2013 TOYOTA AVALON Owners Manual

1614-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
AVALON (U)_(OM41440U)
While the engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode, move the
shift lever with the brake pedal depressed.
When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the
vehicle is completely stopped.
*1: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noises, set the shift lever in the Dposition for normal driving.
*2: Selecting shift ranges using S mode restricts the upper limit of the possiblegear ranges, controls engine braking force, and prevents upshifting above
the selected range.
Automatic transmission
Shifting the shift lever
Shift position purpose
Shift positionObjective or function
PParking the vehicle/starting the engine
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*1
SS mode driving*2 (  P. 162)

1624-2. Driving procedures
AVALON (U)_(OM41440U)
When the shift lever is in the S position, the shift lever or paddle shift
switches can be operated as follows:
Shift lever
Upshifting
Downshifting
Paddle shift switches (if equipped)
Upshifting
Downshifting
The initial shift range in S mode is set automatically to “4” or “5”
according to vehicle speed. However, the initial shift range may be set
to “3” if AI-SHIFT has operated whil e the shift lever was in the D posi-
tion. ( P. 164)
■Shift ranges and their functions
● The vehicle is allowed to shift up and down to provide the most
suitable gear selection based on your driving situation. (e.g. S4:
1 to 4 or, 4 to 1)
● You can choose from 6 levels of engine braking force.
A lower shift range will provide gr eater engine braking force than
a higher shift range, and the engine speed will also increase.
● You can choose the gear range y ou want for different levels of
acceleration. (e.g. uphill, sporty driving, etc.)
Changing shift ranges in S mode
1
2
1
2

1634-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
AVALON (U)_(OM41440U)
To drive using temporary shift range selection, operate the “-” paddle
shift switch. The shift range can then be selected by operating the “-”
and “+” paddle shift switches. Changing the shift range allows restric-
tion of the highest gear, preventing upshifting and enabling the level of
engine braking force to be selected.Upshifting
Downshifting
The selected shift range, from “1”
to “5”, or D will be displayed in the
meter.
To return to normal D position
driving, the “+” paddle shift switch
must be held down for a period of
time.
When a shift range higher than “5”
is selected, the shift range will
return to the normal D position.
When the vehicle comes to a stop,
the shift range will return to the
normal D position.
Selecting shift ranges in the D position (vehicles with paddle
shift switches)
1
2

1644-2. Driving procedures
AVALON (U)_(OM41440U)
■S mode
●When the shift range is “4” or lower, holding the shift lever toward “+” sets
the shift range to “6”.
● To prevent the engine from over-revving, upshifting may automatically
occur.
● To protect the automatic transmission, a function is adopted that automati-
cally shifts to the top range when the temperature is too hot.
■ AI-SHIFT
AI-SHIFT automatically selects the suitable gear according to driver input and
the driving situation.
AI-SHIFT automatically operates when the shift lever is in the D position.
(Shifting the shift lever to the S position or paddle shifting cancels the func-
tion.)
■ When driving with cruise control or radar cruise control activated
When downshifting to 5 or 4 by shifting the shift lever to the S position or pad-
dle shifting, cruise control or radar cruise control will not be canceled.
(  P. 190, 194)
■ If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
P. 414
■ If the “S” indicator does not come on or the “D” indicator is displayed
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 transmission will operate in the same manner as when
the shift lever is in D.)
■ Downshift restriction warning buzze r (S mode or paddle shifting)
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 or paddle shift switches are operated. (A
buzzer will sound twice.)
CAUTION
■ When driving on slippery road surfaces
Be careful of downshifting and sudden acceleration, as this could result in
the vehicle skidding to the side or spinning.

1654-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
AVALON (U)_(OM41440U)
The lever will return to its original position after operation.
Right turn
Lane change to the right (push
and hold the lever partway)
The right hand signals will flash
until you release the lever.
Lane change to the left (push
and hold the lever partway)
The left hand signals will flash until
you release the lever.
Left turn
■ Turn signals can be operated when
The engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
■ If the indicator flashes faster than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or rear turn signal lights has not burned
out.
Tur n signal lever
Operating instructions
1
2
3
4

1664-2. Driving procedures
AVALON (U)_(OM41440U)
To set the parking brake, fully
depress the parking brake pedal
with your left foot while depress-
ing the brake pedal with your right
foot.
(Depressing the pedal again
releases the parking brake.)
■Usage in winter time
P. 233
Parking brake
U.S.A.Canada
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.

1674-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
AVALON (U)_(OM41440U)
To sound the horn, press on or
close to the mark.
■After adjusting the steering wheel
Make sure that the steering wheel is securely locked.
The horn may not sound if the steering wheel is not securely locked.
( P. 124)
Hor n

168
AVALON (U)_(OM41440U)
4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Turning the end of the lever turns on the lights as follows:
Ty p e AThe headlights, parking
lights, daytime running
lights and so on turn on
and off automatically
(when the engine switch
is in IGNITION ON
mode).
The side marker, park-
ing, tail, license plate,
daytime running lights
and instrument panel
lights turn on.
The headlights and all
the lights listed above
(except daytime running
lights) turn on.
The daytime running
lights turn off.
Headlight switch
The headlights can be operated manually or automatically.
Operating instructions
1
2
3
4