2005 TOYOTA RAV4 steering wheel

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The vehicle stability control system
helps provide integrated control of the
systems such as an anti- lock brake
system, brake assist system, traction
control, engine control, etc. This sys-
tem automatically controls the brakes
and engine to help prevent the vehicle
from skidding when cornering on a slip-
pery road surface or operating steering
wheel abruptly.
This system activates when the vehicle
speed is about more than 15 km/h (9
mph).
You may hear a sound in the engine
compartment for a few seconds just after
the vehicle begins to move. This means
that the system is in the self- check mode,
but does not indicate a malfunction.CAUTION

Do not rely excessively on the ve-
hicle stability control system. Even
if the vehicle stability control sys-
tem is operating, you must always
drive carefully and attentively to
avoid serious injury. Reckless driv-
ing will result in an unexpected ac-
cident. If the slip indicator light
flashes, an alarm sounds, special
care should be taken while driving.

Only use tires of specified size. The
size, manufacturer, brand and tread
pattern for all 4 tires should be the
same. If you use the tires other
than specified, or different type or
size, the vehicle stability control
system may not function correctly.
When replacing the tires or wheels,
contact your Toyota dealer. (See
Checking and replacing tiresº on
page 293 in Section 7- 2.)
If the vehicle is going to skid during driv-
ing, the slip indicator light blinks and an
alarm sounds intermittently. Special care
should be taken while driving.
The slip indicator light comes on for a few
seconds when the ignition key is turned
to ONº. If the indicator light does not
come on when the ignition is turned on,
contact your Toyota dealer.
Vehicle stability control
system

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The loading is over the limit or imbal-
anced.

Initialization was not performed correct-
ly after replacing or rotating tires or
wheels.

The outside temperature is below 0C
(32 F) or above 40 C (104 F).
CAUTION
When the tire pressure warning light
comes on, observe the following in-
structions:

Adjust the tire inflation pressure to
the specified level as soon as pos-
sible.

Avoid abrupt steering wheel maneu-
vering and braking. If the vehicle
tires deteriorate, you could lose
control of the steering wheel or the
brakes, causing death or serious in-
jury.
Note: The tire pressure monitoring
system on your vehicle will warn you
when one of your tires is significantly
under- inflated and when some com-
binations of your tires are significant-
ly under- inflated. However, there are
other combinations of significantly
under- inflated tires for which your
tire pressure monitoring system may
not warn you. These other combina-
tions are relatively common, account-
ing for approximately half the
instances in which vehicles have sig-
nificantly under- inflated tires. For ex-
ample, your system may not warn you
when both tires on the same side or
on the same axle of your vehicle are
significantly under- inflated. It is par-
ticularly important, therefore, for you
to check the tire pressure in all of
your tires regularly and maintain
proper pressure.
TIRE PRESSURE WARNING SYSTEM
RESET SWITCH
The tire pressure warning system need
to be initialized in the following condi-
tions:

When the low tire pressure warning
light blinks twice every second

After replacing or rotating tires or
wheels
When initializing the system, the pres-
ent tire condition is stored as a stan-
dard.

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Some parts of the audio system can be
adjusted using the switches on the steer-
ing wheel.
Details of the specific switches, controls,
and features are described below.1. -
+º switch
2.  
º switch
3. MODEº switch -
+º switch
Push +º side to increase the volume. The
volume continues to increase while the
switch is being pushed.
Push - º side to decrease the volume.
The volume continues to decrease while
the switch is being pushed.
 
º switch
Radio
To select a preset station:
Quickly push and release the 
º or  º
side of the switch. Do this again to select
the next preset station.
To seek a station:
Push and hold the 
º or  º side of the
switch until you hear a beep. Do this
again to find the next station. If you push
the switch on either side during the seek
mode, seeking will be cancelled.
To step up or down the frequency, push
and hold the switch even after you hear
a beep. When you release from the
switch, the radio will begin seeking up or
down for a station. Do this again to find
the next station. Cassette player
To skip to a different track in either direc-
tion:
Quickly push and release the 

º or  º
side of the switch. FF 1º or REW 1º will
appear on the display.
Next, push either side of the track switch
until the track you want to listen to is set.
If you push the switch ten times, the skip
function will turn off. (You can skip up to
nine tracks at a time.)
When counting the number of the tracks
you want to rewind, remember to count
the current track as well. For example, if
you want to rewind to a song that is two
tracks before the song you are listening
to, push the  º side of the switch three
times.
If you push the track switch further than
you wanted to, push the other side of the
switch. The track number will be in-
creased or reduced.
Audio remote controls
(steering switches)

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When the anti- lock brake system is ac-
tivated, the following conditions may
occur. They do not indicate a malfunc-
tion of the system:

You may hear the anti- lock brake sys-
tem operating and feel the brake pedal
pulsating and the vibrations of the ve-
hicle body and steering wheel. You
may also hear the motor sound in the
engine compartment even after the ve-
hicle is stopped.

At the end of the anti- lock brake sys-
tem activation, the brake pedal may
move a little forward.
CAUTION
Do not overestimate the anti- lock
brake system: Although the anti- lock
brake system assists in providing ve-
hicle control, it is still important to
drive with all due care and maintain
a moderate speed and safe distance
from the vehicle in front of you, be-
cause there are limits to the vehicle
stability and effectiveness of steering
wheel operation even with the anti-
lock brake system on.
If tire grip performance exceeds its
capability, or if hydroplaning occurs
during high speed driving in the rain,
the anti- lock brake system does not
provide vehicle control.
Anti- lock brake system is not de-
signed to shorten the stopping dis-
tance: Always drive at a moderate
speed and maintain a safe distance
from the vehicle in front of you.
Compared with vehicles without an
anti- lock brake system, your vehicle
may require a longer stopping dis-
tance in the following cases:

Driving on rough, gravel or snow-
covered roads.

Driving with tire chains installed.

Driving over the steps such as the
joints on the road.

Driving on roads where the road
surface is pitted or has other differ-
ences in surface height.
Install all 4 tires of specified size at
appropriate pressure: The anti- lock
brake system detects vehicle speeds
using the speed sensors for respec-
tive wheels' turning speeds. The use
of tires other than specified may fail
to detect the accurate turning speed
resulting in a longer stopping dis-
tance.

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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 modelsWith automatic transmission
345 kg (761 lb.)
With manual transmission 375 kg (826 lb.)
Two- 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 occupantsare 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 distributionº
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 luggageÐ
ÐStowage precautions

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Two- wheel drive modelsÐ
With automatic transmission251 kg ± 176 kg = 75 kg.
( 553 lb. ± 388 lb. = 165 lb. )
With manual transmission 281 kg ± 176 kg = 105 kg.
( 619 lb. ± 388 lb. = 231 lb. )
As shown in the above example, if the
number of occupants increases, the
cargo and luggage load equaling the
combined weight of occupants who
got on later must be reduced. In other
words, if the increase in the number
of occupants causes the excess of
the total load capacity (combined
weight of occupants plus cargo and
luggage load), you have to reduce the
cargo and luggage on your vehicle.
For details about total load capacity,
see Vehicle load limitsº on page 221.CAUTION
Even if the total load of occu-
pant's weight and the cargo load
is less than the total load capac-
ity, do not apply the load uneven-
ly. That may cause not only dam-
age to the tire but also deteriora-
tion to the steering ability due to
unbalance of the vehicle, causing
an accident.
Cargo
capacity Weight of the
removed second seat
SEATING CONFIGURATION
VARIATION
In case of removing the rear seats,
it is possible to load as much cargo
as the weight of the removed seats.
(Cargo capacity) = (Total load capac-
ity) - (Total weight of occupants) +
(Weight of the removed rear seats)
Rear seat weight: Each seat 17 kg (37.5 lb.)

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1. Check the area around the vehicle be-fore entering it.
2. Adjust seat position, seatback angle, seat cushion angle, head restraint
height and steering wheel angle.
3. Adjust the inside and outside rear view mirrors.
4. Lock all doors.
5. Fasten seat belts. 1. Apply the parking brake firmly.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and acces-
sories.
3. Manual transmission: Press the clutch
pedal to the floor and shift the trans-
mission into neutral. Hold the clutch
pedal to the floor until the engine is
started. A starter safety device will pre-
vent the starter from operating if the
clutch pedal is not fully depressed.
Automatic transmission: Put the se-
lector lever in Pº. If you need to re-
start the engine while the vehicle is
moving, put the selector lever in Nº.
A starter safety device will prevent the
starter from operating if the selector
lever is in any drive position.
4. Automatic transmission only: De-
press the brake pedal and hold it to
the floor until driving off. Before starting the engine, be sure to fol-
low the instructions in (a) Before crank-
ingº.
Normal starting procedure
The multiport fuel injection system/sequen-
tial multiport fuel injection system in your
engine automatically controls the proper
air- fuel mixture for starting. You can start
a cold or hot engine as follows:
With your foot off the accelerator pedal,
crank the engine by turning the key to
STARTº. Release it when the engine
starts.
Engine should be warmed up by driving,
not in idle. For warming up, drive with
smoothly turning engine until engine cool-
ant temperature is within normal range.
If the engine stalls...
Simply restart it, using the correct proce-
dure given in normal starting.
If the engine will not start...
See If your vehicle will not startº on page
242 in Section 4.
Before starting the engine
How to start the engineÐ
(a) Before cranking
(b) Starting the engine

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Be careful when accelerating, up-
shifting, downshifting or braking on
a slippery surface. Sudden accelera-
tion or engine braking, could cause
the vehicle to skid or spin.

Do not drive in excess of the speed
limit. Even if the legal speed limit
permits it, do not drive over 140
km/h (85 mph) unless your vehicle
has high- speed capability tires.
Driving over 140 km/h (85 mph) may
result in tire failure, loss of control
and possible injury. Be sure to con-
sult a tire dealer to determine
whether the tires on your vehicle
are high- speed capability tires or
not before driving at such speeds.

Do not continue normal driving
when the brakes are wet. If they are
wet, your vehicle will require a
longer stopping distance, and it
may pull to one side when the
brakes are applied. Also, the park-
ing brake will not hold the vehicle
securely.
When driving your vehicle off- road, please
observe the following precautions to en-
sure your driving enjoyment and to help
prevent the closure of areas to off- road
vehicles.a. Drive your vehicle only in areas where off- road vehicles are permitted to trav-
el.
b. Respect private property. Get owner 's permission before entering private prop-
erty.
c. Do not enter areas that are closed. Honor gates, barriers and signs that re-
strict travel.
d. Stay on established roads. When condi- tions are wet, driving techniques should
be changed or travel delayed to pre-
vent damage to roads.
For owners in U.S. mainland, Hawaii and
Puerto Rico:
To obtain additional information pertaining
to driving your vehicle off- road, consult
the following organizations.

State and Local Parks and Recreation
Departments

State Motor Vehicle Bureau

Recreational Vehicle Clubs

U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of
Land Management
CAUTION
Always observe the following precau-
tions to minimize the risk of serious
personal injury or damage to your ve-
hicle:

Drive carefully when off the road.
Do not take unnecessary risks by
driving in dangerous places.

Do not grip the steering wheel
spokes when driving off- road. A
bad bump could jerk the wheel and
injure your hands. Keep both hands
and especially your thumbs on the
outside of the rim.

Always check your brakes for effec-
tiveness immediately after driving in
sand, mud, water or snow.

After driving through tall grass,
mud, rock, sand, rivers, etc., check
that there is no grass, bush, paper,
rags, stone, sand, etc. adhering or
trapped on the underbody. Clear off
any such matter from the under-
body. If the vehicle is used with
these materials trapped or adhering
to the underbody, a breakdown or
fire could occur.
Off- road driving precautions