TOYOTA AVENSIS 2012 Owners Manual

221 2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
AVENSIS_EE (OM20B44E)
Driving in the “D” position
Shift lever
If the shift lever is shifted into the “D” position, the most appropriate
gear ratio is automatically selected, as determined by the driving
conditions.
Paddle shift switches (if equipped)
While the shift lever is in the “D” position, engine braking force can
be temporarily switched to.
Upshifting
Downshifting
Unless the paddle shift switches
are operated, the gear step dis-
played on the meter cluster is
fixed.
However, even when in the “D” position, the gear steps will be
automatically changed if the engine speed is too high, or too low.

222 2-1. Driving procedures
AVENSIS_EE (OM20B44E)
Driving in the “M” position
By shifting the shift lever into the “M” position, 7 stages of gear step
can be switched between.
Upshifting
Downshifting
Unless the shift lever or paddle
shift switches (if equipped) are
operated, the gear step displayed
on the meter cluster is fixed.
However, even when in the “M” position, the gear steps will be
automatically changed if the engine speed is too high, or too low.

223 2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
AVENSIS_EE (OM20B44E)
Paddle shift switch (if equipped)
When the paddle shift switch is operated in the “D” position, a gear step
will be automatically selected according to the vehicle speed and driving
conditions.
Automatic deactivation of gear step selection in the “D” position
Gear step 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 longer than a certain period of
time in one shift range
Downshifting restrictions 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 or paddle shift switches (if equipped) is
operated. (The warning buzzer will sound twice.)
When driving with cruise control activated
Even when performing the following actions with the intent of enabling
engine braking, engine braking will not activate because cruise control will
not be canceled.
While driving “D” or “M” mode, downshifting to “6”, “5” or “4”.
(P. 275)
When switching the driving mode to sport mode while driving in “D” posi-
tion. (P. 220)

224 2-1. Driving procedures
AVENSIS_EE (OM20B44E)
Automatic deactivation of sport mode
Vehicles with smart entry & start system
If the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is turned OFF after driving in sport
mode, the mode is automatically deactivated.
Vehicles without smart entry & start system
If the engine switch is turned to the “LOCK” position after driving in sport
mode, the mode is automatically deactivated.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from “P”
P. 692
If the “M” indicator is not displayed after shifting the shift lever to the
“M” position
If the display does not change to “M” on an occasion other than that
described above, it may indicate a malfunction in the transmission system.
Have your vehicle inspected by any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or
another duly qualified and equipped professional immediately.
Automatic gear step selection
When the vehicle comes to a stop, the transmission will automatically down-
shift to allow you to start off in 1st step.

225
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
AVENSIS_EE (OM20B44E)
Automatic transmission
Select a shift position appropriate for the driving conditions.
Shifting the shift lever
Vehicles with smart entry & start system:
While the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in IGNITION
ON mode, depress the brake pedal and move the shift lever.
Vehicles without smart entry & start system:
While the engine switch is in the “ON” position, depress the
brake pedal and move the shift lever.

226 2-1. Driving procedures
AVENSIS_EE (OM20B44E)
Selecting a shift position
*1: To improve fuel consumption and reduce noises, set the shift lever in
the “D” position for normal driving.
*2: If equipped, by selecting shift ranges using paddle shift switches, you
can control engine braking forces.
Selecting a driving mode
Press the switch.
For powerful acceleration and
driving in mountainous
regions.
Press the switch once more to
return the normal mode.
Shift positionFunction
PParking the vehicle or starting the engine
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*1 or temporary shift range selection
driving
*2
M“M” mode driving (P. 228)

227 2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
AVENSIS_EE (OM20B44E)
Driving in the “D” position
Shift lever
If the shift lever is shifted into the “D” position, the most appropriate
gear is automatically selected, as determined by the driving condi-
tions.
Paddle shift switches (if equipped)
While the shift lever is in the “D” position, engine braking force can
be temporarily switched to.
By firstly operating the “-” paddle shift switch, the “-” and “+”
switches can be used to freely switch the shift range.
Changing the shift range allows restriction of the highest gear, pre-
venting unnecessary upshifting and enabling the level of engine
braking force to be selected.
Higher shift range
Lower shift range
The gear is automatically shifted up or down between 1 and the
selected shift range (displayed on the meter cluster).
DisplayRange

228 2-1. Driving procedures
AVENSIS_EE (OM20B44E)
Driving in the “M” position
By shifting the shift lever into the “M” position, 6 stages of gear can be
switched between.
Upshifting
Downshifting
Unless the shift lever or paddle
shift switches (if equipped) are
operated, the gear displayed on
the meter cluster is fixed.
However, even when in the “M” position, the gear will be automati-
cally changed in the following situations:
When the vehicle speed drops (downshift only)
When the automatic transmission fluid temperature is extremely
high (upshift only)

229 2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
AVENSIS_EE (OM20B44E)
Paddle shift switch (if equipped)
When the “-” paddle shift switch is operated in the “D” position, a shift
range will be automatically selected. The highest gear of the first shift
range will be one gear lower than the gear in use during normal “D” posi-
tion driving.
Automatic deactivation of shift range selection in the “D” position
Shift range selection in the “D” position will be deactivated in the follow-
ing 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 longer than a certain period of
time in one shift range
Downshifting restrictions 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 or paddle shift switches (if equipped) is
operated. (The warning buzzer will sound twice.)
When driving with cruise control or 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 or
radar cruise control will not be canceled.
While driving “D” mode, downshifting to “5” or “4”. (P. 275, 281)
When switching the driving mode to sport mode while driving in “D” posi-
tion. (P. 226)

230 2-1. Driving procedures
AVENSIS_EE (OM20B44E)
Automatic deactivation of sport mode
Vehicles with smart entry & start system
If the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is turned OFF after driving in sport
mode, the mode is automatically deactivated.
Vehicles without smart entry & start system
If the engine switch is turned to the “LOCK” position after driving in sport
mode, the mode is automatically deactivated.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from “P”
P. 692
If the “M” indicator is not displayed after shifting the shift lever to the
“M” position
Vehicles with smart entry & start system: Within a few seconds of turning
the “ENGINE START STOP” switch to IGNITION ON mode, the transmis-
sion will not go into “M” mode if the shift lever is moved to the “M” posi-
tion.
Vehicles without smart entry & start system: Within a few seconds of
turning the engine switch to the “ON” position, the transmission will not
go into “M” mode if the shift lever is moved to the “M” position.
This is because a system check is being performed. In this case, wait a
moment and then try moving the shift lever to the “M” position again.
If the display does not change to “M” on an occasion other than that
described above, it may indicate a malfunction in the transmission sys-
tem. Have your vehicle inspected by any authorized Toyota dealer or
repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional immedi-
ately.
Automatic gear selection
When the vehicle comes to a stop, the transmission will automatically down-
shift to allow you to start off in 1st gear.