Automatic transmission

Select the shift position depending on your purpose and situation.

Shift position purpose


Shift position	Objective or function
P	Parking the vehicle/starting the engine
R	Reversing
N	Neutral
D	Normal driving^*1
M	M mode driving^*2 (Selecting gears in the M position)

^*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 gears using M mode fixes the gear step, controls engine braking force, and prevents unnecessary upshifting.

Note:

To protect the automatic transmission

If the automatic transmission fluid temperature is high, “High Transmission Fluid Temp See Owner's Manual” will be displayed on the multi-information display and the vehicle will go into transmission protection mode automatically. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota 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 activate because dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed range will not be canceled.

Drive-Start Control (DSC)

AI-SHIFT

The AI-SHIFT automatically selects the suitable gear according to driver performance and driving conditions.

The AI-SHIFT automatically operates when the shift lever is in D. (Shifting the shift lever to the M position cancels the function.)

G AI-SHIFT automatically selects a suitable gear for sporty driving according to driver’s input and driving conditions. G AI-SHIFT operates automatically when the shift lever is in D and sport mode is selected for the driving mode. (Selecting normal mode with the driving mode select switch or shifting the shift lever to the M position cancels this function.)

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.

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.

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

Automatic 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:

Turn the engine switch to ON and check that the parking brake is set. (Changing engine switch modes, Parking brake)

Turn the engine switch to 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.

Press and hold the shift lock override button.

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 and snow mode

Driving mode select switch, Snow mode switch

Transmission M mode

Automatic transmission M mode Selecting gears in the M position

To enter M mode, shift the shift lever to M. Gears can then be selected by operating the shift lever, allowing you to drive in the gear of your choosing.

Upshifting

Downshifting

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

The selected gear, from M1 to M8, will be fixed and displayed on the meters.

When in the M position, the gear will not change unless the shift lever is operated.

However, even when in the M position, the gears will be automatically changed in the following situation:

When vehicle speed drops (downshift only).

When the automatic transmission fluid or engine coolant temperature is low.

When automatic transmission fluid temperature is high (upshift only).

When the needle of the tachometer is in the red zone (the range which exceeds the allowable revs of the engine).

In the following situation, the gear will not shift even if the shift lever is operated.

The vehicle speed is low (upshift only).

Note:

Warning buzzers Downshifting Downshifting restriction warning buzzer

To help ensure safety and driving performance, downshifting operation may sometimes be restricted. (A buzzer will sound twice.)