
166
4-1. Before drivingDriving the vehicle............. 168
Cargo and luggage ........... 178
Vehicle load limits ............. 182
Trailer towing .................... 183
Dinghy towing ................... 200
4-2. Driving procedures Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles without 
a smart key system) ........ 201
Engine (ignition) switch  (vehicles with a smart 
key system)..................... 204
Automatic transmission ..... 210
Manual transmission ......... 215
Turn signal lever ............... 217
Parking brake .................... 218
4-3. Operating the lights and  wipers
Headlight switch ................ 219
Automatic High Beam ....... 223
Fog light switch ................. 228
Windshield wipers and  washer ............................ 229
4Driving 

1684-1. Before driving
Driving the vehicle
P. 201, 204
Automatic transmission
With the brake pedal depressed, shift the shift lever to D. ( P.   2 1 0 )
Release the parking brake. ( P.   2 1 8 )
Gradually release the brake pedal and gently depress the accele ra-
tor pedal to accelerate the vehicle.
Manual transmission
With the clutch pedal fully depre ssed, shift the shift lever to 1. 
(  P. 215)
Release the parking brake. ( P.   2 1 8 )
Gradually  release  the  clutch  pedal.  At  the  same  time,  gently
depress the accelerator pedal  to accelerate the vehicle.
Automatic transmission
With the shift lever in D, depress the brake pedal.
If necessary, set the parking brake.
If the vehicle is to be stopped for an extended period of time, shift the shift
lever to P or N. ( P. 210)
Manual transmission
While depressing the clutch pedal, depress the brake pedal.
If necessary, set the parking brake. 
When  the vehicle  is  stopped  for  an extended  period  of  time, shi ft  the shift
lever to N. ( P. 215)
The  following  procedures  should  be  observed  to  ensure  safe
driving: 
Starting the engine
Driving
Stopping
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
1
2 

1694-1. Before driving
4
Driving
Automatic transmission
With the shift lever in D, depress the brake pedal.
Set the parking brake ( P. 218), and shift the shift lever to P 
(  P. 210).
Vehicles without a smart key sys tem: Turn the engine switch to the
“LOCK” position to stop the engine.
Vehicles  with  a  smart  key  system :  Press  the  engine  switch  to  stop
the engine.
Lock the door, making sure that  you have the key on your person.
If parking on a hill, block the wheels as needed.
Manual transmission
While depressing the clutch pedal, depress the brake pedal.
Set the parking brake. ( P.   2 1 8 )
Shift the shift lever to N. ( P. 215)
If parking on a hill, shift the shift lever to 1 or R needed.
Turn the engine switch to the “LOC K” position to stop the engine. 
Lock the door, making sure that  you have the key on your person.
If parking on a hill, block the wheels as needed.
Automatic transmission
Make sure that the parking brake is set and shift the shift lev er to D.
Gently depress the accelerator pedal.
Release the parking brake.
Manual transmission
With  the  parking  brake  firmly  set  and  the  clutch  pedal  fully
depressed, shift the shift lever to 1.
Lightly depress the accelerato r pedal at the same time as gradu ally
releasing the  clutch pedal.
Release the parking brake.
Parking the vehicle
Starting off on a steep uphill
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
1
2
3 

1704-1. Before driving
■When  starting  off on  an  uphill  (v ehicles  with  the  hill-start  assist  control
system)
The hill-start assist control will activate. ( P. 323)
■ Driving in the rain
●Drive carefully when it is raining, because visibility will be  reduced, the win-
dows may become fogged-up, and the road will be slippery.
● Drive carefully when it starts to rain, because the road surface will be espe-
cially slippery.
● Refrain  from  high  speeds  when  driving  on  an  expressway  in  the  r ain,
because there may be  a layer of  water  between the tires  and  the  road sur-
face, preventing the steering and brakes from operating properl y.
■ Engine speed while driving (vehic les with an automatic transmission)
In the following conditions, the engine speed may become high w hile driving.
This is due to automatic up-shifting control or down-shifting implementation to
meet driving conditions. It does not indicate sudden acceleration.
● The vehicle is judged to be driving uphill or downhill
● When the accelerator pedal is released
● When the brake pedal is depressed while power mode is selected
■ Restraining the engine out put (Brake Override System)
● When the accelerator and brake pedals are depressed at the same  time, the
engine output may be restrained.
● A  warning  message  is  displayed  on  the  multi-information  display  while the
system is operating. ( P. 493)
■ Restraining sudden start (Drive-Start Control: vehicles with an  automatic
transmission)
● When  the following  unusual operation is performed,  the  engine  o utput  may
be restrained.
• When the shift lever is shifted from R to D, D to R, N to R, P  to D, or P to
R  (D  includes  S)  with  the  accelerator  pedal  depressed,  a  warnin g  mes-
sage appears on the multi-information display.
• When the accelerator pedal is depressed too much while the veh icle is in
reverse.
● While  Drive-Start  Control  is  being  activated,  your  vehicle  may  have  trouble
escaping  from  the  mud  or  fresh  snow.  In  such  case,  perform  the  following
actions to cancel Drive-Start Control so that the vehicle may b ecome able to
escape from the mud or fresh snow.
• Deactivate TRAC ( P. 323)
• When the AUTO LSD system is turned on. 
(P. 306)
• 4WD models: The four-wheel drive control switch is in “4L” pos ition. 
(P. 302) 

1724-1. Before driving
WARNING
Observe the following precautions. 
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■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.
■ When driving the vehicle
● Do not drive if you are unfamiliar with the location of the brake and accel-
erator pedals to avoid depressing the wrong pedal. 
• Accidentally  depressing  the  accelerator  pedal  instead  of  the  b rake
pedal will result in sudden acceleration that may lead to an accident.
• When backing up, you may twist your body around, leading to difficulty
in operating the pedals. Make sure to operate the pedals proper l y.
• Make  sure  to  keep  a  correct  driving  posture  even  when  moving  t he
vehicle only slightly. This allows you to depress the brake and accelera-
tor pedals properly.
• Depress  the  brake  pedal  using  your  right  foot.  Depressing  the  brake
pedal using your left foot may delay response in an emergency,  result-
ing in an accident.
● Do not drive the vehicle over or stop the vehicle near flammable materials.
The  exhaust  system  and  exhaust  gases  can  be  extremely  hot. Thes e  hot
parts may cause a fire if there is any flammable material nearby.
● 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  im possible
to stop the vehicle in the normal way:  P. 473
● 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. 210, 215)
● Do not adjust the positions 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.
● Always check that all passengers’ arms, heads or other parts of  their body
are not outside the vehicle. 

1734-1. Before driving
4
Driving
WARNING
Observe the following precautions. 
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When driving the vehicle
● Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal sp eed limit per-
mits it, do not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicl e has high-
speed  capability  tires.  Driving  over  85  mph  (140  km/h)  may  resu lt  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.
■ When driving on slippery road surfaces
● Sudden  braking,  acceleration  and  steering  may  cause  tire  slippa ge  and
reduce your ability to control the vehicle.
● Sudden acceleration, engine braking due to shifting, or changes  in engine
speed could cause the vehicle to skid.
● After  driving  through  a  puddle,  lightly  depress  the  brake  pedal   to  make
sure that the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads m ay prevent
the brakes from functioning properly. If the brakes on only one  side are wet
and not functioning properly, steering control may be affected.
■ When shifting the shift lever
● On  vehicles  with  an  automatic  transmission,  do  not  let  the  vehicle  roll
backward while the shift lever is  in a  driving  position, or rol l  forward while
the shift lever is in R.
Doing so may cause the engine to stall or lead to poor brake an d steering
performance, resulting in an accident or damage to the vehicle.
● On vehicles with an automatic transmission, do not shift the sh ift lever to P
while the vehicle is moving. 
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss o f vehicle
control.
● Do not shift the shift lever to R while the vehicle is moving forward. 
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle
control.
● Do not shift the shift lever to a driving position while the ve hicle is moving
backward. 
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle
control.
● Moving  the  shift  lever  to  N  while  the  vehicle  is  moving  will  di sengage  the
engine  from  the  transmission.  Engine  braking  is  not  available  w hen  N  is
selected.
● On vehicles with an automatic transmission, be careful not to s hift the shift
lever  with  the  accelerator  pedal  depressed.  Shifting  the  shift  lever  to  a
gear  other  than  P  or  N  may  lead  to  moving  unexpectedly  of  the  vehicle
that may cause an accident. 

1744-1. Before driving
WARNING
■If you hear a squealing or scraping noise (brake pad wear limit indica-
tors)
Have the brake pads checked and replaced by your Toyota dealer  as soon
as possible. 
Rotor damage may result if the pads are not replaced when neede d.
It  is  dangerous  to  drive  the  vehicle  when  the  wear  limits  of  the  brake  pads
and/or those of the brake discs are exceeded.
■ When the vehicle is stopped
● Do not race the engine.
If  the  vehicle  is  in  any  gear  other  than  P  (automatic  transmission  only)  or
N, the vehicle may move suddenly and unexpectedly, causing an accident.
● On vehicles with an automatic transmission, in order to prevent accidents
due  to  the  vehicle  rolling  away,  always  keep  depressing  the  bra ke  pedal
while the engine is running, and apply the parking brake as necessary.
● If the vehicle is stopped on an incline, in order to prevent ac cidents caused
by the vehicle rolling forward or backward, always depress the  brake pedal
and securely apply the parking brake as needed.
● Avoid revving or racing the engine. 
Running the engine at high speed while the vehicle is stopped may cause
the exhaust system to overheat, which could result in a fire if combustible
material is nearby.
■ When the vehicle is parked
● Do  not  leave  glasses,  cigarette  lighters,  spray  cans,  or  soft  drink  cans  in
the vehicle when it is in the sun.
Doing so may result in the following:
• Gas  may  leak  from  a  cigarette  lighter  or  spray  can,  and  may  le ad  to  a
fire.
• The  temperature  inside  the  vehicle  may  cause  the  plastic  lenses  and plastic material of glasses to deform or crack.
• Soft  drink  cans  may  rupture,  causing  the  contents  to  spray  ove r  the
interior of the vehicle, and may also cause a short circuit in the vehicle’s
electrical components.
● Do  not  leave  cigarette  lighters  in  the  vehicle.  If  a  cigarette  lighter  is  in  a
place such as the glove box or on the floor, it may be lit accidentally when
luggage is loaded or the seat is adjusted, causing a fire.
● Do  not  attach  adhesive  discs  to  the  windshield  or  windows.  Do  not  place
containers  such  as  air  fresheners  on  the  instrument  panel  or  da shboard.
Adhesive discs or containers may act as lenses, causing a fire  in the vehi-
cle. 

1754-1. Before driving
4
Driving
WARNING
●Do  not  leave  a  door  or  window  open  if  the  curved  glass  is  coated  with  a
metallized film such as a silver-colored one. Reflected sunligh t may cause
the glass to act as a lens, causing a fire.
● On  vehicles  with  an  automatic  transmission,  always  apply  the  parking
brake, shift the shift lever to P, stop the engine and lock the vehicle.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended while the engine is running . 
If the vehicle is parked with the shift lever in P but the park ing brake is not
set, the vehicle may start to move, possibly leading to an accident.
● Do not touch the exhaust pipes while the engine is running or i mmediately
after turning the engine off.
Doing so may cause burns.
■ When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always  turn  the  engine  off.  Otherwise,  if  you  accidentally  move   the  shift
lever  or depress  the accelerator  pedal, this  could  cause  an  acc ident or  fire
due  to  engine  overheating. Additionally,  if  the  vehicle  is  parked  in  a  poorly
ventilated area, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicl e, leading to
death or a serious health hazard.
■ When braking
● When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously.
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and this may cause
one  side  of  the  vehicle  to  brake  differently  than  the  other  side. Also,  the
parking brake may not securely hold the vehicle.
● If the brake booster device does not operate, do not follow oth er vehicles
closely and avoid hills or shar p turns that require braking. 
In  this  case,  braking  is  still  possible,  but  the  brake  pedal  should  be
depressed more firmly than usual. Also, the braking distance will increase.
Have your brakes fixed immediately.
● Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls.
Each push on the brake pedal uses up the reserve for the power-assisted
brakes.
● The brake system consists of 2 individual hydraulic systems; if  one of the
systems  fails,  the  other  will  still  operate.  In  this  case,  the  brake  pedal
should be depressed more firmly than usual and the braking dist ance will
increase. Have your brakes fixed immediately. 
■ If the vehicle becomes stuck
Do not spin the wheels excessively when any of the tires is up  in the air, or
the vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, etc. This may damage the driveline com-
ponents or propel the vehicle forward or backward, causing an accident.