Toyota Camry (2018 year). Manual - part 49

206

4-2. Driving procedures

1

: Shifting to the D position allows the system to select a gear suitable for the

driving conditions. Setting the shift lever to the D position is recommended
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 unnecessary
upshifting.

When the shift lever is in the S position, the shift lever or paddle shift
switches (if equipped) can be operated as follows:

Upshifting
Downshifting

The initial shift range in S mode is set automatically to 4, 5 or 6
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. 209)

*

1

: Vehicles with 4.2-inch display

*

2

: Vehicles with 7-inch display

Shift position purpose

Shift position

Objective or function

P

Parking the vehicle/starting the engine

R

Reversing

N

Neutral

D

Normal driving

*

1

S

S mode driving

*

2

 (

→P. 206)

Changing shift ranges in S mode



Shift lever



Paddle shift switches (if
equipped)

*

1

*

2

*

1

*

2

1
2

207

4-2. Driving procedures

4

Drivin

g

Shift ranges and their functions

A lower shift range will provide greater engine braking forces than a higher
shift range.

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
Downshifting

The selected shift range, from 1 to
8, or D will be displayed on the
multi-information display.

*

1

: Vehicles with 4.2-inch display

*

2

: Vehicles with 7-inch display

Meter display

Function

S2 - S8

A gear in the range between 1 and the selected
gear is automatically chosen depending on vehicle
speed and driving conditions

S1

Setting the gear at 1

Selecting shift ranges in the D position (vehicles with paddle
shift switches)

*

1

*

2

1
2

208

4-2. Driving procedures

Automatic deactivation of shift range selection in the D position
Shift range selection in the D position will be deactivated in the following situ-
ations:

●

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 more than a certain period of time

●

When the shift lever is shifted to a position other than D

■

S mode

●

When the shift range is 7 or lower, holding the shift lever toward “+” sets the
shift range to 8.

●

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

●

To protect the automatic transmission, a function is adopted that automati-
cally selects a higher shift range when the fluid temperature is high.

■

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.) 

■

When driving with dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed range or
dynamic radar cruise control or 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 dynamic
radar cruise control with full speed range or dynamic radar cruise control will
not be canceled.

●

While driving in D or S mode, downshifting to 7, 6, 5 or 4. 
(

→

P. 263, 276, 289)

●

When switching the driving mode to sport mode while driving in the D posi-
tion. (

→

P. 343)

■

Restraining sudden start (Drive-start Control)

→

P. 185

■

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 a smart key system) or IGNITION ON mode
(vehicles with a smart key system), the brake pedal is depressed and the shift
release button is pushed.

209

4-2. Driving procedures

4

Drivin

g

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 even though the brake pedal is depressed
and the shift release button is pushed, 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:

Set the parking brake.
Vehicles without a smart key system: Turn the engine switch to the “LOCK”
position.
Vehicles with a smart key system: Turn the engine switch off.
Depress the brake pedal.

■

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.)

■

AI-SHIFT
The AI-SHIFT automatically selects the suitable gear according to driver per-
formance and driving conditions.
The AI-SHIFT automatically operates when the shift lever is in D. (Shifting the
shift lever to the S position or paddle shifting cancels the function.)

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.

Press and hold the shift lock override
button and then push the button on the
shift knob.
The shift lever can be shifted while the
both buttons are pressed.

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