Page 185 of 672
1854-1. Before driving
4
Driving
The rear bumper of your vehicle is
equipped  with  a  hole  to  install  a
trailer  ball.  If  you  have  any  ques-
tions, contact your Toyota dealer.
The  gross  trailer  weight  (trailer
weight  plus  cargo  weight)  when
towing with the bumper must never
exceed  the  TWR  ( P.  177)  or
5000  lb.  (2268  kg)  whichever  is
lower.
Use the correct trailer ball for your application.
Trailer ball load rating
Matches  or  exceeds  the  gross
trailer weight rating of the trailer.
Ball diameter
Matches the size of the trailer cou-
pler.  Most  couplers  are  stamped
with the required trailer ball size.
Shank length
Protrudes  beyond  the  bottom  of  the  lock  washer  and  nut  by  at  le ast  2
threads.
Shank diameter
Matches the ball mount hole diameter size.
Bumper towing (vehicles  with steel bumper only)
Selecting trailer ball
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2
Trailer classIVII and IIII
Typical trailer ball size2 5/16 in.2 in.1 7/8 in.
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4 
     
        
        Page 189 of 672
1894-1. Before driving
4
Driving
●Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle’s and the trai ler’s
wheels  when  parking. Apply  the  parking  brake  firmly,  and  put  th e
transmission  in  P. Avoid  parking  on  a  slope,  but  if  unavoidable ,  do
so only after perform ing the following:
Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
Have someone  place wheel blocks  under both the vehicle’s and
trailer’s wheels.
When  the  wheel  blocks  are  in  pl ace,  release  the  brakes  slowly
until the blocks absorb the load.
Apply the parking brake firmly.
Shift into P and turn off the engine.
● When restarting afte r parking on a slope:
With the transmission in P, start the engine. Be sure to keep t he
brake pedal pressed.
Shift into D or R (if reversing).
Release  the  parking  brake  and  brake  pedal,  and  slowly  pull  or
back away from the wheel bloc ks. Stop and apply the brakes.
Have someone retrieve the blocks.
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5
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        Page 195 of 672
1954-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
Engine (ignition) switch
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 “S TART” position to start the engine.
“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.
■ Turning the key from “ACC” to “LOCK”
Shift the shift lever to P.
■ If the engine does not start
The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( P. 76)
Contact your Toyota dealer.
Starting the engine
Changing the engine  switch positions
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2
3
4
1
2
Push  in  the  key  and  turn  it  to  the
“LOCK” position.
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4
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        Page 196 of 672

1964-2. Driving procedures
■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 “ACC” or “LOCK” position to remind you to remove the key. 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.
WARNING
■ 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 circumsta nces.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious in jury.
■ Caution while driving
Do not turn the engine switch to the “LOCK” position while driving. If, in an
emergency,  you  must  turn  the  engine  off  while  the  vehicle  is  mo ving,  turn
the engine switch only to the “ACC” position to stop the engine. An accident
may result if the engine is stopped while driving. ( P. 539)
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do  not  leave  the  engine  switch  in  the  “ACC” or  “ON”  position  fo r  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. 
     
        
        Page 201 of 672

2014-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■AI-SHIFT
AI-SHIFT  automatically  selects  the  suitable  gear  according  to  t he 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 functio n.)
■ When driving with cruise cont rol activated (if equipped)
Even when performing the following actions with the intent of e nabling engine
braking,  engine  braking  will  not  activate  while  driving  in  S  mo de  and  down-
shifting to 5 or 4 because cruise control will not be canceled.  (P. 252 266)
■ Shift lock system
The  shift lock system is a system to prevent accidental operati on  of the shift
lever in starting.
The  shift  lever  can  be  shifted  from  P  only  when  the  engine  swit ch  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  inspe cted  by  your
Toyota dealer immediately.
The  following  steps  may  be  used  as  an  emergency  measure  to  ensu re  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.
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        Page 202 of 672
2024-2. Driving procedures
Pry the cover up with a flathead screwdriver or equivalent tool.
To prevent damage to the cover, cover the tip of the screwdrive r 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 
     
        
        Page 203 of 672

2034-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■If the “S” indicator does not come on even after shifting the s hift lever to
S
This  may  indicate  a malfunction  in the  automatic transmission s ystem.  Have
the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer, immediately. 
(In  this  situation,  the  transmission  will  operate  in  the  same  m anner  as  when
the shift lever is in D.)
■ Downshifting restrictions  warning buzzer (S mode)
To  help  ensure  safety  and  driving  performance,  downshifting  ope ration  may
sometimes  be  restricted.  In  some  circumstances,  downshifting  ma y  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,  dirt  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  locki ng  is  canceled
and returns the automatic transmission to the normal operation.
WARNING
■ 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 se t the parking
brake and depress the brake pedal. 
If the accelerator pedal is accidentally depressed instead of t he brake pedal
when  the  shift  lock  override  button  is  pressed  and  the  shift  le ver  is  shifted
out  of  P,  the  vehicle  may  suddenly  start,  possibly  leading  to  a n  accident
resulting in death or serious injury. 
     
        
        Page 209 of 672

2094-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
■Daytime running light system
●The  daytime  running  lights  illuminate  using  the  same  lights  as  the  parking
lights and illuminate brighter than the parking lights.
● To  make  your  vehicle  more  visible  to  other  drivers  during  dayti me  driving,
the  daytime  running  lights  turn  on  automatically  when  all  of  the  following
conditions are met. (The daytime running lights are not designe d for use at
night.)
• The engine is running
• The parking brake is released
• The headlight switch is in the   (Canada only),   or  * position
*: When the surroundings are bright
The daytime running lights remain on after they illuminate, even if the parking
brake is set again.
● For  the  U.S.A.:  Daytime  running  lights  can  be  turned  off  by  ope rating  the
switch.
● For the Canada: Daytime running lights are not designed for use  at night.
● Compared  to  turning  on  the  headlights,  the  daytime  running  ligh t  system
offers greater durability and consumes less electricity, so it  can help improve
fuel economy.
■ Headlight control sensor (vehicles with automatic headlight system)
The sensor may not function properly if an
object is placed on the sensor, or anything
that  blocks  the  sensor  is  affixed  to  the
windshield. 
Doing  so  interferes  with  the  sensor
detecting  the  level  of  ambient  light  and
may  cause  the  automatic  headlight  sys-
tem to malfunction.