2008 TOYOTA RAV4 stop start

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2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
To protect items locked in the glove box
when using valet parking, leave the sub
key with the attendant.
Since the side doors can be locked with-
out a key, you should always carry a
spare key in case you accidentally lock
your keys inside the vehicle.
NOTICE
When using a key containing a trans-
ponder chip, observe the following
precautions:
When starting the engine, do not
use the key with a key ring resting
on the key grip and do not press
the key ring against the key grip.
Otherwise the engine may not start,
or may stop soon after it starts.
When starting the engine, do not
use the key with other transponder
keys around (including keys of oth-
er vehicles) and do not press other
key plates against the key grip.
Otherwise the engine may not start,
or may stop soon after it starts. If
this happens, remove the key once
and then insert it again after remov-
ing other transponder keys (includ-
ing keys of other vehicles) from the
ring or while gripping or covering
them with your hand to start the
engine.

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2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
(a) Brake System Warning Light
This light comes on in the following cases
when the engine switch is in the “ON”
position.
When the parking brake is applied...
This light comes on for a few seconds
when the engine switch is turned to the
“ON” position even after the parking brake
is released.
When the brake fluid level is low...
CAUTION
It is dangerous to continue driving
normally when the brake fluid level is
low.
Have your vehicle checked at your
Toyota dealer in the following cases:
The light does not come on even if the
parking brake is applied when the en-
gine switch is in the “ON” position.
The light does not come on even if the
engine is turned to the “ON” position
with the parking brake released.
A warning light turning on briefly during
operation does not indicate a problem.
CAUTION
If either of the following conditions
occurs, immediately stop your vehicle
at a safe place and contact your
Toyota dealer.
The light does not turn off even
after the parking brake is released
while the engine is running.
In this case, the brakes may not
work properly and your stopping
distance will become longer. De-
press the brake pedal firmly and
bring the vehicle to an immediate
stop.
The brake system warning light re-
mains on together with the “ABS”
warning light.
In this case, not only the antilock
brake system will fail but also the
vehicle will become extremely un-
stable during braking.
(b) Driver’s Seat Belt Reminder Light and Buzzer
The light and buzzer act as a reminder to
buckle up the driver’s seat belt.
Once the engine switch is turned to the
“ON” or “START” position, the reminder
light flashes if the driver’s seat belt is not
fastened. Unless the driver fastens the
belt, the light continues flashing.
If the vehicle speed rises above 20 km/h
(12 mph) with the seat belt unfastened,
the buzzer will sound for 30 seconds.
Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened,
the buzzer will sound in a different tone
for 90 more seconds. Even if the vehicle
speed drops below 20 km/h (12 mph), the
buzzer will continue to sound. To stop the
buzzer, fasten the seat belt. If the buzzer
still sounds, make sure the front passen-
ger ’s seat belt is fastened.

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(c) Front Passenger ’s Seat Belt Re-minder Light and Buzzer
The light and buzzer act as a reminder to
have the front passenger buckle up the
seat belt.
Once the engine switch is turned to the
“ON” or “START” position, the reminder
light flashes if a passenger sits in the
front passenger seat and does not fasten
the seat belt. However, if a front passen-
ger uses an additional seat cushion, the
light may not flash even when the seat
belt is not buckled up.
If the vehicle speed rises above 20 km/h
(12 mph) with the seat belt unfastened,
the buzzer will sound for 30 seconds.
Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened,
the buzzer will sound in a different tone
for 90 more seconds. Even if the vehicle
speed drops below 20 km/h (12 mph), the
buzzer will continue to sound. To stop the
buzzer, fasten the seat belt. If the buzzer
still sounds, make sure the driver ’s seat
belt is fastened.
If luggage or other load is placed on the
front passenger seat, depending on its
weight the reminder light may flash. (d) Charging System Warning Light
This warning light comes on when the
engine switch is turned to the “ON” posi-
tion, and goes off when the engine is
started.
When there are problems in the charging
system while the engine is r
unning, the
warning light comes on.
NOTICE
When the charging system warning
light comes on while the engine is
running, malfunctions such as the en-
gine drive belt being broken may have
occurred. If the warning light comes
on, immediately stop the vehicle in a
safe place and contact your Toyota
dealer.
(e) Low Engine Oil Pressure Warning
Light
This light warns that the engine oil pres-
sure is too low.
If it flickers or stays on while you are
driving, pull off the road to a safe place
and stop the engine immediately. Call a
Toyota dealer or qualified repair shop for
assistance. The light may occasionally flicker when
the engine is idling or it may come on
briefly after a hard stop. There is no
cause for concern if it then goes out when
the engine is accelerated slightly.
The light may come on when the oil level
is extremely low. It is not designed to
indicate low oil level, and the oil level
must be checked using the level dipstick.
NOTICE
Do not drive the vehicle with the
warning light on—even for one block.
It may ruin the engine.
(f) Malfunction Indicator Lamp
This lamp comes on when the engine
switch is turned to the “ON” position
and goes off after the engine starts.
This means that the warning light sys-
tem is operating properly.
If the lamp remains on, or the lamp
comes on while driving, first check the
followings.
Empty fuel tank
If the fuel tank is empty, refuel immedi-
ately.

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Loose fuel tank cap
If the fuel tank cap is loose, securely
tighten it.
These cases are temporary malfunctions.
The malfunction indicator lamp will go off
after taking several driving trips.
If the lamp does not go off even after
several trips, contact your Toyota dealer
as soon as possible.
If the fuel tank is not empty or the fuel
tank cap is not loose...
There is a problem somewhere in the
engine, emission control system, elec-
tronic throttle control system, automatic
transmission electrical system or warn-
ing light system itself.
Contact your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible to service the vehicle.
If engine speed does not increase when
the accelerator pedal is depressed, there
may be a problem somewhere in the elec-
tronic throttle control system.
At this time, vibration may occur. Howev-
er, if you depress the accelerator pedal
more firmly and slowly, you can drive your
vehicle at low speeds. Have your vehicle
checked by your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible. Even if the abnormality of the electronic
throttle control system is corrected during
low speed driving, the system may not be
recovered until the engine is stopped and
the engine switch is turned to the “ACC”
or “LOCK” position.
CAUTION
Be especially careful to prevent erro-
neous pedal operation.
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
(I/M) programs
Your vehicle may not pass a state
emission inspection if the malfunction
indicator lamp remains on. Contact your
Toyota dealer to check your vehicle’s
emission control system and OBD
(On
−Board Diagnostics) system before
taking your vehicle for the inspection.
For details, see “Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance (I/M) programs” on page 394
in Section 6. (g) Low Fuel Level Warning Light
This light comes on when the fuel level
in the tank becomes nearly empty. Fill up
the tank as soon as possible.
On inclines or curves, due to the move-
ment of fuel in the tank, the low fuel level
warning light may come on earlier than
usual.
(h) “ABS” Warning Light
The light comes on when the engine
switch is turned to the “ON” position. If
the anti
−lock brake system and the brake
assist system work properly, the light
turns off after a few seconds. Thereafter,
if either of the systems malfunctions, the
light comes on again.
When the “ABS” warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
following systems do not operate, but the
brake system still operates conventionally.
Anti −lock brake system
Brake assist system
Traction control system
“AUTO LSD” system
Enhanced vehicle stability control sys-
tem
Downhill assist control system
Hill −start assist control system

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The SRS warning light and “AIR BAG
OFF” indicator light will come on if there
is a malfunction in the front passenger
occupant classification system.
(k) Automatic Transmission Fluid Tem-perature Warning Light
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 “P”. 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 automatic
transmission.
(l) “VSC” Warning Light
The light warns that there is a problem
somewhere in the following.
Enhanced vehicle stability control sys-
tem
Traction control system
“AUTO LSD” system
Downhill assist control system
Hill− start assist control system
The light will come on when the engine
switch is turned to the “ON” position and
will go 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
after 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. (m) Tire Pressure Warning Light
This light warns that the tire pressure of
one or more of your tires (including the
spare tire) is low. The light comes on
when the engine switch is turned to the
“ON” position. It goes off after a few sec-
onds. This indicates that the tire pressure
warning system is functioning properly.
If the warning light comes on while you
are driving, the tire pressure of one or
more of your tires (including the spare
tire) is low. The light goes off after the
tire inflation pressure is adjusted to the
proper pressure.
If the warning light blinks, the tire pres-
sure warning system may be malfunction-
ing. Contact your Toyota dealer.
For details, see “Tire pressure warning
system” on page 163 in Section 1
−7.

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(d) Using the “2” and “L” positions
The “2” and “L” positions are used for
strong engine braking as described pre-
viously.
With the selector lever in the “2” or “L”
position, you can start the vehicle in mo-
tion as with the lever in the “D” position.
With the selector lever in the “2” position,
the vehicle will start in first gear and au-
tomatically shift to second gear.
With the selector lever in the “L” position,
the transmission 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, the “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 the “P” position under any
circumstances while the vehicle is
moving. Serious mechanical damage
and loss of vehicle control may re-
sult.
(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 the “D” position.

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To turn on the system, push the “AUTO
LSD” switch when the vehicle is
stopped.
The “AUTO LSD” indicator light will come
on and remain on while the system is on.
While the system is operating, the slip
indicator light will also flash.
To turn off the system, push the “AUTO
LSD” switch again and the “AUTO LSD”
indicator light will go off.
If the vehicle speed exceeds 50 km/h (31
mph), this system will be cancelled auto-
matically.The “AUTO LSD” indicator light will come
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 or the “AUTO LSD” switch is
pushed, contact your Toyota dealer.
If the brake actuator temperature becomes
too high, a buzzer will sound for about 3
seconds. (The slip indicator light will also
be lit.) The system will temporarily stop
operating in order to protect the brake
actuator. Although “AUTO LSD” system is
not operating, it is still possible to contin-
ue your driving.
The operation of the system will be auto-
matically restored after the actuator cools
down. After operation is restored, the slip
indicator light will go off.“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.

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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.