1998 TOYOTA RAV4 ECO mode

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(f) Low Fuel Level Warning Light
This light comes on when the fuel level
in the tank becomes nearly empty. Fill up
the tank as soon as possible.
On inclines or curves, due to the move-
ment of fuel in the tank, the low fuel level
warning light may come on earlier than
usual.
(g) ºABSº Warning Light
This light warns that there is a problem
somewhere in your anti- lock brake sys-
tem.
If the light comes on while you are driv-
ing, have your vehicle checked by your
Toyota dealer as soon as possible.
The light will come on when the ignition
key is turned to the ºONº position. After
a few seconds, the light will go off.
When the ºABSº warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
brake system operates conventionally but
anti- lock brake system is not assisting
brake performance so that the wheels can
lock- up during sudden braking or braking
on slippery road surfaces.
(h) Open Door Warning Light
This light remains on until all the doors,
back door (hardtop) and tail gate (soft-
top) are completely closed.
(i) Automatic Transmission Fluid Tem-
perature Warning Light (four- wheel
drive models)
This light warns that the automatic trans-
mission fluid temperature is too high.
If this light comes on while you are driv-
ing, slow down and pull off the road. Stop
the vehicle at a safe place and put the
selector lever in ºPº. With the engine id-
ling, wait until the light goes off. If the
light goes off, you can start the vehicle
again. If the light does not go off, call a
Toyota dealer or qualified repair shop for
assistance.
NOTICE
Continued driving with the warning light on may damage the automatictransmission.
(j) SRS Airbag Warning Light
This light will come on when the igni-
tion key is turned to the ºACCº or
ºONº position. After about 6 seconds,
the light will go off. This means the
system of the airbag and front seat belt
pretensioners are operating properly.
The warning light system monitors the air-
bag sensor assembly, seat belt pretension-
er assembly, inflators, warning light, inter-
connecting wiring, power sources.
If either of the following conditions occurs,
this indicates a malfunction somewhere in
the parts monitored by the warning light
system. Contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible to service the vehicle.
The light does not come on when the
ignition key is turned to the ºACCº or
ºONº position or remains on.
The light comes on or flashes while
driving.
(k) Low Windshield Washer Fluid Level Warning Light (Canada)
The light warns that the windshield washer
fluid level is too low. Add washer fluid at
your earliest opportunity. (For instructions,
see ºAdding washer fluidº in Chapter 7- 3.)

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94
Your automatic transmission has a shift
lock system to minimize the possibility of
incorrect operation. This means you can
only shift out of ºPº position when the
brake pedal is depressed (with the ignition
switch in ºONº position and the lock re-
lease button depressed).
(a) Normal driving
1. Start the engine as instructed in ºHow to start the engineº in Part 3. The
transmission must be in ºPº or ºNº.
2. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the selector lever to ºDº.
In ºDº 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 over-
drive gear even with the overdrive switch on.
CAUTION
Never put your foot on the accelera-
tor 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: Turn off the overdrive switch. The ºO/D
OFFº indicator light will come on and
the transmission will downshift to the
third gear.
Shift into the º2º position. The trans-
mission will downshift to the second
gear when the vehicle speed drops
down to or lower than the following
speed, and more powerful engine brak-
ing will be obtained.
Two- wheel drive models 110 km/h (68 mph)
Four- wheel drive models 215/70R16 tires 100 km/h (62 mph)
235/60R16 tires 97 km/h (60 mph)
Shift into the ºLº position. The trans-
mission will downshift to the first gear
when the vehicle speed drops down to
or lower than the following speed, and
maximum engine braking will be ap-
plied.
Two- wheel drive models 50 km/h (31 mph)
Four- wheel drive models 215/70R16 tires 44 km/h (27 mph)
235/60R16 tires 42 km/h (26 mph)
CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a
slippery surface. Abrupt shifting
could cause the vehicle to spin or
skid.
(c) Using the º2º and ºLº positions
The º2º and ºLº positions are used for
strong engine braking as described pre-
viously.
With the selector lever in º2º or ºLº, you
can start the vehicle in motion as with the
lever in ºDº.

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With the selector lever in º2º, the vehicle
will start in the first gear and automatical-
ly shift to the second gear.
With the selector lever in ºLº, the trans-
mission is engaged in the first gear.
NOTICE
Be careful not to overrev the en-
gine. Watch the tachometer to keepengine rpm from going into the red zone. The approximate maximum al-
lowable speed for each position isgiven below for your reference:
Two- wheel drive models
º2º................130 km/h (80 mph)ºLº................72 km/h (44 mph)
Four- wheel drive models 215/70R16 tires º2º................121 km/h (75 mph)ºLº................67 km/h (41 mph)
235/60R16 tires
º2º................118 km/h (73 mph)ºLº................65 km/h (40 mph)
Do not continue hill climbing or
hard towing for a long time in theº2º or ºLº position. This may causesevere automatic transmission dam-
age from overheating. To preventsuch damage, ºDº position shouldbe used in hill climbing or hard
towing.
(d) Backing up
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. With the brake pedal held down with your foot, shift the selector lever to the
ºRº position.
NOTICE
Never shift into reverse while the ve-
hicle is moving.
(e) Parking
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Pull the parking brake lever up fully to securely apply the parking brake.
3. With the brake pedal pressed down, shift the selector lever to the ºPº posi-
tion.
CAUTION
While the vehicle is moving, never at-
tempt to move the selector lever into
ºPº position under any circum-
stances. Serious mechanical damage
and loss of vehicle control may re-
sult.
(f) Good driving practice
If the transmission is repeatedly up-
shifted and downshifted between third
gear and overdrive when climbing a
gentle slope, the overdrive switch
should be turned off. Be sure to turn
the switch on immediately afterward.
When towing a trailer, in order to main-
tain engine braking efficiency, do not
use overdrive.
CAUTION
Always keep your foot on the brake
pedal while stopped with the engine
running. This prevents the vehicle
from creeping.

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96
NOTICE
Do not hold the vehicle on an up- grade with the accelerator pedal. Itcan cause the transmission to over-heat. Always use the brake pedal or
parking brake.
(g) Rocking your vehicle if stuck
CAUTION
If your vehicle becomes stuck in
snow, mud, sand, etc., then you may
attempt to rock the vehicle free by
moving it forward and backward. Do
not attempt this procedure if people
or objects are anywhere near the ve-
hicle. During the rocking operation
the vehicle may suddenly move for-
ward or backward as it becomes un-
stuck, causing injury or damage to
nearby people or objects.
NOTICE
If you rock your vehicle, observe thefollowing precautions to prevent dam-age to the transmission and other parts.
Do not depress the accelerator ped-al while shifting the selector leveror before the transmission is com-
pletely shifted to forward or reversegear.
Do not race the engine and avoidspinning the wheels.
If your vehicle remains stuck after
rocking the vehicle several times,consider other ways such as tow-
ing.
(h) Driving in ºPOWERº mode
In the ºPOWERº mode, the transmission
is shifted up and down at a higher vehicle
speed than in the ºNORMALº mode and a
more powerful acceleration is achieved. To
set the ºPOWERº mode, push in the driv-
ing pattern selector button. The ºPOWERº
mode indicator light comes on.
For ordinary driving, Toyota recommends
using the ºNORMALº mode to improve fuel
economy.
(i) If you cannot shift the selector lever
out of ºPº position
If you cannot shift the selector lever from
the ºPº position even though the brake
pedal is depressed, use the shift lock
override button. For instructions, see ºIf
you cannot shift automatic transmission
selector leverº in Part 4.

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Manual transmission
The shift pattern is as shown above.
Press the clutch pedal down fully while
shifting, and then release it slowly. Do not
rest your foot on the pedal while driving,
because it will cause clutch trouble. And
do not use the clutch to hold the vehicle
when stopped on an uphill grade±use the
parking brake.
Recommended shifting speeds
The transmission is fully synchronized and
upshifting or downshifting is easy.
For the best compromise between fuel
economy and vehicle performance, you
should upshift or downshift at the following
speeds:
gear km/h (mph)
1 to 2 or 2 to 1 24 (15)
2 to 3 or 3 to 2 40 (25)
3 to 4 or 4 to 3 64 (40)
4 to 5 or 5 to 4 72 (45)
Downshift to the appropriate gear if accel-
eration is needed when you are cruising
below the above downshifting speeds.
Upshifting too soon or downshifting too
late will cause lugging and, possibly, ping-
ing. Regularly revving the engine to maxi-
mum speed in each gear will cause ex-
cessive engine wear and high fuel
consumption.
Maximum allowable speeds
To get on a highway or to pass slower
traffic, maximum acceleration may be nec-
essary. Make sure you observe the follow-
ing maximum allowable speeds in each
gear:
Two- wheel drive models gear km/h (mph)
1 47 ( 29)
2 95 ( 59)
3 144 ( 89)
4 198 (114) Four- wheel drive models
215/60R16 tires
gear km/h (mph)1 44 ( 27)
2 88 ( 53)
3 133 ( 83)
4 183 (114)
235/60R16 tires
gear km/h (mph)1 43 ( 26)
2 86 ( 53)
3 121 ( 75)
4 165 (102)
NOTICE
Do not downshift if you are goingfaster than the maximum allowablespeed for the next lower gear.
Good driving practice
If it is difficult to shift into reverse, put
the transmission in neutral, release the
clutch pedal momentarily, and then try
again.

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Sound balance adjustment functionÐ
This knob is also to adjust the sound
balance between the front and rear, and
the right and left speakers.
For front/rear adjustment, push ºAUDIO
CONTROL / MODEº repeatedly until ºFAdº
appears on the display. Then turn the
knob to adjust the front/rear balance.
The display will show the range from ºFAd
F7º to ºFAd R7º.
For left/right adjustment, push ºAUDIO
CONTROL / MODEº repeatedly until ºBALº
appears on the display. Then turn the
knob to adjust the left/right balance.
The display will show the range from ºBAL
L7º to ºBAL R7º.
CD (Compact Disc)
Push ºCDº to switch from radio or cas-
sette operation to compact disc operation.
If the audio system is off, you can turn
on the compact disc player by pushing
ºCDº. In both cases, a disc must already
be loaded in the player.
When the audio is set into compact disc
operation, the display shows the track or,
track and disc number currently being
played. Each time you push ºCDº, the
system c
hanges between single disc play-
er and automatic changer. Your audio system shows six different dis-
play if the player malfunctions.
If ºWAITº appears on the display,
it indi-
cates inside the player unit may be too
hot due to the very high ambient tempera-
ture. Remove the disc or magazine from
the player and allow the player to cool down.
If ºErr 1º appears on the display, it
indicates the disc is dirty, damaged, or it
was inserted up- side down. Clean the
disc or insert it correctly.
If ºErr 2º appears on the display, it
indicates no disc is loaded inside the
magazine, insert a disc.
If ºErr 3º or ºErr 4º on the display, it
indicates there is a trouble inside the sys-
tem. Eject the disc or magazine. Set the
disc or magazine again.
If ºOPEnº appears on the display, it
indicates the compact disc auto changer
lid is open. Close the compact disc auto
changer lid.
If the malfunction is not recovered, take
your vehicle to your Toyota dealer.
DISC !~
Compact disc auto changer onlyÐ
By using this button, you can select a
disc you wish to listen to. Push the either side of the button until the
number of the disc you want to listen to
appears on the display.
Dolby

B NR *
If you are listening to a tape that was
recorded with Dolby B Noise Reduction,
push the button marked with the double- D
symbol. The double- D symbol will appear
on the display. Push the button again to
turn off Dolby B NR.
The Dolby NR mode reduces tape noise
by about 10 dB. For best sound reproduc-
tion, play your tapes with this button on
or off according to the mode used for
recording the tape. *: Dolby noise reduction manufactured under license
from Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation. ºDOLBYº
and the double D symbol
are trademarks of Dolby
Laboratories Licensing Corporation.
FM
Push ºFMº to switch the FM band. ºFM1º
or ºFM2º will appear on the display. This
system allow you to set twelve FM sta-
tions, two for each button.
If the audio system is off, you can turn
on the radio by pushing ºFMº. Also, push
ºFMº to switch from cassette or compact
disc operation to radio operation.

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Compact disc player
There are two scan featuresÐyou can ei-
ther scan the tracks on a specific disc or
scan the first tracks of all the discs in the
magazine.
Scanning for the tracks on a disc:
Quickly push and release ºSCANº. ºSCANº
will appear on the display and the player
will scan all the tracks on the disc you
are listening to. If you hear a beep, you
held the button too long, and the player
will scan the first tracks of all the discs
in the magazine. To select a track, push
the ºSCANº a second time. If the player
scanned all the tracks on the disc, it will
stop scanning.
Compact disc auto changer onlyÐ
Scanning for the first tracks of all the
discs in the magazine:
Push and hold ºSCANº until you hear a
beep. ºD´SCANº will appear on the display
and the player will perform the first track
of the next disc. To select a disc, push
the ºSCANº a second time. If the player
has scanned all the di
scs, it will stop
scanning. ST (Stereo reception) display
Your radio automatically changes to stereo
reception when a stereo broadcast is re-
ceived. ºSTº appears on the display. If the
signal becomes weak, the radio reduces
the amount of channel separation to prev-
ent the weak signal from creating noise.
If the signal becomes extremely weak, the
radio switches from stereo to mono recep-
tion.
TA P E
Push ºTAPEº to switch from radio or com-
pact disc operation to cassette operation.
If the audio system is off, you can turn
on the cassette player by pushing ºTAPEº.
In both cases, a cassette must already be
loaded in the player.
TRACK (Track up/down button):
Compact disc player
By using this button, you can skip up or
down to a different track.
Push either side of the track button until
the number of the track you want to listen
to appears on the display. If you want to
return the beginning of the current track,
push the down side of the button one
time, quickly.TUNE
Tuning
Your Toyota has an electronic tuning radio
(ETR). Push and release the º
~º (up) or
º ! º (down) side of ºTUNEº to step up or
down the station band. (If you hear a
beep, you held the button too long and
the radio will go into the seek mode.)
Seeking
In the seek mode, the radio finds and
plays the next station up or down the
station band.
To seek a station, push and hold the º ~º
or º !º side of ºTUNEº until you hear a
beep. Do this again to find another sta-
tion.
VOL/PWR (Volume/Power)
Push ºVOL/PWRº to turn the audio system
on and off. Turn ºVOL/PWRº to adjust the
volume.

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11 6
ST (Stereo reception) display
Your radio automatically changes to stereo
reception when a stereo broadcast is re-
ceived. ºSTº appears on the display. If the
signal becomes weak, the radio reduces
the amount of channel separation to prev-
ent the weak signal from creating noise.
If the signal becomes extremely weak, the
radio switches from stereo to mono recep-
tion.
TRACK (Track up/down button):
Compact disc player
By using this button, you can skip up or
down to a different track.
Push either side of the track button until
the number of the track you want to listen
to appears on the display. If you want to
return the beginning of the current track,
push the down side of the button one
time, quickly.
TUNE (Tuning)
Tuning
Your Toyota has an electronic tuning radio
(ETR). Push and release the º
~º (up) or
º ! º (down) side of ºTUNEº to step up or
down the station band. (If you hear a
beep, you held the button too long and
the radio will go into the seek mode.) Seeking
In the seek mode, the radio finds and
plays the next station up or down the
station band.
To seek a station, push and hold the º
~º
or º !º side of ºTUNEº until you hear a
beep. Do this again to find another sta-
tion.
NOTICE
To ensure the correct audio system
operation:
Be careful not to spill beveragesover the audio system.
Do not put anything other than acassette tape or Compact Disc into
the slot.
RADIO RECEPTION
Usually, a problem with radio reception
does not mean there is a problem with
your radioÐit is just the normal result of
conditions outside the vehicle.
For example, nearby buildings and terrain
can interfere with FM reception. Power
lines or telephone wires can interfere with
AM signals. And of course, radio signals
have a limited range, and the farther you
are from a station, the weaker its signal
will be. In addition, reception conditions
change constantly as your vehicle moves. ÐCar audio system operating
hints