Get Driving -> Driving procedures Guide for Toyota Avalon 4 Door Fourth Generation (2013-2018)

160

4-2. Driving procedures

Engine (ignition) switch

Performing the following operations when carrying the elec-

tronic key on your person starts the engine or changes engine

switch modes.

Starting the engine

1

Check that the parking brake is set.

2

Check that the shift lever is set in P.

3

Firmly depress the brake pedal.

Messages indicating how to start the engine and how to turn to ACCES-

SORY mode will be displayed alternately on the multi-information display.

4

Press the engine switch shortly

and firmly.

When operating the engine switch,

one short, firm press is enough. It

is not necessary to press and hold

the switch.

The engine will crank until it starts

or for up to 30 seconds, whichever

is less.

Continue depressing the brake

pedal until the engine is completely

started.

The engine can be started from

any engine switch mode.

Stopping the engine

1

Stop the vehicle.

2

Set the parking brake (→P. 172), and shift the shift lever to P.

3

Press the engine switch.

Driving-related data will be displayed on the multi-information display.

(→P. 87)

161

4-2. Driving procedures

Changing engine switch modes

Modes can be changed by pressing the engine switch with brake

pedal released. (The mode changes each time the switch is pressed.)

Off*

The emergency flashers can be

used.

The multi-information display will

not be displayed.

ACCESSORY mode

Some electrical components such

as the audio system can be used.

A message indicating how to start

the engine will be displayed on the

multi-information display.

IGNITION ON mode

4

All electrical components can be

used.

*: If the shift lever is in a position

other than P when turning off the

engine, the engine switch will be

turned to ACCESSORY mode, not

to off.

When stopping the engine with the shift lever in a position other

than P

If the engine is stopped with the shift lever in a position other than P, a

message indicating to shift the shift lever to P will be displayed on the

multi-information display. At this time, the engine switch will not be

turned off but instead be turned to ACCESSORY mode. Perform the

following procedure to turn the switch off:

1

Check that the parking brake is set.

2

Shift the shift lever to P.

3

Check that “Turn Power OFF” is displayed on the multi-information

display and then press the engine switch once.

4

Check that “Turn Power OFF” on the multi-information display is

turned off.

162

4-2. Driving procedures

■Auto power off function

If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode for more than 20 minutes or IGNI-

TION ON mode (the engine is not running) for more than an hour with the

shift lever in P, the engine switch will automatically turn off. However, this

function cannot entirely prevent battery discharge. Do not leave the vehicle

with the engine switch in ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode for long peri-

ods of time when the engine is not running.

■Electronic key battery depletion

→P. 94

■Conditions affecting operation

→P. 114

■Notes for the entry function

→P. 115

■If the engine does not start

●The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. (→P. 68)

Contact your Toyota dealer.

●Check that the shift lever is securely set in P. The engine may not start if the

shift lever is displaced out of P.

■Steering lock

After turning the engine switch off and opening and closing the doors, the

steering wheel will be locked due to the steering lock function. Operating the

engine switch again automatically cancels the steering lock.

163

4-2. Driving procedures

■When the steering lock cannot be released

A message informing the driver that the

steering wheel is locked will be displayed

on the multi-information display.

Check that the shift lever is set in P. Press

the engine switch while turning the steer-

ing wheel left and right.

■Steering lock motor overheating prevention

To prevent the steering lock motor from overheating, the motor may be sus-

pended if the engine is turned on and off repeatedly in a short period of time.

In this case, refrain from operating the engine. After about 10 seconds, the

steering lock motor will resume functioning.

■When a message requesting the smart key system be inspected is dis-

played on the multi-information display

The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your

Toyota dealer immediately.

4

■If the electronic key battery is depleted

→P. 360

■Operation of the engine switch

●If the switch is not pressed shortly and firmly, the engine switch mode may

not change or the engine may not start.

●If attempting to restart the engine immediately after turning the engine

switch off, the engine may not start in some cases. After turning the engine

switch off, please wait a few seconds before restarting the engine.

■If the smart key system has been deactivated in a customized setting

→P. 411

■Customization

The time elapsed before the engine switch related messages on the multi-

information display turn off can be changed.

(Customizable features: →P. 449)

164

4-2. Driving procedures

WARNING

■When starting the engine

Always start the engine while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the

accelerator pedal while starting the engine under any circumstances.

Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.

■Caution while driving

If engine failure occurs while the vehicle is moving, do not lock or open the

doors until the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop. Activation of the

steering lock in this circumstance may lead to an accident, resulting in

death or serious injury.

■Stopping the engine in an emergency

If you want to stop the engine in an emergency while driving the vehicle,

press and hold the engine switch for more than 2 seconds, or press it briefly

3 times or more in succession. (→P. 381)

However, do not touch the engine switch while driving except in an emer-

gency. Turning the engine off while driving will not cause loss of steering or

braking control, but the power assist to these systems will be lost. This will

make it more difficult to steer and brake, so you should pull over and stop

the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.

NOTICE

■To prevent battery discharge

●Do not leave the engine switch in ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode

for long periods of time without the engine running.

●Do not stop the engine when the shift lever is in a position other than P. If

the engine is stopped in another shift lever position, the engine switch will

not be turned off but instead be turned to ACCESSORY mode. If the vehi-

cle is left in ACCESSORY mode, battery discharge may occur.

■When starting the engine

●Do not race a cold engine.

●If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have your vehi-

cle checked by your Toyota dealer immediately.

■Symptoms indicating a malfunction with the engine switch

If the engine switch seems to be operating somewhat differently than usual,

such as the switch sticking slightly, there may be a malfunction. Contact

your Toyota dealer immediately.

165

4-2. Driving procedures

Automatic transmission

Shifting the shift lever

While the engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode, move the

shift lever with the brake pedal depressed.

4

When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the

vehicle is completely stopped.

Shift position purpose

Shift position

Objective or function

Parking the vehicle/starting the engine

Reversing

P

R

N

D

S

Neutral

Normal driving*¹

S mode driving*²(→P. 166)

*¹: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noises, set the shift lever in the D

position for normal driving.

*²: Selecting shift ranges using S mode restricts the upper limit of the possible

gear ranges, controls engine braking force, and prevents upshifting above

the selected range.

166

4-2. Driving procedures

Changing shift ranges in S mode

When the shift lever is in the S position, the shift lever or paddle shift

switches can be operated as follows:

 Shift lever

 Paddle shift switches

Upshifting

Downshifting

1

2

The initial shift range in S mode is set automatically to “4” or “5”

according to vehicle speed. However, the initial shift range may be set

to “3” if AI-SHIFT has operated while the shift lever was in the D posi-

tion. (→P. 168)

■ Shift ranges and their functions

● The vehicle is allowed to shift up and down to provide the most

suitable gear selection based on your driving situation. (e.g. S4:

1 to 4 or, 4 to 1)

● You can choose from 6 levels of engine braking force.

A lower shift range will provide greater engine braking force than

a higher shift range, and the engine speed will also increase.

● You can choose the gear range you want for different levels of

acceleration. (e.g. uphill, sporty driving, etc.)

167

4-2. Driving procedures

Selecting shift ranges in the D position

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 restric-

tion of the highest gear, preventing upshifting and enabling the level of

engine braking force to be selected.

Upshifting

1

Downshifting

2

The selected shift range, from “1”

to “5”, or D will be displayed in the

meter.

To return to normal D position

driving, the “+” paddle shift switch

must be held down for a period of

time.

4

When a shift range higher than “5” is selected, the shift range will

return to the normal D position.

When the vehicle comes to a stop, the shift range will return to the

normal D position.

168

4-2. Driving procedures

■S mode

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

the shift range to “6”.

●To prevent the engine from over-revving, upshifting may automatically

occur.

●To protect the automatic transmission, a function is adopted that automati-

cally shifts to the top range when the temperature is too hot.

■AI-SHIFT

AI-SHIFT automatically selects the suitable gear according to driver input and

the driving situation.

AI-SHIFT automatically operates when the shift lever is in the D position.

(Shifting the shift lever to the S position or paddle shifting cancels the func-

tion.)

■When driving with cruise control or radar cruise control activated

When downshifting to 5 or 4 by shifting the shift lever to the S position or pad-

dle shifting, cruise control or radar cruise control will not be canceled.

(→P. 222, 235)

■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

mode and the brake pedal is being depressed.

169

4-2. Driving procedures

■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:

1

Set the parking brake.

2

3

4

Turn the engine switch is off.

Depress the brake pedal.

Pry the cover up with a flathead screw-

driver or equivalent tool.

To prevent damage to the cover, cover

the tip of the screwdriver with a rag.

4

5

Press the shift lock override button.

The shift lever can be shifted while the

button is pressed.

■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 automatic 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.)

■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 are operated. (A

buzzer will sound twice.)

170

4-2. Driving procedures

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.

■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.

171

4-2. Driving procedures

Turn signal lever

Operating instructions

The lever will return to its original position after operation.

Right turn

1

Lane change to the right (move

2

the lever partway and release

it)

The right hand signals will flash 3

times.

Lane change to the left (move

3

the lever partway and release

it)

4

The left hand signals will flash 3

times.

Left turn

4

■Turn signals can be operated when

The engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode.

■If the indicator flashes faster than usual

Check that a light bulb in the front or rear turn signal lights has not burned

out.

■If the turn signals stop flashing before a lane change has been per-

formed

Operate the lever again.

■To discontinue flashing of the turn signals during a lane change

Operate the lever in the opposite direction.

■When the lever is pushed and held partway

The turn signals will keep flashing until the lever is released.

■Customization

The number of times the turn signals flash during a lane change can be

changed. (Customizable feature →P. 449)

172

4-2. Driving procedures

Parking brake

To set the parking brake, fully

depress the parking brake pedal

with your left foot while depress-

ing the brake pedal with your right

foot.

U.S.A. Canada

(Depressing the pedal again

releases the parking brake.)

■Parking the vehicle

→P. 144

■Usage in winter time

→P. 256

NOTICE

■Before driving

Fully release the parking brake.

Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to brake components

overheating, which may affect braking performance and increase brake

wear.

Driving -> Driving procedures for Your Toyota Avalon 4 Door Fourth Generation (2013-2018)

Related Topics

Popular Owner Manuals

Latest Owner Manuals