Selector Lever Position Functions

Shift Position Indication

  1. Shift position indication

 

When the power switch is switched ON, the shift position is displayed in the instrument cluster.

In the following cases, the shift position is displayed in the instrument cluster even if the power switch is in a position other than ON.

  • The AUTO P (parking lock) function is operating.

  • Neutral hold mode (automatic car wash mode) is operating.

Shift guide indication

When the shift position and the selector lever set position differ, the shift position and the selector lever set position are displayed.

  1. Shift guide indication

  2. Selector lever set position

  3. Shift position

 

The shift guide indication is displayed under the following conditions.

  • The selector lever is shifted to the P position while driving (vehicle speed of about 5 km/h (4 mph) or faster) with the selector lever in the D position.

  • The selector lever is shifted to the R position while driving forward (vehicle speed of about 10 km/h (6.3 mph) or faster) with the selector lever in the D position.

  • The selector lever is shifted to the D position while driving in reverse (vehicle speed of about 10 km/h (6.3 mph) or faster) with the selector lever in the R position.

  • The AUTO P (parking lock) function is operating.

  • While neutral hold mode (automatic car wash mode) is operating, the selector lever is shifted from the N position to the D or R position.

 


  • In the following cases, the shift position and the selector lever set position differ, however, the shift guide indication is not displayed.

    • The selector lever is shifted from the N position to the D or R position with the brake pedal not depressed.

  • When the power switch is switched ON or from ACC to OFF, the shift guide indication displayed after operating the AUTO P (parking lock) function turns on for about 40 seconds and then it turns off.

Selector Lever Operation

Selector Lever Operation

Indication

Various Lockouts

Indicates that you must depress the brake pedal and hold in the lock-release button to shift (The power switch must be switched ON).

Indicates the selector lever can be shifted freely into any position.

Indicates that you must hold in the lock-release button to shift.

 


When operating the selector lever, shift the selector lever with the brake pedal firmly depressed and the vehicle completely stopped:

If the selector lever is operated while the vehicle is moving, it could result in a serious accident and injury.

 


  • Prevention of mis-operation

    When operating the selector lever, firmly shift to each shift position to prevent a mis-operation. After the operation, check the shift position using the shift position indication in the instrument cluster.

  • Depress the brake pedal before operating the selector lever

    When shifting the selector lever from the P position, shifting may not be possible if the brake pedal is depressed with the selector lever pressed. Depress the brake pedal before operating the selector lever.

The AUTO P (parking lock) function

While the vehicle is stopped, the shift position changes to the P position automatically in the following cases.

  • With the selector lever in a position other than P, the power switch is switched from ON to OFF.

  • With the selector lever in the D or R position, the driver’s seat belt is unfastened and the driver's door is opened.

 


When the AUTO P (parking lock) function operates, only the shift position changes to the P position automatically. The shift position indication in the instrument cluster will differ from the selector lever position because the selector lever position does not change. Check the shift position indication in the instrument cluster and shift the selector lever to the P position.

Neutral hold mode (automatic car wash mode)

When in neutral hold mode (automatic car wash mode), a condition is maintained for about 25 minutes in which the power switch is switched to ACC, the shift position is in the N position, and the parking brake is released.

Use this mode when it is necessary to release the parking brake and change the shift position to the N position, such as in an automatic car wash that moves the vehicle by placing the front and rear tires on one side of the vehicle on a belt conveyor.

Operating neutral hold mode (automatic car wash mode)

Perform any of the following operations when the selector lever is in the N position with the power switch switched ON (EV system on).

Operation method 1

  1. Press the power switch with the brake pedal depressed to start the EV system.

  2. Release the parking brake.

  3. Shift the selector lever to the N position.

  4. Turn off the AUTOHOLD.

  5. Press the Electric Parking Brake (EPB) switch continuously for 2 seconds or longer (until a sound is activated).

  6. Release the EPB switch and press the power switch within 5 seconds after the sound was activated.

Operation method 2

  1. Press the power switch with the brake pedal depressed to start the EV system.

  2. Release the parking brake.

  3. Shift the selector lever to the N position.

  4. Turn off the AUTOHOLD.

  5. Press the power switch with the EPB switch pressed and held while the brake pedal is not depressed.

 


When the selector lever is shifted from the N position to the D or R position while neutral hold mode (automatic car wash mode) is operating, a message is displayed on the multi-information display and the warning beep is activated.

Canceling neutral hold mode (automatic car wash mode)

If any of the following operations is performed, neutral hold mode (automatic car wash mode) is canceled.

  • Switch the power switch ON.

  • The selector lever is shifted to the P position.

 


Neutral hold mode (automatic car wash mode) is canceled automatically after about 25 minutes have passed since it was operated, and the power switch is switched OFF.

At this time, the AUTO P (parking lock) function operates and the shift position changes to the P position.

Shift position restrictions

If you do any of the following operations, the shift position selection is restricted for the purpose of safety.

Shift position before operation

Operation/driving conditions

Selector lever operation

Shift position after operation

Action

N

The brake pedal is not depressed while the vehicle is stopped.

Shift to R or D position

N*1

Release accelerator pedal and depress brake pedal.

Shift position changes to R or D.

The accelerator pedal is depressed while the vehicle is stopped.

R/D

While driving (vehicle speed of about 5 km/h (4 mph) or faster)

Shift to P position

N

Method 1 for resolving problem

Depress brake pedal so that vehicle speed is less than about 5 km/h (3 mph).

Shift position changes to P.

Method 2 for resolving problem

Return selector lever to position (R or D) before operating it.

Shift position changes to position before operating selector lever.

R

While driving in reverse (vehicle speed of about 10 km/h (6.3 mph) or faster)

Shift to D position

N

Method 1 for resolving problem

Depress brake pedal so that vehicle speed is less than about 10 km/h (6.2 mph).

Shift position changes to D.

Method 2 for resolving problem

Return selector lever to position (R) before operating it.

Shift position changes to position before operating selector lever.

D

While driving forward (vehicle speed of about 10 km/h (6.3 mph) or faster)

Shift to R position

N

Method 1 for resolving problem

Depress brake pedal so that vehicle speed is less than about 10 km/h (6.2 mph).

Shift position changes to R.

Method 2 for resolving problem

Return selector lever to position (D) before operating it.

Shift position changes to position before operating selector lever.

  1. The parking brake is applied automatically.

Shift-Lock System

Shift-Lock System

The shift-lock system prevents shifting out of P unless the brake pedal is depressed.

  1. Depress and hold the brake pedal.

  2. Press the power switch to start the EV system.

  3. Shift the selector lever while pressing the selector lever button.

 


  • When the power switch is switched OFF or to ACC, or ON (EV system off), the selector lever cannot be moved from the P position.

  • When canceling the shift-lock system, switch the power switch ON (EV system on) and shift the selector lever with the brake pedal depressed.

  • If the selector lever cannot be shifted from the P position, the lead-acid battery could be depleted.

    Refer to Jump-Starting (Search).

Driving Tips

Driving Tips

When starting to drive the vehicle or reversing the vehicle

 


Do not shift the selector lever with the accelerator pedal depressed when the selector lever is in the P or N position:

Otherwise, the vehicle will suddenly accelerate which could lead to an accident. Shift the selector lever with the brake pedal depressed.

  1. Shift the selector lever with the brake pedal depressed.

    • Forward: D

    • Reverse: R

  2. Check the shift position indication in the instrument cluster.

  3. Release the parking brake.

  4. Gradually release the brake pedal and depress the accelerator pedal to start driving the vehicle.

 


When visually checking at the rear of the vehicle while reversing the vehicle, your body twists around to the rear. Be careful and make sure that the brake pedal can be firmly depressed.

 


  • When the shift position is in the R position, the beep is activated to notify the driver that the shift position is in the R position.

  • There is the possibility of forgetting that the selector lever is shifted to the R position when only reversing the vehicle a little. After reversing the vehicle, immediately shift the selector lever to the N or P position, and before starting to drive the vehicle again, check the shift position indication in the instrument cluster.

When driving

 


Do not shift the selector lever to the N position while driving:

When the accelerator pedal is released, regenerative braking will have no effect at all which could cause an accident.

Normal driving

Shift the selector lever to the D position to drive the vehicle. Acceleration/deceleration is performed using the accelerator and brake pedals.

Driving on steep upslopes

Slowly depress the accelerator pedal to adjust the vehicle speed.

Driving on downslopes

On long or steep downslopes, increase the deceleration force by operating the steering wheel paddles.

 


  • On long downslopes, use a combination of regenerative braking by releasing the accelerator pedal and braking by depressing the brake pedal.

  • If only regenerative braking by releasing the accelerator pedal is used continuously, regenerative braking by releasing the accelerator pedal may stop working temporarily.

  • Regeneration braking is less effective the closer the high voltage battery is to a full charge, and regeneration braking will not work when the high voltage battery is fully charged.

Stopping the vehicles

  1. After completely stopping the vehicle, continue to depress the brake pedal firmly.

  2. If necessary, apply the parking brake with the brake pedal depressed.

  3. If the vehicle is going to be parked for a long time, shift the selector lever to the P position with the brake pedal depressed.

 


Do not depress the accelerator pedal unnecessarily while the vehicle is stopped:

If the accelerator pedal is mistakenly depressed when the selector lever is in a position other than the P or N position, the vehicle could suddenly accelerate resulting in an accident.

After stopping the vehicle, check the shift position indication in the instrument cluster before re-accelerating:

If the vehicle were to move in the unintended direction, it could lead to an accident.

 


Do not depress the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal at the same time, or rev the motor with the selector lever in the forward drive position while the vehicle is stopped on an upslope. The motor could overheat and lead to damage.

Parking the vehicle

  1. After completely stopping the vehicle, continue to depress the brake pedal firmly.

  2. Shift the selector lever to the P position with the brake pedal depressed.

  3. Make sure that the shift position is in the P position using the shift position indication in the instrument cluster.

  4. Apply the parking brake with the brake pedal depressed.

  5. Press the power switch to stop the EV system.

 


Completely stop the vehicle before shifting the selector lever to the P position. If the selector lever is shifted to the P position before the vehicle is completely stopped, unnecessary force will be applied to the EV transaxle which could cause damage.

Other precautions

 


Do not allow the vehicle to move in reverse on an upslope while the selector lever is in forward drive, or move forward on an downslope while the selector lever is in reverse drive:

Otherwise, the EV system could stop, making the steering wheel difficult to control, which could result in an accident.

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