2009 TOYOTA RAV4 power steering

180
2-4. Using other driving systems
Driving assist systems
To help enhance driving safety and performance, the following sys-
tems operate automatically in res ponse to various driving situations.
Be aware, however, that these systems are supplementary and
should not be relied upon too h eavily when operating the vehicle.
■ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenly, or if
the brakes are applied while driving on a slippery road surface.
■Brake assist
Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake pedal is
depressed, when the system detects a panic stop situation.
■Enhanced VSC (Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to control skidding when swerving suddenly or turning
on slippery road surfaces.
■TRAC (Traction Control)
Maintains drive power and prevents the drive wheels from spinning
when starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads.
■AUTO LSD function (2WD models)
The AUTO LSD function is activated when the system is in TRAC off
mode. It operates when one of the drive wheels is spinning, such as
when the wheel is spinning freely on ice or mud. The system applies
the brakes to the spinning wheel and transfers some of the torque to
the other wheel to secure drive power.
■Active torque control 4WD system (4WD models)
Automatically switches from front-wheel drive to four-wheel drive
(4WD) according to the driving conditions, helping to ensure reliable
handling and stability. Examples of conditions where the system will
switch to 4WD are when cornering, going uphill, starting off or acceler-
ating, and when the road surface is slippery due to snow, rain, etc.
■EPS (Electric Power Steering)
Employs an electric motor to reduce the amount of effort needed to turn
the steering wheel.

185
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
■EPS operation sound
When the steering wheel operates, a motor sound (whirring sound) may be
heard.
This does not indicate a malfunction.
■ Reduced effectiveness of EPS
The effectiveness of EPS is reduced to prevent the system from overheating
when there is frequent steering input over an extended period of time. The
steering wheel may feel heavy as a result. Should this occur, refrain from
excessive steering input or stop the vehicle and turn the engine off. The sys-
tem should return to normal within 10 minutes.
■ If the slip indicator comes on
It may indicate a malfunction in the Enhanced VSC, TRAC and AUTO LSD
function. Contact your Toyota dealer.
CAUTION
■The ABS does not opera te effectively when
● Tires with inadequate gripping ability are used (such as excessively worn
tires on a snow covered road).
● The vehicle hydroplanes while driving at high speed on wet or slick road.
■ Stopping distance when the ABS is ope rating on the wet or slick roads
The ABS is not designed to shorten the vehicle's stopping distance. Always
maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you in the following situ-
ations.
● When driving on dirt, gravel or snow-covered roads
● When driving with tire chains
● When driving over bumps in the road
● When driving over roads with potholes or uneven roads
■ TRAC may not operate effectively when
Directional control and power may not be achievable while driving on slip-
pery road surfaces, even if the TRAC system is operating.
Do not drive the vehicle in conditions where stability and power may be lost.

Interior features3
219
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
Manual air conditioning system ........................... 220
Automatic air conditioning system ........................... 225
Rear window and outside rear view mirror
defoggers ....................... 233
Windshield wiper de-icer ............................ 235
3-2. Using the audio system Audio system types .......... 236
Using the radio ................. 239
Using the CD player ......... 245
Playing back MP3 and WMA discs ..................... 252
Optimal use of the audio system ........................... 259
Using the AUX adapter .... 262
Using the steering wheel audio switches ............... 263
3-3. Using the hands-free phone system (for cellular phone)
Hands-free phone system (for cellular phone)
features .......................... 266
Using the hands-free phone system
(for cellular phone) ......... 270
Making a phone call ......... 278
Setting a cellular phone ... 284 Security and system
setup .............................. 289
Using the phone book ...... 292
3-4. Using the interior lights Interior lights list ............... 300
• Personal/interior light main switch .................... 301
• Personal/interior lights ... 301
• Interior light .................... 302
• Luggage compartment light ................................ 302
3-5. Using the storage features List of storage features .... 304
• Glove box....................... 305
• Console box ................... 306
• Overhead console .......... 307
• Cup holders ................... 308
• Bottle holders ................. 309
• Auxiliary box .................. 311
3-6. Other interior features Sun visors ........................ 312
Vanity mirrors ................... 313
Clock ................................ 314
Power outlets ................... 315
Seat heaters..................... 318
Armrest ............................ 320
Coat hooks ....................... 321
Floor mat .......................... 322
Luggage compartment features .......................... 323

263
3-2. Using the audio system
3
Interior features
Using the steering wheel audio switches
Turning on the powerPress when the audio system is turned off.
The audio system can be turned off by holding down until you hear a
beep.
Changing the audio sourcePress when the audio system is turned on. The audio source
changes as follows each time is pressed.
Type A:
FM1 FM2 CD AUXAM SAT1 SAT2SAT3
Type B and C:
FM1FM2 CD changer AUXAMSAT1 SAT2SAT3
Some audio features can be cont rolled using the switches on the
steering wheel.
Vo l u m e
Radio: Selects radio sta-
tions
CD: Selects tracks, files
(MP3 and WMA) and discs
Turns the power on, selects
audio source
: If equipped

395
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
6 AM2-2
7.5 A Starting system
7 EFI NO.1 10 AMultiport fuel injection system/
sequential multiport fuel injection
system
8 EFI NO.2 10 AMultiport fuel injection system/
sequential multiport fuel injection
system
9 EFI NO.3 7.5 A No circuit
10 GROW 80 A No circuit
11 EPMS 60 A Electric power steering system
12 MAIN 80 A“HEAD MAIN”, “ECU-B2”, “ALT-S”,
“STR LOCK”, “DOME”, “ECU-B”,
“RAD NO.1” fuses
13 ALT 120 A
*1“ABS 1”, “ABS 2”, “RDI”*3, “CDS”*3,
“FAN 1”*4, “AC INV”, “TOWING”,
“HTR”, “DEICER” fuses
140 A
*2“ABS 1”, “ABS 2”, “FAN1”, “FAN2”,
“AC INV”, “TOWING”, “HTR”,
“DEICER” fuses
14 P/I 50 A “EFI MAIN”, “HORN”, “A/F”, fuses
15 ABS2 30 A ABS, TRAC, Enhanced VSC,
“AUTO LSD” function, downhill
assist control system, hill-start
assist control system
16 ABS1 50 A ABS, TRAC, Enhanced VSC,
“AUTO LSD” function, downhill
assist control system, hill-start
assist control system
17 EFI MAIN 20 A Multiport fuel injection system/
sequential multiport fuel injection
system, “EFI NO.1”, “EFI NO.2”,
fuses
18 HORN 10 A Horn
FuseAmpereCircuit

397
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
9 ACC
7.5 AAudio system, power outlets,
power rear view mirror control,
automatic transmission shift lock
system, main body ECU, clock,
smart key system
10 MIR HTR 10 A Outside rear view mirror defoggers
11 PWR OUTLET 15 A Power outlet
12 RR FOG 10 A No circuit
13 IGN 7.5 AMultiport fuel injection system/
sequential multiport fuel injection
system, steering lock system, front
passenger occupant classification
system, smart key system, SRS
airbag system
14 GAUGE 2 7.5 A Gauges and meters
15 S-HTR 15 A Seat heaters
16 FR WIP 25 A Windshield wipers
17 RR WIP 15 A Rear window wiper
18 WSH 15 AWindshield washer, rear window
washer
19 ECU IG 1 10 AElectric cooling fan, ABS, TRAC,
Enhanced VSC, “AUTO LSD” func-
tion, downhill assist control system,
hill-start assist control system,
active torque control 4WD system,
automatic transmission shift lock
system, air conditioning system,
main body ECU, electric moon
roof, stop/tail lights, electric power
steering system, clock, AC inverter,
auto anti-glare inside rear view mir-
ror
20 ECU IG 2 10 AAir conditioning system, rear win-
dow defogger, emergency flashers
FuseAmpereCircuit

412 5-1. Essential information
■Emergency towin g procedure
Release the parking brake.
Shift the shift lever to N.
Vehicles without smart key system: Turn the engine switch to “ACC”
(engine off) or “ON” (engine running) position.
Vehicles with smart key system: Turn the “ENGINE START STOP”
switch to ACCESSORY (engine off) or IGNITION ON (engine run-
ning) mode.
CAUTION
■ Caution while towing
●Use extreme caution when towing the vehicle.
Avoid sudden starts or erratic driving maneuvers which place excessive
stress on the emergency towing eyelet and the cables or chains.
● If the engine is not running, the power assist for the brakes and steering
will not function, making steering and braking more difficult.
NOTICE
■To prevent causing serious dama ge to the transmission
Never tow this vehicle from the rear with the front wheels on the ground.
This may cause serious damage to the transmission.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3

424 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
(U.S.A.)
(Canada) “ABS” warning light
Indicates a malfunction in.
• The ABS;
• The brake assist system.
Electric power steering warning light
Indicates a malfunction in the EPS (Electric Power Steering)
system.
(Comes on) Active torque control 4WD system warning light (4WD
models)
Indicates a malfunction in the active torque control 4WD
system.
(When the light flashes.
P. 425)
Warning lightWarning light/Details