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
D	Normal driving^*1
S	S mode driving^*2

^*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 with full-speed range activated

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

While driving in S mode, downshifting to 5 or 4. (Changing shift ranges in S mode)

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

Restraining sudden start (Drive-Start Control)

Warning:

When driving on slippery road surfaces

Be careful of downshifting and sudden acceleration, as this could result in the vehicle skidding to the side or spinning.

Notice:

Hybrid battery (traction battery) charge

If the shift lever is in N, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will not be charging, 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 and the brake pedal is depressed.

For the vehicle to 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, the brake pedal is depressed and the shift release button is pushed.

Shift lever 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 even though the brake pedal 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 immediately.The following steps may be used as an emergency measure to ensure that the shift lever can be shifted.

Releasing the shift lock:

Pull the parking brake switch to check that the parking brake is set. (Parking brake)

Turn the power switch off.

Depress the brake pedal.

Pry the cover up with a flathead screwdriver or equivalent tool.To prevent damage to the cover, cover the tip of the screwdriver with a rag.

Pull the cover forward to remove it.

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.

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

Hybrid transmission S mode Changing shift ranges in S mode

To enter S mode, shift the shift lever to the S position. The shift ranges can be selected by operating the shift lever. Changing the shift range allows restriction of upper limit of the gears to be used, preventing unnecessary upshifting and enabling the level of engine braking force to be selected.

Upshifting

Downshifting

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:

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.

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

When the shift range is 4 or lower, holding the shift lever toward “+” sets the shift range to 6.

Warning buzzers Downshifting Downshifting restriction warning buzzer

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 is operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.)

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.)