2023 TOYOTA CAMRY Owners Manual

2174-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
CAMRY_U
Vehicles without a smart key system:
While the engine switch is in the “ON” position and the brake
pedal depressed
*, shift the shift lever while pushing the shift
release button on the shift knob.
Vehicles with a smart key system:
While the engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode and the
brake pedal depressed
*, shift the shift lever while pushing the
shift release button on the shift knob.
Shift the shift lever while pushing the shift release button on
the shift knob.
Shift the shift lever normally.
When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that t he
vehicle is completely stopped and the brake pedal is depressed.
*: For the vehicle be able to be shifted from P, the brake pedal must be
depressed before the shift release button is pushed. If the shift
release button is pushed first, the shift lock will not be rele ased.
Automatic transmission
Shifting the shift lever

2184-2. Driving procedures
CAMRY_U
*1: Shifting to the D position allows the system to select a gear suitable for the
driving conditions. Setting the shift lever to the D position is recommended
for normal driving.
*2: Selecting shift ranges using S mode restricts the upper limit of the possible
gear ranges, controls engine braking force, and prevents unnece ssary
upshifting.
When the shift lever is in the S position, the shift lever or p addle shift
switches (if equipped) can be operated as follows:
Upshifting
Downshifting
The initial shift range in S mode is set automatically to 4, 5 or 6
according to vehicle speed. However, the initial shift range may be set
to 3 if AI-SHIFT has operated while the shift lever was in the D posi-
tion. ( P. 221)
*1: Vehicles with 4.2-inch display
*2: Vehicles with 7-inch display
Shift position purpose
Shift positionObjective or function
PParking the vehicle/starting the engine
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*1
SS mode driving*2 (P. 218)
Changing shift ranges in S mode
Shift leverPaddle shift switches (if
equipped)
*1*2*1*2
1
2

2194-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
CAMRY_U■
Shift ranges and their functions
A lower shift range will provide greater engine braking forces
than a higher
shift range.
To drive using temporary shift range selection, operate the pad dle
shift switch. The shift range can then be selected by operating the “-”
and “+” paddle shift switches. Changing the shift range allows restric-
tion of the highest gear, preventing upshifting and enabling th e level of
engine braking force to be selected.
Upshifting
Downshifting
The selected shift range, from 1 to
8, or D will be displayed on the
multi-information display.
*1: Vehicles with 4.2-inch display
*2: Vehicles with 7-inch display
Meter displayFunction
S2 - S8
A gear in the range between 1 and the selected
gear is automatically chosen depending on vehicle
speed and driving conditions
S1Setting the gear at 1
Selecting shift ranges in the D position (vehicles with paddle
shift switches)
*1*2
1
2

2204-2. Driving procedures
CAMRY_U
■Automatic deactivation of shift range selection in the D positi on (vehi-
cles with paddle shift switches)
Shift range selection in the D position will be deactivated in the following situ-
ations:
● The “+” paddle shift switch is held down for a period of time
● When the vehicle comes to a stop
● If the accelerator pedal is depressed for more than a certain p eriod of time
● When the shift lever is shifted to a position other than D
■ S mode
●When the shift range is 7 or lower, holding the shift lever toward “+” sets the
shift range to 8.
● To prevent the engine from over-revving, upshifting may automat ically
occur.
● To protect the automatic transmission, a function is adopted that automati-
cally selects a higher shift range when the fluid temperature i s high.
■ Downshift restriction warning buzzer (S mode or paddle shifting )
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 or paddle shift switches are operated. (A
buzzer will sound twice.)
■ When driving with dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed range or
dynamic radar cruise control activated
Even when performing the following actions with the intent of e nabling engine
braking, engine braking will not occur because dynamic radar cr uise control
with full speed range or dynamic r adar cruise control will not be canceled.
● While driving in D or S mode, downshifting to 7, 6, 5 or 4. (
P. 290, 306)
● When switching the driving mode to sport mode while driving in the D posi-
tion. (
P. 375)
■ Restraining sudden start (Drive-start Control)
P. 195
■ 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), the brake pedal is depresse d and the shift
release button is pushed.

2214-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
CAMRY_U■
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 even though the brake peda l is depressed
and the shift release button is pushed, there may be a problem with the shift
lock system. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer i mmediately.
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.
Vehicles without a smart key system: Turn the engine switch to the “LOCK”
position.
Vehicles with a smart key system: Turn the engine switch off.
Depress the brake pedal.
■ If the S indicator does not come on or the D indicator is displayed even
after shifting the shift 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.)
■ AI-SHIFT
The AI-SHIFT automatically selects the suitable gear according to driver per-
formance and driving conditions.
The AI-SHIFT automatically operates when the shift lever is in D. (Shifting the
shift lever to the S position or paddle shifting cancels the fu nction.)
Pry the cover up with a flathead screw-
driver or equivalent tool.
To prevent damage to the cover, cover
the tip of the screwdriver with a rag.
Press and hold the shift lock override
button and then push the button on the
shift knob.
The shift lever can be shifted while both
buttons are pressed.
1
2
3
4
5

2224-2. Driving procedures
CAMRY_U
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 an accident
resulting in death or serious injury.

2234-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
CAMRY_U
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.
■ To discontinue flashing of the turn signals during a lane chang e
Operate the lever in the opposite direction.
Turn signal lever
Operating instructions
1
2
3
4

2244-2. Driving procedures
CAMRY_U
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.)
*1: For U.S.A.
*2: For Canada
■Parking the vehicle
P. 194
■ Parking brake engaged warning buzzer
A buzzer will sound if the vehicle is driven with the parking b rake engaged.
“Release Parking Brake” is displayed on the multi-information display.
■ Usage in winter time
P. 377
Parking brake
: If equipped
Operating instructions
*1*2
NOTICE
■Before driving
Fully release the parking brake.
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to bra ke components
overheating, which may affect braking performance and increase brake
wear.