Page 165 of 516
1654-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
C-HR_OM_USA_OM10526U
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles with a
smart key system)
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is in P.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
and message will be displayed on the multi-information display.
If it is not displayed, the engine cannot be started.
Press the engine switch shortly
and firmly.
When operating the engine switch,
one short, firm press is enough. It
is not necessary to press and hold
the switch.
The engine will crank until it starts
or for up to 30 seconds, whichever
is less.
Continue depressing the brake
pedal until the engine is completely
started.
The engine can be started from
any engine switch mode.
Performing the following operati ons when carrying the elec-
tronic key on your person starts the engine or changes engine
switch modes.
Starting the engine
1
2
3
4
Page 168 of 516

1684-2. Driving procedures
C-HR_OM_USA_OM10526U■
Steering lock
After turning the engine switch off and opening and closing the doors, the
steering wheel will be locked due to the steering lock function. Operating the
engine switch again automatically cancels the steering lock.
■ When the steering lock cannot be released
■ Steering lock motor o verheating 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 operating the engine. After about 10 seconds, the
steering lock motor will resume functioning.
■ When the “Entry & Start System Ma lfunction. See Owner’s Manual.” is
displayed on the mult i-information display
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your
Toyota dealer immediately.
■ If the electronic key battery is depleted
→P. 373
■ Operation of the engine switch
●If the switch is not pressed shortly and firmly, the engine switch mode may
not change or the engine may not start.
● If attempting to restart the engine immediately after turning the engine
switch off, the engine may not start in some cases. After turning the engine
switch off, please wait a few seconds before restarting the engine.
■ If the smart key system has been deactivated in a customized setting
→P. 436 “Push ENGINE Switch while Turning The
Steering Wheel in Either Direction.” will be
displayed on the multi-information display.
Check that the shift lever is set in P. Press
the engine switch while turning the steer-
ing wheel left and right.
Page 171 of 516
1714-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
C-HR_OM_USA_OM10526U
Continuously variable transmission
Vehicles without a smart key system:
While the engine switch is in the “ON” position, depress the
brake pedal and while pressing the button move the shift lever.
When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the
vehicle is completely stopped.
Vehicles with a smart key system:
While the engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode, depress the
brake pedal and while pressing the button move the shift lever.
When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the
vehicle is completely stopped.
Shifting the shift lever
Page 173 of 516

1734-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
C-HR_OM_USA_OM10526U
■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 shif tmatic 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.
■ When driving with dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed range
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.
● When switching the driving mode to sport mode while driving in D position.
(→P. 251)
■ 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.)
■ 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 (vehicles without a smart key system) or IGNITION ON mode
(vehicles with a smart key system), and the brake pedal is being depressed.
Page 174 of 516

1744-2. Driving procedures
C-HR_OM_USA_OM10526U■
If the shift lever canno t 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 while
pressing the button on the shift knob, 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 (vehicles without a \
smart key
system) or off (vehicles with a smart key system).
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.)Remove the cover.
Remove the cover using flathead
screwdriver. To prevent damage to the
cover, tip the screwdriver with a rag.
Press the shift lock override button
while pressing the button on the shift
knob.
The shift lever can be shifted while the
button is pressed.
1
2
3
4
5
Page 176 of 516
1764-2. Driving procedures
C-HR_OM_USA_OM10526U
Turn signal lever
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
Vehicles without a smart key system
The engine switch is in the “ON” position.
Vehicles with a smart key system
The engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
■ If the indicator flashes faster than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or rear turn signal lights has not burned
out.
■ If the turn signals stop flashing before a lane change has been per-
formed
Operate the lever again.
■ Customization
The number of times the turn signals flash during a lane change can be
changed. (Customizable feature →P. 474)
Operating instructions
Page 179 of 516

1794-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
C-HR_OM_USA_OM10526U
■Parking brake operation
●When the engine switch is not in the “ON” position (vehicles with\
out a smart
key system) or IGNITION ON mode (vehicles with a smart key system), the
parking brake cannot be released using the parking brake switch.
● When the engine switch is not in the “ON” position (vehicles with\
out a smart
key system) or IGNITION ON mode (vehicles with a smart key system),
automatic mode (automatic brake setti ng and releasing) is not available.
■ Automatic release function
The parking brake is automatically released when slowly depress the acceler-
ator pedal.
The parking brake will be released automatically under the following condi-
tions:
●The driver’s door is closed.
● The driver’s seatbelt is fastened.
● Shift the shift lever is in a forward or reverse position.
● The malfunction indicator lamp or brake system warning light is not illumi-
nated.
If the automatic release function does not operate, manually release the park-
ing brake.
■ If “EPB Frequently Operated, Wait a Minute.” is displayed on the
multi-information display
If the parking brake is operated repeatedly over a short period of time, the
system may restrict operation to prevent overheating. If this happens, refrain
from operating the parking brake. Normal operation will return after about 1
minute.
■ If “EPB Activation Incomplete.” or “E PB Unavailable” is displayed on the
multi-information display
Operate the parking brake switch. If the message does not disappear after
operating the switch several times, the system may be malfunctioning. Have
the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.
■ Parking brake operation sound
When the parking brake operates, a motor sound (whirring sound) may be
heard. This does not indicate a malfunction.
Page 180 of 516

1804-2. Driving procedures
C-HR_OM_USA_OM10526U■
Parking brake indicator li ght and parking brake lamp
● Depending on the engine switch position/mode, the parking brake indicator
light and parking brake lamp will turn on and stay on as described below:
Vehicles without a smart key system
In the “ON” position: Comes on until the parking brake is released.
Not in the “ON” position: Stays on for approximately 15 seconds.
Vehicles with a smart key system
IGNITION ON mode: Comes on until the parking brake is released.
Not in IGNITION ON mode: Stays on for approximately 15 seconds.
● When the engine switch is turned off with the parking brake set, the parking
brake indicator light and parking brake lamp stay on for about 15 seconds.
This does not indicate a malfunction.
■ Changing the mode
When changing the automatic mode on/off, the message will be shown on the
multi-information display and the buzzer sounds.
■ Parking the vehicle
→P. 147
■ Parking brake engaged warning buzzer
A buzzer will sound if the vehicle is driven with the parking brake engaged.
“EPB Applied.” is displayed on the multi-information display.
■ Warning messages and buzzers
Warning messages and buzzers are used to indicate a system malfunction or
to inform the driver of the need for caution. If a warning message is shown on
the multi-information display, read the message and follow the instructions.
■ If the brake system warning light comes on
→P. 410
■ Usage in winter time
→P. 286