2010 TOYOTA RAV4 ECO mode

146 2-1. Driving procedures
CAUTION
■When starting the engine
Always start the engine while sitting in the driver's seat. Do not depress the
accelerator pedal while starting the engine under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■ Stopping the engine in an emergency
If you want to stop the engine in an emergency while driving the vehicle,
push and hold the “ENGINE START STOP” switch for more than 3 seconds.
However, do not touch the "ENGINE START STOP" switch while driving
except in an emergency. Turning the engine off while driving will not cause
loss of steering or braking control, but the power assist to these systems will
be lost. This will make it more difficult to steer and brake, so you should pull
over and stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the “ENGINE START STOP” switch in ACCESSORY or IGNI-
TION ON mode for long periods without the engine running.
■ When starting the engine
●Do not race a cold engine.
● If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have the engine
checked immediately.

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
*: Shifting to the D position allows the system to select a gear suitable
for the driving conditions.
Setting the shift lever to the D position is recommended 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

160 2-2. Instrument cluster
■Indicators
The indicators inform the driver of the operating state of the
vehicle’s various systems.
*1: These lights turn on when the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is
turned to IGNITION ON mode (vehicles with smart key system) or
the engine switch is turned to the “ON” position (vehicles without
smart key system) to indicate that a system check is being per-
formed. They will turn off after the engine is started, or after a few
seconds. There may be a malfunction in a system if a light does not
come on, or if the lights do not turn off. Have the vehicle inspected
by your Toyota dealer for details.
Turn signal indicator
(P. 153)
(U.S.A.)
Headlight indicator
( P. 165)
Headlight high beam
indicator ( P. 165)
(Canada)
Tail light indicator
(P. 165)
(if equipped)
Downhill assist control
system indicator
(P. 189)
(if equipped)
Front fog light indicator
( P. 168)
Slip indicator
(P. 181)
(2WD models)
“AUTO LSD” indicator
( P. 182)
(4WD models)
Four-wheel drive lock
indicator ( P. 192)
VSC OFF indicator
(P. 182)Cruise control indicator
( P. 172)
Engine immobilizer sys-
tem indicator ( P. 92)
(4WD models)
“TRAC OFF” indicator
(P. 183)
*1
*1, 2*1
*1“AIR BAG ON”
and “AIR BAG
OFF” indica-
tor ( P. 111 )*1
*1
*1

161
2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
CAUTION
■
If a safety system warning light does not come on
Should a safety system light such as the ABS and SRS airbag warning light
not come on when you start the engine, this could mean that these systems
are not available to help protect you in an accident, which could result in
death or serious injury. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately if this occurs.
*2: The light flashes to indicate that the system is operating.
■ Warning lights
Warning lights inform the driver of malfunctions in any of the
vehicle’s systems. ( P. 418)
*1: These lights turn on when the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is
turned to IGNITION ON mode (vehicles with smart key system) or
the engine switch is turned to the “ON” position (vehicles without
smart key system) to indicate that a system check is being per-
formed. They will turn off after the engine is started, or after a few
seconds. There may be a malfunction in a system if a light does not
come on, or if the lights do not turn off. Have the vehicle inspected
by your Toyota dealer for details.
*2: The light flashes to indicate a malfunction.
(Canada)(U.S.A.)(Canada)(U.S.A.)(Canada)
(U.S.A.)(U.S.A.)(if equipped)(if equipped)
(if equipped)(4WD models)
*1*1*1*1*1*1*1*1
*1*1*1*2*1*1
*1

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. 488)
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.

208 2-5. Driving information
■Tire chain installation
Observe the following precautions when installing and removing chains.
●Install and remove tire chains in a safe location.
● Install tire chains on the front tires.
● Install tire chains following the instructions provided in the accompanying
manual.
CAUTION
■Driving with snow tires
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failing to do so may result in a loss of vehicle control and cause death or
serious injury.
●Use tires of the specified size.
● Maintain the recommended level of air pressure.
● Do not drive in excess of 75 mph (120 km/h), regardless of the type of
snow tires being used.
● Snow tires should be installed on all wheels.
● Do not mix tires of different makes, models, tread patterns or treadwear.
■ Driving with tire chains
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failing to do so may result in the vehicle being unable to be driven safely,
and may cause death or serious injury.
●Do not drive in excess of the speed limit specified for the tire chains being
used or 30 mph (50 km/h), whichever is lower.
● Avoid driving on bumpy road surfaces or over potholes.
● Avoid sudden turns and braking, as use of chains may adversely affect
vehicle handling.
● Slow down sufficiently before entering a curve to ensure that vehicle con-
trol is maintained.

224 3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
■Using the system in recirculated air mode
The windows will fog up more easily if the recirculated air mode is used for
an extended period.
■ Window defogger feature
Recirculated air mode may automatically be switched to outside air mode in
situations where the windows need to be defogged.
■ When outside air temperat ure approaches 32°F (0°C)
The air conditioning system may not operate even when
is pressed.
■ When the indicator light on flashes
Press
and turn off the air conditioning system before turning it on once
more. There may be a problem in the ai r conditioning system if the indicator
light keeps flashing. Turn the air conditioning system off and have it
inspected by your Toyota dealer.
■ When
is selected for the air outlets used
For your driving comfort, air flowing to the feet may be warmer than air flow-
ing to the upper body depending on the position of the temperature setting.
■ Air conditioning odors
●During use, various odors from inside and outside the vehicle may enter
into and accumulate in the air conditioning system. This may then cause
odor to be emitted from the vents.
● To reduce potential odors from occurring:
It is recommended that the air conditioning system be set to outside air
mode prior to turning the vehicle off.
CAUTION
■To prevent the windshield from fogging up
Do not set the air outlet selection dial to during cool air operation in
extremely humid weather. The difference between the temperature of the
outside air and that of the windshield can cause the outer surface of the
windshield to fog up, blocking your vision.

232 3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
■Switching between outside air and recirculated air modes
Recirculated air mode or outside air mode may be automatically switched to
in accordance with the temperature setting and the inside temperature.
■ Window defogger feature
Recirculated air mode may automatically switch to outside air mode in situa-
tions where the windows need to be defogged.
■ When outside temper ature approaches 32F (0 C)
The air conditioning system may not operate even when is pressed.
■ When
is selected for the air outlets used
For your driving comfort, air flowing to the feet may be warmer than air flow-
ing to the upper body depending on the position of the temperature setting.
■ Micro dust and pollen filter
●In order to prevent the windows from fogging up when the outside air is
cold, the following may occur.
• Outside air mode is not switched to recirculated air mode.
• The air conditioning system operates automatically.
• The operation is canceled after 1 minute.
● In rainy weather, the windows may fog up. Press .
■ When the indicator light on flashes
Press
and turn off the air conditioning system before turning it on once
more. There may be a problem in the ai r conditioning system if the indicator
light keep flashing. Turn the air conditioning system off and have it inspected
by your Toyota dealer.
■ Air conditioning odors
●During use, various odors from inside and outside the vehicle may enter
into and accumulate in the air conditioning system. This may then cause
odor to be emitted from the vents.
● To reduce potential odors from occurring:
• It is recommended that the air conditioning system be set to outside air
mode prior to turning the vehicle off.
• The start timing of the blower may be delayed for a short period of time immediately after the air conditioning system is started in automatic
mode.