
1604-2. Driving procedures
*: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noise, shift the shift lever 
to D for normal driving.
■To protect the continuously 
variable transmission
If the continuously variable trans-
mission fluid temperature is high, 
“Transmission Oil Temp High Stop in 
a Safe Place and  See Owner’s 
Manual” will be displayed on the 
multi-information  display and the 
vehicle will go into transmission pro-
tection mode automatically. Have 
the vehicle inspected by your Toyota  dealer.
■When driving with the dynamic 
radar cruise control activated
Even when switching the driving 
mode to sport mode with the intent 
of enabling engine braking, engine 
braking will not  occur because 
dynamic radar cruise control will not 
be canceled. ( P.247)
■Restraining sudden start 
(Drive-Start Control)
 P.149
■G AI-SHIFT
G AI-SHIFT automat ically selects a 
suitable gear for sporty driving 
according to driver’s input and driv-
ing conditions. G AI-SHIFT operates 
automatically when th e shift lever is 
in D and sport mode is selected for 
the driving mode.  (Selecting normal 
mode or shifting the shift lever to the 
B position cancels this function.)
■After recharging/reconnecting 
the battery
 P.385
■Continuously variable transmis-
sion fail-safe control
The system detects  malfunctioning 
parts targeted (all of the solenoids 
that perform the shifting function) by 
the On-Board Diagnostics, and per-
forms fail-safe mechanisms, such 
as restricting the shifting function or 
transmission ratio control.
In this event, the malfunction indica-
tor lamp turns on.
Continuously variable 
transmission (vehi-
cles without paddle 
shift switches)
Select the shift position 
depending on your purpose 
and situation.
Shift position purpose 
and functions
Shift posi-
tionObjective or function
PParking the vehi-
cle/starting the engine
RReversing
N
Neutral
(Condition in which the  power is not transmit- ted)
DNormal driving*
B
Applying moderate 
engine braking driving  down hills
WARNING
■When driving on slippery 
road surfaces
Do not accelerate or shift the shift 
gears suddenly. 
Sudden changes in engine brak-
ing may cause the vehicle to spin 
or skid, resulting in an accident. 

1614-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
:While the engine switch is in 
ON 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 
the 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 depresse d before the 
shift release button is pushed. If 
the shift release button is pushed 
first, the shift lock will not be 
released.
■Shift lock system
The shift lock syste m is a system to 
prevent accidental operation of the 
shift lever in starting.
The shift lever can be shifted from P 
only when the engi ne switch is in 
ON 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 p roblem 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 lev er can be shifted.
Releasing the shift lock:
1 Set the parking brake.
2 Turn the engine switch off.
3 Depress the brake pedal.
4 Ply the cover up with a flathead 
screwdriver or equivalent tool.
To prevent damaging the cover, 
wrap the tip of the flathead 
screwdriver with a tape.
5 Press and hold the shift lock 
override button and then push 
the shift release button on the 
shift knob.
The shift lever can  be shifted while 
Shifting the shift lever 

1624-2. Driving procedures
the button is pressed.
P.247
*: To improve fuel efficiency and 
reduce noise, shift the shift lever 
to D for normal driving.
■To protect the continuously 
variable transmission
If the continuously variable trans-
mission fluid temperature is high, 
“Transmission Oil Temp High Stop in 
a Safe Place and See Owner’s 
Manual” will be displayed on the 
multi-information  display and the 
vehicle will go into transmission pro-
tection mode automatically. Have 
the vehicle inspected by your Toyota 
WARNING
■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 acci-
dentally 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, possi-
bly leading to an accident result-
ing in death or serious injury.
Selecting the driving 
mode
Continuously variable 
transmission (vehi-
cles with paddle shift 
switches)
Select the shift position 
depending on your purpose 
and situation.
Shift position purpose 
and functions
Shift posi- tionObjective or function
PParking the vehi-
cle/starting the engine
RReversing
N
Neutral
(Condition in which the  power is not transmit- ted)
DNormal driving*
M
10-speed sport sequen-tial shiftmatic mode driving ( P.165) 

1634-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
dealer.
■When driving with dynamic 
radar cruise control with 
full-speed range activated
Even when switching the driving 
mode to sport mode with the intent 
of enabling engine braking, engine 
braking will not occur because 
dynamic radar cruise control will not 
be canceled. ( P.247)
■Restraining sudden start 
(Drive-Start Control)
 P. 1 4 9
■G AI-SHIFT
G AI-SHIFT automatically selects a 
suitable gear for sporty driving 
according to driver’s input and driv-
ing conditions. G AI-SHIFT operates 
automatically when th e 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.)
■After recharging/reconnecting 
the battery
 P. 3 8 5
:While the engine switch is in 
ON 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 
the 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 
released.
WARNING
■When driving on slippery 
road surfaces
Do not accelerate o r shift the shift 
gears suddenly. 
Sudden changes in engine brak-
ing may cause the vehicle to spin 
or skid, resulting in an accident.
Shifting the shift lever 

1644-2. Driving procedures
■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 
ON 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 pr oblem 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 lev er can be shifted.
Releasing the shift lock:
1 Set the parking brake.
2 Turn the engine switch off.
3 Depress the brake pedal.
4 Ply the cover up  with a flathead 
screwdriver or equivalent tool.
To prevent damaging the cover, 
wrap the tip of the flathead 
screwdriver with a tape.
5 Press and hold the shift lock 
override button and then push 
the shift release button on the 
shift knob.
The shift lever can be shifted while  the button is pressed.
P.247
To drive using temporary shift 
range selection, operate the “-” 
or “+” paddle shift switch. 
When the “-” paddl e shift switch 
is operated, the shift range 
switches to a range that enables 
engine braking force that is suit-
able to driving conditions. When 
the “+” paddle shift switch is 
operated, the shift range 
switches to a range that is one 
WARNING
■To prevent an accident when 
releasing the shift lock
Before pressing the shift lock 
override button, m ake sure to set 
the parking brake and depress the 
brake pedal.
If the accelerator pedal is acci-
dentally 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, possi-
bly leading to an accident result-
ing in death or serious injury.
Selecting the driving 
mode
Selecting shift ranges in 
the D position 

1654-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
range higher than the current 
range. 
Changing the shift range allows 
restriction of the highest gear, 
preventing unnecessary upshift-
ing and enabling the level of 
engine braking force to be 
selected.
1Upshifting
2 Downshifting
The selected shift range, from D1 to 
D10, will be dis played on the 
multi-information display.
■Gear step functions
●You can choose from 10 levels of 
engine braking force.
●A lower gear s tep will provide 
greater engine braking force than 
a higher gear step, and the engine 
speed will also increase.
■Deactivation of temporary 
10-speed Sport Sequential 
Shiftmatic mode
In the following situations, tempo-
rary 10-speed Sport Sequential 
Shiftmatic mode will  be deactivated:
●When the vehicle is stopped
●If the accelerator pedal is 
depressed continuously for more 
than a certain amount of time 
while in one gear range
●If the accelerator pedal is 
depressed abruptly and heavily
●When the shift lever is shifted to a 
position other than D
●W h en  th e “+ ” p ad dle  sh ift sw itch  is  
operated for a certain amount of 
time continuously
To enter 10-speed sport 
sequential shiftmatic mode, shift 
the shift lever to M position. 
Gear steps can then be selected 
by operating the shift lever or 
paddle shift switches, allowing 
you to drive in the gear step of 
your choosing.
1Upshifting
2 Downshifting
The gear changes once every time 
the shift lever or paddle shift switch 
is operated.
The selected gear step, from M1 to 
M10, will be dis played on the 
multi-information display.
However, even when in the M 
position, the gear steps will be 
automatically changed if the 
Changing gears in the M 
position 

1664-2. Driving procedures
engine speed is too high, or too 
low.
■Gear step functions
●You can choose from 10 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.
■When the vehic le comes to a 
stop with the shift lever in the M 
position
●The transmission will automati-
cally 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.
■Downshifting restriction warn-
ing buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving 
performance, downshifting opera-
tion may sometimes b e restricted. In 
some circumstances, downshifting 
may not be possible even when the 
shift lever or paddle shift switch is 
operated. (A buzzer will sound 
twice.)
■If the 10-speed sport sequential 
shiftmatic mode indicator does 
not come on even after shifting 
the shift lever to M
This may indicate a malfunction in 
the continuously variable transmis-
sion system. Have the vehicle 
inspected by your Toyota dealer 
immediately.
(In this situation, the transmission 
will operate in t he same manner as 
when the shift lever is in D.)
■Continuously variable transmis-
sion fail-safe control
The system detects malfunctioning 
parts targeted (all of the solenoids 
that perform the shifting function) by 
the On-Board Diagnostics, and per- forms fail-safe mechanisms, such 
as restricting the shifting function or 
transmission ratio control.
In this event, the malfunction indica-
tor lamp turns on. 

1674-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
1Right turn
2 Lane change to the right 
(move the lever partway and 
release it)
The right hand signals will flash 3 
times.
3Lane change to the left 
(move the lever partway and 
release it)
The left hand signals will flash 3 
times.
4Left turn
■Turn signals can be operated 
when
The engine switch is in ON.
■If the indicator flashes faster 
than usual
Check that a light  bulb in the front or 
rear turn signal  lights has not  burned out.
Tur n signal lever
Operating instructions