TOYOTA AVENSIS 2018 Owners Manual

2214-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
AVENSIS_OM_OM20C79E_(EE)
To drive using temporary gear step selection, operate the “-” paddle
shift switch while the shift lever in D. Changing the gear step enables
the level of engine braking force to be selected. The gear step can
then be selected by operating the “-” and “+” paddle shift switches.
Upshifting
Downshifting
The selected gear step, from 1 to
7, will be displayed on the multi-
information display.
To return to normal D position
driving, the “+” paddle shift
switch must be held down for a
period of time.
■
Gear steps and their functions
●You can choose from 7 levels of engine braking force.
●A lower gear step will provide greater engine braking force than a
higher gear step, and the engine revolutions will also increase.
Selecting gear steps in the D position (vehicles with paddle shift
switches)
1
2

2224-2. Driving procedures
AVENSIS_OM_OM20C79E_(EE)
To enter 7-speed sport sequential shiftmatic mode, shift the shift lever
to M. Gear steps can be selected by operating the shift lever or the “-”
and “+” paddle shift switches (if equipped), allowing you to drive in the
gear step of your choice.
Upshifting
Downshifting
The gear changes by one gear
every time the shift lever or paddle
shift switch is operated.
The selected gear step, from 1 to
7, will be displayed on the multi-
information display.
However, even when in the M position, the gear steps will be automat-
ically changed if the engine speed is too high, or too low.
■Gear step functions
●You can choose from 7 levels of accelerating force and engine
braking force.
●A lower gear step will provide greater accelerating force and
engine braking force than a higher gear step, and the engine rev-
olutions will also increase.
Changing gear steps in 7-speed sport sequential shiftmatic
mode
1
2

2234-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
AVENSIS_OM_OM20C79E_(EE)
■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.
■Paddle shift switch (if equipped)
●When the paddle shift switch is operated with the shift lever in the D posi-
tion, a gear step will be automatically selected according to the vehicle
speed and driving conditions.
●Automatic deactivation of gear step selection with the shift lever in the D
position
Gear step selection in the D position will be deactivated in the following situ-
ations:
• When the vehicle comes to a stop
• If the accelerator pedal is depressed for longer than a certain period of
time in one gear step
• When the shift lever is shifted to a position other than D
■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 switch (if equipped) is oper-
ated. (The warning buzzer will sound twice.)
■When driving with cruise control activated (if equipped)
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 in D or 7-speed sport sequential shiftmatic mode, downshifting
to 6, 5 or 4. (P. 289)
●When switching the driving mode to sport mode while driving in D position.
(P. 221)
■Automatic deactivation of sport mode
If the engine switch is turned to the “LOCK” position (vehicles without smart
entry & start system) or off (vehicles with smart entry & start system) after
driving in sport mode, the mode is automatically deactivated.
■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 the
“ON” position (vehicles without smart entry & start system) or ON mode (vehi-
cles with smart entry & start system) and the brake pedal is being depressed.

2244-2. Driving procedures
AVENSIS_OM_OM20C79E_(EE)■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
First, check whether the brake pedal is being depressed.
For vehicles with Multidrive: 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 any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized
repairer, or any reliable repairer, 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 to the “LOCK” position (vehicles without smart entry
& start system) or off (vehicles with smart entry & start system).
Depress the brake pedal.
■If the M indicator is not displayed after shifting the shift lever to the M
position
This may indicate a malfunction in the transmission system. Have your vehi-
cle inspected by any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer,
or any reliable repairer immediately.
■G AI-SHIFT
The G AI-SHIFT is automatically changed to a suitable gear step while run-
ning in sport mode according to the driving operations and running condi-
tions.
The G AI-SHIFT automatically operates when the driving mode is set to sport
mode with the shift lever in the D position. (The function will be canceled, if
the driving mode is set to normal mode or shift lever is put in the M position.) Press the “SHIFT LOCK” button.
The shift lever can be shifted while the
button is pressed.
1
2
3
4

2254-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
AVENSIS_OM_OM20C79E_(EE)
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.

2264-2. Driving procedures
AVENSIS_OM_OM20C79E_(EE)
Manual transmission
Fully depress the clutch pedal
before operating the shift lever,
and then release it slowly.
Shift the shift lever to the R posi-
tion while lifting up the ring sec-
tion.
The Gear Shift Indicator display is a guide to help the driver achieve
improved fuel economy and reduced exhaust emissions within limits
of engine performance.
Upshifting
Downshifting
: If equipped
Shifting the shift lever
Shifting the shift lever to R
Gear Shift Indicator
1
2

2274-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
AVENSIS_OM_OM20C79E_(EE)
■Gear Shift Indicator display
The Gear Shift Indicator may not be displayed when your foot is placed on
the clutch pedal.
■Maximum downshifting speeds
Observe the following maximum downshifting speeds in the following table to
prevent over-revving the engine.
Gasoline engine
km/h (mph)
Diesel engine
km/h (mph)
Shift positionMaximum speed
1ZR-FAE engine2ZR-FAE engine
148 (30)53 (33)
289 (55)98 (61)
3130 (81)143 (89)
4175 (109)193 (120)
Shift positionMaximum speed
1WW engine2WW engine
143 (27)40 (25)
286 (53)81 (50)
3136 (85)127 (79)
4193 (120)180 (112)

2284-2. Driving procedures
AVENSIS_OM_OM20C79E_(EE)
WARNING
■Gear Shift Indicator display
For safety, the driver should not look only at the display. Refer to the display
when it is safe to do so while considering actual traffic and road conditions.
Failure to do so may lead to an accident.
NOTICE
■ To prevent damage to the transmission
● Do not lift up the ring section except when shifting the lever to R.
● Shift the shift lever to R only when the vehicle is stationary.
●Do not shift the shift lever to R without
depressing the clutch pedal.

229
4
4-2. Driving procedures
Driving
AVENSIS_OM_OM20C79E_(EE)
Turn signal lever
Right turn
Lane change to the right (move
the lever partway and release
it)
The right hand signals will flash 3
times.
Lane change to the left (move
the lever partway and release
it)
The left hand signals will flash 3
times.
Left turn
■ Turn signals can be operated when
The engine switch is in the “ON” position (vehicles without smart entry & start
system) or IGNITION ON mode (vehicles with smart entry & start system).
■ If the indicators flash 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.
■ Customization
The number of times the turn signals flash during a lane change can be
changed. (Customizable feature P. 629)
Operating instructions
1
2
3
4

2304-2. Driving procedures
AVENSIS_OM_OM20C79E_(EE)
Parking brake
Sets the parking brake
During application: The parking
brake indicator light will flash
Once applied: The parking brake
indicator light will on
Press and hold the parking brake
switch if an emergency occurs and
it is necessary to operate the park-
ing brake while driving.
Releases the parking brake
Operate the parking brake switch
while depressing the brake pedal.
Make sure that the parking brake
indicator light turn off.
■Parking the vehicle
P. 187
■Parking brake operation
●When the engine switch is not in the “ON” position (vehicles without smart
entry & start system) or IGNITION ON mode (vehicles with smart entry &
start system), the parking brake cannot be released using the parking brake
switch.
●Vehicles with Stop & Start system: When the engine is stopped by the Stop
& Start system, the parking brake will not be released even though the park-
ing brake switch is operated, but the engine will restart. The parking brake
can be released after the engine has been started, either by keeping the
parking brake switch pulled throughout the engine restart, or by pulling the
switch once again after the engine has restarted and “PARKING BRAKE
INOPERABLE”/“Parking brake inoperable.” on the multi-information display
has disappeared.
■Automatic release function (vehicles with manual transmission)
The parking brake is automatically released during starting the vehicle, thus
making starting off easier.
Operating instructions
1
2