Toyota Venza: Automatic transmission

Select a shift position appropriate for the driving conditions.

 - Shifting the shift lever

Vehicles with smart key system:

While the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in IGNITION ON mode, depress the brake pedal and move the shift lever.

Vehicles without smart key system:

While the engine switch is in the “ON” position, depress the brake pedal and move the shift lever.

 - Shift position uses

Changing shift ranges in S mode

Shift the shift lever to the S mode driving position and operate the shift lever.

1. Upshifting
2. Downshifting

The initial shift range in S mode is set automatically to 5 or 4 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 position.

 - Shift ranges and their functions

• Automatically selecting gears between 1 and 6 according to vehicle speed and driving condition. (However the gear is limited according to selected shift range.) • You can choose from 6 levels of engine braking force.

• A lower shift range will provide greater engine braking force than a higher shift range, and the engine speed will also increase.

 - S mode

• When the shift range is 5 or lower, holding the shift lever toward “+” sets the shift range to 6.

• To prevent excessive engine speed, a function was adopted that automatically selects a higher shift range before engine speed becomes too high.

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

 - 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 cruise control system

Even when performing the following actions with the intent of enabling engine braking, engine braking will not activate while driving in S mode and downshifting to 5 or 4 because cruise control will not be canceled.

 - If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P

 - If the S indicator does not come on even after shifting the shift lever to S mode driving position

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

AI-SHIFT automatically selects the suitable gear according to driver performance and driving conditions.

AI-SHIFT automatically operates when the shift lever is in the D position.

(Shifting the shift lever to the S mode driving position cancels the function.)