2008 TOYOTA RAV4 section

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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.
(h) If you cannot shift the selector le-ver out of the “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 378 in Section 4.

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(b) Normal driving1. Start the engine as instructed in “How to start the engine” on page 342 in
Section 3. The transmission must be in
the “P” or “N” position.
2. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the selector lever to the
“D” position.
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 “4” position. The trans-
mission will downshift to fourth gear
and engine braking will be enabled.
Shift into the “3” position. The trans-
mission will downshift to third gear
when the vehicle speed drops down to
or lower than 161 km/h (100 mph),
and stronger engine braking will be en-
abled.
Shift into the “2” position. The trans-
mission will downshift to second gear
when the vehicle speed drops down to
or lower than 99 km/h (62 mph), and
stronger engine braking will be en-
abled.
Shift into the “L” position. The trans-
mission will downshift to first gear
when the vehicle speed drops down to
or lower than 42 km/h (26 mph), and
maximum engine braking will be en-
abled.
When the cruise control is being used,
even if you downshift from the “D” to “4”
position, engine braking will not be en-
abled because the cruise control is not
cancelled. For ways to decrease the vehicle speed,
see “Cruise control” on page 168 in this
Section.
CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a
slippery surface. Abrupt shifting
could cause the vehicle to skid or
spin.
(d) Using the “3”, “2” and “L” posi-
tions
The “3”, “2” and “L” positions are used for
strong engine braking as described pre-
viously.
With the selector lever in the “3”, “2” or
“L” position, you can start the vehicle in
motion as with the lever in the “D” posi-
tion.
With the selector lever in the “3” or “2”
position, the vehicle will start in first gear
and automatically shift to third gear or
second gear.
With the selector lever in the “L” position,
the transmission is engaged in first gear.

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(h) If you cannot shift the selector le-ver out of the “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 378 in Section 4. The active torque control 4WD system
controls the engine torque that is ap-
plied to the rear wheels according to
the driving conditions and road condi-
tions. When the vehicle’s driving condi-
tions are stable such as driving straight
ahead, the engine torque is applied to
only the front wheels.
FOURWHEEL DRIVE LOCK SWITCH
When the vehicle is driven on loose
surfaces, such as sand, gravel, or deep
snow, or if the vehicle gets stuck,
pushing the fourwheel drive lock
switch to ensure that the engine torque
is applied to the 4 wheels.
When the four
−wheel drive lock switch is
pushed, the four −wheel drive lock indicator
light blinks twice and remains on until the
four −wheel drive lock is canceled.
To cancel the four −wheel drive lock, push
the switch once again and the four −wheel
drive lock indicator light will go off.
Active torque control 4WD
system

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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 engine switch is turned to the
“ON” position.
The warning light remains on after the
engine switch is turned to the “ON”
position.
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 410 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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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 410 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 engine switch is turned
to the “ON” position. If the indicator light
does not come on when the engine switch
is turned to the “ON” position, contact
your Toyota dealer.
Enhanced vehicle stability
control system
(fourwheel drive models)

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OPERATION OF INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLS
Audio and handsfree phone systems
Reference172
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Using your audio system 173
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AUX adapter 191
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Audio remote controls 191
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. . .
Rear seat entertainment system 194
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Audio/video system operating hints 232
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Hands −free phone system 239
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SECTION 1 8

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This section describes some of the basic
features on Toyota audio systems. Some
information may not pertain to your sys-
tem.
Your audio system works when the engine
switch is in the “ACC” or “ON” position.
TURNING THE SYSTEM ON AND OFF
Push “PWR·VOL” to turn the audio system
on and off.
Push “AM”, “AM·SAT”
∗, “FM1”, “FM2” or
“DISC·AUX” to turn on that function with-
out pushing “PWR·VOL”. To turn on the
compact disc player, a compact disc must
be loaded in the player.
You can turn on compact disc player by
inserting a compact disc.
You can turn off the compact disc player
by ejecting the compact disc. If the audio
system was previously off, then the entire
audio system will be turned off when you
eject the compact disc. If other function
was previously playing, it will come on
again.
∗: Use of satellite radio requires XM 
tuner and service. Contact your Toyota
dealer for details. SWITCHING BETWEEN FUNCTIONS
Push “AM”, “AM·SAT”
∗, “FM1”, “FM2”,
“DISC·AUX” if the system is already on
but you want to switch from one function
to other.
∗: Use of satellite radio requires XM 
tuner and service. Contact your Toyota
dealer for details.
LISTENING TO THE XM  SATELLITE
RADIO BROADCAST
∗ (type 21 and 22)
To listen to a satellite radio broadcast in
your vehicle, an additional genuine Toyota
satellite receiver and antenna (or equiva-
lents) must be purchased and installed. A
subscription to the XM  Satellite Radio
service is also necessary.
How to subscribe to an XM  Satellite
Radio
An XM  Satellite Radio is a tuner de-
signed exclusively to receive broadcasts
provided under a separate subscription.
Availability is limited to the 48 contiguous
U.S. states and 10 Canadian provinces. How to subscribe:
You must enter into a separate service
agreement with the XM
 Satellite Radio in
order to receive satellite broadcast pro-
gramming in the vehicle. Additional activa-
tion and service subscription fees apply
that are not included in the purchase price
of the vehicle and optional digital satellite
tuner. For complete information on sub-
scription rates and terms, or to subscribe
to the XM  Satellite Radio,
U.S.A.—
Visit on the web at www.xmradio.com
or
call 1 −800− 967−2346.
Canada—
Visit on the web at www.xmradio.ca
or call
1 −877− 438−9677.
The XM  Satellite Radio is solely respon-
sible for the quality, availability and con-
tent of the satellite radio services pro-
vided, which are subject to the terms and
conditions of the XM  Satellite Radio cus-
tomer service agreement.
Customers should have their radio ID
ready; the radio ID can be found by tun-
ing to “channel 000” on the radio. For
details, see “Displaying the radio ID” be-
low.
Using your audio system—
—Some basics

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“”: The channel you selected is no
longer available. Wait for about 2 seconds
until the radio returns to the previous
channel or “CH001”. If it does not change
automatically, select another channel.
The XM  Listener Care Center is also
available on the phone, please call
1 −800− 967−2346 (U.S.A.) or
1 −877− 438−9677 (Canada).
∗: Use of satellite radio requires XM 
tuner and service. Contact your Toyota
dealer for details.
AUDIO CONTROL (Tone and sound bal-
ance adjustment function)
Each time you push the “AUDIO
CONTROL” knob, the mode changes. To
adjust the tone and balance, turn the
knob.
Ty p e 2 −1—
BAS: Adjusts low −pitched tones. The dis-
play ranges from −5 to 5.
TRE: Adjusts high −pitched tones. The dis-
play ranges from −5 to 5. FAD: Adjusts the sound balance between
the front and rear speakers. The display
ranges from F7 to R7.
BAL: Adjusts the sound balance between
the right and left speakers. The display
ranges from L7 to R7.
ASL: The Automatic Sound Levelizer can
be turned on by turning the knob. In addi-
tion, turning the knob allows you to select
from LOW, MID, and HIGH volume and
tone settings. The ASL system automati-
cally adjusts volume and tone in accor-
dance with the driving speed. This helps
ensure an optimal listening experience
even if noise levels rise while driving.
Ty p e 2
−2—
BAS: Adjusts low −pitched tones. The dis-
play ranges from −5 to 5.
MID: Adjusts mid −pitched tones. The dis-
play ranges from −5 to 5.
TRE: Adjusts high −pitched tones. The dis-
play ranges from −5 to 5.
FAD: Adjusts the sound balance between
the front and rear speakers. The display
ranges from F7 to R7.
BAL: Adjusts the sound balance between
the right and left speakers. The display
ranges from L7 to R7. ASL: The Automatic Sound Levelizer can
be turned on by turning the knob. The
ASL system automatically adjusts volume
and tone in accordance with ambient noise
levels. This helps ensure an optimal lis-
tening experience even when road, wind
or other ambient noise levels rise.
RSE: Vehicles with a rear seat entertain-
ment system—See “Rear seat entertain-
ment system” on page 194 in this Section.
DISC·AUX (Compact disc)
Push the “DISC·AUX” button to play a
compact disc.
When the audio system is set into com-
pact disc operation, the display shows the
track, or track and disc number currently
being played.
Vehicles with rear seat entertainment sys-
tem—
The “DISC·AUX” button may also be used
to operate the DVD player when a disc is
in the DVD player. Pressing the
“DISC·AUX” button allows you to switch
between the CD player and the DVD play-
er. When the DVD player is in operation,
“RSE DVD” appears on the display.