Automatic transmission operation

The automatic transmission has eight forward speeds and one reverse speed.

The individual speeds are selected automatically in the D (Drive) position.

The automatic transmission rotary gear shift dial or interior parts might get hot when a vehicle is parked outside during hot weather. Always be careful when the vehicle is hot.

The indicator in the instrument cluster displays the shift position when the Engine Start/Stop button is in the ON position.

To reduce the risk of serious injury or death:

ALWAYS check the surrounding areas near your vehicle for people, especially children, before shifting a vehicle into D (Drive) or R (Reverse).
Before leaving the driver's seat, always make sure the vehicle is shifted to the P (Park) position, apply the parking brake, then press the Engine Start/Stop button to the OFF position. Unexpected and sudden vehicle movement can occur if these precautions are not followed.
When using the paddle shifter (manual shift mode), do not use engine braking (shifting from a high gear to lower gear) rapidly on slippery roads. The vehicle may slide causing an accident.

Transmission ranges

P (Park)

Always come to a complete stop before shifting into P (Park).

To shift the gear to P (Park), press the P button whilst pressing the brake pedal.

If you turn the engine off in R (Reverse), N (Neutral) or D (Drive), the gear automatically shifts to P (Park).

Shifting into P (Park) whilst the vehicle is in motion may cause you to lose control of the vehicle.
After the vehicle has stopped, always make sure the vehicle is in P (Park), apply the parking brake, and turn the engine off.
When parking on an incline, shift the gear to P (Park) and apply the parking brake to prevent the vehicle from rolling downhill.

Automatic gear shift to P (Park)

The vehicle is shifted to P (Park) automatically for safety reasons under the following conditions:

When the engine is turned off with the gear in R (Reverse), D (Drive) or N (Neutral).
When the driver’s door is open with the engine running, the vehicle in R (Reverse), D (Drive) or N (Neutral), the seat belt unfastened and the vehicle at a standstill.
When the driver’s or front passenger’s door is open with the vehicle in N (Neutral) and the vehicle is off.

In situations the gear must be in P (Park), always check if the vehicle is shifted to P (Park) by looking on the instrument cluster.

R (Reverse)

Use this position to drive the vehicle rearward.

To shift the gear R (Reverse), rotate the rotary gear shift dial to R (Reverse) whilst pressing the brake pedal.

When the vehicle is stopped in the R (Reverse) position, if you open the driver's door with the seat belt unfastened, the vehicle automatically shifts to P (Park).

However, if the vehicle is in motion, the vehicle may not automatically shift to P (Park) to prevent automatic transmission damage.

Always come to a complete stop before shifting into or out of R (Reverse); you may damage the transmission if you shift into R (Reverse) whilst the vehicle is in motion.

N (Neutral)

The wheels and transmission are not engaged.

To shift the vehicle to N (Neutral), rotate the rotary gear shift dial to N (Neutral) from R (Reverse) or D (Drive) whilst pressing the brake pedal.

Always press the brake pedal when you are shifting from N (Neutral) to another gear.

If you turn the engine off in N (Neutral), the vehicle automatically shifts to P (Park).

However, if you need to stay in N (Neutral) with the engine off, refer to the “To stay in N (Neutral) when vehicle is OFF” section in this section.

The engine can be started with the vehicle in N (Neutral), but for you safety, be sure to start the engine with the vehicle in P (Park).

To stay in N (Neutral) when vehicle is OFF

If you want to stay in N (Neutral) after the engine is OFF (in the ACC state), do the following.

Turn off Auto Hold and apply the parking brake when the engine is running.
Rotate the shift dial to N (Neutral) whilst pressing the brake pedal.
When you take your foot off the brake pedal, the message “Press and hold the OK button on the steering wheel to stay in Neutral” appears on the instrument cluster display.
Press and hold the OK button [A] on the steering wheel for more than 1 second.
When the message “N will stay engaged when the vehicle is Off” appears on the instrument cluster display, turn the vehicle off whilst pressing the brake pedal.

If you wish to cancel, change gear to P (Park), D (Drive) or R (Reverse), or N (Neutral) will stay engaged when the vehicle is Off.

Also, if you open the driver's door, the vehicle automatically shifts to P (Park) and the Engine Start/Stop button changes to the OFF position.

With the vehicle in N (Neutral) the Engine Start/Stop button is in the ACC position. In the ACC position, the doors cannot be locked. The battery may discharge if left in the ACC position for a long time.

D (Drive)

This is the normal driving position.

The transmission automatically shifts through an 8-gear sequence, providing the best fuel economy and power.

For extra power when passing another vehicle or driving uphill, press the accelerator pedal further until you feel the transmission downshift to a lower gear.

To shift the vehicle to D (Drive), rotate the rotary gear shift dial to D (Drive) whilst pressing the brake pedal.

When the vehicle is stopped in the D (Drive) position, if you open the driver's door with the seat belt unfastened, the vehicle automatically shifts to P (Park).

However, if the vehicle is in motion, the vehicle may not automatically shift to P (Park) to prevent automatic transmission damage.

Always come to a complete stop before shifting into D (Drive).

When you start after stopping on a steep incline, even if the vehicle is in D (Drive), if you do not press the accelerator or brake pedal, the vehicle may roll rearwards, which can cause an accident.

Shift-lock system

For your safety, the automatic transmission has a shift-lock system which prevents shifting the transmission from P (Park) into R (Reverse) or D (Drive) unless the brake pedal is pressed.

To shift from P (Park) or N (Neutral) into R (Reverse) or D (Drive):

Press and hold the brake pedal.
Start the engine.
Shift gear whilst pressing the brake pedal.

When the battery is discharged

You cannot shift gears, when the battery is discharged.

In emergencies, do the following to shift the vehicle to N (Neutral) on a level ground.

Connect the battery cables from another vehicle or from a another battery to the jump-starting terminals inside the engine compartment.

For more information, refer to the “Jump starting” section in chapter 8.
Apply the parking brake with the Engine Start/Stop button in the ON position.
Shift the vehicle to the N (Neutral) position. For more information, refer to the “To stay in N (Neutral) when vehicle is OFF” section in this chapter.

In situations when the vehicle needs to be shifted from P (Park) to N (Neutral) when the Engine Start/Stop button is in the OFF position, refer to the “To stay in N (Neutral) when vehicle is OFF” section in this chapter.

Parking

Always come to a complete stop and continue to press the brake pedal.

Shift the vehicle to P (Park), apply the parking brake, and press the Engine Start/Stop button to the OFF position.

Take the Key with you when leaving the vehicle.

When you stay in the vehicle with the engine running, be careful not to press the accelerator pedal for a long period of time. The engine or exhaust system may overheat and start a fire.
The exhaust gas and the exhaust system are very hot. Keep away from the exhaust system components.
Do not stop or park over flammable materials, such as dry grass, paper or leaves. They may ignite and cause a fire.