
'05 Rav4_U (L/O 0409)
11 6
2005 RAV4 from Sep. '04 Prod. (OM42570U)
(k) 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 Pº. 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.
(l) VSC TRACº Warning Light
This light warns that there is a problem
somewhere in the vehicle stability control
system or traction control system.
The light will come on when the ignition
key is turned to ONº and will go off after
a few seconds.
If the light comes on while driving, the
system does not work. However, as con-
ventional braking operates when applied,
there is no problem to continue your driv-
ing.
In the following cases, contact your Toyota
dealer:
The warning light does not come on
after the ignition key is turned to ONº.
The warning light remains on after the
ignition key is turned to ONº.
The warning light comes on while driv-
ing.
Two- wheel drive models onlyÐThe TRAC
OFFº indicator light will come on when the
VSC TRACº warning light comes on even
if the TRAC OFFº switch is not pushed. (m) Low Tire Pressure Warning Light
This light warns that the tire inflation pres-
sure is critically low. The light comes on
when the ignition key is turned to the
ONº position. It goes off after a few sec-
onds. This indicates that the low tire pres-
sure warning system is functioning proper-
ly.
If the light comes on while driving, adjust
tire inflation pressure to the specified lev-
el. (See Tiresº on page 316 in Section 8.)
After the tire inflation pressure is adjusted,
push the tire pressure warning system re-
set switch for a few seconds and make
sure the warning light goes off. If the light
still remains or blinks once every second,
have the low tire pressure warning system
checked at your Toyota dealer.
If the light blinks twice every second, the
low tire pressure warning system needs to
be initialized.
For details, see Tire pressure warning
systemº on page 131 in Section 1- 7.

'05 Rav4_U (L/O 0409)
11 7
2005 RAV4 from Sep. '04 Prod. (OM42570U)
(n) Low Windshield Washer Fluid LevelWarning Light (for vehicles sold in
Canada)
The light warns that the windshield washer
fluid level is too low. Add washer fluid at
your earliest opportunity. (For instructions,
see Adding washer fluidº on page 303 in
Section 7- 3.)
(o) Engine Oil Replacement Reminder Light (for vehicles sold in U.S.A.)
This light acts as a reminder to replace
the engine oil.
This light will come on when the ignition
key is turned to ONº and will go off after
about a few seconds.
When you drive for about 7200 km (4500
miles) after the engine oil replacement,
this light illuminates for about 3 seconds
and then flashes for about 12 seconds
with the ignition key turned to the ONº
position. If you continue driving without
replacing the engine oil, and if the dis-
tance driven exceeds 8000 km (5000
miles), the light will come on after the
ignition key is turned to ONº position.
The light will remain on thereafter. If the light is flashing, we recommend that
you replace the engine oil at an early
opportunity depending on the driving and
road conditions. If the light comes on,
replace it as soon as possible.
The system must be reset after the en-
gine oil replacement. Reset the system by
the following procedure:
1. Turn the ignition key to the OFFº posi- tion with the odometer reading shown.
(For details, see Odometer and two
trip metersº on page 108 in this Sec-
tion.)
2. Turn the ignition key to the ONº posi- tion while holding down the trip meter
reset knob.
Hold down the knob for at least 5 sec-
onds. The odometer indicates 000000º
and the light goes off.
If the system fails to reset, the light will
continue flashing.
(p) Key Reminder Buzzer
This buzzer acts as a reminder to remove
the key when you open the driver's door
with the ignition key in the ACCº or
LOCKº position. (q) Light Reminder Buzzer
This buzzer will sound if the headlight
switch is left on and the driver's door is
opened with the key removed from the
ignition switch.

'05 Rav4_U (L/O 0409)
11 8
2005 RAV4 from Sep. '04 Prod. (OM42570U)
CHECKING SERVICE REMINDER
INDICATORS (except the low fuel level
warning light and low windshield
washer fluid level warning light)
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Open one of the doors. The open door warning light should
come on.
3. Close the door. The open door warning light should go
off.
4. Turn the ignition key to ONº, but do not start the engine.
All the service reminder indicators ex-
cept the open door warning light should
come on. The ABSº and VSC TRACº
warning lights, low tire pressure warn-
ing light and engine oil replacement
reminder light go off after a few sec-
onds. The SRS warning light goes off
after about 6 seconds. (The TRAC
OFFº indicator light and slip indicator
light also come on and go off after a
few seconds.)
If any service reminder indicator or warn-
ing buzzer does not function as described
above, have it checked by your Toyota
dealer as soon as possible.

'05 Rav4_U (L/O 0409)
11 9
2005 RAV4 from Sep. '04 Prod. (OM42570U)
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 135
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 1- 7

'05 Rav4_U (L/O 0409)
120
2005 RAV4 from Sep. '04 Prod. (OM42570U)
STARTºÐStarter motor on. The key
will return to the ONº position when
released.
For starting tips, see page 227 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 STARTº position.
ONºÐEngine 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 ONº posi-
tion.
ACCºÐAccessories such as the radio
operate, but the engine is off.
If you leave the key in the ACCº or
LOCKº position and open the driver's
door, a buzzer will remind you to remove
the key.
LOCKºÐEngine 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
ACCº to the LOCKº position. On vehicles
with an automatic transmission, the selec-
tor lever must be in the Pº position be-
fore pushing the key.
Vehicles with engine immobilizer sys-
temÐOnce you remove the key, the en-
gine immobilizer system is automatically
set. (See Engine immobilizer systemº on
page 13 in Section 1- 2.)
When starting the engine, the key may
seem stuck at the LOCKº 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 ONº
position if the engine is not running.The battery will discharge and theignition could be damaged.
Ignition switch with steering
lock

'05 Rav4_U (L/O 0409)
121
2005 RAV4 from Sep. '04 Prod. (OM42570U)
Your automatic transmission has a shift
lock system to minimize the possibility of
incorrect operation. This means you can
only shift out of Pº position when the
brake pedal is depressed (with the ignition
switch in ONº position and the lock re-
lease button depressed).
(a) Selector lever
The shift position is also displayed on the
instrument cluster.
P:Parking, engine starting and
key removal
R: Reverse
N: Neutral
D: Normal driving (with overdrive on)
2: Stronger engine braking
L: Maximum engine braking
Automatic transmission
Lock release button
To prevent misshifting
With the brake pedal depressed,
shift while holding the lock release
button in. (The ignition switch must
be in ONº position.)
Shift while holding the lock release
button in.
Shift normally. Selector lever
Overdrive
switch

'05 Rav4_U (L/O 0409)
126
2005 RAV4 from Sep. '04 Prod. (OM42570U)
The traction control system automatical-
ly helps prevent the spinning of front
wheels when the vehicle is started or
accelerated on slippery road surfaces.
When the ignition key is turned to ONº,
the system automatically turns on.
CAUTION
Under certain slippery road condi-
tions, full traction of the vehicle and
power against front wheels cannot be
maintained, even though the traction
control system is in operation. Do not
drive the vehicle under any speed or
maneuvering conditions which may
cause the vehicle to lose traction
control. In situations where the road
surface is covered with ice or snow,
your vehicle should be fitted with
snow tires or tire chains. Always
drive at an appropriate and cautious
speed for the present road condi-
tions.
NORMAL DRIVING MODE
Leave the system on during the ordi-
nary driving so that it can operate
when needed.
You may hear a sound in the engine
compartment for a few seconds just after
the vehicle begins to move. This means
that the traction control system is in the
self- check mode, but does not indicate a
malfunction.When the traction control system is oper-
ating, the following conditions occur:
The system controls the spinning of the
front wheels. At this time, the slip indi-
cator light blinks.
You may feel vibration or noise in your
vehicle, caused by operation of the
brakes. This indicates the system is
functioning properly.
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.
Traction control system
(two- wheel drive models)

'05 Rav4_U (L/O 0409)
127
2005 RAV4 from Sep. '04 Prod. (OM42570U)
TRACTION CONTROL OFF MODE
If your wheels get stuck in a ditch
when you are driving on a severe off
road and sand, turn off the traction
control system. This system that con-
trols engine performance interferes with
the process of freeing your wheels.
To turn off: Push TRAC OFFº switch.
The TRAC OFFº indicator light will come
on.
The vehicle stability control system is al-
ways activated, even if the traction control
system is turned off.
To turn on: Push TRAC OFFº switch
once again.
The TRAC OFFº indicator light will go off.TRAC OFFº indicator light comes on for
a few seconds when the ignition key is
turned to ONº. It will come on again
when you push the TRAC OFFº switch to
turn off the system.
In the following cases, contact your Toyota
dealer:
The indicator light does not come on
when the ignition key is turned ONº.
The indicator light remains on after the
ignition is turned on.
The indicator light comes on with the
normal driving mode while driving.
VSC TRACº warning light
This light warns that there is a problem
somewhere in the traction control system
or the vehicle stability control system.
The light will come on when the ignition
key is turned to ONº and will go off after
a few seconds.
If the light comes on while driving, the
system does not work. However, as con-
ventional braking operates when applied,
there is no problem to continue your driv-
ing.