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1854-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
Column shift typeWhile 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 vehi-
cle is completely stopped.
*1: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noises, set the shift lever in the Dposition for normal driving.
*2: Selecting shift ranges using S mode restricts the upper limit of the possiblegear ranges, controls engine braking forces, and prevents unnecessary
upshifting.
Shift position purpose
Shift positionFunction
PParking the vehicle/starting the engine
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*1
SS mode driving*2 ( →P. 186)
Page 186 of 588
1864-2. Driving procedures
To enter S mode, shift the shift lever to S. Shift ranges can be selected
by operating the shift lever, allowing you to drive in the shift range of
your choosing. The shift range can be selected by the shift lever.Upshifting
Downshifting
The selected shift range, from 1 to 6 (6-speed models) or 1 to 5 (5-
speed models), will be di splayed in the meter.
The initial shift range in S mode is set automatically to 5 or 4 (6-speed
models) or 4 (5-speed models) according to vehicle speed. However,
the initial shift range may be set to 3 or 2 (6-speed models) or 3 (5-
speed models) if the AI-SHIFT ( →P. 188) has operated while the shift
lever was in the D position.
Selecting shift ranges in the S position
Floor shift typeColumn shift type
1
2
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1874-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■Shift ranges and their functions
●Automatically selecting gears bet ween 1 and 6 (6-speed models)
or 1 and 5 (5-speed models) accord ing to vehicle speed and driv-
ing conditions.
● You can choose from 6 levels (6 -speed models) or 5 levels (5-
speed models) of accelerating force and engine braking force.
● A lower shift range will provide greater accelerating force and
engine braking force than a higher shift range, and the engine
revolutions will also increase.
Use TOW/HAUL mode when pulling a trailer or hauling a heavy load.
Press the TOW/HAUL switch. The indicator will come on.
Press the switch once more to cancel the mode.
TOW/HAUL switch (vehicles with towing package)
Floor shift typeColumn shift type
Page 188 of 588

1884-2. Driving procedures
■AI-SHIFT
AI-SHIFT automatically selects the suitable gear according to the driver per-
formance and driving conditions.
AI-SHIFT automatically operates when the shift lever is in the D position.
(Shifting the shift lever to the S position cancels the function.)
■ 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 while driving in S mode and down-
shifting to 5 or 4 (6-speed models) or 4 (5-speed models) because cruise
control will not be canceled. ( →P. 204)
■ 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.
■ If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
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.
1
2
3
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1894-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
Pry the cover up with a flathead screwdriver 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.4
Floor shift typeColumn-shift type
5
Floor shift typeColumn-shift type
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1904-2. Driving procedures
■If the “S” indicator does not come on even after shifting the shift lever to
S
This may indicate a malfunction in the automatic 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.)
■ Downshifting restrictions warning buzzer (S mode)
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.)
■ Transmission protection function
If the tires spin continually when the vehicle becomes stuck in mud, dir\
t or
snow, the automatic transmission temperature may become too high and
cause damage.
To avoid the damaging the automatic transmission, the system may tempo-
rarily lock the gear in 1st.
If the automatic transmission temperature falls, the gear locking is canceled
and returns the automatic transmission to the normal operation.
CAUTION
■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.
■ To prevent an accident when releasing the shift lock
Before pressing the shift lock override button, make sure to set the parking
brake and depress the brake pedal.
If the accelerator pedal is accidentally depressed instead of the brake pedal
when the shift lock override button is pressed and the shift lever is shifted
out of P, the vehicle may suddenly start, possibly leading to an accident
resulting in death or serious injury.
Page 191 of 588
1914-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
Turn signal lever
Right turn
Lane change to the right (push
and hold the lever partway)
The right hand signals will flash
until you release the lever.
Lane change to the left (push
and hold the lever partway)
The left hand signals will flash until
you release the lever.
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.
Operating instructions
1
2
3
4
Page 192 of 588
1924-2. Driving procedures
Parking brake
To set the parking brake, fully
depress the parking brake pedal
with your left foot while depress-
ing the brake pedal with your right
foot.
(Depressing the pedal again
releases the parking brake.)
■Parking the vehicle
→P. 146
■ Usage in winter time
→P. 246
U.S.A. Canada
NOTICE
■
Before driving
Fully release the parking brake.
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to brake components
overheating, which may affect braking performance and increase brake
wear.