1999 Toyota Avalon Owners Manual - Page 98

'99 AVALON (USA/CANADA) −U Your automatic transmission has a shift lock system to minimize the possibility of incorrect operation. This means you can only shift out of "P" position when the brake pedal is depressed (with the ignition switch in "ON" position, and the lock release button on the floor shift type transmission depressed or the selector lever on the column shift type transmission pulled toward you). (a) Normal driving 1. Start the engine as instructed in "How to start the engine" in Part 3. The transmission must be in "P" or "N". 2. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the selector lever to "D". In "D" position, the automatic transmission system will select the most suitable gear for running conditions such as normal cruising, hill climbing, hard towing, etc. Always turn the overdrive switch on for better fuel economy and quieter driving. If the engine coolant temperature is low, the transmission will not shift into the overdrive gear even with the overdrive switch on. CAUTION Never put your foot on the accelerator pedal while shifting. 3. Release the parking brake and brake pedal. Depress the accelerator pedal slowly for smooth starting. (b) Using engine braking To use engine braking, you can downshift the transmission as follows: D Shift into the "L" position. The transmission will downshift to the first gear When the vehicle speed drops down to or lower than 59 km/h (36 mph), and maximum engine braking will be applied. Vehicles with cruise control-When the cruise control is being used, even if you downshift the transmission by turning off the overdrive switch, engine braking is not applied because the cruise control is not cancelled. For ways to decrease the vehicle speed, see "Cruise control" in this chapter. D Turn off the overdrive switch. The "O/D OFF" indicator light will come on and the transmission will downshift to the third gear. CAUTION Be careful when downshifting on a slippery surface. Abrupt shifting could cause the vehicle to spin or skid. D Shift into the "2" position. The transmission will downshift to the second gear when the vehicle speed drops down to or lower than 133 km/h (82 mph), and more powerful engine braking will be obtained. 98