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2174-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
AVENSIS_OM_OM20C20E_(EE)■
Steering lock motor overheating prevention
To prevent the steering lock motor from overheating, the motor may be sus-
pended if the engine is turned on and off repeatedly in a short period of time.
In this case, refrain from running the engine. After about 10 seconds, the
steering lock motor will resume functioning.
■ When the engine switch in dicator flashes in amber
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by any autho-
rized Toyota dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped profes-
sional, immediately.
■ When the electronic key battery is depleted
→ P. 582
WARNING
■ 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 while driving
If engine failure occurs while the vehicle is moving, do not lock or open the
doors until the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop. Activation of the
steering lock in this circumstance may lead to 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 switch for more than 2 seconds, or press it briefly
3 times or more in succession. ( →P. 509)
However, do not touch the engine switch while driving except in an emer-
gency. 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.
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2184-2. Driving procedures
AVENSIS_OM_OM20C20E_(EE)NOTICE
■
To prevent battery discharge
●Do not leave the engine switch in ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode
for long periods of time without the engine running.
● If the indicator on the engine switch is illuminated, the engine switch is not
off. When exiting the vehicle, always check that the engine switch is off.
● On vehicles with Multidrive, do not stop the engine when the shift lever is
in a position other than P. If the engine is stopped in another shift lever
position, the engine switch will not be turned off but instead be turned to
ACCESSORY mode. If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode, battery
discharge may occur.
■ 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.
■ Symptoms indicating a malfunction with the engine switch
If the engine switch seems to be operating somewhat differently than usual,
such as the switch sticking slightly, there may be a malfunction. Contact any
authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped
professional immediately.
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219
4
4-2. Driving procedures
Driving
AVENSIS_OM_OM20C20E_(EE)
Multidrive∗
While the engine switch is in the “ON” position (vehicles with-
out smart entry & start system) or IGNITION ON mode (vehi-
cles with smart entry & start system), 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
Shifting the shift lever
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2204-2. Driving procedures
AVENSIS_OM_OM20C20E_(EE)
*1: To improve fuel consumption and reduce noises, set the shift lever in the Dposition for normal driving.
*2: By selecting gear steps using M position, you can control acceleratingforce and engine braking force.
Press the switch.
For powerful acceleration and driv-
ing in mountainous regions.
Press the switch once more to
return to normal mode.
Shift position purpose
Shift positionFunction
PParking the vehicle/starting the engine
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*1
M7-speed sport sequential shiftmatic mode driving
*2 (→ P. 222)
Selecting a driving mode
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2214-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
AVENSIS_OM_OM20C20E_(EE)
To drive using temporary gear step selection, operate the “-” paddle
shift switch while the shift lever in D. Changing the gear step enables
the level of engine braking force to be selected. The gear step can
then be selected by operating the “-” and “+” paddle shift switches.Upshifting
Downshifting
The selected gear step, from 1 to
7, will be displayed on the multi-
information display. To return to normal D position
driving, the “+” paddle shift
switch must be held down for a
period of time.
■
Gear steps and their 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 revolutions will also increase.
Selecting gear steps in the D position (vehicles with paddle shift
switches)
1
2
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2224-2. Driving procedures
AVENSIS_OM_OM20C20E_(EE)
To enter 7-speed sport sequential shiftmatic mode, shift the shift lever
to M. Gear steps can be selected by operating the shift lever or the “-”
and “+” paddle shift switches (if equipped), allowing you to drive in the
gear step of your choice.Upshifting
Downshifting
The gear changes by one gear
every time the shift lever or paddle
shift switch is operated.
The selected gear step, from 1 to
7, will be displayed on the multi-
information display.
However, even when in the M position, the gear steps will be automat-
ically changed if the engine speed is too high, or too low.
■Gear step functions
●You can choose from 7 levels of accelerating force and engine
braking force.
● A lower gear step will provide greater accelerating force and
engine braking force than a higher gear step, and the engine rev-
olutions will also increase.
Changing gear steps in 7-speed sport sequential shiftmatic
mode
1
2
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2234-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
AVENSIS_OM_OM20C20E_(EE)
■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.
■ Paddle shift switch (if equipped)
●When the paddle shift switch is operated with the shift lever in the D posi-
tion, a gear step will be automatically selected according to the vehicle
speed and driving conditions.
● Automatic deactivation of gear step selection with the shift lever in the D
position
Gear step selection in the D position wi ll be deactivated in the following situ-
ations:
• 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
• When the shift lever is shifted to a position other than D
■ 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 switch (if equipped) is oper-
ated. (The warning buzzer will sound twice.)
■ When driving with cruise cont rol 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, downshifting
to 6, 5 or 4. ( →P. 280)
● When switching the driving mode to sport mode while driving in D position.
(→ P. 221)
■ Automatic deactivation of sport mode
If the engine switch is turned to the “LOCK” position (vehicles without smart
entry & start system) or off (vehicles with smart entry & start system) after
driving in sport mode, the mode is automatically deactivated.
■ If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
→ P. 577
■ If the M indicator is not displayed af ter shifting the shift lever to the M
position
This may indicate a malfunction in the transmission system. Have your vehi-
cle inspected by any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or another duly
qualified and equipped prof essional immediately.
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2244-2. Driving procedures
AVENSIS_OM_OM20C20E_(EE)■
GAI-SHIFT
The G AI-SHIFT is automatically changed to a suitable gear step while run-
ning in sport mode according to the driving operations and running condi-
tions.
The G AI-SHIFT automatically operates when the driving mode is set to sport
mode with the shift lever in the D position. (The function will be canceled, if
the driving mode is set to normal mode or shift lever is put in the M position.)
WARNING
■ 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.
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