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205 2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
CAUTION
Caution while driving
If the vehicle is coasting without engine power, for example if the engine
stalls, do not open a door or operate the locks until the vehicle is completely
stopped in a safe condition. Driving with the steering locked may cause an
accident, resulting in death or serious injury.
Stopping the engine in an emergency
If you want to stop the engine in an emergency while driving the vehicle,
press and hold the “ENGINE START STOP” switch for more than 2 seconds,
or press it briefly 3 times or more in succession. (P. 595)
However, do not touch the “ENGINE START STOP” switch while driving
except in an emergency. 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.
NOTICE
To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the “ENGINE START STOP” switch in ACCESSORY or IGNI-
TION ON mode for long periods without the engine running.
When starting the engine
Do not race a cold engine.
If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have your vehi-
cle checked by any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or another duly
qualified and equipped professional immediately.
“ENGINE START STOP” switch operation
If you feel something catching or sense irregular resistance when operating
the “ENGINE START STOP” switch, then there may be a malfunction. Imme-
diately contact any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or another duly
qualified and equipped professional.
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2-1. Driving procedures
Multidrive
: If equipped
Select a shift position appropriate for the driving conditions.
Shifting the shift lever
Vehicles without 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 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.
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207 2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
Selecting a shift position
*1: To improve fuel consumption and reduce noises, set the shift lever in
the “D” position for normal driving.
*2: If equipped, by selecting gear step using paddle shift switches, you can
control engine braking forces.
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 or starting the engine
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*1 or temporary gear step selection
driving
*2
M7-speed sport sequential shiftmatic mode driving
(P. 209)
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208 2-1. Driving procedures
Driving in the “D” position
Shift lever
If the shift lever is shifted into the “D” position, the appropriate gear
ratio is automatically selected, as determined by the driving condi-
tions.
Paddle shift switches
While the shift lever is in the “D” position, engine braking force can
be temporarily switched to.
Upshifting
Downshifting
Unless the paddle shift switches
are operated, the gear step dis-
played on the meter cluster is
fixed.
However, even when in the “D” position, the gear steps will be
automatically changed if the engine speed is too high, or too low.
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209 2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
Driving in the “M” position
By shifting the shift lever into the “M” position, 7 stages of gear step
can be switched between.
Upshifting
Downshifting
Unless the shift lever or paddle
shift switches are operated, the
gear step displayed on the meter
cluster is fixed.
However, even when in the “M” position, the gear steps will be
automatically changed if the engine speed is too high, or too low.
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210 2-1. Driving procedures
Paddle shift switch
When the paddle shift switch is operated in the “D” position, a gear step
will be automatically selected according to the vehicle speed and driving
conditions.
Automatic deactivation of gear step selection in the “D” position.
Gear step selection in the “D” position will be deactivated in the following
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 gear step
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 are operated.
(The warning buzzer will sound twice.)
When driving with cruise control activated (if equipped)
Even when performing the following actions with the intent of enabling
engine braking, engine braking will not activate because cruise control will
not be canceled.
• While driving in “D” or 7-speed sport sequential shiftmatic mode, down-
shifting to “6”, “5” or “4”. (P. 208, 209)
• When switching the driving mode to “SPORT” mode while driving in “D”
position. (P. 207)
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211 2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
Automatic deactivation of “SPORT” mode
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.
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.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from “P”
P. 579
If the “M” indicator is not displayed after shifting the shift lever to the
“M” position
If the display does not change to “M” on an occasion other than that
described above, it may indicate a malfunction in the transmission system.
Have your vehicle inspected by any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or
another duly qualified and equipped professional immediately.
Automatic gear step selection
When the vehicle comes to a stop, the transmission will automatically down-
shift to allow you to start off in 1st step.
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2-1. Driving procedures
Automatic transmission
: If equipped
Select a shift position appropriate for the driving conditions.
Shifting the shift lever
Vehicles without 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 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.
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