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111
1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
WARNING
■
Front passenger occupant classification system precautions
●Never install a rearward facing child seat in the front passenger’s seat
even if the front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag is deactivated. Be sure to
install it in the rear seat in a correct manner. Also, it is strongly recom-
mended that any forward facing child seat or booster seat be installed in
the rear seat, and that even children who have outgrown a child restraint
system be also seated in the rear seat. This is because children sitting in
the front passenger’s seat may be killed or severely injured should the
front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag deploy. Toyota believes that the rear
seats are the safest place for children
● If luggage or electronic devices are placed on the front passenger seat,
the OFF indicator may turn off and the ON indicator may illuminate. If this
occurs, the front passenger’s airbag may deploy during a collision. If this is
not desirable, remove the luggage or electronic devices from the front pas-
senger seat.
● Modifications for persons with disabilit ies that may affect the front passen-
ger occupant classification system. (U.S. only) Removing, replacing or
modifying any parts of the front seat s, seat belts, front bumper, front side
frame, instrument panel, combination meter, steering wheel, steering col-
umn, tires, suspension or floor panel can affect the operation of the Toyota
front passenger occupant classification system. 
         
        
        
     
        
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132 2-1. Driving procedures
■After the engine starts
In order to secure a rich exhaust sound when starting the vehicle and envi-
ronmental performance, air intake and exhaust sounds become loud and
vibrations may increase for a little while after the engine starts. This is not a
malfunction.
■ Operating your vehicle in a foreign country
Comply with the relevant vehicle registration laws and confirm the availability
of the correct fuel. ( →P. 357)
■ REV indicator
WARNING
■When starting the vehicle (vehicles with an automatic transmission)
●Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped with the engine
running. This prevents the vehicle from creeping.
● Firmly depress the brake pedal because engine speed may increase
immediately after starting the engine, when the air conditioning system is
operating, when turning the steering wheel, etc., thereby causing creeping
to become stronger. Apply the parking brake as necessary.
When the set engine speed is reached
the REV indicator comes on and a buzzer
sounds to inform the driver. ( →P. 169)
(When the engine speed enters the red
zone, the REV indicator flashes regard-
less of settings.) 
         
        
        
     
        
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134 2-1. Driving procedures
WARNING
●On vehicles with a manual transmission, do not release the clutch pedal
too quickly. Doing so may propel the vehicle forward, possibly causing an
accident.
● Moving the shift lever to N while the vehicle is moving will disengage the
engine from the transmission. Engine braking is not available when N is
selected.
● During normal driving, do not turn off the engine. 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. 
However, in the event of an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible
to stop the vehicle in the normal way:  →P. 350
● Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving
down a steep hill. 
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose
effectiveness. ( →P. 146, 152)
● Do not adjust the position of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or
outside rear view mirrors while driving. 
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control that can cause accidents,
resulting in death or serious injury.
● Always check that all passengers' arms, heads or other parts of their body
are not outside the vehicle, as this may result in death or serious injury.
● Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit per-
mits it, do not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicle has high-
speed capability tires. Driving over 85 mph (140 km/h) may result in tire
failure, loss of control and possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer
to determine whether the tires on your vehicle are high-speed capability
tires or not before driving at such speeds. 
         
        
        
     
        
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141
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
NOTICE
■
Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
●Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for
an extended period of time. 
Doing so may damage the power steering motor.
● When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid
damaging the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.
● On vehicles with an automatic transmission, do not race the engine for
more than 5 seconds in any position except the N or P position when the
brake is applied or when chocks are used in the wheels. This may cause
the transmission fluid to overheat.
■ 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 depress the brake pedal to slow down the vehicle.
●It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
● The vehicle will make abnormal sounds or vibrations.
● The vehicle will lean abnormally.
Information on what to do in case of a flat tire ( →P. 327)
■ 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, trans-
mission, differential, etc.
● Lubricant condition for the propeller shaft, bearings and suspension joints
(where possible) and the function of all joints, bearings, etc. 
         
        
        
     
        
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142
2-1. Driving procedures
Engine (ignition) switch
■Starting the engine
Vehicles with an au tomatic transmission
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is set in P.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
Turn the engine switch to the “START” position to start the
engine.
Vehicles with a manual transmission Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is set in N.
Firmly depress the clutch pedal.
Turn the engine switch to the “START” position to start the
engine.
■ Changing the engine switch positions
“LOCK”
The steering wheel is locked
and the key can be removed.
(Vehicles with an automatic
transmission: The key can be
removed only when the shift
lever is in P.)
“ACC”
Some electrical components
such as the power outlet can
be used.
“ON”
All electrical components can
be used.
“START”
For starting the engine.
STEP 1 
STEP 2 
STEP 3 
STEP 4 
STEP 1 
STEP 2 
STEP 3 
STEP 4  
         
        
        
     
        
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143
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
■
Turning the key from “ACC” to “LOCK”
Shift the shift lever to N (manual transmission) or P (automatic
transmission). ( →P. 145, 152)
■ If the engine does not start
The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( →P. 61)
Contact your Toyota dealer.
■ When the steering lock cannot be released
■ Key reminder function
A buzzer sounds if the driver’s door is opened while the engine switch is in
the “LOCK” or “ACC” position to remind you to remove the key\
.
■ Immediately after reconnecting the  battery terminals due to replacing
the battery and so forth
The engine may not start. If this occurs, turn the engine switch to the “O\
N”
position, and start the engine after waiting at least 10 seconds. Idling may be
unstable immediately after the engine starts, however, this is not a malfunc-
tion.
STEP 1 
Push in the key and turn to the “LOCK”
position.STEP 2 
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 left and
right. 
         
        
        
     
        
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157
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
Horn
■After adjusting  the steering wheel
Make sure that the steering wheel is securely locked. 
The horn may not sound if the steering wheel is not securely locked. 
( →P. 49)
To sound the horn, press on or
close to the   mark. 
         
        
        
     
        
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184
2-4. Using other driving systems
Driving assist systems
To help enhance driving safety and performance, the following sys-
tems operate automatically in res ponse to various driving situations.
Be aware, however, that these systems are supplementary and
should not be relied upon too h eavily when operating the vehicle.
■ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenly, or if
the brakes are applied while driving on a slippery road surface
■Brake assist
Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake pedal is
depressed when the system detects a panic stop situation
■VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to control skidding when swerving suddenly or turning
on slippery road surfaces
■TRAC (Traction Control)
Helps to maintain drive power and prevent the drive wheels from spin-
ning when starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads. 
The TRAC system is also equipped with the brake LSD function.
■Hill-start assist control
→
P. 191
■EPS (Electric Power Steering)
Employs an electric motor to reduce the amount of effort needed to turn
the steering wheel