Page 190 of 512

1904-2. Driving procedures
AVALON_HV_U (OM41451U)■
Switching to EV drive mode when the gasoline engine is cold
If the hybrid system is started while the gasoline engine is cold, the gasoline
engine will start automatically after a short period of time in order to warm up.
In this case, you will become unable to switch to EV drive mode.
After the hybrid system has started and the “READY” indicator has illumi-
nated, press the EV drive mode switch before the gasoline engine starts to
switch to EV drive mode.
■ Automatic cancelatio n of EV drive mode
When driving in EV drive mode, the gas oline engine may automatically restart
in the following situations. When EV drive mode is canceled, a buzzer will
sound and the EV drive mode indicator will flash and go off.
● The hybrid battery (traction battery) becomes low.
The remaining battery level indicated in the energy monitor on the multi-
information display is low. ( P. 103)
● Vehicle speed becomes more than about 25 mph (40 km/h).
● The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly.
■ Possible driving distance when driving in EV drive mode
EV drive mode’s possible driving distance ranges from a few hundred meters
to approximately 1.3 miles (2 km). Driving is possible at speeds of less than
approximately 25 mph (40 km/h). However, depending on vehicle conditions,
there are situations when EV drive mode cannot be used.
(The distance that is possible depends on the hybrid battery [traction battery]
level and driving conditions.)
■ Fuel economy
Your Toyota is designed to achieve the best possible fuel economy during
normal driving (using the gasoline engine and electric motor [traction motor]).
Driving in EV drive mode more than necessary may lower fuel economy.
CAUTION
■Caution while driving
When driving in EV drive mode no engine noise is made. As such, pedestri-
ans, people riding bicycles or other people and vehicles in the surrounding
area may not be aware of the vehicle starting off or approaching them.
Therefore, take extra care while driving even if the vehicle proximity notifica-
tion system is active.
Page 192 of 512

1924-2. Driving procedures
AVALON_HV_U (OM41451U)
To enter S mode, shift the shift lever to S. Shift ranges can then be
selected by operating the shift lever, allowing you to drive in the shift
range of your choosing.Upshifting
Downshifting
The selected shift range, from S1
to S6, will be displayed in the
meter.
The initial shift range in S mode is
automatically set to S4 or S5
according to vehicle speed.
■
Shift ranges and their functions
● 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. The eng ine speed will also increase.
● If you accelerate while in ranges S1 to S4, the shift range may
automatically range up in accordance with the vehicle’s speed.
■S mode
●When the shift range is S4 or lower, holding the shift lever toward “+” sets
the shift range to S6.
● To prevent the engine from over-revving, upshifting may automatically
occur.
■ Tachometer
■ Downshifting restrictions warning buzzer
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. (A buzzer will sound twice.)
Selecting shift ranges in the S position
1
2
When the S mode driving is selected, the
tachometer will be displayed on the multi-
information display. The tachometer dis-
plays the engine speed in revolutions per
minute.
Page 193 of 512

1934-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
AVALON_HV_U (OM41451U)■
When driving with cruise control or radar cruise control activated
Even if switching the driving mode to power mode with the intent of enabling
engine braking, engine braking will not activate because cruise control or
radar cruise control will not be canceled. ( P. 217, 221)
■ 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.)
■ If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
P. 437
■ AI-SHIFT
AI-SHIFT automatically selects the suitable gear according to driver perfor-
mance and driving conditions.
AI-SHIFT automatically operates when the shift lever is in the D position.
(Shifting the shift lever to the S position cancels the function.)
CAUTION
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
Do not accelerate or shift gears suddenly.
Sudden changes in engine braking may cause the vehicle to spin or skid,
resulting in an accident.
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery (tract ion battery) charge
If the shift lever is in N, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will not be
charged even when the engine is running. Therefore, if the vehicle is left
with the shift lever in N for a long period of time, the hybrid battery (traction
battery) will discharge, and this may result in the vehicle not being able to
start.
Page 217 of 512
217
4
Driving
AVALON_HV_U (OM41451U)
4-5. Using the driving support systems
Use the cruise control to maintain a set speed without depressing the
accelerator pedal. Display
Indicators
Cruise control switch
Press the “ON/OFF” button to
activate the cruise control.
Cruise control indicator will be dis-
played.
Press the button again to deacti-
vate the cruise control.
Accelerate or decelerate the
vehicle to the desired speed,
and push the lever down to set
the speed.
“SET” indicator will be displayed.
The vehicle speed at the moment
the lever is released becomes the
set speed.
Cruise control
: If equipped
Summary of functions
1
2
3
Setting the vehicle speed
1
2
Page 219 of 512

2194-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
AVALON_HV_U (OM41451U)
■Cruise control can be set when
●The shift lever is in D or range 4 or higher of S has been selected.
● Vehicle speed is above approximately 25 mph (40 km/h).
■ Accelerating after setting the vehicle speed
●The vehicle can be accelerated normally. After acceleration, the set speed
resumes.
● Even without canceling the cruise control, the set speed can be increased
by first accelerating the vehicle to the desired speed and then pushing the
lever down to set the new speed.
■ Automatic cruise co ntrol cancelation
Cruise control will stop maintaining the vehicle speed in any of the following
situations.
● Actual vehicle speed falls more than approximately 10 mph (16 km/h) below
the preset vehicle speed.
At this time, the memorized set speed is not retained.
● Actual vehicle speed is below approximately 25 mph (40 km/h).
● VSC is activated.
■ If the warning message for the crui se control is shown on the multi-
information display
Press the “ON/OFF” button once to deactivate the system, and then press t\
he
button again to reactivate the system.
If the cruise control speed cannot be set or if the cruise control cancels imme-
diately after being activated, there may be a malfunction in the cruise control
system. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer.
Page 221 of 512
2214-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
AVALON_HV_U (OM41451U)
Dynamic radar cruise control supplements conventional cruise control
with a vehicle-to-vehicle distance control. In vehicle-to-vehicle dis-
tance control mode, the vehicle automatically accelerates or deceler-
ates in order to maintain a set fo llowing distance from vehicles ahead.
Vehicle-to-vehicle distance but-
ton
Display
Indicators
Set speed
Cruise control switch
Dynamic radar cruise control
: If equipped
Summary of functions
1
2
3
4
5
Page 222 of 512
2224-5. Using the driving support systems
AVALON_HV_U (OM41451U)
Press the “ON/OFF” button to
activate the cruise control.
Radar cruise control indicator will
be displayed.
Press the button again to deacti-
vate the cruise control.
Accelerate or decelerate the
vehicle to the desired speed,
and push the lever down to set
the speed.
“SET” indicator will be displayed.
The vehicle speed at the moment
the lever is released becomes the
set speed.
Setting the vehicle speed (vehicle-to-vehicle distance control
mode)
1
2
Page 223 of 512

2234-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
AVALON_HV_U (OM41451U)
To change the set speed, operate the lever until the desired set speed
is displayed.Increases the speed
Decreases the speed
Fine adjustment: Momentarily
move the lever in the desired direc-
tion.
Large adjustment: Hold the lever in
the desired direction.
In the vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode, the set speed will be
increased or decreased as follows:• When the set speed is shown in “MPH”
Fine adjustment: By approximately 1 mph (1.6 km/h) each time the lever
is operated
Large adjustment: By approximately 5 mph (8 km/h) for each 0.75 sec-
onds the lever is held
• When the set speed is shown in “km/h”
Fine adjustment: By approximately 0.6 mph (1 km/h) each time the lever
is operated
Large adjustment: By approximately 3.1 mph (5 km/h) for each 0.75
seconds the lever is held
In the constant speed control mode ( P. 228), the set speed will be
increased or decreased as follows:
Fine adjustment: By approximately 1 mph (1.6 km/h) each time the lever is
operated
Large adjustment: The set speed can be increased or decreased continu-
ally until the lever is released.
Adjusting the set speed
1
2