2009 TOYOTA RAV4 brake

151
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
Vehicles without
smart key system:
While the engine switch is in the “ON” position, depress the
brake pedal and move the shift lever.
Vehicles with smart key system:
While the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in IGNITION
ON mode, depress the brake pedal and move the shift
lever.
■ Shift position uses
*: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noises, set the shift lever in the
“D” position for normal driving.
Shift positionFunction
4-speed models5-speed models
PParking the vehicle/starting the engine
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*
4Position for engine braking
3,2Position for more powerful engine braking
LPosition for maximum engine braking

154
2-1. Driving procedures
Parking brake
NOTICE
■Before driving
Fully release the parking brake.
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to brake components
overheating, which may affect braking performance and increase brake
wear.
Sets the parking brake
Fully apply the parking brake while depressing the brake pedal.
Releases the parking brake
Slightly raise the lever and lower it completely while pressing the but-
ton.
U.S.A.
Canada

166 2-3. Operating the lights and wipers
■Daytime running light system (if equipped)
To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers, the headlights turn on
automatically (at a reduced intensity) whenever the engine is started and the
parking brake is released. Daytime running lights are not designed for use at
night.
■ Headlight control sensor (with au tomatic light control system)
■ Automatic light off system
Vehicles without smart key system:
The headlights and tail lights turn off 30 seconds after driver’s door is
opened and closed if the engine switch has been turned to “ACC” or “LOCK”
position.
To turn the lights on again, turn the engine switch to the “ON” position, or
turn the headlight switch off and then back to or .
Vehicles with smart key system:
The headlights and tail lights turn off 30 seconds after driver’s door is
opened and closed if the “ENGINE START STOP” switch has been turned to
ACCESSORY mode or turned OFF.
To turn the lights on again, turn the “ENGINE START STOP” switch to IGNI-
TION ON mode, or turn the headlight switch off and then back to or
.
■ Customization that can be co nfigured at Toyota dealer
Settings (e.g. light sensor sensitivity) can be deactivated.
(Customizable features P. 491)
The sensor may not function properly if
an object is placed on the sensor, or any-
thing that blocks the sensor is affixed to
the windshield.
Doing so interferes with the sensor
detecting the level of ambient light and
may cause the automatic headlight sys-
tem to malfunction.

173
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
■Cruise control can be set when
●The shift lever is in D or 3 (4-speed models), or D or 4 (5-speed models).
● Vehicle speed is above approximately 25 mph (40 km/h). Within the limits
of the engine’s capabilities, cruising speed can be maintained up or down
grades.
■ Accelerating
The vehicle can be accelerated normally. After acceleration, the set speed
resumes.
■ Adjusting the speed setting
Increase speed
Decrease speed
Hold the lever until the desired
speed setting is obtained.
Fine adjustment of the set
speed can be made by lightly
pushing the lever up or down
and releasing it.
■Canceling and resuming regular acceleration
Cancel
Push the lever towards you to
cancel cruise control.
The speed setting is also can-
celed when the brakes are
applied.
Resume
To resume cruise control and
return to the set speed, push
the lever up.

174 2-4. Using other driving systems
■Coast braking function
●Holding the lever down to decrease the set speed activates the brake
system automatically, decelerating the vehicle quickly.
While the brake system is operating, the stop lights and high mounted
stoplight will turn on.
● A sound may be heard from the engine compartment during the opera-
tion of the brake system. The sound means the brake system is operat-
ing and it does not indicate a malfunction.
■ Automatic cruise control cancellation
The set speed is automatically cancelled in any of the following situations.
●Actual vehicle speed falls more than 10 mph (16 km/h) below the preset
vehicle speed.
At this time, the memorized set speed is not retained.
● Actual vehicle speed is below 25 mph (40 km/h).
● Enhanced VSC is activated.
■ If the cruise control indicator light flashes
Turn the “ON-OFF” button off once, and then reactivate the system.
If the cruise control speed cannot be set or if the cruise control cancels
immediately after being activated, there may be a malfunction in the cruise
control system. Contact your Toyota dealer and have your Toyota inspected.
CAUTION
■To avoid operating the cruise control by mistake
Keep the “ON-OFF” button off when not in use.
■ Situations unsuitable for cruise control
Do not use cruise control in any of the following situations.
Doing so may result in control of the vehicle being lost and could cause an
accident resulting in death or serious injury.
●In heavy traffic
● On roads with sharp bends
● On winding roads
● On slippery roads, such as those covered with rain, ice or snow
● On steep hills

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.

184 2-4. Using other driving systems
■Automatic reactivation of TRAC and Enhanced VSC
Vehicles without smart key system
Turning the engine switch OFF after turning off the TRAC and Enhanced
VSC systems will automatically re-enable them.
Vehicles with smart key system
Turning the “ENGINE START STOP” switch OFF after turning off the TRAC
and Enhanced VSC systems will automatically re-enable them.
■ Automatic TRAC reactivation
2WD models
If only the TRAC system is turned off, the TRAC system will be reactivated
while vehicle speed is increased. 4WD models
If only the TRAC system is turned off, the TRAC system will turn on when
vehicle speed increases.
■ Automatic TRAC and Enha nced VSC reactivation
If the TRAC and Enhanced VSC systems are turned off, the systems will not
turn on even when vehicle speed increases.
■ Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, TRAC and Enhanced VSC
● A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the engine is
started or just after the vehicle begins to move. This sound does not indi-
cate that a malfunction has occurred in any of these systems.
● Any of the following conditions may occur when the above systems are
operating. None of these indicates that a malfunction has occurred.
• Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
• A motor sound may be heard after the vehicle comes to a stop.
• The brake pedal may pulsate slightly when the ABS is activated.
• The brake pedal may move down slightly after the ABS is activated.
■ When the AUTO LSD function operates continuously
The brake actuator may overheat. In that case, the system will stop the
AUTO LSD function, a buzzer will sound and the slip indicator will stay on
steady. Refrain from using the AUTO LSD function until the slip indicator
goes off. (There is no problem with continuing driving normally.)

187
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
Hill-start assist control
■Hill-start assist control operating conditions
• The shift lever is in a position other than P.
• The parking brake is not applied.
• The accelerator pedal is not depressed.
■ Hill-start assist control
●While hill-start assist control is operating, the brakes remain automati-
cally applied after the driver releases the brake pedal. The stop lights and
the high mounted stoplight turn on.
● Hill-start assist control operates for about 2 seconds after the brake pedal
is released.
● If the slip indicator does not flash and the buzzer does not sound when
the brake pedal is further depressed, slightly reduce the pressure on the
brake pedal (do not allow the vehicl e to roll backward) and then firmly
depress it again. If the system still does not operate, check if the operat-
ing conditions explained above have been met.
Hill-start assist control helps to prevent the vehicle from rolling
backwards when starting on an incline or slippery slope.
To engage hill-start assist con-
trol, further depress the brake
pedal when the vehicle is
stopped completely.
A buzzer will sound once to
indicate the system is acti-
vated. The slip indicator will
also start flashing.
: If equipped