2008 TOYOTA RAV4 Engine

’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
155
2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
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)

’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
156
2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
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.“VSC” warning light
This light warns that there is a problem
somewhere in the following systems:
Traction control system
“AUTO LSD” system
Enhanced vehicle stability control sys-
tem
Downhill assist control system
Hill−start assist control system
The light will come on when the engine
switch is turned to the “ON” position.
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 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.

’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
157
2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
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)

’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
158
2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
“VSC” warning light
This light warns that there is a problem
somewhere in the following systems:
Traction control system
Enhanced vehicle stability control sys-
tem
Downhill assist control system
Hill −start assist control system
The light will come on when the engine
switch is turned to the “ON” position.
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 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 downhill assist control system as-
sists the deceleration of the engine
brake when you drive down a steep hill.
When you are driving down a hill,
pushing the “DAC” switch turns on the
system. If the vehicle is traveling at a
speed of 25 km/h (15 mph) or less, you
can descend at a constant speed.
CAUTION
Do not rely excessively on the down-
hill assist control system. It may not
be able to maintain a low speed over
road surfaces or offroad surfaces on
which sliding can easily occur, such
as extremely steep slopes or icy or
muddy roads.
TO ACTIVATE THE DOWNHILL ASSIST
CONTROL SYSTEM
1. In order to make full use of the en- gine brake, put the transmission se-
lector lever in “L” (forward) or “R”
(reverse).
Downhill assist control system

’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
159
2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
2. Push the “DAC” switch to turn thesystem on. The downhill assist con-
trol system indicator light will come
on.
If the downhill assist control system indi-
cator light flashes, the selector lever may
not be in “L” or “R”.
If the indicator light does not come on
when the switch is pushed, or the indica-
tor light flashes when the selector lever is
in “L” or “R”, contact your Toyota dealer.With the vehicle traveling at a speed of
25 km/h (15 mph) or less, release the
brake pedal and accelerator pedal to acti-
vate the system. The vehicle will descend
the hill at a low speed.
While the system is operating, the slip
indicator light will flash and the stoplights
and high mounted stoplight will be lit. A
sound may also occur during the opera-
tion. This does not indicate a malfunction.
If the brakes are applied while the system
is operating, a kickback from the brake
pedal may result and a sound may occur.
This does not indicate a malfunction. If the “DAC” switch is pushed to turn the
system off while it is in operation, the
system will stop operating gra
dually. The
downhill assist control system indicator
light will flash to alert the driver. To con-
tinue driving at a low speed, push the
“DAC” switch to turn the system on.
The slip indicator light and downhill assist
control system indicator light come on for
a few seconds when the engine switch is
turned to the “ON” position. If any of the
indicator lights does not come on when
the engine switch is turned to the “ON”
position, contact your Toyota dealer.
If the brake actuator temperature becomes
too high, the downhill assist control sys-
tem indicator light will flash and a buzzer
will start to sound intermittently. This indi-
cates that the system cannot operate for
much longer. In this case, stop the vehicle
immediately in a safe place.
If the system continues to operate while
driving, the buzzer will sound for about 3
seconds. The system will temporarily stop
operating in order to protect the brake
actuator. Although the downhill assist con-
trol system is not operating, it is still pos-
sible to continue your driving.

’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
160
2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
The operation of the system will be auto-
matically restored after the actuator cools
down. The downhill assist control system
indicator light changes from flash to re-
main on after operation is restored.
“VSC” warning light
This light warns that there is a problem
somewhere in the following systems:
Traction control system
“AUTO LSD” system
Enhanced vehicle stability control sys-
tem
Downhill assist control system
Hill−start assist control system
When the engine switch is turned to the
“ON” position, the light will come 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 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.

’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
162
2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
The hill−start assist control system oper-
ates for a maximum of 2 seconds. If the
vehicle is not started within 2 seconds,
two beeps will be heard and the system
will gradually stop operating.
The hill −start control system is not de-
signed to park the vehicle on uphill slope.
When parking the vehicle, be sure to ap-
ply the parking brake.
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.
“VSC” warning light
This light warns that there is a problem
somewhere in the following systems:
Traction control system
“AUTO LSD” system
Enhanced vehicle stability control sys-
tem
Downhill assist control system
Hill− start assist control system
When the engine switch is turned to the
“ON” position, the light will come on. If
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 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.

’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
163
2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
The tire pressure warning system warns
you that the tire inflation pressure is
low.
The tire pressure warning system is not
a substitute for checking normal tire infla-
tion pressure. Check the tire inflation
pressure with a tire pressure gauge regu-
larly.
CAUTION
The warning system may not activate
immediately if blowout or sudden air
loss should occur.
The tire pressure warning light comes on
when the engine switch is in “ON” position
and goes off after a few seconds. This
means the tire pressure warning system is
operating properly. If the tire inflation pres-
sure becomes low, the light comes on
again. In this case, adjusting the tire infla-
tion pressure will turn off the light after a
few minutes. If the light comes on after
blinking for 1 minute, the tire pressure
warning system is not working properly.Indicator
status
MeaningsDo this
ONTire inflation
pressure is
lowAdjust the
tire inflation
pressure
ON after
blinking for
1 minuteTire pres-
sure warn-
ing system
malfunctionHave the
system
checked at
your Toyota
dealer
CAUTION
If the tire pressure warning light
comes on, be sure to observe the
following precautions. Failure to do
so could cause loss of vehicle control
and result in death or serious injury.
Stop your vehicle in a safe place as
soon as possible. Adjust the tire
inflation pressure immediately.
Tire pressure warning system