
road.