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177 2-1. Driving procedures
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When driving
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CAUTION
When starting the engine
Always start the engine while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the
accelerator pedal while starting the engine under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
Caution when driving
Do not turn the engine switch to the “LOCK” position while driving. If, in an
emergency, you must turn the engine off while the vehicle is moving, turn the
engine switch only to the “ACC” position to stop the engine. An accident may
result if the engine is stopped while driving.
NOTICE
To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the engine switch in the “ACC” or “ON” position for long periods
of time without the engine running.
When starting the engine
Do not crank the engine for more than 30 seconds at a time. This may
overheat the starter and wiring system.
Do not race a cold engine.
If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have the engine
checked immediately.
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2-1. Driving procedures
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Multidrive
Select a shift position appropriate for the driving conditions.
Shifting the shift lever
Vehicles without a smart entry & start system
While the engine switch is in the “ON” position, 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.
Vehicles with a smart entry & start system
While the “ENGINE START STOP” 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.
: If equipped
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When driving
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Shift position purpose
*1: To improve fuel consumption and reduce noises, set the shift lever in
the D position for normal driving.
*2: Selecting gear step using the M position achieves suitable engine
braking forces by operating shift lever.
Selecting a driving mode
Press the switch.
For powerful acceleration and
driving in mountainous
regions.
Press the switch once more to
return the normal mode.
Shift positionFunction
PParking the vehicle/starting the engine
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*1
M7-speed sport sequential shiftmatic mode driving*2
(P. 180)
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Changing gear steps in 7-speed sport sequential shiftmatic mode
Shift the shift lever to the M position and operate the shift lever or
paddle shift switch.
Upshifting
Downshifting
The gear step changes once
every time the shift lever or pad-
dle shift switch is operated.
The selected gear step, from 1 to
7, will be displayed in the instru-
ment cluster.
However, even when in the M position, the gear steps will be auto-
matically changed if the engine speed is too high, or too low.
Gear step functions
You can choose from 7 levels of engine braking force.
A lower gear step will provide greater engine braking force than
a higher gear step, and the engine speed will also increase.
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When driving
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Temporary gear steps selection mode in the D position
To drive in temporary gear steps selection mode, operate the “-” and
“+” paddle shift switch. The gear steps can then be selected by oper-
ating the “-” and “+” paddle shift switches. By selecting gear step
using paddle shift switches, you can control engine braking forces.
Upshifting
Downshifting
The gear step changes once
every time the paddle shift switch
is operated.
The selected gear step, from 1 to
7, will be displayed in the instru-
ment cluster.
Gear step functions
P. 180
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182 2-1. Driving procedures
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If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
P. 481, 482
When driving with the cruise control system (if equipped)
Engine braking will not occur in M position even when downshifting to
M6, 5 or 4.
Engine braking will not occur in D position even when the paddle shift
switch is used for downshifting to D6, 5 or 4.
If the “M” indicator flashes or a buzzer beeps after shifting the shift
lever to M
This may indicate a malfunction in the Multidrive system. Have the vehicle
inspected by any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or another duly quali-
fied and equipped professional immediately.
(In this situation, the transmission will operate in the same manner as when
the shift lever is in D.)
When the vehicle comes to a stop with the shift lever in the M position
The transmission will automatically downshift to M1 once the vehicle is
stopped.
After a stop, the vehicle will start off in M1.
When the vehicle is stopped, the transmission is set at M1.
Deactivation of the temporary gear steps selection mode in the D posi-
tion
In the following situations, temporary gear steps selection mode in the D
position will be deactivated:
When the vehicle comes to a stop
If the accelerator pedal is depressed for more than a certain period of
time in one gear step
When the “+” paddle shift switch is held down for a period of time
Downshift restriction warning buzzer (7-speed sport sequential shift-
matic 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 or paddle shift switches are operated. (A
buzzer will sound twice.)
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CAUTION
When driving on slippery road surfaces
Do not accelerate or shift gear steps suddenly.
Sudden changes in engine braking may cause the vehicle to spin or skid,
resulting in an accident.
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Multi-mode Manual Transmission
: If equipped
Select a shift position appropriate for the driving conditions.
Shifting the shift lever
Shift position purpose
*1: The most appropriate gear is automatically selected upon an opera-
tion of the accelerator pedal and vehicle speed.
*2: A gear must be selected manually. However, the gear may automati-
cally be changed down optimally according to vehicle speed.
Shift positionFunction
RReversing
NNeutral or starting the engine
EEasy (E) mode driving*1
MManual (M) mode driving*2 (P. 185)