2014 TOYOTA AVENSIS Owners Manual (in English)

217 2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
AVENSIS_OM_OM20B88E_(EE)
Driving in the “D” position
Shift lever
If the shift lever is shifted into the “D” position, a suitable gear is
automatically selected, as determined by the driving conditions.
Paddle shift switches (if equipped)
While the shift lever is in the “D” position, engine braking force can
be temporarily switched to.
By firstly operating the “-” paddle shift switch, the “-” and “+”
switches can be used to freely switch the shift range.
Changing the shift range allows restriction of the highest gear, pre-
venting unnecessary upshifting and enabling the level of engine
braking force to be selected.
Higher shift range
Lower shift range
The gear is automatically shifted up or down between 1 and the
selected shift range (displayed on the meter cluster).
DisplayRange

218 2-1. Driving procedures
AVENSIS_OM_OM20B88E_(EE)
Driving in the “M” position
By shifting the shift lever into the “M” position, 6 stages of gear can be
switched between.
Upshifting
Downshifting
Unless the shift lever or paddle
shift switches (if equipped) are
operated, the gear displayed on
the meter cluster is fixed.
However, even when in the “M” position, the gear will be automati-
cally changed in the following situations:
When the vehicle speed drops (downshift only)
When the automatic transmission fluid temperature is extremely
high (upshift only)

219 2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
AVENSIS_OM_OM20B88E_(EE)
Paddle shift switch (if equipped)
When the “-” paddle shift switch is operated in the “D” position, a shift
range will be automatically selected. The highest gear of the first shift
range will be one gear lower than the gear in use during normal “D” posi-
tion driving.
Automatic deactivation of shift range selection in the “D” position
Shift range selection in the “D” position will be deactivated in the follow-
ing situations:
• The “+” paddle shift switch is held down for a period of time
• When the vehicle comes to a stop
• If the accelerator pedal is depressed for longer than a certain period of
time in one shift range
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 or paddle shift switches (if equipped) is
operated. (The warning buzzer will sound twice.)
When driving with cruise control or radar cruise control activated
Even when performing the following actions with the intent of enabling
engine braking, engine braking will not activate because cruise control or
radar cruise control will not be canceled.
While driving “D” mode, downshifting to “5” or “4”. (P. 267, 273)
When switching the driving mode to sport mode while driving in “D” posi-
tion. (P. 216)

220 2-1. Driving procedures
AVENSIS_OM_OM20B88E_(EE)
Automatic deactivation of sport mode
Vehicles with smart entry & start system
If the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is turned OFF after driving in sport
mode, the mode is automatically deactivated.
Vehicles without smart entry & start system
If the engine switch is turned to the “LOCK” position after driving in sport
mode, the mode is automatically deactivated.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from “P”
P. 696
If the “M” indicator is not displayed after shifting the shift lever to the
“M” position
Vehicles with smart entry & start system: Within a few seconds of turning
the “ENGINE START STOP” switch to IGNITION ON mode, the transmis-
sion will not go into “M” mode if the shift lever is moved to the “M” posi-
tion.
Vehicles without smart entry & start system: Within a few seconds of
turning the engine switch to the “ON” position, the transmission will not
go into “M” mode if the shift lever is moved to the “M” position.
This is because a system check is being performed. In this case, wait a
moment and then try moving the shift lever to the “M” position again.
If the display does not change to “M” on an occasion other than that
described above, it may indicate a malfunction in the transmission sys-
tem. Have your vehicle inspected by any authorized Toyota dealer or
repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional immedi-
ately.
Automatic gear selection
When the vehicle comes to a stop, the transmission will automatically down-
shift to allow you to start off in 1st gear.

221 2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
AVENSIS_OM_OM20B88E_(EE)
If the automatic transmission temperature warning message is dis-
played
AI-SHIFT
The AI-SHIFT automatically shifts the gear to the suitable 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 “M” position cancels the function.)
If the automatic transmission fluid tem-
perature warning message is displayed
while driving, make sure you return to
normal “D” position driving and reduce
speed by easing off the accelerator pedal.
Stop the vehicle in a safe place, shift the
shift lever to the “P” position and let the
engine idle until the warning message is
extinguished.
When the warning message is no longer
shown, the vehicle can be driven again.
If the warning message is not extin-
guished even after a short time, have
your vehicle inspected by any authorized
Toyota dealer or repairer, or another duly
qualified and equipped professional.

222
2-1. Driving procedures
AVENSIS_OM_OM20B88E_(EE)
Manual transmission
Shifting the shift lever
Fully depress the clutch pedal
before operating the shift
lever, and then release it
slowly.
Shifting the shift lever to “R”
Shift the shift lever to the “R”
position while lifting up the ring
section.

223 2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
AVENSIS_OM_OM20B88E_(EE)
Gear Shift Indicator (if equipped)
The Gear Shift Indicator display is a guide to help the driver achieve
improved fuel economy and reduced exhaust emissions within limits
of engine performance.
Upshifting
Downshifting
Gear Shift Indicator display
The Gear Shift Indicator may not be displayed when your foot is placed on
the clutch pedal.

224 2-1. Driving procedures
AVENSIS_OM_OM20B88E_(EE)
Maximum allowable speeds
Observe the following maximum allowable speeds in each gear when maxi-
mum acceleration is necessary.
Gasoline engine
km/h (mph)
Diesel engine
km/h (mph)
Shift
positionMaximum speed
1ZR-FAE
engine2ZR-FAE
engine3ZR-FAE
engine
149 (30)52 (32)53 (33)
290 (56)95 (59)91 (57)
3131 (81)139 (86)136 (85)
4177 (110)188 (117)183 (114)
5195 (121)200 (124)200 (124)
Shift
positionMaximum speed
1AD-FTV
engine2AD-FTV
engine2AD-FHV
engine
137 (23)40 (25)37 (23)
273 (45)73 (45)68 (42)
3115 (71)115 (71)107 (67)
4164 (102)159 (99)149 (92)
5190 (118)200 (124)190 (118)