’04 Rav4_U (L/O 0403)
2
2004 RAV4 from Mar. ’04 Prod. (OM42568U)
1. Side defroster outlets
2. Side vents
3. Instrument cluster
4. Center vents
5. Garage door opener, garage dooropener box or auxiliary box
6. Electric moon roof switch and personal light
7. Glove box
8. Power door lock switches
9. Power window switches
10. Automatic transmission selector lever or manual transmission gear shift lever
11. Parking brake lever
12. Cup holders
13. Ashtray
14. Power outlet
15. Auxiliary box
16. Hood lock release lever
17. Window lock switch
Instrument panel overview
’04 Rav4_U (L/O 0403)
11 9
2004 RAV4 from Mar. ’04 Prod. (OM42568U)
OPERATION OF INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLS
Ignition switch, Transmission and Parking brake
Ignition switch with steering lock120
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic transmission 121
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
.
Manual transmission 124
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . .
Traction control system 126
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. .
Vehicle stability control system 130
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire pressure warning system 131
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking brake 135
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . .
Cruise control 136
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 1 7
’04 Rav4_U (L/O 0403)
120
2004 RAV4 from Mar. ’04 Prod. (OM42568U)
“START”—Starter motor on. The key
will return to the “ON” position when
released.
For starting tips, see page 225 in Section
3.
It is not a malfunction even if the needle
of the tachometer, fuel gauge or engine
coolant temperature gauge returns to the
bottom position when the ignition switch is
turned to the “START” position.
“ON”—Engine on and all accessories
on.
This is the normal driving position.It is not a malfunction even if the needle
on the speedometer may move when the
ignition switch is turned to the “ON” posi-
tion.
“ACC”—Accessories such as the radio
operate, but the engine is off.
If you leave the key in the “ACC” or
“LOCK” position and open the driver’s
door, a buzzer will remind you to remove
the key.
“LOCK”—Engine is off and the steering
wheel is locked. The key can be re-
moved only at this position.
You must push in the key to turn it from
“ACC” to the “LOCK” position. On vehicles
with an automatic transmission, the selec-
tor lever must be in the “P” position be-
fore pushing the key.
Vehicles with engine immobilizer sys-
tem—Once you remove the key, the en-
gine immobilizer system is automatically
set. (See “Engine immobilizer system” on
page 13 in Section 1
−2.)
When starting the engine, the key may
seem stuck at the “LOCK” position. To
free it, first be sure the key is pushed all
the way in, and then rock the steering
wheel slightly while turning the key gently.
CAUTION
For manual transmission:
Never remove the key when the ve-
hicle is moving, as this will lock the
steering wheel and result in loss of
steering control.
NOTICE
Do not leave the key in the “ON”
position if the engine is not running.
The battery will discharge and the
ignition could be damaged.
Ignition switch with steering
lock
’04 Rav4_U (L/O 0403)
124
2004 RAV4 from Mar. ’04 Prod. (OM42568U)
(g) Parking1. 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 “P” posi-
tion.
CAUTION
Never attempt to move the selector
lever into “P” position under any cir-
cumstances while the vehicle is mov-
ing. Serious mechanical damage and
loss of vehicle control may result.
(h) Good driving practice
If the transmission repeatedly shifts up
and down between third gear and over-
drive when climbing a gentle slope, the
overdrive should be turned off. Be sure
to turn the switch on immediately after-
ward.
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.
NOTICE
Always use the brake pedal or the
parking brake to hold the vehicle on
an upgrade. Do not attempt to hold
the vehicle using the accelerator ped-
al, as this can cause the transmission
to overheat.
(i) If you cannot shift the selector le- ver out of “P” position
If you cannot shift the selector lever from
the “P” position even though the brake
pedal is depressed, use the shift lock
override button. For instructions, see “If
you cannot shift automatic transmission
selector lever” on page 260 in Section 4.
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. Do
not use the clutch to hold the vehicle
when stopped on an uphill grade—use the
parking brake.
Manual transmission
’04 Rav4_U (L/O 0403)
137
2004 RAV4 from Mar. ’04 Prod. (OM42568U)
If you need acceleration—for example,
when passing—depress the accelerator
pedal enough for the vehicle to exceed
the set speed. When you release it, the
vehicle will return to the speed set prior
to the acceleration.
CAUTION
For manual transmission:
While driving with the cruise control
on, do not shift to neutral without
depressing the clutch pedal, as this
may cause engine racing or overrev-
ving.
CANCELLING THE PRESET SPEED
You can cancel the preset speed by:a. Pulling the lever in the “CANCEL” direction and releasing it.
b. Depressing the brake pedal.
c. Depressing the clutch pedal (manual transmission).
d. Pushing “ON −OFF” switch.
If the vehicle speed falls below about 40
km/h (25 mph), the preset speed will auto-
matically cancel out. If the vehicle speed drops 16 km/h (10
mph) below the preset speed, the preset
speed will also automatically cancel out.
If the preset speed automatically cancels
out other than for the above cases, have
your vehicle checked by your Toyota deal-
er at the earliest opportunity.
RESETTING TO A FASTER SPEED
Push the lever up in the “+ RES” direction
and hold it. Release the lever when the
desired speed is attained. While the lever
is held up, the vehicle will gradually gain
speed.
However, a faster way to reset is to ac-
celerate the vehicle and then push the
lever down in the “− SET” direction.
RESETTING TO A SLOWER SPEED
Push the lever down in the “
− SET” direc-
tion and hold it. Release the lever when
the desired speed is attained. While the
lever is held down, the vehicle speed will
gradually decrease.
However, a faster way to reset is to de-
press the brake pedal and then push the
lever down in the “− SET” direction. On vehicles with automatic transmission,
even if you turn off the overdrive switch
with the cruise control on, engine braking
will not be enabled because the cruise
control is not cancelled. To decrease the
vehicle speed, reset to a slower speed
with the cruise control lever or depress
the brake pedal. If you use the brake
pedal, cruise control is cancelled.
RESUMING THE PRESET SPEED
If the preset speed is cancelled by pulling
the control lever or by depressing the
brake pedal or clutch pedal, pushing the
lever up in the “+ RES” direction will re-
store the speed set prior to cancellation.
However, once the vehicle speed falls be-
low about 40 km/h (25 mph), the preset
speed will not be resumed.
CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE WARNING
If the “CRUISE” indicator light in the
instrument cluster flashes when using the
cruise control, push the “ON
−OFF” switch
to turn the system off and then push it
again to turn it on.
’04 Rav4_U (L/O 0403)
197
2004 RAV4 from Mar. ’04 Prod. (OM42568U)
Always slow down in gusty cross-
winds. Because of its profile and
higher center of gravity, your ve-
hicle is more sensitive to side
winds than an ordinary passenger
car. Slowing down will allow you to
have better control.
When driving off road or in rugged
terrain, do not drive at excessive
speeds, jump, make sharp turns,
strike objects, etc. This may cause
loss of control or vehicle rollover
causing death or serious injury. You
are also risking expensive damage
to your vehicle’s suspension and
chassis.
Do not drive horizontally across
steep slopes. Driving straight up or
straight down is preferred. Your ve-
hicle (or any similar off road ve-
hicle) can tip over sideways much
more easily than forward or back-
ward.
Drive gently and avoid high speeds.
Your vehicle does not need an elaborate
break−in. But following a few simple tips
for the first 1600 km (1000 miles) can add
to the future economy and long life of
your vehicle:
Avoid full throttle acceleration when
starting and driving.
Avoid racing the engine.
Try to avoid hard stops during the first
300 km (200 miles).
Do not drive slowly with the manual
transmission in a high gear.
Do not drive for a long time at any
single speed, either fast or slow.
Do not tow a trailer during the first 800
km (500 miles). FUEL TYPE
Your new vehicle must use only un-
leaded gasoline.
To help prevent gas station mix
−ups, your
Toyota has a smaller fuel tank opening.
The special nozzle on pumps with un-
leaded fuel will fit it, but the larger stan-
dard nozzle on pumps with leaded gas will
not.
At a minimum, the gasoline you use
should meet the specifications of ASTM
D4814 in the U.S.A. and CGSB 3.5 −M93
in Canada.
NOTICE
Do not use leaded gasoline. Use of
leaded gasoline will cause the three
way catalytic converter to lose its ef-
fectiveness and the emission control
system to function improperly. Also,
this can increase maintenance costs.
Break in period Fuel
’04 Rav4_U (L/O 0403)
219
2004 RAV4 from Mar. ’04 Prod. (OM42568U)
Vehicle load limits include total load
capacity, seating capacity, towing ca-
pacity and cargo capacity. Follow the
load limits shown below.
Total load capacity:Four −wheel drive models
With automatic transmission
345 kg (761 lb.)
With manual transmission 375 kg (826 lb.)
Tw o −wheel drive models
With automatic transmission 417 kg (919 lb.)
With manual transmission 447 kg (985 lb.)
Total load capacity means com-
bined weight of occupants, cargo
and luggage. Tongue load is in-
cluded when trailer towing.
Seating capacity: Total 5 (Front 2, Rear 3)
Seating capacity means the maxi-
mum number of occupants whose
estimated average weight is 68 kg
(150 lb.) per person. Depending on
the weight of each person, the seat-
ing capacity given may exceed the
total load capacity. NOTICE
Even if the number of occupants
are within the seating capacity,
do not exceed the total load ca-
pacity.
Towing capacity:
680 kg (1500 lb.)
Towing capacity means the maxi-
mum gross trailer weight (trailer
weight plus its cargo weight) that
your vehicle is able to tow.
Cargo capacity
Cargo capacity may increase or de-
crease depending on the size (weight)
and the number of occupants. For de-
tails, see “Capacity and distribution”
that follows.
CAUTION
Do not apply the load more than
each load limit. That may cause
not only damage to the tires, but
also deterioration to the steering
ability and braking ability, which
may cause an accident.
When stowing cargo and luggage in
the vehicle, observe the following: Put cargo and luggage in the lug-
gage compartment when at all
possible. Be sure all items are se-
cured in place.
Be careful to keep the vehicle bal-
anced. Locating the weight as far
forward as possible helps maintain
balance.
For better fuel economy, do not
carry unneeded weight.
Veh icle lo ad limit s Cargo and luggage—
—Stowage precautions
’04 Rav4_U (L/O 0403)
221
2004 RAV4 from Mar. ’04 Prod. (OM42568U)
4. The resulting figure equals theavailable amount of cargo and lug-
gage load capacity. For example,
if the “XXX” am ount equals 1400
lbs. and there will be five 150 lb.
passengers in your vehicle, the
amount of available cargo and lug-
gage load capacity is 650 lbs.
(1400–750 (5x150)=650 lbs).
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded
on the vehicle. That weight may
not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will
be transferred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine
how this reduces the available car-
go and luggage load capacity of
your vehicle.
For details about trailer towing, see
page 232.
Cargo
capacity
Total load
capacity
EXAMPLE ON YOUR VEHICLE
In case that 2 people with the com-
bined weight of 166 kg (366 lb.) are
riding in your vehicle, the available
amount of cargo and luggage load ca-
pacity will be as follows:
Four −wheel drive models—
With automatic transmission
Total load capacity: 345 kg (761 lb.) 345 kg – 166 kg = 179 kg.
( 761 lb. – 366 lb. = 395 lb. )
With manual transmission
Total load capacity: 375 kg (826 lb.) 375 kg – 166 kg = 209 kg.
( 826 lb. – 366 lb. = 460 lb. ) Tw o
−wheel drive models—
With automatic transmission
Total load capacity: 417 kg (919 lb.) 417 kg – 166 kg = 251 kg.
( 919 lb. – 366 lb. = 553 lb. )
With manual transmission
Total load capacity: 447 kg (985 lb.) 447 kg – 166 kg = 281 kg.
( 985 lb. – 366 lb. = 619 lb. )
From this condition, if 3 more passen-
gers with the combined weight of 176
kg (388 lb.) get on , the av ailable car-
go and luggage load will be reduced
as follows:
Four −wheel drive models—
With automatic transmission 179 kg – 176 kg = 3 kg.
( 395 lb. – 388 lb. = 7 lb. )
With manual transmission 209 kg – 176 kg = 33 kg.
( 460 lb. – 388 lb. = 72 lb. )