Continuously variable 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 engine
R	Reversing
N	Neutral(Condition in which the power is not transmitted)
D	Normal driving^*
M	10-speed sport sequential shiftmatic mode driving (Changing gears in the M position)

^*0

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

Note:

To protect the continuously variable transmission

If the transmission fluid temperature is high, “Transmission Oil Temp. High Stop in a Safe Place and See Owner’s Manual” will be displayed while driving, make sure to return to D position driving and reduce speed by easing off the accelerator pedal. Stop the vehicle in a safe place, shift the shift lever to P and let the engine idle until the warning message goes out.

When the warning message goes out, the vehicle can be driven again.

If the warning message does not go out after waiting a while, have your vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer.

Restraining sudden start (Drive-Start Control)

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

After recharging/reconnecting the battery

When recharging or replacing the battery (vehicles with a smart key system)

Warning:

When driving on slippery road surfaces

Do not accelerate or shift the shift gears suddenly. Sudden changes in engine braking may cause the vehicle to spin or skid, resulting in an accident.

Shifting the shift lever

: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.

Note:

Continuously variable transmission fail-safe control

The system detects malfunctioning parts targeted (all of the solenoids that perform the shifting function) by the On-Board Diagnostics, and performs fail-safe mechanisms, such as restricting the shifting function or transmission ratio control.In this event, the malfunction indicator lamp turns on.

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 engine switch is in ON and the brake pedal is being depressed.

Continuously variable transmission If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P

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 engine switch off.

Depress the brake pedal.

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.

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.

Transmission M mode

Continuously variable transmission M mode Changing gears in the M position

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, allowing you to drive in the gear step of your choosing.

Upshifting

Downshifting

The gear changes once every time the shift lever is operated.

The selected gear step, from M1 to M10, will be displayed on the multi-information display.

However, even when in the M position, the gear steps will be automatically changed if the engine speed is too high, or too low.

Note:

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 vehicle comes to a stop with the shift lever in the M position

The transmission will automatically 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.

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 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 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.)