Page 1 of 466
’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
1
2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
OPERATION OF INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLS
Overview of instruments and controls
Instrument panel overview2
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Steering switches overview 7
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Overhead console overview 7
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Instrument cluster overview 8
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Indicator symbols on the instrument panel 9
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SECTION 1 1
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’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
2
2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
1. Side defroster outlets
2. Side vents
3. Instrument cluster
4. Center vents
5. Auxiliary box
6. Power door lock switches
7. Power window switches
8. Glove box
9. Automatic transmission selector lever
10. Rear console box
11. A/V input adapter
12. Power outlet (115 VAC)
13. Power outlet (12 VDC)
14. AUX adapter
15. Power rear view mirror control switches
16. Parking brake lever
17. Cup holders
18. Hood lock release lever
19. Window lock switch
Instrument panel overview
View A
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’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
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2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
1. Instrument panel light control dial
2. Headlight, turn signal and front foglight switches
3. Wiper and washer switches
4. Four −wheel drive lock switch
(four −wheel drive models) or “AUTO
LSD” switch (two −wheel drive models)
5. Audio system
6. Emergency flasher switch
7. Front passenger occupant classification indicator light
8. Air conditioning controls
9. Clock display
10. Rear window and outside rear view mirror defogger switch
11. Power outlet
12. Windshield wiper de −icer switch
13. Seat heater switch
14. Downhill assist control switch
15. Front passenger ’s seat belt reminder light
16. Engine immobilizer system indicator light
View B (with manual air conditioning system)
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’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
5
2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
1. Instrument panel light control dial
2. Headlight, turn signal and front foglight switches
3. Wiper and washer switches
4. Four −wheel drive lock switch
(four −wheel drive models) or “AUTO
LSD” switch (two −wheel drive models)
5. Audio system
6. Emergency flasher switch
7. Front passenger occupant classification indicator light
8. Air conditioning controls
9. Rear window and outside rear view mirror defogger switch
10. Clock and air conditioning display 11. Power outlet
12. Windshield wiper de −icer switch
13. Seat heater switch
14. Downhill assist control switch
15. Front passenger ’s seat belt reminder light
16. Engine immobilizer system indicator light
View B (with automatic air conditioning system)
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’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
9
2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
Brake system warning light∗1
Charging system warning light∗1
Low engine oil pressure warning light∗1
Malfunction indicator lamp∗1
Automatic transmission fluid temperature
warning light∗1
Driver ’s seat belt reminder light∗1
Open door warning light∗1
Low fuel level warning light∗1
SRS warning light∗1
Anti −lock brake system warning light∗
1
or
or
Front passenger ’s seat belt reminder light∗1
or
Tire pressure warning light∗1
Enhanced vehicle stab ility control
system/traction control system warning light∗ 1
“4WD” warning light∗1
Indicator symbols on the instrument panel
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’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
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2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
While the vehicle is being driven, all ve-
hicle occupants should have the seatback
upright, sit well back in the seat and prop-
erly wear the seat belts provided.
CAUTION
Do not drive the vehicle unless the
occupants are properly seated. Do
not allow any passengers to sit on
top of a folded down seatback, or
in the luggage compartment or car-
go area. Persons not properly
seated and/or not properly re-
strained by seat belts can be killed
or severely injured in the event of
emergency braking or a collision.
During driving, do not allow any
passengers to stand up or move
around between seats. Otherwise,
death or severe injuries can occur
in the event of emergency braking
or a collision.
Driver seat
CAUTION
The SRS driver airbag deploys with
considerable force, and can cause
death or serious injury especially if
the driver is very close to the airbag.
The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (“NHTSA”) advises:
Since the risk zone for driver airbag
is the first 50—75 mm (2—3 in.) of
inflation, placing yourself 250 mm (10
in.) from your driver airbag provides
you with a clear margin of safety.
This distance is measured from the
center of the steering wheel to your
breastbone. If you sit less than 250
mm (10 in.) away now, you can
change your driving position in sever-
al ways:
Move your seat to the rear as far
as you can while still reaching the
pedals comfortably.
Slightly recline the back of the
seat. Although vehicle designs vary,
many drivers can achieve the 250
mm (10 in.) distance, even with the
driver seat all the way forward, sim-
ply by reclining the back of the
seat somewhat. If reclining the back
of your seat makes it hard to see
the road, raise yourself by using a
firm, non slippery cushion, or raise
the seat if your vehicle has that
feature.
If your steering wheel is adjustable,
tilt it downward. This points the air-
bag toward your chest instead of
your head and neck.
The seat should be adjusted as rec-
ommended by NHTSA above, while
still maintaining control of the foot
pedals, steering wheel, and your view
of the instrument panel controls.
Seats Front seats—
—Front seat precautions
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’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
11 3
2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
OPERATION OF INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLS
Lights, Wipers and Defogger
Headlights and turn signals11 4
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Emergency flashers 11 6
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Instrument panel light control 11 6
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Front fog lights 11 7
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Interior light 11 7
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Personal lights 11 8
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Luggage compartment light 11 8
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Illuminated entry system 11 9
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.
Windshield wipers and washer 120
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Rear window wiper and washer 121
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Windshield wiper de −icer 122
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Rear window and outside rear view mirror defoggers 122
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SECTION 1 5
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’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
11 4
2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
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 lights
up in the instrument cluster.
Position 2—Headlights and all of the
above
For the U.S.A.—The headlight indicator
lights up in the instrument cluster.
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 en-
gine switch 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 engine 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