TOYOTA VENZA 2009 Owners Manual (in English)

171
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
VENZA_U (OM73004U)
■
Shift position uses
*1: To improve fuel consumption and reduce noises, set the shift lever in
the “D” position for normal driving.
*2: By selecting shift ranges using “S” mode, you can control engine brak-ing forces.
Shift positionFunction
PParking the vehicle or starting the engine
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*1
S“S” mode driving *2

172 2-1. Driving procedures
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Changing shift ranges in “S” modeShift the shift lever to the “S” position and operate the shift lever. Upshifting
Downshifting
The initial shift range in “S” mode is automatically set to “5” or “4”
according to the vehicle’s speed. However, the initial shift range may
be set to “3” if the AI-SHIFT has operated while the shift lever was in
the “D” position. ( P. 174)

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2-1. Driving procedures
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When driving
VENZA_U (OM73004U)
■
Shift ranges and their functions
A lower shift range will provide great er engine braking force than a
higher shift range, and the engine revolutions will also increase.
Shift rangeFunction
6Automatically 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.

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■“S” mode
● When the shift range is “5” 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, shift range is automatically set to
“6” when the automatic transmission overheats.
■ Downshifting restrictions warning buzzer (in the “S” mode)
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 is operated. (The warning buzzer will
sound twice.)
■ When driving with the cruise control system
The engine brake will not operate in t he “S” mode, even when downshifting
to “5” or “4”. ( P. 218)
■ If the shift lever cannot be shifted from “P”
 P. 543
■ 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.)

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2-1. Driving procedures
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When driving
VENZA_U (OM73004U)
Tur n signal lever
■Turn signals can be operated when
Vehicles with smart key system
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
Vehicles without smart key system
The engine switch is in the “ON” position.
■ If the indicators flash faster than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or rear turn signal lights has not burned
out.
Right turn
Left turn
Move and hold the lever
partway to signal a lane
change.
The right hand signal will flash
until you release the lever.
Move and hold the lever
partway to signal a lane
change.
The left hand signal will flash
until you release the lever.

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2-1. Driving procedures
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Parking brake
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.
Sets the parking brake*
(Depressing the pedal again
releases the parking brake.)
*: Fully depress the parking
brake pedal with your left
foot while depressing the
brake pedal with your right
foot.
U.S.A. Canada

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2-1. Driving procedures
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When driving
VENZA_U (OM73004U)
Hor n
■After adjusting the steering wheel
Make sure that the steering wheel is securely locked.
The horn may not sound if the steering wheel is not securely locked.
(P. 84)
To sound the horn, press on or
close to the mark.

178
VENZA_U (OM73004U)
2-2. Instrument cluster
Gauges and meters
Vehicles with smart key system
The following gauges, meters and display illuminate when the
“ENGINE START STOP” switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
Vehicles without smart key system
The following gauges, meters and displays illuminate when the
engine switch is in the “ON” position.
Tachometer
Displays the engine speed in revolutions per minute.
Speedometer
Displays the vehicle speed.
Fuel gauge
Displays the quantity of fuel remaining in the tank.
Engine coolant temperature gauge
Displays the engine coolant temperature.

179
2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
VENZA_U (OM73004U)
Instrument panel light control
The brightness of the instrument panel lights can be adjusted.
Darker
Brighter
Odometer/trip meter and trip meter reset button
Switches between odometer and trip meter displays. Pushing and hold-
ing the button will reset the trip meter when the trip meter is being dis-
played.
Odometer and trip meter
Odometer: Displays the total distance the vehicle has been driven.
Trip meter: Displays the distance the vehicle has been driven since the
meter was last reset. Trip meters A and B can be used to record and
display different distances independently.

180 2-2. Instrument cluster
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NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the engine and its components
● Do not let the indicator needle of the tachometer enter the red zone, which
indicates the maximum engine speed.
● The engine may be overheating if the engine coolant temperature gauge is
in the red zone (“H”). In this case, immediately stop the vehicle in a safe
place, and check the engine after it has cooled completely. ( P. 553)