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1304-2. Driving procedures
COROLLA iM_U (OM12K64U)
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the engine switch in the “ACC” or “ON” position for long peri-
ods of time without the engine running.
■When starting the engine
●Do not crank the engine for more than 30 seconds at a time. This may
overheat the starter and wiring system.
●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.
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1314-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
COROLLA iM_U (OM12K64U)
While the engine switch is in the “ON” position, depress the
brake pedal and move the shift lever.
When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the
vehicle is completely stopped.
Continuously variable transmission∗
∗: If equipped
Shifting the shift lever
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1324-2. Driving procedures
COROLLA iM_U (OM12K64U)
*1: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noises, set the shift lever in D for
normal driving.
*2: Selecting gear step using the M position achieves suitable engine braking
forces by operating the shift lever.
Press the switch.
For powerful acceleration and driv-
ing in mountainous regions.
Press the switch again to return to
normal mode.
Shift position purpose
Shift positionObjective or function
PParking the vehicle/starting the engine
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*1
M7-speed sport sequential shiftmatic mode driving*2
(→P. 133)
Sport mode
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1334-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
COROLLA iM_U (OM12K64U)
To enter 7-speed sport sequential shiftmatic mode, shift the shift lever
to M. Gear steps can then be selected by operating the shift lever,
allowing you to drive in the gear step of your choosing.
Upshifting
Downshifting
The gear changes once every time
the shift lever is operated.
The selected gear step, from M1 to
M7, will be displayed in the meter.
However, even when in the M position, the gear steps will be auto-
matically changed if the engine speed is too high, or too low.
■Gear step 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 speed will also increase.
■If the 7-speed sport sequential shiftmatic mode indicator does not come
on even after shifting the shift lever to M
This may indicate a malfunction in the continuously variable 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.)
■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.
Changing gear steps in the M position
1
2
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1344-2. Driving procedures
COROLLA iM_U (OM12K64U)■When driving with cruise control activated
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. 133)
●When switching the driving mode to sport mode while driving in D position.
(→P. 132)
■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.)
■Sport mode automatic deactivation
Sport mode is automatically deactivated if the engine switch is turned off after
driving in sport mode.
■Shift lock system
The shift lock system is a system to prevent accidental operation of the shift
lever in starting.
The shift lever can be shifted from P only when the engine switch is in the
“ON” position and the brake pedal is being depressed.
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1354-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
COROLLA iM_U (OM12K64U)■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P (vehicles with a continuously
variable transmission)
First, check whether the brake pedal is being depressed.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted with your foot on the brake pedal, there may
be a problem with the shift lock system. Have the vehicle inspected by your
Toyota dealer immediately.
The following steps may be used as an emergency measure to ensure that
the shift lever can be shifted.
Releasing the shift lock:
Set the parking brake.
Turn the engine switch to the “LOCK” position.
Depress the brake pedal.
■G AI-SHIFT
G AI-SHIFT automatically selects a suitable gear for sporty driving according
to driver’s input and driving conditions. G AI-SHIFT operates automatically
when the shift lever is in D and sport mode is selected for the driving mode.
(Selecting normal mode or shifting the shift lever to the M position cancels
this function.)Pry the cover up with a flathead screw-
driver or equivalent tool.
To prevent damage to the cover, cover
the tip of the screwdriver with a rag.
Press the shift lock override button.
The shift lever can be shifted while the
button is pressed.
1
2
3
4
5
CTH42AP138
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1394-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
COROLLA iM_U (OM12K64U)
Right turn
Lane change to the right (move
the lever partway and release
it)
The right hand signals will flash 3
times.
Lane change to the left (move
the lever partway and release
it)
The left hand signals will flash 3
times.
Left turn
■Turn signals can be operated when
The engine switch is in the “ON” position.
■If the indicator flashes faster than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or rear turn signal lights has not burned
out.
■Customization
The number of times the turn signals flash during a lane change can be
changed. (Customizable feature →P. 349)
Turn signal lever
Operating instructions
1
2
3
4
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141
4
Driving
COROLLA iM_U (OM12K64U)
4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Turning the end of the lever turns on the lights as follows:
Ty p e A
The headlights and all
the lights listed below
turn on and off auto-
matically.
(When the engine
switch is in the “ON”
position)
The side marker, park-
ing, tail, license plate,
daytime running lights
(→P. 143) and instru-
ment panel lights turn
on.
The headlights and all
the lights listed above
(except daytime run-
ning lights) turn on.
The daytime running lights turn off.
Headlight switch
The headlights can be operated manually or automatically.
Operating instructions
1
2
3
4