Toyota CH-R Owners Manual: Continuously variable transmission

Shifting the shift lever

Vehicles without a smart key system: While the engine switch is in the "ON" position and the brake pedal depressed*, shift the shift lever while pushing the shift release button on the shift knob.

Vehicles with a smart key system: While the engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode and the brake pedal depressed*, shift the shift lever while pushing the shift release button on the shift knob.

  Shift the shift lever while pushing the shift release button on the shift knob.

Shift the shift lever normally.

When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the vehicle is completely stopped and the brake pedal is depressed.

*: To shift the shift lever from P, the brake pedal must be depressed before the shift release button is pushed. If the shift release button is pushed first, the shift lock will not be released.

Shift position purpose

*1: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noises, set the shift lever in D for normal driving.
*2: Selecting gear step using the M position achieves suitable engine braking forces by operating the shift lever.

Selecting a driving mode

Changing gear steps in the M position

To enter 7-speed sport sequential shiftmatic mode, shift the shift lever to M position. Gear steps can then be selected by operating the shift lever, allowing you to drive in the gear step of your choosing.

1. Upshifting
2. Downshifting

The gear changes once every time the shift lever is operated.

The selected gear step, from M1 to M7, will be displayed in the meter.

However, even when in the M position, the gear steps will be automatically changed if the engine speed is too high, or too low.

■Gear step functions

• You can choose from 7 levels of engine braking force.
• A lower gear step will provide greater engine braking force than a higher gear step, and the engine speed will also increase.

■If the 7-speed sport sequential shiftmatic mode indicator does not come on even after shifting the shift lever to M This may indicate a malfunction in the continuously variable 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.)

■When the vehicle comes to a stop with the shift lever in the M position

• The transmission will automatically downshift to M1 once the vehicle is stopped.
• After a stop, the vehicle will start off in M1.
• When the vehicle is stopped, the transmission is set at M1.

■When driving with dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed range activated Even when performing the following actions with the intent of enabling engine braking, engine braking will not activate because cruise control will not be canceled.

• When switching the driving mode to sport mode while driving in D position.

■Downshifting restrictions warning buzzer 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. (A buzzer will sound twice.)

■Restraining sudden start (Drive-start Control)

■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), and the brake pedal is being depressed.

■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 with your foot on the brake pedal while pressing the button on the shift knob, 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:

1. Set the parking brake.

2. Turn the engine switch to the "LOCK" position (vehicles without a smart key system) or off (vehicles with a smart key system).

3. Depress the brake pedal.

4. Remove the cover.

Remove the cover using flathead screwdriver. To prevent damage to the cover, tip the screwdriver with a rag.

5. Press the shift lock override button while pressing the button on the shift knob.

The shift lever can be shifted while the button is pressed.

■G AI-SHIFT G AI-SHIFT automatically selects a suitable gear for sporty driving according to driver's input and driving conditions. G AI-SHIFT operates automatically when the shift lever is in D and sport mode is selected for the driving mode.

(Selecting normal mode or shifting the shift lever to the M position cancels this function.)