engine TOYOTA SEQUOIA 2009 2.G Owner's Guide

146 2-1. Driving procedures
CAUTION
■When driving the vehicle
●If you drive through deep water over about 20 in. (500 mm) in depth, put
the vehicle height in the HI mode using the height control switch and then
change to manual mode by pushing the height control mode select switch.
Drive your vehicle at 18 mph (30 km/h) or less. Do not drive through water
deeper than about 28 in. (700 mm) even if the vehicle height is in “HI”
mode.
■ When driving on slippery road surfaces
●Sudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippage and
reduce your ability to control the vehicle, resulting in an accident.
● Sudden changes in engine speed, such as engine braking caused by up-
shifting or down-shifting, may cause the vehicle to skid, resulting in an
accident.
● After driving through a puddle, lightly depress the brake pedal to make
sure that the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent
the brakes from functioning properly. If the brakes on only one side are wet
and not functioning properly, steering control may be affected, resulting in
an accident.
■ When shifting the shift lever
●Be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pedal depressed.
This may lead to unexpected rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may
cause an accident and result in death or serious injury.
■ When the vehicle is stopped
●Do not race the engine.
If the vehicle is in any gear other than P or N, the vehicle may accelerate
suddenly and unexpectedly, and may cause an accident.
● Do not leave the vehicle with the engine running for a long time.
If such a situation cannot be avoided, park the vehicle in an open space
and check that exhaust fumes do not enter the vehicle interior.
● Always keep a foot on the brake pedal while the engine is running to pre-
vent an accident caused by the vehicle moving.

147
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
CAUTION
■
When the vehicle is parked
●Do not leave glasses, cigarette lighters, spray cans, or soft drink cans in
the vehicle when it is in the sun.
Doing so may result in the following.
• Gas may leak from a cigarette lighter or spray can, and may lead to a
fire.
• The temperature inside the vehicle may cause the plastic lenses and plastic material of eye glasses to deform or crack.
• Soft drink cans may fracture, causing the contents to spray over the interior of the vehicle, and may also cause a short circuit in the vehi-
cle’s electrical components.
● Always apply the parking brake, shift the shift lever to P, stop the engine
and lock the vehicle.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended while the engine is running.
● If the shift lever is moved before the 4LO indicator turns on/off, the transfer
mode may not be shifted completely. The transfer mode disengages both
the front and rear driveshafts from the powertrain and allows the vehicle to
move regardless of the shift position. (At this time, the indicator blinks and
the buzzer sounds.)
Therefore, the vehicle is free to roll even if the automatic transmission is in
P. You or someone else could be seriously injured. You must complete the
shifting of the transfer mode. ( P. 214)
● Do not touch the exhaust pipe while the engine is running or immediately
after turning the engine off.
Doing so may cause burns.
● Do not leave the engine running in an area with snow build-up, or where it
is snowing. If snowbanks build up around the vehicle while the engine is
running, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle. This may lead
to death or a serious health hazard.
■ Exhaust gases
Exhaust gases include harmful carbon monoxide (CO) that is colorless and
odorless. Inhaling exhaust gases may lead to death or a serious health haz-
ard.

148 2-1. Driving procedures
CAUTION
■Exhaust gases
●If the vehicle is in a poorly ventilated area, stop the engine. In a closed
area, such as a garage, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle.
This may lead to death or a serious health hazard.
● The exhaust should be checked occasionally. If there is a hole or crack
caused by corrosion, damage to a joint or abnormal exhaust noise, be
sure to have the vehicle inspected and repaired by your Toyota dealer.
Failure to do so may allow exhaust gases to enter the vehicle, resulting in
death or a serious health hazard.
■ When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the engine off. Otherwise, you may accidentally move the shift
lever or depress the accelerator pedal, which could cause an accident or fire
due to engine overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked in a poorly
ventilated area, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle, leadin\
g to
death or a serious health hazard.
■ When braking the vehicle
●When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously.
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and may cause one
side of the vehicle to brake differently than the other side. Also the parking
brake may not securely hold the vehicle.
● If the power brake assist function does not operate, do not follow other
vehicles closely and avoid downhills or sharp turns that require braking.
In this case, braking is still possible, but it will require more force on the
pedal than usual. Braking distance may also increase.
● Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls.
Each push on the brake pedal uses up the reserve for the power-assisted
brakes.
● The brake system consists of 2 individual hydraulic systems: If one of the
systems fails, the other will still operate. In this case, the brake pedal
should be depressed more firmly than usual and braking distance
becomes longer.
Do not drive your vehicle with only a single brake system. Have your
brakes fixed immediately.

150 2-1. Driving procedures
NOTICE
■When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may
cause the following serious damage to the vehicle.
●Engine stalling
● Short in electrical components
● Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be
sure to have your Toyota dealer check the following.
● Brake function
● Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, trans-
mission, transfer (4WD models), differentials, etc.
● Lubricant condition for the propeller shaft, bearings and suspension joints
(where possible) and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.

151
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
Engine (ignition) switch
■Engine switch
LOCK
The steering wheel is locked
and the key can be removed.
ACC
Some electrical components
such as the audio system can
be used.
ON
All electrical components can
be used.
START
For starting the engine.
■Starting the engine
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is set in P.
Sit in the driver’s seat and firmly depress the brake pedal.
Turn the engine switch to the START position and start the
engine.
The engine will crank until it starts or for up to 25 seconds, which-
ever is less. If you turn the engine switch, the engine will keep
cranking for about 30 seconds maximum.
Continue depressing the brake pedal until the engine is com-
pletely started.

152 2-1. Driving procedures
■Turning the key from ACC to LOCK
■ Steering lock release
■ If the engine does not start
The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( P. 100)
■ Key reminder function
A buzzer sounds if the driver’s door is opened, while the engine switch is in
the ACC or LOCK position to remind you to remove the key.
CAUTION
■When starting the engine
Always start the engine while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the
accelerator while starting the engine under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
Shift the shift lever to P.
(P. 154)
Push in the key and turn to the
LOCK position.
When starting the engine, the engine
switch may seem stuck in the LOCK posi-
tion. To free it, turn the key while turning
the steering wheel slightly in either direc-
tion.

153
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
CAUTION
■
Caution while driving
Do not turn the engine switch to the LOCK position.
If in an emergency, you must turn the engine off while the vehicle is moving,
turn the engine switch only to the ACC position.
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the engine switch in the ACC or ON position for long periods if
the engine is not running.
■ When starting the engine
●Do not crank for more than 30 seconds at a time. This may overheat the
starter and wiring systems.
● Do not race a cold engine.
● If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have the engine
checked immediately.

154
2-1. Driving procedures
Automatic transmission
Select a shift position appropriate for the driving conditions.
■Shifting the shift lever
While the engine switch is on, depress the brake pedal and
move the shift lever.
■ Shift position uses
*1: To improve fuel consumption and reduce noises, set the shift lever in
D for normal driving.
*2: Selecting shift ranges S mode restricts the upper limit of the possiblegear ranges, control engine braking forces, and prevents unneces-
sary upshifting.
Shift positionFunction
PParking the vehicle or starting the engine
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*1
SS mode driving*2 (P. 155)

155
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
Changing shift ranges in S mode
Shift the shift lever to the S position and operate the shift lever. Upshift range
Downshift range
The initial shift range in S mode is automatically set to 5 or 4 (6-speed
models) or 4 (5-speed models) according to vehicle speed. However,
the initial shift range may be set to 3 or 2 (6-speed models) or 3 (5-
speed models) if the AI-SHIFT has operated while the shift lever was
in the D position. (
P. 156)
■ Shift ranges and their functions
A lower shift range will provide greater engine braking forces than a higher
shift range.
Shift rangeFunction
6-speed models5-speed models
6
Automatically selecting gears
between 1 and 6 according
to vehicle speed and driving
conditions.
—
5Automatically selecting gears between 1 and 5 according to
vehicle speed and driving conditions.
4Automatically selecting gears between 1 and 4 according to
vehicle speed and driving conditions.
3Automatically selecting gears between 1 and 3 according to
vehicle speed and driving conditions.
2Automatically selecting gears between 1 and 2 according to
vehicle speed and driving conditions.
1Setting the gear at 1.

156 2-1. Driving procedures
TOW/HAUL switch (6-speed models with towing package)Use TOW/HAUL mode when pulling a trailer or hauling a heavy load. Press the TOW/HAUL switch.
The indicator will come on.
Press the switch once more to
cancel the mode.
■Gear range display when driving in S mode
The current gear range is displayed on the combination meter. ( P. 155)
■ When driving with the cruise control system
The engine brake will not operate in the S mode, even when downshifting to
5 or 4 (6-speed models) or 4 or 3 (5-speed models). ( P. 188,191)
■ If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
P. 544
■ If the S indicator does not come on 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 vehicle will operate as if the shift lever is in D.)
■ AI-SHIFT
The AI-SHIFT automatically shifts the gear to the optimal position according
to the driver performance and driving conditions.
The AI-SHIFT automatically operates when the shift lever is in the D posi-
tion. (Shifting the shift lever to the S position cancels the function.)