2006 TOYOTA RAV4 ECO mode

’06 Rav4_U (L/O 0601)
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2005 RAV4 from Jan. ’06 Prod. (OM42620U)
For the U.S.A.
For Canada
HEADLIGHTS
To turn on the following lights: Twist
the headlight/turn signal lever knob.
Position 1—Parking, tail, license plate,
side marker and instrument panel lights
For Canada—The tail light indicator (green
light) on the instrument panel will tell you
that the tail lights are on.
Position 2—Headlights and all of the
above
For the U.S.A.—The headlight low beam
indicator light (green light) on the instru-
ment panel will tell you that the low
beams are on.
Automatic light cut off system
If the driver ’s door is opened and closed
with the engine turned off, the lights will
automatically turn off after 30 seconds. If
all the doors are locked with the wireless
remote control, the lights will turn off im-
mediately.
To turn on the lights again, turn the igni-
tion key to the “ON” position or turn the
headlight switch on. If you are going to
park for over one week, make sure the
headlight switch is off.NOTICE
To prevent the battery from being dis-
charged, do not leave the lights on
for a long period when the engine is
not running.
Daytime running light system
(on some models)
The headlights turn on at reduced intensi-
ty when the parking brake is released with
the engine started, even with the light
switch in the “OFF” position. They will not
go off until the ignition switch is turned
off.
To turn on the other exterior lights and
instrument panel lights, twist the knob to
the position 1.
Twist the knob to the position 2 to turn
the headlights to full intensity for driving
at night.
Headlights and turn signals

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“AUTO LSD” indicator light
(two−wheel drive models)
Slip indicator light
Downhill assist control system indicator
light
Four −wheel drive lock indicator light
The SRS warning light goes off after
about 6 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.

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2005 RAV4 from Jan. ’06 Prod. (OM42620U)
(b) Normal driving1. Start the engine as instructed in “How to start the engine” on page 306 in
Section 3. The transmission must be in
“P” or “N”.
2. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the selector lever to “D”.
When the lever is in the “D” position, the
automatic transmission system will select
the most suitable gear for running condi-
tions such as normal cruising, hill climb-
ing, hard towing, etc.
Always use the “D” position for better fuel
economy and quieter driving. If the engine
coolant temperature is low, the transmis-
sion will not shift into the overdrive gear
even in the “D” position.
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. (c) Using engine braking
To use engine braking, you can downshift
the transmission as follows:
Shift into the “3” position. The trans-
mission will downshift to third gear
when the vehicle speed drops down to
or lower than the following speed, and
stronger engine braking will be en-
abled.
Tw o −wheel drive models
173 km/h (108 mph)
Four −wheel drive models
164 km/h (102 mph)
Shift into the “2” position. The trans-
mission will downshift to second gear
when the vehicle speed drops down to
or lower than the following speed, and
stronger engine braking will be en-
abled.
Tw o −wheel drive models
113 km/h (70 mph)
Four −wheel drive models
107 km/h (66 mph)
Shift into the “L” position. The trans-
mission will downshift to first gear
when the vehicle speed drops down to
or lower than the following speed, and
maximum engine braking will be en-
abled.
Tw o −wheel drive models
56 km/h (35 mph)
Four −wheel drive models
53 km/h (33 mph)
When the cruise control is being used,
even if you downshift from “D” to “3”,
engine braking will not be enabled be-
cause the cruise control is not cancelled.
For ways to decrease the vehicle speed,
see “Cruise control” on page 166 in this
Section.
CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a
slippery surface. Abrupt shifting
could cause the vehicle to skid or
spin.

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(d) Using “2” and “L” positions
The “2” and “L” positions are used for
strong engine braking as described pre-
viously.
With the selector lever in “2” or “L”, you
can start the vehicle in motion as with the
lever in “D”.
With the selector lever in “2”, the vehicle
will start in first gear and automatically
shift to second gear.
With the selector lever in “L”, the trans-
mission is engaged in first gear.
NOTICE
Be careful not to overrev the en-
gine. Watch the tachometer to keep
engine rpm from going into the red
zone. The approximate maximum al-
lowable speed for each position is
given below for your reference:
Twowheel drive models“2” 126 km/h (78 mph) . . . . . . . . .
“L” 70 km/h (43 mph) . . . . . . . . . .
Fourwheel drive models “2” 120 km/h (74 mph) . . . . . . . . .
“L” 67 km/h (41 mph) . . . . . . . . . .
Do not continue hill climbing or
hard towing for a long time in the
“2” or “L” position. This may cause
severe automatic transmission dam-
age from overheating. To prevent
such damage, “3” position should
be used in hill climbing or hard
towing.
(e) 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
“R” position.
NOTICE
Never shift into reverse while the ve-
hicle is moving.
(f) 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 “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.
(g) Good driving practice
If the transmission repeatedly shifts up
and down between third gear and over-
drive when climbing a gentle slope,
shift the selector lever to the “3” posi-
tion. Be sure to shift the selector lever
to the “D” position immediately after-
ward.
When towing a trailer, in order to main-
tain engine braking efficiency, do not
use “D” position.

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2005 RAV4 from Jan. ’06 Prod. (OM42620U)
The traction control system automatical-
ly helps prevent the spinning of the
front wheels (twowheel drive models)
or 4 wheels (fourwheel drive models)
when the vehicle is started or acceler-
ated on slippery road surfaces.
When the ignition key is turned to “ON”,
the system automatically turns on.
CAUTION
Under certain slippery road condi-
tions, full traction of the vehicle and
power to the front wheels (twowheel
drive models) or 4 wheels (fourwheel
drive models) cannot be maintained,
even though the traction control sys-
tem is in operation. Do not drive the
vehicle under any speed or maneuver-
ing conditions which may cause the
vehicle to lose traction control. If the
road surface is covered with ice or
snow, your vehicle should be fitted
with snow tires or tire chains. Always
drive at a speed that is appropriate
for the present road conditions.
A sound may be heard from the engine
compartment for a few seconds when the
engine is started or just after the vehicle
begins to move. This means that the sys-
tem is in the self−check mode. This sound
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 (two
−wheel drive models)
or 4 wheels (four −wheels drive mod-
els). At this time, the slip indicator light
blinks.
The vehicle may vibrate or make a
noise due to brake operation. This indi-
cates the system is functioning proper-
ly.
The slip indicator light comes on for a few
seconds when the ignition key is turned
to “ON”. If the indicator light does not
come on when the ignition key is turned
to “ON”, contact your Toyota dealer.
Traction control system

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2005 RAV4 from Jan. ’06 Prod. (OM42620U)
“VSC” warning light
This light warns that there is a problem
somewhere in the following systems:
Traction control system
“AUTO LSD” system
Vehicle stability control system
Downhill assist control system
Hill−start assist control system
The light will come on when the ignition
key is turned to “ON”. When the systems
are work properly, the light turns off after
a few seconds. If the light comes on while driving, all the
above systems will not work. In such a
case, the brakes will operate when applied
(no electronic assistance will be avail-
able), and it will be possible to continue
driving the vehicle.
In the following cases, contact your Toyota
dealer:
The warning light does not come on
when the ignition key is turned to
“ON”.
The warning light remains on after the
ignition key is turned to “ON”.
The warning light comes on while driv-
ing.
The “AUTO LSD” system aids traction
by using the traction control system to
control engine performance and braking
when one of the front wheels begins to
spin.
This system is used only when wheel
spinning occurs in a ditch or on a
rough surface.
This system is effective in case one of
the front wheels is spinning.
NOTICE
Do not use the “AUTO LSD” system
in conditions other than the above. A
much greater steering effort and more
careful cornering control will be re-
quired.
“AUTO LSD” system
(twowheel drive models)

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2005 RAV4 from Jan. ’06 Prod. (OM42620U)
If the light comes on while driving, all the
above systems will not work. In such a
case, the brakes will operate when applied
(no electronic assistance will be avail-
able), and it will be possible to continue
driving the vehicle.
In the following cases, contact your Toyota
dealer:
The warning light does not come on
when the ignition key is turned to
“ON”.
The warning light remains on after the
ignition key is turned to “ON”.
The warning light comes on while driv-
ing.The vehicle stability control system
helps provide integrated control of the
such systems as the antilock brake,
brake assist, traction control, engine
control, electric power steering. This
system automatically controls the
brakes, engine and power steering to
help prevent the vehicle from skidding
when cornering on a slippery road sur-
face or operating steering wheel abrupt-
ly.
This system activates when the vehicle
speed exceeds about 15 km/h (9 mph).
A sound may be heard from the engine
compartment for a few seconds when the
engine is started or just after the vehicle
begins to move. This means that the sys-
tem is in the self
−check mode. This sound
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 death or serious injury. Reck-
less driving will result in an unex-
pected accident. If the slip indicator
light flashes, and an alarm sounds,
special care should be taken while
driving.
Use only tires of the 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 deal-
er. (See “Checking and replacing
tires” on page 374 in Section 72.)
In situations where the road surface
is covered with ice or snow, your
vehicle should be fitted with snow
tires or tire chains.
Enhanced vehicle stability
control system
(twowheel drive vehicles)

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2005 RAV4 from Jan. ’06 Prod. (OM42620U)
The vehicle stability control system
helps provide integrated control of the
such systems as the antilock brake,
brake assist, traction control, engine
control, electric power steering, active
torque control 4WD. This system auto-
matically controls the brakes, engine
and power steering as well as driving
force to all the 4 wheels to help pre-
vent the vehicle from skidding when
cornering on a slippery road surface or
operating steering wheel abruptly.
This system activates when the vehicle
speed exceeds about 15 km/h (9 mph).
A sound may be heard from the engine
compartment for a few seconds when the
engine is started or just after the vehicle
begins to move. This means that the sys-
tem is in the self−check mode. This sound
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 death or serious injury. Reck-
less driving will result in an unex-
pected accident. If the slip indicator
light flashes, and an alarm sounds,
special care should be taken while
driving.
Use only tires of the 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 deal-
er. (See “Checking and replacing
tires” on page 374 in Section 72.)
In situations where the road surface
is covered with ice or snow, your
vehicle should be fitted with snow
tires or tire chains.
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 “ON”. If the indicator light does not
come on when the ignition key is turned
to “ON”, contact your Toyota dealer.
Enhanced vehicle stability
control system
(fourwheel drive vehicles)