Page 170 of 688

1702-1. Driving procedures
VENZA_OM_OM73030U_(U) CAUTION■ When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the engine off. Otherwise, you may accidentally move the shift
lever or depress the accelerator pedal, which could cause an accident or fire
due to engine overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked in a poorly
ventilated area, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle, leading to
death or a serious health hazard.
■ When braking the vehicle
● When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously.
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and may cause one
side of the vehicle to brake differently than the other side. Also the parking
brake may not securely hold the vehicle.
● If the power brake assist function does not operate, do not follow other
vehicles closely and avoid hills or  sharp turns that require braking. 
In this case, braking is still possible, but the brake pedal should be
depressed more firmly than usual. Also, the braking distance will increase.
Have your brakes fixed immediately.
● Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls. 
Each push on the brake pedal uses up the reserve for the power-assisted
brakes.
● The brake system consists of 2 individual hydraulic systems; if one of the
systems fails, the other will still operate. In this case, the brake pedal
should be depressed more firmly than usual and the braking distance will
increase. 
Have your brakes fixed immediately.
■ If the vehicle becomes stu ck or bogged (AWD models)
Do not spin the wheels recklessly when any of the tires is up in the air, or
stuck in sand or mud, etc. This may damage the drive system components
or propel the vehicle forward (or in another direction) and cause an accident. 
         
        
        
     
        
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1722-1. Driving procedures
VENZA_OM_OM73030U_(U) NOTICE■ If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering
wheel firmly and gradually press the brake pedal to slow down the vehicle.
● It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
● The vehicle will make abnormal sounds.
● The vehicle will behave abnormally.
Replace a flat tire with a new one. (  P. 579)
■ When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may
cause the following serious damage to the vehicle.
● Engine stalling
● Short in electrical components
● Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be
sure to have your Toyota dealer check the following.
● Brake function
● Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, tran-
saxle, transfer (AWD models), differential (AWD models), etc.
● Lubricant condition for the propeller shaft (AWD models), bearings and
suspension joints (where possible) and the function of all joints, bearings,
etc. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 173 of 688
1732-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
VENZA_OM_OM73030U_(U) Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles with smar t key system) Performing the following operations when carrying the electronic
key on your person starts the en gine or changes “ENGINE START
STOP” switch modes.
■ Starting the engine
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is set in “P”.
Sit in the driver’s seat and firmly depress the brake pedal. The “ENGINE START STOP” switch indicator turns green.
Press the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch. The engine can be started
from any “ENGINE START
STOP” switch mode.
Continue depressing the brake
pedal until the engine is com-
pletely started. The engine will
crank until it starts or for up to
30 seconds, whichever is less.STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 174 of 688
1742-1. Driving procedures
VENZA_OM_OM73030U_(U) ■ Changing “ENGINE START STOP” switch mode
Modes can be changed by pressing the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch with the brake pedal released. (The mode
changes each time the  switch is pressed.)
Off
* Emergency flashers can be
used.
ACCESSORY mode Some electrical components
such as the audio system can
be used.
The “ENGINE START STOP”
switch indicator turns amber.
IGNITION ON mode All electrical components can
be used.
The “ENGINE START STOP”
switch indicator turns amber.
*: If the shift lever is in a position other than “P” when turning off the
engine, the “ENGINE START STOP” switch will be turned to
ACCESSORY mode, not to OFF. 
         
        
        
     
        
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1752-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
VENZA_OM_OM73030U_(U) ■ When the steering lock cannot be released
■ If the engine does not start
The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. (  P. 109)
Contact your Toyota dealer.
■ When the “ENGINE START STOP” sw itch indicator flashes in amber
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your
Toyota dealer immediately.
■ Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode (engine is not
running) for more than an hour with the shift lever in “P”, the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch will automatically turn off.
■ Electronic key battery depletion
 P.  3 7
■ When the electronic key battery is discharged
 P. 595
■ Conditions aff ecting operation
 P.  3 5
■ Note for the entry function
 P.  3 8 The green indicator light on the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch will flash and a
message will be shown on the multi-infor-
mation display (TFT type only). To free it,
press the “ENGINE START STOP” switch
while turning the steering wheel slightly in
either direction. 
         
        
        
     
        
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1762-1. Driving procedures
VENZA_OM_OM73030U_(U) 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.
■ 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. 608)
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, however, power assist to the steering will
be lost. This will make it more difficult to steer smoothly, 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 your Toyota dealer immediately. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 177 of 688
1772-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
VENZA_OM_OM73030U_(U) Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles without smar t key system) ■ Starting the engine
Check that the parking brake is set. 
Check that the shift lever is set in “P”.
Sit in the driver’s seat and firmly depress the brake pedal.
Turn the engine switch to the “START” position and start
the engine.
■ Engine (ignition) switch
“LOCK” The steering wheel is locked
and the key can be removed.
(The key can be removed only
when the shift lever is in “P”.)
“ACC” Some electrical components
such as the audio system can
be used. 
“ON” All electrical components can
be used. 
“START” For starting the engine.STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 178 of 688
1782-1. Driving procedures
VENZA_OM_OM73030U_(U) ■ Turning the key from “ACC” to “LOCK”
■ When the steering lock cannot be released
■ If the engine does not start
The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. (  P. 109)
■ Key reminder function
A buzzer sounds if the driver’s door is opened, while the engine switch is in
“LOCK” or “ACC” position to remind you to remove the key. Shift the shift lever to “P”.
Push in the key and turn to the
“LOCK” position. STEP1
STEP2
When starting the engine, the engine
switch may seem stuck in the “LOCK”
position. To free it, turn the key while turn-
ing the steering wheel slightly in either
direction.