Hybrid transmission

Select the shift position depending on your purpose and situation.

Shift position purpose and functions


Shift position	Objective or function
P	Parking the vehicle/starting the hybrid system
R	Reversing
N	Neutral (Condition in which the power is not transmitted)
D	Normal driving^*1
S	S mode driving^*2 (Changing shift ranges in the S position)

^*1

To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noise, shift the shift lever to D for normal driving.

^*2

By selecting shift ranges using S mode, you can control accelerating force and engine braking force.

Note:

When driving with dynamic radar cruise control activated

Even when performing the following actions with the intent of enabling engine braking, engine braking will not activate because cruise control, dynamic radar cruise control will not be canceled.

While driving in D or S mode, downshifting to 5 or 4. (Dynamic radar cruise control)

When switching the driving mode to sport mode while driving in D position. (Driving mode select switch)

Restraining sudden start (Drive-Start Control)

Sudden start restraint control (Drive-Start Control [DSC])

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.

Notice:

Hybrid battery (traction battery) charge

If the shift lever is in N, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will not be charged even when the engine is running. Therefore, if the vehicle is left with the shift lever in N for a long period of time, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will discharge, and this may result in the vehicle not being able to start.

Shifting the shift lever

:While the power 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.

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.

Note:

Shift lock systemShift 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 power switch is in ON and the brake pedal is being depressed.

Shift lever If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P

Transmission If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P 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 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 power switch off.

Depress the brake pedal.

Pry 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.

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.

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 accidentally 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, possibly leading to an accident resulting in death or serious injury.

Selecting the driving mode

Driving mode select switch

Transmission Paddle shift switches

Switches Paddle shift switches

Paddle shift switches

Hybrid transmission Paddle shift switches Selecting shift ranges in the D position (vehicles with paddle shift switch)

To drive using temporary shift range selection, operate the “-” paddle shift switch. The shift range can then be selected by operating the “-” and “+” paddle shift switches. Changing the shift range allows restriction of the highest gear, preventing upshifting and enabling the level of engine braking force to be selected.

Upshifting

Downshifting

The selected shift range, from D1 to D5, will be displayed on the multi-information display.

Note:

When the “-” paddle shift switch is operated with the shift lever in the D position

The shift range is downshifted to a range that enables engine braking force that is suitable to driving conditions.

Automatic deactivation of shift range selection in the D position

Shift range selection in the D position will be deactivated in the following situations:

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 period of time

When the shift lever is shifted to a position other than D

Transmission Paddle shift switches

Transmission S mode

Switches Paddle shift switches

Paddle shift switches

Hybrid transmission Paddle shift switches Changing shift ranges in the S position

When the shift lever is in the S position, the shift lever or paddle shift switches (if equipped) can be operated as follows:

Upshifting

Downshifting

The shift range changes once every time the shift lever or paddle shift switch (if equipped) is operated.

The selected shift range, from S1 to S6, will be displayed on the multi-information display.

The initial shift range in S mode is set automatically to S4 or S5 according to vehicle speed.

Note:

Warning buzzers Downshifting Downshift restriction warning buzzer (S mode or paddle shifting)

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 or paddle shift switches (if equipped) are operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.)

S mode

You can choose from 6 levels of accelerating force and engine braking force.

A lower shift range will provide greater accelerating force and engine braking force than a higher shift range, and the engine revolutions will also increase.

When the shift range is S4 or lower, holding the shift lever or paddle shift switch (if equipped) toward “+” sets the shift range to S6.

To prevent the engine from over-revving, upshifting may automatically occur when the shift range is 4 or lower.

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 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.)